Tsvetan Varbanov – Page 5 – Automobiles Review

David Brown Automotive: A British Luxury Sports Car Brand With A Debut Model In April

A successful British businessman and car enthusiast, David Brown, is taking on the automotive world with a company baring his name.

David Brown Automotive’s first model – which is to arrive in April this year in a very limited number – is being built from scratch. No badge engineering and no borrowing. Things sound even more promising when you hear that Mr. Alan Mobberley – Chief Designer at Land Rover for 19 years, until 2005 – is leading the way. All the while, the bits that require engineering, have been developed by a company called Envisage Group.

By the looks of things, Mr David Brown seems knows what he’s doing. At the moment, work is being done under the codename “Project Judi”. The way we see it, it is a modern take on the front-engined, RWD classsic sports car:

”…but with modern capabilities and conveniences. This is what I want in a car, but it’s not something anyone really offers. So, I’ve created it myself.” comments Mr. Brown

Can he really pull it off? The car industry is a curios case. Will the David Brown vehicles be on par with the established names such as Bentley, or Rolls-Royce, or Jaguar? No, they will need some pedigree before that. How about sixty years from now then; will David Brown be an established name as are the names of the giants today? It’s food for thought this.

In the mean time, we would like to wish David Brown Automotive some luck.

Source: David Brown Automotive

January 17, 2014

Nurburgring Trackday: Ferrari 458 Challenge Making Some Noise [VIDEO]

Ferrari-458-Challenge-Video-medium Here’s our nomination for the “Best Original Score” award at the Oscars. We highly doubt it’s going to make the cut, but frankly we don’t care. It’s a Ferrari 457 Challenge producing a brilliant soundtrack around the Nurnburgring in Germany.

It’s videos like these that remind us what a tiresome life gearheads around the world are leading. Someone actually had to put this (road-illegal) Ferrari on a semi-trailer, tow it to the track, unload it, fiddle with it, have a go, fine tune it, have a go again, set a lap-time, load again and go home.

The 457 Challenge was first introduced back in 2010. It’s the latest of a series of racing cars for enthusiasts. It’s thinner body panels, carbon fiber bits and polycarbonate windows and windshield make it much more lighter than the road-going 458. It also has a racing cockpit, an integrated air-jack at the back, a racing filler cap and racing rims. In other words, it’s the real deal even though there are no power boosts over the original. Looks good too.

See for yourselves:

httpv://youtu.be/P_K1B8Itxx8

Source: Gumbal via YouTube

January 17, 2014

2014 Roush Off-Road Ford F-150 SVT Raptor With Custom Graphics

2014-Roush-Off-Road-Ford-F-150-SVT-Raptor-shadow Thunderous rumble, kids cry, car alarms go off. Is it the end of days? Nope, more like a Roush Off-Road Ford F-150 SVT Raptor with custom graphics. It’s good, it’s bad, it’s ugly. Go ahead, make our day…

Okay, so we got our Clint Eastwood movies mixed up but in our defence, those patterns on the paint job are very confusing. Where in the natural world do you find such red hues? Nowhere you say? Why go camo then? And why only one third of the vehicle? Don’t get us wrong, we like the plain red bits; but the rest is just for show, and we here are all about efficiency.

And speaking of efficiency (or the lack of it), let;s take a minute and discuss the massive TVS-tech R2300 Supercharger that sits on top of the F-150’s 6.2-liter V8. It’s part of the Roush Phase 2 performance upgrade that also includes a big intercooler and high-flow fuel injectors. Add to that some engine calibration and you have yourself a 590 hp monstrosity that starts a fuel crisis every time you start it up.

Can’t leave it at that. Roush engineers have also added a dual tip performance tuned, cat back exhaust system. It’s all throaty and noisy and is made of stainless steel (the expensive type). The tips are chrome flashed which, apparently, is better than being chrome plated. Something about resistance to heat and durability. We are bad at physics.

This Raptor right here, is almost finished. All it’s left are the approximately aggressive wheels and some LED lightning works.

