Auto News – Page 488 – Automobiles Review

Eibach Adds New Suspension Components To Mercedes Benz C-Class

Eibach-Mercedes-Benz-C-ClassTHUMB Eibach Mercedes Benz C-Class has new suspension components to show-off with. Through the utilization of the aluminum-hybrid body, the weight of the new C-Class has been reduced, while with the use of the new tuner’s suspension products, the car’s dynamics have been additionally highlighted. Eibach currently offers three different programs for the C-Class: Pro kit, Anti roll kit and Pro Spacer. All of the featured elements in the kits are made of materials that include high-quality corrosion protection.

The Pro-Kit includes performance springs, which slightly lower the C-Class’s centre of gravity up to 40 mm. The spring design is progressive and delivers excellent ride quality. All in all, the result is sportier look and agile handling. The Performance Sway Bars are currently in development and they will serve in terms of diminishing car’s body roll.

Next, the Anti roll kit delivers reduction of body roll when driving in curves and during fast changes of direction. It offers spring comfort at bilateral spring deflection and also decreases the load difference between the wheels inside and outside the curve. They impact positively the under- or over-steering tendency.

At last, Eibach’s Pro-Spacer Wheel Spacers are made of aluminum, which not only add to car’s dominant appearance but also complete the offered improvement of Eibachs. The wheel spacers widen the stance of the car thus offering better handling and visual stance. They have been made of high-tensile-strength aluminum alloy, thus delivering significant weight advantage compared to wheel spacers made from steel.

Source: Eibach

July 14, 2014

Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet Karmann Edition Goes On Sale

Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet Karmann Edition has been shown in the beginning of June when it celebrated its world debut this year at the Auto Mobil International (AMI) in Leipzig. It is now ready to go on sale, with its very elegant design and packed with a lot of additional equipment. In terms of exterior the convertible can be distinguished by its electrically powered soft top in Sioux brown. It also has a cover in a matching color.

Volkswagen is offering a total of seven exterior body colors to choose from. Moreover the exterior design of the car is complemented by “disc” type wheels in the size of 18 inch that are painted in Galvano Grey color. In the same color are also the door mirror caps. What indicate the exclusive special edition are of course the Karmann labels on the front wings.

Beetle Cabriolet Karmann is based upon the “Design” trim level. Inside, the car features sports seats wrapped in Alcantara in Sioux brown with side inner bolsters. Futhermore, the interior adds a dashpad with “Beetle compartment” in a matt structured aluminium look. The pedals are also in aluminium.

Next, the head restraints, leather steering wheel, gear shift lever and handbrake grip are all wrapped in leather and feature grey decorative stitching. What rounds out the package are the wind deflector and “ParkPilot” parking distance control.

This Volkswagen special edition is a tribute to the Karmann coachwork makers. They have produced numerous Volkswagen cars from 1949 to 1980, from the Beetle Cabriolet and the Scirocco I and II through to the Golf Cabriolet.

Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet Karmann Edition driven by the 1.2l TSI engine with manual gearbox, produces 105 hp (77 kW) and has a starting price of €25,250.

Source: Volkswagen

July 14, 2014

2014 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe – Price €244,009

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the extremely powerful and luxurious S65 AMG Coupe. The big coupe offers unique drive comfort, benchmark performance and exquisite appointments.

“There are AMG fans for whom our V12 biturbo engine is the measure of all things. For this clientele we have developed a unique car in the form of the new S65 AMG Coupe. From driving dynamics to comfort and equipment – our new twelve-cylinder coupe surpasses even the highest of expectations”, comments Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Pretty much, the new S65 AMG Coupe looks like the V8-powered S63 AMG model. Still, there are few different details like a different mesh for the front grille as well as the vents, yellow brake calipers instead of red ones, a set of unique alloy wheels 8.5J x 20” and 9.5J x 20” fitted with high-performance tires measuring 255/40 R20 and 285/35 R20. Last, but not least is the new rear diffuser and “V12 BITURBO” badges.

The engine is the well-known 6.0 liter V12 bi-turbo – 630HP (463 kW) and 1,000Nm (737 lb-ft) of torque. The engine is connected to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC sending all that torque to the rear wheels. 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Other special features include Magic Body Control with Curve Tilting Function as well as Road Surface Scan. The S65 AMG Coupe comes with a ceramic compound brake system, which is 20 % lighter.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe is already available on the EU market with pricing starting from €244,009 (VAT included). It is expected to hit the US market in the end of September.

