VW Golf VII R 2014

Volkswagen presented at the IAA 2013 the 300 hp strong and at least 38,325 euros expensive VW Golf R - and thus the strongest and most expensive production Golf ever. Compared with the up to 230-hp Golf GTI puts the Golf VII R again it all of 70 hp. To its predecessor, based on the Golf VI , he distances himself by as much as 30 hp.The drive will continue the two-liter turbo gasoline engine is used.

However, the four-cylinder has been extensively revised and with additional refinements. This Golf has a 70 hp more power, the cylinder head exhaust valves together, valve seat inserts and valve springs has been redesigned, also other pistons are used. Thus, with more fuel and oxygen pressure can be injected into the combustion chambers, the technician also stored at the injectors and on the turbocharger hand.

The maximum power of 300 hp is at 5500-6200 tours. Also, the torque increases compared to the GTI by 30 to 380 Newton meters - that even in a wide speed range 1800-5500 rpm. Despite all the performance-enhancing measures promises VW less consumption: a fully electronic coolant regulation allows a more efficient thermal management with shorter warm-up.

The exhaust passage for water-cooled turbocharger is now integrated into the cylinder head. In addition, the engine with dual variable valve timing, variable valve timing and two-way adjustable valve on the outlet works with a dual injection (direct and manifold injection). The wages of Technology Fireworks are 7.1 liters fuel consumption, about one and a half liters less than the 270-hp predecessor. With DSG, the value drops further to 6.9 liters.

To save this golf course was not designed to reveal the driving performance of the ever: With a manual transmission the standard sprint to 100 km is to be completed after 5.3 seconds with DSG, it takes only 4.9 seconds. Without 4Motion all-wheel drive, these values ​​would certainly not possible. The revised system sends when required almost 100 percent to the rear axle. Depending on driving conditions, Gaspdeal and steering wheel position, the Haldex coupling distributes the torque instantaneously between the front and rear axle.

At low load or shear the adhesion occurs primarily via the front axle to save fuel. In order to increase the cornering dynamics and bring the power effectively to the road, the XDS system simulates elktronische + by braking the individual wheels, the function of a differential lock on both axles. The performance measures go further: For the optimal slope capability allows the two-stage ESC (Electronic Stability Control) also completely disable. VW says that this feature is available exclusively in the Golf R.

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Honda Urban SUV Concept

An all-new Honda concept vehicle made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show 2013 (NAIAS) in Detroit. The concept hints at a dynamic, fuel-efficient small SUV with aspirational styling and next-generation connectivity. Its clean character lines are complemented by hidden rear door handles, giving the SUV a coupe-like presence.

Honda is busy making good on its promise to produce sedan and small-crossover variants of its next-generation Fit subcompact; this Urban SUV concept debuting at the 2013 Detroit auto show previews the latter. The new, Mexican-built Fit arrives next year, but the production Urban SUV (which will be built at the same facility) won’t hit the U.S. for another year after that. Given how cool the crossover concept looks, we hope it comes with a less snore-geric name.


In terms of size and price, the Urban SUV will slot beneath the cash-cow CR-V in Honda’s crossover lineup, putting it in the same league as the Nissan Juke and Kia Soul. Among this competition, the Honda definitely hews closer to the Juke’s sporty brand than the Kia’s urban funkiness. The concept gets aggressive yet sophisticated styling and a semi-circular, coupe-like roofline. Honda exaggerates the faux two-door appearance with door handles hidden in the C-pillar trim. Even though the roofline likely won’t be as sexy on the production car, it probably won’t be drastically less so—look close and you can see how the designers cleverly broke the side-window shape from that of the roof’s (presumably) to eke out more rear headroom.

Up front, the Urban SUV wears an adaptation of the same grille and fascia treatment found on the newest Accord, while the sides of the vehicle are minimally adorned with two sharp character lines that sweep from the front and rear fender bulges. Taken overall, the Urban SUV concept looks a lot like an Acura-ified Juke, minus the Nissan’s, er, character, and it’s darn attractive.


