Introducing new entry-level Sciroccos to the UK market, Volkswagen has also offered new -less powerful, but more fuel efficient- 1.4 TSI and a 2.0 TDI engines. Although being definitely slower than the 2009 VW Scirocco GT, the new cars are also much cheaper and consume significantly less fuel in the combined cycle.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
2009 VW Scirocco
Introducing new entry-level Sciroccos to the UK market, Volkswagen has also offered new -less powerful, but more fuel efficient- 1.4 TSI and a 2.0 TDI engines. Although being definitely slower than the 2009 VW Scirocco GT, the new cars are also much cheaper and consume significantly less fuel in the combined cycle.
2007 Nissan 350Z GT-S
A group of Nissan's engineers have revealed their pet project: a tuned 'Saturday Special' version of the popular Nissan 350Z sport coupe. Although the car sports significant increase in power output and substantial chassis modifications, it still remains quite a comfortable daily work horse that you can use to bring yourself from home to office and back.
Peugeot 308 CC
Although initially supposed to be revealed during the Frankfurt motor show next year, the upcoming Peugeot 308 CC coupe convertible received such an enormous wave of enthusiasm among European drivers that the company apparently changed its mind and decided to officially present the car the this year's Paris Motor Show in September.
2009 Kia Borrego midsize SUV
With its rugged body-on-frame architecture, a set of powerful engines and impressive 114-inch wheelbase, 192.1 inches of overall length and 75.4 inches of overall width, the 2009 Kia Borrego is clearly aiming to take the place of the outgoing 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser SUV.
Vauxhall VXR8
British sports cars enthusiasts are now able to order the latest Australian street-legal tire-burner. The new Vauxhall VXR8 super-sedan comes with a 6.0-liter V8 engine, developing mind-blowing 450 horsepower and 550 Nm and making the car sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. And all this power is available to you for £34,995 only. That's quite a value for money.
Mazda RX-8
Available to Japanese customers since March, the new Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE will make its European debut on 22 August at the ONS2006 energy exhibition and conference to be held in Stavanger, Norway.Japanese Mazda teamed with Prodrive to build a limited edition of its popular Mazda RX-8 performance coupe.
2009 Alfa Romeo 8C
For the first time since the car's introduction, tAlthough all cars allotted for the U.S. customers said to be already sold out, there is a good chance that there will be some additional deliveries before Alfa Romeo makes its real return to North America.he 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is now officially available on the North American market through one of Maserati's ADs.Equipped with a 450hp 4.7-liter V8 engine, which is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox and a self-blocking differential unit, the 8C Competizione costs about $230,000 and is claimed to be the most expensive Alfa Romeo ever. It takes only four seconds to accelerate from zero to 60mph and can achieve a top speed of more than 180mph.
Alfa Romeo autoshow 78th International Geneva Motor Show
Few supercars this century have captured the public’s imagination like the awesome Alfa 8C Competizione. That is, until now.
Just as the delivery schedule is being finalised on the 41 models destined for the UK, Alfa Romeo will unveil its stunning convertible version, the exquisite Alfa 8C Spider at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.
Visually arresting from every angle, the Alfa 8C Spider looks every inch a supercar, and under the bonnet the same 4.7 litre V8 as in the 8C coupe produces 450bhp, which is channelled through a sophisticated 6-speed F1-style paddle shift gearbox to the rear wheels.
Inside the carbon fibre cockpit, a dashboard-mounted button effortlessly transforms the perfectly cosseted cabin of the Alfa 8C Spider into a sublime open top GT cruiser. Constructed from two layers of fabric, the roof creates a perfectly weatherproof, acoustically comfortable passenger environment.
For added individuality, the roof can also be personalised in various colours to suit the body colour of the vehicle.
Like its coupe stablemate, production of the Alfa 8C Spider will be limited to 500 units, and just like its coupe counterpart it is expected to sell out within weeks of being announced.
