Automobiles Review – Page 608 – Car News, Car Reviews, Auto Shows, Car Photos, Car Videos

Home Charging Station For 2014 Cadillac ELR

2014 Cadillac ELR electrified luxury coupe which was introduced in the middle of last year is now offering a complementary 240-volt home charging station including the installation to all early customers. The exclusive ELR is a combination of leading technology and provocative design. The model also offers fun-to-drive experience and is foremost eco-friendly.

Cadillac has decided to gift the early buyers with 240-volt home charging station for their new ERL and in addition the technicians at the brand will perform a professional installation of the fastest home-charging unit. The model is equipped with an award-winning range-extended electric powertrain that includes the EREV technology and is capable of 340 miles (545 km) of total range via pure electric driving and range-extending generator.

In addition, what is also new for the 2014 is that the brand offers programmable charging schedules and energy efficiency reports online and through smartphone notification charging alerts. Another highlight is the advanced chassis and suspension systems, including HiPer Strut front suspension, compound-crank with Watts link rear suspension and Continuous Damping Control.

Furthermore, the ELR comes standard with Cadillac Shield, which includes Remote Vehicle Diagnostics, a Premium Care Maintenance program and 24/7 roadside assistance. The luxury car also comes with an extended battery and propulsion warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles.

Source: Cadillac

January 29, 2014

Audi Q3 Gets New S Line Plus Model Line And Engine Range

Audi Q3 SUV will gain for the new year more compact and efficient 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine alongside a new S line Plus specification option. The new unit substitutes the 140 hp (103 kW) 2.0-litre TDI one but shares its front-wheel-driven configuration.

The SE and S line trim levels will get the engine, which produces 150 hp (110 kW) delivered between 5,000 and 6,000rpm, and maximum torque of 250 Nm (185 lb-ft) from 1,750 to 3,000rpm. The unit transmits the power onto the road via six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission.

When the SUV is equipped with the first transmission, then it is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, in 9.2 seconds; while the models with the S tronic cover the same sprint for 8.9 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 126 mph. The combined fuel economy here is rated at 47.9 mpg, while the CO2 emissions – at 137 g/km for the 6-speed manual and 145 g/km for the S tronic models.

The Q3 quattro-equipped 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI models will also get S line Plus specification, which will give them 19-inch ‘five segment spoke’ design and privacy glass extending from the B-pillar rearwards. The variants will be also offered with a choice of seven metallic paint finishes – Ice silver, Samoa orange, Monsoon grey, Caribou brown, Platinum beige, Cobalt blue and Glacier white.

Inside, the car is equipped with S line perforated leather and Alcantara, cruise control, Audi’s parking system plus and SD card-based satellite navigation via the 6.5-inch colour display, as well as front sports seats with powered lumbar support, Audi Music Interface, Bluetooth interface and voice control system.

Other exterior equipment details include the Xenon Plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, S line body styling, light and rain sensors, comfort-oriented ‘dynamic suspension’ and S line sports suspension with a 20mm lower setting.

Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI – Trims, Engines and Transmission:

Engine	Trim	Power	Transmission
1.4 TFSI	SE	150PS	Manual
1.4 TFSI	S line	150PS	Manual
1.4 TFSI	SE	150PS	S tronic
1.4 TFSI	S line	150PS	S tronic

Audi Q3 S line plus – Trims, Engines and Transmission:

Engine	Power	Transmission
2.0 TFSI quattro	170PS	Six-speed manual
2.0 TFSI quattro	170PS	Seven-speed S tronic
2.0 TFSI quattro	211PS	Seven-speed S tronic
2.0 TDI quattro	140PS	Six-speed manual
2.0 TDI quattro	140PS	Seven-speed S tronic
2.0 TDI quattro	177PS	Six-speed manual
2.0 TDI quattro	177PS	Seven-speed S tronic

Source: Audi

January 29, 2014

Incoming Kia Soul Snatches Design Award

Kia-Soul-SUV-Pack--iF-Design-Award-shadow The new Kia Soul has been honoured with the iF Product Design. The Track’ster-inspired compact SUV is supposed to be both radiating the genes of its predecessors and the light of the new age.

