Automobiles Review – Page 617 – Car News, Car Reviews, Auto Shows, Car Photos, Car Videos

North American Debut of Continental GT V8 S at NAIAS Detroit 2014

Bantley-Continental-GT-V8-S-Coupe-shadow Bentley have had a great year and – either as a token of gratitude or simply because of pure economics – are bringing the Bentley Continental GT V8 S to the US.

“I am delighted to bring this car to our biggest market for the first time, in this sustained period of growth for the Americas. This region’s strong performance played an important role in making 2013 a record year. With its latest results, Bentley is the world’s most sought after luxury car brand.” – comments Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive

Yeah, it’s economics. The first appearance of the S on US soil will be at the NAIAS in Detroit next week. Attendees will have the opportunity to marvel at one of the company’s finest products. 521 bhp garnished with the sweet rumbling sound of a 4-liter twin-turbo V8.

The close-ratio ZF 8-speed autmatic transmission has to handle up to 680 Nm of torque an use it to get the Continental from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. The overall top speed stands at 192 mph and the range covered on a single tank can be up to 500 miles.

Accompanying the V8 S on the Bentley stand at Detroit will be the performance-oriented sedan Flying Spur and the brimming with luxuries and equipment flagship: the Mulsanne Bantley-Continental-GT-V8-S-Convertible-medium

Source: Bentley

January 10, 2014

Special Model Smart Fortwo Called The Citybeam

Smart-Fortwo-Citybeam-shadow Smart-Fortwo-Citybeam-medium It seems that the Brussels motor show is happening right now, and a particularly unexciting piece of news reached our inbox today. The Smart Fortwo has turned up with a new special edition. It’s the Citybeam.

We don’t know why they’ve called it that. We do know, however, that it has its body panels available in light blue, silver metallic or matt anthracite. We had to look up that last one. The Smart’s tridion safety cell (that is, it’s body) comes only in silver. So why do we get to see the most boring combination of all – silver + silver? Apparently, the Citybeam also boast a special type of 3-double spoked wheels measuring at 175/55 R15 at the front and 195/50 R15 at the back. For the sake of not confusing it for a generic silver Smart, it also has ‘Citybeam’ written on at the base of the A-pillar, LED daytime running lights and titanium-coloured headlights.

Inside, you get black leather seats with, you guessed it, crystal grey (how is that not silver again?) inserts and stitching. The instrument panel is also covered in leather, so is the wheel and the floor mats read, you guessed it, ‘Citybeam’.

In reality. though, the Crystalbeam is a Smart Fortwo Passion (Passion being the equipment line). In other words, a Softtouch automatic gearbox, electric windows, climate control, and a transparent panoramic roof with a sunblind. That last one comes only with the Citybeam Coupe. A Cabrio is also available.

Finally, in terms of power sources, the Citybeam will come with three choices: a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine with 71 hp; the same engine but turbocharged with 84 hp; and an electric motor good for 55 kWs of power output.

Prices will start from 14,490 Euros ($19,704).

Source: smart

January 10, 2014

Kahn Range Rover 600-LE Luxury Edition

Kahn is currently exhibiting the Range Rover 600-LE Luxury Edition at the Autosport International Show. The big SUV comes with a lot of styling upgrades including complete aerodynamics package, big wheels and impressive interior.

The exterior boasts a new dynamic front bumper and aggressive grille with 3D mesh. There is also a new rear bumper including exhaust diffuser, rear boot lid spoiler and Kahn ‘Crosshair’ tail pipes in an exciting new textured matt black finish.

Kahn 600-LE Luxury Edition rolls huge 9.5J x 23” Kahn RS2 wheels fitted with ultra-low profile tires.

The interior boasts complete new hand-crafted leather upholstery, body hugging seats and new instrument cluster.

Source: Kahn Design

January 10, 2014

Wald Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212 Black Bison

Wald International has unveiled their latest project based on Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The W212 Black Bison comes with complete aerodynamics package.

The Black Bison kit include reworked front bumper with integrated LED DRLs, enormours rear diffuser housing quad-exhaust system, big trunk lid spoiler as well as a spoiler above the rear window.

Last, but not least Wald International has fitted the tuned E-class with enormous alloy wheels fitted with high-performance Potenza S001 tires.

No words about performance packages, but probably there will be available some new ECU programs boosting the turbocharged engines.

Source: Wald International

January 10, 2014

Volkswagen Beetle Dune Off-Roader Makes Debut In Detroit

Another concept is announced to make its official premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and it is the Volkswagen Beetle Dune. The brand has released a sketch to reveal the car ahead of debut and through it we can get the impression of Beetle’s cool and rugged offroad look.

As a matter of fact Volkswagen is taking into consideration the chance to bring in production the Dune concept, making it the sportiest Beetle ever. The details revealed are not many but say much: the body was raised by two inches and the designers bolted a pair of skis to the roof.

Another interesting fact is that the Dune Concept actually revisits an idea that was born with the New Beetle Dune concept, presented in Los Angeles in 2000. However, the latter car was unsuccessful because of its unrealistic design, interior and roof structure.

