Car Makes – Page 827 – Automobiles Review

2012 Geneva Motor Show: Peugeot GTi Concept

The GTi Concept was presented by Peugeot at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

The specially created vehicle features two chrome exhaust tips, complete aerodynamics package and some badges at the rear quarter panels.

The interior features some sport elements, too. There is a leather steering wheel, a lether gear knob and Nappa leather sporty seats. The instrument cluster features LED backlighting.

The GTi Concept is powered by a turbocharged 1.6 liter THP with 197PS (145 kW) and 275Nm (203 lb-ft). It is coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Other performance elements feature complete braking system and a revised suspension. Probably, Peugeot will put in production the GTi Concept as a top-of-range 208 model. We expect soon more information and full details about this performance hatchback.

Stay tuned!

Source: Peugeot

March 9, 2012

Vorsteiner V-MS Program for BMW 5 Series M-Tech

Vorsteiner is a company that spends a great deal of time focusing on designing wheels. And they are not looking bad at all. From time to time however, they tend to issue full-blown tuning programs complete with aerodynamic sets, wheels naturally and exhaust systems. Their latest one is called the V-MS Program and in order to eligible for it, you must posses a BMW 5 (F10) series that has the factory M Tech aero package.

The Vorsteiner provided aero bits are all from the company’s pre-peg carbon fiber line. That includes a specially designed front spoiler, a subtle trunk lid spoiler and a high-temperature resistant diffuser between the Vorsteiner F10 Sports Exhaust pipes. They on the other hand, offer a tiny power boost (+12hp and 2lb/ft of torque according to their dyno test) and also, they can sing pretty well, Formula 1 style. Rounding up the look, are the four 20 and 21-inch custom made forged wheels on which the car sits. They have been specifically made for the F10 with their 5-spoke star design matte black feel. Another thing finished (or not-finished) in matte black is the bodywork itself. I have to admit that, combined with the visible carbon aerodynamic elements, all looks astonishingly well. The only problem I have with this car are the taillights. They look like those “Shutter Shade” glasses people wear to look like Kanye West. If you are going to go subtle, go subtle – tint them or leave them as they are.

Source: Vorsteiner

March 9, 2012

2012 Geneva Motor Show: Audi A1 2.0 T Quattro

The special limited edition Audi A1 2.0 T Quattro has been exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show, this week. The car will be produced in limited series of just 333 examples worldwide. It features superb equipment, nice powerful turbocharged petrol engine, and exclusive exterior and interior.

A1 2.0 T Quattro has a four-cylinder 2.0 liter turbocharged petrol with 265PS (195 kW) at 6000RPM and 350Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque at 2500RPM. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 245 km/h (152 mph). The fuel consumption is great – 33.2 mpg on combined cycle.

The electronic stability program (ESP) also includes a sport mode which sets a higher threshold for intervention, and can be switched off entirely for track use.

The chassis is also modified to suit the dynamics of the drivetrain, and the multi-plate clutch has also been positioned on the rear axle in the interest of optimum weight distribution.

The exterior boasts Glacier White metallic paint with a high-gloss black roof. It also features 18” turbine alloy wheels, redesigned bumpers, grille, red painted ‘wings’ within the headlights, a large two-colour rear spoiler and two 100 mm polished exhaust tailpipes.

A1 Quattro also has tinted LED rear lights, tinted rear windows and a contrasting black colouring for the rear hatch and rear diffuser.

Source: Audi

March 9, 2012

2012 Geneva Motor Show: FAB Design McLaren MP4-12C

FAB Design has announced their latest tuning project based on the supercar McLanre MP4-12C. The name of the project is Terso and it is currently exhibited at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

The exterior boasts a new front fascia with intakes, modified rear bumper and a diffuser as well as a carbon fiber wing. The last touch is the roof-mounted scoop. The ride sits on 20” alloy wheels fitted with Dunlop SP SportMaxx performance tires.

The performance is also upgraded. The mighty twin-turbo 3.8 liter V8 develops 680PS (500 kW) and 715Nm (527 lb-ft), which is an overall increase of 80PS (59 kW) and 115Nm (85 lb-ft). 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds dead and a top speed of 213 mph (343 km/h).

