Auto News – Page 905 – Automobiles Review

Skoda MissionL Concept Targets Qatar Motor Show

SKODA-MissionL-concept-thumg Last year, Skoda have delivered 879,200 vehicles to budget oriented, sensible customers. That’s 15% more in comparison with 2010 sales. Today Skoda are planing to keep up that pace by expanding to the East. The Qatar Motor Show will see the Skoda MissionL concept for the first time outside European land.

Just for the record, when we say concept we do actually mean an almost-ready-production-car. The MissionL goes on sale in late 2012 and it is designed to fill in the gap between the Fabia and Octavia (a sort of a small family saloon segment). Skoda say that the design features on the MissionL act as a definitive of the company’s future approach on aesthetics. For starters, this concept is among the first proud wearers of the new Skoda badge. The outside lines of the saloon are more simple yet sharper which gives an overall athletic feel. The grille is framed in chrome while consisting of vertical plate fins that attribute to the depth of the whole front end. Daytime running lights and blinkers are mere luminescent bands positioned at the edges of the main headlights as fog lights frame the lower grille. The party piece however, is the tinted yet transparent glass roof that spans over the whole cabin. The interior is a feast of sensibility, neatness and efficiency seasoned with a bit of luxury thanks to the bichrome wheel, control panel and seat covers.

Skoda has already started its offense on the market with the launch of the Citigo in the Czech Republic and the introduction of the Rapid in India and feedback seems positive. The company’s plan within the near 5 years is to get those annual sales up to 1,5 million. In addition to the MissionL, ŠKODA is displaying Fabia, Octavia, Yeti and Superb at the Qatar Motor Show, all models are available in the local market.

Source: Skoda

January 26, 2012

Audi R8 Grand-AM debut at Daytona 24h

Double the excitement as Audi will be making a debut of the R8 GRAND-AM customer sport race car on the 50th running of the Daytona 24 Hours. Two teams, APR Motorsport and Oryx Racing will have the privilege to race their own LMP Audis in the GT class of the endurance race which kicks off on the 26th of January.

“We are proud to be part of the action for the first time at the event’s special anniversary,” said Werner Frowein, Managing Director of Quattro GmbH, which has developed the Audi R8 GRAND-AM. After the debut, the R8 is set to take part in the other 12 challenges of the GRAND-AM series. Let us remind ourselves that back in 2008, Audi was represented in the United States for a whole season with a factory commitment featuring the Audi R10 TDI LMP1 sports car and proceeded to win the title in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). Now the APR Motorsport and Oryx Racing customer teams are going to take part of their own commitment.

APR has a reputation of playing with Audis as it is known as one of the most active tuners of the car make. They are based in Opelika, Alabama and headed by Jeff Mishtawy. Hopes fall on a lineup of 5 drivers: The Americans Ian Baas and Dr. Jim Norman, Nelson Canache from Venezuela, Dion von Moltke plus the legendary (former now) Audi factory driver Emanuele Pirro from Italy. The other team, Oryx Racing, is headed by Humaid Al Masaood (UAE) as he also plays the role of a driver. Hist two other team mates are Saeed Al Mehairi and Steven Kane (UK)

“We’re entering a new car in a series that’s new to us. It was important to us to be involved in the project right from the beginning and help continue to develop this fascinating customer racing car from Audi to become as competitive as possible.” comments an enthusiastic Al Masaood. Despite the fact that the team is from UAE, they also have a base in the US, West College Corner near Indianapolis.

The “Rolex 24 at Daytona” ranks as one of the finest international motorsport events. Attenders are in for a treat as a champions party with numerous racing legends, an exhibition of historic overall-winning cars, a carnival complete with a Ferris Wheel, a 5-kilometre run on the track for all sports enthusiasts on Saturday before the race, autograph sessions and pit walks are just some of the attractions featured on the last weekend of January. The GRAND-AM Audi will be competing against approximately 30 more contenders which fall into the category of GT LMP1 vehicles. After a qualifying session on Thursday the race will start on Saturday (January 28) and end on Sunday (January 29) at 15:30, local time (21:30 Central European time).

Source: Audi

January 26, 2012

Qatar Motor Show Sees Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen-Passat-shadow Volkswagen brought the Middle East some German engineering by presenting the VW Passat at the Qatar Motor Show. Although, widely popular in Europe and North America, the Passat made its debut on Middle Eastern soil.

“The Passat is an important component of our model strategy in the Middle East region where classic saloons define the street scene. That is because the Passat delivers top levels of safety and comfort and offers more space for rear passengers due to its long wheelbase,” explained Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Head of Development and member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand.

