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Volkswagen Delivered The First XL1 to a Customer

Volkswagen has finally delivered the first XL1 to a German customer. The remarkable engineering achievement (XL1) took years of development. Still, it has been whipped by a lot of eco-friendly vehicles, which cost significantly less than €110,000.

The manufacturer didn’t comment anything interesting about the significant event. The car boasts an onyx white exterior and a titan black and pearl gray interior.

Volkswagen XL1 is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain including a 0.8 liter two-cylinder TDI engine with 48HP (35 kW) and a 27HP (20 kW) electric motor and a 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. The car features special lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic construction and incredible aerodynamics. It adopts the classic “tear drop” shape and utilizes innovations such as removing traditional wing mirrors and replacing them with small cameras called e-Mirrors which transmit exterior images to interior displays.

The result of all this technology is awesome – 0.9 liters / 100 km, which is 313.8 mpg UK or 261.3 mpg US. Volkswagen XL1 can travel up to 50 km (31 miles) only on electricity.

The XL1 is handcrafted using small series production processes. An initial production run of 250 XL1 vehicles will be made.

Source: Volkswagen

June 3, 2014

Fostla Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CDI W218

Fostla has revealed their latest project based on Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CDI W218. The stylish four-door coupe comes with both – styling and performance upgrades.

The exterior boasts a complete Prior-Design PB550 Black Edition aerodynamics package including new front and rear bumpers as well as new side skirts and rear wing. All parts are made from carbon fiber for maximum strength and lightweight. The ride is lowered thanks to a lowering module which is controlled using a steering wheel. The body is wrapped with PWF-foil in Bond-Gold-Matt-Metallic color, which underlines not only the elegant lines of the vehicle, but gives a unique look. Last, but not least – the discs, the headlights and the rear lights are also tinted.

The 3.0 liter V6 diesel is boosted to 310HP (228 kW) and 700Nm (519 lb-ft) – an increase of 45HP and 80Nm. The performance package is provided by PP-Performance and really “revives” the big car. 0-100 km/h in under 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) – electronically limited. The fuel consumption is not harmed – 6.1 liters / 100 km on combined cycle.

Other highlights include CVT Vossen alloy wheels powder coated in matt gold – 9J x 20” at the front and 10.5J x 20” at the rear fitted with corresponding low-profile tires. Finally, the special mention is for quad exhaust tailpipes taken directly from Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series. The price for the entire package is decent – €16,000 (considering all upgrades, it is a real bargain).

Source: Fostla

June 2, 2014

Brabus Mercedes-Benz SL550 Enhanced By Inspired Autosport

Mercedes-Benz SL550 is undoubtedly a vehicle which anyone dreams of at least driving for a while. The customer of this unique BiTurbo beast decided to give it further improvement after the exceptional work of the Brabus experts. At help came the professionals at Inspired Autosport which added their unique treatment to the car. Originally the SL550 is powered by a 4.7 liter twin-turbocharged V8 enigne.

The powerplant produces 435 horsepower (320 kW) at 5,250 rpm and 699 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque at 1,800 rpm. The engine is coupled with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. The acceleration time for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is estimated in 4.6 seconds, while the production top speed stops at 250 km/h (155 mph).

Obviously, the Vmax wasn’t enough for the tuners at Brabus, so they remapped the ECU and installed upgraded intercoolers. With this step, the top speed can now reach 300 km/h (201 mph+). To ensure that the SL550 doesn’t catch air at those speeds, they have lowered the vehicle via Brabus springs.

Wheels were next on the list. Inspired Autosport completed the new look of the car with a set of 20 inch CEC C882 forged monoblock wheels in Machine Black. Precisely at the front they come in the size of 20×9, while at the rear – at 20×11.

Source: Inspired Autosport

June 2, 2014

Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet Karmann Edition

Volkswagen has unveiled the Beetle Cabriolet Karmann Edition at 2014 AMI Leipzig. The model is paying tribute to the body manufacturing company, which has produced thousands Beetle Cabriolets between 1949 and 1980.

Outside, the Beetle Cabriolet Karmann boasts a set of new 18” Disc design alloy wheels fitted with low-profile tires and central chrome caps. The special model will be available in seven colors and feature a unique Sioux Brown power folding soft top.

