Auto News – Page 933 – Automobiles Review

CoverEFX Mini Cooper

The CoverEFX & CFC StylingStation company in Erftstadt has two tuned MINIs.

The first one is foiled in Sunflower yellow and the second is finished in Smurf-blue. Both MINIs have all attached parts painted black, including the interior lights and Wiecher’s cage. The plastic wheel arches had to be reworked after the assembly of the suspension and brakes.

The performance upgrades include a modified PreKat and an ECU re-map giving the engine additional 17PS (13 kW) and 22Nm (16 lb-ft). The hand-crafted and dynamic pressure-optimized exhaust system with stainless steel manifolds and down pipe by the KBR Motorsports.

The stance is thanks to a Bilstein B16 suspension. There are also n OMP strut brace and a supporting arm, and an adjustable rear stabilizer – 17 mm by H & R. Both MINIs stand on Crono rims by OZ Racing 7J x 17” fitted with 205/40 R17 Toyo tires.

The interior boasts RECARO seats upholstered with Alcantara.

Source: CoverEFX

November 22, 2011

DMC Ferrari California 3S Silver Carbon Fiber

German Luxury Tuner DMC has announced their tuning package for Ferrari California. The name of the project is 3S Silver Carbon Fiber. It boasts unique body kit and performance package.

The aerodynamics package includes – a silver carbon fiber splitter, a silver carbon fiber rear diffuser, refined license plate bay, which now includes a silber carbon fiber apron.

The engine of DMC California is boosted to 606PS (446 kW), which is an increase of 146PS (108 kW), so the performance is extreme – 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph). Impressive results for a big four-seater GT car. The additional power is thanks to a number of mods – a turbo-loader in combination with physically enlarged injection nozzles and a new tailor made crankshaft. It is supported by a new exhaust sytem that is made if T309 stainless steel. It comes with 200 cell catalysts and an improved X-Pipe and is fully controlable via an on-board valve control system.

The California 3S Silver Carbon Fiber stands on enormous ADV1 wheels – 9J x 21” at the front and 11.5J x 22” at the rear fitted with ultra-performance tires.

This combination adds an aggressive wedge look to the overall appearance, accompanying the dynamic look of DMC’s styling package.

DMC Ferrari California 3S Silver Carbon Fiber

Source: DMC

November 22, 2011

2012 Fiat 500 Nation

Fiat will exhibit a new special edition 500 Nation at the Bologna Motor Show. The manufacturer will produce just 500 units for both saloon and convertible version. The new Fiat 500 Nation Limited Edition is the tribute that the brand dedicates to the great countries where the car is sold.

The special edition 500 features exclusive metallic shade America Blue paint, mirror fairings with “Stars & Stripes” graphics, stickers, dedicated beltline and 16″ alloy wheels with red cap edge. American inspiration and iconography are also found in the interiors with red/ivory seats and contrasting white dashboard.

The white three-layer paint and “Stars & Stripes” mirror fairings are combined with the red top and the graphics in the colours of the American flag in the beltline in the convertible version. In this case the elegant 16″ alloy wheels are finished with a blue rim edge.

The standard equipment of the 500 Nation boasts manual air conditioning, exterior chrome-plating in both saloon and convertible versions. There is also a badge on the pillar bearing the serial number of this limited edition makes this car unique.

The new 500 Nation America Limited Edition can be ordered from late February 2012. It is priced at €14 500 for the saloon model and €18 000 for the convertible.

Source: Fiat

November 22, 2011

Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3

What happens, when you put 600BHP V12 engine in 1250kg car? The answer is very simple – it happens something really good and nice to drive and in this case to watch.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 is not only extremely fast race car, but it is incredibly beautiful, too. The tests of the vehicle has just began and the racing team has already covered almost 1000 kilometres in just two days. The majority of the mileage was conducted by factory driver Darren Turner.

“The car ran like clockwork throughout and we’ve managed really good mileage already. The feeling of the V12 Vantage GT3 is a massive step forward from the DBRS9. Being based on the smaller Vantage it is more responsive and feels more nimble, giving the driver plenty of confidence to extract all the performance from the V12 engine while also being light on its tyres. It isn’t too physical to drive and I didn’t even break into a sweat during the test!”, said mr. Turner, after two days behind the wheel.

“With the clean styling and the amazing sounding V12, it’s closer to the core values of Aston Martin’s road cars than any of the racing cars we’ve ever built. I’m certain it’ll become a favourite among motorsport fans in no time at all.”, he added.

