Sunday, March 25, 2012
VW Passat Alltrack
Volkswagen has unveiled its new creation – the new VW Passat Alltrack, a more practical estate model that is capable to handle almost all type of terrain.
Set to be unveiled for the first time at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the new Passat Alltrack comes with new bumpers in SUV style, stainless steel-look underbody skid plates front and rear plus black plastic cladding around the wheelarches and sills - stretching the stance by 20mm, while matt chrome adorns the roof rails, window surrounds and door mirrors.
4MOTION all-wheel drive will assist four engines: two petrol and two diesel engines. The range kicks off with the 138bhp six-speed manual version, while there will also be a 168bhp model with a six-speed DSG automatic transmission.
As expected the new Passat Alltrack comes with the same ‘off-road driving programme’ as the Tiguan and Touareg, activated by an off-road button on the dashboard.
The ‘programme’ works up to 18mph and electronically tunes all the equipment including the electronic differential, ABS, torque control, hill descent and, in the DSG-equipped car, gearbox shift points to provide a more focused off-road drive.
The ‘programme’ works up to 18mph and electronically tunes all the equipment including the electronic differential, ABS, torque control, hill descent and, in the DSG-equipped car, gearbox shift points to provide a more focused off-road drive.
All Alltrack versions come with an Alcantara interior, climate and cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth, satellite navigation and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Toyota Land Cruiser V8 Purchase starts from GBP 62,285 only
The Japanese based automaker Toyota has recently announced the official starting price for the 2012 Land Cruiser V8
The optional list is completed by the entertainment package with a seatback mounted monitor, which is able to play various formats and it can read DVD, CD, USB2.0 and SD cards. Under the hood, the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is obviously powered by a V8 diesel engine which is developing a total output of 268 horsepower at 3.600 rpm and it has a peak torque of 650 Nm available between 1.600 and 2.800 rpm. The engine meets the Euro 5 emission standards. The facelifted Toyota Land Cruiser will hit the market on March 1, 2012, and it will have a starting price of 62,285 GBP.
According to the car manufacturer, the Toyota Land Cruiser facelift, which is wearing the 2012 model year on it, is coming with some important new features compared to the previous version.
Toyota says that the 2012 Land Cruiser now has the world’s first Turn Assist, which is reducing the model’s turning radius when driving through tight off-road bends, Crawl Control, for tackling steep climbs or descents with five-speed settings, Multi-terrain Select, which can be set on five different modes according to the off-road conditions, the Multi-terrain Monitor, with a 360 degree view of the area around the vehicle with four external cameras and the Variable Flow Control power steering, dedicated for off-roading.
Renault Twizy in France from Euro 6,990 only
Renault has recently announced that the Twizy model has been launched in France, where the small electric vehicle has a starting price of 6,990 euros.
According to the French based car manufacturer, the Renault Twizy will be joining the Z.E. lineup in the local market and the model is already available to its future owners. The new Renault Twizy is also available for 16-year olds to drive in the 5 horsepower and 33 Nm of torque version, but only if the get the road safety certification first. The model eligible for young people under 18 is named the Twizy 45 and, just like its name suggests, is able to reach 45 km/h.
The starting price for the Renault Twizy 45 has been set at 6,990 euros plus the battery lease which starts at 50 euros per month, and this might actually become the “scooter” of the future in a few years, once its price will decrease. The other Twizy available on the French market is providing 17 horsepower and this model can accelerate up to 80 km/h.
The Renault Twizy is currently being assembled in Valladolid, Spain, and it’s coming with a 7 kW lithium-ion battery and a single gear transmission. The model is 2.32 meters long, 1.19 meters wide and 1.46 meters tall, with a curb weight of just 450 kg.
Peugeot 107 Facelift
After Citroen, Peugeot has revealed a facelift for the 107, with new exterior styling, increased specification and reduced Co2. The new 2012 107 will be available from February, with the Citroen C1 following in April.
At the front, a deeper bumper features LED running lights and fog lights for the first time. The grille is split into upper and lower parts, while the bonnet is sculpted and features the new floating lion badge.
Like the revised version of Peugeot’s Citroën C1 sister car revealed yesterday, tweaks to the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine result in CO2 emissions of 99g/km, making the 107 road-tax free as well as exempt from London’s Congestion Charge.
The 998cc triple has 68bhp and 70lb ft of torque. Stir the five-speed gearbox fast enough and you might just pass 62mph in 14.2sec and top out at 100mph (161 km/h).
Like the revised version of Peugeot’s Citroën C1 sister car revealed yesterday, tweaks to the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine result in CO2 emissions of 99g/km, making the 107 road-tax free as well as exempt from London’s Congestion Charge.
The 998cc triple has 68bhp and 70lb ft of torque. Stir the five-speed gearbox fast enough and you might just pass 62mph in 14.2sec and top out at 100mph (161 km/h).
