Automobiles Review – Page 603 – Car News, Car Reviews, Auto Shows, Car Photos, Car Videos

Mercedes-Benz E250 Coupe Special Edition for Japan

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled 2014 E-Class Coupe Special Edition exclusively for Japan. Only 100 units will be produced from the limited edition model – Polar White (80 units) and Fire Opal (20 units).

It is based on the E250 Coupe and comes with twin-spoke 18” AMG alloy wheels and with an exterior sports package. There are also different front and rear spoilers along with other side skirts.

The Polar White model comes with red upholstery for the interior, while the Fire Opal has natural beige upholstery. Both of them come with a dashboard and steering wheel wrapped around in Nappa leather.

2014 Mercedes-Benz E 250 Coupe JDM Special Edition is priced at ¥7,120,000.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

February 7, 2014

SRT Debuts Three 2014 Satin Vapor Editions In Chicago

SRT brand is expanding lineup for the 2014 model year with three exclusive new models carrying the name Satin Vapor Editions. Precisely, the modification will be done for the following vehicles: Chrysler 300 SRT, Dodge Challenger SRT and Dodge Charger SRT.

The modified models can be currently viewed at the Chicago Auto Show, where they have made their debut yesterday. SRT’s Satin Vapor Edition packages were specifically designed to fit the personality of each model.

All three vehicles are fitted with 20-inch by-9-inch forged-aluminum split five-spoke wheels that are finished in Black Satin Vapor Chrome. Another important “detail” in common is the engine, which is the 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine.

The unit generates 470 horsepower (351 kW) and 470 lb.-ft. (637 Nm) of torque, and thanks to the use of an active valve exhaust system which allows the Fuel Saver Technology to engage over a wide rpm range, the cars can achieve up to 23 mpg highway.

To start with the first vehicle, the 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT Satin Vapor Edition adds over the common enhancements Satin Black mirrors, Satin Black spoiler, grey 6.4-liter HEMI badge, Satin Black roof and red Brembo calipers. Here, the designers have offered the cistomers the choice of Bright White, Billet Silver and Granite Crystal exterior paint finishes. An optional black body stripe is also available.

The interior of 300 SRT Satin Vapor sports black seats trimmed in Nappa leather with ultra-suede inserts. There are also visible matte carbon and piano black accents that adorn the instrument panel, door bezels and center console.

The second model, the 2014 Dodge Challenger SRT Satin Vapor Edition adds Satin Black mirrors, grey 392 HEMI badge, red Brembo calipers and Satin Black fuel door, and also Bright White, TorRed, Header Orange and Graphite exterior paints. Here the interior is decided in charcoal seats trimmed in Nappa leather with ultra-suede inserts and mini-carbon bezel instrument panel.

2014 Dodge Charger SRT Satin Vapor Edition is the third and last vehicle of the special edition series. Its special exterior treatment includes Satin Black Super Bee tail graphic, Satin Black roof and hood, Satin Black mirrors and spoiler, grey 392 HEMI badge and red Brembo calipers. Available exterior colors are Bright White, Billet Silver, TorRed and Graphite.

The interior of the Charger SRT Satin Vapor Edition features premium black seats again trimmed in Nappa leather with ultra-suede inserts and includes the Uconnect Media Center with the 8.4-inch touchscreen LED display.

2014 Chrysler 300 SRT, Dodge Challenger SRT and Charger SRT Satin Vapor Edition models will be available in dealerships in the second quarter of this year.

Source: Chrysler

February 7, 2014

SsangYong XLV Concept To Make Geneva Debut

Geneva Motor Show will see the birth of SsangYong latest concept which is called XLV concept. The initials stand for eXciting smart, Lifestyle and Vehicle and serve as a means to convey the true character of the vehicle.

In addition to this the brand has also released two teaser images which in m opinion look incredible and definitely makes me inpatient to see the real car. Precisely, the XLV is a “multi-role” (as the brand call it) B-segment SUV concept which offers significantly lower CO2 emissions.

The reduce emissions are due to its mild hybrid system that combines a 1.6 litre diesel engine with an electric motor powered by a lithium ion battery. Back in 2011 the brand introduced the SsangYong XIV-1 Concept that showcased brands innovative design capabilities, strong and yet smooth lines, and perfect proportions for a compact SUV.

