Author: Victor Ivanov

2013 Seat Ibiza Cupra – Perfect Dynamics

Seat has introduced the 2013 Ibiza Cupra. It represents the essence of the SEAT brand like no other model. The new Ibiza Cupra offers sporting performance for every day, accompanied by a truly impressive set of figures.

It is powered by a 1.4 liter TSI with 180HP (132 kW) at 6,200RPM and 250Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque at 2,000RPM. 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 228 km/h (142 mph). It achieves average fuel consumption of just 5.9 liters / 100 km with CO2 emissions of 139 g/km. The engine is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG).

Other interesting features include XDS electronic differential lock, high-performance brakes, sporty exterior and interior and lowered suspension.

The 2013 Ibiza Cupra rolls 17” alloy wheels with low-profile 215/40 R17 87V tyres fitted as standard.

The interior boasts new sports steering wheel with shift paddles, easy-to-read instruments featuring a sporty design, aluminum pedals and Cupra sports seats, which are optionally available in two-tone leather. There is also a powerful audio system, which can be complemented by the innovative SEAT Portable System.

Useful extras include an electronic “note” feature and the “Highbeam” function, which provides additional interior illumination on exiting the car at night. The screen can also show visual warnings issued to indicate when a door has been left open.

“The Ibiza Cupra is a true icon of the SEAT brand. Its stunning design and outstanding dynamics promise sheer driving fun kilometre after kilometre,” commented James Muir, President of SEAT, S.A.

“With its innovative technologies, premium interior and further improved quality, the new Ibiza Cupra clearly shows the speed and determination with which our brand is developing.”, he added.

Source: Seat

2013 Skoda Citigo SPORT – Racing Chic

Skoda has presented the new 2013 Citigo Sport. The small vehicle comes with revised exterior and interior. It impresses with its dynamic chic including racing stripes and comprehensive special equipment such as spoilers and a sports chassis.

The Citigo Sport is based on Ambition trim line and is available with a choice of 3- and 5-door variants. The engine range includes a 1.0 liter MPI petrol with 60HP (44 kW) and 75HP (55 kW) models. The fuel consumption of the 44 kW variant with Green tec package is just 4.1 liters / 100 km with CO2 emissions of 95 g/km. The engine is available with either 5-speed manual or an automated-shift gearbox (ASG).

The exterior boasts a special styling kit including a front and rear spoiler and a rear diffusor. The ride height is lowered with 15 mm and the small cars rolls black 15” Auriga design alloy wheels fitted with low-profile tires. The windows are tinted (SunSet) and last, but not least an adhesive racing stripe contrasting in colour is added to the respective body tone. The Citigo Sport is available in three exclusive colours: candy white with red, tornado red with black and deep black with red stripes.

The interior comes with a large number of sporty elements, among them a three-spoke steering sheathed in red leather, as is the hand brake handle and the shift lever. The seats in “Sport” textile design are executed in red, grey and black; even the floor mats are framed in red. The instrument panel has a grey décor finish, and even the ignition key comes in a design of its own: a broad red stripe and the “sport” lettering immediately signal that the key belongs to the new Skoda Citigo Sport.

Source: Skoda

Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta – Intelligent All-Wheather Control

Alfa Romeo has presented their innovative D.N.A. system, which features an All-Weather driving mode for tackling some of the most wintery road conditions.

The intelligent Vehicle Dynamic Control is fitted on both Alfa MiTo and Giulietta ranges with drivers able to select from ‘D’ (Dynamic), ‘N’ (Natural) and ‘A’ (All-Weather) driving modes at the simple touch of a switch.

In AW (All-Weather) mode, the ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) system monitors tyre grip and the car’s yaw and the steering angle. Whenever is required, the system decreases the throttle opening and applies the brakes to individual wheels to maintain stability. It works the same way as BMW’s DSC (Dynamic Stability Control).

The VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) system becomes more intrusive, ideal for situations where wheels are on both snow and tarmac, a Mµ-Split control function enables the car to find traction and control simultaneously on two completely different road conditions. This all works in conjunction with the DST (Dynamic Steering Torque) feature that provides steering torque movements to prompt natural correction of oversteer. Finally, Hydraulic Brake Assistance also increases braking pressure, therefore reducing braking distances in an emergency.

“Innovations such as the Alfa D.N.A. system help make Alfa Giulietta one of the safest models in its class with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating including an 86% score in the Safety Assist category. We think it’s a great choice all year round, but it’s also the smart choice in these tough winter months when drivers rely more on their vehicle’s technology to keep them safe and in control.”, commented Damien Dally, Head of Brand, Alfa Romeo UK.