Opel Ampera electric car Configuration
Performance
Top speed (km/h): 161
EV range (km): 40 - 80 (MVEG cycle)
Total range (km) > 500
Dimensions
Wheelbase (mm): 2685
Length (mm): 4404
Width (mm): 1798
Height (mm): 1430
Cargo volume (L): 301
Battery system
Type: lithium-ion
Energy (kWh) 16
Electric drive unit
Power (kW / hp): 111 / 150
Torque (Nm): 370
Exterior
Tire and wheel size: specially developed low rolling-resistance tires on 17-inch forged aluminum wheels
In 42,900 Catch your Euro Opel Ampera Electric car
Opel and Vauxhall will sell the extended-range Ampera electric car for EUR42,900 in Europe from the fourth quarter of next year
Because trim levels will differ from market to market, prices in each European country may differ. Ampera buyers will be eligible for government subsidies in some European markets.
Opel has also confirmed that it is researching customer preferences in terms of financing and leasing schemes with these options to be announced later.
Euro-spec Ampera cars use the same 16-kWh lithium ion battery pack, good for an all-electric range of around 40 miles, although a 1.4-liter I-4 can come online to help provide power during high-speed cruising.
Customers wishing to reserve an Ampera can register at www.opel-ampera.com and become an ‘ePioneer’, receiving news and a chance to test drive the electric car. Sales start in the fourth quarter of 2011.
PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS: Opel Ampera General
Vehicle type: 5-door, front-wheel-drive hatchback
Category: Electric vehicle with extended-range capability
Chassis: independent McPherson struts front, compound crank twist axle rear, four-wheel disc brakes, full regenerative brakes to maximize energy capture, electric power-assist steering
Seating capacity: four
Because trim levels will differ from market to market, prices in each European country may differ. Ampera buyers will be eligible for government subsidies in some European markets.
Opel has also confirmed that it is researching customer preferences in terms of financing and leasing schemes with these options to be announced later.
Euro-spec Ampera cars use the same 16-kWh lithium ion battery pack, good for an all-electric range of around 40 miles, although a 1.4-liter I-4 can come online to help provide power during high-speed cruising.
Customers wishing to reserve an Ampera can register at www.opel-ampera.com and become an ‘ePioneer’, receiving news and a chance to test drive the electric car. Sales start in the fourth quarter of 2011.
PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS: Opel Ampera General
Vehicle type: 5-door, front-wheel-drive hatchback
Category: Electric vehicle with extended-range capability
Chassis: independent McPherson struts front, compound crank twist axle rear, four-wheel disc brakes, full regenerative brakes to maximize energy capture, electric power-assist steering
Seating capacity: four
Mercedes-Benz SL 2012
Mercedes-Benz has recently revealed its 2013 SL-Class, with only a few weeks before the sixth generation of the roadster will be officially presented at the Detroit Motor Show.
According to the German based automaker, the new generation of the SL-Class is 50 mm longer and 57 mm wider than the current one and thanks to aluminum, which was entirely used for production, the vehicle weighs up to 140 kg less than its predecessor. The use of aluminum throughout the production of the new SL has also been credited for making the ride agile, sportier, improving the handling and the ride comfort. Mercedes says that the standard suspension is a semi-active adjustable damping system with Active Body Control (ABC) is actually an option and the vehicle will also get the new electromechanical Direct-Steer system with speed sensitivity and variable ratio.
Mercedes-Benz says that the new engine fitted onto the SL500, the 4.663 cc V8 unit, is now developing a total output of 435 horsepower, which is 12 percent more than its predecessor despite the being actually 800 cc smaller. The fuel consumption has also been improved by 22 percent, the torque went up by 32 percent from 530 Nm to 700 Nm, along with the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time which is now being done in 4.6 seconds, 0.8 seconds faster than the old generation. The 3.499 cc V6 will be fitted onto the SL350 entry-level with its 306 JP and 370 Nm, which is bragging with an average fuel consumption of 6.8 liters every 100 km and a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of just 5.9 seconds.
Both the engines we’ve talked about will be fitted as standard with the start/stop function and the company’s 7g-Tronic Plus automatic transmission. The new generation of the SL is also coming with the FrontBass system, Magic Vision control, the COMAND system and many other features. There will be three roof versions available for the 2013 SL, painted, with glass roof or the unique panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control. The German based automaker didn’t say anything about the 2013 SL’s price yet.
Mazda CX-5 in 2012 March
Autocar reports that the CX-5’s SkyActiv underpinnings begin with a lightweight, modular chassis and revised suspension designs. The new SUV will be based on the Minagi concept car and according to Mazda will be the most advanced and economical models yet. While there are still no official images, the firm has revealed its plans for the engine line-up.
