Tsvetan Varbanov – Page 43 – Automobiles Review

Skoda Green E Line Development

At Skoda these days are busy developing their not yet ready for production “Green E Line” vehicles – a segment of electric cars based on the Octavia Estate. Right now, a fleet of ten E Lines is undergoing a phase where day to day conditions are recreated so see how the cars behave. The whole green thing is a part of Skoda’s plan to excel in the field of fuel efficiency. Other projects concerned with that often work to optimize the TDI and TSI drivetrains and also various transmissions.

The gathered data will be of extreme value for fine-tuning to get the most out of the cars. Issues that concern potential customers can also be addressed – being extremely silent in traffic might be a disadvantage for example.

The whole testing procedure comprises of three phases: the first and the second are ongoing now and deal with in-house (on the Prague airport to be more exact) trials and research of the car’s various systems. The third phase, set to begin in March this year, will put the fleet to the real test as the cars will go to different institutions other than Skoda Auto (government, educational institutions etc.) for further research and testing in real life conditions.

Because of being based on the Octavia Estate, the Green E Line is ideal for harboring electric car components such as batteries, motors and electronic controllers. Power output stands at 85 kW and generous figure of 270 Nm. (because of being electric, torque tends to be always high and instantly available throughout the whole rev range). A zero to sixty time is said to be around 12 seconds and top speed is as high as 135 kph. On a single charge it is estimated that the E Line will go for 150 km which is more than enough to satisfy various European communities.

Source: Skoda

February 4, 2012

Mopar 75th Anniversary Marked With 4 New Projects

Mopar, the automobile parts and service arm of Chrysler Group LLC, celebrated its 75th anniversary recently and to in order to make it a big one, they revealed 4 new custom cars that belong to the Chrysler Group: Mopar ’12 300 (Chrysler 300), Fiat 500 “Stinger,” Mopar Jeep® Compass “True North” and Dodge Dart “GTS 210 Tribute.” Mopar ’12 will be available this summer straight from the factory, while components of the Fiat 500, Jeep Compass and Dodge Dart custom configurations will be available in the fall as stage kits or as separate components from the Mopar catalog.

“Customization is king,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “These head-turning ‘Moparized’ vehicles show how we can go to the next level of personalization. With our best-in-class offerings of parts and accessories, we give our customers every opportunity to further enhance the appearance and performance of their vehicles.”

Mopar ’12 300

This project was realized thanks to the success of previous ones like the Mopar versions of the 2010 Dodge Challenger and 2011 Dodge Charger. The already uxorious flagship sedan has turned into a performance tribute to celebrate Mopar’s 75th anniversary with unique appointments, high-performance parts and appearance items straight from the Mopar parts catalog.

It has a 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine under the hood which is clever enough to use only four of its cylinders under light throttle. A five-speed W5A580 automatic transmission takes care of the incoming power while drivers will be able to shift trough the gears with the special Mopar Auto Stick without any danger of over revving the engine. Also because of the rear differential being enhanced from 3.06:1 to 3.91:1 for the final-drive ratio, the ’12 300 can reach 60 mph from a stand still in no more than five seconds.

Suspension has also been tweaked to be 42 percent and 23 percent stiffer at the front and rear respectively compared to the standard touring setting of the 300. For that extra grip P245/45R20 Goodyear Eagle F1 three-season tires replace the all-season ones and high-performance brake linings are mounted to dual-piston front and single-piston rear calipers which deliver fade-resistant stopping performance.

The street image of the car is where Mopar have really excelled. Black Chrome seven-bar grille and grille-surround goes with the black-accented headlamp bezels and fascia accents for an overall low-profile look. From the Gloss Black exterior contours of the Mopar ’12 300, Mopar Blue A-line body-side stripes stick out. The car comes with large 20-inch by 8-inch Mopar forged-aluminum wheels which are painted in Gloss Black and are ornamented with Mopar center caps. One the fenders one can find “Mopar 75” badges that feature the Mopar Blue “omega” logo. Another thing that distinguishes the ’12 300 from ordinary Chryslers is the the deck lid “Mopar Design” badge that suggests exclusiveness and refinement.

