Automobiles Review – Page 972 – Car News, Car Reviews, Auto Shows, Car Photos, Car Videos

2012 Jaguar XJ Price – £55 515

The Jaguar XJ 3.0 litre Diesel has received a Green Apple Environment Award. The luxury saloon is being named Gold Winner for Luxury Green Vehicles. The award was voted for by members of the Midlands Group of Motoring Writers and presented by its Chairman, Ian Donaldson.

The XJ was launched in 2010 and has since become Jaguar’s award winning flagship saloon, with its Advanced Aluminium Architecture it’s capable of achieving 39.2 mpg. Still, it delivers nice performance with the 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 diesel developing 275PS (202 kW) and 600Nm (440 lb-ft) of torque. 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 266 km/h (165 mph).

“This award recognises the XJ’s ability to achieve high levels of economy and efficiency without compromising on luxury and quality. The XJ has and continues to receive awards across the board – we are delighted with its success.”, said Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director, Jaguar UK

This month has seen the launch of XJ Sport and Speed pack at the Dubai Motor show – in supercharged form, the fastest and most dynamic XJ ever created.

2012 Jaguar XJ is priced from £55 515.

Model	Displacement	power, torque at rpm	acceleration (0–100 km/h) (s)	top speed
3.0 Litre V6 twin turbo Diesel	2 993 cc	275 PS (202 kW) at 4000RPM, 600 Nm (440 ft-lb) at 2000RPM	6.4	250 km/h (155 mph)
5.0 Litre V8 Petrol	5 000 cc	385 PS (283 kW) at 6500RPM, 515 N-m (380 ft-lb) at 3500RPM	5.7	250 km/h (155 mph)
5.0 Litre V8 Petrol Supercharged	5 000 cc	470 PS (346 kW) at 6000RPM, 575 N-m (424 ft-lb) at 2500RPM	5.2	250 km/h (155 mph)
5.0 Litre V8 Petrol Supercharged	5 000 cc	510 PS (375 kW) at 6000RPM, 625 N-m (461 ft-lb) at 2500RPM	4.9	250 km/h (155 mph)

Source: Jaguar

November 15, 2011

Skoda Yeti E 2.0 TDI CR Price – £16 170

Skoda Yeti has been awarded by The Green Organisation, an independent group dedicated to promoting the positive side of environmental behavior. The compact SUV has won International Green Apple Environment Award.

The award was judged by members of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers, who were invited to nominate their favourite contender from a shortlist of four. The Yeti E 2.0-litre TDI CR’s outstanding environmental performance – 52.3mpg on combined cycle and only 140g/km CO₂ emissions – coupled with its practicality and versatility, edged out the competition.

“It does everything you need a car to do and you get a lot of car for the money. This is actually that rare beast, an SUV with luggage space,” commented the judges. The awards presentation took place at a special event at the House of Commons on Monday 14 November.

“The Yeti has been a game-changing car for ŠKODA and to win an award based around its environmental credentials is fantastic. That we’re the first winner of this honour makes it doubly special.”, said Skoda UK Product Marketing Manager, Chris Horrell.

The Skoda Yeti E 2.0-litre TDI CR is price at just £16 170. You can check E grade specification, below!

E Grade Includes:

Safety

Driver, passenger front, side and curtain airbags
Passenger airbag with switch-off function
Rear disc brakes
Alarm system with interior monitoring and back-up horn

Function

Height and reach adjustable four spoke steering wheel
Halogen projector headlights with DE-module

Equipment

Varioflex seating
Black roof rails
Tyre repair set (compressor 12 V + bottle with the adhesive filling)
Front electric windows
Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors

Comfort

Remote central locking (with 2 keys)
Manual air conditioning with automatic regulation
Height-adjustable driver and passenger seat
Radio Stream – 2 DIN with integrated single CD player

Design

16″ ‘Rif’ steel wheels 7Jx16
Black door mirrors and door handles
Black protective side mouldings
Decorative ‘Graphite’ inserts on dashboard

Source: Skoda

November 15, 2011

2012 Fisker Karma Price – €85 500

Fisker Automotive has announced the all-new 2012 Karma coming with exclusive interior.