Source: FAB Design

March 9, 2012

2012 Geneva Motor Show: Rolls-Royce Ghost Two-Tone

Next to the world debut of Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II, a very special Rolls-Royce Ghost has also been presented to the visitor of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. All admirers of the luxury brand were delighted by the presentation of one of the first examples of a two-tone Rolls-Royce Ghost. The exterior of the vehicle is finished in Infinity Black, with a Cassiopeia Silver upper two-tone. In addition the “Geneva Ghost” included an interior design scheme that perfectly reflects the two-tone theme. In details, seashell headlining and sumptuous black leather frame the black stained ash veneer into which steel pinstripes have been added. What makes the interior even more luxurious are the lambswool floor mats. The second upper two-tone Rolls-Royce Ghost, has striking colour scheme in Baynunah Brown, with Arizona Sun colour bathing the car’s bonnet, window surrounds, roof and luggage compartment. A gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy and double coach-line in gold completes the design.

Source: Rolls-Royce

March 9, 2012

2012 Toyota LandCruiser 200 with new 4.6 liter V8 engine

Toyota’s iconic vehicle LandCruiser is now equipped with the more powerful and more efficient 4.6 litre V8 petrol engine, which now features variable valve timing on both the inlet and exhaust ports, lifting power and torque, while at the same time enhancing fuel economy and lowering emissions. In addition, the new 2012 Toyota LandCruiser 200 family also gets updated equipment for its looks, performance and customer appeal. For instance, there is an off-road technology which now is improved with new multi-terrain anti-skid braking system that detects and automatically adapts to off-road conditions. It works in combination with the standard vehicle stability control and active traction control. Furthermore, the LandCruiser VX and Sahara, will receive Multi-Terrain Select. The system regulates wheel-spin in tough off-road conditions. Only in the Sahara model is featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor, using four wide-angle cameras for checking “blind” spots. Additional LandCruiser Sahara features are: air-conditioned front seats, upgraded navigation system, power-operated tailgate, and three-position memory for the power driver’s seat, steering wheel and exterior mirrors. All models will include refreshed exterior and interior.

Another highlight is that the LandCruiser’s new V8 petrol engine is fitted with an acoustic control induction system. It serves in terms of improving performance at high engine speeds. Interestingly, is that the engine capacity is reduced by 56cm³ to 4608cm³, but yet the power is increases by 12.9 per cent to 228kW (310 hp) at 5500rpm and torque by 7.1 per cent to 439Nm (324 lb-ft) at 3500rpm. Moreover, the new single-pump air injection system speeds the warming of the catalysts by inducting air through the exhaust ports. More importantly here probably is that the fuel economy is significantly reduced to 13.6 litres/100km, while the CO2 emissions are down to 313 grams/km.

In details, the new engine has a six-speed automatic transmission. It has artificial intelligence control, which allows its computers to select the appropriate gear ratio by estimating road conditions. LandCruiser 200 GXL, VX and Sahara customers have the option to choose between the new petrol engine and Toyota’s 195kW (265 hp) 650Nm (480 lb-ft) 4.5-litre V8 twin-turbo common-rail diesel engine. In addition, the GX version is offered with the diesel engine. All variants have 138-litre fuel-tank capacity with 93-litre main and 45-litre sub tanks. The range now is offered in nine exterior colours and three interior trim colours.

Source: Toyota

March 9, 2012

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Spring Drive

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Spring Drive will feature new entry-level engines, which will deliver even more driving fun with in combination with low fuel consumption. The new version is released of course – just in time for the spring, and will include expanded range of engines: 105 PS (77 kW) diesel engine (TDI) and a 160 PS (118 kW) (TSI) petrol engine. As the brand promises, the new engines are fuel efficient and agile downsized with small displacement, direct injection and charging. All this results in the fact that the 1.6 TDI Beetle needs only 4.5 l/100 km (equivalent to 119 g/km CO2) and to achieve the highest speed of 180 km/h. Fully fuelled (55 liters), the Beetle thus has a theoretical driving range of 1,222 km. On the other hand, with the 1.2 TSI (77 kW / 105 PS), petrol direct-injection engine has a performance data: 5.9 l/100 km or 137 g/km CO2. All this matched to 180 km/h top speed. However, the top engine is currently a 2.0-litre TSI with 147 kW / 200 PS, which has a fuel consumption of 7.7 l/100 km (equivalent to 179 g/km CO2). It accelerates the Beetle to 223 km/h. The vehicle of course, still delivers its well-known suitability for day-to-day use as a full-fledged 4-seater. In addition, to this we have to highlight its high quality and safety standards with a solid basic equipment, which are also included on board, and in fact were always inherent features of the Beetle.

