Victor Ivanov – Page 117 – Automobiles Review

2013 Rolls-Royce Wraith UK

Rolls-Royce UK has announced the most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce in history – the 2013 Wraith.

“Wraith promises the sense of adventure and speed that drove our founding forefather. But of course, Wraith’s starting point is luxury, refinement and quality, traits that remain as important to Rolls-Royce customers today as they were more than a century ago.”, commented Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

It is these traits of luxury, refinement and quality that made Harrods the natural choice for Wraith’s UK debut. Renowned globally as purveyors of the world’s finest goods, both Harrods and Rolls-Royce have exceeded client expectations for over a century.

The Wraith on display features Midnight Sapphire paintwork with an upper two-tone in Cassiopeia Silver, accentuating Wraith’s purposeful fastback profile.

The interior is boasts an Arctic White and Navy Blue leather scheme, with intertwined RRs embroidered in the headrests in Navy and, unique for this model, the striking new Canadel Panelling in Santos Palisander. Completing this spectacular interior is a starlight headliner, casting a glow from hundreds of individual ‘stars’ in the roof lining at the press of a button.

Wraith will be in the window of Harrods department store all week, until Saturday 4 May.

Source: Rolls-Royce

April 29, 2013

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport – Best Compact CUV by NWAPA

The all-new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is hugely appreciated in Europe, because of its competitive price, high quality materials, and good equipment and nice styling. It appears that the CUV is well received in the US, too.

The Santa Fe Sport was named “Best Compact CUV” during the 2013 Mudfest competition last week in Snoqualmie, Washington. More than 30 NWAPA automotive journalists participated in the event at the 300-plus acre DirtFish Rally School site in Snoqualmie, WA.

The 2013 Best Compact CUV award from NWAPA is one in a list of honors the 2013 Santa Fe Sport has garnered since launching during the fourth quarter of 2012. Santa Fe Sport received the honor of “Best New Crossover” in the Midsize and Large Crossovers category in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, was named to this year’s Ward’s “10 Best Interiors” list for its upscale and highly-functional interior, and was awarded “Crossover of the Year” by the editors of Autobytel.

2013 Santa Fe Sport is priced from $24,450 excluding $825 delivery & handling fee. The standard extras include 6-speed automatic gearbox, 17” alloy wheels, Air Conditioning, 7 airbags, Hill-start Assist Control, Downhill Brake Control, Remote Keyless Entry system with alarm, LED brake and headlight accents, power doors and windows and Bluetooth-enabled 6-speaker audio system.

Source: Hyundai

April 29, 2013

2013 Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic Limited – EU Price €19,990

Renault has announced the new 2013 Scenic and Grand Scenic Limited. The practical family vehicles will go on sale this June and pricing starts at €19,990.

The Limited models are based on the Expression trim package.

Its attractive look has been enhanced thanks to the fitment of 16” dark metal Eptius alloy wheels, body colour side protective mouldings, extra-tinted rear glass and dark metal door mirror housings, not to mention longitudinal roof bars in the case of 7-Seat Grand Scenic. Travelling comfort has also been upgraded with the inclusion of a sliding central stowage console.

An electronic parking brake, plus rain and light sensors are already features of the model’s Expression equipment level, but Renault Scenic Limited is now even more at home in cities thanks to the addition of rear parking sensors and electrically- folding door mirrors.

Three engines are available for Renault Scenic Limited, including the Energy TCe 115 petrol engine complete with Stop&Start.

Expression models:

• Rain and light sensors,
• Dual-zone automatic climate control with toxicity sensor,
• Electronic parking brake,
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel.

+ Sliding central stowage console,
+ City Pack (rear parking sensors and electrically-folding door mirrors),
+ Extra-tinted rear glass,
+ 16-inch dark metal Eptius alloy wheels,
+ Body colour side protective mouldings,
+ Dark metal door mirror housings,
+ Roof bars (Grand Scenic).

Option:
• Carminat TomTom Live navigation.

