Category: Car Makes

Car Makes

FAB Design Mercedes E-Class Convertible

FAB Design has announced their tuning package for Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible.

The wide body kit includes new front and rear bumper, a pair of side skirts and extended fenders and quarter panels. The whole package gives superb stance of the beautiful drop-top. The front bumper also comes with LED daylight running lights and exposed carbon fiber sections. Last, but not least, the exterior received a carbon fiber extendable trunk lid spoiler.

FAB E-Class Convertible stands on forged three-piece 9J x 20” at the front and 10J x 20” at the rear alloy wheels fitted with ultra-low profile tires.

The stance is also improved by a tuned sports suspension.

The final touch are the two oval tailpipes, which are part of the sports exhaust system with sound control.

FAB Design Mercedes E-Class Convertible

Source: FAB Design

January 18, 2012
2012 Citroen DS3 Ultra Prestige Price – £20 700

Citroen has announced a new special version of the small and sexy hatchback – DS3. The Ultra Prestige model is added to the UK range just months after the model premiered at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to celebrate DS3’s ongoing sales success.

The engine range includes only two engines – a 1.6 liter turbocharged petrol (THP 155) with 157PS (115 kW) at 6000RPM and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) at just 1400RPM. From 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 214 km/h (133 mph).

The other is 1.6 turbocharged diesel (e-HDi 110) with 110PS (81 kW) at 4000RPM and 270Nm (199 lb-ft) at 2000RPM. From 0 to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph). It returns up to 74.4 mpg on combined cycle with emission of just 99 g/km of CO2.

The DS3 Ultra Prestige is based on DSport trim level and adds Club leather for the front seats, Alpine white leather for the dashboard strip with DS signature, ultra-thick protective mats, braided with double top-stitching in contrasting colours, leather trim is also fitted to the door panels and central armrest.

The exterior can be finished in Polar White and Thorium Grey. It also boasts a sports spoiler, dark-tinted side and rear windows and 17” charcoal-grey alloy wheels. The ‘Ultra Prestige’ graphic that covers the model’s black roof with the DS insignia, provides a range of subtle contrasts, shifting from matt to gloss as the light changes. There is also a ‘Dark Chrome Signature’ option, including black door mirrors with dark chrome base, dark chrome side rubbing strips, front grille surround, front fog light surrounds and an insert on the rear number plate moulding.

The equipment also benefits from MyWay SAT NAV, rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers, electrically heated and folding door mirrors and an electrochrome rear view mirror.

2012 Citroen DS3 Ultra Prestige

VERSION CO2 EMISSIONS (g/km) COMBINED (mpg) ON THE ROAD – M.R.R.P.

DS3 THP 155 6-speed manual 139 47.1 £20 700

DS3 e-HDi 110 Airdream 6-speed manual 99 74.4 £20 900

Source: Citroen

January 18, 2012
2012 Toyota Prius Price – £21 350

The new 2012 Toyota Prius is priced from £21 350 and it will be available in the UK showrooms from March. Later in the year Prius will grow, with the introduction of the ultra-efficient Prius Plug-in Hybrid and Prius+, the world’s first seven-seat full hybrid MPV.

The new model continues to emit just 89g/km CO2 emissions – the lowest level in its class – and combined cycle fuel economy of 72.4mpg.

The advanced Toyota Touch & Go Plus multimedia and navigation system is a standard feature on Prius T Spirit and an option onT3 & T4. This brings with it Bluetooth, a rear-view camera, USB port and an on-board connectivity feature that allows access to a raft of on-line information services sourced through Google Local Search using a compatible mobile phone.

The exterior comes with new front bumper, a larger lower grille, new clear-lens headlights and the LED daytime running lights have been relocated in the bumper beneath the turn indicators, while the foglights move to within the lower grille.

The styling changes add an extra 20mm the car’s length, but Prius’s wheelbase and its highly efficient aerodynamic performance (Cd 0.25) are unchanged.

The 2012 Prius is available in eight exterior colours, including new Dark Blue and Cabernet Red metallic.

The interior is also revised by adding new darker materials used for the dashboard and T4 and T Spirit models gains a new black seat trim. The front seats are new and offer wider adjustment, both fore and aft and in height range, making it easier for the most comfortable driving position to be achieved.

The model line-up includes – T3, T4 and T Spirit. The options list includes black leather upholstery, a Protection Pack, a Style Pack and the Technology Pack for T Spirit.

There is no doubt that the new Prius is better than the outgoing model and it will have huge success.

