Category: Auto News

Auto news – automobile industry news. Articles about all the latest car models and concepts. Breaking news, uncovered secrets.

Morgan Unveils Unique SP1 at Salon Privé [VIDEO]

Morgan SP1 is a one-off vehicle which will be launched at Salon Prive. SP1 stands for Special Project 1 and it is the first creation of the newly formed Morgan Special Projects Division. The car exudes every aspect of the skilled craftsmanship applied at Morgan. SP1 is inspired by the 2009 LifeCar concept vehicle, however, its body has been entirely redesigned and now has enhanced proportions and on-road presence.

This Morgan car has a rigid steel chassis and is powered by the naturally aspirated 3.7 litre Ford V6 engine. In addition, it also features new suspension setup, bespoke Engine Management System and custom sports exhaust. These elements improve significantly the driving dynamics of the SP1.

Furthermore, for the wooden frame of the coach-built body, the team utilized Ash Wood, combined with African Bubinga Red Hardwood, which was specifically chosen by the client. Between these two woods there is a tonal contrast, which is most apparent in the joints that hold each part of the frame together.

SP1 is covered with a striking multi-coat paint finish. The aluminium body has been hand formed over a wooden ‘egg box’ construction, using an English wheel. To ensure structural and aerodynamic excellence, cutting-edge digital design and simulation tools were used to prove surface styling prior to lengthy fabrication.

After the car has been armed electronically, a sequence of roof mounted toggle switches are flicked to ‘prepare for flight’ before a final toggle switch starts the engine. Inside, the SP1 includes an infotainment system, which is managed via an iPad that has been installed in the fascia. Take a look at the video below to see and hear the exciting stories of the team at Morgan around this project.

httpv://youtu.be/G6enAtDa9iA

Video Source: YouTube

Source: Morgan

September 4, 2014
Dotz Shift Shows a Sporty Volkswagen Beetle

Dotz Shift Volkswagen Beetle shines in brand new “shoes” that lend it even more dramatic and sporty appearance than before. Precisely, its new wheels are called “shine” and are delivered by the talented wheels and rims specialists at Dotz Shift. They are the sporty choice for compact and mid-sized cars due to their impressive design. Just take a look at the star pattern, formed by even slender, edgy double spokes. This makes the wheels look lightweight and at the same time aggressive, while the deep lip adds a racing touch.

There is also a recessed center, which allows for four- and five-hole connections without affecting the design. The newly developed asymmetrical inlay in the rear ring of the deep lip is something typical for Dotz Shift. In addition, the elegant high-gloss paint further emphasizes the spoke edges and underlines the three-dimensional design.

This Volkswagen Beetle is equipped with direct-injected 1.8T engine. The unit produces a maximum of 170 hp (127 kW) and 249 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque at 2,750 rpm. The powerplant is also economical and returns 33 mpg on the highway. It is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The 5-speed manual gearbox will return an estimated 24 mpg in the city; 33 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg on the combined cycle.

Source: Dotz Shift

September 4, 2014

Honda Launches 2015 Crosstour

2015 Honda Crosstour has purposeful looks and luxurious styling. It has the visual appeal of a crossover but offers sedan-like driving manners and is fitted with wide range of impressive features. The car is currently going on sale in North America. The Crosstour will be offered with wither of two engines. The EX models come with two-wheel-drive and are powered by 2.4-liter engine. The top of the range unit is the 3.5-liter V-6 engine, and it can be combined with either a two wheel drive or a Real Time Four-Wheel Drive.

2015 Crosstour provides comfortable seating for five people and also available 51.3 cubic feet of cargo space and a hidden removable utility box. As a standard the car comes equipped with a rearview camera with guidelines, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, USB/iPod connection, fog lights, one-touch turn signals and an expanded-view driver’s mirror.

Honda has also prepared a host of available equipment, including LaneWatch display, HondaLink featuring Aha compatibility, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW). As mentioned, the two front-wheel-drive Crosstour trim options – EX and EX-L, are powered either by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. It produces 192 horsepower (141 kW) and has an EPA highway rating of 31 mpg.