Fisker Karma EcoStandard™ and EcoSport™ now include seats, steering, dash, door-casings and centre-console trim wrapped in low carbon leather.

The four-door Karma coupe can accelerate to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds and to achieve an impressive consumption of more than 100 miles per gallon and 83 g/km CO₂ emissions. 2012 Karma is priced at €85 500. Bridge of Weir will also go on to supply low-carbon leather to the full Fisker range, including the recently announced Surf model.

With a production process supported by Bridge of Weir’s innovative new thermal energy plant in Scotland, Fisker vehicles can boast that even the interior leather is low carbon and manufactured with zero waste. Opened in 2010, the thermal energy plant is the only one of its kind in the world leather industry, and takes what was previously waste sent straight to landfill and converts it directly to energy for heating the huge volumes of recycled water required in the manufacturing process.

“Bridge of Weir produce the finest leather I have seen in a car, and now that they can do this with zero waste, their low-carbon leather just had to feature in Fisker cars.”, finished Henrik Fisker, Fisker Automotive co-founder, CEO and executive design director.

Source: Fisker

November 15, 2011

dp Motorsport 1973 Porsche 911

1973 Porsche 911 is a stunningly beautiful car and what is more, it is fantastic to drive not only because it has magnificent engine, but it is super lightweight. Still, the dp Motorsport has “added” some additional equipment to the small Porsche or we should say “deleted”…

The rear-engined 911 is powered by a 3.6 litre flat-six with 310PS (228 kW). The car also comes with open air filters, a programmable advance curve double fuse combined with a G-50 Gearbox and limited slip differential are the decisive engine/transmission characteristics.

The tuned 911 also features a dp11 RS 2011 bodykit manufactured from carbon, including front bumper and hood, fenders, lightweight doors, rear fender flares, rear bumper and rear spoiler.

There are also green heated windscreen, a set of green-toned Plexiglas windows, as well as lightweight lamp lenses, were installed for the sake of weight saving. Reduced-weight tail light lamp holders, as well as air conditioner cover and underride protection from carbon, help chop the weight down to the desired figure. The carbon roof panel has been manufactured using the sandwich vacuum technique, and both hoods are equipped with quick release fasteners.

dp Motorsport 911 stands on superwide 9J x 15” at the front and 13J x 15” Fuchs alloy wheels fitted with 225/50-15 and 345/35-15 tires, respectively.

Apart from the dp coilovers, adjustable stabilizers, as well as head bearing, the spring plates and rear-axle independent arms with Uniball bushings are definitely worth a mention. A braking system originating from a 964 model and adjusted for the 911-G-Modell provides appropriate deceleration.

The interior boasts dp 935 bucket seats, the light carbon dashboard, a special knee bar set and the raised central tunnel catch the eye at first glance. In contrast to the body colour, the interior is dominated by black Alcantra. A welded safety cage, a varnished sports steering wheel with Porsche horn button, a lid instead of the clock and a carbon underbody are impossible to overlook. Finally, such specials are featured as a dp Clubsporttank with the capacity of 70 litres, a 25-amp gel battery starter, a smaller windshield cleaning liquid tank, light electric interior airing system, a middle oil cooler with front hood ventilation, as well as a brake cooling housing made of carbon.

All these modifications ultimately result in bringing the unladen weight of this 911 down to 870 kg, so you have to expect amazing performance.

Source: dp Motorsport

November 14, 2011

Dacia Lodgy Glace

Dacia has introduced Lodgy Glace – the sports variant of the new family road car which will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012. Two Lodgy Glace will will take to on the grid for every race as the first will be driven by Alain Prost and the second by Nicolas Prost and Evens Stievenart.

The Lodgy Glace has been designed specifically for this unique racing series, which is renowned as one of the most challenging in motorsport. The technical regulations of the Trophée Andros are extremely strict, and impose restrictions on all aspects of the vehicle – chassis dimensions, gearbox, tyres, including the materials employed. Everything is done to limit the use of complex and costly technical solutions: instead, this series is all about finding simple, ingenious solutions, a measure which fits perfectly with the Dacia brand. The series also brings the car‘s reliability to the fore, combined with driver skill.

