Victor Ivanov – Page 63 – Automobiles Review

2014 BMW Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo – 410HP and 600Nm

Alpina has presented the all-new 2014 B4 Bi-Turbo based on the recently announced BMW 4-Series Coupe 335i.

The sports coupe comes with a lot of unique features like an aerodynamics package from Alpina, new wheels and improved interior.

The exterior boasts a new front apron and rear spoiler. There is also a set of 20” ALPINA Classic wheels fitted with ultra-low profile tires. At the rear we can see ALPINA lettering and signature twin tailpipes.

The engine is the well-known 3.0 liter straight-six – 410HP (301 kW) at 5,500RPM and 600Nm (444 lb-ft) at 3,000RPM. The engine is connected to a ZF 8-Speed Sport-Automatic transmission. 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 305 km/h (188 mph). Furthermore, the new B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe achieves a class-leading combined fuel economy of just 7.6l/100km and 177g/km CO2.

The suspension set-up of the new B4 Bi-Turbo provides great ride-quality and comfort while simultaneously offering sharp and dynamic handling. The adaptive ALPINA sport suspension solves this conflict of interest by means of electronically adjustable dampers in collaboration with performance springs, bump stops and stabilisers. The system allows the driver to use the Drive Performance Control (Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport, Sport+) to select the suspension setting and driving dynamics to match his mood.

Last, but not least is the high-performance brake system – 370mm discs at the front and 345mm discs at the rear with 4- and 2-piston calipers, respectively.

Dimensions
Length (mm)	4640
Width (mm)	1825
Height, unladen (mm)	1373
Wheelbase (mm)	2810
Track, front (mm)	1552
Track, rear (mm)	1576
Luggage capacity (l)	445
Fuel tank capacity (l)	ca. 60

Weight
Unladen (kg)	1615
Max permissible (kg)	2135
Permitted load (kg)	520
Max axle load, front (kg)	1030
Max axle load, rear (kg)	1150
Max trailer load, braked (kg)	1700
Max trailer load, unbraked (kg)	750

Engine
Cylinders	6 in line
Capacity (cc)	2979
Bore (mm)	84.0
Stroke (mm)	89.6
Compression ratio (:1)	10.2
Max output (kW / hp / 1/min)	301 / 410 / 5500-6250
Max torque (Nm / 1/min)	600 / 3000-4000
Engine management	BOSCH MEVD 17.2.6
Fuel type	Super Plus
Emissions classification	Euro 6

Transmission
Transmission	8-Speed Sport-Automatic ZF 8HP70 SWITCH-TRONIC
1st	4.71
2nd	3.14
3rd	2.11
4th	1.67
5th	1.29
6th	1.00
7th	0.84
8th	0.67
Final drive ratio	2.81

Performance
Acceleration 0-100km/h (s)	4.2
Top speed (km/h)	305

Fuel consumption *
Urban (l/100km)	10.2
Extra-urban (l/100km)	6.1
Combined (l/100km)	7.6
CO² emissions (g/km)	177
Efficiency category	D

Wheels and tyres
Standard wheels and tyres	ALPINA CLASSIC 20″
Front	8 x 20 245/30 ZR20
Rear	9 x 20 265/30 ZR20

Standard Equipment

Adaptive ALPINA Sport Suspension

Air conditioning and radio control panel with Black High-gloss highlight

Air conditioning, automatic with two-zone control with extended features

Airbags – front, side and head airbags, for driver and passenger, fond Curtain system

Auto Start-Stop

Automatic seat belt extender

Auxiliary input point for auxiliary playing devices (e.g. MP3 player)

BMW Emergency Call

Brake Energy Regeneration

Brake system 18″ high-performance, callipers painted in blue with ALPINA lettering

Centre armrest

Cruise control with brake function

Door sill finishers ALPINA

Drive Performance Control with ECO PRO mode

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) comprising: Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)

Exhaust system ALPINA, made by Akrapovič, stainless steel, two double-ended tailpipes

Extended lighting

First aid kit and warning triangle

Floor mats ALPINA

Fog lights

Front spoiler ALPINA

Hands-free facility with USB interface

Headlight wash

Instruments ALPINA

Interior trim: ALPINA luxury wood Burled Elm

Kidney grille, Chrome with Black vertical slats, front air inlet with Chrome finisher

Paintwork: non-metallic paintwork in standard BMW colours

Production plaque

Radio Professional

Rain sensor with automatic headlight activation

Rear spoiler ALPINA

Rear valance ALPINA with two double-ended tailpipes

Remote control, including integrated key – two. Separate button for opening of the luggage compartment

