Tsvetan Varbanov – Page 29 – Automobiles Review

2013 Acura ILX Base Price: $25,900

The 2013 Acura ILX will hit the showrooms in May 22 with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price starting at $25,900. It sounds like a bargain and with three engine setups and two optional packages available there seems to be a great deal of flexibility as well

This 5-passenger, “windswept” saloon will offer a number of new and classy features such as Keyless Access System with smart entry and a start button. The Pandora internet radio is also an option and so is the SMS text message function. As standard equipment, the ILX comes with a power “moonroof”, aluminum wheels and Bluetooh HandsFreeLink.

The base model, the one that costs $25,900 gets 150 hp of power from a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. Add to that a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic and you have e perfectly decent saloon. Those who think otherwise can then go for the 2.4-liter version ($29,200 with the Premium Package) – 201 hp and a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission.

For the first time on an ILX, there’s a petrol hybrid alternative as well. Starting at $28,900, the Acura ILX Hybrid uses a 1.5 liter engine and an Integrated Motor Assist electric unit. The power goest trough a Continously Variable Transmission (CVT). As expected, this is the most economical of the bunch with an EPE estimated city/highway/combined fuel economy of 39/38/38 mpg. (strangely constant no matter the environment).

Regardless of trim or setup, the Acura ILX gets front, side and side-curtain airbags, 4-channel anti-lock brakes and Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®). It’s worth noting that the car’s body features the company’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) structure so it should do well on carsh tests.

The Premium Package is the mid-range stuff ($3,300, not available on the Hybrid) – leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, an upgraded 360 watt stereo system with XM® radio, HID headlights, foglights, 17-inch aluminium wheels, a multi-view rearview camera and an Active Sound Cancellation for a reduced cabin noise.

The Technology Package is an extension of the Premium one which adds an ELS Surround audio system, AccuraLink Satellite Communication System, a sat nav and all kinds of technology bits that sound too complicated for a mortal to understand them.

The company’s state-of-the-art plant at Greensburg, Indiana will have the noble task to assemble the 2013 Acura ILX. It’s an award winning establishment, being one of three plants in the world honored with a J.D Power and Associates’ 2011 Platinum Award for outstanding product quality. Well done!

Here’s a quick list of all the setups and prices:

TRIM	MSRP*	EPA**
ILX	$25,900	24/35/28
ILX with Premium Package	$29,200	24/35/28
ILX with Technology Package	$31,400	24/35/28
ILX 2.4 L with Premium Package	$29,200	22/31/25
ILX Hybrid	$28,900	39/38/38
ILX Hybrid with Technology Package	$34,400	39/38/38

Source: Acura

April 20, 2012

Citroen at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show

Citroen Numro 9 Concept
Much like Ferrari, this year Citroen are also marking their second decade of presence on the Chinese market. Seemingly, the best way to celebrate that fact is to strive for a terrific appearance at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show. We are looking forward to seeing, among many, the restyled C-Quatre three-box, the C4 Aircross there. The people at China should be excited about the planned launch of the DS line at and pretty much everyone should be thrilled to see the Numero 9 concept car.

The carmaker’s first Chinese joint venture is known as Dong Feng Citroen. For 20 years now, they have established 360 dealerships across the country, produced and sold 1.6 million cars and just last year, set a new invoicing record with nearly 220,000 sales.

Here’s what to look out for:

The C-Quatre family three-box model which has been restyled for the 2012 range
The Citroen C5 which has been most fruitful in China since its launch there in 2010
The Citroen C4 Aircross – a new compact SUV that’s been around in Europe end set to appear on the Chinese market in May
The Citroen C-Zero is the company’s electric city car. This one will be passing trough China this summer as a part of its own Electric Odyssey – an around-the-world tour with zero emissions left behind. The journey is already in motion as, the C-Zero left France on the 11th of February.

Other highlights include the Citroen Tubik concept car and a C-Quatre VTS – an “athletic” concept car based on the former mentioned, new three-box C-Quatre.

Citroen did make a debut of the DS5 last year at the Shanghai Motor Show. This year, with the help of Changan (Citroen’s second joint venture since last November) the DS4 and DS5 will be launched by the end of June. Shortly after that the DS3 is also expected to appear, while local production of the DS5 is set for 2013

During the time between June and December this year, Citroen and Changan in tend to open 24 DS dealerships. Added to the already existing 9, the Chinese market will end up with 33 before 2013 strikes.

