Car Makes – Page 837 – Automobiles Review

2012 Citroen DS4 Racing Concept

Since the launch of the DS4 model line-up, Citroen has achieved great success by selling over 180 000 examples of it worldwide. At the Geneva Motor Show which will take place in the beginning of March, Citroen will reveal for the first time a new model of the DS4, namely – the 2012 DS4 Racing Concept.

The concept vehicle features “100% Racing” attributes. For instance, the chassis is 35 mm lower than the regular model and track is 55 mm wider at the front and 75 mm wider at the back. Additional elements are the air diffuser, a front bumper panel, a lower-body belt line and wing extensions, which give the car even sportier look.

Citroen Racing has tweaked the 1.6-litre turbo engine to develop 256 bhp (188 kW), or 160 bhp per litre – a record for a series-production car. This exciting performance comes hand in hand with controlled CO2 emissions of 155 g/km. Furthermore, other modifications and redevelopments have been made on the running gear with the utmost precision.

The concept car is equipped with four-pot, fixed calliper brakes at the front, with special discs widened to 380 mm in diameter, and shod with larger, 19-inch wheels (235/40). Another unique feature of the Citroen DS4 Racing Concept is its matte grey, textured-effect paint, which by the way is the first of the sort in the automotive sector.

What is so specific about it is that the grain of the paint catches the light differently and further enhances the body styling, while the color stays modern and robust – in other words: ideally suited to a sports vehicle. At last, to refine the exterior outlook, the concept car gets a two-tone roof and specially-designed, two-tone wheel rims.

Source: Citroen

February 24, 2012

Abarth at 2012 Geneva Motor Show

Abarth brand at the Geneva Motor Show is going to have spectacular presence! There will be presented some of the highly anticipated models by the brand. The all new Abarth 695 Assetto Corse is a small super-sports car designed for racing on the track, which will make its world debut at the show. In addition, the new model Abarth Punto Scorpione will also make a debut. This is a Limited Edition and is dedicated to all those who love high speed and performance. Another milestone on the “road to performance” is the new Abarth 595 which actually is a remake of the popular 595 model that Karl Abarth presented in 1963. It now carries enhanced performance features of a “basic” car, offering a power upgrade to 160 HP (118 kW) as standard. The new Abarth 595 is going to be offered in two variations: “Competizione” and “Turismo”.

First of all Abarth 695 Assetto Corse is designed for track racing and depicts the continuity of the historic 695 brand that came into being in 2009 with the 695 Tributo Ferrari. The car also appears to be a continuation of the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse. Furthermore the 695 Assetto Corse is characterised by an aggressive front decorated with a badge bearing the Abarth logo and, underneath, a broader bumper complete with aerodynamic spoiler and screen-printed grilles instead of the plastic masks of the standard version. Under the bonnet there is a 1368 cm3 turbocharged engine that delivers 205 HP (151 kW). The rear of the car features a winged spoiler, a badge bearing the Abarth logo and a twin exhaust pipe. The 695 model sits on 17″ light forged racing wheels, enriched with new floating, perforated and self-ventilated front disc brakes and perforated rear disc brakes. More importantly, there is included the Sadev sequential gearbox with a specific ratio that when combined with a metal-ceramic twin plate clutch reaches absolutely top performance in its category.The interior of the car contains all of the safety equipment required by FIA regulations, including a roll-bar welded to the body that has been further optimised to improve its torsional stiffness.

Abarth 695 Assetto Corsa — Abarth 695 Assetto Corse

The next Abarth which will be on display in Geneva is the new Punto Scorpione, which expresses the Abarth Punto’s sporting characteristics. The Limited Edition Scorpione is intended for a more mature audience that wishes to express their sporting spirit more discreetly and elegantly, but with no intention to settle for less. Only 199 examples of the model are producesed. The exterior is distinguished by a ton-sur-ton livery where the Scorpione Black of the body becomes matt on the bonnet and roof. The glossy black “passband” element stands out on the latter, with a hand-polishing treatment carried out at Abarth&C. itself, with a view to ensuring customisation with genuine craftsmanship. Moreover, it is equipped with a 1.4 MultiAir engine boosted to 180 HP (132 kW) at 5750 rpm and with a maximum torque of 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) at 2500 rpm, the Abarth Punto Scorpione reaches a top speed of more than 216 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds. The car has glossy black 18″ alloy wheels and front and rear Koni shock absorbers with FSD (Frequency Selective Dumping) valve and specially lowered springs. The exhaust pipe, oversized in the central section, is taken from the now famous “Esseesse” kit. The interior of the special Abarth Punto Scorpione features “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” black technical fabric seats, with red and yellow stitching and matt black backrest, type-approved and lightened in keeping with the car’s sporting spirit.