2012 Toyota Prius

Source: Toyota

January 18, 2012
Maserati at the European Motor Show Brussels

Maserati Benelux took part in the 90th European Motor Show in Brussels where it showcased a lineup of four luxury performance cars and girls dressed in Fendi. Fendi is a fashion line which is in partnership with Maserati for the two companies have a lot in common – quality, craftsmanship and elegance obviously. Some 15.000 VIP guests attended the event. That included artists, customers, business partners and government representatives. Maserati’s models didn’t seem to wear any clothes at all and had strange names such as: the Quattroporte GT S, GranTurismo MC Stradale, the S Automatic and the GranCabrio Sport.

But we have heard them before, haven’t we? Yes, the all-sensible Quattroporte has four doors and the practicality of an IKEA bedroom and yet it somehow doesn’t emanate boredom and dreariness. In fact this Sport GT S version has a 4.7 V8 engine that delivers 440 hp and 490 Nm of torque which makes it as exciting as owning a bear. The exhaust system is also partially to blame for all that power. There are valves that control the back pressure within the system and in SPORT mode all the taps let loose with the final result being a beautiful symphony of thunder and power.

The GranTurismo S Automatic bares the same 4.7 V8 with virtually the same specs and yet, because it is lighter than the Quattroporte, it has a higher top speed and slightly better road manners. It also features an innovative self-adapting automatic transmission which can be set up to change gears even at 7200 RPM.

Then there is the hardcore, lightweight Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale. It is the flagship performance car of Maserati for now and it is designed to meet the need of the most picky car enthusiasts. The Stradale benefits great handling and aerodynamics thanks to the company’s experience on the race track. Engine size remains the same (a 4.7 V8) but power is up by 10hp resulting in the blistering 450 bhp and 510Nm of torque. A 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes just 4.6 seconds and the top speed reaches the 300 km/h mark.

Last but not least, the GranCabrio Sport, designed for sunny days, makes an appearance. Power is from the same upgraded 4.7 V8 (450hp) Its specially tuned, yet based on the Quattroporte Sport GT S six-speed transmission includes a super-fast MC Auto Shift mode. The Skyhook active suspension has also been revamped for the greater handling performance. Other than the fact that it is a soft-top one can notice a change in the lines, the nose, the details – character laden profile with this GranCabrio Sport indeed.

Maserati ended a perfectly successful 2011 which saw an increase in sales by 10% or so. North America remains the biggest Maserati importer with 2465 units sold in the past 12 months while China is trailing behind as the world’s second largest Maserati admirer

Maserati booth (Brussles)

Maserati booth (Brussels)

Source: Maserati

January 18, 2012
Audi S7 Spot on 2012 Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is as much about the commercials as it is for the football itself. So for the fifth consecutive year, Audi will air a :60 spot during the first quarter of the Super Bowl with focus landing on LED technology. The San Francisco-based Venables Bell & Partners studio is in charge with the creative ad. The only other known fact is that the 2013 Audi S7 sedan will also be somehow featured. The rest can be seen on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 when the big game starts.

LED usage in headlights first started appearing on Audi’s 10 years ago and the effect on the market since then has been tremendous – virtually every other car maker now offers LED with their latest products. Today, Audi LED lights are efficient and elegant. Traditional lights take 0.2 seconds to engage while LEDs are immediately activated making driving safer, faster. In addition to safety, LED lights save resources by using 50-percent less power required from the alternator – which in turn reduces the load put on the vehicle’s engine – and can last the lifetime of a vehicle.

Audi S7 (2013)

The new Audi S7 is also efficient and elegant with the sleek profile of a coupe and the four doors of a sedan. Standard technology includes Audi connect™ which enables you to browse Google Maps™ and Google Search™ and provides for you a Wi-Fi® hotspot. Hope that connection is fast enough to keep up with the S7 for under the hood lays a 4.0 TFSI 420 hp/406 lb-ft of torque masterpiece which will take you anywhere you want in a matter of seconds.

Past Super Bowl spots on Audi have included the A8, the “green car of 2009” A3 TDI and the legendary R8 and they have all been pretty good. Can’t wait to see what Venables Bell & Partners have come up with this time.

Source: Audi

January 18, 2012
2013 Lexus GS to Debut with a First Super Bowl Commercial [VIDEO]

Lexus is going to be one of the most successful brands this year, hosting new vehicles coming to market in 2012. To kick off the product onslaught, the company has decided to make an impressive debut with its first-ever Super Bowl commercial for Super Bowl XLVI. It will be aired for the fist time on Sunday, February 5 on NBC, so stay tuned.