Honda purists concerned that the automaker has skewed too far toward the form side of the form/function scale with the new crossover shouldn’t be worried. The littlest Honda SUV will ride on the Fit’s Global Compact Series architecture, complete with the Fit’s signature centrally located fuel tank, which lives beneath the driver’s seat to free up floor space in back. As a result, the Urban SUV will get the Fit’s clever folding/flipping/flattening Magic Seat rear bench, which should afford more cargo-carrying configurations than you’ll ever need.


Details regarding the Urban SUV’s interior and powertrain will be forthcoming, but Honda’s fuel-efficient (and still-hilariously named) Earth Dreams technology will be part of the mix. Expect a small-displacement four-cylinder engine and the choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Honda promises “next-generation telematics and a modern interior.” Whew—for a second there we were worried that Honda was planning to fit its newest small car with a cassette player, a brick-sized car phone, and the dashboard from a first-generation CR-V.


The tiny Fit is the best-driving car in its segment—one of the many reasons we’ve elected it to our 10Best cars list every year it’s been on sale in the U.S. If Honda can deliver the Fit’s basic dynamic and packaging goodness into the Urban SUV’s taller package, we see no reason why it couldn’t expand on the small hatchback’s success. This is especially so if the production model is even three-quarters as attractive as the Urban SUV concept.

The good news is that Honda’s concepts usually don’t change much before reaching consumers. But may we suggest a better name? We’re thinking a cheeky spinoff of the Fit’s pun-inviting moniker (this car can Fit a ton of stuff!) like “FitAll” (tall Fit) or “Fitbyfour” (do you really need this one spelled out?) might be appropriate.


The new concept is shorter than the CR-V, making it an ideal size for both city streets and mountain roads. It's poised to join the Honda light-truck lineup, with the Honda-original center-tank layout and a configurable Magic Seat® for a host of cargo and passenger options.

This vehicle is slated to launch in Japan later this year, with expansion to the U.S. market in 2014. Be sure to sign up for our emails to receive the latest information and updates.


Video Review :

goo.gl/GVTqOT


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Maserati Quattroporte Limited Edition By Ermenegildo Zegna

What The Meaning of a Name, if i could call this car. Some may say that it's too soon for Maserati to be floating an idea of special edition version of the new Quattroporte, but the Italians think otherwise and will be presenting a concept model of sorts at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week.

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The Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition concept car was created in cooperation with Italian luxury fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna and will lead to a production version in 2014.

Special touches include a bespoke exterior paint finish that Maserati says, "simulates the fluidity and purity of metal, by using  ultra-fine aluminium pigments", while inside, the Italian design house chose warm hues like moka and greige.

The seats, door panels and roof lining are finished in a combination of soft leather and "velvet-smooth" bright fabric that mimics the design of Zegna's latest men's fashion collections.

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The Power of Mazda6

The new generation of the Mazda6 has recently scored a 5-star safety rating during the crash tests conducted by Euro NCAP. I called it The Power of Zoom-Zoom.

According to the safety specialists from the Old Continent, the new generation of the Mazda6 has scored a maximum 5-star safety rating. The model in question received 92 percent in Adult Occupant protection, 77 percent in Child Occupant protection, 66 percent in Pedestrian Safety and 81 percent in the Safety Assist.

In the Adult Occupant protection, on the frontal impact test, the dummy indicators showed good protection on the knees and femurs of both the driver and the front passenger. In the side barrier test, the dummy readings indicated good protection on all body areas, but the driver’s side door was found not to be fully latched when the vehicle was inspected and this meant the car was penalized. In the event of a rear-end collision, the head restraint and the seat provided good protection against whiplash injury.

In the Child Occupant protection the new Mazda6 scored maximum points for the 1 ½ year infant and the 3 year dummy’s head contacted the rear head restraint on rebound. The pedestrian safety scored maximum points on the bumper for the pedestrian’s legs but the front edge of the bonnet is offering poor protection for the pelvis. The standard ESC meant that the car scored good points in the Safety Assist. The model tested was a Mazda6, 2.2DE Wagon, Core Grade, from the 2013 model year.