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Concept 78th International Geneva Motor Show concept cars
Jet Fighter Aggression
The prototype remains close to its original inspiration, and closely previews the forthcoming Lancer Sportback.
At the front, it uses a variation of Lancer’s trademark “Jet Fighter” grille featuring a full matt black finish, mesh inserts and chrome surround. Other distinguishing features include a Lancer Evolution
At the rear, Prototype-S follows the same design theme explored with Concept-Sportback with a very fast lift gate finished by Sportback’s trademark colour-keyed roof spoiler. Its elongated rear combination lamps widen the stance of the car as they wrap around the rear wings.
Interior FlairInside, Prototype-S displays a very continental flair with its twin-hood meters, the black suede finish of the upper dashboard & door panels and the light brown-coloured leather selected for its upholstery, in a mix of plain, perforated and weaved finish.
Volkswagen
Wolfsburg, Geneva, March 2008. It is back: 34 years after the world premiere of the first Scirocco at the Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen is now presenting the Scirocco of the new era in the same venue. Now as before, the coupé embodies the fascinating strategy of putting a sports car on wheels that is fit for use every day of the year at absolutely affordable prices. That is precisely what the new Scirocco does: high-class technologies merge with low costs of ownership, dynamic driving characteristics merge with a high level of comfort, and a surprisingly spacious interior merges with an uncompromisingly sporty design.
Volkswagen Chief Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn: “In the Scirocco we will be bringing the kind of sports car into the showroom that people dream of. Yet it is a dream that an exceptionally large number of car drivers will be able to afford – despite all of the high-end technologies we have implemented.” The Scirocco will already be entering the market across Europe in late summer, and other countries will follow over the course of the next year.
Avant garde design of the Scirocco
A calling card of the ambitious global concept is the new sports car’s avant-garde design. The fact being that the lines of the Scirocco study presented in August 2006 have been transferred to the production car nearly unchanged. This includes the long wagon/coupé roof whose form here is unique, and which pays tribute to the C-pillar design of the first Scirocco, the car’s athletic side profile, its distinctive engine hood and the entire rear end with its extremely broad shoulder sections. Only the design of the radiator grille has been changed for a more stylish and timeless solution.
With a length of 4.26 meters, the Scirocco is on par with the Golf. However, it is built significantly lower to the ground (1.40 meter) and is nearly as wide as the Passat (1.81 meter). Four adults can be seated with plenty of space inside. Once they are all aboard, the Scirocco provides 292 liters of cargo capacity; when the two seatbacks of the rear individual sport seats are folded down, capacity increases to a considerable 755 liters. This contemporary Scirocco demonstrates unfettered everyday utility, and it can be clearly recommended as a sports car for every day of the year.
Avant-garde technology of the Scirocco
Providing for ample power on the Scirocco – which comes with ESP and sport chassis as standard equipment – are four TDI and TSI engines, all of them charged and therefore just
as torque-strong as they are economical and low in emissions. The three TSIs (gasoline direct-injection) output 90 kW / 122 PS, 118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS. The Scirocco’s common rail engine (TDI) develops a power of 103 kW / 140 PS.
Further high-tech elements of the Scirocco: a 7-speed DSG and an “adaptive chassis control system”. Meanwhile, a large panorama vent sunroof – extending from the A pillars to the B pillars – provides for plenty of light in the interior. At the press of a button the transparent panorama roof is raised up to 39 millimeters. When the sun is too intense, a sunshade may be moved into place. But that is seldom likely to be necessary, since the glass of the panorama vent roof reflects 99 percent of UV radiation, 97 percent of infrared radiation (heat) and 80 percent of visible light.
The new Scirocco is one of the most attractive sports cars in the world when it comes to pricing. Nonetheless, the standard equipment package is super. Always there, for example, are 17-inch alloy wheels, height adjustable driver and front passenger seats and steering wheel, leather parking brake grip, sport seats, split folding rear seats, power windows, air conditioning, ESP, braking assistant, six airbags, speed-dependent power steering, and of course a sport chassisAudi R8
The Audi R8 racing car has won five times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and finished first in an amazing 62 of 79 international endurance races. Audi's first super sports car for the street takes the R8 name, challenging the Ferrari F430 and others, although, at a price that's at least $70,000 less, it might be no contest.