“The great challenge we faced when designing the second model generation was to preserve the strong, individual character that made the Kia Soul so successful, and at the same time give the design new impulses”, says Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Kia Motors Corporation.

The new Kia Soul is indeed entirely new. No body panel has been shared with the previous generation. Inside you get more leg and head room than before and a more overall luxurious feel. The base platform of the Soul is akin to that of the Cee’d which is pretty dynamic. There are two engine choices: a 1.6-liter 132 PS petrol one and a 128 PS diesel one.

The Soul happens to be the first Kia model which can have its roof in a different-than-the-rest color. Add the “SUV Styling Pack” and you’ll stand out with a distinctive black roof, piano black bumper garnish, side skirts and wheel arches. The award-carrying Soul has was indeed with that pack.

Kia-Soul-SUV-Pack--iF-Design-Award-medium-2

Source: Kia

January 28, 2014

G-Power BMW M3 E92 Hurricane 337 Edition [video]

G-Power has published a video with their latest project based on BMW M3 E92. The G-Power M3 SK II CS Hurricane 337 Edition managed to hit a top speed of 337.6 km/h (210 mph).

The updated M3 by G-Power is powered by a 4.6 liter supercharged V8 – 651HP (452 kW) at 8,100RPM and 595Nm (441 lb-ft) of torque at 5,900RPM. 0-200 km/h in 12.2 seconds and a top speed of over 337 km/h (210 mph). The tuned sports car also comes with a full titanium exhaust system with racing catalytic converters.

G-Power will produce only 30 units of 337 Edition model with pricing starting from €9,856. The titanium exhaust system is €4,542 and the coilover suspension is €2,445. The tuning company also offers braking system for €8,034 for the front and €5,634 for the rear axle and the price for the 20’’ G-POWER wheel set fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres is €4,474.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8nQefEuwZY

G-POWER M3 SK II CS „HURRICANE 337 Edition“:

• 615 hp / 452 kW at 8.100 rpm (+ 195 hp / 143 kW)
• 595 Nm at 5.900 rpm (+ 195 Nm)
• V-max: > 337 km/h
• 0-200 km/h: 12,2s
• G-POWER Supercharger System M3 V8 SK II CS „HURRICANE 337 Edition”
• G-POWER G3M CLUBSPORT coilover suspension
• G-POWER Breaking System for front and rear axle
• 20‘‘ G-POWER wheel set SILVERSTONE DIAMOND

Source: G-Power

January 28, 2014

Aryton Senna’s Supercar For Sale

92-Honda-NSX-Senna-shadow 92-Honda-NSX-Senna-medium The original Honda NSX cars are already rare and valuable on their own. But the one that’s going to go under the hammer at the Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro & Classic Car Sale next month blows all other deals out of the water.

Let’s start from the top though. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the death of racing icon Aryton Senna. The tragic accident that happened at the Imola track in 1994 sent shockwaves through the motoring world. A man of exceptional qualities, both domestic and professional, he has been deeply missed ever since. A three-time world F1 champion, he was also deeply involved in the racing industry.

This is where the Honda NSX comes into play. Did you know that the McLaren F1 Team used Honda-sourced engines back then. 2015 will see that relationship rekindled again. On his part, Senna, helped the development of the NSX model.

So what about the NSX that will go on sale at the Silverstone Auctions? Well, it belonged to Senna: a 92′ Honda NSX with a black leather interior and a black paint job. The car was previously owned by Senna’s close friend, Antonio Carlos de Almeida Braga. He kept it in a garage in Portugal for two years (nobody was allowed to drive it). It was then sold to a buyer who kept it for a very short while before being passed on to the next buyer: a man who held on to it for 17 years. Regardless, the car has done only 31,800 miles. It has a manual gearbox, a 3.0-liter engine with six cylinders and its value has been estimated at $132,696 (give or take).

