Automobiles Review

Tag: 2014 NAIAS

  • Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept Closer To Reality At Detroit

    Volkswagen-Beetle-Dune-Concept-shadowVolkswagen-Beetle-Dune-Concept-mediumA sketch just a week ago, reality toady: the Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept reveals itself to the world in Detroit at the 2014 North American Auto Show. It’s also closer to production than ever. So get your sunscreen and prepare for the amazing sandboarding session you’ve always dreamed of.

    Why do we think the Dune is close to production? Well, it’s pretty much a Beetle. A beefed up one but, nevertheless, a Beetle. It sits 50 mm higher from the ground than the standard counterparts, It has four aggressively flaring wheel arches that widen the body by 24 mm on each side (that’s a total width of 1,856 mm. Consequently, both of the Dune’s tracks get a 29 mm advantage over the standard ones. A track width, then, of 1,607 mm at the front and 1,573 mm at the rear. It sits on four 19-inch wheels wearing 255/45 tires. Main point: even more ruggedness!

    There are some visual gimmicks that no concept goes without, but they are very minimal. Things like the front bumper honeycomb air intakes, LED turn indicators. Then there’s the back which hosts two spoilers that have been specially designed to accommodate a pair of skis… for sand, apparently.

    A very real part of the car, however, is its turbocharged 210 hp engine, which we suspect may have been lifted from a Golf GTI and mated to a six-speed DSG gearbox. Here are some actual figures: 0 to 62 mph gets done in 7.5 seconds; a top speed of 141 mph is “feasible”; and a fuel economy of 23 mpg (city) or 29 mpg (highway). An interesting engineering choice, though, is the FWD setup. It’s called the Dune, people, how do you tackle the sandy stretches?

    Also, inside things have been left production-friendly. The only Dune-specific interior bit is the additional passenger grab handle in place of the glove-box. You’ll have a hard time noticing it anyway, since there’s a 7.7-inch touchscreen display dominating the center console.

    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
    Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept

    Source: Volkswagen

  • Porsche 911 Targa: A Modern Classic Debuts

    Porsche-911-Targa-shadowPorsche-911-Targa-mediumThere it is. The Porsche 911 Targa marks its world premiere at the Detroit Auto Show. We are genuinely excited about this one, because you know, it brings something fresh to the table. Yes, it’s a reinterpretation of a classic, but even that is welcome in our books in this world of compact-SUV dominance.

    How does the Targa essentially differentiate itself from the rest of the Porsche lineup? Well, it’s a coupe but it’s not, a convertible but not entirely. It has a retractable roof over the driver and passenger seats, a wide bar where you’d expect to find the B-Pillers, and a wrap-around rear window without any pillars again. This being the 21st century and all, everything happens electronically.

    Basically, the Targa system has two movable parts: a soft top and a glass rear window. With the press of a button, the rear window, which is attached to the convertible top compartment lid, opens up and tilts automatically. All the while, two flaps open in the Targa bar, releasing the soft top’s kinematics. The convertible top gets released, folded into a Z-shape as the roof opens, and stowed away behind the rear seats. Once the top has been retracted, the flaps in the bar close and the rear window moves back into position once again. The roof takes around 19 seconds to open or close only when the vehicle is stationary. In case you don’t want the wind in your hair when the top is down, a deflector integrated in the cowl panel frame can be put up manually.

    Although Porsche are being silent about the weight, they do stress out that the rear window is made from an extremely lightweight laminated safety glass. Inside the cabin, the front roof element is lined with black fabric while the Targa roof bar boasts a layer of Alcantara.

    As for the oily bits, the Targa – in true Porsche fashion – comes in to models: the 3.4-liter, 350 hp 911 Targa 4 and the 3.8-liter, 400 hp 911 Targa 4S. Both are all-wheel drive exclusively. The former comes with a 7-speed manual as standard. Should you chose, however, to equip it with Porsche’s Doppelkupplung transmission and the Sport Chrono Package, you’d be able to hit the 60 mph mark in 4.8 seconds.

    The 911 Targa 4S, on the other hand, does the same stretch in 4.4 seconds with the same ticks on the options list. Both versions get pretty good gas mileage as well. From 32 to 28 mpg depending on the model choice and transmission.

    Standard equipment on each model includes leather interior, sports seats, automatic climate contro, Bi-Xenon headlights, 7-inch color touch screen navgation, digital radio, MP3 connectivity, Porsche Stability Management, Porsche Traction Management and a three-year warranty.

    The Targa 4S adds to that 20-inch alloy wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Managemnet, torque vectoring, and a rear limited slip differential.

    Porsche 911 Targa
    Porsche 911 Targa
    Porsche 911 Targa
    Porsche 911 Targa
    Porsche 911 Targa
    Porsche 911 Targa
    Porsche 911 Targa
    Porsche 911 Targa
    Porsche 911 Targa

    Source: Porsche

  • Kia GT4 Stinger Concept Out Of The Shadows

    Kia-GT4-Stinger-Concept-shadowKia-GT4-Stinger-Concept-mediumPure, unadulterated fun is the idea behind the Kia GT4 Stinger Concept which has now gone public in Detroit at the North American Auto Show. An engine at the front, rear-wheel drive, 2+2 seating and an acceptable price. Could eventually Kia be taking on the BRZ and the GT 86? Let’s hope so.

