Automobiles Review

Author: Victor Ivanov

  • Volvo Concept Estate at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show

    Volvo has officially unveiled the Concept Estate, which is expected to be exhibited at the 84th Geneva Motor Show in March. The Shooting Brake version of the Concept Coupe boasts an elegant exterior with flowing lines and gently curved surfaces.

    The front comes with a prominent grille flanked by distinctive headlights with T-shaped LED DRLs. The rear is even more spectacular with the stylish tailgate and a dual exhaust system. There are also enormous alloy wheels fitted with ultra-low profile tires.

    The interior boasts leather upholstery, grey wood trim and a lot of metallic accents. There is also a digital instrument cluster, a slender center console and an infotainment system with a big display. Other highlights include a three-spoke steering wheel, orange seat belts and seat backs covered in plaid.

    Volvo Concept Estate
    Volvo Concept Estate
    Volvo Concept Estate
    Volvo Concept Estate
    Volvo Concept Estate

    Source: Volvo

  • Porsche Macan 3-door [render image]

    Here is an interesting version of the all-new 2014 Porsche Macan, which originally comes in only 5-door variant. The 3-door variant has been previewed by TheophilusChinand according to us looks really nice.

    Just like the Evoque 3-door by Range Rover, the 3-door Macan comes with more sloped roofline and more desirable and cleaner look. It fact, it is a real eye-catcher and Porsche should definitely consider such variant.

    Three years ago, when the Macan emerged for first time, it was in a three-door configuration, but Porsche Decided to leave the rear doors in place, so the car looks exactly like a smaller Cayenne.

    Of course, the engine range will be exactly the same, but the interior will suffer a bit and especially the rear passengers, who will have a lot less space.

  • More Powerful Morgan Plus 4 at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show

    Morgan is going to exhibit a more powerful Plus 4 model as the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, next week. The car will have an updated variant of the current four-cylinder engine, but the manufacturer didn’t release any further information.

    The current Plus 4 is powered by a four-cylinder 2.0 liter Ford Duratec engine – 148HP (108 kW) and 190Nm (140 lb-ft) of torque. The power is sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox from Mazda. The curb weight of the car is just 877kg (1,933 lbs), which means nice performance – 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph).

    The new more powerful version of Plus 4 will probably come with more than 200HP.

    Stay tuned!

    Source: Morgan

  • Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body

    Prior Design has unveiled their latest project based on Porsche Panamera before the facelift. It’s called Prior600 WB and includes only styling upgrades.

    The exterior boasts a complete wide aerodynamics package including a new front and rear bumpers as well as a new spoiler and widened wheel arches. The sports four-door coupe rolls enormous 22” alloy wheels with a black red finish fitted with ultra-low profile tires. The stance is further improved by the specialists from KW.

    Inside, the seats of the first and second row, the entire instrument panel, center console including the armrest, the sports steering wheel that is flattened below and the door linings are immersed in a bi-colored full leather covering in beige and brown with diamond-patterned stitching. On the contrary, the columns and headliner are covered in soft alcantara. Stitching was done even on the headliner.

    The wide-body construction kit can be ordered optionally in high-grade Dura-Flex or even in the more exclusive full carbon.

    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body
    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body
    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body
    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body
    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body
    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body
    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body
    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body
    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body
    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body
    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body
    Prior Design Porsche Panamera Wide Body

    Source: Prior Design

  • Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme at 2014 Geneva Motor Show

    Vauxhall is going to exhibit the all-new 2014 Astra VXR Extreme at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, in March. The ultra-hot hatchback comes with extreme body kit and extreme engine.

    The 2.0 liter turbocharged petrol has over 300HP (225 kW), which means that is the most powerful front-wheel drive Vauxhall, ever. Derived from last year’s Astra Cup race car that competed in the Nurburgring Endurance Championship, the Extreme model is the lighter, more powerful street-legal race sibling to the current Astra VXR. The engine is connected to a 6-speed manual gearbox sending the power to the front wheels through an LSD (limited slip differential).

    The curb weight is whopping 100kg less than the original model thanks to the use of high-quality carbon components.  This high-strength, ultra-light material is used for the aerodynamically-optimised rear wing, the diffuser, front spoiler, bonnet, suspension cross-bracing, engine cover, wheels, rear wheelhouse ventilation and roof.

    Other highlights include a set of ultra high-performance, 245/35, 19” tyres, specially developed for the Extreme modell a Brembo 6-piston brake system including 370mm diameter discs up front and adjustable dampers.