The two trims can be also powered by the 3.5-liter V-6 unit, which generates 278 horsepower (204 kW) and comes with Variable Cylinder Management which enhances the fuel efficiency. Crosstour EX-L V-6 model can also be equipped with Real Time 4WD.

2015 Honda Crosstour Pricing and Fuel Economy Ratings:

TRIM	MSRP1	EPA Fuel Economy Ratings4 (city/highway/combined)

Crosstour 2WD EX	$27,530	22/31/25
Crosstour 2WD EX-L	$31,215	22/31/25
Crosstour 2WD EX-L Navi	$33,315	22/31/25
Crosstour 2WD EX V-6	$31,190	20/30/23
Crosstour 2WD EX-L V-6	$33,840	20/30/23
Crosstour 2WD EX-L V-6 Navi	$35,940	20/30/23
Crosstour 4WD EX-L V-6	$35,290	19/28/22
Crosstour 4WD EX-L V-6 Navi	$37,390	19/28/22

Source: Honda

September 4, 2014

2016 Mazda MX-5 is Finally Here!

2016 Mazda MX-5 has finally been unveiled. Mazda Motor Corporation celebrated the reveal of its fourth generation MX-5together with fans at events held simultaneously in Japan, USA and Spain. The all-new MX-5, which in Japan is popular as a roadster, adopts both SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and Mazda’s KODO—Soul of Motion design language. The car will enter the global markets in 2015 and Mazda is promising to reveal more details near launch.

No doubt that the MX-5 is an iconic model. It embodies Mazda’s vehicle-engineering philosophy which lies in the pursuit of driving pleasure. The design and engineering of the fourth-gen model stood under the motto “Innovate in order to preserve”. In fact, the development team searched for innovations that go beyond simple evolution.

Precisely, in this new Mazda model, the engineers have strictly focused on the environmental and safety sides of the car. However, the 2016 MX-5 still stays true to the model’s original aim of offering the pure driving fun of a lightweight sports car. This was achieved via the adoption of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and the refinement of its visual appearance.

Another interesting fact about the new MX-5 is that it is the most compact one of any previous generations and it is more than 100 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. Unfortunately, Mazda didn’t reveal much more about this beauty but we are eagerly awaiting more details.

Source: Mazda

September 4, 2014
Vorsteiner’s BMW M3 Shows-Off with new Carbon Fiber Aero Front Spoiler

Vorsteiner BMW F80 M3 has a brand new carbon fiber aero front spoiler to show-off with. In fact, since the launch of the iconic E30 M3 in 1986, the M3 series have become extremely popular and a favorite among all automotive enthusiasts. Just take for example the 2014 model year M3 and its figures. This BMW is powered by a 3.0 liter TwinPower Turbo Inline six-cylinder. The unit produces 431 hp (317 kW) at 5,500RPM and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) at 1,850RPM. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard.

The car can cover the acceleration sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The acceleration becmes even better, when the car is fitted with the optional 7-speed M DCT – it is measured at 4.1 seconds. The new M3 is capable of covering 100 km with just 8.8 liters of fuel in the combined cycle and 8.3 liter with the DCT.

Over the last 10 years, the advancement in technology has greatly influenced the character of these vehicles. And in this spirit, Vorsteiner is using only the latest equipment to develop and improve its products both in terms of quality and performance. Such is the instance with the latest aero front spoiler for the F8x M3 and M4 models. The company has also announced that next week it will preview a new rear diffuser.

At last, this Vorsteiner BMW F80 M3 runs on Sport Challenge VSC-101 Forged Monoblock Wheels in matte black finish. They come in size of 20×10 inches at the front and 20×11 inches at the rear, and are also coupled with Michelin Pilot Super Sports in the dimensions of 275/30/20 and 295/30/20 for the front and rear, respectively.

Source: Vorsteiner

September 4, 2014
The Dodge Viper, Then and Now

In February 1998, Chrysler Chairman Bob Lutz asked Tom Gale, Chrysler Chief Design Engineer, to make a mockup of “a modern day Cobra performance car”. Gale with years of experience at Chrysler went to work. Later that year, the fleshed out design was presented to Lutz who immediate asked that it go forward as a working concept car. Metalcrafters in Fountain Valley, CA was chosen to product the sheet metal and chassis was Chrysler-based. The car was presented at the 1989 North American International Auto Show and public reaction was so enthusiastic that Chief Engineer Roy Sjoberg was directed to immediately develop it as a production vehicle.

