Tsvetan Varbanov – Page 9 – Automobiles Review

Kahn Maybach 57 S In The Bargain Bin

Kahn-Maybach-57-S-shadow Kahn-Maybach-57-S-medium Have you ever tried to decipher The Maybach 57 S? The number 57 stands for the total length of the luxury leviathan in decimetres (570 cm or approx 224 inches). It serves as a comprehensive distinction from the Maybach 62 which… well, you do the math. What about the S? Being a Daimler brand, you’d think it’s a reference to the S-Class, but it isn’t. S stands for “Special” and by extension it implies a 6.0-liter V12 engine as opposed to a 5.5 one.

What happens when we add “Kahn” to the equation? Not much, actually. There are, of course, 22-inch silver platinum Kahn RS-XF alloy wheels with the original Maybach center caps preserved – they are adding a dash of luxury surely. There’s also a Khan lowering module for which we see no apparent reason. It’s not like you are going to take it to a track day despite the impressive 620 hp output and 4.9 second 60 mph sprint. It will be like trying to powerslide a cruise liner. Nothing else seems out of the ordinary

The biggest news, however, is that Kahn are putting it up for grabs. Since 2007 it has done 67,721 nautical miles (kidding, not nautical) and it is very, very well equipped, they ensures us. There’s supposed to be a rear seat entertainment pack, a reversing camera, radar-guided cruise control and tons of more gadgets. The price? £89,875 or $146,254. Not bad when you consider that a new one costs around $585,828.

Bargain of the year?

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Source: Kahn

December 13, 2013

Romeo Ferraris Performance Boost For Toyota GT86

Romeo-Ferraris-Toyota-GT86-shadow Romeo-Ferraris-Toyota-GT86-medium Alright, picture the following: a couple of years ago you bought a Toyota GT86. At the time it was an affordable RWD car with the right weight distribution and enough power to go sideways. An obvious choice for a gearhead, because that’s essentially the formula reserved for supercars. But now you find yourself in the position of wanting more. Not much more though. Just that extra bit of something to spice things up.

How about a tune up then? Let’s see. Oh, Romeo Ferraris here might have what you are looking for! The Toyota GT86 before you bares a performance kit consisting of a supercharger and an intercooler. After strapping them onto the flat-four Toyota engine, the guys from Romeo Ferraris played around with the ECU and eventually the GT86 yielded 258 hp and more than 260 N/m of torque. That’s a surplus of almost 80 hp and 60 Nm.

There’s not much else out of order with it. Have to keep that low center of gravity in check!

Here’s a video of the finished product guzzling down petrol on a dyno. See if you can detect a distinctiveness of the soundtrack.

httpv://youtu.be/FSaWpWZG5xE

Source: Romeo Ferraris

December 12, 2013

Capristo With Another Ferrari 458 Spider

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There doesn’t seem to be something out of the ordinary with this Capristo Ferrari 458 Spider. Yes, it’s shockingly yellow, but there are no bumpers, or skirts, or diffusers, or wings, stuff that you’d normally find on an after market product. It is an universal truth that the 458 needs little improvement, yet this one does sport a few changes here and there.

Take the engine cover/lid for example – its entirely new. Capristo’s reasoning is that the standard one is too obstructive, hindering the vista of the glorious V8 that hides underneath. This one, as you can see, is rather transparent. Not only that but it now has more vents and bigger air-scoops for an increased stream of cooling air. You’d think that a Ferrari doesn’t need any adjustments in the thermodynamic compartment, but there might be some logic behind the Capristo 458’s flamboyant ports. See, the Sundern-based company also bolted on a bigger airbox from “baked carbon” which, supposedly, increases the torque with 25 Nm.

Add to that a custom-made exhaust system, and you have a brilliantly sounding yellow jacket that stings with 562 hp and 565 Nm. Ouch!

This is not the first time Capristo have enhanced a 458 Spider with their idea of an engine cover

Source: Capristo

December 12, 2013

Custom Made 2014 ROUSH Ford Mustang Stage 3 Still Hot

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Despite all the hubbub around the brand-new Mustang 2015, we shouldn’t be ruling out the “old” pony just yet. Here’s an example of how mental it can be, especially in the hands of ROUSH. This is a one-off, custom Ford, made to fit the customer’s fancy. Those red motifs and that red-star – not really vinyl livery, but actual paint. Pretty neat, huh?

Let’s start from the beginning. This is a 2014 ROUSH Ford Mustang Stage 3 with the optional Ford Racing “Aluminator” engine. It is the perfect ideal onto which ROUSH have strapped an Eaton TVS R2300 supercharger and an in-house “high-efficiency” intercooler. After the appropriate calibrating of the ECU this stang should be having around 625 hp or even 675 if they’ve gone all the way.

