Author: Lidia Todorova

Peugeot 2008 Crossover climbs the Tamworth Snowdome

Peugeot-2008-Crossover-at-the-Tamworth-Snowdome-651 The reveal of the new 2013 Peugeot 2008 Crossover happened in the beginning of the year, and now the vehicle is currently being launched worldwide. It comes to demonstrate its capability of pioneering Grip Control improved traction technology in the most dramatic way.

Peugeot has just released a video, showing how the crossover behaves when it is driven up and down an indoor snow slope. The driving route happened at the popular Snowdome in Tamworth, Staffs, which has a 170-metre ski slope.

At first, the driving began with a car without the utilization of the Grip Control and hence the Peugeot 2008 struggled to get more than a few metres on the hard-packed snow. However, when a vehicle with Grip Control was used (Grip Control is standard on Allure and Feline trim levels with 1.6 petrol and diesel engines), the contrast in performance stood out.

Thanks to the improved traction control and all season tyres, Peugeot 2008 drove straight to the top of the slope. Another challenge was when the drivers were even encouraged to perform an emergency stop on the descent. Due to car’s advanced traction system, the stop was brought quickly to a halt with the minimum of fuss.

Grip Control was especially designed for customers who have active lifestyles and drive on a big range of different surfaces thus needing more traction. The technology works through components which are to be found in the vehicle and in addition it also works on its front wheels in order to enhance confidence of driving and safety.

Furthermore, the standard mode was developed for normal road conditions and where there is a low level of skidding. Nonetheless, the Standard mode can be switched via a dial located in the centre console, to a Snow, Off-Road, Sand or ESP Off mode. The effect is high level of performance, which is usually associated with 4×4 off-road vehicles.

2013 Peugeot 2008 Crossover will be available at dealerships in mid-July.

Source: Peugeot

2014 Acura MDX Is Made For Mankind [VIDEO]

2014 Acura MDX debuted in March at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. Today the brand unveiled a new multi-channel advertising campaign for the all-new SUV, which is entitled “The Extremely New MDX – Made for Mankind”.

The advertising campaign puts emphasis on the full technical transformation of the MDX and in addition, it centers around the concept of “Made for Mankind”. The latter highlights the unique engineering and design philosophy at the heart of all Acura vehicles, which lies in the synergy between man and machine.

Acura aims to showcase what makes the MDX different from other vehicles and how it harnesses technology that connects the Acura driver to the car, to the road, and to the world around them.

Furthermore, there will be three distinct video concepts as part of the campaign. First, the “Human Race” represents the anthem spot evoking Acura’s dedication to creating vehicles performing in harmony with the driver.

Secondly, “Re-Invention” shows the way MDX has been completely re-thought and enhanced to the point that the only remaining component of the previous generation model is a small metal bracket.

At last, “Choose” puts a highlight on the 2014 MDX’s all-new Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) with three driving modes: Sport, Normal and Comfort. The IDS adjusts steering effort, throttle response, SH-AWD performance and Active Sound Control in order to better to suit the driver.

2014 Acura MDX will go on sale by the end of the month. The vehicle is built on a completely new platform and it offers excellent ride comfort, more versatile and luxurious cabin, enhanced fuel efficiency, advanced connectivity and great dynamic performance.

Source: Acura

HRE Performance Enhances Volkswagen Beetle Turbo

HRE Performance has improved the visual characteristics of a Volkswagen Beetle Turbo by featuring to it their FlowForm wheels. To be more precise, this Super Beetle now runs on Gloss Silver FF01 wheels.

What is special about this Turbo version of the iconic car is that it is equipped with the award-winning EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder TSI® engine. It is able to produce 210 horsepower (155 kW) and can generate 207 pound-feet (280 Nm) of torque.

This enables the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in only 6.6 seconds and to reach an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. The power of the engine is transmitted via six-speed manual transmission.

However, for the tuners at HRE 210 horsepower weren’t enough. With the help of an APR Stage IV GTX Turbocharger, in addition to various other APR upgrades, they were able to enhance the power of the car up to 500hp (368 kW).