The XLV is 290mm longer than the XIV-1 and provides accommodation for seven passengers in an innovative 2+2+2+1 arrangement. Here the seventh seat slides between the second and third rows for optimum flexibility.

This latest concept exudes a rhythmical and dynamic exterior design and is aimed to appeal to the user seeking individuality and practicality. The wheelbase here is 2,600mm. Other dimensions are: 4,430mm length, 1,845mm width and 1,600mm height.

Source: SsangYong

February 7, 2014

Mitsubishi Exhibits Three New Concepts At Geneva Motor Show

Geneva International Motor Show opens on 6th of March and there we will see the plans for the future of many brands. Among them is Mitsubishi Motors Corporation w) which will present its three latest concepts to the European customers.

The brand has embedded in them great design, driving performance and low environmental impact. The concepts also signal the future plans for Mitsubishi. The first one is Concept XR-PHEV, which is a next-generation coupé-like compact plug-in hybrid electric crossover.

The model utilizes front-wheel drive layout PHEV system that features a 1.1-litre direct-injection turbocharged MIVEC petrol engine, a lightweight, compact and high-efficiency motor and a high-capacity battery.

Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV will be also presented at the event. It is a next-generation full-size plug-in hybrid electric SUV with full-time 4WD. This model is equipped with front 3.0-litre V6 supercharged MIVEC petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It also offers a high-output motor and a high-capacity battery in order to deliver enhanced performance.

At last, the visitors of Geneva Motor Show will be delighted to see the Concept AR. This is a next-generation compact MPV that mixes the sportiness of a SUV with the roominess of MPV. It utilizes a lightweight mild hybrid Belt-driven Starter and Generator system (BSG) including a 1.1-litre 3-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged MIVEC unit coupled with a low output BSG torque circuit with a 48V lithium-ion battery and DC-DC converter.

Mitsubishi also announced that it will celebrate in Geneva its 40 years presence in Europe.

Source: Mitsubishi

February 7, 2014

Citroen Roll Out The C4 Cactus

Citroen-C4-Cactus-shadow Citroen-C4-Cactus-medium This is the completely real (as in “production”) Citroen C4 Cactus here to rock your world. Now, we know you might be thinking, “Production you say? Then what are those designy thingies on it?”

Ah, you see, that’s the Cactus’ thermoplastic polyurethane shell (TPU). Well, here’s a more rustic name for it: Airbump® – it’s supposed to do away with dents and scratches in real life. Found on the front and rear bumpers and the sides, the Airbump® provides a type of buffer zone which protects the actual body. We guess “bubble wrap” was already taken, huh?

So we have cushions on the outside, a mind-bending array of driving aids – park assist, a reversing camera, hill-start assist, to name a few – have they lost all confidence in the human proneness to accidents…oh.

Yes, “clever” is the word of the day. The C4 is sleek and slippery, it’s spacious, comfortable and very high-tech….for a cactus. Who needs dials and needles nowadays when there’s an app for that? A 7-inch touchscreen conjures up any cluster you might fancy – from the air conditioning controls to the yellow pages index. Face it, we’ve all felt the need to order Chinese whilst behind the wheel. Feel free to order as much as you want too. See, despite being arguably small (4.16 m long; 1.73 m wide) the Cactus is till a C-class vehicle. Ergo, you still get a 358 liter boot. A UV-protective panoramic roof amplifies the sense of space even more.

If you go for the optional Efficient Tronic Gearbox (ETG) you also lose the stick. Instead, there’s this selection system that Citroen is trying to push on us called the Easy Push. Yeah, we made the lamest pun ever.

And no, the Cactus doesn’t have an iPhone for an engine, but there is no fusion reactor to be found either? More like a 110bhp turbo three-cylinder petrol at best. But that’s ok because the whole thing weighs no more than a 1000 kg thanks to a heavy aluminum diet. It shouldn’t be too sluggish is what we mean. And with the Stop/Start system as standard, the Cacti (plural) fuel economy and emission values are rated at around 91.1 mpg and less than 100 g/km of CO2 – cleanliness truly is next to godliness.

Source: Citroen

February 6, 2014

Tata Nexon and ConnectNext Concept

Tata

Tata has unveiled the Nexon Concept and the ConnectNext Concept car at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo.

The Nexon Concept is described as a “modern youthful compact SUV”. It boats the manufacturer’s new styling and individualism. There are no specific characteristics, but the Nexon has a two-tone exterior with a mesh grille flanked by distinctive headlights. There are also bulging fenders and an upward sweeping beltline.