Inside the darkness goes further on with the gloss black interior and Mopar Blue accents all over. Blue is also the stitching that goes over the black leather and heated sport seats. Its the same story with the thick-rimmed steering wheel and the paddle shifters and the Mopar shifter handle. There’s more than that as well – matte carbon hydrographic accents garnish the instrument panel and the center console while Piano Black is used on the interior center stack, instrument panel, steering wheel, gauge cluster and door panel elements for that extra polished look.

In terms of luxuries the Uconnect® Touch 8.4 is definitely a highlight. It provides all of the occupants with a state-of-the-art infotainment and entertainment system. The audio system is a 506-watt Alpine nine-speaker composition with complete with a subwoofer, 12-channel amplifier with 506 watts of power and digital signal processing (DSP) for 7.1-adapted surround sound.

Other electronics get themselves busy keeping the driver and passengers safe – adaptive-forward lighting (AFL), high-intensity discharge (HID) projector high and low-beams with automatic headlamp leveling, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with adaptive-cruise control (ACC), Blind-spot monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection, ParkSense® front and rear park assist system, LED-illuminated rear fog lamps, exterior mirrors with supplemental turn signals and approach lamp. Additional safety features include a HomeLink universal transceiver, rain-sensing wipers and SmartBeam® headlamps.

To get one of these 500 limited edition luxury bundles will cost around $49,700 (MSRP) which includes $825 for destination.

2013 Dodge Dart ‘GTS 210 Tribute’

Although a newcomer, the Dodge Dart is quick to get some attention from Mopar with more than 150 accessories available for customization. Based on an Alfa Romeo, the Dart is already sporty looking and agile. However with 2 more kits, Mopar have introduced even more versatility to the car.

Stage 1 upgrade is a looks upgrade that also deals with the aerodynamics of the car. Matte-black trim pieces can be seen ornamenting the exterior – a lower chin spoiler, side sills, rear spoiler and rear-diffuser panel. The hood is made from carbon fiber for lightness and it has a large air-scoop for that aggressive look we all want. 18-inch, 10-spoke forged alloy titanium-colored wheels complement the overall exterior customization.

Red and black hues have also penetrated the interior as the Katzkin leather seat fronts, door panels, center armrest and map-pocket inserts are all in Red Ruby. The stitching is black on the seats and armrest and Piano Black motives stand on the floating island bezel. The steering wheel is a combination of Red Ruby and black again with red stitches for contrast.

Stage 2 deals with the performance and is basically a calibration for maximizing fuel/air mix and spark advance. With the improved air-flow intake and low back-pressure exhaust, the Dart achieves 210 horsepower as opposed to the base engine which has 184 horsepower.

Mopar Dodge Dart 'GTS 210 Tribute' (2013)

2012 Fiat 500 ‘Stinger’

For this project, Mopar have taken a Fiat 500 S and introduced two upgrades as well and much like the Dodge Dart, one is for style and grace and the other one is for performance and grunt.

Stage 1 has the emblematic 500 “whiskers and logo”, and circular projector lights all framed in Black Chrome. Other things that follow the same pattern are the exterior door handles and mirror caps. The 17-inch by 7-inch Abarth Hyper Black aluminum wheels with wider 205/40 R 17 performance tires complement the whole black theme while the body itself is Giallo (yellow). The headlights and taillights are tinted and Mopar vinyl graphics ornament the body side and roof.

Stage 2 incorporates Mopar’s cold-air intake and a free-flowing cat-back exhaust system which give the Stinger that extra torque and pull while performance brakes with cross-drilled rotors for additional surface-heat dissipation enhance the stopping power.

2012 Mopar Jeep Compass ‘True North’

Addong black is also the way Mopar have enhanced the Jeep Compass’s look – the roof, wheel flares, lower fascia, door cladding and grille are all in matte-black. Matte black are also the 16-inch alloy wheels with BF Goodrich All Terrain tires. The suspension has been raised by 2 inches thanks to Rocky Road Suspensions.

