Author: Victor Ivanov

2014 Cadillac XTS V6 3.6 liter Twin-Turbo – 410HP and 500Nm

The 2014 Cadillac XTS is now offered with a powerful 3.6 liter V6 twin-turbocharged petrol engine.

It is coming from the mighty CTS, but slightly underpowered (10HP and 82Nm) or in other words 410HP (306 kW) and 500Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. The 2014 XTS fitted with this engine comes with a slightly different front grille and a badge on the lid.

Other highlights include automatic parking assist and electric power steering for the FWD models. There is also a passenger seat with memory, Intellibeam headlights, revised rear-seat armrest and a sunroof sunshade.

XTS is the only luxury sedan with standard Magnetic Ride Control – the world’s fastest-reacting suspension – while the advanced all-wheel-drive system uses Haldex technology with an electronic limited-slip differential to transfer power front-to-back, and side-to-side, along the rear axle. It is available on all three collections.

The twin-turbo engine is a comprehensive upgrade on the 60-degree, 3.6L DOHC V-6 that is offered as the standard engine in the XTS. However, almost every component is unique. New features include:
– All-new cylinder block casting
– Strengthened connecting rods
– Machined, domed aluminum pistons with top steel ring carrier for greater strength
– 10.2:1 compression ratio
– Patented, integrated charge air cooler system with low-volume air ducts
– Two turbochargers produce more than 12 pounds of boost (80 kPa)
– Vacuum-actuated wastegates with electronic control valves
– All-new direct injection fuel system
– Tuned air inlet and outlet resonators, aluminum cam covers and other features that contribute to exceptional quietness and smoothness.

The cylinder heads are also unique to the Cadillac Twin-Turbo. They feature a high-tumble intake port design that enhances the motion of the air charge for a more-efficient burn when it is mixed with the direct-injected fuel and ignited in the combustion chamber.

Source: GMC

2013 Peugeot 2008 Crossover – UK Price £12,995

Peugeot has announced the pricing for the all-new 2008 Crossover. The car is now available to order from £12,995 OTR.

The 2008 Crossover offers the perfect blend of contemporary styling, efficient low CO₂ engines, class leading technology and a versatile cabin design, making it an exciting addition to the wide choice of models in the latest Peugeot range.

The 2008 Crossover range consists of four trim levels: Access+, Active, Allure & Feline. Building on a product positioning strategy introduced with the 208, the 2008 Crossover has competitive and progressive pricing, with less than a £1,000 walk from an equivalent trim level 208 version, coupled with high levels of specification, offering the customer great value and choice throughout the range.

The new 2008 Crossover also sees the introduction, as standard, of Grip Control on Allure and Feline models. This system is patented by the PSA Group and optimises traction in poor conditions, along with ‘Mud & Snow’ tyres.

With four badge levels, six engine choices, six alloy wheel designs, seven trim environments, eight colours and 18 options to choose from.

Check out the specs below!

Peugeot 2008

‘Access+’ model (standard features on all Peugeot 2008 models)

£12,995 – £14,295

Petrol 1.2 VTi 82 or Diesel 1.4 HDi 70

Exterior features
– Rear lamps featuring ‘claw effect’ LED’s
– LED Daytime running lights
– Colour coded door mirrors and door handles
– Roof bars

Interior features
– 2/3 / 1/3 rear bench seat with one touch fold
– Aviation style handbrake

Comfort and convenience
– Electric front windows, ‘one touch’ for driver
– Remote controlled central locking
– Cruise control with speed limiter
– Electrically operated and heated door mirrors
– Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
– Driver’s seat height adjustment

In-car entertainment
– Radio / CD player with steering column mounted controls
– 3.5mm Jack for external audio device

Heating and ventilation – Manual air conditioning with refrigerated glove box

Safety and security

– Anti-Lock Braking (ABS)
– Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
– 6 x airbags (front driver & passenger, side airbags and curtain airbags)

Interior Trim – Berlin black trim

Active model (additional to ‘Access’ model specification)