The Audi R8 features an exotic aluminum space frame, and a mid-mounted compact V8 engine making 420 horsepower. The most stunning feature is the clear Lexan cover over the engine, with LED lighting to show it off. The R8's skin was designed for efficient aerodynamics, by the same team of engineers who designed the R8 racing car; an underbody diffuser creates downforce to keep the R8 on the ground at its top speed of 187 miles per hour. It will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
Despite this performance capability, any little old lady could drive the R8 around on the street. It's that tame. She could probably even crawl in and out herself, and once she got in the cockpit, she would be comfortable. The R8 has every creature comfort of a luxury car, including excellent legroom, and many options, from a navigation system to a 12-speaker, 465-watt sound system. There's decent luggage space under the hood in front, and a lot of space behind the seats.
Two transmissions are offered, a six-speed manual and high-tech six-speed R-Tronic, which is a manual transmission with no clutch pedal, that can be shifted either with paddle shifters, a lever, or by automatic mode. This transmission works best when the car is being driven near its maximum; at casual speeds, it's inconsistent and jerky.
The brakes are race-worthy, and a bit sensitive at slow speeds. The shock absorbers adjust to the road conditions, and the ride can be set in two modes, Comfort and Sport; in either mode it's firm but never harsh. The cornering, with inherent ideal balance and quattro all-wheel drive, is in a class by itself.
What makes the R8 exceptional is that it does it all: incredible high performance without making any compromises for civility and comfort.
Euro Focus.
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
Since becoming private, Chrysler has become as secretive as the old Kremlin when it comes to disclosing information about its plans. If Chrysler can ride out the current downturn, we will see a new version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee (current model pictured) in the future. At one time, the Grand Cherokee was a big money-maker for Chrysler. The sport utility market may be shrinking, but Chrysler needs another home run with this Jeep.
Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger
Despite all the attention given to fuel economy, there is still a market for big cars like the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger (image is of the current model). All that Chrysler will admit is that it's working on updates for these two rear-wheel-drive vehicles. Our best guess is that the company will de-emphasize the hemi V-8, tone down the styling and try its best to improve fuel efficiency without unduly sacrificing performance. Perhaps Chrysler will figure out a way to package these vehicles with the advanced two-mode hybrid system it briefly offered in its big SUVs (Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen) before closing the factory late last year.
CHEVY VOLT
General Motors' plug-in hybrid differs from today's hybrids in that drivers will be able to recharge the batteries with an electrical outlet instead of letting them recharge while the car runs on gasoline. Another difference: The Volt's gasoline motor does not power the drive wheels; instead, after the vehicle exceeds its 40-mile range on batteries only, the gasoline motor turns a generator to recharge the batteries that feed the electric drive. The lithium ion batteries for this vehicle still remain a challenge in cost and volume manufacturing, but GM is promising it can make first deliveries, in limited numbers, by November 2010.
Cadillac cts wagon and coupe cadillac.
The second-generation Cadillac CTS sedan is a formidable competitor against the best small sport sedans from Germany and Japan. General Motors is wisely expanding the CTS lineup with coupe and wagon versions. The wagon (pictured) comes first, this spring; the coupe will follow some time in 2010. The wagon will offer many of the same performance and luxury features as the CTS sedan, including rear wheel drive and available all wheel drive, as well as two versions of GM's 3.6 liter V-6, with 255 or 304 hp. Also on its way in the second half of this year is a brand new Cadillac SRX crossover, a mid-size luxury crossover on GM's new global SUV architecture, replacing the slow-selling original version. The standard engine in the SRX, a three-liter V-6; a turbocharged 2.8 liter V-6 is optional.
Ford Fiesta
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