Furthermore, the original color of the car is now hidden under a foiling. This “Super” Beetle is wrapped in Matte Azure Blue Metallic delivered by ORACAL. What is left to mention is that the Gloss Silver wheels are in size 20″x9″ and they give a final touch to this project.

Source: HRE Performance Wheels

Volvo Autonomous Parking Concept [VIDEO]

Volvo has developed a revolutionary concept for autonomous parking. Volvo Autonomous Parking Concept Car is going to be officially showcased at a media event this week. It has the capabilities of finding a vacant parking space by itself, without the driver inside.

In addition, the smart and driverless Volvo interacts safely with other cars and pedestrians in the car park. The concept utilizes Vehicle 2 Infrastructure technology, which transmitters in the road infrastructure and delivers information to the driver when the service is available. On the other hand the driver uses a mobile phone application to activate the Autonomous Parking.

Furthermore, the car is equipped with special sensors which can locate a free parking space and then navigate the car to it. The procedure is reversed when the driver comes back to pick up the car.

In addition, the vehicle combines autonomous driving with detection and auto brake for other objects. This makes it possible for the car to interact safely with other cars and pedestrians in the car park. Speed and braking are changed accordingly, for smooth integration in the parking environment.

The autonomous parking and platooning technologies are still being developed. However, the innovative technology Volvo Autonomous Steering is going to be integrated in the next Volvo XC90, which will be revealed at the end of 2014.

httpv://youtu.be/3VL40Uyx2c4

Video Source: YouTube

Source: Volvo

Past And Present: Toyota at Le Mans

This past weekend Toyota has returned to the Le Mans with the goal of winning the biggest prize in international sports car racing. For a second year, Toyota Racing TS030 Hybrid will be aiming for victory. The model successfully won in three other FIA World Endurance Championship events in 2012.

To go further into details, the model is the third in a series of superbly engineered Toyota Le Mans cars. The sequence began with TS010 in the early 1990s, which took advantage of the new technical regulations that allowed the most powerful “Group C” race cars to run with a non-turbo 3.5-litre V10 engine. This unit was utilized at that time in Formula 1.

Furthermore, the car achieved a great success by winning the opening race at Monza in 1992. Nonetheless, at Le Mans, the team had to settle for a hard-fought second place. In 1993 it returned at the race for a one-off appearance.

Five years later, after a time of research and development, Toyota returned with a full-blooded entry -the TS020, better known as the Toyota GT-One. It was both beautiful and fast, and was designed by Andre de Cortanze. As a matter of fact, back in those days it was one of the most advanced race cars.

What is very specific about this vehicle is that it was entirely created with the utilization of CAD techniques and in addition it included a carbon fibre monocoque, which helped keep its weight down to a svelte 900 kg. In addition, it was powered by the refined Toyota twin-turbo V8, which was capable of generating around 600 hp (440 kW).

The race vehicle made a debut in 1998 Le Mans and won a second place on the grid and held a strong second in the race until being forced into retirement in the last hour of the race. Even more, in the following year, Toyota GT-One was unstoppable – it locked out the first three places on the grid.

In the present days, Toyota returned to the FIA World Endurance Championship last year with the TS030 Hybrid. The car is an instance of advanced hybrid power technology applied for the highest levels of international motorsport.

One of the highlights of its Toyota Hybrid System-Racing powertrain is a regenerative braking system. The latter allows 300 hp (220 kW) of additional boost to be generated from energy recovered under braking and deceleration.

With this vehicle, the team claimed three race wins in its debut championship season. However, it did not succeed for a victory at Le Mans. This year the Toyota’s Racing team is fielding two 2013-specification cars, piloted by the three-man squads of Alex Wurz/Nicolas Lapierre/Kazuki Nakajima and Anthony Davidson/Sébastien Buemi/Stéphane Sarrazin.

Source: Toyota

Kahn Land Rover Chelsea Defender XS 110

Land Rover Defender is definitely an emblematic vehicle, which does not need any additional presentation in order to show its strong position in the automotive world. The same counts for the British company A.Kahn Design, which have one of the highest position is the world of tuning off vehicles.

Both facts contribute to the logical conclusion, that when a designer at such rang intends to involve in the improvement and modification of a vehicle such as the Defender, the result should be at least breath-taking. The evidence is here – the Kahn Land Rover Chelsea Defender XS 110.