Next the attention will be put on the two new models featured in the Abarth 500 Range: “Turismo” and “Competizione”. In both customisation options, the car is fitted with a 1.4 Turbo T-Jet engine whose power has been increased to a good 160 HP (118 kW) thanks to the standard engine tuning kit. The car has 4-cylinder 16-valve 1,368 cm3 engine (with fixed geometry IHI turbocharger), which delivers thrilling torque of 230 Nm (170 kW) at 3000 rpm in Sport mode, top speed of 211 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.4 seconds. These results are due to the overboost function, activated using the “Sport” button, which modulates control unit mapping and turbo pressure, in addition to load on the steering wheel. Yet this trademark Abarth performance accompanies fuel consumption: 6.5 l/100 km in the combined cycle. Furthermore, in the both models is included the TTC (Torque Transfer Control) device as standard, which by enhancing the transfer of drive torque to the wheels, improves the car’s road holding without compromising fun at the wheel. The vehicled is equipped as standard with Xenon headlights with dipped and driving light functions for improved light emission and excellent performance in all weather conditions. These devices deliver three times the light intensity and duration of standard halogen-lamp headlights. The “Turismo” model sits on magnesium-coloured 17″ alloy wheels with GranTurismo-inspired design, which contributes to the car’s elegance. It also comes with electrically operated manual Abarth Competizione gearbox with controls on the steering wheel as standard. The second model “Competizione”, is dedicated to more extreme sports enthusiasts, to the true “racing purists”, and for this reason it has 5-speed manual gearbox which improves personal driving style through a more direct relationship with the car. This version sits on 17″ titanium-coloured alloy wheels, with yellow Brembo brake calipers. As for the “Turismo” version, side and tailgate respectively are enhanced by the 595 and 595 “Competizione” logo, both in aluminium, just as the front bumper grille and extractor are titanium grey. How about the interior: they also have sporty and aggressive personality, thanks to the “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” leather and leather-coloured Alcantara seats, bearing the 595 logo embroidered on the integrated headrest. At last, the gear lever knob, sill plate, pedal unit and aluminium kick plate are all decorated with the Abarth motifs. The complete style of the cars is finished with matt titanium side stripes, which also feature on the mirror covers.

Source: Abarth

February 24, 2012

Volvo develops smart charging concept for electric cars [VIDEO]

Volvo Car Corporation takes important part in the development of the new concept concerning electric cars. The main focus is on connectivity technology and also includes smart features for charging of electric vehicles. Volvo is one of the partners in the research project ELVIIS which stands for Electric Vehicle Intelligent Infra Structure. This intelligent infra structure develops a smart on-board concept for controlling, measuring and paying for electricity when charging via any outlet. The ELVIIS project is a product of the collaboration of Volvo Car Corporation, Ericsson, the utility company Göteborg Energi and the Viktoria Institute. The goal of this creative project is to bring mobile connectivity to electric cars. More importantly, it aims to identify and remove barriers for using electrical vehicles in daily life.

To get into the details, first the driver chooses to charge the battery pack via any ordinary power outlet. Secondly, the outlet is identified via GPS. Next, the driver pre-sets timing and charging amount on the touch screen or remotely via a smart phone or tablet. With the help of a mobile network, the car communicates with the grid and sets the charging scheme in order to support optimal utilisation of the grid and most favourable energy price. Any unintended interruption of charging process is directly reported to the driver’s mobile phone. In addition to this, the system directs the cost for each charge to the car owner’s personal utility bill.