    The interior comes with a roll-bar, Recaro bucket seats, with six-point safety belts from Schroth and a carbon-fibre-reinforced, suede-covered steering wheel with fine yellow decorative stitching.

    The car is actually planned to go in a low-volume production, which are great news.

    2014 Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme
    2014 Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme
    2014 Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme
    2014 Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme

    Source: Vauxhall

  • AMS Nissan GT-R Alpha Omega – Epic History Moments and Records

    There is no doubt that Nissan GT-R is one of the best sports cars ever created. It is not only extremely fast in its factory version, but it discovers new horizons in terms of tuning and drag racing. TheRacingChannel has published a video on Youtube showing epic history moments from the creating of AMS Performance Nissan GT-R Alpha Omega to a lot of record breaks.

    The tuning company has created the first 9-,8- and 7-second Nissan GT-R and holds some other records like 60-130 mph (96-209 km/h) in 2.67 seconds and 100-150 mph (160-240 km/h) in 2.42 seconds, which are practically unbeatable.

    As a reminder, the GT-R Alpha Omega did ¼ mile in 7.984 seconds with a terminal speed of 299.33 km/h (186 mph). It also set 0-60 mph in spectacular 1.72 seconds.

    Still, the tuned GT-R is completely street legal and can go in city almost unnoticed for pedestrians and police. The car doesn’t make scary noise, when its driven normally and goes smoothly even in bumper-to-bumper situations.

    We just can’t describe the atmosphere that the video is offering so… Enjoy!

    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX3yCiduBqs#t=314

    Source: TheRacingChannel via Youtube

  • 2014 Volkswagen CrossPolo, Polo BlueMotion and BlueGT

    Volkswagen is going to exhibit several models of the recently 2014 Polo Facelift at the Geneva Motor Show, next week.

    First is the small crossover called CrossPolo coming with a set of new 17” alloy wheels, covered lower areas of the bumpers, sills and the wheel arches. There are also silver inserts on the roof rails, mirror housings and both bumpers. 2014 Volkswagen CrossPolo also boasts a new steering wheel, better fabrics and different gear and parking brake lever.

    Second is the Polo TSI BlueMotion powered by a 1.0 liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 90HP (66 kW). It is able to return 57.3 mpg US or 68.9 mpg UK – a 4.1 liters / 100 km on combined cycle. The Polo TDI BlueMotion has a 1.4 liter three-cylinder diesel with 75HP (55 kW) – 75.8 mpg US or 91.1 mpg UK – just 3.1 liters / 100 km.

    Last, but not least is the Polo Blue GT (Polo GTI), which boasts lowered suspension (by 15mm) and 17” alloy wheels fitted with low-profile tires. There are also different bumpers, wide side sills and a rear spoiler above the tailgate. It is powered by a 1.4 liter TSI with 150HP (110 kW), which is 10HP more than before. It also has a spectacularly low fuel consumption – 4.8 liters / 100 km (48.9 mpg US or 58.8 mpg UK).

    2014 Volkswagen CrossPolo, Polo BlueMotion and BlueGT
    2014 Volkswagen CrossPolo, Polo BlueMotion and BlueGT
    2014 Volkswagen CrossPolo
    2014 Volkswagen Polo BlueGT
    2014 Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion

    Source: Volkswagen

  • Nissan GT-R Cabrio by Newport Convertible Engineering

    The tuning specialists from Newport Convertible Engineering, who have already chopped off the roof of the Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Evoque and Toyota Prius, now unveiled Nissan GT-R Cabrio.

    NCE didn’t release any specific details about the special GT-R, but there are three different designs for a GT-R Cabrio available only through a custom order. These include a dual hump behind the driver and passenger, a fixed roll bar and a design without the roll bar.

    Of course, the GT-R Convertible will be a lot heavier, but it already has plenty of power. As a reminder – VR38DETT engine – a 3.8 liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 550HP (400 kW) at 6,400 RPM and 632Nm (466 lb-ft) of torque at 3,200RPM. 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph).

    However, GT-R Cabrio is a brilliant idea, because the car is now even more spectacular.

    Source: Newport Convertible Engineering

  • 2014 Citroen C1 – A Perfect Car for City Driving

    Citroen has unveiled the all-new 2014 C1, which will make its official public debut at the Geneva Motor Show, next week. It is described as “A Perfect Car for City Driving” thanks to its agility and compact dimensions.