The ConnectNext Cocnept is a futuristic vehicle that has an advanced interior that “seamlessly helps connect with professional and personal networks”. Essentially, it is an electric car boasting of Cloud Connectivity.

Source: Tata

February 6, 2014

2014 Suzuki Celerio EU Spec

Suzuki will exhibit the all-new 2014 Celerio Euro-spec at the 84^th Geneva Motor Show, in March. The new model was previewed by the A:Wind Concept and it will the substitute of Alto.

2014 Susuzki Celerio EU has following dimensions: 3600mm length, 1600mm width and 1560mm height, with a 2425mm wheelbase. The ground clearance is 165mm and the turning radius is 4.7-meter. The curb weight is just 810 kg (1,785 lbs).

The new Celerio is powered by an 1.0 liter three-cylinder engine – 68HP (50 kW) at 6,000RPM and 90Nm (66 lb-ft) of torque at 3,500RPM. The engine is connected to a 5-speed manual or an automated manual gearbox.

Other Suzuki models on display will include the Splash, Swift, Swift Sport, SX4 S-CROSS, Jimny and Grand Vitara.

Source: Suzuki

February 6, 2014

2015 BMW X3 – Updated Exterior, Interior and Engine Range

BMW has officially unveiled the 2015 X3 Facelift. The model comes with revised exterior, interior and two new engine variants. The 2015 BMW X3 will hit the US market in spring with a price tag of $39,325.
The exterior comes with a revised front grille and new headlights reminding to those on the new X5. There are also several new paint finishes, redesigned mirrors and new styles alloy wheels. The X3 Facelift can be ordered with the xLine package including underbody guards, metallic trim accents and special 18” or 19” alloy wheels fitted with proper tires. The M-Sport package is also available and includes complete aerodynamics package, shadow line trim and 18” to 20” alloy wheels. It also includes sport front seats, an anthracite roof liner and a sport-tuned suspension.

The interior boasts new upholstery designs, revised trim and new cup holders. There are also some gloss black accents, a modified infotainment system and an iDrive controller with an integrated touchpad. A very nice extra is the “Smart Opener” that opens the tailgate when put your foot under the rear bumper.

The X3 xDrive20d now produces 190HP (140 kW) and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) – an increase of 6HP and 20Nm. 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds, which is pretty good for an economical crossover. The fuel consumption is 5.8 liters / 100 km in city, 5.1 liters / 100 km on the highway and 5.4 liters / 100 km on combined cycle.

There is also an eco-friendly X3 sDrive18d with RWD – 150HP (110 kW) and 360Nm (265 lb-ft) of torque. The engine is connected to a 6-speed manual gearbox and has an average fuel consumption of just 5.0 l / 100 km – 47 mpg US or 56.4 mpg UK with CO2 emissions of 131 g/km.

Some of the additional equipment includes Parking Assistant, the full-colour BMW Head-Up Display, the anti-dazzle High Beam Assistant and Driving Assistant Plus, including Lane Departure Warning, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and preventive pedestrian protection.

Source: BMW

February 6, 2014

Honda Unveils Vision XS-1 Concept [VIDEO]

An exciting new concept vehicle was presented by the Japanese brand Honda at the 12th Auto Expo 2014 held at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida. The vehicle is named Vision XS-1 and is a creative study model that exudes company’s vision for the future.

In fact, this Honda is based on two original ideas we have seen in the past. The first one is the M/M concept. The initials stand for man maximum and machine minimum. This basically means that the Vision XS-1 includes two different values – sporty appearance and great spaciousness in the compact body.

The second idea embodied in this vehicle is the “Exciting H Design”, which is Honda’s human-centered design concept. Some of the key features included in this concept model are the three rows of seats for a maximum of seven occupants, the combination of sportiness and versatile space and the sliding doors with large openings.

Unfortunately, Honda does not plan a mass-production for Honda Vision XS-1.

httpv://youtu.be/1MVohnXN8Eo

Video Source: YouTube

Source: Honda

February 6, 2014

Mopar 4700 Spec Class 4×4 To Compete At 2014 Griffin King of The Hammers

Mopar will be making tests in southern California desert at the 2014 Griffin King of The Hammers. This is an event which is considered to be the toughest one-day off-road race in the world, because it combines desert racing and rock crawling.