2012 Volvo C30 Electric Used with the Smart Charging Concept

As an experimental car for the project, the partners used 2012 Volvo C30 Electric. It was equipped with an integrated 7-inch colour touch screen, which made possible the smooth charging concept available at the driver’s fingertip. Five Volvo C30 Electric cars will further be used for testing and evaluating the technology during a year. Moreover, the concept is developed on a generic communication platform with the aim to make the technology globally applicable. At last, important fact is that the ELVIIS technology is fully in line with Volvo Car Corporation’s development of Sensus technology. In this way the driver will undeniably feel totally in control and totally connected.

Source: Volvo

February 24, 2012

Bentley Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification

You know the Bentley Mulsanne, right? It has been the flagship Bentley for quite a while and now we have a fresh new version. It’s called the Mulliner Driving Specification and is here to keep the things afloat. Well… it will be here actually: the debut is set for the 82^nd Geneva Motor Show.

Highlighting the spec, are four 21-inch, light aluminum alloy wheels bolted in place with titanium fasteners. The overall finish on them comes in two forms: painted or polished. Together with the 265/40 ZR21 tires, the wheels grant the Bentley an agile and dynamic stance on the road.

There are also other smallish design touches such as the wing vents that take the shape of the emblematic “Flying B” symbol. There’s also an inscription on them that reads “Mulliner”. A whole new perforation process has been developed to make the inside of the car look like a diamond patterned sofa. The gear lever holds baseball-like lather stitches on its side. There’s a grippy, ‘coined’ surface on the metal interior door handles while the pedals are made of drilled alloy only. While the upper surface of the door sills is busy reading “Mulsanne”, their sides are available to display Mulliner treadplate plaques that seal this particular Bentley as a Driving Specification.

In spite of the old-school air vent pull knobs, there is a ‘sport’ setting on the rotary switch mounted next to the gearshift selector. It is a tiny reminder that this is not a 19^th glassware cabinet but a state of the art performance saloon. We have a 505 bhp, 6.75 liter V8 monstrosity under the hood which is good for a 5.1 second 60mph sprint run and a top speed of 184 mph. That power needs management and that’s why we also have a Drive Dynamics Control system which operates the suspension and steering. Now with a ‘sport’ mode on, the Mulsanne can take bends at high-speeds without breaking your back.

Partly irrelevant to the Mulliner Driving Spec. will be the addition of bottle cooler and sunroof options within the whole Mulsanne line. The cooler is integrated into the back seats and has space for two full-sized champagne bottles in upright position. It also comes with three hand-blown champagne flutes made exclusively for Bentley by the designer David Redman. All can be cleverly concealed when not in use.

Should you ever feel claustrophobic in a Mulsanne, which is unlikely, you can opt for the tilt-opening, tinted glass sunroof. It floods the cabin with light and gives an extra dimension of space, providing additional ventilation while avoiding the security risk of open windows.

Bentley Musanne Mulliner Driving Specification (2012)

Source: Bentley

February 23, 2012

New Morgan Roadster 3.7

Morgans have always been about the nostalgic spirit of classical roadsters and coupes. That is why almost all of the current Morgan cars look like as if they have been stolen from a collector’s garage. They are for people who would love to take a ride around the country side in a real time machine. No, really, they can go fast enough to throw you back to the past because underneath the hood one won’t find a grandfather’s clock but a masterful modern engine. The Morgan Roadster is no exception from that rule – techy performance concealed in an old-school shell.

Power comes from a Ford 3.7 Cyclone V6 engine that develops 280 hp at 6000rpm and 352 Nm of torque. A Ford six speed manual gearbox on the other hand, crunches those numbers into sheer force on the tarmac. Keeping in mind that this car weights only 950 kg, the engine propels it to 60mph from a stand still in just 5.5 seconds. Mighty brisk! That is why the suspension is also clever enough to keep the car on the road – there’s a limited slip differential with cone drive for that extra grip and sideways buffoonery.

Inside, leather welcomes you to strap yourself in and enjoy the dashboard blend of digital and analogue dials – a surreal combination of both worlds. Most of the instruments are framed in woods which is just an example of how exotic this car really is. The convertible roof, although not automatic, is easy to install and creates a warm and private atmosphere.