    What we do know for sure, however that the GT4 looks amazing. Yeah, it’s a concept and that’s what it’s supposed to look like, but this one does the job particularly good. It’s 169/7 inches long, 74.4 inches wide and just 49.2 inches tall. It sits close to the ground on 275/35R20 Pirelli Pzero performance tires (235 at the front). Consider us more than impressed with the creeping LED lights, the see-through A-pillars, the silky-smooth sculptured body, and the overly simplified back end. It really is a masterfully designed thing. Props to you, Kia Design Center America (KDCA).

    Enough admiration, though. It’s time to get serious. Like under-the-hood kind of serious. There’s a real engine hiding in there – it’s Kia’s acclaimed T-GDI 2.0-liter unit tuned to churn out 315 hp. All of that power is sent to the rear wheels via a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission. The stopping power is courtesy to the Brembo Gran Turismo 15-inch crossdrilled rotors and four-piston calipers.

    The GT4 should be an adrenaline blast in the corners as well, considering the near perfect (52:48) weight distribution, the quick-ratio steering rack and its relatively low unsprung mass which stands at 2,874 pounds.

    Small wonder then, that you don’t even get a stereo, nor carpets. Door handles? Nah, try pull straps for a size. “It’s a totally selfish design. The design team at KCDA is full of gearheadsand enthusiasts, and the GT4 Stinger is the perfect car for that kind of crowd.” comments chief designer, Tom Kearns

    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
    Kia GT4 Stinger Concept

    Source: Kia

  • Kia Concept Called GT4 Stinger

    Kia-GT4-Stinger-teaser-shadowKia-GT4-Stinger-teaser-mediumThe Kia info-trickling continues. We now know that the super-awesome concept – set to premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in less then 15 days – is called the GT4 Stinger. A rather American sounding name.

    That’s because it is largely American. After all, the designs were drawn up by the team in Kia’s American Design Center in California. What you see here on this picture is the brand’s signature “Tiger Nose”. Introduced first with the Kia Kee concept back in 2007, that grille has been with us ever since, and while we can’t really see a tiger in there, we admire their imaginative approach. Those whiskers(?) of light are flanked by vertical LED headlamps. There are vents in-between to channel air to a pair of 20-inch wheels, so that’s new information, right?

    Oh, and behind that grille, there lays a 2.0-liter engine that hurls 315 hp towards the back wheels.

    More info before the official reveal should become available so stay tuned.

    Source: Kia

  • NAIAS Kia Concept Teaser

    Kia-Sports-Concept-Teaser-shadowKia-Sports-Concept-Teaser-mediumThe first image (sort of) of an upcoming unnamed Kia concept is here, and we are feeling curious.

    What is it?

    All we know is that we are talking about a “stunning” 2+2 sports car designed at Kia’s Irvine, California-based studio. Hey, at least its not another compact SUV nonsense. Also, it kind of looks like a baby Veyron.

    Is it going to gold-plated or what?

    We highly doubt it, but if it is, may we suggest calling it the “Calf“? Don’t want to get too biblical here, but if it does turn out to be something ridiculously expensive and luxurious, it will be a type of heresy against the Kia way. That is, cheap, affordable and sensible. Then again, we’d like to see what happens when they flex their muscles.

    We have nothing else, really. Kia promises full disclosure at the North American International Auto Show where this thing will make its world debut. Detroit it is then.

    Source: Kia

  • Volvo Tease The Concept XC Coupe Ahead Of NAIAS

    Volvo-XC-Coupe-concept-medium-1

    First there was the Volvo Concept Coupé, and it was very good. Now, or in a month or so later, we get to meet the second of three design studies that are based on the Swedish company’s Scalable Product Architecture – it’s the Volvo Concept XC Coupé. Before its world première on the 13th of January at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), here are some pictures and a video to get the main idea behind it.

    Volvo say that the purpose of this particular concept is to showcase how the company’s famous safety technology can go hand-in-hand with the contemporary Scandinavian active lifestyle. It’s a Volvo with a ski-box. We see what you did there.

    If we have to be honest, the XC looks like an uncanny merging of the Volvo Concept Coupé and the back end of a Volvo C30. It is obviously going to be an SUV-ish type of thing (hence the X in the name). Maybe Volvo also want a piece of the sub-compact pie? We are looking at you, Volkswagen and Audi.

    More (if not all) information on the Volvo Concept XC Coupe will be available on the 8th of January.

    Volvo-XC-Coupe-concept-medium-2

    Volvo-XC-Coupe-concept-medium-3

    httpv://youtu.be/P6cOJxGGuzg

    Source: Volvo