    2014 Citroen C1 is just 3.46 meters long, 1.62 meters wide and has a 4.8 meters turning circle. This makes it extremely useful and easy to drive in city. The new C1 looks a lot different than its predecessor with a striking front fascia, interesting headlight configuration and overall more premium appearance. The new model will be offered in 3-, 5-door and open-top variants.

    The interior of the New Citroen C1 is bright and airy with a colourful ambience. Designed with clean, structured lines, the dashboard features bright colours on the multimedia panel, air vent trim and gear lever base. The door panels also include body-coloured inserts. There is a 7” touchscreen display with Mirror Screen technology, a reversing camera, hill-start assist and hands-free entry & drive.

    The engine range includes the e-VTi 68 Airdream engine, which is mated to a 5-speed gearbox and featuring Stop&Start technology with a special aerodynamics pack. There is also new 1.2 liter three-cylinder VTi 82 petrol from the PureTech engine family. It uses innovative technologies for fuel consumption of 65 mpg UK and just 99g/km CO2 emissions, combined with driveability and nimble performance – torque of 118 Nm and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 11 seconds.

    2014 C1 combines an affordable price tag with optimised running costs. The curb weight is just 840 kg and fitted with very-low rolling resistance tyres, it ranks well for efficiency, as well as delivering low servicing costs.

    2014 Citroen C1
    2014 Citroen C1
    2014 Citroen C1
    2014 Citroen C1
    2014 Citroen C1
    2014 Citroen C1
    2014 Citroen C1
    2014 Citroen C1
    2014 Citroen C1

    Source: Citroen

  • Switzer Porsche 911 (997) Turbo – 900HP an 1,083Nm

    Switzer Performanceunleashed another beast – Porsche 911 Turbo with 900HP based on the 997 model.

    The result is thanks to a number of upgrades including bigger turbochargers, new intercoolers and a high-flow air intake system as well as a flex-fuel injection system and a stainless steel sports exhaust system. The result is sensational – 900HP (671 kW) and 1,083Nm (800 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in less than 3.0 seconds and a top speed of over 340 km/h (212 mph). ¼ mile is covered in just 9.0 seconds.

    Other upgrades include a set of H&R lowering springs and 19” HRE 597 Rs wheels fitted with high-performance Toyo R888 tires.

    The owners plans to take place in a series of standing mile events this year with his super powerful Porsche and we wish him luck… especially with a license plate – KCHME (“Catch me”), which is obviously not so easy.

    Source: Switzer

  • 2014 Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Convertible based on BMW 4-Series 335i

    Alpinais going to introduce the all-new B4 Bi-Turbo Convertible at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. The stylish convertible is based on the recently announced BMW 4-Series 335i Convertible.

    The exterior comes with a typical Alpina outfit – a complete body kit including new front and rear aprons as well as a sports exhaust system and a set of 20” classic Alpina alloy wheels. There are also some decals and special badging.

    The interior features heated leather sport seats, a sport steering wheel and Alpina branded door sills plates. Other highlights include embroidered headrests and branded floor mats.

    The most important – a 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged gasoline engine boosted to 410HP (301 kW) and 600Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 301 km/h (187 mph). It is connected to an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox and is able to return 29.4 mpg US or 35.3 mpg UK – 8.0 liters / 100 km on combined cycle.

    2014 Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Convertible is expected to hit the market in spring with pricing starting from €74,800.

    Source: Alpina

  • 2014 Suzuki Swift SZ-L Special Edition – Price £11,316

    Suzuki has released another Special Edition of the new 2014 Swift. The small hatchback is expected to hit the market on 1st March in SZ-L form – a limited edition with just 500 units. 2014 Suzuki Swift SZ-L Special Edition is based on the SZ3 trim level with a 1.2 liter petrol engine.

    The standard equipment includes 7 airbags, ESP, air conditioning, USB port and Bluetooth as standard. SZ-L adds LED daytime running lights and cruise control from the recently updated Swift SZ4, along with extra equipment only available on SZ-L.

    The additional equipment features two-tone metallic paintwork as standard; in either Boost Blue or Cosmic Black body colours with contrasting Cool White roof, rear spoiler and door mirrors. Inside, silver stitching has been added to the steering wheel, gear gaiter and seats which also have a unique fabric design.

    Swift SZ-L is available on the recently extended VAT free promotion until the 31st March at £10,899 for 3-door models and £11,316 for 5-door models.

    2014 Suzuki Swift SZ-L Special Edition
    2014 Suzuki Swift SZ-L Special Edition
    2014 Suzuki Swift SZ-L Special Edition
    2014 Suzuki Swift SZ-L Special Edition

    Source: Suzuki