The price of 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Spring Drive 1.2 TSI with 105 PS starts at 16 950 euros.

Source: Volkswagen

March 9, 2012

2012 Audi A3

The five-door 2012 Audi A3 includes a design which expresses sporty elegance. The xenon plus headlights are combined with LED daytime running lights. The single-frame grille element and the trims on the B-posts are painted in high-gloss black and the lower air inlets have chrome struts. The same sporty elegance can be seen as well in the interior. The instruments are coloured gray, and a flat-bottomed, leather sport steering wheel is available to, however as an option. In addition, the air vents are framed in black rings while the navigation system sports a high-gloss bezel. The vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission. In addition, a gear-change indicator in the driver information system complements the operating concept. The front-wheel drive A3 Sportback offers impressive luggage capacity that varies between 370 and 1,100 liters (13.07 and 38.85 cu ft).

More importantly, the engine lineup features range of eight powerplants – four gasoline and four diesel units. Of course, all are turbocharged four-cylinder units with direct injection and badged as TFSI and TDI. Audi has included the start-stop system as well; it works together with both the manual and the S tronic automatic transmissions. First, the entry-level gasoline engine is the 1.2 TFSI uses a substitution of turbocharging for displacement. The four-cylinder unit develops 77 kW (105 hp) and a hefty 175 Nm of torque (129.07 lb-ft) from its small displacement of 1,197 cc. However, when combined with the S tronic gives just 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (44.38 US mpg). Next, the most powerful gasoline engine is the 2.0 TFSI with whole 147 kW (200 hp). Furthermore, the diesel range extends from the 1.6 TDI which develops 66 kW (90 hp) to the 2.0 TDI with an output of 125 kW (170 hp). If you wonder which is the most efficient engine in the range, well it is the 1.6-liter TDI which delivers the 77 kW (105 hp). The most fuel-efficient version of the A3 Sportback consumes on average just 3.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (60.31 US mpg).

2012 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI S line Front Angle

Engine lineup: 1.2 TFSI with 77 kW (105 hp); 1.4 TFSI with 92 kW (125 hp); 1.8 TFSI and 1.8 TFSI quattro with 118 kW (160 hp); 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI quattro with 147 kW (200 hp); 1.6 TDI with 66 kW (90 hp); 1.6 TDI with 77 kW (105 hp); 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TDI quattro with 103 kW (140 hp); 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TDI quattro with 125 kW (170 hp).

The diversity can also be found in the transmission lineup. Most engine versions in the A3 model series are paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Nonetheless, Audi offers many of the engines with the S tronic. In addition, depending on engine version, the dual-clutch transmission has six or seven speeds. At last, the seven-speed version uses dry clutches.

The chassis of the new 2012 Audi A3 expresses the sporty character of the car and yet supreme safety and a high level of comfort. It includes four-link rear suspension, which handles longitudinal and transverse forces independently. In front-wheel drive models, there is featured electronic stabilization program (ESP), which integrates an electronic differential lock. A conventional sport suspension and the taut S line sport suspension from quattro GmbH are also available.

An extensive range of high-end options include the adaptive light dynamic cornering light system for the xenon plus headlights, the high-beam assistant and the navigation system plus with MMI operating logic. In addition, there is also featured the park assist system.

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2012 Audi A3 TDI Clean Diesel Front Angle

Source: Audi

March 9, 2012

Carrozzeria Touring Disco Volante 2012 at Geneva

That gorgeous looking thing, adorning the halls of the Geneva Motor Show hides an Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione engine inside. It even has an 8C chassis. And despite that it has all the necessary looks to be an Alfa, it isn’t. Say hello to the Carrozzeria Touring Disco Volante 2012 – a tribute to the 1900 C52 Alfa Romeo concept from the fifties. It too was made with the help of the same company and now it’s back in a different form. Carrozzeria Touring was (and still is) all about lightness and agility – “supperleggera”. The C52 had a spectacular tubular chassis, an aluminum crankcase and bits and pieces from the Alfa 1900 C. It was a car that set a new benchmark in aerodynamics. It was a pretty car, a flying saucer.