Custom-prepared by the teams at Tork Engineering – design, production, assembly and Sodemo – engine.

The Lodgy Glace is fully checked by Renault Sport Technologies (RST). Throughout the project, RST has contributed its technical and sporting expertise from the world of motorsport: it acts like a conductor, perfectly coordinating the different technical partners and disciplines – design, engineering, the Dacia brand and the drivers.
Check out the full specs, below!

Dacia Lodgy Glace Specs:

CHASSIS
Type: tubular steel
Suspension: double wishbones; adjustable Öhlins integrated springs/damper units

ENGINE
Type: VQ 30 developed from the Renault-Nissan Alliance 24-valve V6
Position: mid-rear
Cubic capacity (cc): 2,987
Bore x stroke (mm): 93 x 73.3
Maximum power: 355hp @ 7,500rpm
Maximum torque: 360Nm @ 5,500 rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: four-wheel drive
Gearbox: SADEV 6-speed sequential
Differentials: limited slip front and rear

BRAKES
Front: 300mm Ø steel discs
Rear: 265mm Ø steel discs
Calipers: Beringer 4 pot

WHEELS
Rims: 5.5’’ x 16’’ magnesium
Tyres: Continental Ice Racing Contact 3

DIMENSIONS/WEIGHT
Length: 4,001mm
Width: 1,900mm
Front/rear track: 1,690mm
Wheelbase: 2,500mm
Weight: 950kg
Fuel tank: 25 litres

STEERING
Type: 4 wheel steering
Hydraulic power steering
Cam-adjustable rear steering

Source: Dacia

November 14, 2011

BMW Individual X5M and X6M in Asia

BMW Asia has announced two more ///M models: Individual X5M and Individual X6M, which are now available with BMW Individual Paintwork, BMW Individual Extended Leather Trim Merino, BMW Individual Interior Trim, Soft Close function for doors, DVD system at rear, 6 DVD Changer and BMW Internet. The BMW Individual X5 M further comes with a panorama glass roof, while the BMW Individual X6 M comes with an electric glass roof and is available as a 4+1 seater version.

BMW Individual Paintwork includes Azurite Black metallic, Ruby Black metallic and Citrine Black metallic and Pearl Silver metallic.

The interior boasts Merino leather in five color choices: Platinum, Champagne, Slate, Criollo Brown and Amaro Brown. There are also several trimmings: Eucalyptus, Walnut or Piano Finish Black.

BMW X6 M and X5 M are powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 555PS (408 kW) at 6000RPM and 680Nm (500 lb-ft) between 1500RPM and 5650RPM. The power is put on the road through 6-speed M Sports Automatic transmission with aluminum paddleshifters on steering wheel. 0 to 100 km/h in 5 seconds and top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) – electronically limited.

Both vehicles come also with 10 mm lower Adaptive Drive suspension, 4-piston calipers at the front with huge 396mm brake discs.

They stand on 20” alloy wheels with fitted with 275/40 R20 at the front and 315/35 R20 at the rear run-on-flat tires.

Source: BMW

November 14, 2011

Toyota Avensis with Touch and Go Plus

Toyota now offers Toyota’s innovative and affordable Touch and Go integrated multimedia and navigation system as a standard feature on all models bar the entry level T₂ grade. The new Avensis takes in-car connectivity to an even higher level by bringing more functionality and versatility of the system to include features such as access to email, advanced traffic data improved mapping, and voice recognition.

Having the ability to keep connected to key communications channels while on the move will further strengthen the appeal of new Avensis to business customers, in addition to the attractive company car tax position enjoyed by the new 119g/km 2.0 D-4D diesel engine, which makes its debut in the 2012 Avensis.

Touch and Go Plus

Avensis is the first Toyota to offer Toyota Touch and Go Plus. It is designed for quick and easy use, with an advanced voice recognition system for inputting navigation addresses and “one-shot” destination entry. The on-board entertainment functions include a music search-and-play and, using a Gracenote database, a ‘Play More Like This’ music function.

Email can be sent and received and, for convenience on the move, there is a text-to-speech message function and a phonebook search-and-call facility.