Source: Morgan

February 23, 2012

Subaru BRZ in the UK

Subaru-BRZ-thumb In the UK, the Subaru BRZ will be equipped with a generous array of standard features. The company is pleased to know that on the island interest is brewing. The sole example of that is the fact that people there are preordering already, without even knowing the spec prices.

It is clear now however, that the top of the line BRZ‘s will come with 17-inch alloy wheels, a torque-sensing LSD, front, side, curtain and knee airbags, MP3 connectivity, dual-zone climate control and LED daytime running lights. The driver-focussed BRZ will also come with Subaru’s VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) that can be adapted to work with either a six-speed short-shift manual or a paddle-operated automatic transmission.

A lower-spec car will also become available later this year followed by an even more modest, stripped out version dedicated to those who would like to customize it in their own likes. It will also be ideal for track-day enthusiasts.

Six eye-catching colors will be available for the BRZ – Subaru’s trademark WR Blue Mica, Sterling Silver, Satin White, Crystal Black Silica, Dark Grey Metallic and San Remo Red.

The car is notable for its tremendous low gravity center courtesy to the 200PS 2.0-litre Boxer engine that sits well under the hood. Power-to-weight ratio is said to be 164PS per tonne which makes it powerful indeed but with the lightweight materials used in making it, the BRZ will also handle brilliantly.

Here is a quick list of the top-of-the line UK spec:

17-inch alloy wheels	USB and iPod connectivity
Torque-sensing LSD (Limited Slip Differential)	HID headlamps
VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and ABS	Front fog lamps
Front, side, curtain and knee airbags	LED daytime running lights
Cruise control system	Body-coloured, electric-folding, head door mirrors
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system	Leather seats
Radio CD player with six-speaker system	Heated front seats
Key-less entry with Push Button Start system	Leather steering wheel and gear knob

Source: Subaru

February 23, 2012

Mercedes-Benz iPhone on wheels – A-Class interior [pictures]

Mercedes-Benz will fully integrate Apple iPhone into their vehicles. This means that Mercedes-Benz is now able to offer the Facebook generation its natural home on four wheels, in the form of the new A-Class. Along with Facebook, Twitter and so on, the “Digital DriveStyle App” developed by Daimler offers further services and content to suit the digital lifestyle and will be available to download free of charge from the Apple iTunes store. Its highlights include:

Personalised internet radio by AUPEO! Personal Radio, which offers radio stations that compile an individual program for listeners and recommend similar music by genre or artists based on personal taste.
The advanced navigation software from Garmin, with internet-based real-time traffic information, online POI searches and 3D map display, all of which work even in combination with the entry-level multimedia system Audio 20
A socially interactive experience involving “sharing”, “posting” and the integration of music and other content from social networks including text-to-speech.
An intuitive ‘Car Finder’ which automatically stores the vehicle’s location. Pedestrian navigation makes it completely easy to find your way back to the car.
Access to the voice-based intelligent companion Siri™.

The manufacturer has also released two official images of the interior of the new A-Class. The smallest Mercedes will have in its engine range five petrol and four diesel engines with power from 109PS (80 kW) to 204PS (155 kW). There will be also an AMG version of the new A-Class with a turbocharged 2.0 liter petrol delivering 355PS (261 kW). It is aimed to compete against the masterpiece – BMW 1-Series ///M.

Full iPhone integration is not only possible in conjunction with the COMAND Online multimedia system. All functions, including navigation, can also be used even with the entry-level Audio 20 system. Mercedes-Benz is thus making it possible for the A-Class’s younger target group in particular to continue their digital lifestyle seamlessly inside the vehicle. Both the “Digital DriveStyle App” and the “Drive Kit Plus for the Apple iPhone” will be making their debut in the new A-Class. 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show, next month.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

February 23, 2012

AC Schnitzer BMW 3-Series F30

The official tuning company of BMW – AC Schnitzer has revealed some small pictures of the new updated 3-Series F30. The AC Schnitzer F30 will make its official debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, next month. Until then, you can check the images below to get some information about it.