The V12 Vantage GT3 is a direct replacement for the Aston Martin DBRS9, which first competed in 2006 and went on to score many race and championship wins including the 2007 British GT Championship and the 2009 FIA GT3 Teams’ Championship.

The engine is the most staggering element in the V12 Vantage GT3. It is 6.0 liter twelve-cylinder naturally aspirated monster with 600BHP (445 kW) and 700Nm (517 lb-ft) of torque. All that power is sent to the limited slip differential at the rear wheels through Xtrac 6-speed sequential transmission.

Aston Martin Racing will continue with the V12 Vantage GT3’s comprehensive testing programme into the New Year and beyond.

You can check the full specs, below!

Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 Specs:

Engine
Lightweight V12
Dry sump oil system
Power >600bhp
Torque >700Nm

Transmission
Xtrac 6 speed sequential transmission with semi-auto gear change
Limited slip ramp/plate differential
Carbon fibre propshaft

Chassis
Lightweight aluminium chassis
Steel roll cage to FIA safety standards
High speed pneumatic jack system

Suspension
Double wishbone with uniball bearings
2-way adjustable dampers front and rear
Optimised geometry for lower race ride height

Steering
Hydraulic power assisted steering

Fuel system
110-litre fuel cell to FIA safety standards
Twin quick release couplings

Brakes
6 pot front & 4 pot rear calipers with ventilated steel discs
Manually adjustable front/rear brake bias
Adjustable motorsport ABS and traction control

Wheels & Tyres
Front 12.5” x 18” 30/68-18
Rear 13” x 18” 31/71-18

Cockpit
Six-point safety harness
Adjustable seat & pedal box position
Lightweight battery
Carbon fibre dash
Fire extinguisher system
Driver display and shift lights

Body & Aero
Removable carbon-fibre body panels & aluminium roof
Front splitter
Adjustable full width carbon fibre rear wing
Aerodynamically optimised bumpers, side sills and rear fenders

Weight
Dry weight 1250kg

Source: Aston Martin

November 21, 2011

2012 MINI Cooper Hardtop B-Spec Racer

A new MINI Cooper B-Spec race car will take place in the 2012 race season in USA. B-Spec vehicles are production-based cars that are equalized on power and weight to make the racing as competitive as possible and all four of the major racing sanctioning bodies will host B-Spec races in 2012.

“B-Spec racing is a great fit for MINI because the car is developed with racing heritage in mind and the races are run with vehicles very similar to those already sitting in the driveway,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President – MINI USA.

“Getting involved with B-Spec racing offers a fun and competitive race environment without requiring MINI drivers to make a large financial investment to make their car a serious competitor.”, he added.

The race car is built by MINI of Charleston and features minor upgrades – a coilover suspension, Carbotech brake system and 15” light alloy wheels fiited with Hoosier racing tires.

The engine is not extremely powerful, but it brings good performance. Despite that performance specs are not released, the factory version accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 203 km/h (126 mph). The power unit is 1.6 liter four-cylinder petrol with 123PS (90 kW) and 154Nm (114 lb-ft) of torque.

2012 MINI Cooper Hardtop B-Spec Racer:

HP: 121 @ 6,000, factory rated

TQ: 114 @ 4,250, factory rated

Steering: Electric power-assisted rack and pinion, 14.1:1 ratio

Weight: 2,535 pounds, 60.4%/39.6% F/R, factory rated

Length / Wheelbase / Height: 146.6″/ 97.1″ / 55.4″

Suspension: KW V1 Coilover Struts and Shocks/ Vorshlag front camber plates

Brakes: Standard MINI Brake system with Carbotech Brake Pads and Way Motorworks Stainless Steel Braided hoses.

Safety Equipment: Kirk Racing Roll Cage with Kirkey Intermediate Road Racing Seat and Schroth Hybrid III Harnesses, Cage Nets and Window Net.

Wheel / Tire: 15 x 7 Kosei K1 aluminum alloy / Hoosier SM6 205-50-15

Performance-enhancing electronics standard on all MINIs:

•   Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
•   Four-wheel disc Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
•   Cornering Brake Control (CBC)
•   Brake Force Distribution (BFD)

Source: MINI USA

November 21, 2011

2012 Lexus GS 250

Lexus has unveiled the GS 250 at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition.

The GS 250 is powered by a 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine with D-4S direct port injection and Dual VVT-i intelligent valve timing. The power is satisfying – 210PS (154 kW) at 6400RPM and 253Nm (187 lb-ft) at 4800RPM. 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 228 km/h (142 mph). The engine returns 31.7 mpg on combined cycle with emissions – 207 g/km of CO2. The power unit is mated to a Super ECT-i close-ratio intelligent 6-speed automatic transmission, with a sequential manual shift function.