One thing’s for sure then. This tiny piece of history won’t end up in our hands.

92-Honda-NSX-Senna-medium-2

Source: Silverstone Auctions

January 28, 2014

Guerlain Fiat 500 La Petite Robe Noire Special Edition

Fiat has announced the 500 and 500C La Petite Robe Noire Special Editions. The production will be limited to just 250 units available exclusively for the French market.

Each car will come with a gift of the La Petite Robe Noire perfume (100ml). The customers will also get Velvet Body Milk (30ml), black mascara, nail lacquer and Terracotta 4 Seasons in Tint Nude powder.

The interior boasts a bi-color black and white Poltrona Frau leather upholstery, automatic air conditioning and a clothing hanger on the passenger headrest.

There are also tinted rear windows, rear parking sensors and bi-xenon headlamps.

The 500 model comes with a panoramic sunroof and the 500C has a black soft top. Both of them roll 16” alloy wheels. They are powered by a 1.2 liter engine with 69HP (51 kW) or a 0.9 liter TwinAir Turbo – 85 HP (62 kW) or 105 HP (77 kW).

2014 Fiat 500 La Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain is priced at €15,700.

Source: leblogauto

January 28, 2014

Toyota Hilux Double Cab Recieves Some Updates

Toyota-Hilux-Double-Cab-shadow Toyota-Hilux-Double-Cab-medium Owning a truck in Australia is pretty much like owning identification documents. Small wonder then, that the Toyota Hilux is the third best-selling vehicle of any type on the continent. But you don’t simply walk into a dealer and buy one. Customers need to really sit down and think what exactly do they want from their truck because the full Hilux range has a total of three body styles, three equipment levels, three engines and three transmissions driving either the rear or all four wheels.

Now the Double Cab versions of the Hilux have been updated in a bid to stand out as the obvious choice. The 4×4 Double Cab Hilux trucks, for example, now have the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating and thus more families will feel confident buying one for everyday use. If buyers go for a turbo-diesel 4×4 (126 kW and 343 Nm of torque), they will also benefit from a new five-speed automatic transmission which improves the engine’s fuel economy by more than six percent (8.7-liters/100km). The top-of-the-line SR5 models have a reversing camera and satellite navigation as standard. The 6.1-inch screen on the center console is also used by the audio system (also controlled from the steering wheel) which offers USB, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity. Again for SR models, there’s a second multi-information display (MID) that reads current and average fuel economy, average vehicle speed, cruising range, the outside temperature, displays a compass and shows time. Black interior for all Double Cabs (there’s one choice you won’t have to do)

Those who are adamant that want the V6 175 kW and 376 Nm petrol engine and a Double Cab are going to be stuck with an automatic transmission in either 4×2 or 4 x4 variants (the former can be a mid-range SR or top of the line SR5 while the latter can only be an SR5)

Source: Toyota

January 28, 2014

2014 Volkswagen Polo Gains New Engines And Technology

The facelifted 2014 Volkswagen Polo has been unveiled and it includes a range of new technologies and efficient engines, next to the interior and exterior refinements. The new technology equipment will be familiar to this found in the new Golf model, making an emphasis on safety, practicality, comfort and efficiency.

For instance, the new Polos will be equipped as standard with an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System that automatically brakes the car after a collision in order to minimize the kinetic energy and the chance of a second impact. Optional features here include Driver Alert System and Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Automatic Cruise Control.

The Sport Select suspension system is also available as an option. It utilizes electronically controlled dampers to switch between two suspension settings, while the new electro-mechanical steering system enhances efficiency and delivers precise control.