2014-Roush-Off-Road-Ford-F-150-SVT-Raptor-medium-2

Source: Roush

January 17, 2014

Charity: Chevrolet Auctions Rights To First 2014 Camaro COPO And Z/28

Chevrolet-COPO-Camaro-shadow Chevrolet-COPO-Camaro-medium There’s a certain prestige in owning the first of a limited range of production models. So how do companies look at the masses of potential buyers and choose one to break the mold. Chevrolet, have tackled this problem with an admirable solution. Those eager to own the 2014 No.1 production COPO Camaro, or the 0001 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, can participate in a charity auction to win the rights. Bids will be accepted at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale collector car auction or online

On Friday evening, gearheads with big hearts will be head to head in the race to have the first of 69 factory produced Chevrolet COPO Camaro vehicles. The highest bidder will benefit the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans. In return, he will be able to buy a one-off COPO in Ice Blue Metallic satin paint scheme. It features a new LS-based 350-cubic-inch engine with an amazing 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger.

On the next day – Sunday, 18th of January – the rights to purchase the first Camaro Z/28 will also be sold. The money raised will go to Detroit’s Cornerstone Schools. The Camaro Z/28 is famous for lapping the Nurburgring in 7:37.40 seconds – faster than a Murcielago LP640.

It has a 7.0 LS7 engine 505 hp and 652 Nm of torque. A close-ratio six-speed manual transmission is the only option. Power goes to the rear wheels via a Torsen limited-slip differential that employs helical gears rather than traditional clutch packs. The Camaro Z/28 is also one of the first production cars fitted with race-proven, spool-valve dampers, which allow four-way damping control, enabling engineers to precisely tune bump-and-rebound settings for high- and low-speed wheel motions. It arrives in dealerships in spring.

Chevrolet-Camaro-Z-28-medium

Source: Chevrolet

January 16, 2014

Seat Leon ST 4Drive Arriving Soon

Seat-Leon-ST-4Drive-medium Today the Vienna Autoshow kicked off for a 3-day run. To be honest, there isn’t much hype around it. Seat, however, are taking the opportunity to debut and showcase their up-and-coming Leon ST 4Drive. That last bit means permanent four-wheel drive.

Seat’s 4Drive setup is pretty much identical to VW’s 4MOTION system which we discussed last week: the same Haldex 5 coupling, EDS dynamic control, and an extended differential lock (XDS without the ‘+’). It’s only natural, really. Afterall, Volkswagen is the parent company, and the Leon and Golf do share the same platform.

There are two TDI engines (and nothing else) available with the AWD ST Leons. One is a 105 PS 1.6-liter unit, while the other – a 2.0-liter – boasts 150 PS. Both are mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. With start/stop systems and braking-energy regeneration both engines sip the diesel rather than guzzle it. Yet, the 2.0 has a 0 to 60 mph time of 8,7 seconds. That’s pretty impressive if we don’t forget that we are talking about a 4.5 meter long station wagon with 587-liters of luggage space (put the rear seats down and that number becomes 1,470 liters).

Standard equipment on both engine choices will include Seat’s Media System Touch, air conditioning, and power windows and power wing mirrors. The Style trim (available again with both engines) adds things like 16-inch alloy wheels, Media System Touch Colour, a leather steering wheel and cruise control. The FR trim (2.0-liter only) reinforces the sporty character of the Leon ST 4Drive with a particularly powerful front and rear design, 17-inch alloy wheels and a sporty suspension.

No picture material available yet, but the 4Drive shouldn’t look any different from the standard ST.

Source: Seat

January 16, 2014

VANSPORTS by Hartmann Present the Mercedes-Benz Citan MetroStream

VANSPORTS-Mercedes-Benz-Citan-shadow Well, here’s something different. VANSPORTS – which are, apparently, a derivative of Hartmann Tuning – have turned a normal Mercedes-Benz Citan into a hotshot delivery van. It’s a bit like a senior citizen wearing trainers and a side-ways baseball cap.

