Auto News – Page 960 – Automobiles Review

Jaguar C-X16 [sketch]

Jaguar has published a sketch of the C-X16 production concept, which will make its official debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13.

The vehicle follows the nice lines of XJ,XF and XK, but it will be a precursor to future Jaguar sports cars that will aim to set new class benchmarks in design, vehicle dynamics and technology.

“Great Jaguars have always been beautiful, innovative and have looked firmly to the future. The finished C-X16 concept has the potential to do these things while retaining the ability to surprise, to excite and invigorate.”, saide Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar Cars.

“Jaguar has set in place bold, ambitious plans for the future. This production concept demonstrates the depth of design and engineering ability we have within Jaguar to make these plans come to life – I look forward to sharing this latest, exciting step at the Frankfurt Motor Show.”, Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar Cars finished.

Source: Jaguar

August 17, 2011

2012 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive vs. E-bike

2012 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive gives unique zero-emission driving pleasure. What is more, the small city car will soon be available worldwide and that’s not everything. The EV will come along with its new ebike. Great idea, in case you ran out of electricity, which happens very often with these vehicles.

The new ForTwo ED is powered by a 55kW (75PS) electric motor, which gives top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and 0 to 100 km/h in around 13 seconds. The Li-ion battery pack has a capacity of 17.6 kWh, which means a range of up to 140 km (87 miles) in the city. Still, we don’t believe that and you should get the bike, too.

“The smart fortwo has exceeded itself. It has always been a pioneer of urban mobility and with the new electric drive it is once again setting standards with even more driving fun and environmental compatibility,” said Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart.

“With the new generation the frequently cited “electric era” has finally arrived.”, she added.

2012 Smart ForTwo ED will make its official debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motorshow and will hit the market in the beginning of the next year. The interesting ebike will hit the market in 2012, too. Just in time to buy it with the electric Smart. As you may suggest, it is not an ordinary bike… it has a small 250 WATT electric motor mounted on the rear wheel with a 0.4 kW battery pack. So, if you can’t get to your destination with the electric Smart, you will eventually use electric bike and if this doesn’t work, too… Just go on foot!

The ebike is priced at €2 900.

2012 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive FrontSide

A comparison of the two smart fortwo electric drive generations

	Second generation	Third generation
Production volume	> 2000 vehicles	Five-figure production volume
Availability	18 markets	More than 30 markets
Output	20 kW constant 30 kW peak	35 kW constant 55 kW peak
Max. speed	100 km/h	> 120 km/h
Acceleration 0 – 60 km/h	6.5 s	5 s
Battery	Lithium-ion battery from Tesla	Lithium-ion battery from Deutsche ACCUmotive

Source: Mercedes-Benz

August 16, 2011

2012 Honda Fit

2012 Honda Fit comes with redesigned exterior, some interior upgrades and a lot of extras.

The exterior includes a new front bumper, a new grille, darkened headlights and an interesting finish for the alloy wheels, which replaces the normal paint finish.

The interior boasts dark metallic dashboard elements, new chrome accents and of course console-mounted center beverage holders, because this is “the most” important in the car.

2012 Fit is available with two new colors – Blue Raspberry Metallic and Orangeburst Metallic.

The engine is 1.5 liter i-Vtec with 117PS (86 kW) at 6600RPM and 143Nm (106 lb-ft) at 4800RPM. It returns 31 mpg on combined cycle, when is paired to automatic gearbox. The manual version has slightly lower result – 29 mpg.

2012 Honda Fit comes with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE), ABS (anti-lock brakes), dual-stage multiple-threshold front airbags, front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and side-curtain airbags.

The standard equipment includes air conditioning, cruise control, remote entry, a 160 Watt AM/FM/CD audio system with 4 speakers, a USB audio interface4, an AUX audio input jack, MP3/WMA playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS), power windows, power mirrors, power door locks and a security system.

2012 Fit Sport comes with alloy wheels, an underbody aero kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, illuminated steering wheel mounted audio controls and upgraded seat fabric.

Source: Honda

August 16, 2011

BMW X5/X6 Individual

BMW will offer even better options for the exclusive X5 and X6 models. The big vehicles can be ordered with new exterior colours and an expanded choice of light alloy wheels. Both models will be available as Exclusive Edition models.

Both will hit the market this fall as the BMW X5 xDrive30d will also be available with BMW BluePerformance technology meeting the EURO 6 regulations. It averages 7.4 liters per 100km and 195 g/km of CO2.