£13,895 – £16,445

Petrol 1.2 VTi 82, 1.6 VTi 120 or Diesel 1.4 HDi 70, 1.6 e-HDi 92 Stop & Start Man / EGC

Exterior features
– Front fog lights
– 16″ ‘Hydre’ alloy wheels

Interior features – Leather steering wheel

In-car entertainment

– Multifunction colour Touchscreen
– USB input for external audio device
– Bluetooth connectivity
– DAB Digital radio

Interior Trim – Tokyo black trim

‘Allure’ model (additional to ‘Active’ model specification)

£14,995 – £17,695

Petrol 1.2 VTi 82, 1.6 VTi 120 or Diesel 1.6 e-HDi 92 (92 EGC) / 115 Stop & Start Manual

Exterior features
– 16″ ‘Hydre’ alloy wheels
– Directional front fog lights
– Chrome door mirrors
– Rear parking aid
– Dark tinted rear windows
– Stainless steel front and rear scuff plates

Interior features
– LED instrument dial surround
– LED Track – Laser cut headligning with backlighting
– Leather steering wheel & gearknob

Comfort and convenience
– Visibility pack (auto headlights, windscreen wipers & electrochrome rear view mirror)
– Front and rear electric windows, ‘one touch’ for all
– Electric, heated and folding door mirrors
– Passenger seat height adjustment

Heating and ventilation
– Automatic dual zone air conditioning

Safety and security
– Grip control (according to engine)

Interior Trim – Oxford black or Beijing bronze premium trim

Feline model (additional to ‘Allure’ model specification)

£17,450 – £19,195

Petrol 1.6 VTi 120 or Diesel 1.6 e-HDi 92 / 115 Stop & Start Manual

Exterior features
– 17″ ‘Eridan’ alloy wheels

Interior features
– Cielo panoramic glass roof with electric blind and ambient lighting
– Aluminium pedals and door sills

In-car entertainment
– Satellite navigation
– 2nd USB input

Safety and security – Alarm

Interior Trim
– Panama premium trim – Calima Ambience
– Midnight black leather trim – Mistral Ambience

Source: Peugeot

2014 BMW 3-Series F30 335i Performance Edition

BMW Canada will offer 3-Series F30 335i and 335i xDrive Performance Editions. The two limited series models will be available only this summer (July and August).

Both come with the ///M Performance Power Kit and M Performance Exhaust. This means that the 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged petrol with deliver 326HP (240 kW) and 449Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Other highlights include a set of 20” alloy wheels fitted with ultra-low profile tires and the full ///M Performance Aerodynamics package. Two Individual colors are available without additional cost: Valencia Orange and Laguna Seca Blue. However, you can leave the sports car in either Glacier Silver or Black Sapphire.

The interior boasts Coral Red Leather or Black Leather and nice Piano Black BMW Individual trim.

The 2014 F30 335i is priced from 63,300 CAD (6-speed manual or 8-speed ZF automatic) and the 2014 F30 335i xDrive costs 65,900 CAD.

Source: BMW

BMW F10 M5 sets Guiness World Drift Record – 82.5 km

BMW M5 F10 Saloon managed to set Guiness World Record for longest sustained drift at the BMW Performance Center near Greenville, South Carolina on Saturday, May 11, 2013.

Behind the steering wheel was Johan Schwartz – Instructor at BMW Performance Center. The record-breaking attempt generated over $20,000 in charitable donations benefitting The BMW Charity Pro-Am.

The BMW M5 F10 covered 51.278 miles (82.5 km), which is a total of 322.5 laps around the 841-foot Performance Center skid pad.

The M-DCT transmission-equipped 2013 BMW M5 Sedan was an unmodified car from the BMW Performance Center school fleet which began the record attempt with a fresh set of Continental ContiSport ultra-high performance tires – sizes 255/30/20 front and 295/30/20 rear.

The M5 F10 is powered by a 4.4-liter V8 with 560PS (412 kW) at 5750RPM and 680Nm(502 lb-ft) at just 1500RPM. The engine has M TwinPower Turbo technology, twin-scroll turbochargers, high-precision direct fuel injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve control and a cross-bank exhaust manifold meaning an acceleration to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds, to 200 km/h in 13 seconds and top speed of 250 km/h (limited).