Sjoberg selected 85 engineers to be on “Team Viper,” with development beginning in March 1989. The team asked the then-Chrysler subsidiary Lamborghini to cast a prototype aluminum block based on Dodge‘s V10 truck engine for sports car use in May. The production body was completed in the fall, with a chassis prototype running in December. Though a V8 engine was first used in the first test vehicle, the V10, which the production car was meant to use, was ready in February 1990. Official approval for the car came in May 1990 from Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca. One year later, Carroll Shelby piloted a pre-production car as the pace vehicle in the Indianapolis 500 race. In November 1991, the car was released to reviewers with first retail shipments beginning in January 1992.

Since 1992, the Dodge Viper has had four long generations lasting until 2010. There were actually no 2010 models, only extended 2009 models, and 2011 saw zero production Vipers at all. In 2012, the Viper returned under the SRT brand and arrived with a redesigned body and a slightly larger engine. Enlarged to displace 8.4 liters, the V-10 powerplant delivered 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, a figure that remained unchanged until 2014.

Heading into 2015, the SRT and Dodge brands have again become one, allowing the Dodge Viper SRT to return. Aside from switching the SRT badge with a Dodge logo, exterior changes for the 2015 model year are mostly about vibrant new colors and new special-edition packages. A GT model that slots between the entry-level Viper and the Viper GTS is also available, but this new model stands out from the regular “snake” by means of chassis settings and interior features.

Modifications are a bit more obvious on the Viper TA 2.0, which is basically an evolution of last year’s track-prepped, Time Attack model. The updated track-capable model comes with a new aerodynamic package, which includes new front dive planes, carbon-fiber front corner splitters, and a revised, larger rear wing. The latter brings significant improvements in terms of downforce, increasing the 2014 model’s 278 pounds at 150 mph to 400 pounds at the same speed. Also brand-new is the Yorange exterior finish – described as “a vibrant mix of bright orange and yellow tones” – which joins the familiar Competition Blue and Venom Black.

Moving over to the GTS model, Dodge is now offering a Ceramic Blue Edition Package. The bundle adds an exclusive Ceramic Blue paint color with black stripes and set of five-spoke Rattler wheels finished in Black Vapor Chrome. The package is rounded off by a GTS sill badge, a Satin Black exhaust bezel, orange brake calipers, and carbon-fiber brake ducts and rear applique. Lastly, both the GT and the GTS models can be ordered in Stryker Purple, an all-new “liquid mercury” color for the 2015 model year. The exterior stripe color packages have been enhanced as well, and now include Adrenaline Red.

Courtesy of: Central Avenue Chrysler Jeep

September 4, 2014
Nissan’s Forward Emergency Braking Technology

Nissan’s new Forward Emergency Braking technology works like Bats do. Consider that bats fly in the pitch black but rarely, if ever, hit anything. And some types of bats can catch insects while flying in the dark. To do this, bats they emit very high frequency sounds and use sonar, analyzing how the signals bounce off other objects, to give them an accurate grasp on distances and locations. All of this in the pitch dark.

The latest technology in Nissans uses similar techniques to analyze certain environments and situations. Unfortunately humans do not have sonar so they must use their eyes and ears to check his surroundings. At times this may not be enough to prevent collisions and accidents. Too bad cars aren’t like bats.

Well, now they can be, sort of. Engineers at Nissan have developed a technology called Forward Emergency Braking. The way it works is that in some situations, the technology calculates whether there is a risk of a collision with an object detected in front of the vehicle and then responds.

This is how it works. The Forward Emergency Braking system constantly monitors the distance between the vehicle and the one in front of it. This means that if for some reason the distance to the other car suddenly decreases, the system will determine that there is a risk of collision and will sound an audible alert. At this stage, the driver needs to notice this warning and then take action to avoid a collision.