The race is held for one week every February on public lands in Johnson Valley in an off-highway vehicle area known as “The Hammers”. The participants are divided in four distinct categories, race on a 100+ mile terrain that features sandy washes dotted with creosote bushes, flat dry lakebeds, sand dunes and rock canyons and trails.

Mopar will be currently competing in the Every Man Challenge race category. The latter allows stock and modified stock vehicles to take part in the race. Mopar’s GEN III 5.7 liter HEMI crate engine will be included in six unique “4700 Spec Class” 4×4 vehicles. They have a custom tube frame design which is based on the Jeep Wrangler, and are outfitted with Mopar’s HEMI crate engine and Mopars parts.

Each of the six unique Mopar-powered 4×4 vehicles will be driven by the following drivers:

#4701– Eric Bothwell with co-driver Robb Pritchard, who will be driving the Dynomax vehicle.
#4702– Larry Nickell, who will be driving the Team Yukon Vehicle.
#4703 – Jessi Combs – the fastest woman on four wheels. She will be racing in the Team Falken Vehicle.
#4704 – Ross Stanford will be racing for Team Spidertrax.
#4705 – Shannon Campbell – two time “King of The Hammers” Champion, who will be racing the Team Fox car.
#4706 – Jim Marsden will compete in the Team Odyssey vehicle.

Source: Mopar

February 6, 2014

TEASER: Skoda VisionC Design Study

Skoda has released a teaser sketch of its upcoming concept vehicle which will have its official premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March. It will be brand’s highlight at the show.

Carrying the name Skoda VisionC Design Study, the model exudes dynamism and exceptional aesthetics. Its design was developed the last few years with the aim to move Skoda to a next level of sophistication.

The five door coupe concept underpins the evolution of brand’s design language and gives hints towards what we can expect to see in the future. In fact, Skoda’s goal is to renew and broaden the entire range of models.

The design language of the dynamic and elegant coupe is more expressive, dynamic and emotional, and at the same time, shows the innovative steps that the company is implying in this study.

VisionC seems influenced by the design of Volkswagen CC four-door coupe. It has the same low and sleek roofline, a short front and rear overhangs, as well as sporty stance. The car is expected to be powered by high-output and efficient four-cylinder turbocharged engine. More details to come near official debut.

Source: Skoda

February 6, 2014

Mercedes-Benz Expanding The S-Class Family

Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-S-600-medium The recently launched new S-Class family is now growing with four new members. That’s rigt, Mercedes-Benz are introducing a fuel-sipper (BlueTEC HYBRID), an AWD fuel-sipper (BlueTEC 4MATIC), a 5-star hotel on wheels (S 600) and an S 65 AMG – the name says it all. Let’s give them a quick look one at a time.

The 300 BlueTEC HYBRID – a diesel-based hybrid that will have an offensively low overall fuel consumption of just 4.4 liters per 100 km and a CO2 emission value of 115 g/km. Keep in mind that this is an S-Class that can be had with a long wheel base as well. In order to achieve these figures of frugality, the 300 uses a 20 kW electric motor nestled between the main 204 hp engine (a 2.2-liter four-cylnder) and the automatic transmission. You also get the usual hybrid tech like brake recuperation, and all electric drive only etc.

The 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC is a different story. A 3.0-liter V6 diesel in it churns out 258 hp and 620 Nm of torque. And even though it’s essentially an AWD vehicle, it returns 5.9 liters per 100 km (again with either wheelbase). That means that in terms of economy, it’s on par with the previous four-cylinder S 250 CDI.

The S 600 (pictured above) will now stand at the top of the S-Class luxury pyramid. It comes only as a long wheelbase. You will also be stuck with an LED Intelligent Light System, a Magic Body Control suspension with Road Surface Scan and a Driver Assistance Plus package. It’s not all caviare and truffles though. There’s a 6.0-liter biturbo V12 under the hood that hauls all that machinery with 530 hp. Maximum torque is 830 Nm from 1900 rpm. F (class) in efficiency, however.

Finally, there’s the hardcore Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG (pictured bellow). Same engine as the S 600’s, more power. 630 hp and 1000 Nm of torque to be exact. The fuel economy has been reduced by 2.4 liters per 100 km but still stands at 11.9 (F). Long wheelbase, Magic Body Control with Road Surface Scan.

Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-S-65-AMG-medium

All four models are available for ordering with an official launch date sometime in March this year.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

February 5, 2014

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