At Beijing, the three DS line models will be presented on a stand in different versions – the DS 5 Hybrid4, the DS3 Racing. The DS3 WRC etc. There’s even going to be a Citroen DS 23 as a blast from the past.

Last but not least, the world debut of the Numero 9 concept car is pretty much bound to astonish the show’s attenders. To contrast the DS 23, this one points to the future of the DS range and bares the eventual genetic code of the following DS vehicles.

Source: Citroen

April 20, 2012

BMW M3 by ATT-TEC

An open top BMW M3 with 520 hp at hand, you say? Try the ATT-TEC guys from the city of Rastatt in Baden. They might just have what you are looking for. Oh, look! That matte black, rather inconspicuous looking thing here does fit the picture – 520 hp! Okay, so how do they do it? Simple. Spend a bag of money on it and then when you think it’s had enough, spend some more.

That orange bulk over the engine looks like an alien that’s sapping away the power of the engine but in fact, it’s the other way round – That’s a compressor kit by G-Power that costs €11,430 ($15,013). It does however, do the job by itself. It adds 100 hp on top just like that. 2 x 90 mm diameter stainless steel mufflers provide the appropriate escape route of the exhaust but that costs a further sum of €1,455 ($1,904).

The suspension has been overhauled with an Inox Line III Variant coilover kit which cost another €1,929 ($2,524). Then there are the wheels – Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta tires, 245/30R20 at the front and 295/20R20 at the back, wrap themselves around a set of one-piece forged ADV.1 wheels 8,5×20 and 11×20 respectively. But before they can start rolling, one has to pay the staggering sum of €7,150 ($9,356) for them.

Enough money to make your head spin? Maybe, but obviously not enough for the complete program. Throw in €2,600 ($3,402) more and you get a two colored special filming complete with a carbon wrapping foil. Final summation: the whole thing will set you back with €26,573 ($34,773) in total (including installation costs). Steep, but ATT-TEC are adamant that “individuality has its price”.

Source: Miranda-Media

April 19, 2012

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe

Isn’t that a looker?! It’s the latest concept-to-be-reality thing from Mercedes-Benz. At the moment it’s called the Concept Style Coupé (CSC) and it looks like the love child of a CLS and an A-Class if they were ever to mate. Sleek and curvy, this fluidic piece of art is to be exhibited next week at the Beijing Motor Show as it makes its world debut. It’s smart as well, no doubt, with Mercedes’ latest turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit, a 4MATIC drive and a set of fancy blinkers…apparently.

Let’s start off with the exterior, shall we? It certainly has the face of an A-class (the latest one) with that dotted grille. Then again, with a length of 4637 mm, it is almost as long as the current CLS (give it or take 300 mm). And that slopey profile is rather unmistakable – it has “four-door coupe” all over it. There’s a glass roof at the top which is only separated from the rear window by a roll-bar-like beam. The 21-inch wheels on the CSC are meant to look like turbines and supposedly, they do channel air to those massive disk brakes. Then there are the headlights – even when they are off, a red glare throws daggers at you in a particularity devilish manner. The indicators resemble a set of LEDs that light up in succession much like the ones you find on an airstrip.

Inside, things are just as Mercedish – a blend of leather and Alcantra wrap around you with an ergonomic nature. The carbon-trimmed dashboard is meant to represent a wingspan while the air vents on it use a jet engine for inspiration (quite a lot of aircraft themes so far). There’s a light behind each one of them so they tend to change their color, depending on the temperature of the air that’s being thrown at your face – red suggests scorching hot, blue offers Arctic whirlwinds and yellow indicates a mildly breeze (we just like to think so). The neon green lining touch is rather neat as well – it gives you that sporty training shoe feel. Computer buffs will love this as well – the car’s COMAND Online gives you access to the world wide web at all times and that the software (all the apps and interface) is hosted directly at Dimler’s. That way you can get the most current updates “over-the-air” (OTA) through, let’s say, a mobile phone connection.

But enough about silly stuff. Let’s talk numbers and fumes… which aren’t that much. Sure, 211 bhp sound reasonable enough. But we suspect that an engine, normally found in the A-Class, won’t be at it’s best in the CSC (remember that the world wide web is in it?). Still, a 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder top of the range engine (from that family), mated to a 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and a 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission sounds like a nimble setup. It might just be for show, something to put inside this gorgeous body for the time being. When can we expect a production version? Next year, the year after that? We don’t know.