Compared the current GS, the new model has a more spacious interior, with notably more head and legroom for rear seat passengers. It will be offered with a range of new technology features, including a 12.3” multimedia screen – the largest on the market. It will be available with a new S-flow air conditioning system with nanoe air purifying technology, and a new Mark Levinson audio system with up to 17 speakers.

The new GS is 14% more rigid and has front and rear suspension revisions and an optimised seating position for the driver. The driver can also adjust vehicle behaviour to suit road conditions and driving preferences using the Drive Mode Select. This gives the option of Eco, Normal and Sport S modes, while versions equipped with Adaptive Variable Suspension offer a further Sport S+ mode for even more dynamic performance.

Safety provisions will include Lexus’s advanced Pre-Crash Safety system, combined with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, and a series of other systems designed to reduce the risk of an accident, including Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitor and Lexus Night View.

The new GS 250 will be launched in the UK at the same time as the full hybrid GS 450h in June 2012; the range will include a performance-themed F Sport version. Further details will be announced nearer the time of launch.
Check out the specs, below!

2012 Lexus GS 250 Specs:

ENGINE
Engine type	V6, 24-valve
Capacity (cc)	2,500
Max. power (bhp/kW @ rpm)	206/154 @ 6,400rpm
Max. torque (Nm @ rpm)	253 @ 4,800rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type	Six-speed sequential-shift, intelligent Electronically Controlled (ECT-i) automaticTransmission
BRAKES
Type	Discs (front and rear)
Additional features	ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management
DIMENSIONS
Overall length (mm)	4,850
Overall width (mm)	1,840
Overall height (mm)	1,455
Wheelbase (mm)	2,850
Luggage capacity (l)	566 (with tyre repair kit)
PERFORMANCE
Acceleration 0-62mph (sec)	8.6
Max. speed (mph)	142
Fuel consumption – combined (mpg)	31.7mpg
CO₂ emissions (g/km)	207

Source: Lexus

November 21, 2011

2013 Mazda CX-5

Mazda North American Operations has unveiled its all-new 2013 CX-5 compact SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show. CX-5 embodies the perfect balance between the best of all worlds: captivating design, dynamic handling, unexpected efficiency, flexible functionality and first-class safety, with a dash of Zoom-Zoom.
“The 2013 CX-5 is the vehicle compact SUV shoppers have been asking for – that only Mazda can build,” commented Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO.

“Entering an extremely competitive segment, the all-new CX-5 has to offer more than just flash and features, but also has to perform and provide consumers with the dynamic response they’ve come to expect from Mazda – and it does. With its SKYACTIV underpinnings and best-in-class fuel economy, CX-5 proves that fun needn’t be sacrificed for fuel efficiency and that compact doesn’t equate compromise.”, he added.

The new CX-5 is powered by a SKYACTIV 2.0 liter petrol engine with 157PS (116 kW) at 6000RPM and 203Nm (150 lb-ft) of torque at 4000RPM.The choice of transmissions includes the SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual or SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic. The power unit returns 26mpg in city cycle and 33 mpg on the highway for a FWD model.

Standard safety equipment includes six airbags – front, side and full side-curtain, four wheel disk brakes, ABS, daytime running lights, active headrests, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), a TCS (Traction Control System) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Also available are a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system, Adaptive Front-Lighting System (AFLS) with auto-levelling bi-xenon headlamps and a rear view camera with distance guide lines.

2013 CX-5 will hit the market in the next year and the price list is not announced, yet.

Source: Mazda

November 21, 2011

2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible

After the reveling of the stunning IPL G Coupe, Infiniti has introduced the new 2013 IPL G Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The new IPL G Convertible features special aerodynamic styling pieces, the dynamic performance of an IPL-tuned V6, exhaust and suspension, 19” IPL aluminum-alloy wheels, and unique leather-appointed interior – along with the G Convertible’s three-piece retractable hardtop.

“The Infiniti Performance Line, as demonstrated by our first offering, the IPL G Coupe, challenges the concept of ultra-high cost sports series. IPL pushes the premium performance envelope for buyers seeking a higher level of exclusivity and driving exhilaration, but does so with an Infiniti twist,”commented Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore.

“Like every Infiniti, the new IPL G Convertible takes a different path from its established competitors, with its retractable hardtop that is designed to look as good with the top up as down. It’s a terrific addition to the Infiniti Performance Line, taking the dramatic Infiniti G Convertible to an even higher level.”, Mr. Poore added.

