Tag: 4WD

  • Peugeot 4008 4×4

    Peugeot-4008-4x4-thumbResponding to customer interest, Peugeot have came up with this – The 4008 4×4 SUV. A world debut is set for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and then in April, it will be launched outside of Europe as a C segment all-terrain vehicle to meed the needs of many who are looking for just that (for the last four years, C and D segment SUV demand has doubled in Russia and tripled in Europe).

    The 4008 has been designed by Peugeot in collaboration with Mitsubishi and looking at that distinctive front face and specifically the headlights, one can tell. Other eye-catching features include the LED daytime running lights that sit just under the hood and the three red claw sculptured lamps. The platform of the 4008 is partly a derivative of the 4007 one but the former stands 30 cm shorter in length because of compromised overhangs. Otherwise the wheelbase is exactly the same length, preserving the 4008 accommodating and practical – 4.34 m long, 1.80 m wide with a height of 1.63 m Off-roadishness is emphasized by the body sill protectors and the flaring wheel arch protective trimmings. There’s a stylish slash on the sides that goes across both doors and reaches out for the rear wing. It would not be of much use in a marsh pit but it does look stunning as a styling feature.

    Peugeot 4008 (2012)
    Peugeot 4008 (2012)

    Whiled chromed body parts here and there account for that extra touch of luxury, inside things get even more premium – a fine choice of materials can be seen at the soft texture fascia, the instrument panel visor and the lacquered black decoration of the centre console. There’s a panoramic roof providing adequate sunlight for the occupants and an overall roomy feel. The steering wheel is padded with leather and is festooned with multimedia controls for the sake of accessibility. That said, there is an instrument panel, back-lit day and night. The knobs are round and chunky so that they can be operated even with a glove on. A 7-inch touchscreen satellite navigation is available as an option which has 30 gigabytes of memory and can be used as an overall infotainment system rendering graphs of average speed, fuel consumption and vehicle condition.

    Peugeot 4008 (2012)
    Peugeot 4008 (2012)

    Engine choice is relatively wide with two petrol and two diesels in stock

    Petrol:

    – 1.6 l 86 kW (115 hp) 152 Nm, 5-speed manual;

    – 2.0 l 113 kW (150 hp) 198 Nm, 5-speed manual or CVT.

    HDi Diesel:

    – 1.6 l HDi PEF 84 kW (115 hp) 270/280 Nm with Overboost, 6-speed manual;

    – 1.8 l HDi PEF 110 kW (150 hp) 300 Nm, 6-speed manual.

    The two HDi drive trains, as well as the 1.6 petrol will be available with Stop & Start systems in the name of frugality. With the manual gearbox we also get a shift indicator so that we know when is the best time to change gear. In return, the 4008 1.6 HDi for example spews out only 119 g/km of CO2 in 4×2 mode and ten more grams in 4×4. Fuel economy figures start from 4.6 l/100 km on the Euro cycle.

    Power goes trough a clever yet simple 4×4 system that has 3 modes – 2WD, 4WD and Lock. When in 2WD, the drivetrain sets in motion the front wheels, while in 4WD a computer decides where you need most toque and runs all four wheels. Lock sends power to all four wheels with the back wheels being significantly prioritized, to get out of muddy situations.

    To sum up, it’s good looking, its practical, it’s functional and efficient – quite a rival for the rest of the C segment competitors. Check out the gallery. It is a real treat.

    Source: Peugeot

  • 3rd Generation Mitsubishi Outlander at Geneva

    Mitsubishi-Outlander-3rd-gen-thumbA new generation of Outlanders is on its way, was the announcement made today by Mitsubishi. The now third Outlander will be a greener, safer, more clever and comfortable version of its previous crossover incarnations. The 2012 Geneva Motor Show is expected to be the debut site and hopefully reception will be positive.

    Dimensions are pretty much the same as the ones the previous Outlanders have and the design is kept simple and clean in tune with a motto that goes: “Solid–Safe–Simple”. Inside it is also function/driving oriented. Sure, there are some “high grade materials” to ornament the cabin but the more prominent stuff includes the ergonomic steering wheel controls and the high-resolution and easy-to-read instrument displays.

    Some features bound to make your life easier include: dual zone climate climate control, a third full row of seats, flat-floored cargo area, a tilt & telescopic steering column and a multitude of safety systems that make sure you don’t crash (or at least inform you that you are crashing).

    The Outlanders will be available with a 2WD or a 4WD setup while engine lineup initially, in Europe, will consist of two diesel engines: 2.0 l MIVEC petrol and 2.2 l MIVEC Clean Diesel. Depending on market, model, engine and specifications, Auto Stop & Go will be available, as well as an all-new 6-speed automatic gearbox. The eco-conscious customers can rest assured that there will also be a system that monitors the driving style (more precisely – are you getting the maximum efficiency out of the engine). In fact, Mitsubishi say that the new crossovers have target emissions below 130 g/km at best

    Since the Outlander’s frame seems ideal enough for experimenting, Mitsubishi are planning to put an EV-based plug-In hybrid powertrain based on the existing EV technology portfolio of the company. It would be nice to see though, how that technology fares when mated to a 4WD system.

    Mitsubishi Outlander (3rd generation)
    Mitsubishi Outlander (3rd generation)

    Source: Mitsubishi

  • Luxgen7 SUV is not only the largest, but the most intelligent

    Taiwan’s car maker – Luxgen is presenting its second model the LUXGEN7 SUV. The previous model LUXGEN7 MPV had huge success after its debut at the Dubai motor show. It achieved awesome sales volume which surpassing the sales volume of the entire Hyundai brand in Taiwan. Luxgen7 MPV is the first automobile ever to win the prestigious Taiwan Excellence Award.

    The dimensions of Luxgen7 SUV measure at 4.8 meters long, 1.93 meters wide and 1.76 meters in height, which put the vehicle on the top of its segment. (more…)

  • One car and its designer: Citroen’s Hypnos sees double honours at Autocar magazine awards

    Hypnos, Citroën’s spectacular crossover concept which wowed the crowds at the Paris Motor Show, has just been named ‘Concept Car of the Year 2008’ at the prestigious Autocar Magazine awards. One of the car’s interior designers, Briton, Leighanne Earley, was also named ‘Autocar Courland Automotive Leader of the Future’. (more…)

  • GKN Driveline’s High Performance Products For New Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

    Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionMitsubishi Motor’s highly acclaimed all-new Lancer Evolution has key new driveline components from GKN Driveline Torque Technology. The all-wheel-drive Lancer Evolution has an upgraded power transfer unit (PTU) – the car’s “Active Centre Differential” – with industry-leading torque capacity. (more…)

  • Infiniti QX56

    Following a record setting sales trend and the successful launch of the all-new G sedan, Infiniti is keeping the momentum going with today’s unveiling of the 2008 Infiniti QX full-size luxury sport utility vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

    With a new interior and refined exterior, Infiniti is enhancing and improving what customers already love about the QX – styling, technology, comfort – without compromising its towing capacity and interior roominess. (more…)