The 2012 Disco Volante bares all that DNA. A whole-piece hood veils the wheel wells. It still has the overall slippery teardrop shape and a silver waistline that would make any maxi model green with envy. You get the sense that it has been thoroughly contemplated and discussed on paper before being commissioned. Creating one of these 2012 saucers requires 4000 hours of labor. The aluminum panels on it are hand-beaten as a part of a company tradition. Many details and components are also hand-built making the car extremely exclusive. Just a few will be made and given to those who need it most – collectors, sporting drivers and design aficionados.

Of course, underneath it is essentially an Alfa 8C which means that the double wishbone suspension keeps the Disco Volante (the flying saucer) fairly planted on the road. It also means that when you peal away that monoblock hood you’ll see a 4.7 V8 that sends 450 PS and 470 Nm of torque through a 6-speed paddle shift gearbox and a limited slip differential. Luckily the brakes are also from the current century and do a pretty good job stopping the perfectly weight distributed Disco Volante 2012.

Let’s just hope you are ready to empty your pockets superleggera style if you want it. The Alfa 8C is expensive enough. Adding a fur coat on the bill, won’t come lightly. But what a car it is!

Source: Carozzerria Touring Superleggera

March 9, 2012

Carlsson smart ForTwo at Geneva 2012

What is there to tune on a smart ForTwo? It’s 2.70 meters long. There are mufflers longer than that. Well, Carlsson beg to differ. At this moment, in Geneva somewhere on a tiny stand sits this thing – the Carlsson ForTwo Coupe. It excels in aerodynamics (apparently), it benefits from a power boost, it sits on some neat wheels, the interior is refreshed and mainly, it’s black and orange.

It’s amazing how much you can do with so little… on something little: The 84 PS smart 1.0 liter, 3-cylinder engine now has a sports air-filter an ECU tweak that rises the bar to 112 PS. Torque is also up by 38 Nm totalling at 158 which are readily available as early as 2000 rpm. 0 to 60 mph takes 9.9 seconds while top speed is 96 mph.

Looking from behind, we see four oval tailpipes shaping the end of a flow-optimised Carlsson resonator that will send unsuspecting onlookers in shock. The rear bumper accommodates them perfectly while a Carlsson front spoiler houses LED daytime running lights. The suspension at the front is lowered by 15 mm while the back – 30mm. 6.5 and 7.5 17-inch Carlsson light alloy wheels finish the look.

Inside a feast of quilted nappa leather awaits you to rest your head on the Carlsson marked headrests. The same goes for the steering wheel, dashboard, glove box, gearstick and door panels. The hand brake is from aluminum and a set of Carlsson floor mats a boot mat in soft velour with Carlsson logo and high-quality aluminium pedal covers round out the interior refinement.

Source: Carlsson

March 9, 2012

2012 Geneva Motor Show: ABT Volkswagen up!

Another tuned vehicle by Abt sportsline has been exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show. It is the ABT up!, which gained a lot of interesting goodies.

The exterior received carbon-look stripes with aggressive red ones across the entire surface. The mix of retro and modern age is really successful. Window frames and side skirts are the “common thread” leading straight to the strong back of the ABT up!, where rear masks, an exhaust pipe tunnel and the sporty double exhaust pipe form a unit. There are also mirror caps or red hub covers with ABT logo.

VW ABT Up! benefits from a new suspension springs bringing the ride lower to the ground.

The tuning package brings better styling for the smallest Volkswagen and makes it a lot better looking.

However, price list or performance packages are not present up to date. Stay tuned!

Source: ABT

March 8, 2012

2012 Geneva Motor Show: ABT Volkswagen Beetle

Abt sportsline has unveiled the tuned 2012 Beetle at the 82^nd Geneva Motor Show.

The exterior package includes a new front bumper, a rear diffuser with oval exhaust pipes and a pair of side skirts. There are also headlight brows and some nice graphics. The car is lowered by a set of sport springs. It stands on Abt DR wheels fitted with low profile tires.

The tuning specialists have developed five performance packages for the “bug” – 1.2 TSI with 140PS (103 kW), 1.4TSI with 210PS (154 kW) and the mighty 2.0TFSI is delivering 240PS (176 kW). The diesel range features 1.6 TDI receiving additional 20PS (15 kW) and the bigger 2.0TDI will have 170PS (125 kW).

Actuall, the ABT Beetle looks much better than, it was originally planned. The headlight brows give more aggressive look and the stripes complete the stunning exterior.

Source: ABT

March 8, 2012

Category: Car Makes