Under the hood, Mazda will install a 2.2-liter turbodiesel unit that will deploy 173 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The engine will be connected thru a new six-speed manual transmission. In this configuration, the automaker said that CX-5 2.2 liter would be 20 percent more efficient than Mazda’s existing 2.2-liter turbodiesel.
Under the hood, Mazda will install a 2.2-liter turbodiesel unit that will deploy 173 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The engine will be connected thru a new six-speed manual transmission. In this configuration, the automaker said that CX-5 2.2 liter would be 20 percent more efficient than Mazda’s existing 2.2-liter turbodiesel.
Expected to be the best seller in the CX-5, the new diesel engine is a revelation, and pull cleaning and smoothly to its 5,200rpm redline.
Speaking to Auto Express, Mazda UK’s managing director, Jeremy Thompson, said the vehicle would help to rid Mazda of its reputation for bland cabins. He added that the interior and exterior of the vehicle would certainly match.
The production CX-5 is expected to make its first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall. It goes on sale in 2012, most likely labeled a 2013 model.
Three-door Kia Rio launched in the U.K.
The South Korean based automaker Kia has officially announced that the three-door Kia Rio has been launched in the United Kingdom, and the model has a starting price of 9.995 GBP.
For a sportier look on the new three-door Kia Rio, its future customers can choose the “3” trim level, which is adding LED running lights and rear clusters, heated front seats, cruise control and 17 inch rims, amongst many other things. Under the hood, the three-door Kia Rio is coming with the revised 1.24 liter engine with 83 HP and 121 Nm of torque (89 lb-ft), which is returning a combined 56.5 mpg fuel economy, along with the more powerful 1.4 liter Gamma generating 107 HP and 137 Nm of torque (101 lb-ft), doing 51.4 mpg.
According to the car manufacturer, the new generation of the three-door Kia Rio is now available in the United Kingdom too, where its future customers will have to pay 9.995 GBP before they will be able to get their hands on the small model.
Kia says that the new Rio three-door is coming with some standard equipment like the Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), emergency brake assist (EBA), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), MP3 RDS radio and CD player with USB and AUX connectivity and integrated daytime running lights.
In Geneva Debut Infiniti EMERG-E Sports car concept Released
The Japanese based automaker Infiniti has released a series of teaser images of a new sports car concept, named the EMERGE-E, ahead of its 2012 Geneva Motor Show debut.
The upcoming sports car concept is rumored to come with a range-extended capability, just like the Chevrolet Volt, and this will be an important competitor to the North American vehicle, even if the two models are being sold in different segments of the market. Infiniti says that the EMERG-E sports car concept will be powered by a 1.2 liter engine, which will be mounted mid-ship for an optimal handling and weight distribution, and this will be helped on the way by an electric motor and a battery pack. The Infiniti electric sports car concept will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Infiniti has officially announced back in September, last year, that work has started on a new electric vehicle and now this EV is close to being unveiled.
According to the Nissan luxury brand, the new Infiniti sports car concept will be named the EMERGE-E, and it will be officially unveiled next month at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Even if the Infiniti EMERGE-E has been teased by the Japanese manufacturer, we still don’t have too much data on it.
Jeep Wrangler Arctic 2012
The North American based automotive giant, Chrysler Group LLC, has recently announced that the special edition Jeep Wrangler Arctic will be launched in Europe too, where the model will be priced from 36.850 EUR.
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Arctic is based on the Wrangler Unlimited and it’s coming with both four- and two-door versions and it’s sitting on 17 inch rims with 32 inch tires. The SUV is powered by the company’s 2.8 liter CRD diesel engine, which is developing a total output of 200 horsepower. Inside the cabin, the model has some goodies like the Gore Tex finishing, Polar White trimming, orange colored leather, Bluetooth, cruise control, infotainment with 30 GB hard drive, 6.5 inch touch screen display, branded floor mats and other interesting features.
After being presented to the North Americans in November 2011, the Jeep Wrangler Arctic special edition is close to hitting Europe too, with the first step into this direction being made already by Chrysler, who has announced its starting price of 36.850 euros.
The automaker says that the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Arctic is available in three exterior colors, Bright White, Bright Silver and Winter Chill, and the model is coming with a Yeti Footprint decal.
Next Generation Honda Civic Coming Soon in march 2012
The Japanese based automaker Honda is planning to finally introduce its new Civic generation to the European auto market, with the popular model being expected to reach the showrooms early next year in its five-door body and with the choice of three engines, all of the fitted with the stop & start technology.
The new generation of the Civic will come on the European market on the C-segment and it’s expected to offer a choice of three engines, a 1.4 liter and a 1.8 liter naturally aspirated petrol, and a 2.2 liter turbo diesel which will generate 150 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque.