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New Lexus GS-F

The new Lexus GS-F performance vehicle has been recently spied on the track where the model was being tested.

Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus has big plans for its future models and after unveiling the brand new 2014 IS sedan, time has come to develop a performance version of the model, which will probably be named the RC F, and it will be aimed towards the new BMW M3, M4 Coupe, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and Audi RS4. But besides the development of such a vehicle, Lexus is also planning a larger performance sedan, which will be aimed at models like the BMW M5, the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG or the Audi RS6 / RS7.

The model in question will be named the GS-F and it has been recently caught on camera by our spy photographers while it was being test on a track, in Germany. The new Lexus GS-F is expected to make its way onto the market over the following months and this should become the most powerful sedan currently produced by the company. Additional details on the new Lexus GS-F are limited for the moment and will be announced close to its unveil. Meanwhile, you can check out the spy photos posted below.

The new Lexus GS F performance sedan has been spied during testing in Germany - an apt location, given a production model would finally give the Toyota-owned brand a competitor to the likes of BMW’s M5, Audi’s RS6 and Mercedes-Benz’s E63 AMG.

The car is expected to be powered by the same engine as is seen in the current-generation IS F, but with extra push from its 5.0-litre V8 producing more than 340kW and 550Nm - up from 311kW/505Nm in its current state.

If those figures are correct, the Lexus would be down on power on all of its turbocharged rivals - the M5 has 423kW/680Nm, the RS6 has 412kW/700Nm, and the E63 AMG S sold here has 430kW/800Nm. The Jaguar XFR-S is also up there, with 404kW/680Nm.

But Lexus has presented a hyped-up V8 in The LS TMG Edition, which has twin turbo chargers to boost power outputs to 468kW and 765Nm.

Other obvious modifications on the GS F prototype include revised suspension, larger brakes, revised interior trim and those telltale quad exhaust pipes.

Drive has attempted to contact Lexus Australia for comment. Given the popularity of the sportier models offered by the brand locally, it would seem certain that a GS F would be offered if it were made available.

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Porsche Macan On Track

The upcoming Porsche Macan has been spied once again, this time on the track, where the company’s test drivers were testing its performance.

The Porsche Macan is no longer a surprise for anyone as the model has been spied numerous times with no camouflage on its body, over these past few months, but until it will be officially presented, and launched, the model keeps making its way into our news. The newest images with the Porsche Macan have been provided by our spy photographers and they have been taken on a secret location in Germany, where the crossover has been tested on the track.

The new Porsche Macan is using the same platform as the Audi Q5 and the future Audi Q6, but the differences will come, of course, in the luxury department, where the model will be more expensive than its brothers. The Porsche Macan will not be so different in terms of styling with the larger Cayenne, and it will be more affordable. The engine lineup is believed to be borrowed from the Cayenne and from other models in the company’s lineup. Additional details on the Porsche Macan are limited for the moment and will be announced close to its official presentation.

The Porsche Macan has been spied once again while being tested in cold weather and the models in the footage posted below don’t have any camouflage on their bodies.

Porsche is currently testing the brand new Macan, which is a crossover waiting to enter the lineup probably sometimes this year. The video posted below is showing several units of the Porsche Macan with no camouflage on their bodies, which have managed to attract the attention once more. Rumors are saying that the final production version of the Porsche Macan will make its way to the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but the carmaker still has to make an official announcement.

The German based automaker might offer the Porsche Macan with both petrol and diesel engines, including the turbocharged 2.0 liter four-cylinder unit with 220 HP, the 3.6 liter V6 naturally aspirated with 296 HP or the 3.0 liter twin-turbo V6 with 370 HP which will be known as the Macan Turbo. Diesel options will include a 2.0 liter TDI engine producing 190 HP and a larger 3.0 liter V6 TDI with 250 HP. A hybrid powertrain is also expected to make its way into the Porsche Macan, which will be probably “borrowed” from the Audi Q5 Hybrid. More details on the model remain unknown for the moment.