The interior features sport seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel, aluminium pedals and dash pad with Beetle look in matt aluminium. There is also a wind deflector and the Park Pilot parking distance monitor.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet Karmann Edition is available across entire engine range including the range-topping 2.0 liter TSI with 210HP (155 kW) at 5,300RPM and 280Nm (207 lb-ft) at just 1,700RPM. The engine is connected to a 6-speed DSG sending the power to the front wheels. 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph).

Volkswagen will also present the new Scirocco, the new Golf GTE1 with a plug-in hybrid drive and the Beetle Dune concept car with a higher-set body and distinctive off-road design.

Source: Volkswagen

June 2, 2014

2015 Honda Spirior To Be Launched In China

Honda Spirior Concept was introduced in April at the autoshow in Beijing. The car is currently prepared in production form and is to debut the Chinese market at the Guangzhou Auto Show in the beginning of December. 2015 Spirior model is to be based on the firstly introduced 2009 model. It targets the younger customers, specifically those who live in urban areas. The new Spirior will offer enhancements in terms of exterior design, dynamic performance and technologies. It will also include many safety features.

In North America, Spirior is known as Acura TSX, while in Europe and Japan – as the eight generation Honda Accord. In China, the car will be powered by the 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter four-cylinder petrol engines. The powertrains will be mated as a standard with a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission, while an eight speed DCT will be probably the optional variant.

The 2.4 liter engine will deliver to its future customers 201 horsepower (148 kW). There is a rumor of another engine in the range – the 3.5 liter V6 one, which develops 280 horsepower (206 kW).

2015 Honda Spirior has bold lines and a wide, powerful stance. It will come equipped with a standard Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights and a glass moonroof, and will run on 17-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels. Optional are the split 5-spoke 18-inch aluminum wheels. More details to be announced near official launch.

Source: Honda

June 2, 2014

Toyota Makes Next Steps In Hybrid Power

Toyota is undertaking significant developments in the laboratory and on the race track. The aim – to make next steps in the evolution of hybrid power, which will be utilized in hybrid vehicles such as Prius and Camry. The company is targeting improvements in performance and fuel efficiency. The first step has been already made with the announcement of new generation of computer chips that have the potential to boost the fuel efficiency by 10 per cent. At the same time they also significantly reduce the size of the crucial power control unit (PCU).

Toyota Racing division which is positioned in Germany focuses on practicing the hybrid know-how. This is made via its participation in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) sports-car racing, and will also be implemented in next month’s Le Mans 24-hour classic.

The hybrid technology of the all-wheel-drive TS040 Hybrid race car, harvests more braking energy that can be stored and utilized under acceleration. This of course results in additional power boost. If we compare the new hybrid with last year’s race car, the maximum power of the TS040 Hybrid has been improved more than 18 per cent. In addition, the fuel consumption has been cut by 25 per cent.

TS040 Hybrid made two victories in the two WEC races held this year. This also serves as a real-life test bench for Toyota’s latest hybrid concepts. The knowledge gained from the motorsport program and Toyota’s on-going research and development has already been utilized to enhance the company’s hybrid road cars. Since the launch of the first Prius in 1997, more than six million cars were sold around the globe.

The latest laboratory achievement of Toyota’s includes new silicon carbide computer chips (power semi-conductors) that are more efficient than today’s chips made from silicon alone. They were designed to be used in the PCU of hybrid vehicles, thus enabling the company to improve fuel efficiency by up to 10 per cent while also reducing PCU size by up to 80 per cent.

Precisely, the silicon carbide chips will undergo on-road testing in Japan within a year. They reduce the amount of current lost as heat, and switch the current flow on and off more efficiently. The result is the reduced size of the coil and capacitor, which account for approximately 40 per cent of the size of the PCU.

PCU in hybrid vehicles delivers electric power from the battery to the motor in order to control vehicle’s speed. It also sends electricity generated through deceleration to the battery for storage. Nearly 20 per cent of the total power loss in hybrid vehicles is associated with the power semiconductors alone. This shows a need for an improvement of the semi-conductor in order to improve efficiency.