But if this doesn’t happen and the system judges that the car is still in danger of colliding with something, it will automatically engage the brakes, helping avoid a collision. If a collision is unavoidable, the speed of the vehicle will have been decreased helping to mitigate damage caused by the collision.

The Forward Emergency Braking system is just one of the many technologies available to help drivers stay aware of their surroundings. Additionally, there is also Blind Spot Warning (BSW), which can detect another car diagonally behind, an area that may be difficult for a driver to see. There is also Lane Departure Warning (LDW), which alerts a driver when they are about to stray from their lane. There is even technology that can read road signs and warn a driver if they are trying to enter a one-way street traveling the wrong direction.

Think this is advanced, the folks in Nissan Safety Technology Group are working on systems that sense whats going on with a vehicle two cars ahead. How is this possible? When a car is traveling on a highway or a place where multiple cars are moving in a row, the sensor at the front of the car can detect the distance to and also the relative speed of the vehicle two cars ahead. The technology is no longer just watching directly in front; it is now looking even further ahead. For example, if the driver two cars ahead of yours suddenly braked, the technology in the car can detect this and tell the driver so he or she can perform the next appropriate action.

The technology is called Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW). It examines the movement of the car traveling two vehicles ahead and if it determines that the driver should brake, it will alert him or her both visually and by a warning sound. By warning the driver to brake early on, it can help prevent a pileup.

Nissan knows that technology that monitors the surroundings can work to reduce accidents or the damage caused by unavoidable collisions. Just like bats in the dark, the latest car technologies are helping drivers keep an eye on certain vehicle surroundings, helping to reduce potential accidents.

Courtesy of: Team Nissan New Hampshire

September 4, 2014
The Ill-fated Oldsmobile Diesel

Sometimes automotive companies do silly things and the story of General Motor’s diesel V8 highlights one of the best (worst?). Here’s the story. During the mid-1970s, meeting new federal EPA emissions regulations was causing many issues for car manufacturers and their dealers. The solution, at least to some executives at General Motors, was to rush a series of diesel engines to the marketplace. This is because diesels were not subject to the same emissions requirements as gasoline engines. Besides Mercedes and Peugeot had both been quite successful selling diesel cars in the U.S. so why wouldn’t General Motors be? Though the new GM-designed diesel engines were destined for all the GM car divisions, the design responsibility fell to GM’s Oldsmobile group. Working at a frantic pace, the first Oldsmobile-built diesels hit the dealer lots in 1978, and there were problems. Oh boy, were there problems.

To begin with, Oldsmobile powertrain engineers based the design on the division’s existing 350-cubic-inch V8. It is an urban legend that GM engineers simply slapped new diesel heads on the standard 350 block and did little else. This is not the case by any stretch. The new block was reinforced substantially internally and was built of a sturdier cast-iron alloy; the blocks weren’t really the problem. The trouble came from the cylinder heads and the fuel system. In particular, the cylinder heads. They broke an awful lot resulting in massive problems for GMs dealer network.

To understand the GM diesel debacle it helps to understand a little about diesel technology. Diesel engines operate using a compression-ignition scheme. As gas is compressed, its temperature goes up, and, in the case of a diesel engine, it’s compressed until the diesel fuel in the combustion chamber ignites. This leads to much higher combustion chamber pressures than are present in a gasoline engine. Once again, much higher combustion chamber pressures than in a gasoline engine. Typically, diesel engines have more and stronger head bolts to compensate for the diesel’s higher cylinder pressure. The Oldsmobile diesel, however, maintained the same 10-bolt pattern and head bolts as gasoline engines so that common production tooling could be used for both the gasoline and diesel engines. This was a big mistake. There were also other issues with the engine: a fuel-pump timing chain that stretched and poor dealer service training, to name a few. And, even in good running order they were just plain loud, and belched quite a bit of smoke; all to provide acceleration that can best be described as modest.