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KIA Pro_cee'd GT

Kia Pro_ cee'd GT set a benchmark for hot hatch should a like. The Kia Pro_cee'd GT is the South Korean carmaker's first 'warm' hatch - a move that's set to help distinguish 'sporty' Kia from its 'luxury' stablemate Hyundai. First to arrive in the UK is the three-door Pro_cee'd GT, which will be followed by the five-door Cee'd GT early in 2014. As befits the pinnacle of the range the GT gets a range of cosmetic and mechanical upgrades and is also the first to use the brand's 201bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine. Designed, developed and built in Europe, the GT will be sold exclusively here too and is further proof of Kia's ambition to take on big-hitters like Ford and Volkswagen who have traditionally dominated this class. The GT's biggest problem, though, is set to be its price. When you can get a SEAT Leon SC 1.8 TFSI for the same price – if not a little less – then it has to be seriously good. 

One of the most important aspects for any three-door car is the way it looks. And the Pro_cee'd GT sets itself apart with a really striking exterior design. Details like the red pinstripe across the front splitter and honeycomb grille may have been pinched from more well-known rivals, but the design is cohesive and strikes a good balance between sportiness and style. The quad-LED lights either side of the front grille and dual exhausts at the rear look great and, inside, the grippy Recaro sports seats are superb. The driving position is excellent and, apart from a small C-pillar blind spot, visibility is good too. The interior is well made and fun details like the 'GT' colour TFT display between the dials help it feel special from behind the wheel. Equipment levels are good even on entry-level cars and goodies like leather trim, brushed alloy pedals and Bluetooth are all standard fit.

Fitting a twin-scroll turbo to the 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine has boosted the power output by almost half and it now produces 201bhp and 265Nm of torque. Those figures put it some way behind the new Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST but on a par with three-door rivals like the 1.8 TFSI SEAT Leon SC and Volkswagen Scirocco. It sprints from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds and runs to a top speed of 143mph. On the road it feels quick, but without quite pinning you back in your seat like the best hot hatches around. The engine sounds louder than the standard car but the exhaust note is a little flat and characterless. The handling is good though as the Pro_cee'd GT gets stiffer springs and dampers, a thicker rear anti-roll bar and stickier tyres. It grips well through corners and body roll is well controlled but the brakes fade quickly and the weighty steering is a little inconsistent in feel around the straight ahead. It is not a match for the best hot hatches dynamically but the GT feels well suited to reasonably fast on-road driving rather than a track day special.

The Pro_cee'd GT comes with a seven-year manufacturer warranty as standard, giving you peace of mind for the first 100,000 miles of motoring as any major mechanical issues will be covered. Although it is a high performance model, which uses a number of bespoke new parts, the standard range has proved reliable with no major recalls reported. If you drive hard. the GT will use its brakes and tyres faster than lesser models in the range, but the interior build quality feels robust and like it will stand the test of time well. The Pro_cee'd is based on the Cee'd - which gets a full five-star crash safety rating from Euro NCAP and Kia as a brand finished seventh in our 2013 Driver Power satisfaction survey.

For a svelte three-door there is a surprising amount of space inside the Pro_cee'd GT. The rear bench is wide enough to seat three adults in comfort and a flat floor means there is a lot of legroom as well. The big glovebox and a variety of other cubbies mean storing loose items is simple and the boot will swallow an impressive 380 litres of luggage. If you need more room, the back seats are split 60:40 and, although the loading lip is higher than the five-door model, it is easy enough to lug heavy items on board. Access to the rear seats is reasonable and there is a button to slide the front seat forward to make it easy to climb inside. All-round visibility is quite good for a sporty model and the suspension is soft enough to make long journeys stress free. Unwanted boom from the exhaust is kept to a minimum when cruising the motorway.

autoexpress.co.uk

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GRAND THEFT AUTO V

GTA (Grand Theft Auto) released a new official trailer

Grand Theft Auto V (also known as Grand Theft Auto 5, GTA V or GTA 5) is the name of the newest Grand Theft Auto game, announced by Rockstar Games on October 25, 2011. GTA 5 is expected to launch on September 17th, 2013. iGTA5.com is a dedicated GTA 5 fan site keeping you up to date with all the latest news and facts.