Every component of the seven seater Chelsea Defender has been designed and engineered with intent. It represents a blend of refinement and unmatched all-terrain capability, which makes it even more distinctive and unique, and ready to tackle challenging and inhospitable terrain.

The exterior of the XS 10 has been enhanced via e new front grille with embossed Kahn branding and mesh, front bumper including bumper lighting, xenon crosshair headlights, bonnet vents with mesh, brake calipers finished in liquid red, front bumper sump guard, hardwearing mud flaps, exhaust shields, Kahn prototype taligate logo and wing badges.

Moreover, now this Land Rover runs on new set of wheels: the 1983 RS Defend ones which care in the shade of satin black. They come in size 8×18″ and are fitted with 265x65x18″ tyres. In addition, they feature Chelsea truck company spare wheel cover.

Next, the interior of the vehicle was also exquisitely refined. Inside one can see the justifiably famous Kahn “bespoke touch”. In this particular vehicle the front Sports GTB seats and the middle row seats are in quilted and perforated leather, while the centre glovebox comes in black leather and grey alcantara with red and silver stitching.

Moreover, the centre dashboard surround is now in piano black and one can also see the modified Kahn single spoke leather steering wheel, the centre dashboard wrapped in black leather and grey alcantara with red and silver stitch, the rear folding seats – in quilted and perforated leather, the rev counter facia – in red, the dashboard and instrument binnacle – in alcantara. Some of the highlights that add to the exclusive style of the interior are the hard wearing front and rear cabin floor mats, the Kahn fire extinguisher and the Churchill time clock facia insert in red and vented foot pedals in machined aluminium.

Source: A. Kahn Design

The Sporty SR Auto Scion FR-S Rocket Bunny

Rocket Bunny is the name of the latest vehicle tuned by the specialists at SR Auto. The car behind this name is the sporty Scion FR-S. In fact the abbreviation FR-S stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive and Sport, thus expressing all that this car is about.

This is proven and re-confirmed by the engine that is at the heart of the vehicle – the 2.0-liter boxer that generates the impressive 200 horsepower (147 kW) and 151 pound-feet (205 Nm) of torque. The flat engine is mounted extremely low, giving the car a dynamically low center of gravity.

However, what sets apart the Rocket Bunny from other FR-S build vehicles is one key feature: the very unique set of forged PUR 4OUR DEPTH wheels. They are in the stunning shade of electric blue, which perfectly matches the asphalt grey exterior color of this Scion in order to make an ever alluring appeal.

The wheels were specifically designed and engineered for the Rocket Bunny kit, and come on sizes 19×10 inches for the front and 19×12 inches for the rear. What enhances them additionally is the set of super sticky Yokohama Advan AD08′s, which were mounted to deliver more spirited driving.

The suspension of the car was also improved via BC Racing Coilovers, while the performance now is even more auspicious being an Invidia Catback Exhaust System. What is left to mention is to bring attention to the Rocket Bunny kit. It comprises of Rocket Bunny Wide Body Fender Flares, Rocket Bunny Front Lip, Rocket Bunny Side Skirts, Rocket Bunny Rear Diffuser, Rocket Bunny Rear GT Wing, APR Carbon Fiber Side Mirrors and Bespoke Smoked Headlight Housings.

Source: SR Auto

2014 Dodge SRT Viper GT3-R Is Ready For Competition

2014 Dodge SRT Viper GT3-R has been released and it is ready for competition. Powered by a new V-10 engine, the race car was designed and developed by Chrysler Group’s SRT (Street and Racing Technology) Motorsports team.

According to the brand this Viper GT3-R is the peak of nearly two decades of racing development resulting in a robust sports car. The vehicle is the logical progression of the successful Viper GTS-R that has conquered many prestigious races.

In addition, the GT3-R is a direct descendant of the SRT Viper street car. This is why the new Dodge model stays true to the emblematic appeal of the Viper, but it is also an evolution provoked by the demands of racing at a world class level.