For now, look forward to the Beijing Motor Show which kicks off at the 23th of April where we’ll have that and much more.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

April 19, 2012

Peugeot 208 Ready for Orders

The greatly anticipated Peugeot 208 is ready for ordering. Shipments are expected to start at June the 28th. There’s a wide range for you to choose from (3 or 5 doors, petrol or diesel, grunty or frugal Prices start at just under £10,000 ($16,031).

The cheapest one, the one bellow 10,000 pounds, has 3 doors and a 3-cylinder petrol Vti engine that develops 63 bhp and returns just 99 g/km in CO2. Every diesel engine out there remains sub-100 g/km. The most powerful of which is the 1.6 e-HDi Stop & Start Feline edition – 115 bhp. Did we mention that there are 6 editions? Because there are. Access, Access+, Active, Allure, Feline and the special edition Ice Velvet. The engines make up a total eight – 5 petrol and 3 diesel.

The most powerful petrol (and most powerful overall) is the 1.6 THP offered in the 3-door 208 – 156 Bhp at your disposal. The price? £16,895 ($27,084).

Equipment is expected to be abundant throughout the whole range with a touch screen control panel as standard on more than 80% of the models.

Source: Peugeot

April 18, 2012

Range Rover “red ranger” by A. Kahn

It is true that somehow colors do have a connection with mood and character. Maybe it’s their undisputed connection to style preference. So with that cleared up (not really), what would you say a man in a red Range Rover would be like? According to Afzal Kahn, red signifies haste, energy, dynamism and sex appeal… apparently. So, if you happen to be the person described above, you are Kahn design’s target audience for this one – It’s the Land Rover Range Rover “red ranger” by A. Kahn. That sexiness however, will cost you £71,875 ($114,885)

So for that kind of money, what do you get in return? (except the redness). Add some Extended front and lower lip spoilers, front wheel arch LED light strips, vented front and rear arch spats with integrated air dams and there you have it. The brake calipers are all so very red and an RS front grille surround insert in carbon.

The Kahn stainless steel twin RS autobiography quad oval exhaust system fits perfectly as a complement feature to the whole bodywork. 9.5×22-inch at the front and 11×22-inch at the back, the Kahn RS600 wheels are equally impressive. Their coating is entirely up to you.

The same goes for the interior – Kahn are well known for offering their customer’s flexibility when it comes to the internal style. This particular “red ranger” however, bares inside an RS Vesuvius style diamond quilted claret and perforated leather with carbon trim. The speedo and rev counter are in red and cream, the clock is riddled with Swarovski stones. There are entry sill plates in stainless steel that are illuminated for that extra chic feel.

That pretty much rounds it up really. Need we remind you that an “A. Kahn Design is for the individual who will not submit to a life of uniformity and who will only accept perfection” … against monotony and what not. Truth be told, one can break the shackles of mediocrity trough much cheaper means but then again, why not go all the way an get a Range Rover turned into a red ranger?

Sourve: Kahn Design

April 18, 2012

Vorsteiner 599-VX Custom Ferrari 599 Coupe

We’ve seen this (or something like it) before, but Vorsteiner say it’s a completely new project – It’s the 599-VX custom Ferrari 599. New or old, we couldn’t say no to it. We really liked the fact that Vorsteiner have dropped the racing stripe and the numbering. The front grille also looks new (more meshy now).

They say that the aftermarket components act as a 70 percent lighter alternative to the original. That’s supposedly due to the fact that all the body elements from Vorsteiner are made from carbon fiber at its best. The air-intakes, slashes and vents and so on are made to complement the Ferrari 599’s Italian curves but they also strive for functionality. Then there are the 1-Piece Forged Monoblock wheels which are exclusively made for the 599. The type of coating and color is up to the client.

The unorthodox looking tailpipes at the back only hint that the whole exhaust system has been hand-crafted with performance and sound in mind. And a standard Ferrari 599 no doubt has what it takes to walk the talk – a 6.0 liter V12 aluminum engine body that produces 612 hp at the staggering 7600 rpm. Torque is almost just as much in Nm. It’s quite understandable why Vorsteiner got only to the hood (those overt-the-top vents) and gave up there. There’s simply no need to alter or add power.