The latest additions to the range of optional equipment and the BMW Individual package will be introduced simultaneously for the BMW X5 and the BMW X6.

The BMW Individual interior trim sets distinctive new accents with its black patterned leather. BMW Individual extended Merino leather trim is also now available in Amaro Brown. For even more driving excitement, the BMW X5 Sport Package includes the new M leather steering wheel with integrated gearshift paddles.

Another additional option for the Exclusive Edition are new 20-inch light alloy wheels with Y spoke styling.

Stay tuned for more information and price list!

Source: BMW

August 16, 2011

Skoda Octavia vRS – 320 km/h on Bonneville

A super tuned version of Skoda Octavia vRS has crossed the 200 mph barrier at the Bonneville Speed Week (13-20). The car achieved an impressive 195.69 mph on its first run of the day and on the sixth, it made 202.15 mph.

Driven by journalist Richard Meaden, the Octavia had demonstrated its potential on Sunday (14 August) as it powered its way to 191 mph securing all four speed licenses required before heading to the magical 200 mph barrier.

“Months of rigorous planning, testing and preparation have all been worthwhile. At 13:24 on Monday 15th August, we took our Octavia vRS past the 200 mph barrier. The entire team has done an outstanding job. Our special thanks go to Richard on an incredible drive.”, commented Robert Hazelwood, Director for SKODA UK.

“This marks another exciting milestone in the brand’s motorsport achievements and is a great way to celebrate 10 years of the vRS range and commemorate 110 years of ŠKODA’s participation in motorsport.”, he added.

The engine is the same 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol TSI, but with enormous turbo from Garret. The result is 600PS at 28 PSI of boost pressure (almost 2 bars) with 120 RON high octane race control fuel with water methanol injection.

Source: Skoda

August 16, 2011

2012 Hyundai i20 Blue

Hyundai has announced its new superefficient 2012 i20 Blue. This is the second car in sub-100g/km CO₂ model range. After the i10 Blue, i20 Blue boasts 98g/km of CO2 and it is the lowest emitting vehicle in Hyundai UK’s product line-up.

The i20 Blue is based on the model with Comfort trim level powered by a 1.4 liter CRDi delivering 90PS. The model has several Blue Drive technologies including Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG), low rolling resistance tyres, rear suspension under cover and rear wheel deflector. The car achieves a 12% reduction in CO₂ emissions from 111g/km down to just 98g/km.

The engine meets EURO 5 regulations and achieves 76.4mpg on combined cycle. This is a 14% improvement on a combined cycle when compared to the i20 1.4 CRDi 90PS Style model.

Standard extras are 15” alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, electric heated and folding door mirrors, electric front and rear windows, steering wheel audio controls, USB and aux connections air conditioning and remote central locking.

2012 Hyundai i20 Blue is priced at £13 195 OTR.

Source: Hyundai

August 16, 2011

Senner Audi Q5

Senner Tuning has announced its tuning program for the Q5.

Senner Audi Q5 is finished in red and brown metallic. The vehicle also comes with a black NSW radiator grill, roof edging, rear bumper that is lacquered to match the colour of the car and gas exhaustion pipes in the left and in the right.

The performance is more than satisfying – 213PS (157 kW) and 445Nm (330 lb-ft) of torque from the 2.0 litre four-cylinder TDI engine. The results are thanks to a CAI, sport exhaust system and an ECU re-map. The stopping power is granted by Brembo brakes with 6-piston calipers up front with 380mm discs.

The vehicle stands on huge Corniche Monza rims in Polish variant Diamond Black. The dimensions are 10J x 22” and they are fitted with Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta SUV tires 265/35 R22.

The interior includes door hands, upholstery of the doors, console, control panel and the frame of the monitor produced by Ingelheim. Senner-Tuning logo is all over the carpets. The arm pad between the seats, the covering of speedometer, door hands and the steering wheel are decorated in leather with orange stitching.

Source: Senner Tuning

August 15, 2011

Lotus Exige Matte Black

Lotus will exhibit the Exige Matte Black Final Edition at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The car is developed specially for the US market and only 25 units will be produced.

Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition features matte black paint, extra equipment and Alcantara sport bucket seats.

It is powered by a 1.8 liter turbocharged petrol engine with 260PS (191 kW) and 236Nm (174 lb-ft) of torque at 6000RPM. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and as you may suggest the acceleration is just brutal – 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and to 160 km/h in 9.9 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Exige weighs just 890kg, so it is extremely fast not only in straight line, but in the corners, too.