Stage 3 also means that the chassis has been completely overhauled – new custom-valved front and rear shock absorbers, TrakPak coil-overs specifically opted by the customer and the biggest brakes (six-piston calipers) they could fit. The Mustang’s manners on the track should be further improved because of the stiffer front stabilizer bar and the rear anti-wheel hop upper control arm. Weather for aerodynamic efficiency or pure flamboyancy, the ROUSH “R6” Aerobody package is also present.

Inside, we can clearly see two Recaro sports seats at the front and … none at the back. Instead, ROUSH has provided an X-brave for even more rigidity of the body.

Source: ROUSH via Facebook

December 12, 2013

Volvo Tease The Concept XC Coupe Ahead Of NAIAS

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First there was the Volvo Concept Coupé, and it was very good. Now, or in a month or so later, we get to meet the second of three design studies that are based on the Swedish company’s Scalable Product Architecture – it’s the Volvo Concept XC Coupé. Before its world première on the 13th of January at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), here are some pictures and a video to get the main idea behind it.

Volvo say that the purpose of this particular concept is to showcase how the company’s famous safety technology can go hand-in-hand with the contemporary Scandinavian active lifestyle. It’s a Volvo with a ski-box. We see what you did there.

If we have to be honest, the XC looks like an uncanny merging of the Volvo Concept Coupé and the back end of a Volvo C30. It is obviously going to be an SUV-ish type of thing (hence the X in the name). Maybe Volvo also want a piece of the sub-compact pie? We are looking at you, Volkswagen and Audi.

More (if not all) information on the Volvo Concept XC Coupe will be available on the 8th of January.

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httpv://youtu.be/P6cOJxGGuzg

Source: Volvo

December 11, 2013

Honda Release A Sketchy Teaser For The Brand-new Ridgeline

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In mid 2014, the production of the exclusively made in Lincoln, Alabama Honda Ridgeline will be coming to an end. In “less then two years”, however, there’s going to be a successor and today we get to have a glimpse at its styling direction. Despite being a Honda, the Ridgeline has always been thoroughly American. The new one is the brainchild of the company’s Los Angeles and Ohio R&D centres. Looking at the “sketch” provided, we can safely conclude: it’s a pickup truck, no surprises then.

To be fair, the current one, with its flaring C-pillars, tries too hard to differentiate itself from the mainstream. That might have something to do with the Ridgeline’s unique closed-box unibody platform. Our guess is that they are going to stick to that structure, but at least the new one seems to have a nice vertical cut where the cabin ends and the bed begins. In fact, if nobody told had us that this silhouette belonged to a Honda, we might have dismissed it for an F-150.

Honda might have been encouraged to update the model due to the success of the current one. There has been a 29 percent increase in sales for the first eleven months of this year.

Source: Honda

December 11, 2013

Hyundai Intrado Concept Teaser

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Hyundai are really bent on shaking the foundations of the automotive industry. At least, that’s what we are led to believe from the latest piece of news that’s come out of the South Korean manufacturer. The 2014 Geneva Motor Show will host the arrival of an “iconic” concept called the Hyundai Intrado. It’s supposed to be a super-space-age type of car that brings innovation, refinement and utter awesomeness. Hyundai go as far as claiming that the Intrado, with its super-lightweight structure made from a mixture of advanced materials, has the potential to change the way cars are constructed in the future.

Apparently, Intrado is a term from aerospace – the underside of an aircarft’s wing which produces lift. Hope they didn’t take that idea too seriously, or we fear that the grip of the Hyundai Intrado will be pretty abominable. The thing is, the concept should be drawing some inspiration from aircraft technologies – use of advanced materials, keeping it light, a form that follows function exclusively, and a highly efficient powertrain. Peter Schreyer, President & CDO of Hyundai Motor Group, commented:

“Hyundai Intrado envisages a motoring future that encapsulates the efficiency and freedom associated with flying. I believe in the power of mobility to deliver emotional as well as physical connections and this car helps us find again the joy of discovery. Intrado shows that future cars can be relevant and exciting.”

The body style is, actually, based on something called the Fluidic Sculpture 2.0. It has been designed by the Hyundai Motor European R&D centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany. As for the efficient powertrain – the Intrado will make use of a lighter and less voluminous version of the one in the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell.

That’s all we have for now. Viva la revolution?