Dune is based on the production R-Line Beetle and will be equipped with 210-horsepower turbocharged TSI engine matched with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. The concept puts its power to the ground via the front wheels and a strut-type front and multilink rear suspension, with the XDS electronic differential lock delivering additional traction.

Source: Volkswagen

January 10, 2014

Scion Makes Fr-S And tC More Luxurious With Limited Edition Monogram Series

2014 Scion FR-S and tC are now gaining premium features with the competitively priced, limited edition Monogram Series. They will be displayed for the first time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The vehicles will be available in dealerships from February.

Scion Monogram Series are going to include high-end features like Alcantara inserts in the FR-S and navigation technology in both the FR-S and tC. Only 2000 of these limited FR-S models and 2,500 tC models will be produced.

Scion FR-S Monogram Series features the following equipment: HID headlamps with LED daytime running lights, heated outside mirrors, color-keyed rear spoiler.

The interior of the LE model includes Smart Key with push button start, dual-zone automatic climate control system, heated front seats, leather seats with Alcantara inserts, BeSpoke Premium Audio with navigation and connected services, frameless rearview mirror, rear-seat center armrest, carpet cargo mat.

Scion tC Monogram Series’ exterior will offer to its owner color-keyed low-profile rear spoiler, rear window wiper, while the interior is more abundant and features leather trimmed seats with perforated inserts, BeSpoke Premium Audio with navigation and connected services, Smart Key with push button start, heated front seats, leather shift knob, carpet floor and cargo mat, upgraded center console lid with accent stitching and upgraded interior door trim.

Scion FR-S Monogram Series has a starting price of $27 400 USD, while the tC Monogram Series – $21 400 USD.

Both cars will be offered in the standard exterior color with the choice of six-speed manual and six-speed sequential automatic transmission. As an option, there is also available a premium exterior Whiteout color.

Source: Scion

January 10, 2014

Kia Reveales Details For GT4 Stinger And Next Teaser Image

A week ago it was announced that Kia will premiere a concept vehicle called GT4 Stinger at 2014 Detroit Motor Show (NAIAS). With this news the brand released a teaser image of the front of the car. Now the world is ready for another portion of the car revealed ahead of official debut.

The teaser shows the car when looked from above with its sleek and dynamic profile. Beneath the low wedge of the sculpted bonnet is hidden a tuned version of Kia’s 2.0-litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection (T-GDI) four-cylinder engine. The latter is responsible for the 315 horsepower (232 kW).

The unit is matched with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission which directs power to the rear wheels. There 275/35R20 Pirelli P-Zero performance tyres meet the asphalt. The tyres on the other hand are coupled with custom 20-inch aluminium centre-lock wheels with carbon fibre inserts for strength and weight reduction.

What bring to halt the GT4 are Brembo Gran Tourismo two-piece cross-drilled rotors with four-piston callipers. As one can see, the Stinger will be covered with the expressive ‘Ignition Yellow’ paint, and what one can not see is the custom chassis with an independent double wishbone suspension.

Full specifications of Kia GT4 Stinger are to be revealed next week at NAIAS.

Source: Kia

January 10, 2014

Puritalia 427 Still Not Ready

Puritalia-427-shadow Puritalia-427-medium-1 The story here dates back to July last year. A press release from the tiny Italian company Puritalia stated that by the end of 2013, it will unleash its handmade 427 model that will ultimately have a limited run of 100 vehicles.

Visually, the 427 is a tribute to the light and powerful roadsters of the sixties; conceptually, it’s a tribute to those who appreciate pure, mechanical power. “The only electric motor is for the wipers” a slogan reads on their web page.

All sounds clunkily delicious. Especially when you consider that the intended engine is a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that produces 605 hp. The 6-speed transmission should be manual, the limited slip differential hydraulic, and the rear wheels ruined from the merciless torque (640 Nm). Big brembo brakes will try to tame the power while two-way adjustable mono-tube shock absorbers and adjustable stabilizers will try keep things firmly planted on the road.

By the 30th of December 2013, there was silence. Apparently, things had fallen behind schedule since only on the 31th of December their website stirred up and uploaded a few pictures of work still being done to the 427. And hey, it even has HRE wheels on already. Not quite finished then, but alive and kicking nevertheless.

Puritalia-427-medium-2 Puritalia-427-medium-3 Puritalia-427-medium-4

Source: Puritalia

January 9, 2014

Porsche 991 Targa Tributes Original [TEASER]

Porsche-911-Targa-Teaser-medium What you see above is the original Porsche 911 Targa from 1965. The new one that’s coming out any moment now, is supposed to pay an homage to it. Porsche are still silent about how exactly the 991 Targa is going to look like so our guess is as good as yours. Having the signature movable center roof section and wrap-around rear windows is a certainty. An image claiming to be the real deal is floating around the internet, but we’ll let you fish it out.

The officials are simply saying: “hey, come and watch the official reveal at the NAIAS in Detroit.