The acclaimed video game franchise is gathering its strength for the fifth release in the series, which goes into the wild on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on September 17. As usual, it promises to be bigger and better than previous iterations, as GTA V will tell the story of “three very different criminals” that go by the name of Michael, Franklin and Trevor who will “plot their own chances of survival and success.” Judging by their previous work, we tend to agree – by all means we can just imagine the future vastness of the open world concept they implemented.

The action will take place in the familiar city of Los Santos that is being described by Rockstar as a “sprawling metropolis full of self-help gurus, starlets and fading celebrities struggling to stay afloat in an era of economic uncertainty and cheap cable TV.”

GTA V’s multiplayer feature will allow up to 16 players to engage in a wide variety of activities such as bank heists and races. The multiplayer service will be available starting October 1, 2013. We also expect the PC version and the ones for the Xbox One and PS 4 to be in the works, due for a timely 2014 release.

Rolling Stone had a chance to sit down with soundtrack supervisor Ivan Pavlovich and get some insight to the creation of GTA V's soundtrack including a snippet that the game has "somewhere in the proximity of 20 movies worth of score" which accompanies players outside of vehicle radios. It was created by noted composer Tangerine Dream in collaboration with Woody Jackson (Red Dead Redemption, Max Payne 3, LA Noire) and L.A. hip-hop producers Alchemist and Oh No.

Rockstar describes the soundtrack as such:

Designed to encompass the breadth of the modern L.A. music scene, GTAV's soundtrack features 15 music stations, two stations of talk radio and 240 licensed songs - covering everything from unforgettable classic hip-hop with long-time Rockstar collaborator DJ Pooh, to the underground Mexican sounds of East LOS FM and the modern beatmaker scene courtesy of FlyLo FM, with new and exclusive tracks from both Flying Lotus and self-confessed GTA fan Tyler the Creator.

Confirmed Radio Stations and DJs are as follows:
Los Santos Rock Radio - Kenny Loggins? (Mentioned for Classic Rock station)
Non Stop Pop 100.7 FM - Cara Delevigne
FlyLo FM - Flying Lotus
East LOS FM - Camilo [Lara]
Vinewood Boulevard Radio - Stephen [Pope] and Nate [Williams]
Rebel Radio - Jesco White
West Coast Classics - DJ Pooh
Unknown soul station - Pam Grier
Unknown 80s boogie-funk station - Bootsy Collins

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Mitsubishi Outlander 2013

New Model of Mitsubishi Outlander

The model tested is available with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, which is producing a total output of 150 HP at 6,000 rpm and it has a peak torque of 195 HP available at 4,100 rpm. This may not seem like much but the truth is that the SUV doesn’t feel heavy when accelerating and unless you live up in the mountains, having to tackle on steep roads on a daily basis, you will be satisfied with what it has to offer. Power is being sent to the permanent all-wheel drive through a CVT, which, in my opinion, is even better than most double-clutch transmissions. The 0 to 100 km/h acceleration is done in 12.6 seconds and top speed stands at 185 km/h.

Fuel Consumption

The Japanese based automaker says that the 2.0 MIVEC CVT version of the new Outlander generation has a fuel consumption of 5.7 liters / 100 km on the highway and 8.0 liters / 100 km in the city, with an average of 6.5L. The trip computer indicated an average of approximately 7L / 100 km on a short trip outside the city, with the climate control permanently on, and with the AC turned off, it will do about 6.6L – 6.7L, so the difference isn’t shocking to the official number. In the city, the Outlander is averaging about 10.3 L / 100 km and this is with the stop/start system on. Push the button to turn it off and hit the throttle like you would in a normal diesel-powered vehicle and the trip computer will indicate approximately 13.8 L / 100 km. This is quite good because I was expecting something in the average of 17L – 18L, considering the fact that it’s a heavy SUV with permanent four-wheel drive.