IPL G Convertible is powered by a 3.7 liter naturally aspirated V6 with 348PS (256 kW) and 370Nm (273 lb-ft) of torque. It is mated to a 7-speed automatic gearbox with Downshift Rev Matching and quick-shift Drive Sport (DS) mode with magnesium paddle shifters and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC).

Other interesting features are the IPL-tuned high-flow exhaust system with dual-pipe design, large brakes with 4-piston calipers up front and 2-piston at the rear and 19” IPL split 7-spoke graphite-finish wheels and low-profile W-rated Bridgestone Potenza RE050A performance tires.

The Cabrio is offered in two exterior colors – Moonlight White and Malbec Black and two interior colors – Stone and IPL-exclusive Monaco Red.

All IPL G Convertible interiors include red-stitched leather-appointed Climate-controlled front sport seats with embroidered IPL logos, manual thigh extension and driver’s power torso and thigh support adjustment, red-stitched steering wheel, Silk Obi aluminum trim, IPL embroidered front floor mats, and aluminum trimmed pedals and footrest.

2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible will hit the UK market in spring, next year.

2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible Interior

Source: Infiniti

November 21, 2011

2012 Audi A1 Sportback Price – £13 980

2012 Audi A1 Sportback will become available in the UK later this month and will reach its first customers here in the spring of 2012. The 5-door city car is priced at just £13 980 OTR.

A1 Sportback makes provision for an extra passenger – up to three can pass through its rear doors and take a seat, each of them protected by a headrest and full three-point seatbelt. The luggage compartment is also pretty good – 270 litres with the rear seats up and 920 litres, when they are folded.

There are three trim levels – SE, Sport and S line. The options list is quite rich, too – alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front and rear windows and mirrors, split folding rear seat and a six-speaker single CD Concert audio system linked to a 6.5” retractable display.

Sport model additions include larger 16” wheels, sports suspension, sports seats, Bluetooth mobile phone preparation and a Driver’s Information System, while S line versions upgrade with extras such as an exclusive S line exterior treatment including larger 17” alloy wheels, S line sports suspension and leather and cloth combination upholstery.

The engine range includes a choice of three TFSI petrol engines and one TDI diesel producing between 86PS and 185PS.

The puniest is the 1.2 litre TFSI with 86PS (63 kW). There are also 1.4 litre TFSI with 122PS (90kW) and 1.4 litre twin-turbocharged TFSI with whopping 185PS (136 kW). The diesel is 1.6 litre TDI with 105PS (77 kW). Later line-up will be joined by a fifth member – the 2.0-litre TDI with 143PS (105 kW).

2012 A1 Sportback 1.6 TDI with 105PS returns up to 74.3 mpg with just 99 g/km of CO₂, while the turbocharged and supercharged 1.4 TFSI with 185PS will feature the 7-speed S tronic twin-clutch gearbox – from 0 to 100 km/h in 7 seconds and a top speed of 227 km/h (141 mph).

Check out the full price list, below!

Audi A1 Sportback pricing overview

SE Model pricing
Petrol – SE
Engines	Power	CO₂ g/km	Transmission	Basic RRP	Total RRP	OTR Price
1.2TFSI SE Manual	86PS	118	5-speed manual	£11,112.50	£13,335	£13,980

Diesel – SE
Engines	Power	CO₂ g/km	Transmission	Basic RRP	Total RRP	OTR Price
1.6TDI SE Manual	105PS	99	5-speed manual	£11,995.83	£14,395.00	£15,040

Sport Model pricing
Petrol – Sport
Engines	Power	CO₂ g/km	Transmission	Basic RRP	Total RRP	OTR Price
1.2TFSI Sport Manual	86PS	118	5-speed manual	£12,645.83	£15,175	£15,820
1.4TFSI Sport Manual	122PS	126	6-speed manual	£12,987.50	£15,585	£16,230
1.4TFSI Sport S tronic	122PS	119	7-speed S tronic	£14,195.83	£17,035	£17,680

Diesel – Sport
Engines	Power	CO₂ g/km	Transmission	Basic RRP	Total RRP	OTR Price
1.6TDI Sport Manual	105PS	99	5-speed manual	£13,529.17	£16,235.00	£16,880