Technical highlights of the AMG 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine:

Biturbocharging
Aluminium crankcase
Forged crankshaft in high-grade alloy steel
Multi-spark ignition with 12 twin-spark ignition units
Air-to-water intercooler with low-temperature circuit
Alternator management
ECO start/stop function

Source: Mercedes-Benz

July 14, 2014

KW 2014 BMW 2-series M235i – Adaptive DDC Coilovers

KW has already introduced coilovers in Variant 1, Variant 2 and Variant 3 types for BMW 2-Series and now the tuning company offers adaptive DDC coilovers for all models in the range. The adaptive suspension comes with stainless steel coilover bodies and is compatible with the original BMW electronics.

The driver is able to choose between a comfortable or a sporty suspension setup through “BMW Driving Experience Control”. The KW DDC plug&play coilovers allow an adjustable lowering between 25 to 50 mm, not only to improve the stance, but the handling as well. Pricing is available upon request including installation.

As a reminder, the 2-Series M235i is powered by a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine – 326HP (240 kW) and 450Nm (322 lb-ft) 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The engine is connected to an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox. The fuel consumption is decent 7.6 liters / 100 km on combined cycle.

2014 BMW 2-Series Coupe is 4,432 mm long; 1,774 mm wide; 1,418 mm high and has a 2,690 mm wheelbase. The boot space is 390 litres, which is 20 litres more than 1-Series Coupe. The BMW 2-Series Coupe also boasts more efficient aerodynamics than both the BMW 1-Series and its predecessor, as reflected in a Cd of 0.29. The curb weight is 1,470 kg.

There is no doubt that, the 2-Series M235i fitted with KW DDC plug&play coilvers will be the ultimate track toy suitable for everyday driving.

Source: KW

July 14, 2014

2014 Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Competition

Audi has presented the 2014 A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Competition to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the famous turbocharged direct injection technology. The special edition model comes with impressive performance characteristics and some nice styling upgrades.

The most important improvement is the additional boost of the 3.0 liter BiTDI diesel boosted to 326HP (240 kW) and 650Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque at just 1,400RPM. The combined fuel consumption is 6.1 liters / 100 km (38.6 mpg US or 46.0 mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 162 g/km. The emissions rating is Euro6. When the driver accelerates in full, a boost function provides an additional 20HP (15 kW) on top for a brief period. 0-100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The exterior boasts S-Line sport package, which also includes lowering the ride height by 20 mm. There is also a set of enormous wheels in typical five-spoke W design with black painted sides – 20” fitted with 265/35 R20 tires. There are also red brake calipers and discs in 17” format on the front and rear axles.

The S-Line exterior package and black gloss package lend the body a dynamic elegance. Other special features are the V6 T logos on the fenders, black exterior mirror housings and high-gloss black tailpipe trims. The special edition model is offered in Daytona Gray, Misano Red, Nardo Gray and Sepang Blue.

The interior boasts a unique black design, sport front seats upholstered in fine Valcona leather in black or lunar silver and decorated with S line embossing. Audi offers S-sport seats with contrasting stitching in Misano Red or Agate Gray as an option. In such case, the armrests are also upholstered in leather with contrast stitching. The inlays consist of aluminum and Beaufort wood in black – an especially high-grade metal/wood combination. There are also door sill trims with “Quattro” logos and shift paddles behind the multifunction sport steering wheel controlling the 8-speed tiptronic transmission.

2014 Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Competition comes also with LED headlights as standard as well as turn signals with dynamic display. The pricing starts from €72,000.

Source: Audi

July 14, 2014

2014 Daihatsu Mira e:S Mini Gets Upgrades

2014 Daihatsu Mira e:S Mini is getting some minor updates for the new model year. The passenger car achieves best fuel efficiency for a gasoline engine vehicle of 35.2 km/l and has jus been released nationwide. In fact, the Mira e:S has been announced the “third eco-friendly car” that delivers high fuel efficiency next to affordability. Thee latest refinements result exactly to improved fuel efficiency.