The birth of the SRT Viper GT3-R is a result of the collaboration of the brand with Riley Technologies, which specializes in the design and production of winning race cars. Moreover, the technology developed by Chrysler for the factory engine, chassis, suspension, electronics and aerodynamics of the GTS-R, is also incorporated into every Viper GT3-R.

For instance, the chassis has been equipped with a highly-efficient aerodynamic package which effects in improved handling. Other features included in this race car are the Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters, six-piston front brake calipers with four-piston rears, lightweight wheels and a multi-disc race clutch for maximum performance from the V-10 engine.

The starting price of the new 2014 Dodge SRT Viper GT3-R begins at $459 000 USD with orders are now being taken for late 2013 delivery.

Source: Dodge

VUHL 05 Confirmed For 2013 Salon Prive

At this year’s Salon Prive the visitors will have the opportunity of seeing the debut of a future legend. We are speaking here about the highly anticipated new supercar from Mexico – VUHL 05, which will be on the lawns of Syon Park in September.

Although we don’t know much about the forthcoming vehicle, the information that has been released so far reveals that the VUHL 05 will be a road-legal lightweight supercar. It has been precision-engineered for the track and endowed with exhilarating performance.

Up to date, only three teaser images have been released. It was also announced that the vehicle will be officially unveiled in July at Goodwood Festval of Speed, shortly followed by Salon Privé in September.

The name of the car is pronounced “vool” and stands for ‘Vehicles of Ultra- lightweight and High-performance. It is the brainchild of brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, whose Mexican/American design agency, Etxe, penned the breath-taking 05. Some of the suppliers and development partners of the performance car industry which are featured in this project are Magna Steyr, Multimatic and Ford.

Source: VUHL

Mitsubishi Outlander Is Official Safety Vehicle For Pikes Peak

A completely redesigned 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander is going to be the Official Safety Vehiclefor this year’s 91st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. PPIHC event will be held on 30th of June 30 at the breathtaking Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

The challenging Pikes Peak International Hill Climb features a road course that is 12.42 long and has 156 corners. It commences at an elevation of 9390 feet and fends at 14 110 feet.

The safety car will include technologically-advanced safety features such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM). In addition to this, this Mitsubishi will be equipped with company’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system. The latter will deliver superior stability, traction and control, which attributes are ideal for harsh weather and road conditions.

Furthermore, in the race will also be seen the legendary Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution high-performance sports sedan. It will join Outlander as a supplemental safety vehicle. As a matter of fact, both cars were built specifically for the race with support coming from AEM®, BBS USA, Cobb Tuning, DC Sports®, Kenwood USA Corporation, and Muellerized Suspension Tuning.

In addition, the brand will also make a racing return to the event with its new and more powerful 100% electric-powered prototype racing car – the MiEV Evolution II. It will be driven by two-time Dakar Rally winner Hiroshi Masuoka.

Source: Mitsubishi

Schmidt Revolution Enhances Ferrari F360 and 575M

Two Ferraris are being enhanced by the company SCHMIDT Revolution. They have equipped the models with new rims, which fit perfectly to the exquisite Italian models. They were designed especially for these vehicles according to the customer requirements.

The models which were improved are the Ferrari F360 and its „younger brother“ Ferrari 575M. The first vehicle is the iconic two-seater sports car, which was built by the Italian brand from 1999 to 2005. It is equipped with a mid-engine 3.6 litre V8 unit and has a rear wheel drive.

Its engine utilizes flat plane crankshaft, titanium connecting rods and produces 400 bhp (300 kW). The car runs from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.3 seconds. The next vehicle is again a two-seater, two-door grand tourer, which was launched in 2002.

It is equipped with a V12 engine mated to a semi-automatic electrohydraulic manual ‘F1’ gearbox. The displacement of the unit is 5.7 liters and can generate up to 508 hp (379 kW) and 588.6 N•m (434.1 lb•ft) of torque at 5,250 rpm. The acceleration time for this model for the sprint from standstill to 100 km/h is only 4.2 seconds on the way to a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).

Both Ferrari F360 and 575M are equipped with a coil over and both vehicles were screwed to the optimum height. However, there can always happen an adjustment to the standard tires, therefore making possible an easy conversion back of both vehicles in absolute original condition.

Source: Miranda Media