Source: Alfa Romeo

2013 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line

Volkswagen has introduced the Touareg R-Line, which is based on the already well-equipped Touareg Altitude. The Touareg R-Line adds luxurious extra equipment and unique R-Line styling cues, together worth over £4,000, for just £750.

The Touareg R-Line rolls 20” ‘Tarragona’ alloy wheels with 275/45 R20 tyres, while the distinctive front and rear bumpers and side skirts give an even more purposeful look, added to by R-Line badges on the front wings.

Standard bi-xenon headlights with dynamic curve lighting and LED daytime running lights give the R-Line driver a commanding view of the road, and are complemented by LED rear lights and number-plate lights.

The interior boasts R-Line sill plates, keyless entry & start, full-length panoramic electric sliding sunroof and an electrically powered tailgate, which makes effortless loading and unloading.

Like every Touareg, the R-Line also comes with leather upholstery, a SAT NAV and audio system with 8” full-colour touchscreen, DAB, Bluetooth and MDI multi-device interface for iPods, 2Zone climate control, a Stop/Start system and battery regeneration, to help maximise fuel efficiency.

The Touareg R-Line is available with an 8-speed automatic gearbox paired to a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine with either 204HP – £44,025; or 245HP – £45,645 OTR.

Source: Volkswagen

MINI Clubman Bond Street Special Edition

MINIhas announced anotherSpecial Edition vehicle. This time, the new Clubman limited edition model is named after London’s most famous high-end shopping street

Due to premiere at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the MINI Clubman Bond Street fuses the inherent practicality and superb driving dynamics of the Clubman, with a unique interior and exterior interpretation that reflects the style of this most upmarket of London addresses.

Production will begin in March, this year and the car will be on sale for a limited time only.

The special features include a distinctive and lustrous Midnight Black Metallic for the exterior, with a contrasting roof, exterior mirror caps, bonnet stripes and the lower sections of the C-pillars all finished in Cool Champagne. The Clubman Bond Street rolls a set of twin spoke 17” rims in black with a ring around their edge in Cool Champagne. Further embellishment comes from the ‘Bond Street’ script applied to the side indicator surrounds and on the doors’ sill protection strips.

The interior boasts leather sports seats in Carbon Black with contrast piping and stitching. The instrument panel is covered in Black/Carbon Black leather, while other interior surfaces are finished in Deep Champagne. The Chrome Line interior package adds the final flourish to a highly distinctive and truly premium cabin ambience.

There is also more equipment for the special edition Clubman front fog lights, Chrome line exterior package, climate control, on-board computer, Bluetooth, USB functionality, rain sensor and automatic headlamp activation, sport leather steering wheel, height adjustment for both front seats, the storage package and the lighting package.

The engine range include – MINI Cooper – 122HP, MINI Cooper S – 184HP, MINI Cooper D – 112HP and MINI Cooper SD – 143HP. All engines are connected to a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a 6-speed automatic available as an option.
Check the price list below!

Model	OTR Price
MINI Cooper Clubman Bond Street	£20,275
MINI Cooper D Clubman Bond Street	£21,625
MINI Cooper S Clubman Bond Street	£23,355
MINI Cooper SD Clubman Bond Street	£24,045

Source: MINI

Ferrari 458 Italia Spider – “Best Cabriolet” Award

Without any hesitation, we can say that Ferrari 458 Spider is the best convertible in the world. The car incorporates everything that a “drop-top driver” needs – extremely powerful engine, sensational noise from the exhaust and beautiful exterior lines.

That’s why, the readers of Auto Motor und Sport have crowned the 458 Spider “Best Imported Cabriolet” in the traditional “Best cars” poll.

This is second award for the 458 Spider in this category and it’s the 15^th time that a convertible Ferrari has received this award, demonstrating the esteem with which the marque is held in Germany.

The trophy was presented by Auto Motor und Sport Editor-in-Chief, Ralph Alex, to Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa at the prize-giving ceremony held in Stuttgart today.

The 458 Spider is powered by the same engine as the coupe – a naturally aspirated 4.5 liter V8 with 570HP (419 kW) at 9,000RPM and 540Nm (399 lb-ft) at 6,000RPM. This means the incredible 127 PS/liter from a naturally aspirated engine. Furthermore, the sports car is 1380 kg, so it has power-to-weight ratio of 2.42 kg/hp. 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).

The engine powering the car has also been in the spotlight, having won the International Engine of the Year award for two consecutive years in 2011 and 2012.

Overall the 458 – in both the Italia coupé and the Spider versions – has received over 50 awards worldwide to date and is one of the most recognised and successful models in the history of Ferrari.