Moreover this year Lexus is going to introduce nine new or updated models. The Super Bowl has given the luxury brand the great opportunity to reach a highly engaged audience of 50 million people. In the commercial, is put highlight on the all-new 2013 Lexus GS which will be launched in February. In details, the 0:30 seconds commercial is scheduled to run during the first half of Super Bowl XLVI. You can have a sneak peak of 0:15 seconds of the advertisement on Lexus social media channels.

2013 Lexus GS to Debut with a First Super Bowl Commercial

Leading up to its Super Bowl commercial, Lexus is undertaking unique social media activation under the name TweetDrive Engineered by Lexus, which airs live on NBCSports.com. Moreover it offers the fans the opportunity to earn yardage, move their “team” down the field and score a touchdown during the actual playoff games and throughout the week. The object of the game is to gain enough yards to score a touchdown. For more details about the game you can visit all official Lexus online sources.

But, let’s have a quick look at the above mentioned commercial:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCPBFLiGllQ

Video Source: YouTube

Source: Lexus

January 18, 2012
2012 Kahn Design Ferrari 458 Italia

The latest tuning from the professionals from Kahn Design is made on the powerful Ferrari 458 Italia. The modification goes in two variants with difference in color: triple pearl white and Rosso Corsa red. A Kahn Ferrari is unique on so many levels. First of all aerodynamically, Afzal Kahn’s touch ensures excellence of the Ferrari. Furthermore the appearance s enhanced by the matt Pearl Grey finish to the Roof, matt pearl grey side skirts, matt pearl grey front and rear bumper sections, Kahn sports suspension system, matt pearl grey rear diffuser, red brake callipers (white 458), and yellow brake callipers (red 458). All of these upgrades therefore show that there is an increased level of interaction in combination with a sense of motor supremacy, performance and style.

In details the factory and interior options of the Rosso Corsa red Kahn Ferrari 458 include AFS light system, carbon fiber driver zone with included steering binnacle, F1 paddle shift, Instrumental surround with LED’s, front elevator, iPod connectivity, electro chromatic interior and exterior mirrors, satellite navigation, Bluetooth, front and rear park assist, yellow rev counter, high power HiFi with JBL speaker system, stitching in Bordeaux, carpets in Bordeaux, Ferrari scuderia shields, dual zone climate control. In addition the Rosso Corsa red Kahn Ferrari 458 also features a complete white leather interior, Leather central tunnel, Crema Daytona lights, Electro Chromatic Interior & Exterior, yellow rev counter, leather headlining and carpets and stitching in Bordeaux.

2012 Kahn Design Ferrari 458 Italia

On the other hand the basic factory and interior options of the triple white Kahn Ferrari 458 feature: Light System, red brake callipers, F1 paddle shift, instrument surround with LED’s, front elevator, iPod connectivity, satellite navigation, Bluetooth, front and rear park assist, high power Hifi with JBL speaker system, Ferrari Scuderia shields, Dual Zone climate control. Furthermore in the interior is included Leather Central Tunnel, black Nero Leather Electric Seats, yellow Rev Counter, leather Headlining, upholstered rear bench seat wall, stitching in white, carpets in black.

Not forgetting the wheels: Kahn wheels sit perfectly on any vehicle, especially on this one. They convey the essence of the vehicle’s identity! The Ferraris sit on 9’21” front and 12’22 rear alloy wheels finished in matt pearl grey. Kahn wheels are synonymous with elegance and innovation with their simple clean lines, soft organic surfaces on the edge of the spoke and a purposeful mechanical centre.

Source: Kahn Design

January 18, 2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat CC

Volkswagen begins the year with the release of the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Passat CC, which now delivers more luxury, style and new technologies. The model of the Volkswagen has made its first appearance last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. However, until now it wasn’t presented to the European Market. The launch of the avant-garde four-door begins with the international driving presentation in Southern France. And if you wonder when exactly the car will be possible for purchase – the new Volkswagen CC will be in dealerships at the beginning of February. Firstly it will be available in Germany and Luxembourg, and then across Europe at the end of February. Additionally in the spring of 2012, this Volkswagen will then launch globally – included are America, Russia and Asia.