The Polo range will also get Volkswagen’s modular infotainment system, which includes touchscreen system with proximity sensor and a function that reacts to wiping movements by the fingers.

More importantly however, is what lies under the bonnet of the 2014 Polo. There are bein introduced three- and four-cylinder petrol engines: two 1.0-litre MPI units, with 60 hp (44 kW) or 75 hp (55 kW) and two 1.2-litre four-cylinder TSI engines with 90 hp (66 kW) or 110 hp (80 kW).

The 1.4-litre TSI powertrain with cylinder deactivation (ACT) has been refined and now delivers more power – 150 hp (110 kW). The range-topping Polo GTI will be introduced on the market in 2015.

Furthermore, the diesel-powered Polo BlueMotion will be replaced with petrol-powered Polo BlueMotion TSI, which offers 68.9 mpg on the combined cycle and emits just 94 g/km of CO2 thanks to its turbocharged three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine. The latter generates 90 hp (66 kW). Diesel power can also be ensured by the two new three-cylinder 1.4-litre TDI units with 75 hp (55 kW) and 90 hp (66 kW).

There hasn’t been done much regarding the exterior. The lines on the redesigned front bumper and grille are more precise now and include a chrome line that divides the front fog lights. As an option, Volkswagen is offering LED headlights, while at the rear there are standard new lights and a new bumper. The Polo runs on five new alloy wheel designs that complete its visual stance.

At last, the interior enhancements include wholly redesigned instruments, a new steering wheel and refreshed centre console with new heating and ventilation controls. Full details and specifications about 2014 Volkswagen Polo will be announced in April. Deliveries are expected in late July.

Source: Volkswagen

January 28, 2014

Kahn Land Rover Defender 2.2 TDCI SW 90 Chelsea Wide Track Edition

Kahn Land Rover Defender 2.2 TDCI SW 90 Chelsea Wide Track Edition is a very special vehicle which combines the classic Britishness and modernity. As one can see from the photos, this project is not something we can see every day.

The customization of the Defender includes quilted and perforated leather, and the combination of fine detailing, diverse design and cutting-edge technology. This only adds to the exclusivity of this Land Rover and makes it more eye-catching.

The designers at A. Kahn Design have added also imposing front grille, which is in fact a three piece kit comprising of upper and lower openings. The openings within the grille and lower valance combat unwanted road debris. They also ensure maximum airflow to the radiator, intercooler and front brakes.

Kahn specialists has undoubtedly shown once again that they posses the “know how” of refinement and redesign of vehicles. And although there were no interior photos released of this project, we can be sure that inside the car looks amazing!

Source: A. Kahn Design

January 28, 2014

Ferrari Launches F14 T For Formula One

Ferrari F14 T is the sixtieth car built by the Italian company, which was unveiled and is readied to take part in Formula 1 World Championship. What is new here is that the vehicle will sport a turbo-compressor in the Power Unit.

The project for this motorsport car began more than two years ago. Some of the heritage of earlier Ferrari designs can be seen in the F14 T. Such are the pull-rod front and rear suspension. However, the visual appearance of the car is very different to the cars of recent years due to changes to the regulations.

For instance the chassis and nose have been lowered. The rear wing now has a larger stroke DRS, a much smaller overall depth and has no beam wing. The front wing is regulated to be 75mm narrower per side. This was made in order to make this part less vulnerable to collisions with other cars and with the barriers. Moreover, the front wing endplates encompass the outside of the front tyres with the aim to additionally maximize the downforce on the car.

The main area of enhancements is however under the skin of the car. F14 T has completely different cooling, engine oil and water radiators are smaller in order to match the V6 internal combustion part of the Power Unit, an intercooler for the turbo-compressor system has been added.

Another entirely redesigned system is the braking one, which has been modified in compliance with the new regulations. The technicians have ensured greater capacity on the front axle, while Brembo hydraulic caliper at the rear has been reduced in size. Additionally, F14 T will have a brake-by-wire system which optimizes pedal consistency and brake balance control as the ERS braking contribution changes during the braking manoeuvre.