Here’s what the complete 599-VX program from Vorsteiner looks like:

• Front Bumper Integrated with Optical Carbon Fiber Chin Spoiler

• Louvered Race Hood with Carbon Fiber Optic Vents

• Carbon Fiber Side Sill Extension Blades

• Rear Bumper with Integrated Rear Diffuser Carbon Fiber

• Aerodynamic Deck Lid Spoiler Carbon Fiber

• 20, 21, or 22 inch Special Edition Forged Aluminum Multi Spoke Wheel

• Stainless Steel Race Exhaust System with Dual Race Tips Brushed

Source: Vorsteiner

April 18, 2012

MINI Inspired by Goodwood Behind a Glass Window

A tribute MINI Cooper to the Rolls Royce brand, the Goodwood one, is currently being on a display at Bumpton Road’s iconic Harrods store. It’s been out there since the 8th of April. Showcased behind the shop window, with a picturesque British scene as a background, this Diamond Black MINI might just turn out to be a profitable ad campaign. Display screens offer information, representatives will further guide you trough it upon request and a projector casts on the pavement the MINI logo and the reading “1 out of 1000”.

First revealed at last April’s Shanghai Motor Show, this MINI takes a Cooper S hatch and mashes it with a dollop of Rolls Royce-like indulgences. That means 184 hp of power from the 1.6-litre four-cylinder, Twin Scrolled petrol unit. Add direct petrol injection and variable valve control and things get very 21st Century.

What does bring you back to the 19th Century however, is the cosmetic appeal inside – the dashboard, center console, air vents, carpets, heated leather seats, roof lining, doors and interior cladding are all finished in the exclusive Rolls-Royce Cornsilk color. The dashboard and door handle surfaces are of Walnut Burr. The roof linings, sun visors and rear storage tray are all made of luxurious cashmere, with deep-pile lambs wool used to make the floor mats.

But then again, the standard equipment balances things out with the Bi-Xenon Adaptive Headlights and Park Distance Control, and climate control, the an onboard computer and navigation. There’s also a Radio Visual Boost audio system that comes with a Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker setup. To top it all off we have 17-inch light alloy multispoke wheels.

For all of that, one does need to pay a hefty price tag – £41,005 ($65,341). Mind you, that does include a comprehensive five-year servicing package.

Source: MINI

April 18, 2012

Chevrolet Cruze 1.7 VCDi

Lately, Chevrolet have showns signs of going green. The latest proof of that is the Cruze and its new fuel-efficient, low CO2 engine. Initially available only in the five-door Cruze, this 1.7 VCDi unit is bound to give you reasonable amounts of fun with extra frugality in return.

62.7 mpg on the combined cycle and 117g/km of CO2 (tax friendly in the UK). This is what’s supposed to make the Chevrolet Cruze standout among the other hatchbacks on the market today. For that kind of cleanliness, you are allowed to play with up to 130PS and 300Nm of torque. Zero to sixty is done in 9.4 seconds and the top speed stands at 124 mph.

That’s pretty impressive, given the fact that the base trim (LS) will include air conditioning, ESC, remote central locking, follow-me-home headlamps, electrically-adjustable mirrors and electric front windows. Cough up some more money and get you’ll get the LTZ version which adds to the LS cruise control, 17-inch alloys, auto-dimming mirror, automatic headlights, climate control, rain-sensing wipers and aluminium-effect interior detailing.

Deliveries are expected to start in May while, later this year, a Station Wagon will also join the 1.7 VCDi family.

Souce: Chevrolet

April 17, 2012

Volvo XC60 Inscription Edition

The Inscription line from Volvo is basically a deluxe trimming that is available on many of the company’s cars. Today we add one more model to the family – the Volvo XC60.

An XC60 Inscription can be distinguished by semi-aniline quality leather upholstery. Four premium colors for it are out there to choose from: Marble White, Toscana Tan, Off-black and Soft Beige. Alongside, the overall interior can be in either Off-black or Sandstone Beige.

There are of course other features that break the Inscription’s cover. Take the headrests for example. “Inscription” is…inscribed on them. Other than that, the center console armrest is in leather with stitching, the door panel insert is in matching colour of the upholstery, the tread plates also read “Inscription” and the lumbar support is electrically adjustable.

Should anyone feel restricted by this type of specificness, personalization is just around the corner. As options to the Volvo XC60 Inscriptions, one can add Inscription Charcoal headliner, Inscription Electric Silver exterior colour or Inscription Avior 20” wheels.