Remote control, including integrated key, in Black with insert in Chrome

Seat heating, front

Side air inlets (Air Breather) in matt Black

Sport Automatic Transmission (8-speed) with ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC

Sport seats, driver and front passenger, incl. electric seat adjustment with driver memory

Steering wheel: SWITCH-TRONIC sport leather steering wheel with Multi-function

Tyre Puncture Warning System (TPWS)

Upholstery: Dakota leather, with ALPINA roundels in seatbacks

Variable sport steering

Wheels: ALPINA CLASSIC 20

Windows well covers and frames in matt Black

Windscreen with grey shade band

Xenon headlights, with LED day running lights

Source: Alpina

January 20, 2014

2014 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso – Test [video]

2014 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso has been tested by by Premier League aces Olivier Giroud, Per Mertesacker, Santi Cazorla and Wojciech Szczęsny. The Arsenal players put the car on its paces and made a short video about it.

The new compact 7-seater comes with a lot of innovative technologies such as dual display screens – a 7” touchscreen and a customisable 12” panoramic HD screen – which are a stylish and smart way of keeping users connected and in control.

There is also a Park Assist providing automatic assistance when manoeuvring into a tight parking space. As an option, Grand C4 Picasso offers a motorised front passenger footrest and massaging front-seats for maximum comfort.

2014 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso is now available on the UK market with pricing starting from just £19,200.

Enjoy!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab7_6KlXCJQ

Source: Citroen

January 20, 2014

Porsche 911 Turbo 997 DT1200R – 0-300 km/h in 13.6 seconds [video]

Dragtimesinfo has published a video with world fastest Porsche 911 Tiptronic – the 997 Turbo DT1200R. The sports has 1200HP under the rear hood and accelerates like a lightning bolt.

The DT1200R made two runs – the first one alone and the second versus BMW X6 M PP-Performance Stage 5 – 850HP.

In the first start, the Porsche stopped the clock on 24.932 seconds with 355 km/h on 1 mile mark and 10.992 seconds with 244.9 km/h on ¼ mile. During the second run, the tuned 997 Turbo finished in 23.830 seconds with 316 km/h – according to the information in the end of the clip. Still, in other start the Porsche managed to do 23.669 seconds with 370 km/h.

The official acceleration times are : 0-100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 5.9 seconds and 0-300 km/h in 13.6 seconds. ¼ mile in 9.6 seconds with 246.74 km/h and 1 mile in 23.669 seconds with 370.75 km/h.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksKBXgWyTR4

Source: Dragtimesinfo

January 17, 2014

2014 Opel Meriva – Styling updates

Opel has officially unveiled the new 2014 Meriva Facelift at the Brussels Motor Show. The stylish MPV comes with minor exterior upgrades and a new engine.

The exterior boasts a new front grille, some additional chrome trim and new headlights. There are LED DRLs available as an option.

The interior boasts a new IntelliLink infotainment system including 7” display, a new interface and faster CPU. Other features include a USB connectivity and Bluetooth phone connectivity as well as audio streaming and a CD player.

The new engine is a 1.6 liter CDTI – 136HP (100 kW) and 320Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque. It returns 53.4 mpg US or 64.2 mpg UK – 4.4 liters / 100 km with CO2 emissions of just 116 g/km. The new engine replaces the older 1.3CDTI and 1.7CDTI. There is also a new “low-friction” transmission delivering smoother and more precise gear changes.

Source: Opel

January 17, 2014

2014 BYD Qin Hybrid – 1.6 liters / 100 km

The Chinese automotive manufacturer BYD has announced the 2014 Qin Hybrid. The automaker practically copy a lot of elements from BMW and some of their models are completely identical (outside).

The Qin Hybrid was actually presented at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show and now the model is officially on sale in China. It is described as a “high tech, performance-based hybrid car”.

2014 Qin Hybrid is powered by a 1.5 liter petrol engine – 151HP (113 kW) and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) and an electric motor – 147HP (110 kw) and 250Nm (184 lb-ft). The total power is 291HP (217 kW) and 479Nm (353 lb-ft), which is actually pretty good result. 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 195 km/h (115 mph) – electronically limited. The Qin Hybrid can go up to 70 km (44 miles) only on electricity and can return 177MPGe – 1.6 liters / 100 km.

There are four driving modes – EV+ECO, EV+SPORT, HEV+ECO and HEV+SPORT.