Source: Toyota

June 2, 2014

Lexus Confirms RC 350 And RC F For Australia

Lexus is currently introducing RC 350 coupe and the fire-breathing RC F performance coupe for the Australian market. Both vehicles are due for launch by the end of this year of in early 2015. They have been purpose-built in order to deliver excellent design and perfect driving dynamics. For Australia, the RC 350 will be equipped with an all-alloy direct and port-injected 3.5-litre V6 engine, which produces 318 horsepower (234 kW) and a peak torque of 380 Nm (280 lb-ft). The unit is coupled with an eight-speed sequential transmission. RC 350 will put all this power to the ground via the rear wheels.

On the other hand, the RC F will be powered by the naturally aspirated five-litre V8 powerplant. It develops 450 horsepower (330 kW) and 520Nm (384 lb-ft) of torque. It can also switch between Atkinson and Otto cycles for better fuel economy.

The engine is managed by a specifically tuned eight-speed Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) transmission. It enhances the linear response to accelerator-pedal operation, letting the driver better feel the torque and power as it is applied.

In addition, the RC F features a host of unique engineering and design elements which ensures its powerful performance. The race-bred development of the model includes a chassis, suspension, aerodynamic measures, wheel and tyre package along with a host of other engineering changes.

Lexus model:	RC 350	RC F
Power (kW)	234	Over 330
Torque (Nm)	380	Over 520
Seating capacity	4	4
Overall length (mm)	4,695	4,695
Width (mm)	1,840	1,840
Height (mm)	1,395	1,395
Wheelbase (mm)	2,730	2,730
Driven wheels	Rear wheel drive	Rear wheel drive

Source: Lexus

June 2, 2014

2014 Ferrari California T – Test [video]

Autocar has published a video test with the 2014 Ferrari California T, which was recently presented at the Geneva Motor Show. Besides the styling changes, the convertible comes with an all-new and impressive turbocharged engine. The newly developed power unit marks the returning to turbocharging era of Ferrari since the F40, which was cut out in 1992.

The all-new engine is a 3.9 liter turbocharged V8 – 560HP (412 kW) at 7,500RPM and 755Nm (556 lb-ft) of torque at 4,750RPM. 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 11.2 seconds and a top speed of 316 km/h (196 mph). The engine is connected to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. The California T Facelift has 15% improved fuel consumption and 20% less CO2 emissions – 10.5 liters / 100 km (26.9 mpg UK) and CO2 250 g/km.

Other specs include uprated suspension featuring new springs and dampers, along with a better F1-Trac traction control system and reworked carbon ceramic brakes.

The interior boasts leather Frau sport seats and a new center console. There is also a 6.5” touchscreen display featuring an updated infotainment system. An extremely powerful 1,280 WATT JBL Professional sound system with 12 speakers and a 16-channel amplifier is available upon request.

Last, but not least, the folding hard-top can be opened or closed in just 14 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h (35 mph).

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUfGRM2WQT0

Source: Autocar.co.uk

June 2, 2014

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe – Curve Control System

Mercedes-Benz has revealed more details about their new Curve Control System on the all-new S-Class Coupe. This driving experience becomes even more exclusive with the curve tilting function, a world first for series production cars: the vehicle leans into bends in a similar way to motorcyclists or skiers.

Curve Control System allows the vehicle to incline into the automatically and continuously in fractions of a second – depending on the bend radius and vehicle speed. The subjectively perceived effect is even greater, as the vehicle would normally lean outwards. This happens, when the base points of the steel springs integrated into the ABC suspension struts are raised by plunger cyclinders on one side of the vehicle, and lowered on the other, depending on the bend being negotiated.

This innovative system recognises bends with the help of the stereo camera behind the windscreen, which registers the curve in the road surface up to 15 metres ahead, and using an additional lateral acceleration sensor in the ABC suspension. The curve inclination function can be selected using the three-stage ABC switch, and in “Curve” mode is active in a speed range of 15 to 180 km/h. The other selectable modes are “Comfort” (Magic Body Control with Road Surface Scan) and “Sport”.