The exterior is slightly touched with adding new front and rear skirts and sets of different wheels in dimensions from 18” to 20” fitted with proper tires. There is no information about the interior, but the owners won’t be disappointed. A set of aluminum ACS pedals are planned as well as ACS floor mats and sports steering wheel and knob.

Performance packages will be available for the new turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. The new 28i is expected to develop more than 300PS with just an ECU re-map and sports exhaust system. The twin-turbocharged 2.0 liter four-cylinder petrol now delivers 245PS (180 kW) and 350Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque.

Stay tuned for more pictures and information about the ACS F30.

Source: AC Schnitzer

February 23, 2012

SR Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

The new project developed from the tuners SR Auto Group is the astonishing SR Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. It is all painted with matte black, thus making it look far greater and empowering. The color is one the best ones which any sport car can have today. This unique shade gives even sportier stance and when one sees its mate black body one will turn their head twice for sure!

This project has been done with the collaboration of SR Auto Group with Inspired Autosport – well known tuners from Toronto. This is their latest joint project features – the brand new matte SR Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe, which by the way can speak for itself. A night shadow theme encompasses the exterior and allows the crimson red of the calipers to shine through the twenty inch Niche wheels.

SR Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Source: SR Auto Group

February 23, 2012

2012 Morgan Aero Coupe

The new 2012 Morgan Aero Coupe is an advanced supercar, which has been especially designed for long distance driving. The inspiration for this strong and rigid vehicle came from the Morgan GT3 Aero which has already won number of racings. The cockpit of the new Coupe delivers high levels of comfort with a large and secure boot in the rear for luggage. The body of the vehicle has been constructed entirely from aluminium which makes it really light weight. Hence the new Morgan Aero Coupe is constructed with environmental responsibility and a high level of safety. The roof is fixed and combined with the enclosed cabin, gives greater sense of security and silence. A stiff aluminium chassis cradles the 4.8 litre BMW V8 engine and the 6 speed manual or automatic transmission. The individual alloy parts are formed from tooling and hand assembled by skilled craftsmen at the foot of the Malvern hills.

The Morgan Aero Coupe is undoubtedly a car that is designed to bring everlasting class and style. It has proven chemical coating and treatments of the rigid bonded chassis and body. In addition the design of this platform has been consistently enhanced and re-engineered. Therefore, all this lead to the present moment, where the Morgan Motor Company is a class leader in this chassis and car body technology.

The cockpit of the model is inspiring and comforting. The sensation of speed is emphasized by the enticing view down the elegant bonnet. The view to the rear makes the car easy to maneuver and to park. A lot of attention has been put on the details too. For instance, the ash hardwood, which surrounds the cockpit and doors, can be hand polished in a color of customers’ choice. Furthermore, the controls are luxurious to touch and the leather work is stitched with twin needles and combined with suede effect panels for contrast and a dynamic sporty feel. Pressure point reclining seats support the passengers. Reliability is ensured with the BMW V8 and the mounted to it six speed automatic transmission. To go into details, it can be operated in two modes: “Sport” and “Auto”. In the first mode the engine holds its gear to

6500rpm and “blips” the throttle before making a down shift. The power to weight ratio is around 320bhp (235 kW) per tonne and a 0-62mph (0-100 km/h) of 4.5 seconds combined with a top speed of 170mph is effortlessly achievable. At last the new 2012 Morgan Aero Coupe comes with a full specification as standard. Nevertheless, the vehicle can also be further customized to the customers’ individual taste.

Specifications:

Manual Transmission:

Engine 4799 cc v8; Max power 270kw (367 bhp) or 291kw (390bhp) with sports exhaust; max torque 490nm (370 lb/ft); power to weight 311 bhp/tonne or 330bhp/tonne with sports exhaust; performance 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds; top speed 170 mph/273 kph; fuel tank size 55 litres; fuel consumption: Urban – 16 mpg (18.2l / 100km), Extra urban – 32 mpg (8.7l / 100km); combined: 23 mpg (12.11l / 100km); CO2 level – 282 g/km; chassis aluminium bonded and riveted; dimensions: Length – 4147mm; Width – 1751mm; Height – 1248mm; dry weight – 1175kg

