Eco-friendly sports car makers Fisker and Tesla have had a fractious relationship in recent months, so Fisker can’t have been too pleased when Tesla secured a last-minute cheap deal for a stand directly opposite its own.
Last year Tesla sued Fisker boss Henrik Fisker, who had been working for Tesla as a design consultant. Tesla alleged that Fisker had stolen design ideas- but a court found in Fisker’s favour. Henrik Fisker is a former BMW designer, who styled the Z8 roadster. (more…)
In sync with consumers’ mindset-change toward affordable, efficient, high-quality automobiles, Mazda presents the all-new Mazda3. This redefined, reengineered, and restyled sport compact climbs atop its predecessor’s tall shoulders to deliver improved appearance and performance, fresh features, and an unmatched level of refinement. (more…)
Blending an eye-catching and attractive new form with class-leading function, the new Fiat Qubo offers chart-topping family friendliness.
Using the highly acclaimed Grande Punto platform as a base, Qubo is aimed at drivers who want to combine versatility, space and a car-like driving experience without sacrificing individuality. (more…)
As the official vehicle sponsor, Land Rover will be showcasing the new Range Rover Sport ‘Stormer Edition’ together with the latest line-up of vehicles at The London International Boat Show this week.
The ‘Stormer Edition’ is based on the entry-level Range Rover Sport TDV6 ‘S’ but comes with additional features including 20 inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, tail-mounted rear spoiler, deep sculptured front and rear bumpers, integrated rectangular exhaust pipes, body-coloured lower body side mouldings and lower tailgate moulding, leather seats, front and rear Park Distance Control (PDC) and Personal Telephone Integration. (more…)
A new chapter in the history of Prius opens at the Detroit motor show with the official unveiling of the all-new, third-generation of Toyota’s world-leading hybrid power car.
With a heritage of more than one million sales worldwide since the original model was launched in 1997, new Prius takes the benefits of hybrid to a new level, promising even better fuel economy and performance and reduced full lifecycle emissions, from manufacturing through to ultimate disposal. These qualities are combined with sharper styling, improved interior space and comfort and a more rewarding driving experience. (more…)
Tesla Motors Inc. began taking orders today for the Roadster Sport, a high-performance sports car based on the world’s leading all-electric, zero-emission vehicle.
The Roadster Sport accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, compared with 3.9 seconds for the standard Roadster. It comes with a hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque. In addition to Yokohama’s Ultra High Performance tyres, the Roadster Sport has improved suspension with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver’s preference.
The Roadster Sport starts at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. Deliveries begin in late June.
“This car can beat nearly anything in its price class – yet it is twice as efficient as compact hybrid sedans,” said Michael van der Sande, Tesla’s senior vice president of global sales, service and marketing. “If you refuse to compromise on performance or the environment, the Roadster Sport is your only option.”
The Roadster Sport is the first derivative of Tesla’s proprietary, patented powertrain. San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla plans to begin producing the all-electric, zero-emssion Model S five-passenger sedan in 2011.
Tesla has delivered more than 150 Roadsters to customers, and about 1,100 people are on the waiting list. Customers who haven’t taken delivery may upgrade to the Roadster Sport.
“The Roadster Sport embodies Tesla’s spirit of continuous improvement,” said CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “The Roadster has been a great success, but no one at this company remains satisfied with the status quo.”
The new IFR Aspid sports car has received approval to compete in the Britcar endurance racing car series. The high performance road car, which already meets FIA security specifications, was sanctioned for the championship at a meeting between IFR founder Ignacio Fernández and Britcar founder James Tucker held at the Autosport International racing car show.
“I’m delighted that teams will now have the opportunity to race the Aspid in this championship series,” says Fernández. “The car was designed from the outset to meet FIA as well as EU regulations, so is unique in being a genuine ready-to-race high performance road car. No additional preparation is required to go racing, so teams will find it extremely affordable.”
“We welcome this all new player to the grid,” added Tucker. “We created our endurance race car championship in 2002 with a new set of rules to attract a wide diversity of entries and the Aspid brings an exciting new addition to the series that will add to the racing and overtaking spectacle.”