So, most of the modifications are courtesy to this “MetroStream design programme”. It consists of a redesigned front grille, new front bumper with sporty vents on it on it and a splitter, a rear diffuser, and side skirts even. Behind the curtains, a sport suspension kit lowers the Citan by with 25 mm. Best of all, though, is that VANSPORTS offer performance upgrades as well. Nothing too serious. Just some chip tuning, that’s all. The biggest Citan engine (the 111 CDI) can gain around 18 hp and 30 newton meters in torque. That’s 127 hp and 270 Nm of torque in total power. Cough in even more and you’ll get the VANSPORTS electronic accelerator pedal kit which supposedly improves engine feedback and response

VANSPORTS, as the name suggests, deals with vans, and transporters, and commercial vehicles, and such: Opel’s Nissans, Renaults, you name it. We think that’s kind of neat. Otherwise, what would delivery companies that want to step up their game do?

Someone’s at the door. Must be that thing we ordered from that other place 15 minutes ago.

Source: VANSPORTS

January 16, 2014

The Distinguished Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Design Concept

Infiniti-Q50-Eau-Rouge-Concept-Detroit-2014-shadow NAIAS attendees have the benefit of a full view of the fancy named Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept*. It’s a design concept so it’s all about the looks and drama.

It’s only 20 millimetres wider and a bit lower than your average Q50, yet Infiniti are adamant that the only elements retained from the original are the front doors and the roof pillars. In other words, every other body panel has been replaced. Just to be sure that the Eau Rouge really does stand out from the commons, Infinity have went for a customized red coating and dark-chrome framing. The latter applies to the double-arch front grille, the glasshouse surrounds, the door handles and the deck lid accents.

Inside, there’s a “high-grip” steering wheel flanked by two paddle-shifters. The red accent makes its way into the interior as carbon fiber inserts on the doors, and the center console, while, again, dark-chrome replaces all that which used to be silver-chrome.

If they were ever to build the Rouge, Infiniti envision a forced induction 500+ bhp power plant nestled in the engine bay:

“Through our various alliance partners we have access to a range of engines featuring this performance capability which, with a fair amount of engineering effort, can be developed to exhibit Infiniti character…” comments Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti Motor Company Limited.

There’s also a projected torque value of 600 lb-ft. That’s quite a lot, could the real-life Eau Rouge end up baring a diesel heart?

*Eau Rouge is actually the name of a very specific corner at the Belgian Spa-Francorchamps race circuit.

Source: Infiniti

January 16, 2014

Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept Closer To Reality At Detroit

Volkswagen-Beetle-Dune-Concept-shadow A sketch just a week ago, reality toady: the Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept reveals itself to the world in Detroit at the 2014 North American Auto Show. It’s also closer to production than ever. So get your sunscreen and prepare for the amazing sandboarding session you’ve always dreamed of.

Why do we think the Dune is close to production? Well, it’s pretty much a Beetle. A beefed up one but, nevertheless, a Beetle. It sits 50 mm higher from the ground than the standard counterparts, It has four aggressively flaring wheel arches that widen the body by 24 mm on each side (that’s a total width of 1,856 mm. Consequently, both of the Dune’s tracks get a 29 mm advantage over the standard ones. A track width, then, of 1,607 mm at the front and 1,573 mm at the rear. It sits on four 19-inch wheels wearing 255/45 tires. Main point: even more ruggedness!

There are some visual gimmicks that no concept goes without, but they are very minimal. Things like the front bumper honeycomb air intakes, LED turn indicators. Then there’s the back which hosts two spoilers that have been specially designed to accommodate a pair of skis… for sand, apparently.

A very real part of the car, however, is its turbocharged 210 hp engine, which we suspect may have been lifted from a Golf GTI and mated to a six-speed DSG gearbox. Here are some actual figures: 0 to 62 mph gets done in 7.5 seconds; a top speed of 141 mph is “feasible”; and a fuel economy of 23 mpg (city) or 29 mpg (highway). An interesting engineering choice, though, is the FWD setup. It’s called the Dune, people, how do you tackle the sandy stretches?

Also, inside things have been left production-friendly. The only Dune-specific interior bit is the additional passenger grab handle in place of the glove-box. You’ll have a hard time noticing it anyway, since there’s a 7.7-inch touchscreen display dominating the center console.