All the powerplants will be mated as standard with the six-speed manual transmission and fitted with the stop & start system. The new generation of the Honda Civic is expected to hit the European showrooms early next year. Meanwhile, you can watch the latest official video of the vehicle below. Enjoy!
Honda is keeping everyone in the automotive media busy once again and after teasing its new Civic generation several times throughout these past few months, with the spy photographers doing their game, the Japanese based car manufacturer has finally released an official video of its popular hatchback which should be just enough for enthusiasts who were waiting the model.
Ford B-MAX revealed In Geneva debut.
Ford has recently released the first official pictures with the production version of the B-MAX, ahead of its 2012 Geneva Motor Show debut
The new Ford B-MAX is now making it appearance as a full production version a full year after the model has been introduced as a concept, and since then, a lot of things have changed. According to the car manufacturer, the B-pillars of the vehicle are integrated into the sliding doors and this allows 1.5 meter long openings, while the flat-folding seats are offering the B-MAX a class-leading cabin space. The model has been fitted with some interesting “items” too, like voice control, Bluetooth, keyless entry or panoramic sunroof, but all of these are available only in top-sped models.
Even if there is no official word on this yet, the new Ford B-MAX is expected to come with the company’s new 1.0 liter three-cylinder direct injection EcoBoost turbo engine too, which will be available in two outputs, 98 and 123 BHP, along with a wide range of diesel units.
The B-MAX will be the first Ford model to be made at the company’s new plant in Craiova, Romania, and its starting price is expected to be set at 12.000 GBP.
In Shanghai Citroen Reveals DS5
DS5 is the first Citroën model to feature HYbrid4 diesel hybrid technology, providing enhanced performance and good environmental credentials. The advanced HYbrid4 system delivers 200bhp; four-wheel drive capability; emission-free electric power for the city; and an acceleration boost function for the open road - with total CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.
According to the first details offered by the company, the DS5 is “the manifestation of its finest expertise. A daring and sculptural creation, the DS5 perfectly expresses the DS spirit, namely bold choices on styling, architecture, sensations and refinement, while implementing the best in Citroën technology.”
The driver-focused cockpit features a coupé-like driving position with a near-vertical steering wheel and a wide central console. An array of buttons, switches, scroll wheels and toggles are grouped on two central consoles, one low down and one above the driver’s head, ‘pilot-style’. A simple push on the START button brings the interior to life.
The colour Head-Up Display projects essential information into the driver’s line of sight and the ambient lighting bathes the cockpit in a heady mix of red and white.
• A sleek, compact body (4.52m long, 1.85m wide) and a driving position worthy of a Gran Turismo coupé.
• A roomy boot (up to 465 litres VDA) reminiscent of a Sportwagon.
• Five real seats, four doors and all the access and modularity of a hatchback.
According to the first details offered by the company, the DS5 is “the manifestation of its finest expertise. A daring and sculptural creation, the DS5 perfectly expresses the DS spirit, namely bold choices on styling, architecture, sensations and refinement, while implementing the best in Citroën technology.”
The driver-focused cockpit features a coupé-like driving position with a near-vertical steering wheel and a wide central console. An array of buttons, switches, scroll wheels and toggles are grouped on two central consoles, one low down and one above the driver’s head, ‘pilot-style’. A simple push on the START button brings the interior to life.
The colour Head-Up Display projects essential information into the driver’s line of sight and the ambient lighting bathes the cockpit in a heady mix of red and white.
• A sleek, compact body (4.52m long, 1.85m wide) and a driving position worthy of a Gran Turismo coupé.
• A roomy boot (up to 465 litres VDA) reminiscent of a Sportwagon.
• Five real seats, four doors and all the access and modularity of a hatchback.
In 2012 March New BMW 3-Series was Unveiled
The German based automaker BMW has finally revealed its 2012 3-Series, choosing an interesting virtual location for the event: Facebook. The Bavarian manufacturer has released official technical details and prices for its new generation of the BMW 3-Series, and the vehicles are offering extra interior space, just like the new 5-Series.
The German automaker says that three new engines will be added in less than a month, the 316d, 318d diesels, with their 116 and 143 horsepower, and the 2.0 liter turbocharged petrol unit, which will make its way on the 320i, developing 184 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque.
All the engines in the new BMW 3-Series will be fitted with the stop / start technology and the vehicles will feature the Driving Experience Control. Besides the COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+ the German automaker has also featured and Eco Pro mode, which can help improve the fuel consumption up to 20 percent, depending on the individual driving style.
BMW says the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition will be the most fuel efficient version, burning just 4.1 liter every 100 km in an average cycle and emitting 109 g/km CO2, all of this from its 163 horsepower engine. But this isn’t the only surprise BMW has for us and the new 335i has an average fuel consumption set between 7.2 and 7.9 liters / 100 km from its six-cylinder engine developing 306 HP, being the most powerful version until the new M3 arrives.
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