Tucker has confirmed that teams can enter the 270bhp naturally aspirated Aspid sport model in keeping with the series’ power-to-weight ratio regulation. Due to the car’s extreme lightweight design, the 400bhp supercharged supersport model was considered at this stage to give too much of a performance advantage for Britcar racing, but will be considered for a possible new class of higher power-to-weight ratio race cars in the future.
Racing car driver, Rob Hedley, has already expressed an interest in putting together the first team to race the new car and is lining up potential sponsors.
“I knew I wanted to race it when I first heard about the car,” said Hedley. “The Aspid is a brilliant piece of automotive engineering, developed from first principles, and should prove highly competitive. It’s also immensely strong and offers a robust, reliable and cost-effective racing opportunity.”
The car attracted a high level of interest at the Autosport and PistonHeads show, when it was shown for only the second time in the UK, following its debut at the British International Motor show last July. Racecar enthusiasts and motor industry professionals had a rare opportunity to see it close-up and examine its exciting new technology and design features. Ignacio Fernández, who put together the team of automotive engineers that created the car, was on hand to explain how the Aspid manages to outperform even a World Rally Championship car as well as most supercars … and at a fraction of the price.
The award-winning Cataluña based company he founded five years ago, IFR Automotive, was established to help develop innovative green technologies based on new lightweight automotive designs increasingly required for the mainstream car market.
In just a few weeks, Volkswagen of America will be introducing one of the most economical and cleanest SUVs to the US market: the new Touareg V6 TDI with a powerful 165 kW / 225 PS Clean Diesel. In parallel to the debut of the pioneeringly efficient Touareg, Volkswagen is now presenting in Detroit an outstandingly exclusive special model of its high-end SUV: the Touareg “Lux Limited”. It will launch with the new V6 TDI and two highly advanced gasoline engines: a V6 FSI (206 kW / 280 PS) and a V8 FSI (257 kW/ 350 PS). All versions of the Touareg START share an exclusive interior that is only available on this edition that will be limited to 1,940 units. (more…)
The New Quattroporte Sport GT S Debuts in Detroit
The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S making its worldwide première at the 2009 North American International Auto Show sets yet another milestone in terms of sportiness in the high performance luxury sedan segment of the automotive market. Conceived and developed as “a real driving machine in the guise of a luxury sedan”, the Quattroporte Sport GT S is the ultimate expression of Maserati’s sportiness in the Quattroporte range. (more…)
Jaguar has revealed the new XKR and XFR at the Detroit Auto Show 2009 – two cars that are true to the heritage of Jaguar’s legendary performance, delivering a superb balance of high performance, dynamic ability and refinement.
Mike O’Driscoll, Managing Director of Jaguar Cars said: “We’ve started 2009 with the introduction of advanced new generation petrol and diesel engines that set new benchmarks in terms of performance, economy and efficiency, including a new diesel for the XF that offers a marked improvement in CO2 and fuel economy. Our cars meet the challenges of the modern world and the needs of today’s consumers – and they’re also true to the Jaguar philosophy of creating beautiful fast cars.”
XF and XFR 2010 MY
The XF has already secured ‘Car of the Year’ awards from two major UK automotive magazines and more than 30 other commendations worldwide, so the new XFR, a new high performance diesel and a host of changes for the 2010 Model Year, including the launch of the new luxurious ‘Portfolio’ model, will make the XF an even more attractive proposition.
Featuring all-new AJ-V8 Gen III petrol engines and new AJ-V6D Gen III diesel engines, the XF now delivers more power and more performance with comparable or better fuel economy and emissions than the engines they supersede.
The XFR is powered by the all-new supercharged 510PS (510bhp SAE) V8 with acceleration from 0-60mph in just 4.7 seconds making it the ultimate Jaguar sport saloon. A naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8, producing 385PS, powers other V8 XF models.
Distinguished by unique exterior and interior design features, the XFR includes revised bumpers and lower front air intakes, sill extensions, bonnet louvres and grilles, four tailpipes, a boot-lid spoiler, unique seats and 20-inch alloy wheels.
The new XF 3.0-litre AJ-V6D Gen III diesel features a twin sequential turbocharged engine available as the 275PS/600Nm S or a 240PS/500Nm version. Both offer exceptional efficiency and refinement and in the case of the Diesel S accelerates from 0-60 in just 5.9 seconds.