To go back in time, the Volkswagen CC made its debut in 2008. Then it won the audience, firstly because it was the world’s first four-door coupe in the 30,000 to 40,000 dollar and euro class. For this reason the segment quickly grew: up to date, nearly 320,000 people around the world have chosen the saloon with the stylish lines of a sports car. Private customers enjoy the alternative to the classic saloon as much as business customers who drive a lot of miles who made the Volkswagen CC the new ‘business class’ soon after it launched. A year later the CC also won some important awards: the ‘iF Product Design Award’ (iF Industrie Forum Hannover), the ‘red dot Design Award’ (Design Centre of Nordrhein Westphalia, Essen) and the Australian ‘Design Award’ (Australian International Design Awards, Sydney). Obviously the design of the model and the style it delivers made an excellent impression on the experts.

2012 Volkswagen Passat CC

The new 2012 CC received a completely redesigned front and rear sections, in order to give them more precision and adapt them to Volkswagen ‘design DNA’. Hence all this results in even more sophisticated and dynamic overall appearance of the vehicle. Moreover range of standard equipment is now extended and includes features such as bi-xenon headlights with static cornering lights; a new LED rear lighting design; fatigue detection; RCD 310 radio-CD system; stainless steel door sill plates and front comfort head restraints with additional front-rear adjustment. The multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel comes also as a standard but only for German customers. Furthermore, new assistance systems are now available on the Volkswagen CC. In details, they include optional technologies such as Dynamic Light Assist (automatic main beam control) and a camera based traffic sign detection system. For the first time on a Volkswagen there is featured the Side Assist Plus including Lane Assist, which warns of vehicles in blind spots and supports the driver via steering intervention. Meanwhile, the optional climate seat with integrated massage function optimizes the comfort.

2012 Volkswagen Passat CC

To go further into details the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat CC is going to be offered with the variety of six engine choices. The CC will be powered by innovative petrol and diesel direct-injection engines. All of the diesels (TDI) are equipped with a Stop/Start system and battery regeneration mode (which recovers braking energy) as standard equipment. All petrol engines also have battery regeneration functionality. Moreover, the TDI engines have outputs of 103 kW / 140 PS and 125 kW / 170 PS. The third turbodiesel to be offered in the Volkswagen CC is a BlueTDI which also has an output of 103 kW / 140 PS. More importantly this is one of the few engines in the world that already meets the Euro-6 emissions standard. How about the petrol engines of the European CC versions? They develop an impressive 118 kW / 160 PS, 155 kW / 210 PS and 220 kW / 300 PS of power. Another highlight to be mentioned is that all engines up to 210 PS may be paired with a dual clutch gearbox (DSG) as an option. In conjunction with the 103 kW TDI (manual gearbox version) and the 125 kW TDI (DSG version), the Volkswagen CC will also be offered with the optional 4MOTION all-wheel drive at a later time. Furthermore the six-cylinder version (300 PS) will be delivered with DSG and 4MOTION all-wheel drive as standard equipment. Of course, the TDI engines with DSG also have a free-wheeling function. The latter function decouples the engine as soon as the driver’s foot leaves the accelerator pedal. In the design of the engines, the aim of the engineers was to maximize efficiency. For instance take the 140 PS TDI: in the standard version with a manual 6-speed gearbox, it consumes just 4.7 l/100 km (equivalent to 125 g/km CO2). These numbers show that the vehicle consumes very little fuel for a long-range saloon that can go at 214 km/h.

Source: Volkswagen

January 18, 2012
Skoda Octavia Green E-Line

Skoda has begun testing ten electrically powered Octavia Green E Line. The aim of the test is to gain practical experience with electric propulsion.
The Octavia Green E Line is powered by an electric motor with 116PS (85 kW) and 270Nm (199 kW). The performance is not very good, but it is excellent for everyday driving in the city – from 0 to 100 km/h in 12 seconds and a top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph). The overall range is around 150km, which will satisfy the demands of most European commuters.

The battery holds 26.5 kW/h energy and weighs about 315 kilograms. The battery block is mounted under the middle and rear floor panel and in part in the boot. The car will seat five.
“The Octavia Green E Line shows our technological expertise in the field of electric mobility. It is a milestone in our comprehensive sustainability strategy. Our development work in this field is in close cooperation with Volkswagen Group.” commented ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland

Octavia Green E Line technical features at a glance:
•   Rated power output: 60 kW
•   Maximum power: 85 kW over 60 seconds
•   Torque: 270 Nm
•   Maximum speed: 135 kph
•   Acceleration 0-100 kph: 12 secs.
•   Range: 150 km
•   Battery: lithium-ion battery
•   Battery weight: approx. 315 kg
•   Battery capacity: 26,5 kWh
•   Charging time:
o 8 hours at 230 V (single-phase AC)
o 2 hours at 400 V (three-phase AC)

Skoda Octavia Green E-Line

Skoda Octavia Green E-Line

Skoda Octavia Green E-Line

Source: Skoda

January 17, 2012
MR Car Design Volkswagen Caddy

Need more stance! Obviously the Volkswagen Caddy is not the best eye-catcher in its factory version. That’s why, the company MR Car Design from Erftstadt has virtually transformed the high roof combi into something unique and low… very low!