The more sophisticated satellite navigation mapping incorporates 3D city modelling and landmarks, and an additional Traffic Patterns database which shows the average speed on sections of a programmed route, according to the time, day and month.

The system includes three years’ free map and software updates.

Future upgrades will enable text messages and emails to be dictated, and for the screen to display Google Search Street View.

Toyota Touch and Go – key features

6.1-inch touchscreen
Pan-European satellite navigation
Motorway-style signposting
Eco-route option
Driver can enter and store personal points of interest (POI)
Stop-over function (route navigation resumes after a break in a journey, such as an overnight hotel stop)
Detailed live traffic information
Speed limit and safety camera warnings
SMS/text message sending and receipt
Bluetooth
Connection via Bluetooth and compatible mobile phone to Google Local Search and downloadable applications*
Rear-view camera
Phone book integration with pictures of contacts displayed on-screen.
Audio streaming from iPods and other portable music players
iPod album cover display

* Requires a Bluetooth compatible phone with data connection enabled and tethering permitted by the mobile network operator. Connection requires customer log-in via the Toyota customer portal.

Toyota Touch and Go Plus – additional features

Advanced voice recognition
Enhanced mapping with 3D city modelling and landmarks
Email and calendar integration
Text to speech function
Music search and play
“Play more like this” music function
Traffic patterns database

Source: Toyota

November 14, 2011

Prior Design Porsche 996

To create Golf Mk4 from Mk3 is really easy and everything fits without any modifications, but try to fake Porsche 997 with 996 model… Here is a solution and it comes from the German tuner Prior Design, which has unveiled its PD3 Aerodynamic kit for the 996 Porsche 911.

The aerodynamics package includes front bumper and front lip spoiler, front fenders, a pair of side skirts and a rear bumper with diffuser.

Somebody will decide that is not very good idea, because Porsche 996 has a unique spirit, but the 997 looks very different and according to us more like an old school Porsche. So, it up to you, whether you’ll like to convert your 996 model to 997 with the kit from Prior Design.

Conversion:

– PD3 front bumper – fits all 996 models converted into 997 with PD3 conversion kit (front fenders PD3 + front bumper PD3)
– PD3 front fenders (fits all 911 996 models only in combination with PD3 front bumper)
– PD1 side skirts (2X) (fits all 911 996 models except Turbo)
– PD1 rear bumper (fits all 911 996 models except Turbo)
– PD1 front lip-spoiler (fits all 911 996 models in combination with PD1 front bumper)
– Mounting material
– TÜV parts certificate included.

Source: Prior Design

November 14, 2011

REIL Performance Porsche GT3

REIL Performance – a product of MR CAR DESIGN in Erftstadt – has changed the performance specification of Porsche 997 GT3 via a number of upgrades.

The 997 GT3 is powered by a 3.6 liter flat-six with 420PS (309 kW), which is enough to catapult the small car to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The top speed is 311 km/h (193 mph). Porsche’s official test-driver Walter Rohrl lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 42 seconds with the 997 GT3.

REIL has added chip-tuning and a specially designed Akrapovic exhaust system named GT3. The overall power is bumped to 455PS (335 kW).

The GT3 also received HLS lift kit which helps to prevent all obstacles. It should be mentioned on this occasion that the ARTEVO company, which is situated in vicinity to minster, has become a REIL Performance base for the minster land.

And to clarify it once more: the company MR CAR DESIGN in Erftstadt and REIL Performance have virtually acquired an “offshoot” at the same place in the best sense which principal activity is processing and assembling high-quality products.

The main aim of the company is manufacturing relevant cars, as it is easy to see by the example of the red wolf in sheep’s fur shown here.

Source: REIL Performance

November 11, 2011

Mitsubishi ASX Black

Mitsubishi has announced the ASX Black, a new special edition model with enhanced exterior styling and a bespoke interior.

The exterior features a satin black styling kit including striking black 17” alloy wheels, roof, spoiler, mirrors, grille and fog lamp bezels. The interior benefits from the addition of a special edition black leather kit featuring carbon fibre inserts.