S line Model pricing
Petrol – S line
Engines	Power	CO₂ g/km	Transmission	Basic RRP	Total RRP	OTR Price
1.2TFSI S line Manual	86PS	118	5-speed manual	£13,933.33	£16,720	£17,365
1.4TFSI S line Manual	122PS	126	6-speed manual	£14,275.00	£17,130	£17,775
1.4TFSI S line S tronic	122PS	122	7-speed S tronic	£15,483.33	£18,580	£19,225
1.4TFSI S line S tronic	185PS	139	7-speed S tronic	£17,091.67	£20,510	£21,270

Diesel – S line
Engines	Power	CO₂ g/km	Transmission	Basic RRP	Total RRP	OTR Price
1.6TDI S line Manual	105PS	99	5-speed manual	£14,816.67	£17,780.00	£18,425

Source: Audi

November 21, 2011

2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder

2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder combines the convertible body style with rear-wheel-drive for ultimate fun.

“With the Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder, we are expanding the Lamborghini lineup with a purist model that adds yet another dimension of driving fun. This will appeal in particular to a very special group of customers that enjoy a spirited driving style and also like to experience the sheer pleasure of open-air driving,” commented Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

“This special model with rear-wheel drive is a logical expansion of our lineup of spyder models with all-wheel drive.”, he added.

The 2012 Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder is powered by a 5.2 liter V10 with 550PS (405 kW) and 540Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque, which means 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 319 km/h (198 mph). The soft-top of the Gallardo Spyder is designed for unlimited top-speed enjoyment both open and closed.

Thanks to systematic Lamborghini lightweight design and an extremely low dry weight of just 1 520 kg, phenomenal performance is guaranteed.

2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder

Source: Lamborghini

November 20, 2011

2012 Honda CR-V

Honda has introduced the new 2012 CR-V at the LA Motor Show. The new CR-V is compact on the outside and roomy inside. It represents an ideal balance for size and capability in the entry SUV segment by offering five seats, smooth and quite ride and even more innovative features than the previous model.

2012 Honda CR-V is powered by a 2.4 liter i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine with 188PS (138 kW) and 221Nm (163 lb-ft) of torque. It is mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox. The engine also offers best-in-class fuel economy – 22 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg on combined cycle – for AWD version.

The new CR-V standard equipment includes an Easy Fold-Down 60/40 Split Rear Seat, a Bluetooth HandsFreeLink phone interface, a full-color intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) and a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines.

As a first for Honda, every 2012 CR-V includes an SMS text messaging function, which can read received texts from compatible cell phones aloud over the audio system. Another first is the introduction of a Pandora Internet Radio interface3, compatible with the Apple iPhone, which works with the vehicle’s audio controls and i-MID.

There are three trim levels – LX, EX and EX-L. The standard safety equipment features an electronic stability control system; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist; side-curtain airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and a front seat design that can help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision.

2012 Honda CR-V will hit the US market on December 15.

Source: Honda

November 20, 2011

Hamann Hawk Mercedes SLS AMG White

Mercedes SLS AMG is one of the most staggering vehicles currently available on the market. It is not only superbly fast, but it carries the spirit of the legend – Gullwing. To further emphasize its character, Hamann now offers complete styling and performance packages.

The most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in the world – AMG’s 6.2 liter is boosted to 636PS (468 kW) and 680Nm (502 lb-ft) at 4850RPM. The results are thanks to a high-performance stainless steel sport exhaust system, a sports air filter and an ECU re-map, of course.

The performance is even brutal than the stock version – 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph).

The exterior of Hamann Hawk is really striking. It features complete aerodynamics package including front apron with larger air inlets and a new LED lights. There are also a new bonnet made of checkered flag carbon, new side skirts and a rear wing also made of checkered flag carbon.

The vehicle is widened with 60mm on each front side and 70mm on each rear side.

The new rear apron with the diffuser enhances the air flow under the bottom of the car and provides room for four enormous end pipes each measuring 90 mm in diameter.

Hamann Hawk stands on enormous “Unique Forged Anodized“ rims in dimensions 9J x 21” with tires 245/30 ZR 21 at the front and 12.5J x 21” with 345/25 ZR 21 tires at the rear axle.

The ride can be lowered by up to 30mm thanks to the coilover kit especially refined for the Hawk.

Finally, the interior boasts most delicate leather and ultra-suede, applications and embroideries replace the serial interior. HAMANN additionally adorns the air inlets, door sill protectors and centre console with checkered flag carbon. Black anodized aluminium pedals render a comfortable grip. The technical highlight of the new interior is the new steering wheel which has been ergonomically redesigned.

Source: Hamann

November 19, 2011

Category: Auto News