The transmission of the car has been also changed and now was designed in order to ensure that efficient delivery of power through the drivetrain while producing class leading starts and high levels of reliability. At last, the car has been fitted with new Pirelli tyres and 13 inch OZ front and rear wheels.

Ferrari F14 T Technical Specifications:

Chassis in carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Ferrari longitudinal gearbox
Servo controlled hydraulic limited-slip differential
Semiautomatic sequential and electronically controlled gearbox with quick shift
Number of gears – 8 +Reverse
Brembo ventilated carbon-fibre disc brakes (front and rear) and brake by wire rear brakes
Independent suspension, pull-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
Weight with water, lubricant and driver = 691 kg
13″ OZ Wheels (front and rear)

ENGINE

Displacement 1600 cc
Max revs 15’000
Turbo charging Single turbo
Fuel flow 100 kg/hr max
Fuel capacity 100 kg
Configuaration V6 90°
Cylinders 6
Bore 80 mm
Stroke 53 mm
Valves 4 per cylinder
Injection 500 bar – direct
Units per driver 5

ERS SYSTEM

Battery Energy (per lap) 4 Mj
MGU-K power 120 kW
MGU-K max revs 50’000 rpm
MGU-H max revs 125’000 rpm

Source: Ferrari

January 28, 2014

Peugeot Tease Concept Car Well Ahead Of Beijing Autoshow

Beijing-Peugeot-Concept-Car-Teaser-shadow The Beijing International Automobile Exhibition will take place between the 20th and the 29th of April. In other words, not anytime soon. Peugeot, however, seem to be rather impatient. This is their first teaser of a concept car that will make a world-first debut there.

All we know is that it’s going to carry the genes of the now well-known Onyx Concept Car and that it’s going to be 4.73m long and 1.31m high. Are talking about another coupe? Maybe, but Peugeot say that it will have seating for four and enough space for each person’s luggage. Looking at the teaser, we can’t help but think that if everyone brings just an apple and a deodorant for the trip, then yeah, there would be enough space for everything.

Let’s not be too judgmental though. There’s still quite a lot of time before this curtain goes up. We might get to see even more teasers beforehand.

Source: Peugeot

January 27, 2014

The Limited Vauxhall ADAM For iPhone Users

Vauxhall-ADAM-Black-Edition-shadow Vauxhall-ADAM-Black-Edition-medium Android users, look away. Vauxhall are releasing a limited edition model of the ADAM city car range that draws inspiration from the iPhone. There will be a total of 250 vehicles sold as two sub-editions: ADAM White and ADAM Black. The latter comes with a…sigh… “I’ll be Black” paint job. We don’t know how to feel about that witticism.

Whatever, let’s get down (sorry) to business. Both of the cars are stuck with this one engine: a 1.4-liter plant. Mind you, it’s not a bad one. It has 10 valves with variable timing and thus a spirited output of 87 PS. The sprint from 0 to 62 mph takes 12.5 seconds which is not bad for a car that returns 51.4 mpg and emits just 130 g/km of CO2 into the atmosphere.

On the outside, complementing the main color theme, is the brushed aluminum feel found on the mirror caps and the grille. Other stand-out features include the tinted rear windows and the twister-like 18-inch wheel.

Inside the Ocio Black/White Morrocana interior (Black or White depending on which edition you go for) is where Apple comes into play. Yes, the ADAM is equipped with the company’s native Intellink infotainment system, but it also has Siri Eyes Free voice control. Anyone using an iOS6 iPhone can comfortably and safely activate the Siri function via the steering wheel controls and operate it with voice commands. Just don’t get too carried away. The last time we saw someone trying to form a relationship with an operating system, we left the cinema with a broken heart. And this one has wheels now.

Source: Vauxhall

January 27, 2014

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