The version showed there was actually the North American make (slightly bigger than the European sister car). Power comes from the 125 kW/170 PS five-cylinder petrol engine that bares an essence of German sensibility and efficiency. Even the base model is bundled with neat luxuries that bring comfort to both driver and passengers – a 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen, CD-radio, Bluetooth telephone system, electric windows, air conditioning, heat insulating glass and cruise control. Safety standard equipment also make a handful with ABS/ESP, brake assist and six airbags.

Other notable appearances include the Amarok with a faster, more economical 8-speed autobox and the 228 kW/310 PS Touareg Magic Morning – a road going version (despite the still present safety cage) of the original Race Touareg 3 that has been to the Dakar Racing.

Source: Volkswagen

January 26, 2012

ABT 2012 Audi A4

ABT Sportsline has announced the new tuning package for 2012 Audi A4. The name of the project is AS4 and it includes both styling and performance modifications.

There are performance packages for the 2.0 liter TFSI, the 3.0 liter TFSI and the 3.0 liter TDI engines.

The 2.0 liter TFSI is boosted to 275PS (202 kW) from 211PS (155 kW), while the mighty 3.0 liter TFSI boasts 435PS (320 kW), instead of 333PS (245 kW). The economic diesel – 3.0 TDI has 282PS (207 kW) from the factory’s 245PS (180 kW).

The exterior package includes front spoiler, a pair of side skirts, fender inserts, rear bumper insert and rear spoiler. All components are made from high quality materials. There are also axle back exhaust and designer light alloy wheels in 19” and 20”, which can be fitted with a set of sports tyres.

There is no doubt that the new AS4 is a real eye-catcher! Check out the high-resolution images in the gallery.

ABT AS4:

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGYEngine:               2.0 TFSI, 1.984 ccm capacity
Performance tuning:           ABT POWER
Performance:               275 HP/202 kW (standard: 211 HP/155 kW)

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGYEngine:               3.0 TDI, 2.967 ccm capacity
Performance tuning:           ABT POWER
Performance:               282 HP/207 kW (standard: 245 HP/180 kW)

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGYEngine:               3.0 TFSI, 2.995 ccm capacity
Performance tuning:           ABT POWER
Performance:               435 HP/320 kW (standard: 333 HP/245 kW)

ABT AERODYNAMICSABT front spoiler
ABT side skirts
ABT fender inserts
ABT rear bumper insert
ABT rear spoiler

ABT EXHAUST TECHNOLOGYABT axle back exhaust

ABT WHEEL TECHNOLOGYABT designer light alloy wheels in 19 and 20 inch
Available also as complete set of wheels with sports tyres

Source: ABT

January 25, 2012

2011 Ford C-MAX Price – £17 445

The 2011 C-MAX is now available from just £17 445. The compact MPV will also come with a new ultra-efficient 1.0-litre 125PS Ford EcoBoost petrol engine, which combines impressive performance with outstanding fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

2011 Ford C-MAX and its 7-seat Grand C-MAX sibling picked up their first BusinessCar award.

“Ford has deservedly taken both MPV awards thanks to a pair of products that successfully combine practicality and efficiency with a sense of style not previously available in a sector aimed squarely at family transport.”, commented BusinessCar editor Paul Barker.
“Both the Ford C-MAX and S-MAX offer good running costs as well as great handling and are deserved winners of this award, decided by the readers of BusinessCar – the very people using these products for their business and their company drivers.”, he added.

The 7-seat Ford Grand C-MAX accounts for 40% of overall C-MAX volumes in the UK. Twin rear sliding doors reveal an innovative walk-through seating concept, where the second row middle seat folds under the outer seat to enable easy access to the third row.

Source: Ford

January 25, 2012

2012 Nissan Note Price – £11 200

Nissan is going to attract more buyers for Note in the UK by offering further upgrades for 2012. The supermini-MPV is very successful with over 100 000 units sold.

During 2012, the Note will benefit from better equipment and style. The popular Acenta model will now feature two-tone 16” alloy wheels, chrome-effect door mirror covers and front fog light surrounds. There is also new seat fabric with blue stitching, climate control, automatic headlights and rain-sensitive wipers all now come as standard.

The best-selling N-TEC model also comes with increased equipment – rear parking sensors, darkened rear privacy glass and the touch screen Connect SAT NAV system.

The Connect includes CD/radio, iPod gateway, Aux-in, USB connection and Bluetooth phone connection.

The 2012 Note Visia is priced at £11 200. The new Acenta at £13 000 and the new N-TEC+ a further £500.

The engine range includes a 1.4 liter and a 1.6 liter petrol and 1.5 liter dCi power units. The Pure Drive badged 1.5dCi emits a CO2 level of just 110g/km with a combined economy figure of 67.3mpg.

Source: Nissan

January 25, 2012

Vauxhall 18-way adjustable ultimate hot seats

Vauxhall will introduce their most powerful Astra VXR at the Geneva Motor Show with front seats that are substantially lighter thanks to cutting-edge technology. The hot seats have a lower seating position and enhanced side support to cater for increased cornering loads.