Source: Volkswagen

January 15, 2014

2015 Subaru WRX STI Starts With Limited Launch Edition

Subaru-WRX-STI-Launch-Edition-shadow As promised, the 2015 Subaru WRX STI is now official at the Detroit Auto Show. In what can be described as a celebratory spirit, the Japanese company has decided to sell 1000 units of it in limited form called the Launch Edition. It’s more recognizable feature is the only available paint job called WR Blue Pearl. Gold-painted 18-inch BBS alloy wheels finish the legendary look.

In true STI nature, the power comes from a 2.5-liter flat six – the whole 315 hp package that is. This, along with an STI Short-Throw Shifter 6-speed manual, should bring a genuine sproting feel to the driving experience. It’s the whole package really. You get a rather stiff chassis, Active Torque Vectoring, Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD), Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive…gasps for air… Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), and SI-DRIVE powertrain control system. Don’t forget the Brembo disc brakes and the Super Sport ABS that overseers them. Wheel size: 245/40 R18 all around. Inside, you should be expecting Alcantara, a bit of leather, black on blue color prevalence and STI logos sewn here and there. The steering wheel is new and is as flat-bottomed as it can be.

The Launch Edition is pretty well equipped with luxuries that will appeal normal people as well (as opposed to gear heads who drink brake fluid for breakfast). Consider the Keyless entry system, LED low-beam headlights, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated wing mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer, HD radio system with great USB connectivity, a 4.3-inch LCD screen with loads of information on it.

Source: Subaru

January 15, 2014

Porsche 911 Targa: A Modern Classic Debuts

Porsche-911-Targa-shadow Porsche-911-Targa-medium There it is. The Porsche 911 Targa marks its world premiere at the Detroit Auto Show. We are genuinely excited about this one, because you know, it brings something fresh to the table. Yes, it’s a reinterpretation of a classic, but even that is welcome in our books in this world of compact-SUV dominance.

How does the Targa essentially differentiate itself from the rest of the Porsche lineup? Well, it’s a coupe but it’s not, a convertible but not entirely. It has a retractable roof over the driver and passenger seats, a wide bar where you’d expect to find the B-Pillers, and a wrap-around rear window without any pillars again. This being the 21st century and all, everything happens electronically.

Basically, the Targa system has two movable parts: a soft top and a glass rear window. With the press of a button, the rear window, which is attached to the convertible top compartment lid, opens up and tilts automatically. All the while, two flaps open in the Targa bar, releasing the soft top’s kinematics. The convertible top gets released, folded into a Z-shape as the roof opens, and stowed away behind the rear seats. Once the top has been retracted, the flaps in the bar close and the rear window moves back into position once again. The roof takes around 19 seconds to open or close only when the vehicle is stationary. In case you don’t want the wind in your hair when the top is down, a deflector integrated in the cowl panel frame can be put up manually.

Although Porsche are being silent about the weight, they do stress out that the rear window is made from an extremely lightweight laminated safety glass. Inside the cabin, the front roof element is lined with black fabric while the Targa roof bar boasts a layer of Alcantara.

As for the oily bits, the Targa – in true Porsche fashion – comes in to models: the 3.4-liter, 350 hp 911 Targa 4 and the 3.8-liter, 400 hp 911 Targa 4S. Both are all-wheel drive exclusively. The former comes with a 7-speed manual as standard. Should you chose, however, to equip it with Porsche’s Doppelkupplung transmission and the Sport Chrono Package, you’d be able to hit the 60 mph mark in 4.8 seconds.

The 911 Targa 4S, on the other hand, does the same stretch in 4.4 seconds with the same ticks on the options list. Both versions get pretty good gas mileage as well. From 32 to 28 mpg depending on the model choice and transmission.

Standard equipment on each model includes leather interior, sports seats, automatic climate contro, Bi-Xenon headlights, 7-inch color touch screen navgation, digital radio, MP3 connectivity, Porsche Stability Management, Porsche Traction Management and a three-year warranty.