The new function is available in combination with the Magic Body Control suspension system for the rear-wheel drive models, which can be ordered from 14 July. In combination with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the S-Class Coupe features the full Airmatic air suspension system with the adaptive damping system ADS Plus, in a version with a sporty setup in keeping with the character of the vehicle.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

June 2, 2014

2014 Audi RS7 Sportback Facelift – Price

Audi has revealed the new 2014 A7 Sportback Facelift, last week and now it is turn to the top-of-range RS7 Sportback. The German manufacturer is very proud with its latest creation, because it is simply fantastic. The large five-door coupe comes with new LED headlights and even more enhanced infotainment features.

The most important – a twin-trubo 4.0 liter V8 TFSI with – 560HP (412 kW) and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph). The engine is connected to an 8-speed tip-tronic gearbox sending the power to Quattro AWD. The fuel consumption is decent – 9.5 liters / 100 km with CO2 emissions of 221 g/km (24.8 mpg US or 29.7 mpg UK).

Some of the interesting exterior features include matte aluminum, glossy black and carbon packages. Otherwise, the RS7 Facelift features aggressive body kit including modified front and rear bumpers as well as fresh body paint colors such as Sepang Blue, Mythos Black, Glacier White and Floret Silver. The 2014 RS7 rolls 20” forged alloy wheels, but 21” set is available as an option in three color finishes. Carbon ceramic brake system is also available as an option.

The interior boasts new instrument cluster along with new air outlet controls, new shift paddles, Quattro logo and an updated MMI infotainment system with MMI touch function.

2014 Audi RS7 Facelift will hit the market in a month with pricing starting from €113,300.

Source: Audi

June 2, 2014

Carlex Design Interior for 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Carlex Design has published several pictures of their customization program for the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222). The luxurious saloon is on the market for several months and is one of the best-selling in its segment. Mercedes-Benz is also offering S-Class Edition 1, but it can’t even touch the impressive interior by Carlex Design.

The tuning company has surpassed almost everybody, when it comes to luxurious interiors. All metal elements of the Mercedes-Benz’s flagship sedan are covered in pure 24K gold. Almost all parts are covered in gold including air vents, speaker covers, door handles, air vents, emblems and the steering wheel-mounted buttons. If you think that is too much, you have to check the full leather upholstery from crocodile skin. The seats, center console, both armrests as well as the door panels and the dashboard are covered in crocodile skin.

Carlex Design has turned the interior of the new S-Class in a place that can shelter princes and princesses without any concerns. Of course, the hardcore fans of Mercedes-Benz won’t appreciate the flashy interior, but who cares, when you can sit on heated and vented seats with massage functions covered in crocodile skin.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is priced from £62,650 in the UK and $95,900. Carlex Design didn’t reveal any pricing for the customization program, but it won’t be cheap… at all!

Source: Carlex

June 2, 2014

Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo [VIDEO]

Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo is the third car which is to be featured in PlayStation3’s Gran Turismo 6 game. The previous models that we have covered in our blog are the Volkswagen GTI Roadster Vision Gran Turismo and the BMW Vision Gran Turismo. The vehicle presented here is a hybrid concept that is built on Mitsubishi’s racing knowledge gained through races like the Dakar Rally and World Rally Championships (WRC).

In the development of the exterior, the company has used as an inspiration the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV. The latter has debuted at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. However, this virtual car adds iconic front grill and aggressive racing-related exterior styling, which Mitsublish promises to feature in its next vehicles.

In addition, the concept vehicle utilizes advanced development technology from the Plug-in Hybrid EV System. The power of the engine is transmitted through an eight speed dual clutch transmission (DCT). Its driving performance is controlled with the S-AWC vehicle dynamics control system that distributes the drive force to the 4 wheels.

The weight of the car has been maximized through the use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). This contributes to vehicle’s superb agility. In addition, the downforce produced by the aerodynamic form of the front and rear diffusers delivers excellent cornering performance. The car runs on large diameter 20 inch aluminum wheels and has tough suspension system.

The project Vision Gran Turismo involves world’s leading brands, which develop concept cars for Gran Turismo and its fans. Stay tuned, because more exciting models are to be revealed soon!

httpv://youtu.be/jJ3Csee5ElI

Video Source: YouTube

Source: Mitsubishi

May 31, 2014

Category: Auto News