Source: Ferrari

2013 Volkswagen CC – Better Value for Money

2013 Volkswagen CC features modified radiator grille, new bi-xenon headlights and topped with a reprofiled bonnet. The bumper is different, too, with a new extra air intake, and silver-coloured winglets that frame the fog lights.

The price of every CC model in the range is now at least £470 lower than last year, meaning you can get behind the wheel of a CC from just £24,050.

The best-selling model – CC GT 2.0-litre TDI 140HP with either manual or automatic DSG gearbox will now get even better value for money, too. The price is wn by a total of £1,320, thanks to the removal of ACC (Adaptive Chassis Control), which now becomes a £850 option.

ACC remains standard on the CC GT 2.0-litre TDI 170HP and CC GT 2.0-litre TSI 210HP, and is optional on all other models.

The engine range includes 1.8 liter TSI with 160HP and 2.0 litre TSI with 210HP. The diesel range includes 2.0 liter engine with either 140HP or 170HP. All models with 170HP or more also now get a standard XDS differential, an electronic cross-axle traction control system for improved traction and handling.

Source: Volkswagen

2013 Ford Fiesta ST – 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds

2013 Ford Fiesta ST is an affordable performance car, which is suitable for everyday drive. It has a mighty four-cylinder engine and some nice additional extras over the standard Fiesta.

The European model is available only in 3-door variant, while the US-spec 2014 Fiesta ST in exclusively sold as a 5-door model. We can’t tell the purpose of this marketing move, but the three-door variant is a lot more stylish and nice. The European version will be available in the UK in march with price starting from £16,995.

For £1,000 more, you can order the ST-2 trim adding LED DRL’s, Sony DAB radio, half-leather Recaro Sport seats and keyless entry. This is definitely a good bargain.

The Fiesta ST gets a revised suspension with lowering springs (-15 mm) and stiffened dampers. The brake system has also been improved compared to the stock Fiesta. Last is a three-stage electronic stability control system and enhanced torque vectoring control.

The 2013 Fiesta ST is powered by a 1.6 liter EcoBoost with 180HP (132 kW) and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a 6-speed manual gearbox. 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph).

Source: Ford

Carlsson Mercedes-Benz SLK Race Car

Carlsson has developed a unique race car based on Mercedes-Benz SLK. The name of the project is Carlsson SLK 340 JUDD.

The curb weight of the sports car is just 780kg, which is achieved thanks to an ultra-lightweight body kit made of carbon fiber. The aerodynamic components have been tested extensively, even in a wind tunnel, to connect a spectacular look with a perfect downforce.

“We developed the design over a long period of time and with lots of feeling. We are proud of the awesome look. As an engineer, it is a pleasure to contribute to such a project, and we can show everything that is technically possible in the vehicle in cooperation with Carlsson”, commented Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Markus Schuster, Managing Director of Carlsson Germany.

The engine is a 3.4 liter V8 with 610HP (449 kW) and 430Nm (319 lb-ft) of torque. The engine weighs just 120kg. The gearbox is a Hewland with a paddle shift.

A 3-way adjustable KW competition suspension ensures optimum road holding for the race car on BBS racing wheels – 10J x 18” front and 13J x 18” rear fitted with AVON tires. The brake system of ultralight materials saves additional weight. Maximum support and maximum safety are guaranteed by newly developed racing seats from Fibreworks.

Last, but not least a complex safety cage has been installed which meets all relevant international requirements.

Source: Carlsson

Hartge BMW M5 F10 – 642HP and 810Nm

Hartge has announced their tuning program for BMW M5 F10. It was about time for the tuner to make the high-performance saloon faster and more aggressive, so the program includes both styling and engine mods.

The exterior gets a new front lip spoiler, carbon fiber mirror housings and different sets of 21” HARTGE wheels. There is also a set of lowering springs reducing the ride height by 25mm at the front and 20mm at the rear. HARTGE also offers a complete stainless steel sports exhaust system.

The interior received only aluminum pedals, velour floor mats and some Hartge badging.

The biggest modification comes for the mighty twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter V8, which is boosted to 642HP (472 kW) and 810Nm (597 lb-ft) of torque. This is an increase of 82HP and 130Nm. 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 305 km/h(190 mph) – electronically limited.

Source: Hartge

Kia Concept at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show

Kia will present its latest Concept Car at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

The provocative and racy new urban concept car has the company’s signature tiger-nose morphing into a mischievous yet friendly grille and headlight arrangement, coupled with strong styling lines that exude speed and energy from every angle.

The new Concept by Kia definitely will catch the eyes of the visitors.

Still, no information about performance or engines are available.

However, it could turn out to be a preview concept of a future Nissan Juke rival.

Source: Kia