Source: Hyundai

December 10, 2013

KTW Tuning Enhance The Porsche 991 Carrera S

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The Porsche 991 (AKA the 911) – fifty years of history, pedigree and fine-tuning. Can it ever reach perfection? Is there such a thing as perfection? Okay, let’s not get too philosophical about it. After all, what’s good and what’s bad and what’s perfect is a very subjective point. That explains why KTW from Germany have taken up enhancing the Porsche Carrera S 991.

Rest assured, the Porsche’s 3.8-liter 400 hp has been left immaculate. In fact, all KTW did was to get their hands on a TECHART body kit and glue it on. In other words, a front lip spoiler, two side skirts, two wing mirror caps, a rear lip-like spoiler and a big anti-wing on top. Okey so there are also the Formula III 21-inch wheels which complete the picture .

Again a TECHART feature, is the noselift system which is supposed to eliminate that fear of scraping a speed hump. There’s also a custom made exhaust system with valve control.

KTW say that the interior too has undergone a lot of changes – the steering wheel, the seats, the dashboard, the center console and many other. There is, however, nothing specific on these modifications. The seatbelts are red. Does that count?

Source: KTW Tuning

December 10, 2013

2014 Kia Rio Sedan And Rio 5-door Get Slightly Better

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With the end of 2013 come the attempts of carmakers to keep their bread and butter fresh and desirable for next year. Kia, for example, are spicing up their Rio range. Both the Kia Rio 5-door hatchback and the sedan will receive minor updates on their exterior, interior, and on their equipment. Oh, and there’s going to be a new engine available.

Actually, forget the exterior updates unless you feel like crawling under the car. Only then you will notice that the 2014 Rio has body, engine and rear bumper under covers. It’s for improved aerodynamics supposedly. The other revised feature is the key of the car itself. It now folds – impressive.

On the inside, there’s a new water temperature gauge, which seems redundant and the steering wheel has now been wrapped with enhanced leather. Environmentally conscious customers, however, should rest assured that the Kia Rio is 85% recyclable. The seats for example are full of a foam made up of 100-percent biodegradable and non-toxic castor oil.

The engine then. It’s a 1.6-liter GDI (rather counter-intuitively, it’s a petrol one and not a diesel) mated to either a six-speed manual transmission (LX only) or a six-speed automatic. It produces 138 hp and returns 27/37 mpg in the city and on the highway respectively. If you opt for the Rios that have the ECO package, you get 28/37 mpg – a whopping one mile more on the highway.

The main trim levels are LX, EX and SX in that order. The LX is the base one and gets some standard equipment that can be seen throughout the whole range – AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio unit with SiriusXM Satellite Radio capabilities2, and auxiliary and USB audio input jacks for connecting MP3 players with full iPod and MP3 controllability via the audio head unit and steering wheel-mounted controls.

The EX and SX add to that a chrome front grille surround, power windows, power door locks, cruise control on the steering wheel, remote keyless entry and a tilt and telescopic steering column. Exclusively standard on the SX are the ventilated disc brakes, 17-inch alloy wheels, paddle shifters and sport-tuned axles.

It does not all boil down to these three options. There’s a confusing realm of packages that can be ordered optionally. The LX (but automatic transmission only) can be equipped with a Power Package that adds power windows and keyless entry. For the EX there’s the Convenience Package that includes 15-inch alloy wheels, UVO voice-activated infotainment system, Rear Camera Display, automatic headlamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power folding side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators, front fog lights, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, and dual map lights. The said ECO package can be added onto the Convenience Package EX Rio (told you it was confusing). It actually just employs a start-stop system. Finally, the Premium Package, which is available only on the SX, throws in a navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic, push-button start with Smart Key, leather seat trim, heated front seats, and a power tilt/slide sunroof.

Source: Kia

December 10, 2013

2015 Ford Mustang on the Street [VIDEO]

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You know how YouTube is full of people that do “unboxing” videos of phones, game consoles, watches, pens… you name it. It’s supposed to be a constructive and consumer friendly commentary on this world full of choices and decisions. What’s more, the reviewers go through every single detail like stickers, and manuals, and packaging, and delivery and guarantees. How far we’ve come with the internet, haven’t we?

So here’s a video of the 2015 Ford Mustang which pretty much has the same premise. Sort of. There’s no actual unboxing happening, but the Mustang is still so fresh and so new, that it might as well be in a box. There’s no commentary either. Instead, the pony is left to introduce itself with a gurgling noise and a rumbling shout. Maybe it’s nothing like the unboxing videos, what do we know? As far as we’re concerned, though, that’s good enough consumer advice right there.

We are willing to bet that this one here has the V8 in its belly. Maybe, due to the vastness of the internet, there might be videos out there of the Ecoboost version of the stang, but do you really want to find it?