BYD also plans to introduced the model in Europe, next year and in the US by late 2015.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dshFP1lYpE4
BYD QIN – SPECIFICATION FOR CHINESE MARKET

Engine type		BYD 476ZQA 1.5Ti
Engine rated power	kW/rpm	113/5200
Engine max. torque	Nm/rpm	240/1750-3500
Motor max. power	kW/BHP	110/148
Motor max. torque	Nm	250
Total power	kW/BHP	217/291
Total torque	Nm	479
Acceleration 0-100kmh (62 mph)	Sec	5.9
Fuel consumption under normal conditions	L/100kmMPG	1.6177
Top speed	KMHMPH	185115
Tank capacity	LitresGallon	5011
Range in EV mode	KMMiles	7044

Source: BYD

January 17, 2014

2014 BMW M3 F80 and M4 F82 – US Price $62,000 and $64,200

BMW North America has officially announced the pricing of the 2014 BMW M3 F80 and M4 F82. The sedan starts from just $62,000, while the Coupe is $64,200 (excluding $925 destination and handling tax).Both cars will be available in: Mineral White, Black Sapphire, Alpine White, Mineral Grey, Yas Marina, Austin Yellow, Sakhir Orange and Silverstone.2014 BMW M3 and M4 are powered by a 3.0 liter TwinPower Turbo Inline six-cylinder – 431HP (317 kW) at 5,500RPM and 550Nm (406 lb-ft) at 1,850RPM. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) or an optional 280 km/h (174 mph). The acceleration is even better, when fitted with the optional 7-speed ///M DCT – 4.1 seconds to 100 km/h. The new M3 and M4 are able to cover 100 km with just 8.8 liters of fuel in the combined cycle with the manual transmission and 8.3 liter with the DCT.Other performance modifications include a modified MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension by using lightweight components. Both cars ride 18” alloy wheels fitted with 255/40 R18 front and 275/40 R18 rear tires, while there is a set of 19” rims available as an option.The manufacturer will also offer ///M carbon ceramic brake system.

January 16, 2014

2015 Subaru WRX STI – Highlights [video]

Subaru has published an interesting video showing some of the highlights of the all-new 2015 WRX STI. The model is exhibited at the 2014 NAIAS in Detroit and can be examined by the public there.

2015 Subaru WRX STI is powered by a 2.5 liter turbocharged boxer engine – 309HP (227 kW) at 6,000RPM and 393Nm (290 lb-ft) at 4,000RPM, while the non-STI model has 272HP (200 kW) and 349Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque from a 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbo boxer. No performance data available, but the WRX needs around 5.0 seconds for 0-100 km/h and the STI even less.

Both engines are available only with upgraded 6-speed manual sending the power to the symmetrical all-wheel drive system featuring a driver-controlled multi-mode center mechanical differential.

2015 WRX STI comes with 18” alloy wheels fitted with 245/40 R18 performance tires. There is also a performance braking system as well as an inverted-strut front suspension. The new WRX STI is available only as a sedan and it is scheduled to hit the market in Spring.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H84X2ANdqDw

Source: Subaru

January 16, 2014

2015 Chrysler 200 Convertible [render]

Theophiluschin has published two render pictures of Chrysler 200 Convertible. The model reminds to Opel Cascada, but still it has a lot of different. The Chrysler 200 Convertible will be a direct rival to Audi A3 Convertible, Opel Cascada and possible BMW 2-Series Convertible. Still, the 200 open-top is expected to be a lot cheaper than those above.

2015 Chrysler 200 Sedan was presented at the 2014 NAIAS. It is a 2.4 liter Tigershark four-cylinder – 184HP (137 kW) and 234Nm (173 lb-ft) of torque or a powerful 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 – 295HP (220 kW) and 355Nm (262 lb-ft). Regardless of the choice, the engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission which can be paired to an optional all-wheel drive system. The 200 Convertible will probably has the same drivetrain variants.

2015 Chrysler 200 Sedan is priced at just $21,700 for the entry-level model and it will hit the market in Spring.

January 16, 2014

OK-Chiptuning Porsche 911 GT2

OK-Tuning has presented their performance package for the mighty Porsche 911 (997) GT2. The sports car comes with a lot of performance upgrades as well as engine boost.

Some of the performance parts are new carbon-ceramic brake system, a roll cage and an Akrapovic racing exhaust system including manifolds and sport catalysts. Last, but not least OK-Tuning fitted the tuned GT2 with modified GT2 RS intercoolers.

The interior boasts carbon and Alcantara trim, racing bucket seats and fire extinguisher.

The twin-turbo 3.6 liter twin-turbo flat-six is boosted to 680HP (500 kW) and 880Nm (652 lb-ft) of torque. This is an increase of 150HP and 200Nm over the standard model. 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, 100-200 km/h takes 5.1 seconds and 100-300 km/h in 18 seconds.