Automatic Transmission:

Engine 4799 cc v8; max power 270kw (368 bhp) 291kw (390bhp) with sports exhaust;m pwer to weight 312 bhp / tonne; max torque 490nm (370 lb/ft); performance 0-62 mph (0 – 100 kmh) in 4.2 seconds; top speed 170mph/273 kph; fuel tank size 55 litres; fuel consumption: Urban – 17 mpg (16.4l / 100km); Extra urban – 36 mpg (7.9l / 100km); Combined – 26 mpg (11.0l / 100km); CO2 level – 256 g/km; chassis aluminium bonded and riveted; dimensions: Length – 4147mm; Width – 1751mm; Height – 1248mm; Dry weight – 1180kg.

Source: Morgan

February 23, 2012

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with improved performance

The new 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will be delivered at dealerships in the spring. More importantly it will come with improved performance because of the new mounted automatic transmission with the latest General Motors’ improved TapShift technology. Since its introduction, TapShift has allowed drivers to control up- and down-shifts with paddle shifters. Now, GM powertrain engineers made a patent-pending software algorithm which enhances tap response time by up to 60 percent in comparison to the previous system! No hardware changes were required for the upgrade. This upgrade results in the acceleration time of the new 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1’s six-speed automatic transmission, which now for 0-60 mph is 3.9 seconds. This is a tenth of a second faster than the manual transmission time. In details, by staging hydraulic pressure in the clutch for the next gear, the new control module algorithm reduces tap delay for the 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5 up-shifts by 200-300 milliseconds. The TapShift system waits for shift requests based on current gear, throttle, torque and speed. By pre-filling the clutch for the next gear, the tap up-shift response is almost momentary. This makes the new Camaro the most powerful production of the model ever, which gets the fullest potential out of the supercharged 6.2L engine that is SAE-rated at 580 horsepower (432 kW) and 556 lb.-ft. of torque (754 Nm).

Customers of the new ZL1 have the choice between an automatic 6L90 transmission with TapShift manual mode and a six-speed manual transmission, both unmatched in their class. With 0 to 60 taking 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 184 mph (296 km/h), the power and acceleration of the ZL1 automatic outstrip many other supercars. The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe will go on sale this spring.

Source: Chevrolet

February 23, 2012

2013 Hyundai i30 Wagon

Just few days before the awaited 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the New Generation 2012 Hyundai i30 Wagon has been previewed in the web. The vehicle is going to make its world debut at the aforementioned show. This is the second member of the New Generation i30 family, next to the joins the five-door hatchback. In addition, the classy wagon will also share the engines and the running gear with the well-received New Generation i30 five-door. However, it has a longer body which opens significant increase in trunk space without compromising the model’s dynamic styling. To be more precise, the i30 wagon’s overall length is increased by 185 mm to its five-door sibling, and 10 mm longer than the original i30 wagon. Moreover, the wagon is expanded in trunk space from 378-litres to best-in-class 528-litres. Additionally, when the passenger seats are folded down, the cargo volume increases more than three times: up to 1642-litres.

Furthermore, the front of the new model can be easily distinguished by Hyundai’s hexagon-shaped grille and jewel-like headlamps. The roofline is extended rearwards over the flexible passenger/cargo area. This adds more dynamism to the car’s stance and keeps up with the fluidic sculpture ethos of a stationary car appearing to be in motion. Additional improvements to the wagon’s dynamic appearance are for example the pronounced swage line which runs horizontally along the sides of the body and rises all the way to the rear lights; or the rear windscreen which wraps around the D-pillars and improves interior luminosity and visibility; or the deep tailgate, which gives the car a clean look and opens to bumper-level for easy loading.

The New Generation 2013 Hyundai i30 Wagon will be available in Europe with the same three petrol direct injection engines and three diesel engines as the five-door hatchback. They produce from 95 hp (70 kW) to 135 hp (100 kW). At last, the New Generation i30 wagon will be unveiled alongside Hyundai’s other newcomers during 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

Source: Hyundai

February 23, 2012

Category: Car Makes