The Targa 4S adds to that 20-inch alloy wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Managemnet, torque vectoring, and a rear limited slip differential.

Source: Porsche

January 14, 2014

Kia GT4 Stinger Concept Out Of The Shadows

Kia-GT4-Stinger-Concept-shadow Kia-GT4-Stinger-Concept-medium Pure, unadulterated fun is the idea behind the Kia GT4 Stinger Concept which has now gone public in Detroit at the North American Auto Show. An engine at the front, rear-wheel drive, 2+2 seating and an acceptable price. Could eventually Kia be taking on the BRZ and the GT 86? Let’s hope so.

What we do know for sure, however that the GT4 looks amazing. Yeah, it’s a concept and that’s what it’s supposed to look like, but this one does the job particularly good. It’s 169/7 inches long, 74.4 inches wide and just 49.2 inches tall. It sits close to the ground on 275/35R20 Pirelli Pzero performance tires (235 at the front). Consider us more than impressed with the creeping LED lights, the see-through A-pillars, the silky-smooth sculptured body, and the overly simplified back end. It really is a masterfully designed thing. Props to you, Kia Design Center America (KDCA).

Enough admiration, though. It’s time to get serious. Like under-the-hood kind of serious. There’s a real engine hiding in there – it’s Kia’s acclaimed T-GDI 2.0-liter unit tuned to churn out 315 hp. All of that power is sent to the rear wheels via a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission. The stopping power is courtesy to the Brembo Gran Turismo 15-inch crossdrilled rotors and four-piston calipers.

The GT4 should be an adrenaline blast in the corners as well, considering the near perfect (52:48) weight distribution, the quick-ratio steering rack and its relatively low unsprung mass which stands at 2,874 pounds.

Small wonder then, that you don’t even get a stereo, nor carpets. Door handles? Nah, try pull straps for a size. “It’s a totally selfish design. The design team at KCDA is full of gearheadsand enthusiasts, and the GT4 Stinger is the perfect car for that kind of crowd.” comments chief designer, Tom Kearns

Source: Kia

January 14, 2014

Bentley Introduce Mulsanne Birkin Limited Edition

Bentley-Mulsanne-Birkin-Limeted-Edition-shadow For those of you who feel that the Bentley Mulsanne is just not exclusive enough there is a solution. It’s the brand new limited edition of the flagship car: the Birkin Mulsanne.

Birkin is the name of Sir Henry ‘Tiger’ Tim Birkin – a legendary figure of the 20s and 30s. He was considered as the embodiment of the British gentleman racer. More importantly, though, he was a Bentley Boy – always on the track, working with engineers, pushing the limits of what was possible. It was on his insistence, for example, to put a supercharger on the 1928 ‘Blower’ Bentley bringing the power up from 130 to 242 hp

So you might be wondering how did Bentley modify the Mulsanne as to pay tribute to Birkin. Well, apparently, they’ve spec-ed it the way he would have. Not sure if they had Drive Dynamics Control systems back then, but the Birkin Mulsanne sure does have one. The base model for the Birkin limited edition employs the Mulliner Driving Specification, hence the sport mode of operation.

Additionally, as part of the program, the interior boasts diamond quilting patterns on the seats and door panels and leather headlining and “knurling” details on the metalwork. The headrests have 3D “Flying B” logos stitched on them and the door sill plaques have inscribed number of the limited edition model on them (22 available units in total). At the rear two 8-inch LCD screens glare at you from the back of the front headrests. There’s also a DVD player, a Wi-Fi hotspot, the Naim for Bentley premium audio system and iPads integrated into the hand-crafted solid wood picnic tables.

Lastly, on the outside, you would recognize a Birkin Mulsanne by its color. It’s going to be either a “Ghost White”, “Damson”, or a contrast of “Fountain Blue and Dark Saphire”. 21-inch wheels are a given.

Too bad Bentley decided that Birkin wouldn’t want any more power on the Mulsanne, because the limited features end here. Bentley-Mulsanne-Birkin-Limeted-Edition-medium-2

Source: Bentley

January 14, 2014

Author: Tsvetan Varbanov