With 275PS, the new XF 3.0-litre diesel S is 33 percent more powerful than the acclaimed 2.7-litre TDV6 it replaces. Torque peaks at a substantial 600Nm, with 61 percent more torque available from 1500rpm.
Every new engine for the XF range has highly competitive fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures. Both diesel versions deliver combined average fuel consumption of 42.0mpg – an improvement on the acclaimed 2.7-litre engine of nearly 12 percent – and a CO2 of 179g/km.
In the UK, pricing of the new XF range starts at £32,900 for the 3.0-litre petrol. The 3.0-litre diesel model is available from £33,900 while the new 3.0-litre Diesel S starts at £36,900. The XFR is priced at £59,900.* These models are available from late March.
XK and XKR 2010 MY
The new generation of XK and XKR coupe and convertibles, with all-new V8 engines, deliver more power and performance with greater efficiency for 2010 Model Year. With interior enhancements, advanced lightweight aluminium body structure and a wider range of models, plus the new luxurious ‘Portfolio’ model, the new XK and XKR build on 60 years of legendary performance to deliver the best of everything Jaguar.
The all-new AJ-V8 Gen III direct-injection engines are the most advanced and efficient petrol engines Jaguar has ever produced.
The XKR features a 5.0-litre supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III delivering 510PS (510bhp, SAE), 625Nm of torque propelling it to 60mph in just 4.6 seconds.
The XK features a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated AJ-V8 Gen III delivering 385PS (385bhp SAE), 515Nm of torque propelling it to 60mph in just 5.2 seconds.
Both models have improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions which meet the forthcoming EU5 emissions legislation.
Exterior changes for the XK and XKR include a distinctive and purposeful new front end design, new LED rear lights and a new lower rear body valance. Inside the cabin, both the XK and XKR feature the exciting, user-friendly JaguarDrive Selector™ that was first seen on the XF to further enhance the XK’s luxury sporting character.
There are now three models in the range: XK, XK Portfolio and XKR. The XK is priced from £59,900 for the coupe and £65,900 for the convertible and the XKR starts from £72,400 for the coupe and £78,400 for the convertible.** These models are available from late March.
*PRICING – XF, XFR, XK, XKR 2010 MY
| Model | On the Road Price |
| XF 3.0 V6 Petrol Luxury | £32,900 |
| XF 3.0 V6 Petrol Premium Luxury | £36,500 |
| XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Luxury | £33,900 |
| XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Premium Luxury | £37,500 |
| XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Portfolio | £41,500 |
| XF 3.0 V6 Diesel S Luxury | £36,900 |
| XF 3.0 V6 Diesel S Premium Luxury | £40,500 |
| XF 3.0 V6 Diesel S Portfolio | £44,200 |
| XF 5.0 V8 Petrol Portfolio | £49,900 |
| XFR 5.0 V8 Supercharged | £59,900 |
**PRICING – XK AND XKR 2010 MY
| Model | On the Road Price |
| XK Coupe | £59,900 |
| XK Convertible | £65,900 |
| XK Portfolio Coupe | £64,900 |
| XK Portfolio Convertible | £70,900 |
| XKR Coupe | £72,400 |
| XKR Convertible | £78,400 |
Volkswagen is starting the new year by presenting an automotive dream – an affordable, uncommonly economical and highly agile mid-engine roadster. Its name: Concept BlueSport. Status: concept. Dynamics: pure. Fuel consumption: an average of 42 mpg / 4,3 l/100 km (combined; Highway: up to 50 mpg); less than any other sports car. Positioning: genuine, low-emissions roadster (113 g/km CO2) that makes every kilometer, every mile a driving experience. (more…)
Launched last summer, the Lincoln MKS upholds the luxury and comfort standards unique to Lincoln. Now, with the addition of all-new EcoBoost engines, the Lincoln MKS also will deliver a compelling combination of V-8 power and V-6 fuel economy.
The Lincoln MKS is among the first Ford Motor Company vehicle to introduce a premium twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine for the 2010 model year and is expected to deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of 25 mpg. By 2013, more than 90 percent of Ford Motor Company’s North American lineup will be available with EcoBoost technology. (more…)