The engine of the car has been updated and now offers higher compression ratio as well as the adoption of Atkinson cycle technology and a dual injector. The energy management evolves through the improvement of Eco Power Generation Control. This allows the car achieves fuel efficiency of 35.2 km/l, that us the best result for a gasoline engine vehicle.

Furthermore, Daihatsu has added a new Black Interior Package. It comprises of full black-based interior, including black seat upholstery, 16 cm 4 door speakers, leather-bound steering wheel and audio panel.

The enhancement of the e:S technology as mentioned results in great fuel efficiency. It is due to the adopting of three key evolutions: power train, vehicle, and energy management evolution. These major aspects of e:S technology, have resulted in improved combustion efficiency, reduced running resistance, and enhanced energy efficiency.

First of all, the power train evolution offers improved combustion efficiency through a higher compression ratio. It has been increased from 11.3 to 12.2. In addition, Atkinson cycle technology and a dual injector have been adopted to avoid the knocking that accompanies a higher compression ratio.

Next, vehicle’s evolution includes a tire deflector that has been added for the rear tires. It additionally reduces air resistance in the time of driving. And at last, the energy management has evolved through the adoption of Eco Power Generation Control, which reduces the engine load and delivers better fuel economy.

Source: Daihatsu

July 14, 2014

Dubai Roadster Is The First Emirati-Built Supercar

Dubai Roadster is the first first Emirati-built supercar and in fact it is in its early stages of production. However, this fact does not stop the potential buyers that are already making orders. The majority of the future buyers come from Emirati. The vehicle will be available for sale in the beginning of next year at the Dubai Motor Show. The production plan so far is twenty-five examples and it literally begins from scratch.Some of the characteristics revealed so far about the Dubai Roadster are that it will have a tubular chassis, which will be combined with fibreglass and carbon-fibre panels. In addition, it will be driven by a 400 horsepower (294 kW) engine, and will effortlessly sprint from 0 to 100 kmh in 3.5 seconds.Furthermore, the supercar will undergo full crash testing. The team behind the creation of this car hopes that it will qualify for Euro 5 certification. This means that it will be legal to drive in the Emirates, or in other words – it will be a road car too.In the process of creating the car, the team decided to change the planned material for the chassis from aluminium to titanium. The latter is more expensive material but definitely stronger and in addition – lighter and more durable.By far, the engineers have completed initial welds on the vehicle, and have already sent them for testing in the US. These tests will guarantee that the welds will hold up under high speeds and pressures. After the tests are complete, they will ensure that the Roadster have a safety certification. The plan for the next two months is to make a fully welded chassis in Dubai.

July 14, 2014

Top 3 Tuning Upgrades

Chevrolet Corvette C7 with Magnaflow

Petrol heads from all over the world simply love their own cars. They build, repair, improve and invest a lot of money in their personal vehicles to make them look prettier, go faster and perform incredibly on the road. There are different ways to improve my car and all of them cost significant amounts of money. However, with the right research, I can easily save couple of hundred and in some cases couple of thousand dollars.

1. Cold Air Intake System

K&N Cold Air Intake System

Literally hundreds of online shops offering a wide variety of tuning parts and it is quite difficult to find the right one for me and my requirements. The right structured shop is crucial for saving time and in some cases money. It is very important for the online shop to have a good searching feature, where you can search by vehicle, model, year, product or brand. For example, I have been searching for an air intake by K&N, which is very common upgrade and I have founded the right item at CARiD. I have also noticed that there are almost all kinds of car upgrades including exterior and interior improvement, performance and styling modifications as well as audio and body parts. I was also very delighted and satisfying with the shipping and the service provided by CARiD. The desired parts came in very fast and as described. The installation is fast and easy and the result is just awesome. The system has arrived in a box that was very well packed and protected the content perfectly. I highly recommend this cold air intake system by K&N. It is always a pleasure to work with such professionals like CARiD.

The air intake improvement is one of the most popular across petrol heads, firstly because it provides additional performance and secondly because the engine sound is drastically improved. Still, this upgrade is not very expensive with pricing starting from several dollars to several hundreds. Different brands offer different quality, but a reasonable air intake costs around couple of hundred bucks.

2. Projector Headlights and Led Taillights

Projector Headlights and LED Taillights
I have been also searching for new head and taillights, because they will give a unique look of my vehicle. New headlights also ensure additional safety with improved illumination despite the weather conditions, while the new taillights provide maximum visibility and thus more security for both – me and other drivers on the road. I have searched for a particular pair of head and taillights, and I was glad to find out that the needed items will fit just perfectly to my vehicle.