The inside of the Jeep Compass is introduced to a Kicker sound system that consists of front and rear speakers, amplifier, sub-woofer and lift gate speakers. The center gauge cluster on the other hand now shows pitch and roll values which extends on the Jeep’s off-road abilities. A Mopar bright pedal kit, door-sill guards, rear-cargo tray, shift knob and neoprene seats complement each other while enhancing the quality feel of the cabin.

Source: Chrysler Group LLC

February 3, 2012

Audi GT R8 Spyder Price – $210,000

The Audi R8 GT Spyder is the definition of the word “exclusive”. One will be surprised to find that there are only 333 of these hand-built masterpieces around the world (only 50 in the US). And much like the R8 GT Coupe, the Spyders also have a number system on the gearstick to tell which is which… which sounds ridiculous yet it makes us want one even more.

Lightweight components of the GT Spyder serve as the technical distinction of the car. The engine frame is constructed of ultra-light magnesium, and the long cover over the soft-top compartment and the large side panels at the rear are made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. That carbon diet has payed off and the GT is now 187.39 lbs lighter than an already efficient and nimble R8. The carbon fiber rear spoiler provides the right amount of downforce to the rear axle while a stiffer suspension gives the GT a more agile feel. The whole car in fact is lower by 10 millimeters compared to the the standard car. Grip is guaranteed as the long-lasting quattro technology is there work its magic on the 19 inch wheels. At the same time, xyz ventilated and cross-drilled rotors provide exceptional stopping power. Aerodynamics get some benefit from the visuals (a rear diffuser and a front splitter).

If we take into account the weight saving and the 5.2-liter V10 FSI engine that gives the GT Spyder 560 horses to play with, we conclude to some very impressive figures: from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 197 mph

The interior is black and can be adorned with stitching in a choice of Titanium Gray or Crimson Red for that extra something. Alcantara can be applied on the seat inserts, flat-bottom sport steering wheel, hand brake cover and windshield frame.

Here are the listed highlights that give the GT Spyder a high degree of exclusivity:

R8 GT Spyder Standard Features Highlights:

5.2L 10-cylinder, gasoline engine, aluminum block
quattro® all-wheel-drive
Exterior mirrors: power adjustable, heated Front Airbags: Driver and passenger full-size dual-stage front airbags and knee airbags
Side airbags: Driver and passenger seat mounted head and thorax airbags
Front disc brakes: 8-Piston calipers, perforated, internally vented
Rear disc brakes: 4-Piston calipers, perforated, internally vented
LED headlights and daytime running lights
Sport seats, heated, 10-way power with 4-way power lumbar
Audi navigation system plus, 6-disc CD changer, Sirius Satellite Radio, Aux-in jack with 7 speakers and 5-channel amplifier with a total
output of 140 Watts
Preparation for mobile phone (Bluetooth®) with seatbelt microphone

R8 GT Specific Standard Features Highlights:
19″ R8 GT wheels with summer performance tires
R tronic ®, 6-speed sequential gearbox with shift-by-wire technology and sports mode
R8 GT specific sport suspension system
R8 GT specific carbon fiber matte exterior mirrors
R8 GT specific LED tail lights
R8 GT specific aluminum door sill inserts
R8 GT specific steering wheel
R8 GT specific sport seats in Alcantara and leather
R8 GT specific carbon fiber matte interior inlays (monoposto and interior door handles)
R8 GT specific numbered aluminum gear knob
Windshield frame in Alcantara

Optional Equipment Highlights:
Audi navigation system plus with Audi music interface w/ iPod® cable (replaces 6-disc CD changer)
Audi Carbon Ceramic Brakes
Bang & Olufsen Sound System (12 speakers 495 watt)
Titanium Finish 19″ 5-arm-double-spoke-design aluminum alloy wheels with summer performance tires
Forged Aluminum 19″ 5-twin-spoke-Y-design in matte silver look with summer performance tires
Carbon fiber matte door and center console panels
Windscreen Frame in Fine Nappa Leather (interior)

The 2012 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for the limited-edition R8 GT Spyder is as follows: MSRP $210,000 (excludes $1,200 Destination and Delivery and Taxes). Deliveries will begin in February.

