Victor Ivanov – Page 100 – Automobiles Review

Citroen DS3 Cabrio Racing Concept

Citroen will unveil an all-new DS3 Cabrio Racing Concept at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

With custom-built excellence, radical choices and refinement in every detail, DS3 Cabrio Racing delivers the performance and sporting looks of a car tuned by the multi-WRC title winning team, Citroen Racing.

Extensively customised with dynamic styling, DS3 Cabrio Racing features a bespoke Moondark matt textured grey paintwork with special gloss black 19” alloy wheels and Black Chrome inserts on the handles, boot trim and door mirrors.

The concept is DS through and through, with bold identity statements. The distinctive DS pattern appears both on the black canvas roof, in gloss weave with a high-tech carbon-fibre look, and is also engraved on the door mirror housings. Meanwhile the brake callipers, wheel hubs, doors with wide side strips and parts of the lettering and badge are coloured in dynamic Carmin red.

The interior boasts bucket seats with a DS watchstrap design in three types of fabric – Napa full-grain leather, DS-embossed leather and Alcantara – and special DS pearl top-stitching, featured in the Carmin shade for the first time, on the seats, dashboard and gearshift. The Carmin colour continues on the seat housings and dashboard, echoing the door side strips.

The engine is the same as in DS3 Racing – 1.6-litre THP – 207HP (153 kW) and 275Nm (204 lb-ft) of torque.

Source: Citroen

July 10, 2013

Mercedes-Benz B180 Northern Lights Black Limited Edition

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled B180 Northern Lights Black Limited Edition. The luxurious manufacturer continues to release special edition vehicles for Japanese market. After the G550 Night Edition and C63 AMG Performance Studio Edition, Mercedes-Benz has announced this one.The B180 Northern Lights Black is limited to just 250 units with starting price of around $33,420.The special features include attractive purple exterior paint, bi-xenon headlights, folding mirrors and LED DRLs. There is also a leather steering wheel, heated front seats with memory function, active parking assist and Easy-Vario-Plus (both rear-seat cushion and front passenger seat are folded forward) which increases load capacity to the incredible 1995 liters

July 10, 2013

ABT Audi RS6 Avant – 666HP and 830Nm

ABT has announced their tuning program for the new mighty Audi RS6 Avant. The performance family car accelerates 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

However, ABT decided that is not enough and boosted the mighty 4.0 liter V8 TFSI to 666HP (490 kW) and 830Nm (612 lb-ft) of torque. This is an increase of 106HP and 130Nm. 0-100 km/h will be around 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h (electronically limited).

The tuning company also offers carbon fiber mirror caps and a sports exhaust system. Other highlights include valve caps with Abt logo as well as and “entrance lights” which project the Abt onto the ground.

The interior boasts a set of black floor mats with a silver embroidered Abt logos.

Source: ABT

July 9, 2013

2013 Suzuki Swift Sport 5-door – More Practicality

Suzuki has announced the 2013Swift Sport 5-door offering more practicality and low cost of ownership.

The small hatchback is powered by an M16A engine with 136HP (100 kW) and 160Nm at 4,440RPM. The engine has a variable intake system and an optimised intake VVT (Variable Valve Timing) for increased valve lift. The engine’s high output is combined with excellent fuel economy of 44.1 mpg on the Combined EC Cycle with CO₂ emissions of 147g/km. The Sport is fitted with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard and has a bespoke exhaust system with twin tailpipes, one on each side of the rear diffuser.

At no additional charge, Swift Sport is available in four metallic/pearlescent colours which are as follows Silky Silver metallic, Cool White Pearl metallic, Boost Blue Pearl metallic and Cosmic Black Pearl metallic.

Source: Suzuki

July 9, 2013

BMW Alpina B6 vs Lamborghini LP-560-4, BMW M6 G-Power, BMW X6 M and GT-R 1200

A stock BMW Alpina B6 F13 made some drag starts versus some powerful vehicles – BMW M6 G-Power SK III with 750HP, BMW X6 M PP-Performance Stage 4 – 760HP, a stock Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 and a superfast Nissan GT-R Mk.1 DT 1200 R with 1200HP. The Alpina B6 F12 has only 540HP and it is not exactly the perfect car for 1 mile race.