3. Sports Exhaust System

Magnaflow Rear Silencer

Other planned upgrade is the sports exhaust system, which is going to improve the sound and the performance as well. A complete exhaust system from the manifolds to the rear silencer can add a significant horsepower improvement. One of the best brands on the market is Magnaflow offering not only rear silencers, but entire exhaust systems for almost all car brands. The pricing is starting from around $172 and goes up to $3,904 for the most expensive items. Typically, depending on the budget, most of the fans only opt for a rear silencer, because it significantly changes the soundtrack of the vehicle.

Another very important part of the research for the needed car upgrade is reading reviews from real customers, who have already tried the item and can share positive or negative impressions. During the research I have done, I read a lot of reviews on the website of CARiD and contacted other fans in the Facebook. This was very useful for me, because I got the needed information and feedback right away.

Finally, I can say that there are no bad upgrades as long as the owners are happy with the final result. Whether you will make your car extremely fast or gorgeous looking, you are still one of us – a true petrol head.

July 11, 2014

Bugatti Veyron Successor To Produce 1500 Hybrid Horsepower

It is a well known fact that Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse is producing 1200 horsepower (882 kW). The French company is obviously not satisfied with this number, because it plans to build a model that will be a hybrid, and note – it will deliver around 1500 hp (1103 kW)! This amount of power will come through a 16-cylinder engine. Veyron’s two-door successor will be developed in 2015 and Bugatti disclosed that it plans to build around 450 examples from it. Most likely there will be 300 coupes and 150 roadsters.It is no surprise that the next Bugatti will be a hybrid. In fact, many other supersports car manufacturers like Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche have already gone through this step. So the “hybrid direction” seems like a logical next step for the brand. The 1500 hp won’t be the only advantage of the car. Lightweight construction is expected to be a key and logical feature as well.Other detail about the upcoming super car is that it will beat the 431 kilometres (268 miles) top speed of Veyron Super Sport. If you remember well, in February Veyron lost the title of the world’s fastest production car to the Hennessey Venom GT.Bugatti will end an era because it has scheduled to finish Veyron’s production within the next year. There are only around 20 build slots left for the 450-car run of the iconic vehicle, which are planned for the sixth and final Legend special edition.

July 11, 2014

Nissan Leaf – The World’s Cleanest Self-Washing Car

The 2015 new zero emission hatchback Nissan Leaf was crowned as a cleanest car in the world. Nissan introduced an innovative paint technology that repels mud, water, oil and everyday dirt.

Nissan Leaf’s exterior was treated with a specially engineered superhydrophobic and oleophobic paint, that repels every dirt by creating a protective layer of air between paint and environment. Rain, mud and oil beads are wiped out from the car, leaving the electric machine clean.

The special paint is called Ultra-Ever Dry and it was developed by Ultra Tech International. It’s creators say that Nissan is one of the first automakers to embrace the idea, when the project was just an experiment.

“No matter what the road throws at this LEAF, its Ultra-Ever Dry® exterior coating will throw right back,” commented the Ultra Tech International Inc. Chef Executive Officer Mark Shaw. He presented the benefits of the superhydrophobic technology and how it creates an “umbrella of air”.

“The 100 percent electric LEAF provides the perfect canvas for this new, advanced paint technology,” commented Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc.

“This is one LEAF that never has to stop at gas stations – not even for a car wash,” he added.

The full electric Nissan Leaf is available for 2015 in three trim levels: LEAF S, SV and SL, along with options packages including advanced systems such as Around View Monitor and seven-speaker Bose energy-efficient audio and Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant.

Furthermore the Leaf can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in just 30 minutes when plugged into a quick charge port and using a fast charger. Charging at home through a standard 240V socket is calculated roughly to take less than five hours with the 6.6 kW onboard charger.

Source : Nissan

July 11, 2014

2014 Volkswagen Transporter Sportline 60 Special Edition

Volkswagen has unveiled the 2014 Transporter Sportline 60 Special Edition created to celebrate the model’s 60^th anniversary in the UK. The new model replaces the current Sportline and is available in short and long wheelbase forms as either a Kombi or panel van.