Source: Audi

February 2, 2012

Fiat 500L Premiere

Big news! No really, the Fiat 500L (L for “Large”) will be making a debut on the 82^nd Geneva Motor Show and today we have the first official images of it. Supposedly it will be targeted at people who want an SUV with MPV passenger space in a B car segment of restrained dimensions and efficiency (picky). The 500L, which complements the 500 Abarth and Cabrio versions, is Fiat‘s best shot at that.

Dimensions stand at 414 cm of length, 178 cm of width and 166 cm of height while inside the single-volume cabin offers seating for five. It is a further development of the concept of ‘cab forward’ introduced by Fiat with the 600 Multipla, a precursor to the concept of the compact people carrier.

The 500L wont hit the European showrooms until the last quarter of 2012 with three engine choices: the TwinAir (2011 international engine of the year), a 1.4 unit and a turbo diesel, 1.3 Multijet II. Although the MPV/SUV/Estate Fiats 500 will hold the latest of Fiat Group’s technology, production will be based in a Fiat factory in Kragujevac, Serbia.

Source: Fiat

February 2, 2012

VW Super Bowl “The Dog Strikes Back” Spot

Volkswagen of America Inc. have revealed their third consecutive ad campaign project for the Super Bowl. On their YouTube channel we can watch a 0:75 extended commercial that is due to air on Game Day in a 0:60 second form.

“This is a perfect opportunity for Volkswagen to celebrate with the fans that have made 2011 such a record-setting year for the company,” said Tim Mahoney, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “This year’s commercial will build on Volkswagen’s ability to tell human stories simply while continuing to build on the brand’s momentum in the year ahead.”

All formalities aside, VW seem reluctant to drop the Star Wars theme despite the fact that the one now, seemingly has nothing to do with drones and Darth Vader. If you remember last year’s commercial, “The Force” spot, features a young Darth Vader who seems determined to make something work with “the Force”. Needless to say that with a little help of the father in the house, the youngster manages to fire up a VW Passat. The commercial went on to become a viral hit with almost 7 million views on YouTube.

This year, VW released a teaser with an ensemble of dogs that bark out the “Imperial March” and now we have a fully revealed commercial. It features an obese dog which for some reason is unable to get out of the house (supposedly opening the door is not an option). After realizing that there is a good chance of having the opportunity to run along a VW Beetle just for the fun of it, the dog goes on a strict diet and engages in an intense workout. Then there is the Star Wars intermission – the commercial is being watched in the iconic Cantina introduced in Star Wars Episode IV where a rather grown up Darth Vader makes a cameo. We also have that loopy tune from the alien jazz band stuck in our head now.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-9EYFJ4Clo

Source: Volkswagen

February 2, 2012

Infiniti Concept Name Revealed

On the 82nd Geneva Motor Show, The Japanese performance/luxury car producer, Infiniti will introduce an advanced sports car concept. Up to this day not much has been heard about it but facts are now starting to emerge as the concept will be called… EMERG-E, an electric car. For Infiniti, having a range-extender drivetrain among their products will be a first. Despite of that, the company promises vivid performance and naturally, zero emissions

The reveal will take place on March 6 at the Infiniti stand, number 1030 in Hall 1, at 10:15CET. For those who wont have the privilege to walk around among the many, many exotic cars at that day in Geneva, Infiniti will provide a live stream on www.infiniti.eu

Here are some of the teasers we have seen so far:

Source: Infiniti

February 2, 2012

JE Design Beetle

The newest VW Beetle is funky, hip and image laden. So one might think there is no real need to further personalize. Accessory house JE Design however, thing they can push the boundaries of individualism even more.

The Beetle’s chassis for example has underwent JE specialty tuning by replacing the springs with ones that are more stiff so that body roll is reduced to minimum. Despite being shorter (around 30-35 millimeters) than the standard springs, no shock absorber change is needed, The JE Design spring kit is available for 219 euros ($289) in Germany.