The first start is versus the M6 G-Power, which did 30.499 seconds and a terminal speed of 283 km/h. The Alpina B6 finished in 31.168 seconds with 272 km/h.

The second start is against X6 M PP-Performance, which is winner of 3^rd place in SUV Class 2013. The big SAC finished in 28.837 seconds with 279 km/h.

Versus the Gallardo, the Alpina lost again. The Lamborghini finished in 30.095 seconds with speed of 275 km/h.

The last start is doomed, because the GT-R has more than twice power compared to the B6 F12. The DT 1200 R finished in 25.362 seconds with 321 km/h.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFNZXD7REuA

Source: Dragtimesinfo

July 9, 2013

2014 Infiniti Q50 Hits US Market

2014 Infiniti Q50 will hit the US market on August 5^th. The premium saloon will be available at Infiniti retailers nationwide with pricing starting from $36,700 for the entry level Q50 3.7 with RWD.

A special Q50 pre-sale program, announced at the New York International Auto Show in March, closed June 30 with 3,650 orders. Participants have time until October 31 to complete their purchases.

The 2014 Q50 offers Infiniti InTuition, a fully customizable digital environment for linking various driver settings and driving characteristics to their Infiniti Intelligent Key, and Infiniti InTouch next-gen smart connectivity, featuring dual touch-screens and an array of advanced functions and features.

“The Infiniti Q50 pre-sale exceeded all expectations, becoming the most successful such program in Infiniti history. There is exceptional interest in this stunningly designed Q50 and its breakthrough performance technologies such as Infiniti Direct Adaptive Steering™, Active Lane Control™ and Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW). The Q50 also offers unmatched levels of connectivity and personalization – the perfect match for customers seeking Infiniti’s unique fusion of inspired performance and hospitality.”, commented Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore.

Source: Infiniti

July 9, 2013

2014 Range Rover Sport vs Spitfire [video]

Land Rover has published a promotional video of their all-new Range Rover Sport versus a 1945 Vickers Supermarine Spitfire.

The SUV is powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that develops 510HP (380 kW), while the plane has a 1,750HP (1,305 kW) V12 Merlin engine and a top speed of 644 km/h (400 mph).

The race – the first of its kind at the airfield – involved a drag race down and back on the grass runway, punctuated by a nimble U-turn. It was particularly challenging being conducted on the bumpy grass airfield, a surface which is notorious for low traction levels.

“The team couldn’t resist the challenge laid down byFortyOneSix.comand to race such a British icon. It’s always difficult to find traction from a standing start on grass, but the Range Rover Sport made a great launch off the line. I was surprised by how bumpy the course was as I accelerated up to 130mph, and of course the other extreme challenge is to brake in time for the turn-around, but the car felt composed throughout the whole run.”, commented Mike Cross, Jaguar Land Rover’s Chief Vehicle Integrity Engineer.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9v81UlGGq4

Source: Land Rover

July 8, 2013

Mansory 2013 Range Rover Sport

Mansory has announced their latest project based on 2013 Range Rover Sport. The luxurious SUV gets both styling and performance upgrades.

The exterior boasts a full carbon fiber body kit including a new more aggressive front bumper spoiler with larger air intakes and built-in DRLs. There is also a new front hood (carbon fiber) with ventilation ducts, spoiler lip and a new radiator grille also from carbon fiber.

The SUV is widened by 60mm thanks to a pair of new side skirts and extended wheel arches. Other highlights include a carbon fiber rear spoiler with an integrated diffuser.

Mansory Range Rover Sport stands on diamond polished 22” alloy wheels fitted with 305/35 ZR22 VREDESTEIN ULTRAC VORTI tires.

The interior trim can be carbon, wood, piano lacquer, Alcantara or a combination between everything. There are also personalized floor mats, decorative stitching and full leather interiors.