Some of the additional extras includes a set of 18” five-spoke alloy wheels finished in nice anthracite finish. There are also glossy black door mirror covers, black steel side bars, special decals as well as front and rear parking sensors. Other nice features include heated door mirrors, remote central locking, ABS, climate control and electric windows.

The interior boasts a Kenwood SAT NAV system with smartphone mirroring functionality as well as Bluetooth connectivity and DAB radio. The color range includes Reflex Silver or Deep Black as well as a Candy White finish with a Deep Black roof.

The engine is a 2.0 liter BiTDI four-cylinder diesel – 180HP (132 kW) and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. Retail prices start from £29,940 (excluding VAT) for the manual transmission (short wheelbase) and rise to £34,170 (excluding VAT) for the DSG transmission (long wheelbase).

The current Transporter range is one of the broadest in the commercial vehicle sector and comprises of panel van, Kombi, Shuttle, Caravelle and California variants.

Sportline 60 specification

18-inch Sportline five-spoke alloy wheels finished in Anthracite or Black/Silver and with 255/45 R18 103 tyres. Includes Tyre Mobility System
Available in Brilliant Silver or Bi-colour finish
Body-coloured bumpers and door handles
Gloss black door mirror covers with Sportline logo
Front spoiler
Gloss black upper and lower front grille with chrome detailing
Headlights with interior chrome detailing
Darkened rear light clusters
Black steel side bars
Rear roof spoiler
Sportline exterior badge
Quilted, embossed leather upholstery with Sportline logo
Front carpet floor mats with Sportline logo
Leather-covered steering wheel and gearknob
Armrests on driver’s seat
Climatic semi-automatic air-conditioning for cab
Kenwood DAB Multimedia System, with 7” colour touchscreen, full European Garmin satellite-navigation with real-time traffic information, built-in Bluetooth® phone connectivity. DAB radio and single CD with DVD playback
Full iPod or iPhone connectivity with an optional lead
Trip computer with multi-function display
Front and rear parking sensors with rear parking camera
Front fog lights with cornering light function
Thatcham Category 1 – approved alarm and immobilizer with tow-away, perimeter and interior cab protection

Sportline 60 prices

Panel van range	Transmission	Wheelbase	Price (Basic ex. VAT)
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Six-speed manual	SWB	£29,940
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Seven-speed DSG	SWB	£31,520
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Six-speed manual	LWB	£30,640
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Seven-speed DSG	LWB	£32,220
Kombi range
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Six-speed manual	SWB	£31,890
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Seven-speed DSG	SWB	£33,470
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Six-speed manual	LWB	£32,590
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Seven-speed DSG	LWB	£34,170

Source: Volkswagen

July 11, 2014

Kahn And Evanta Collaboration Results in a Flying Huntsman and Barchetta

A. Kahn Design has teamed up with Evanta. The name of the newly formed team will be Ant-Kahn and they already have number of projects underway. The result of their collaborative partnership will be a hot-rod Defender and a custom Barchetta. Of course, the focus is on luxury and quality, which will be achieved via modern prototyping and manufacturing technology. At the same time both companies will also focus on the details that are associated with traditional coach building.

Afzal Kahn has revealed that they are already working on their future plans that aim to extend from coach-building to manufacturing series motor vehicles. He promises that number of models will come to fruition in the coming weeks and months.

Ant Anstead on the other hand stated that both British companies will be dedicated to continue building upon the historical excellence of British vehicle manufacture. For him the most important is to step upon and develop the traditions of hand finished coach building.

In the forthcoming months, Ant-Kahn plans to introduce the “Flying Huntsman” vehicle, which is a new take on the classic Land Rover Defender. If you remember, we have already seen this concept car in a sketch form. It will probably include the 6.2 litre V8 powerhouse coupled with a six speed electronic gearbox and will produce around 550 horsepower (404 kW).

After the production of the Huntsman, there will be a release of an Ant-Kahn original. This will be a retro-styled Barchetta that is scheduled to officially debut at the Goodwood Revival motor show. The third car planned to be built is a completely restyled Aston Martin WB12, which will be shown later this year.

Source: A. Kahn Design

July 11, 2014

Category: Auto News

1. Cold Air Intake System

2. Projector Headlights and Led Taillights

3. Sports Exhaust System