Engines available for Renault Scénic Limited and 7-Seat Grand Scenic Limited:

• Diesel: dCi 95 (Renault Scénic Limited only) and dCi 110,
• Petrol: Energy TCe 115 (Renault Scenic Limited only)

Source: Renault

April 29, 2013

Hennessey Performance Ford Taurus SHO

Hennessey Performance has announced the MaxBoost445 Performance Upgrade for the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO. The result is 445HP (327 kW) and 515Nm (379 lb-ft) of torque on the engine.

Originally, the 3.5 liter V6 EcoBoost delivers 365H (272 kW) and 475Nm (350 lb-ft) of torque. The tuned Ford Taurus SHO does 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and a ¼ mile in just 12.8 seconds with 175 km/h (109 mph) terminal speed.

MaxBoost 445 Upgrade for the Taurus SHO Includes:
• Hennessey Dual Cold Air Induction System
• Hennessey Polished Hard Piping to Turbo Chargers
• HPE Engine Management Calibration
• CORSA Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust System
• Serial Numbered Dash & Engine Plaques
• Exterior MaxBoost 445 Badges
• Exterior Hennessey Badge (chrome or black)
• Hennessey Embroidered Headrests
• All Necessary Gaskets & Fluids
• Professional Installation
• Dyno Testing & Calibration
• 1 Year / 12,000 Mile Limited Warranty

Check out the dyno graphs, below!

Source: Hennessey Performance

April 26, 2013

2013 Volkswagen Golf VII R-Line Packages

Volkswagen has announced three special R-Line packages for the all-new 2013 Golf VII. The packages emphasize the sporty design and are now available as optional R-Line “Exterior” package R-Line ‘interior’ pack and R-Line Sport Package for order.

The R-Line “Exterior” package emphasizes the striking appearance of the Gulf and provides the following facilities:

– Rear spoiler in body color
– Fog lights
– radiator grille with “R-Line” logo
– R-Line specific grille, gloss black
– R-Line front and rear bumpers with “R” styling
– flared sills
– Sporty, black painted diffuser for visible and no visible exhaust pipes

The package is available for the Highline equipment lines for the price of €995 and Comfortline for the price of €1180.

The R-Line ‘interior’ pack ensures the interior an especially sporty feel and includes:

– Inlays in aluminum look “Black Lead Grey” for the dashboard and door panels
– door sills front in stainless steel
– Black headliner
– pedal caps in stainless steel
– sport seating system in the fabric pattern “Race”, cheek insides in microfiber “San Remo”, “R-Line” logo in the front seat
– Ambient lighting
– leather sports multifunction steering wheel with “R-Line” logo and decorative stitching in Crystal Grey
– Gear lever knob in leather, switching tulip and center armrest with decorative stitching in crystal gray
– “R-Line” logo on the Home screen

The package is available for the Highline equipment lines for the price of €640 and Comfortline at a price of €945.

Alternatively, the leather “Vienna” for the R-Line interior “package offered (for Highline for the price of €1755 and Comfortline for a price of €2115).

The optionally available R-Line Sport Package provides a particularly dynamic driving experience and consists of:

– Sports suspension
– Progressive Steering
– darkened side windows and rear window

Source: Volkswagen

April 26, 2013

2014 Range Rover Sport – UK Price £51,500

The new 2014 Range Rover Sport is priced from £51,500 in the UK.

The SUV is available in four trim levels: SE, HSE, HSE Dynamic and Autobiography Dynamic.

The SE comes equipped with leather upholstery, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, DAB digital audio, a power tailgate, intelligent stop-start, two-zone climate control, heated front seats, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, HD navigation, four-corner air suspension with automatic levelling, Terrain Response® and Say-What-You-See voice control.

Among the additional features provided on the HSE are 20” alloy wheels, Oxford perforated leather seats featuring 14-way electric front seat adjustment with memory function, heated rear seats, power steering column adjustment, front fog lights, paddle shift controls, heated windscreen, rear view camera and aluminium Range Rover treadplates.

HSE Dynamic adds both extra styling and handling features, including stainless steel pedals, a bright finish for the twin tailpipes, a gloss black grille and vents, 21” alloys, illuminated treadplates, twin speed transfer box, torque vectoring and the added functionality of Terrain Response^® 2 Auto. Prices start from £64,995.