The Ride

Besides the different engine and the lack of some optionals, the Outlander 2.0 MIVEC CVT is exactly the same with the 2.2 Di-D which we tested here, so the ride is still comfortable. The same “déjà vu” sense kicks in when talking about its handling while cornering but the overall feel is positive. You can even take it off-roading but watch out for hill climbs because it may be tricky to get to the top.

Interior Design

When compared to the previous generation, the looks have been changed. More than 50 percent of the time because the older model was simply better. Don’t get me wrong, the new Outlander is not that bad either, but it lacks something, something which the previous one had. The driving position is good, the seats are comfortable, the beige fabric material on them is surprisingly good, but you may want to order a retractable sunroof, because you will regret later not choosing it.

Safety

The new Mitsubishi Outlander generation has scored a total of five stars when it was tested by the Euro NCAP, with 94% in Adult Occupant, 83% in Child Occupant, 64% in Pedestrian Safety and 100% in Safety Assist.

When it comes to mid-size SUVs destined for everyday use I’m a fan of diesel-powered ones and the moment I stepped into the petrol version I thought this would never sell, and if it would, than the owner will have to be an old man who had the impression he saved some money. False. The Outlander 2.0 MIVEC is a good choice, there is enough torque, the fuel consumption is surprisingly good for a permanent all-wheel drive vehicle powered by a petrol engine and you can forget about the diesel engine noise which will amplify over the years and make your steering wheel and plastics in the cabin feel like cheap massage objects. Oh, and yes, don’t order the adaptive cruise control and, if you can, you might as well drop the rain-sensing wipers, as they are useless. Besides this, go for the petrol-powered Outlander, equipped with the brilliant CVT and you won’t regret it

inautonews

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MB Sprinter Caravan Concept

Mercedes-Benz will be presenting a concept for a Sprinter-based camper van at Europe’s leading trade show for recreational vehicles, the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf Germany (August 31-September 8).
Shown alongside production camper vans of all sizes, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Caravan Concept is a fully functional cut-away model of a new high-roof Sprinter, fully converted into a camper van.

The right-hand side of the vehicle is completely open from the middle of the front passenger door to the rear axle, in order to allow visitors to see the living area. This includes the front seats that are turned around, a side-facing bench seat (which can be pulled out to form a double bed), a kitchen to the left of the opening and a bathroom with integrated wardrobe fitted in transverse position in the rear.

The study includes furniture featuring a hard-wearing HPL coating in high-gloss white, grey laminate flooring and seats featuring white genuine automobile leather from Mercedes-Benz. The side walls and ceiling are covered in Alcantara and feature LED lighting.

The Sprinter camper van concept features a new tenorite grey metallic paint finish. Mercedes-Benz did not say if the Sprinter Caravan concept previews a production model, but judging from the study’s looks one could say a production version is not that far away.

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NISSAN MAXIMA 2014

In Indonesia we use to call it as Nissan Teana. The 2014 model year Maxima that was announced today, won't bring anything new in terms of styling either, but it will come with some equipment enhancements. New model for Nissan Teana?

More specifically, there's a new Limited Edition Package for the base "S" trim priced at $750 that adds a bevy of extras, including smoked headlights with Xenon units, a compass in the rearview mirror, 18-inch aluminum wheels, a rear spoiler, fog lights, outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and metallic trim treatment. The "S" model's price remains unchanged for 2014 at $31,000, excluding an $810 destination and handling fee (*).

The "SV" grade's MSRP has jumped up $850 to $34,090 (*) compared to the 2013MY, but Nissan has added a number of standard features, such as RearView Monitor, USB connectivity and 7.0-inch color screen, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, USB connectivity and Xenon headlights.