The special technology includes an injection moulded sheet in the seat shells, which reduces their weight by 45% compared with a conventional shell. The sheet is filled with a composite material made from polyamide and fibreglass, and its strength and agility means that it only needs to be 2-3 mm deep, and therefore a lot lighter.

Bringing driver and front passenger lower to the Astra VXR’s centre of gravity, the new seats are mounted 17 mm lower than in the Astra GTC, and 40 mm lower than in the Astra Hatch. In addition, the new seats can be adjusted up to 18 ways, depending upon specification:

•   Entire seat backwards and forwards (2)
•   Entire seat upwards and downwards (2)
•   Seat backrest forwards and backwards (2)
•   Seat cushion angle adjustment (2)
•   Seat cushion length adjustment (2)
•   Four-way lumbar support adjustment (4)
•   Adjustable side bolster support in back (2)
•   Adjustable side bolster support in seat cushion (2)

Pneumatically adjustable cushions, found in the seats’ flanks, add further levels of adjustability at the push of a button, and provide ‘tailor-made’ seating comfort and security normally reserved for competition drivers.

The new 2012 Vauxhall Astra VXR will come with extremely powerful engine with 280PS and 400Nm. It will also feature LSD on front wheels and Brembo brake system.

Vauxhall 18-way adjustable ultimate hot seats

Source: Vauxhall

January 25, 2012

2012 Kia Rio 3-door – Price £9 995

Kia has announced the new 3-door version of Rio. It will hit the UK market with a £600 saving, compared to equivalent five door models.

The engine range includes two petrol and two diesel power units. The 1.1 CRDi delivers 75PS (55 kW) and 170Nm (125 lb-ft) at 1500RPM. It boasts CO2 emissions of 99g/km or below and fuel economy of at least 74.3mpg. Nice!

EcoDynamics technologies, such as Intelligent Stop & Go, will be a standard feature with all new Rio diesels, including the 1.4-litre models. The 1.4 CRDi is a four-cylinder diesel engine delivers 90PS (66 kW) and 220Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque. Economy and emissions figures are 70.6mpg combined and just 105 g/km of CO2.

The petrol variants are 1.25 litre Kappa engine with 84PS (61 kW), 121Nm (89 lb-ft) and a 1.4 litre Gamma engine with 108PS (80 kW) and 137Nm (101 lb-ft). All petrol manual versions of the new Rio comfortably exceed 50mpg, with CO2 emissions below 130g/km.

Rio 3-door is offered in four trim grades – badged 1, 1 Air, 2 and 3 – as the five door version.

The standard equipment includes daytime running lights, body-coloured bumpers, door handles and door mirrors, speed-variable front wipers, headlamp levelling, front electric windows, 15-inch steel wheels, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, two-way steering column adjustment on the petrol model (height-adjustable only on the entry level diesel), a tachometer and trip computer, split folding rear seats, a boot light, a 12-volt power socket and an MP3-compatible RDS radio and CD player with USB and AUX ports. Bluetooth is also standard on the petrol entry model, and on all versions with other trim grades.

The 1 Air grade is for buyers who want the comfort of air conditioning without upgrading to level 2.

The 2 is distinguished by 16” alloy wheels, front fog lights and a chrome radiator grille surround. Inside, there is premium black cloth upholstery, a cooling glovebox, electrically adjustable heated and folding door mirrors with side repeaters, leather trim on the steering wheel and gearshift and a centre console armrest.

The luxurious level 3 specification adds 17” alloys with low-profile tyres, LED daytime running and rear combination lamps, automatic air conditioning with auto de-fog, rain sensing wipers, cruise control, automatic projection-type headlights, heated front seats and six speakers instead of four.

The safety is granted by electronic stability control (ESC), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), emergency brake assist (EBA) in addition to emergency stop signalling (ESS). The new Rio also includes the helpful feature of Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

2012 Kia Rio 3-door is priced from £9 995 OTR.

Source: Kia

January 25, 2012

Vorsteiner VS-130 Series for Ferrari 458 Italia And BMW F10 5 Series

The tuning company Vorsteiner has just revealed some new upgrades. Namely, they have introduced one of their latest wheel designs as part of Vorsteiner 2012 Collection VS-130 Series – the new super lightweight 5 spoke monoblock wheels. They are prepared for the owners of Ferrari 458 Italia And BMW F10 5 Series. This incredibly beautiful design feature includes lightweight spoke design, which utilizes Vorsteiner’s latest spoke scalloping and undercutting technology. This is done in order to optimize strength to weight ratios. In addition VS-130 Series also features optimized conclave profiling. To be more precise, the technical specifications are 21 inch forged wheels (Front: 21x9JF and Rears: 21x11J), and the exceptional Michelin PS2 Tires 255-30-21F / 305-30-21R.