Production of the Oldsmobile diesel lasted from 1978 and 1985 and it caused a class-action lawsuit that saw owners reimbursed for up to 80 percent of the cost of a replacement engine upon failure. The engines were so bad that they spurred legislators in several states to draft early lemon laws. Ultimately, Oldsmobile-built diesels ruined the American consumer’s appetite for diesels for almost 3 decades. Only now are diesels beginning to reenter the U.S. car market in small numbers—and most of those are from non-US manufacturers. This is quite unfortunate because diesel technology is robust, proven and can lead to tremendous fuel economy.

Courtesy of: Team Kia New Hampshire

September 4, 2014
Volkswagen Caddy Black Edition to be out soon

The list of Volkswagen Caddy commercial vehicles will grow soon with the introduction of a new special model that is known as Caddy Black Edition. The new vehicle is based on the popular Highline specification but comes with GBP 2,150 worth of additional equipment and customer savings of GBP 1,350. In addition to that this will be the first Volkswagen commercial vehicle to be offered in the prestigious Black Edition form and will have premium specs that will make it the most luxurious Caddy ever built.

The new Caddy comes with a ton of features – body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles, fog lights, rear parking sensors, climatic air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth phone connectivity with trip computer and multi-function display as well as Deep Black Pearlescent paint, unique black and polished 17-inch alloy wheels and silver roof rails and radiator grille surround. As if this is not enough, drivers also benefit from a multi-functional steering wheel, leather gear knob and gaiter, heated wing mirrors and electric windows as standard.

When it comes to engines, the new Caddy offers a 1.6-liter TDI common rail direct injection engine that delivers 102 horsepower (75 kW) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque. The vehicle also has a 5-speed manual transmission. Thanks to the employed BlueMotion Technology the vehicle includes hill-hold assist, energy recuperation and start/stop cycles, which means you will be able to enjoy fuel economy of 55.4 UK mpg (5.1 liters per 100 km) combined and CO2 emissions of just 134 g/km.

The Caddy Black Edition has more than luxury, though. As we know the car is built for work and this is why the new model comes with internal volume of 3.2 cubic meters, which makes it one of the most spacious vans in the entire sector. In addition to that the included Dynamic Suspension reduces the ride height by 27 mm. Inside the seats are trimmed in leather and Alcantara while the cabin is separated from the load cube by a full-height solid bulkhead.

In Europe the VW Caddy Black Edition will be on the market on October 1 this year where you will be able to purchase it for GBP 17,860 (no VAT included).

Source: Volkswagen

September 3, 2014
Fiat intros new Fiat 500 models in North America

The Fiat brand has long been associated with Italy but since year 2014 the acclaimed and popular car brand has some American blood in its veins. Of course we are talking about the Fiat and Chrysler merger earlier this year when the deal gave Fiat access to the North American market while providing Chrysler with knowledge how to build small and fuel-efficient cars. Thanks to the deal now Fiat introduces new Fiat 500 models in North America.

The Fiat 500 is one of the many legendary cars of Fiat. Introduced in 1957 the first model is often called “the first city car”. Cheap and easy to maintain, the Fiat 500 was in production until 1975 and more than 3 million Fiat 500 cars were sold back in the day. In 2007, exactly 50 years after the launch of the first Fiat 500, the popular car maker introduced an improved and modernized version of the Fiat 500 that is still in production in Europe and Mexico.

Now customers in the United States will be able to drive the new high-performance 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio as well as take advantage of the all-electric Fiat 500e and the Fiat 500L, which is an all-new five-passenger model that expands the Fiat brand into the growing B-segment.

Let’s take a look at the specs of the new cars. The 2015 Fiat Abarth comes with two transmissions – one 5-speed manual and one 6-speed automatic and a 1.4-liter SOHC 16-valve turbocharged multiair inline four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 119 kW (162 HP) of power at 5,500 rpm and 170 lb-ft (230 Nm) of torque at 2,500-4,000 rpm (with 5-speed manual transmission). The same engine delivers 117 kW (159 HP) of power at 5,500 rpm and 183 lb-ft (248 Nm) of torque at 2,400-4,000 rpm with the six-speed automatic transmission. The estimated fuel economy is 28/34/31 US mpg (8.4/6.9/7.6 liters per 100 km) (city/highway/combined) with five-speed manual and 24/32/27 US mpg (9.8/7.4/8.7 liters per 100 km) (city/highway/combined) with six-speed manual. The tech specs of the Fiat Abarth Cabrio are the same except that the car does not offer a six-speed automatic transmission and you will have to do with the 5-speed one only.