8 x 19 inch, exclusive black “Tornado” Volkswagen, multi-spoke alloys can be provided by JE Design. They can be fitted with the standard 235/40 R19 or to do the honor of those 16-spoke wheels one can fit them with even lower profile tires (235/35 R19). Four finishes are available for the rims: black mat spokes and a mat silver rim flange, graphite mat silver spokes with a mat silver rim flange, shadow silver and black shiny spokes with a shiny silver rim flange. The complete JE Design wheel set has a starting price of 2,810 euros ($3,702).

Other distinctive features include a sporty apron insert (476 euros/$627) that comes with a diffuser and a centered air duct. Another thing is the steel muffler developed for the VW Beetle, with a round 90 millimeter large twin tailpipe as a four pipe design and is compatible with all gasoline and diesel motors. That will send you back further 952 euros ($1,254). Needless to say that all JE Design components come with TÜV certificates.

For the VW Beetle Sport which already has 200HP 2.0 Golf GTI TFSI engine can also be tweaked by JE Design with an engine management module that kicks it up a notch to 240 HP while torque peaks at 310 newton meters. The time for a zero to sixty sprint stands at 6.9 seconds and top speed reaches 230 km/h. That privilege costs another 1,280 euros ($1,686). After the upgrade emission status remains the same so no road legal issues should follow. All is again TÜV certified.

Source: JE Design

February 1, 2012

Hennessey McLaren Tune

“From mild to wild” goes the tagline of Hennessey Performance‘s latest project. It’s called the HPE800 and the subject is the mighty McLaren MP4-12C. It takes courage to call the Surrey originating performance car, mild. But Hennessey seem to be determined that the MP4-12C needs more power so that is just what they have done – ramped the power up to 800 bhp. The project also sees a more flamboyant aero package to the vehicle in order to improve downforce. The Hennessey CarbonAero bodywork makes use of a new, center-positioned frontal air inlet with hood extractor. This new design allows room for larger heat exchangers for improved engine intercooling as well as transmission cooling.

“We’ve been taking fast cars and have been making them faster for over twenty years,” said company founder and president John Hennessey. “I spent a lot of time around the new 12C at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed and was very impressed. We’re excited to have the opportunity to take a great car and give it our own special performance touch while giving 12C owners a uniquely aggressive appearance”.

A more detailed look on things gives away what exactly Hennessey have done with the MP4-12C – upgraded intercooler and air intake systems, enhancement of the ball-bearing turbocharges and adding external wastegates and blow-off valves. Engine management has also been altered and so have the transmission cooler and the clutch systems. A new Hennessey titanum exhaust system has been fitted and finally the whole engine has underwent custom dyno-tuned calibration. All that comes with a warranty from Hennessay.

Other side notes include the CarbonAero body kit, the Hennessey Monoblock wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires and a feast of leather, carbon and Alcantra inside.

No tweaks on the suspension have been made whatsoever as Hennessey mechanics find it hard to improve upon it any further. That rises the question: will it really handle all that new found power without any customization? All engine upgrades are set to be sold separately or as overall packs but prices have not been announced yet.

Source: Hennessey

February 1, 2012

Ford B-Max at Geneva

Good news for family people as Ford are planning to unveil a production-ready B-MAX at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. It is a debut that comes exactly one year after the concept debut at the previous Geneva Show. The multipurpose vehicle will come with a sensible, clever drivetrain lineup and an even more clever design.
The innovative 1.0 EcoBoost petrol unit we talked about a few days ago, will be available for the B-MAX range and so will be the Duratorq TDCi diesel plants. Sales in Europe are expected to start later this year.
Ford CEO and President Alan Mulally himself will drop the curtain at the unveiling. Also present, will be the chairman and CEO of Ford Europe Stephen Odell who already sounds excited enough:

“The B-MAX combines an exciting, innovative design with features that only previously have been found in bigger cars,” said Odell. “It’s a brand new car that responds to the needs of an increasing number of customers who want much more from their small cars.”