Based on the current Mitsubishi ASX4, the newcomer will be launched on 11^th November 2011 and will be available in Mitsubishi’s UK dealerships in the following metallic colours:

Kingfisher Blue (Metallic)
Polar White (Solid)
Cool Silver (Metallic)
Amethyst Black (Pearlescent)
Atlantic Grey (Metallic)
Orient Red (Metallic)

The engine range includes a 1.6 litre petrol with 115PS (85 kW) at 6000RPM and 154Nm (114 lb-ft) at 4000RPM mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. There is also a 1.8 DiD turbodiesel engine with 150PS (110 kW) at 4000RPM and 300Nm (221 lb-ft) at 2000RPM with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Mitsubishi also offer an AWC electronically controlled 4×4 system offered with the 1.8 DiD turbo diesel.

2012 Mitsubishi ASX Black is priced at £21 099 for the 1.6 2WD Manual. The 1.8 DI-D 2WD Manual costs £23 299 and the 1.8 DI-D 4WD Manual is £25 399.

Check out the standard equipment, below!

The ASX4 standard features include:

Kenwood satellite navigation system
Reversing camera
iPod connection
Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control (M-ASTC)

The below measures all contribute to the ASX’s excellent emissions and economy:

Auto Stop & Go
Application of variable valve timing (diesel engine)
Electric power steering
Low rolling resistance tyres
Regenerative brakes (Generation Control System)
Low viscosity oil
LED lighting
Weight reduction measures

Source: Mitsubishi

November 11, 2011

Wiesmann Black Bat

The company SchwabenFolia in Korntal-Münchingen situated in Baden-Württemberg has created a unique Wiesmann MF5 V10 Roadster. The project name is Black Bat and you can see, why! The tuned car comes with extra matte black exterior, door panels, engine room and the inner hood, as well as the trunk along with the inner flap are completely foiled.

Wiesmann-MF5 is powered by the brilliant S85B50 – 5.0 liter V10 with 507PS (378 kW) at 7750RPM and 520Nm (384 lb-ft) of torque at 6100RPM. The BMW’s Performance engine of the Year features cast aluminum block with bed plate design split at the crankshaft axis, cast aluminum heads with four valves per cylinder and CNC machined ports and combustion chambers. Valves are actuated through non-rotating inverted bucked cam followers. There are also oil-cooled, forged aluminum pistons from Mahle Motorsport, forged steel crankshaft with counterweights, shared crankpins producing an uneven firing interval of 90 or 54 degrees, double VANOS system which varies both intake and exhaust cam phasing, 10 individual electronically controlled throttle butterflies. The knock sensors have been eliminated by utilizing the “ionic current” measuring system. And finally a quasi-dry sump lubricating system.

After all this dry info, check out the performance – 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and to 200 km/h in under 10 seconds. The top speed is more than 321 km/h (200 mph).

The Black Bat stands on enormous BBS forged alloy wheels 10J x 20” with 285/30 ZR20 tires at the front and 11.5J x 20” with 325/25 ZR20 on the rear axle. Behind them, there are brembo 6-piston calipers with 308 x 32 mm perforated compound brake discs and 4-piston calipers with 380 x 28 mm discs at the rear.

The overall weight is 1395 kg.

Source: SchwabenFolia

November 11, 2011

2013 Cadillac XTS

Cadillac will exhibit the new 2013 XTS at the Los Angeles Auto Show, next week. Cadillac XTS is practically the same as the XTS Platinum Concept, which will be produced instead the DTS and STS models.

The exterior boasts superb elegance and hosts the Cadillac’s Art and Science design language, which include vertical headlamp and taillamps, with integrated light pipes and richly detailed lighting components. There are also spoiler mounted on the deck lid, incorporating the center high-mounted stop lamp, a high beltline and 20” alloy wheels fitted with low-profile tires.

The interior includes Organic Light-Emitting Diode (O-LED) displays in place of traditional gauges and screens. XTS will also feature Cadillac’s high-end CUE infotainment system.

The engine will be a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 322PS (237 kW) and 372Nm (275 lb-ft). It is interesting that the big saloon will have FWD, but we hope that an all-wheel drive will be available as an option.

2013 Cadillac XTS will be presented on November 16.

Source: Cadillac

November 11, 2011

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