Source: BMW

Holden Special Vehicles Gen F – 585HP and 740Nm

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has announced the new Gen F line-up. It includes five different cars including the Maloo, Clubsport and Clubsport Tourer, Senator Signature and range-topping GTS.

The Gen F Series boasts an aggressive body kit, LED DRLs, ventilated front fenders and a four-tailpipe sports exhaust system. The GTS comes with new front and rear bumpers, a larger spoiler and a set of black alloy wheels fitted with low-profile tires.

The interior also has some sporty features – new seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and auxiliary gauges. There is also a carbon fiber trim, some gloss black accents and a set of alloy pedals.

HSV Gen F GTS is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V8 engine with 585 HP (430 kW) and 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pThVsRJ4u9M

Source: Holden

Tesla Model S sales better than A8, 7er and S-class in the US

The Tesla Model S is appearing to be a huge hit in the US. The electric luxurious saloon managed to outsell Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8 and BMW 7-Series.Tesla Motors has delivered 4,750 units of the Model S during the first quarter of 2013. In the exact same period, Mercedes has delivered 3,077 S-Class cars, BMW – 2,338 7-Series and Audi with just 1,462 A8s.Because of the pricing ($69,900), Tesla Model S appears to be a very good deal. The other luxurious saloon are a lot more expensive – A8 ($73,095), 7-Series ($74,525) and S-Class whopping $93,255.The Tesla Model S is powered by a 416HP (310 kW) and 600Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque rear mounted electric motor. It is interesting that the electric motor has its full torque (600Nm) from the 1^st RPM. The car weighs 2105 kg (4640 lbs).

2014 BMW F10 M5 Facelift [leak]

Here are some leak images of the Facelift version of BMW F10 M5.

The exterior boasts a new front grill with larger vertical ribs like those on the BMW M6. The headlights will be slightly different, too. There doesn’t appear to be any other updates to the exterior.

The interior upgrades are also minimal – a new slimmer steering wheel and a new touch-sensitive iDrive controller.

The engine is the same twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter V8 with 560HP (412 kW) and 680Nm (502 lb-ft) of torque. However, in order to get the BMW M5’s power closer to this in the new E 63 AMG S, the customers can opt for Competition package, which will boost the engine to 575HP (423 kW).

The suspension will be revised as well as the ///M Dynamic Mode and exclusive 20” alloy wheels.

The 2014 BMW F10 M5 is expected to hit the market in the end of this year with pricing starting from €103,300.

Source: Bimmertoday

Piecha Design Mercedes-Benz CLA

Piecha Design has revealed their latest project based on the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. The small Coupe comes only with styling upgrades.

The CLA 250 boasts sport exterior kit including a new front lip spoiler, a new diffuser, a matte silver air splitters for the bumper and a four-pipe sports exhaust system with 90mm pipes. There is also a set of new ten-spoke alloy wheels fitted with low-profile tires.

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is powered by a four-cylinder 2.0 liter turbocharged petrol engine with 211HP (155 kW) and 350Nm (259 lb-ft) of torque. The average fuel consumption is around 45.6 mpg with CO2 emissions of 142 g/km. 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph). The engine is connected to a 7-speed DCT gearbox.

Source: Piecha Design

2013 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S – 585HP and 800 Nm

Mercedes-Benz has presented a or high performance boost in the shape of the top-of-the-range E 63 AMG S Model.

The engine is the new 5.5 liter twin-turbo V8, but with 585HP (430 kW) and 800Nm (593 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds (Saloon) and 4.2 seconds (Estate). The top speed is electronically limited to 300 km/h (186 mph). The E 63 AMG S Saloon is able to do 28.5 mpg with 232 g/km of CO2, while the Estate achieves 28.3 combined mpg with 234 g/km CO2.