Under the bonnet, the LR-SDV8 4.4 liter turbodiesel is boosted to 409HP (301 kW) and 770Nm (568 lb-ft) – an increase of 70HP and 70Nm.

Source: Mansory

July 8, 2013

2014 Mazda6 i-ELOOP – 5.8 l / 100 km

2014 Mazda6 i-ELOOP is capable of achieving 40 mpg US (5.8 l / 100 km) on the highway. The new technology is available exclusively on the Grand Touring models priced from $29,695.

The i-ELOOP is part of the Technology Package which adds $2,080 to the final price tag so an i-ELOOP-fitted Mazda6 starts from $31,775 without the destination charges. Other equipment in the package include active grille shutters, Sport mode button, high beam control, lane departure warning system, Mazda Radar Cruise Control and forward obstruction warning system.

The unique capacitor technology in i-ELOOP can store large volumes of electricity and, unlike batteries, can be charged and discharged rapidly and is resistant to deterioration through prolonged use.

The i-ELOOP includes a new variable voltage (12-25V) alternator, a low-resistance Electric Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) and a DC/DC converter. i-ELOOP starts to recover kinetic energy the moment the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal and the vehicle begins to decelerate.

Instop-start driving conditions, the use of i-ELOOP fuel economy improves by approximately 10% . Working in conjunction with Mazda’s unique i-stop idling stop technology, i-ELOOP can extend the period that the engine can be shut off.

Source: Mazda

July 8, 2013

JMS BMW 5-Series F10

JMS has announced their latest project based on BMW 5-Series F10. The premium saloon comes with styling and performance ugprades.

The exterior boasts a new front lip spoiler – €299 – mounted onto the existing bumper easily. There is also a set of enormous 9J x 20” (front) and 10.5J x 20” (rear) MB Design KV1 wheels fitted with performance tires – 245/35 ZR20 and 285/30/ ZR20. The price for entire set is €3599.

Other highlights include an adjustable KW coilover suspension that reduces the ride height by 55mm at the front and 45mm at the rear – €1929.

All customers can also order sports exhaust systems, ECU re-map and a “speedpedal” that adjusts the characteristics of the throttle response. There are upgrades for all engines in the range.

All components are TUV approved and made in Germany .

Source: JMS

July 8, 2013

Dodge SRT Viper vs Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series

The battle of the naturally aspirated monsters!

2013 Dodge Viper SRT is powered by an 8.4 liter naturally aspirated V10 engine producing 640HP (477 kW) and 814Nm (600 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The curb weight of the vehicle is just 1,521 kg (3,354 lbs), so 0-100 km/h takes 3 seconds and a top speed of 331 km/h (206 mph). The ¼ mile is covered in 11.5 seconds. If that’s not impressive enough, the model can go from 0-160-0 km/h in less than 12 seconds.

2013 Mercedes SLS AMG Black series is powered by an updated 6.2 liter AMG V8 with 631HP (464 kW) at 7,400RPM and 635Nm (470 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph). The SLS-AMG Black Series is just 1550 kg, so the power/weight ratio is 2.45 kg/hp.

Other highlights include coil-over AMG RIDE CONTROLperformance suspension, AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system and the weight-optimized forged AMG light-alloy wheels with newly developed sports tyres. There is also an electronically controlled AMG rear-axle differential lock and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission.

Source: Motor Trend

July 8, 2013

2014 Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI 90HP

Skoda has introduced some upgrades for 2014 Rapid. The new model is set to hit the market this August.

2014 Skoda Rapid can be equipped with xenon headlights, a new three-spoke steering wheels, new decorative trims and seat covers as well as other enhancements of the design. There will be also improved infotainment systems. Active and Ambition variants also receive a higher quality dashboard in lava gray.

The main upgrade is the new 1.6 liter TDI with 90HP (66 kW), which can be equipped with an optional Green tec package that adds a start/stop system, brake energy regeneration and low-rolling resistance tires.

The result is awesome – 3.9 liters / 100 km (60.3 mpg US) and has CO2 emissions of 104 g/km – average cycle.

Source: Skoda

July 8, 2013

Author: Victor Ivanov