Stay tuned for more information!

Source: Lotus

August 15, 2011

Project Kahn Range Rover Vesuvius Edition Sport 300

Project Kahn has released unique tuning package for Range Rover Sport. The project name is Vesuvius edition Sport 300 and it comes with staggering exterior.

Project Kahn Range Rover Vesuvius Edition Sport 300 boasts black metallic paint with orange roof, front hood, side skirts and front lip. The colours match perfectly to the orange optics as well as the rims of the big alloy wheels fitted with low profile performance tires.

The interior also has some orange trim. Range Rover is one of the most luxurious SUVs on the market, but Project Kahn manages to make it even better.

There are no words for performance tuning, but an ECU re-map will give some extra life to the mighty twin turbocharged engine.

Project Kahn Range Rover Vesuvius Edition Sport 300 FrontSide

Source: Project Kahn

August 15, 2011

Project Kahn Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wrangler received a new tuning package, but this time from Project Kahn. The tuning company puts some style and fashion on rough vehicles like this pure off-roader.

The upgrades include a targa roof, new headlights and side lights. The exterior is completed by big 18” or 20” rims in special design. So, the main character of the vehicle remains the same.

The interior boasts red dials and red quilted perforated leather. Project Kahn Wrangler is much cozier with the new upholstery.

Afzal Kahn, the owner of the tuning company also owns a Jeep Wrangler, so we understand his commitment to the expedition vehicle. He also said, that there will be some new vehicles in the next months, which will continue this range.

Stay tuned!

Source: Project Kahn

August 15, 2011

2012 KIA Picanto 3-door

KIA will hit the market with the new 2012 Picanto 3-door joining the line-up for the first time since the model appeared in 2004. The small city car will also come with several new trim levels, and CO2 emissions from 99g/km – VED and Congestion Charge exempt.

Still, both 5-door and 3-door versions are identical in order to ensure the same levels of interior space and crash safety. However, the new 3-door model boasts bigger grille, restyled front bumper with large black-bezelled foglamps with the two upper trim grades. The rear bumper has a rectangular black central section in place of body colour.

2012 Kia Picanto 3-door will be offered in four trim levels – 1, 1 Air, Halo and Equinox

The engine range includes brand-new 1.0-liter with 68BHP and 95Nm of torque. The bigger 1.25-litre has 84BHP and 121Nm of torque. The average fuel consumption is 60.1mpg. With a 4-speed automatic gerbox – 53.3mpg and the EcoDynamics version returns 65.7mpg.

All versions have electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) to apportion stopping effort to the wheels with most traction, and emergency brake assist system (BAS), ensuring maximum stopping power regardless of the pressure applied to the pedal by the driver.

2012 Kia Picanto 3-door goes on sale on September 1^st and it is priced at £7 795 OTR for the entry-level version.

Check out the price list, below!

Variant	Power (BHP)	Torque (lb-ft)	Combined mpg	Price OTR
1.0 ‘1′	68 at 6200RPM	70 at 3500RPM	67.3	£7 795
1.0 ‘1 Air’	68 at 6200RPM	70 at 3500RPM	67.3	£8 395
1.25 ‘Halo’ EcoDynamics	84 at 6000RPM	89 at 4000RPM	65.7	£11 695
1.25 ‘Halo’ Auto	84 at 6000RPM	89 at 4000RPM	53.3	£12 295
1.25 Equinox	84 at 6000RPM	89 at 4000RPM	60.1	£11 695

Source: KIA

August 15, 2011

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive. Jewellery spot.

BMW has released a nice video of the amazing Vision ConnectedDrive.

The vehicle concentrates on communication, infotainment and safety. It is a two-seater roadster with aggressive lines and a flat sporting and dynamic silhouette. There are some transparent surfaces providing a cool light show.

Vision ConnectedDrive resembles a Vision EfficientDynamics roadster and features a wide grille, huge air intakes, a frameless windscreen and a transparent area in the hood.

The interior is split into two main sections as the driver and passenger are separated by a flowing center console. The Passenger Information Display in the instrument panel can come to life with a single touch.

The Emotional Browser gives you the ability to easily filter the information to meet your requirements, to organise it and change the layout of the display. You will see that in the video.

Still, there is no official information about this beautiful car. We hope that it will go into production, because it deserves that.

Enjoy the video!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25uXyE8T6zU