We do not have information on the 2015 Fiat 500L (if there’s any at all) so we will describe the 2014 Fiat 500L specs – the car is equipped with a 1.4-liter SOHC 16-valve turbocharged multiair inline four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 119 kW (162 HP) of power at 5,500 rpm and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque at 2,500-4,000 rpm. The car reaches 25/33/28 US mpg (9.4/7.1/8.4 liters per 100 km) (city/highway/combined) fuel economy with the offered six-speed manual transmission and 24/33/27 US mpg (9.8/7.1/8.7 liters per 100 km) (city/highway/combined) of fuel economy with the Euro Twin Clutch six-speed transmission. There’s no information on the Fiat 500e vehicle.

There’s no word on the pricing or the availability dates of the new models as of now.

Source: Fiat

September 3, 2014

The All new Vauxhall ADAM

Vauxhall-Adam-651

The new Vauxhall ADAM is like no other car. With a style to compete with MINI and A1, ADAM hits the market astonishing speed. Over the past few years the car has become highly competitive. Although it’s not the ideal compact, affordable and cheap to run, the ride scores A+ about its options for personalisation as well as 30,000 different style combinations and in-car tech.

With its own personal style the car has two ways to go on the styling front. It either tries to look modern or retro. However the ADAM is taking the modern approach. Like other members of the ADAM family, ROCKS AIR seems to be taller, wider and tougher in appearance. The buyers are given the opportunity to put their own personal touch in the car being able to choose between bright colors and option of painting the roof in a different shade.

As far as for the interior, Vauxhall manages to offer a decent level of spec, comfortable seats and other trim elements – all unique to ROCKS, as well as cup holders, glove box and many more. Prices are reasonable as well, for instance the infotainment screen right next to the leather steering wheel, which is a must, comes with a price of £275.

As for getting comfortable, there are plenty of adjustments in the seats Being the ideal city car, with its really light steering you are able to handle traffic jams a lot easier.The recently launched 1.0-litres three-cylinder turbo petrol engine provides a more fitting driving experience, its 113 bhp and 170 Nm of torque will see you hit 0-62 mph in 9.9 seconds and on to a 121 mph top speed.

This inevitably brings me to the part where I have to talk about the car’s downsides. By taking you out of the city you will find the ride a bit firm.The car is a bit bouncy on bumpy road surfaces.The engine itself does not have much power accompanied by very little feedback on how the front wheels are behaving. Fuel economy is not exactly mind blowing. The trunk lacks a lot of space; it’s not exactly fitted for a family holiday.The backseats provide very little space as well. I would not necessarily call them spacious.

Overall a great car for those under 35 and pre-family, although the car really fits in the position of a second family car. Suited for city life this car is best not taken out in the country side, you would enjoy one sweet ride.

More detailed range, pricing and equipment can be read right below:

Remote Central Door Locking with ROCKS design flap key
CD 3.0 BT
Speakers (6+1 speakers)
DMB
Leather wrapped steering wheel w/ Deco Elements, CCtrl & IRC
ROCKS AIR interior visual content
Cloth/Morrocana Seats
ROCKS AIR exterior visual content: cladding, bumpers etc
17” alloys – Swissblade design
Deeply tinted glass – “black” – rear of B-Pillar incl. tailgate
Electric folding canvas roof
LED DRL Signature Lamps
LED Tail lamps
15 mm raised chassis
Chrome DLO
Vauxhall sill plates

The following options are also available:

IntelliLink
Park Assist rear
Floor Mats (standard w/ ROCKS AIR unique Brandy interior)
Car Alarm
Infinity Sound System
Leather trim
Interior decors – painted / foil
Backlighted foil decor
Start / Stop
17“ & 18 Alloy Wheels
Exterior mirror caps
Interior mirror caps
Coloured logo bar

Additional technical data

Six-speed manual gearbox:

Standard on 1.0-litre ECOTEC 12v Direct Injection Turbo (115PS) ecoFLEX Start/Stop

Five speed manual gearbox:

Standard on all models except 1.0-litre ECOTEC

Economy

	Max Speed	0-62 mph	Urban	Extra Urban	Combined	CO₂	First Year	Second
1.2 16v VVT (70PS) (17/18)	103	14.9	39.2	65.7	53.3	125	£0	£110
1.4i 16v VVT (87PS) (17/18)	109	12.5	40.9	64.2	52.3	126	£0	£110
1.0 12v Direct Injection Turbo ecoFLEX Start/Stop (17/18)	121	9.9	44.8	64.2	55.4	119	£0	£30

Brakes

Anti-lock Braking System

Electronic brake force distribution

Emergency brake assist

Cornering brake control

Straight line stability control

Dual circuit, diagonally split braking system

Fuel tank capacity

38 litres (8.4 gallons)

Steering

Speed-sensitive power-assisted steering

Suspension

Front: Independent. MacPherson struts with gas-pressure dampers and coil springs. Anti-roll bar.

Rear: Compound crank with coil springs and gas-pressure dampers.

Engines

Petrol

1.2I 16v VVT ECOTEC -4

Capacity	1229cc
Maximum power	70PS @ 5600rpm
Maximum torque	115Nm (85 lb.ft.) @ 4000rpm
Configuration	4 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts
Fuel/induction system	Naturally aspirated. Variable Valve Timing (VVT). Multi-point sequential fuel injection
Emission compliance	Euro 5
Service interval	20,000 miles or 1 year (whichever occurs sooner)
Benefit in kind company car taxation rates – 2014/15 tax year
Without Start/Stop	18%

1.4i 16v VVT ECOTEC-4

Capacity	1398cc
Maximum power	87PS @ 6000rpm
Maximum torque	130Nm (96 lb.ft.) @ 4000rpm
Configuration	4 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts
Fuel/induction system	Naturally aspirated. Variable Valve Timing (VVT). Multi-point sequential fuel injection
Emission compliance	Euro 5
Service interval	20,000 miles or 1 year (whichever occurs sooner)
Benefit in kind company car taxation rates – 2014/15 tax year – 18%

1.4i 16v VVT Turbo ECOTEC-4

Capacity	998cc
Maximum power	115PS @ 5200rpm
Maximum torque	170Nm (125lb.ft.) @ 1800-4500rpm
Configuration	3 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts
Fuel/induction system	Water-cooled turbocharger with intercooler, Variable Valve Timing (VVT), Central direct injection
Emission compliance	Euro 6
Service interval	20,000 miles or 1 year (whichever occurs sooner)
Benefit in kind company car taxation rates – 2014/15 tax year – 16%

Source: Vauxhall

September 3, 2014

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S with Premiere in Paris

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S is coming to Paris. We have just received this information next to two teaser images, which give a slight idea of what the car would look like. 2014 Mondial de l’Automobile or Paris Motor Show, where the new Mitsubishi model will make its official premiere, will take place between 4th and 19th of October in the French capital. This debut comes exactly two years after the company has unveiled the successful Outlander PHEV plug-in hybrid electric Twin Motor SUV vehicle at the same show.

Outlander PHEV was world’s first hybrid SUV. It utilizes Plug-in Hybrid EV System powertrain, which brings together the environmental performance and quietness that distinguish electric vehicles. At the same time it delivers great off-road 4WD performance. It is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors and has an overall range is up to 880 km and 55 km solely on electricity.

So far the details around this SUV concept are scarce and we are definitely eager to know more about it. The Outlander PHEV Concept-S is of course a concept Mitsubishi model, which however is proposed as a special package of the Outlander PHEV production model. It features refined interior and exterior design that improves Outlander PHEV’s unique driving experience.

The concept model takes “Sporty and Sophisticated” slogan as the theme for its design. Mitsubishi revealed that its refined design expresses the unique combination of spirited 4×4 performance from its twin-motor PHEV system, soothing silent running, and superior on-road performance.

Source: Mitsubishi

September 3, 2014