The tuned Caddy is fitted with air suspension on the front and rear axle, which can be adjusted either remotely or automatically. Each axle can be height adjusted separately, so if you want you can lower only the front end or the rear one. The result is really impressive and the Caddy III has unique stance.

In addition, this version is made for craftsmen with extreme load because of the leveling. To get the Caddy a little from the truck corner, the Erftstadt have sensibly used Rotiform-alloy wheels in dimensions 8.5J x 19” fitted with 225/35 R19 tires.

This Caddy associated with the current VW face since a facelift for summer 2010 – at least as it now stands in front of the inclined viewer thanks to MR Car Design – wants more, especially because a number of engine variants is available , depending on the intended replacement option.

MR Car Design Volkswagen Caddy

Source: MR Car Design

January 17, 2012
Citroen Berlingo Airdream e-HDI

Citroen will fit the Berlingo model with e-HDi micro-hybrid Stop & Start technology. It will enable drivers to automatically comply with Transport for London’s (TfL’s) latest advice to improve air quality in the Capital.

The drivetrain includes a turbo-diesel engine with 90PS (66 kW) and 215Nm (159 lb-ft). The fuel consumption is just at 4.7 liters per 100 km (50 mpg) on combined cycle with emissions of 123 g/km of CO2. This is an improvement up to 19% in fuel efficiency.

“Citroën has a track record of producing low emitting LCVs and we are now offering van buyers even lower emission alternatives, while minimising or eliminating altogether the cost penalty usually associated with new clean fuel-efficient technology. With lower emissions and lower running costs too, it’s a win-win deal for van owners and the environment.”, said Scott Michael, Citroën’s Commercial Vehicle Operations Manager.

In addition, all Berlingo vans are specified with Citroën’s unique Trafficmaster telematics package. This further reduces urban fuel consumption and emissions by offering the fastest congestion avoidance routing direct to the driver.

Citroen Berlingo Airdream e-HDI

Citroen Berlingo Airdream e-HDI engine

Source: Citroen

January 17, 2012
Mitsubishi Canada Milestones

Mitsubishi is growing popular in Canada. Evidence of that is the good mood of Shin Fujioka, President and CEO of the Canadian Mitsubishi branch: “We ended 2011 with a 5.2 percent increase over the previous year, and we broke the 20,000–vehicle mark for the first time. This is a goal that we are particularly proud of and one that gives us confidence that Canadians are embracing Mitsubishi’s cars and crossover models. This is quite an achievement and says a lot about the quality of our Mitsubishi products and our hard- working dealers.”

More reasons to celebrate come when we take a look at the Global Small Car Concept which made its debut in Canada earlier on. It is a vehicle designed to stay affordable, green and lightweight. At the same time it is actually a five-door, five-passenger sedan. Power comes in the form of a 1.0 three-cylinder engine that has fuel sipping characteristics including a brake energy storing. Transmission lineup is pretty standard: a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable one. In Japan, that same small-platform car has been revealed as a production model and goes under the name – Mirage. Hopes are up there that it will do 3.3L/100km. Thailand will get the taste of it first and then the rest of the world. In Canada sales are expected to begin in 2013.

Global Small Car Concept

Another exciting highlight was that of the new 2012 Lancer SE. It has a multitude of smart-tronic gadgets (resembling the ones in the again popular RVR and Outlander) to keep the Lancer’s AWD chassis on the road.

All-electric debuts were also celebrated – in 2011, the first Canadian 2012 i-MiEV was given to Ross Redman, a Winnipeg man, who spent 5 years on a waiting list for it. Now that is dedication.

Source: Mitsubishi

January 17, 2012

VERSION	CO2 EMISSIONS (g/km)	COMBINED (mpg)	ON THE ROAD – M.R.R.P.
DS3 THP 155 6-speed manual	139	47.1	£20 700
DS3 e-HDi 110 Airdream 6-speed manual	99	74.4	£20 900