The Mustang V8 engine has 5.0-liters of displacement and churns out 420 hp and 529 Nm of torque. An automatic gearbox with paddle shifters is available as an option. The front of the pony has a new perimeter subframe that stiffens the front structure yet reduces the overall weight. The back axle is mounted on an integral-link independent suspension, and its geometry, springs, dampers and bushings all have been specifically designed for high-performance cornering.

Regardless of all the fancy tech, though, a muscle car is a muscle car. Just sit back and enjoy

httpv://youtu.be/8nefU4Z6xWM

Video source: SotA1080 via YouTube

December 9, 2013

Audi Saloon Joins The S3 Quattro Family

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The Audi S3 Saloon – a yet another piece of the puzzle that that will see the formation of an S3 quartet. There’s the Audi S3 and the Audi S3 Sportback; the said Saloon; and an upcoming Cabriolet. Probably the best way to describe the S3 Saloon is by referring to it as a blend of ultimate subtlety and brutal force. It’s not that the S3 and S3 Sportback are too conspicuous, but one is a 3-door hatch and that always has a hint of youthfulness and sportiness and the other… well, it’s called the Sportback, despite being slightly bigger and with a couple more doors. The S3 Saloon, however, is just your average three-box design with a trunk big enough for mount Rushmore.

Considering all that civility, you’d be surprised by what hides underneath the aluminum hood. Its a brand new 2.0-liter TFSI engine with direct and indirect injection, clever thermal management and exhaust manifold integration. The result is 296 hp at 5,500 rpm and peak torque that starts from 1,800 rpm. With the optional S tronic twin-clutch transmission, the S3 Saloon is capable of a 4,9-second sprint from 0 to 62 mph. Yet, even in the engine bay, refinement has left its mark – there are two shafts that rotate twice with the speed of the crankshaft for the ideal balance, mpg goes as high as 40,9 and there’s barely any engine noise in the cabin.

The S3 is pretty slim as well. Keep in mind that we are talking about a 390-liter trunk space and a S3 Sportback sourced wheel-base that’s 35 mm longer than the A3’s. Then there’s the complex chassis which employs a MacPherson front and four-link rear S sports suspension, plus Audi’s magnetic drive. Add to that a multi-plate clutch-based quattro permanent all-wheel drive system and you are looking at a lot of engineers scathing their heads, wondering if all is made from paper. Yet, Audi has somehow pulled it off. With some extensive use of aluminum, the S3 Saloon’s weight stands at around 1,430 kg. What’s more, it’s well distributed with 59% of it going over the front axle and 41% over the rear.

Visual treats include the S3 Saloon S-specific single-frame grille and front bumper, aluminum-look exterior mirrors, pronounced side sills and a redesigned rear bumper incorporating a platinum gray diffuser and cut-outs for the exhaust system’s four oval tailpipes

Inside, there’s the host of high-tech gadgetry one would expect from a five-door Audi – drive select with comfort, auto, dynamic and efficiency settings all of which affect the throttle response, steering, the S-tronic’s shifting points, and the suspension. There are also “blank” settings for you to customize “within certain limits”. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is one of the more conspicuous things about the S3 Saloon. Again in true S quattro fashion, the dials on the instruments are gray and the needles white. There’s an information screen in the middle and a boost pressure indicator embedded in the rev counter. Dual-zone climate control, iPod connectivity, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth and SD card compatible navigation system all come as standard. As an option, there’s also the possibility to have 4G internet in it. Most people don’t even have that on their phones.

Source: Audi

December 9, 2013

First Special Edition Of Second-gen Kia Soul: The Red Zone

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2014 will see the arrival of a special edition of the charismatic Kia Soul called the Red Zone, says Kia Motors America. Inspired by the Kia Track’ster concept, the newcomer will be limited to a 2,000-unit production number. It is the first special edition to be added to the second generation Soul family.

The red zones of the Red Zone can be found on the “aggressively styled” body kit. That is to say, red trimming on the front and rear fascias, the side skirts and around the grille also. The insides too get a fiery treatment – the black cloth seats, leather steering wheel, and black-leather dash hood all employ red stitching. The black floor mats come with red piping on the edges, the gear knob has a red ring on it, the air vents too, and the dash speakers. Even the tray on the console has red all around.

Clearly not red are the 18-inch custom alloy wheels which, nevertheless, do a good job of complementing the visual appeal. Also, the 2.0-liter GDI engine (of unspecified color) sends 164 hp through a six-speed automatic transmission which is pretty neat.

With the Red Zone being based on the 2014 Soul Plus, you are also entitled to a few standard luxuries such as Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), steering wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth, and indicator side mirrors.

Source: Kia

December 9, 2013

Author: Tsvetan Varbanov