The Autobiography Dynamic specification befits its flagship status, introducing as standard; High Beam Assist for the headlights, configurable interior mood lighting, Meridian Surround Sound audio system, illuminated treadplates, adaptive cruise control with Queue Assist, an advanced preventative safety package including emergency braking and active front seatbelts. Prices start from £74,995.

The engine range includes TDV6 with 258HP (192 kW), SDV6 with 292HP (217 kW) and the mighty V8 5.0 liter supercharged petrol with 510HP (380 kW).

Order books are now open with first deliveries planned to start from quarter three 2013.

Source: Land Rover

April 26, 2013

Mercedes-Benz Citan Euro NCAP Crash Test – 3 Stars

Very bad result for the new Mercedes-Benz Citan during the tough Euro NCAP crash tests. The The Renault Kangoo-based vehicle managed to gather only three stars out of five.

The Citan was criticized for offering poor pedestrian protection due to the front bumper and hood design. What is more, the hard structure could cause major head injuries to those sitting on the front seats, while the airbags are not capable of providing sufficient protection. In other words – you are in danger, if you are on front seats.

Other bad point is a significant gap between the B-pillar and the sliding door’s front edge. This may cause serious injuries to the occupant’s limbs. The chest area is also weakly protected in case of impact.

Since the passenger airbag cannot be deactivated, a rearward-facing child restraint cannot be used in that seating position.

So, if you are buying the spacious and comfortable Citan, try to avoid accidents at all cost!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWr99MfdJcc

Source: Euro NCAP

April 26, 2013

BMW 6-Series F12 MH6 S Bi-turbo – 700HP and 900Nm

Manhart Racing are famous with their super powerful tuned cars. Again, they proved that the factory’s power coming from BMW M6 F13 is not enough.

The 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V8 is boosted to whopping 700HP (515 kW) and 900Nm (667 lb-ft) of torque. Performance boost will of course, also include a complete exhaust system including downpipes with sports catalysers and the company’s own end-silencer.

Manhart Racing will combine a coilover kit with forged alloy wheels for the perfect mechanical grip.

The presentation of the first Manhart MH6 S Biturbo is scheduled for the late summer of 2013.

Source: Manhart Racing

April 25, 2013

2014 Dodge SRT Viper – 11.1 seconds at 1/4 mile [video]

The new 2014 Dodge SRT Viper is simply astonishing vehicle. The modern muscle car was created not only for straight line driving, but going through corners very fast. Still, we will see the impressive result of SRT Viper at the Palm Beach International Raceway.

During the testing by Drag Times, the sports car managed to stop the clock at 11.1 seconds @ ¼ mile with a terminal speed of 205 km/h (127.4 mph). This result was achieved by using launch control system. 0-100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds and 0-160 km/h in 7.1 seconds, obviously the SRT Viper need just 4 seconds to accelerate from 160 to 200 km/h.

The 2013 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.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ7Ljqy395o

Source: Dragtimes

April 25, 2013

2014 Volkswagen Golf GTI – 230HP and 18% More Fuel-Efficient

Volkswagen has announced the new 2014 Golf VII GTI. It has twice much power compared to the first Golf GTI – 220HP and you can opt for a factory installed power enhanced engine that produces an additional 10 HP.

Furthermore, the 2.0 liter turbocharged direct-injected petrol engine has a completely newly developed cylinder head. A unique feature in this power class is the water-cooled exhaust gas circulation loop to the turbocharger that is fully integrated in the cylinder head. This type of exhaust gas cooling makes a crucial contribution towards improving fuel consumption at full load in the new Golf GTI. In other words, the new Golf GTI is up to 18 % more fuel efficient than the previous model.

Other highlights include 42 kg lower weight or a total of 1,351 kg, 10 km/h more in top speed – 246 km/h (manual) or 244 km/h (DSG) and 6.5 seconds – 0-100 km/h. The Performance variant is even faster – 250 km/h (manual) and 248 km/h (DSG) and 6.4 seconds to 100 km/h.