Other highlights include OZ Ultraleggera HLT wheels fitted with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires and new LED taillights.

Pricing for OK Remapping starts from €3,500.

Source: OK-Chiptuning

January 15, 2014

2014 Qoros 3 Hatchback [video]

Qoros has unveiled the 3 Hatchback model ahead of its official public debut scheduled for March at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. There are two pictures and a video of the second model in the range.

The design and engineering of the compact (C-segment) Qoros 3 Hatch draws heavily on the brand’s first model, the Qoros 3 Sedan. While it is similarly inspired by contemporary European automotive styling themes, it displays a subtle, youthful evolution of the distinctive signature Qoros design cues to inject greater sportiness to the car’s appearance.

“The new Qoros 3 Hatch will appeal to the modern metropolitan always-connected customer who needs a little extra versatility provided by the hatchback body style”, commented Vice Chairman of Qoros, Volker Steinwascher.

“It offers those with active outdoor lifestyles or young families extra practicality, combined with added coolness thanks to its more spirited, sporty look”, he added.

As well as rear lamp clusters and tailgate specific to the hatchback, the Qoros 3 Hatch features subtle visual changes at the front that differentiate it from the Sedan – notably to the front grille, front bumper and front fog lights. These create a bolder ‘face’ and a more compact, dynamic, sporty appearance that will appeal to a new, more lifestyle-oriented group of customers.

The interior boasts key ergonomic features, refinement, understated quality and equipment are shared with its sedan compatriot, although new upholstery colour combinations and materials will provide a fresh, new ambience.

Actually Qoros 3 Hatch looks pretty and and with a 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine offered in naturally-aspirated and turbocharged versions, it will deliver nice driving pleasure. The engines can be mated to either 6-speed manual or an automatic dual-clutch gearbox.

Both Qoros 3 Sedan and 3 Hatch will be assembled in plant located in Changshu, China.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhEGQ3CaZ2o

Source: Qoros

January 15, 2014

2015 Lexus RC F – 456HP and 518Nm [video]

Lexus has published a nice video showing highlights of the powerful 2015 RC-F Coupe. The direct rival of BMW M4 and the new C-Class AMG was presented at the 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

2015 Lexus RC-F Coupe comes with complete aggressive body kit including reworked front and rear bumpers as well as a pair of revised side skirts and ventilated front fenders. There is also a new front hood, an F-mesh grille and a set of big 19” forged aluminum wheels fitted with performance tires. Furthermore, the car can be equipped with a carbon fiber package including roof and an active rear spoiler that deploys at 80 km/h (50 mph) to generate additional downforce.

The interior boasts sport seats, revised instrumentation, alloy pedals and an “elliptical cross-section thick grip steering wheel”.

2015 RC-F Coupe is powered by an all-new 5.0 liter naturally aspirated V8 – 456HP (335 kW) and 518Nm (383 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 270 km/h (168 mph) – electronically limited.

The RC-F also comes with a sport-tuned suspension, a stiff front lower brace and a Torque Vectoring Differential with three different modes: Standard, Slalom and Track. It guarantees perfect traction at all conditions.

Enjoy!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZXlTW4-n6Q

Source: Lexus

January 14, 2014

2014 Audi A8 L Security – VR7 Ballistic Protection

Audi has unveiled 2014 A8 L Security meeting the class VR7 ballistic protection. The bullet-proof premium saloon is available with two engines and a number of upgrades.

The dimensions of the vehicle are 5.27 meters long and with a 3.12 meter wheelbase. The V8-powered model features LED headlights, while the W12 version gets the Matrix LED technology.

The engine range includes a 4.0 liter V8 TFSI – 435HP (320 kW) and 600Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and fuel consumption of 10.9 liters / 100 km (21.5 mpg US or 25.8 mpg UK). The powerful 6.3 liter W12 FSI naturally-aspirated engine has 500HP (368 kw) and 625Nm (461 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). It needs 13.5 liters / 100 km (17.4 mpg US or 20.8 mpg UK).

The model has been certified by the German Ballistics Testing Center in Munich. It complies with the VR 7 ballistic protection standard requirements. What is more, the car has some areas with armor complying with VR 9 and VR 10 classes.

The additional safety equipment of 2014 A8 L Security include an emergency exist system, a fire extinguisher system and an emergency fresh-air system. Other special features are a smoke extractor, selective unlocking of doors, LED signal system for convoy driving, siren, flashing lights and an accident data recorder.

2014 Audi A8 L Security is now available to order.

Source: Audi

January 14, 2014

Author: Victor Ivanov