Source: Vorsteiner

January 25, 2012

2012 Kahn Range Rover Evoque Red

Here’s a presentation of the first Range Rover Evoque which was recently tuned by A.Kahn Design. Afzal Kahn received much appreciation for fashioning this unique vehicle. It is interesting fact that over 90 percent of Evoque customers are ‘newcomers’ to the product. More importantly they tend to be younger, living in the city and among them are far more women than man. Therefore this Evoque has already been snapped up by glamour model Katie Price’s protege – Amy Willerton.

To go further into details, the magic that has been put on the Evoque by Afzal Kahn’s, includes even excitement, which brings the vehicle to brand new level. First of all 2012 Kahn Range Rover Evoque Red features the red smooth contour, by which it is immediately recognizable. Moreover it offers astonishing styling package, which consists of a lowered suspension (35mm), yellow calipers, aluminum pedals, (full body color coding/detailing available), privacy glass, touch screen sat nav and adaptive front headlamps all draw you in like a guiding light. And what about the interior of the vehicle? Of course, it also has been touch with bespoke professionalism. However, A. Kahn offers the unique opportunity to every customer to express their own individuality. Afzal Kahn could, for example, design for you a vehicle with an exterior the color of your jeans and an interior with seats the same shade of lets say, a grey T-shirt. Furthermore Evoque the unique unique RS600 wheels, which are available in 20” 21” 22” size. Nonetheless, additional wheels are also available.

This brilliantly tuned Range Rover Evoque, is the perfect example of the philosophy of A.Kahn Design – to bring together the artistic innovation and state-of-the art manufacturing and materials technology. At last to be emphasized is that the tuning company is all about creating something unmatchable then before by refining and enhancing every aspect of the vehicle.

Source: Kahn Design

January 25, 2012

Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept at Qatar Motor Show

Attenders at this month’s Qatar Motor Show are in for a treat because a Pininfarina Alfa will be taking part as an exhibition. It is the truly delightful Alfa 2uettottanta concept – a familiar face not only because it has been around for a while (barer of the 2010 Car Design of the Year Award) but also because it is a direct descendant to the historic Pininfarina Alfa Romeo Spider, also known as “Duetto”

The genetic code of the roadster icon can be detected easily by those who know where to look at. The 2uettottanta‘s engine for instance is a 1750 cc unit positioned longitudinally that echos the 1968 Spider “Veloce” – one of the many incarnations of the Duetto. The Alfa Romeo shield is still as emblematic as ever and so is the red paint that acts as a definitive characteristic in all Alfas. Most of all however, the thing that brings up the Duetto name is the idea itself – It still is a 2 seated, simple roadster, a passion on wheels and a joy to drive.

Alfa Romeo Pininfarina 2uettottanta (2011)

While it does stay true to its ancestors, in no way we can call it ancient. Dimensions stand at 1797 mm in width, 4212.6 mm in length and 1280 mm in height – wider but just a bit shorter and lower than the original Duetto. The body exhibits a multitude of curves and dimples which give an overall feel of slipperiness and elegance. There are no materials in excess, no protrusions. Instead, it is smooth as a soap bar. A line slashes trough the whole car horizontally which in a way improves the road stance (visually).

Will this superb piece of work become a production reality or will it remain a monument that marks the immaculate alliance between Pininfarina and Alfa Romeo, we’ll just have to wait and see.The Qatar Motor Show goes public on the 25th of January and it will host a number of companies among which four Italian ones, including Pininfarina.

Source: Pininfarina

January 24, 2012

Pininfarina Cambiano Concept Update

New teasers coming from Pininfarina about their Cambiano concept and the prognosis is looking good. We still can’t be sure however, that this will be a whole car for so far we have only seen halves of it. No worries though, because what we see here leaves a decent amount of space for pondering and speculation.

Judging from the pictures down below we have a sleek sporty coupe with a remarkably short engine bay. The design ergonomics, with all those curves and lines, feel slippery and dynamic. Also, that tiny wing-mirror hints a great deal of aerodynamic conscientiousness. Then there’s the party piece – a full sized panoramic roofline held together by something that looks like an exoskeleton. Neat! The interior boasts a roomy cabin with seating for four (or two if it really turns out to be a half-car) and there are some wooden veneers in the luggage department, so that’s interesting. The steering wheel brings to mind an airplane’s techy analogue cockpit while the cappuccino color patterns counter with the aesthetics of an Italian coffee shop.

Cambiano is the name of the small town which houses Pininfarina‘s works. This year the community is to mark two anniversaries: 30 years with the Pininfarina Styling Centre (called, back in1982, the “Pininfarina Studi e Ricerche/Pininfarina Study and Research”) and 10 years of development with the Pininfarina Engineering Center.

Source: Pininfarina

January 24, 2012

Category: Auto News