“The XC60 was our top-selling model in 2011 with almost 100,000 units delivered to customers all over the globe. The Inscription version makes our offer even stronger. The exclusive details blended with the dynamic XC capability give the XC60 a truly unique aura,” says Doug Speck, Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Car Corporation.

An Inscription XC60 will be available with whichever of the available standard XC60 engines. A debut is expected at the Leipzig Motor Show in June 2012 while sales will start as early as April… which somehow doesn’t make sense.

Avior 20-inch wheels on a Volvo XC60 Inscription

Source: Volvo

April 17, 2012

Volvo V40 Priced $31 501 in the UK

The Volvo V40 5-door hatchback which debuted last month at the Geneva Motor Show is ready for sale at a starting price of $31,501. It’s packed full of equipment and safety features one wouldn’t normally find on any other entry level car.

The basic trim line will be marked with an ES. But basic in Swedish terms is far what one would imagine – City Safety, pedestrian airbag, Bluetooth, high performance audio with 5″ colour display screen, ECC (Electronic Climate Control), 16″ Matres alloy wheels, DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control), power windows, a leather steering wheel and gear knob and textile floor mats. The SE (the next step) adds cruise control, keyless start, autofolding power door mirrors and a host of decorative luxories. There’s a LUX variation of the SE trim which sees the fitment of leather-faced upholstery, 17″ Mannan alloy wheels and LED day running lights as well as active bending xenon lights with a headlight cleaning system. All, be that ES, SE, SE Lux can come with a fully integrated satellite navigation system with voice activated control, a 7″ colour display screen and DVD player. Thus your Volvo V40 will be known as ES/SE/SE Lux Nav. It makes your head spin, we know.

The diesel D2 power plant in the V40 achieves an impressive figure of 78.5 mpg and spews out less than 100 g/km of CO2 emissions. Considering that we are talking about a 1.6 liter block that develops 115 hp, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, that is quite a feat. There is of course a Start/Stop function (here and everywhere else).

If it’s the most expensive model you’re after than better prepare a considerably more heafty sum of money. Let’s say $42, 705. For that you get the SE Lux Nav with a D4 177hp diesel engine unit. Not as economical as the D2, but still frugal enough and considerably more fun to drive.

Orders can already be placed, production starts sometime in May and delieries are expected to start in September this year.

Soruce: Volvo

April 12, 2012

Cleaner, Greener Diesel Engines from Volvo on MY 2013 Lineup

Volvo are raising (or more like lowering) the bar on CO2 emissions with their model year 2013 diesel fleet. More specifically, the Volvo S60, V60, V70 and S80 will all fall into the sub-120 g/km category. Additionally, clever tech like Road Sign Information, Active High Beam and Tunnel Detection will be available on all larger models.

Responsible for the new lower emissions will be the new entry-level 5-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine. It will be available on all the aforementioned models plus the XC60. Branded D3, its power is expected to be 136 hp and 350Nm of torque. The transmission can be either manual or automatic. Also, excluding the XC60, all will come with a stop/start system.

The new diesel engine offer also includes the D2 with 115 hp, the D4 with 163 hp and the D5 with 215 hp. Here’s how the CO2 situation looks:

Model/Engine	D2 (115 hp)	D3 (136 hp)	D4 (163 hp)	D5 (215 hp)
S60	114 g	114 g	114 g	119 g
V60	119 g	119 g	119 g	120 g
V70	119 g	119 g	119 g	126 g
S80	119 g	114 g	114 g	120 g

The D2 engine will remain with these figures, regardless of the available choice between manual and automatic.

Volvo V60 MY 2012 is to recieve a facelift — Volvo V60 MY 2012

The Volvo S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80 can also come with Road Sign Information, Active High beam and Tunnel Detection.

The Road Sign Information feeds your instrument cluster with the relevant road sign images as you go.
The new Active High Beam system knows when to switch between low and high beams automatically
Tunnel Detection means that the lights will be turned on immediately upon entering a tunnel.

The 2013 model year will also see the following updates:

A new 5spoke forged, 18inch aluminium wheel is available for the Volvo S60, V60, V70 and S80.
The 11spoke, 17inch Saga wheel for the Volvo V70 and S80 is updated with black contrast paint on the diamondcut parts.
The Volvo V70 gets an updated grille with glossy black details.
The brushed aluminium décor for the Volvo XC60 will also be available in the S60 and V60.

Sales are expected to kick off before the summer of 2012.

Source: Volvo

April 12, 2012

Author: Tsvetan Varbanov