The Golf GTI Performance comes with a front LSD (limited slip differential) exclusively developed for this version. The Performance Pack itself not only consists of a power boost and the differential lock, it also offers a braking system with larger dimensions and internally-ventilated discs at all four wheels.

The exterior of the new GTI is distinguished from other cars in the model series by numerous additional features – red painted brake callipers, smoked LED rear lights in a custom design as well as chrome tailpipes on the left and right. The production colours Red (“Tornado Red”) and “Black” as well as “Pure White” have been typical for the Golf GTI since its early days. Also standard on-board the most powerful, fastest and most fuel-efficient Golf GTI ever are the newly designed 17-inch “Brooklyn” alloy wheels with size 225/45 tyres.

The interior also has some upgrades like sport seats, GTI instrument cluster, an independent leather sport steering wheel (with multifunction keys), red ambience lighting (in front, in the trim strips of the doors and the stainless steel door sill guards) and pedals made of brushed stainless steel.

Source: Volkswagen

April 25, 2013

Volkswagen Golf VII Light-Tron by BlackBox-Richter and Low-Car-Scene

Low-Car-Scene and BlackBox-Richter has announced their latest tuning package for Volkswagen Golf VII. The name of the project is Light-Tron and it includes only styling package.

The Light-Tron is based on the tree-door 1.4-liter-Golf VII TSI Highline with 140HP (103 kW). It boasts a special phosphor-foil from 3M, LED-lighting on the mudguard of the brake, a set of Rotiform-forged wheels SNA in 8J x 20” ET45 with bolt circle 5×112 – €6,000 and air ride-system called RideAir Version 3 – €3,600.

The standard extras of the 1.4-liter-Golf VII TSI Highline includes Bi-Xenon-headlights with LED-DRLs, rear view camera, leather trim with massage sits, Keyless Go start automatic, navigation system with colour display. The original price is €32,000.

The complete transformation takes only three days.

Source: BlackBox-Richter and Low-Car-Scene

April 25, 2013

2013 Volkswagen Groove Up! and Rock Up!

Volkswagen has introduced two Up! special editions for the fans of loud music. The two new special-edition versions are called Groove up! and Rock up!.

Both vehicles are based on the top-specification High up! model, each with a unique twist.

Firstly, the Groove Up!, which comes with a pumping Fender sound system, complete with 6 speakers, a subwoofer and a 300-Watt amplifier. Also standard is the Maps & More personal infotainment device, which along with touchscreen satellite navigation provides Bluetooth phone connectivity and music streaming, making it a cinch to synch with your tunes.

It is available as either 3-door or 5-door model. It also features heated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake with orange stitching, bespoke black seats with orange edging, dark-tinted glass from the B-pillar back, 16” Upsilon alloy wheels and black gloss door mirror caps.

Second is the Rock Up!, which is available only as a 3-door model. It boasts distinctive styling, including an anthracite stripe running the length of the bonnet, roof and tailgate and a full body kit, consisting of gloss black front spoiler, side skirts, rear diffuser and rear spoiler. The door mirror caps are also gloss black, apart from on vehicles ordered with Deep Black Pearl paintwork, in which case they are chrome. Smart 16” Upsilon alloy wheels complete the look.

As with the Groove up!, standard equipment levels are high: air conditioning, heated front seats, the Maps & More infotainment system and a six-speaker audio system are all standard, as is remote central locking.

Optional equipment includes the award-winning City Emergency Braking system; a sensor pack that includes rear parking sensors, cruise control and a multifunction computer; and for the five-door Groove up!, a forward-folding front passenger seat to accommodate long loads. The Groove up! is also available with a panoramic glass sunroof.

Both are powered by a three-cylinder 1.0-litre 75HP petrol engine, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. This returns a combined fuel economy of 60.1 mpg while producing CO₂ emissions of 108 g/km, meaning both models qualify for VED band B, which is free for the first year, and just £20 thereafter.

The Groove up! 3-door costs £11,640 RRP and the 5-door £12,015. The Rock up! costs £12,980.

Source: Volkswagen

April 24, 2013

Author: Victor Ivanov