Detroit is where Porsche will also put the Cayenne Platinum Edition and Cayenne Diesel Platinum Edition on a show stand for the first time: basically the Cayennes you know with an extra bit of spice such as exterior touches and interior two-tone color schemes. The Macan S and Macan Turbo will also be there, should you be interested.

But let’s face it, all eyes will be on the rarity that is the 911 Targa. Can they really go wrong with it?

Source: Porsche

January 9, 2014

ABT Audi RS7 – 700HP and 880Nm

ABT has presented their latest project based on the super powerful 4-door sports coupe – Audi RS7.

2014 Audi RS7 is powered by 4.0 liter bi-turbo V8 TFSI – 560HP (412 kW) at 5,700RPM and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) at just 1,750RPM. Of course this is not enough, so ABT boosted the engine to 666HP (490 kW) and 830Nm (615 lb-ft) of torque at Stage I.

Stage II bumps the power to whopping 700HP (515 kW) and 880Nm (652 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h is not mentioned, but is around 3.5 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited at 320 km/h (199 mph).

Other highlights include ABT wheel spacers and sporty alloy wheels – ER-C in its “silver bullet look“ is available in 20” and the DR design even in 21”. Both are fitted with high-performance tires.

Source: ABT

January 9, 2014

GSC McLaren P1 Night Glow [RENDER]

GSC-McLaren-P1-shadow GSC-McLaren-P1-medium Okay, this is the vision of German Special Customs’ (GSC) Jens Engelmann for the McLaren P1, and it definitely is something. That is, it’s unique, and orange… but good? We can’t tell. Aesthetic blindness some call it.

It’s called the “Night Glow” – no, not the rave party you got invited to last month on Facebook – the McLaren over here which is still in draft (render) form. Its fitted with a custom made kit consisting of an apron with a pointy spoiler blade, side blades, and LED daytime running lights. There are also side skirts and a very conspicuous rear diffuser. Moving further back we notice a roof air-scoop and a ridiculously big rear wing promptly called by GSC, XXL. No need for the stock retractable one then? You know, the one that was designed to preserve the car’s signature teardrop shape? Okay… The final product is expected to deliver 1000+ hp so all these changes better have some possitive aerodynamic value.

Oh, and probably the most shocking feature here, however, are the exhaust end-pipes which strike us as…well, round.

We’ll just sit here for a little bit more staromg at it and see if we can make up our minds about the looks.

Source: GSC

January 9, 2014

US-Spec Volkswagen Golf R at NAIAS

2015-Volkswagen-Golf-R-medium So, the NAIAS draws near and so do the good news. In our case, the latest Volkswagen Golf R: it’s coming to the US market. There will be a preview at the show, but the actual sales won’t happen until 2015. What’s also interesting is that this US-spec R will be a tiny bit underpowered than its European counterpart.

Still, it will be the most powerful Golf on the market, brandishing 290 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque. The source of that power is a GTI-sourced TSI 2.0 engine. However, in order to make it meet the needs of the R, engineers had to tweak quite a few bits. the cylinder head (together with exhaust valves, valve seats, and springs), pistons, high-pressure injection system, and turbocharger have all been modified or completely redesigned. As a result, the latest flagship Golf will be the most powerful to date with 34 hp more than the previous 2013 model. Volkswagen also hail the TSI in it as one of the most powerful four-cylinder engines in the world (“one of the” being key here).

Mated to a manual six speed gear, it can propell the Golf R to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.3 seconds. Go for the DSG dual-clutch automatic and that number drops to 4.9 seconds. The same ratio is true for the combined fuel consumption. 33 mpg (manual) and 28 mpg (DSG).

The power transferred from the engine to the wheels goes through Volkswagen’s 4MOTION permanent all-wheel-drive system. Apparently not so permanent these days since a clever Haldex 5 coupling unit uses an electro-hydraulic oil pump to continuously alter the torque distribution. Under relatively light loads, the R can go all day with all the power going to the front wheels. When necessary, 100 percent of the torque can also be directed to the rear wheels. Flamboyant cornering should cause no sweats thanks to an XDS+ cross differential lock operates on both axles. The bravest of the brave can even completely switch off the electronic stability control, thus indulging in the car’s purest mode of driving.

An extra option that can come along with the R is the DCC dynamic chassis control – a state of the art software-operated system that has us confused with its many modes and settings. The gist of it, though, is the independent regulation of the damper rebound and compression on each wheel. The process is fast, adaptive and rather autonomous.

In terms of visuals, you will recognize a Golf R – granted you miss the R badges – by it’s lower stance (0.8 inches lower than any other regular golf and 0.2 inches lower than the GTI). The brake disks are also quite noticeable at a diameter of 13.4 inches at the front and 12.2-inches at the rear wheels. Distinctive body parts: the bumpers, side skirts, the rear diffuser, and two dual exhaust tips in chrome. The headlights (Bi-Xenon) get complemented by “U”-designed LED daytime running lights whatever that means. 18-inch “Cadiz” aluminum-alloy wheels shod with 225/40 tires complete the picture.

Source: Volkswagen

January 9, 2014

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