The E 63 AMG S comes with rear axle limited-slip differential lock as standard, enhanced exterior including a high-gloss black front apron with silver-shadow splitter, side sill panels and rear trim strip with silver-shadow inserts, an AMG spoiler in body colour, 19” AMG alloy wheels painted in Titanium matt grey, red brake calipers, and ‘S’ labelling on the boot lid.

The interior boasts black Nappa leather upholstery with grey contrast stitching, silver seat belts, an AMG emblem in the headrests, an electric rear roller blind for the Saloon, AMG door sills with white LED illumination, and an AMG instrument cluster with red applications and S Model badging.

There is a choice of 7 standard metallic paints and one non-metallic paint in Polar White.

The E 63 AMG S Model Saloon is priced from £83,740 and the Estate from £85,530. Both will be available from June, this year.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Volkswagen Amarok Concept V6 TDI – Worthersee

Volkswagen has revealed the Amarok Power-Pickup Concept at the 2013 Worthersee Motor Show.

The Power-Pickup is powered by a 3.0 liter V6 TDI with 272HP (200 kW) and 600Nm (444 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds thanks to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and permanent 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system.

The striking exterior design features widened wheelarches to accommodate 22” alloy wheels, 80 mm lowered suspension, bi-xenon headlights with chrome surround and a chrome grille plus an enlarged lower air intake. At the rear there is also a carbon fibre diffuser and dual exhausts, plus tinted taillights and red, white and black side decals.

Inside, the dashboard, door trims and exclusive Nubuck leather sports seats have a black, red and white colour theme. In-car entertainment is supplied via an infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen and 500 watt subwoofer

Source: Volkswagen

2013 Volkswagen Passat R-Line – Price £22,470

Volkswagen has introduced the new R-Line trim level for the Saloon and Estate versions of 2013 Passat.

The R-Line brings even more style to the Passat range. It includes a bespoke bodykit that gives a sleek and sporty image. The bodykit consists of a new unique bumper with fog lights with cornering function, lowered sports suspension (-15 mm) and a pair of side skirts. Other highlights include a set of 18” Kansas alloy wheels fitted with 235/40 tyres; a rear bootlid spiler (tailgate mounted on the Estate) .

Chrome trim on the bumpers and window surrounds is offset by dark-tinted rear windows, while standard bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED taillights help the R-Line to stand out, day and night.

The R-Line is based on the Passat S and comes with a etooth, USB and iPod connectivity, DAB digital radio and a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel (with gearshift paddles on DSG models).

The engine range includes a 1.6 liter TDI with 105HP, a 2.0 litre TDI with 140HP or a new 1.4 litre TSI with 160HP. The two powerful models are available with either 6-speed manual or DSG gearbox, while the 1.6 liter TDI comes only with manual.

All R-Line models feature BlueMotion Technology modifications with Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems.

Check out the price list below!

Passat R-Line model line-up and pricing

Model	CO₂, g/km	Urban mpg	Extra -urban mpg	Combined mpg	Price, £ RRP OTR
Saloon
1.4-litre TSI 160 PS BMT 6spd manual	144	34.4	56.5	45.6	22,470
1.4-litre TSI 160 PS BMT 7spd DSG	142	36.7	54.3	46.3	23,970
1.6-litre TDI 105 PS BMT 6spd manual	114	54.3	74.3	65.7	22,115
2.0-litre TDI 140 PS BMT 6spd manual	119	50.4	70.6	61.4	23,230
2.0-litre TDI 140 PS BMT 6spd DSG	135	44.8	62.8	54.3	24,970
Estate
1.4-litre TSI 160 PS BMT 6spd manual	144	34.4	56.5	45.6	23,880
1.4-litre TSI 160 PS BMT 7spd DSG	144	36.2	53.3	45.6	25,385
1.6-litre TDI 105 PS BMT 6spd manual	116	53.3	70.6	64.2	23,490
2.0-litre TDI 140 PS BMT 6spd manual	120	50.4	70.6	61.4	24,620
2.0-litre TDI 140 PS BMT 6spd DSG	135	44.8	62.8	54.3	26,385

Source: Volkswagen