It’s the design that gets us though. Ford say that the B-MAX boasts a class-leading load-space and flexibility, a highly configurable environment and clever pillar design but what we really can’t get enough of are the sliding rear doors which bring to mind other clever MPV’s such as the Peugeot 1007 and the bigger brother, Ford C-MAX.

Source: Ford

February 1, 2012

Production Acura ILX and Revised RDX on Chicago Auto Show

A ready-for-production Acura ILX will premiere at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, along with a redesigned Acura RDX SUV.

The 2013 ILX luxury compact sedan is the latest offering from Acura which emits a sleek and sporty essence. The car will be available in three distinct powertrains, including Acura’s first ever hybrid. Inside it will all be about space and cleverness. High value luxuries will be in the form of a standard Keyless Access System with smart entry, an engine start button and Pandora® internet radio. The exterior on the other hand, speaks for itself.

The 2013 RDX however, will be for those who want to make maximum use from their vehicles . It’s a compact crossover SUV that balances luxury and utility to a fine medium. The powertrain is a V6 with 3.5 liters of displacement that has 33 more horsepower than the previous one. In no way however, that increase has influenced the fuel economy, Acura say. In fact it is set to be the most fuel efficient SUV in its own class. Priority for the RDX is also spaciousness – it will now have larger door openings, more legroom, more headroom, more than ever cargo space (with a power tailgate) and better overall flexibility.

Both vehicles will be on display in the Acura booth at McCormick Place, Chicago where the auto show is set to step in motion. Photos and more information are yet to come.

Source: Acura

February 1, 2012

MTM Tweaks for Audi 4.2 TDI V8

Diesel engines – the workhorses of the automotive industry have been undergoing a status update for several years now. It’s not that unusual to find them in executive saloons, SUV’s and even performance cars. And when one thinks about it, what’s not to like about them? They burst with torque, run smoothly, remain loyal and reliable and are very economical. All these qualities even seem to intensify when we are talking about the magnificent Volkswagen AG TDI units.

German tuning company MTM are well aware of that but being a tuning company, they always see the potential of even more performance. Now their eyes are on the epic 4.2 TDI V8 that can be found in the Audi A8, Q7 and Touareg. The standard 350 bhp are far from insufficient but by applying an MTM special V-Cantronic, the company is able to get rid of the speed limiter and thus take the top speed up to 282 km/h. It’s a delicate procedure this and to whomever might be interested, it costs $1845 to do it (only on the A8). For a total of $2372 one can step it up a notch and amp the power to 410 bhp and 930 Nm of Torque on all vehicles with some MTM technology. Also, again only for the A8, there can be a combination of two Cantronics (an M and a V) which will break the torque barrier of 930 Nm and go even further.

To round things up, MTM are also offering different varieties of wheels, brakes, exhaust systems and chassis components which all give the A8, Q7 and the Touareg some extra character.

Source: MTM

January 31, 2012

New Honda Civic Super Bowl Spot [VIDEO]

Evert tought what would it be to have an actual “brainstorm”. Well it seems that the people at Honda are having one on a daily basis and the results are quite dramatic. What made us think so is the new Honda Super Bowl 00.30 second spot about how a Civic is born.

It is a nice composition of CGI graphics, deep and serious narration and clever metaphors. The spark which can be seen as passion and innovation starts off from the basis of the factory and goes trough daring leaps, fears, challenges and obstacles until it culminates into the great reality that is the Civic. But lets not get too literary – Now in its ninth generation, the 2012 Civic is available from just $26 027 for the entry level (SE) 1.4-litre 100PS i-VTEC.

“We have timed the launch of the TV advert to coincide with the first cars arriving in showrooms to really maximise awareness. The advert is a synopsis of the unknown journey the engineers took to continuously improve the Civic and is brought to life in a dramatic reveal of the new model at the end.” commented Martin Moll, Head of Marketing, Honda (UK)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhcpsWBZWNU&feature=channel_video_title

Source: Honda

January 31, 2012

Author: Tsvetan Varbanov