Wrapping up the changes for the 2014MY is the addition of two new exterior colors named Gun Metallic and Midnight Garnet. Both Maxima grades are powered by a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine paired to a standard Xtronic CVT.

carscoops

Twitter: @aditya_flux

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ALL NEW PUG 308 R CONCEPT

Hot Hatch With a 270bhp Installed On Peugeot 308 R 

Peugeot will show a hot hatch version of its new family car, known as the 308R, at September’s Frankfurt motor show. Peugeot won't comment on the potential of the R going into production. But the ‘R' brand has been created to allow Peugeot Sport to tinker with its cars, and the fact that the RCZ R has gone in production, means that it's not beyond the realms of possibility.

The concept car is powered by the same turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine as used in the new Peugeot RCZ R. It produces 270bhp and 243lb ft of torque, all of which is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and Torsen differential to try get that power through the front wheels and on to the road.

Compared with a standard 308, the R’s ride height is lowered by 26mm, and the track widened by 30mm. The doors, wings, sills, side panels, bonnet and bumpers are all new for the concept car, meaning that only the roof and tailgate are carried over. Furthermore, the new panels are made from carbon-fibre in order to reduce weight.

The Peugeot rides on 19in alloy wheels, behind which are 380mm brake discs up front and 330mm at the rear. The 308R will make its debut alongside the rest of the new Peugeot 308 range when the Frankfurt motor show opens to the world’s press on September 10.

Twitter: @aditya_flux

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NEW BMW X5 M50d

The New X5 Will Strike On 2013

A car with an intelligent Head Lamp is Installed on BMW X5 M50d. New models are coming thick and fast for BMW, which had just released the F15 generation of the X5 M50d performance diesel model, together with the Individual line and a range of fresh accessories for the new X5.

Naturally, we'll start with the X5 M50d that drops the previous generation model's 3.0-liter tri-turbocharged inline-six diesel with 375hp (380PS) and a monstrous peak torque of 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) into the bigger but lighter body of the F15 X5. The diesel unit’s power is transferred to the road through an 8-speed automatic transmission and the brand's xDrive all-wheel drive.

Even though the engine remains the same, the new X5 M50d reaches the 100km/h (62mph) mark 0.1 seconds faster than its predecessor at 5.3 seconds. Fuel economy is also improved by more than ten percent at 6.7l/100km on the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 177 g/km. Special touches include a lowered and sported up chassis, customized electronic aids, better brakes, a bespoke aero package, 19-inch M light-alloys and a sports trimmed interior.

The BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch to distribute the engine's power between the front and rear wheels variably and according to the situation at hand. Indeed, drive can be switched between wheels in a split-second to optimise traction, directional stability and driving dynamics. xDrive and the DSC stability control system work together to provide advance analysis of the driving situation ahead. The ability to detect the danger of drive slip at an early stage and counteract one or several spinning wheels by varying the distribution of power has helped earn xDrive its status as an intelligent all-wheel-drive system.

In normal driving situations drive is sent predominantly to the rear wheels, accentuating the renowned handling characteristics of BMW cars. The M-specific set-up of the BMW X5 M50d and BMW X6 M50d has been optimized to enhance dynamics, helping it to retain a rear-wheel bias under dynamic cornering. Even when the car is stable through corners, a larger proportion of the engine's power is channelled to the rear axle to enhance agility and stave off understeer.

In addition, Performance Control enhances the handling agility of the BMW X5 M50d, while Dynamic Performance Control does a similar job for the BMW X6 M50d. As soon as the front wheels of the BMW X5 M50d start to push excessively to the outside of a corner, the control electronics of xDrive and DSC team up to brake the rear wheel on the inside of the bend as required. The loss of forward propulsion is balanced out by an increase in engine power, the intervention of Performance Control ensuring precise turn-in. Power distribution can be varied to an even greater degree in the BMW X6 M50d, which comes as standard with Dynamic Performance Control. This system reroutes engine output from the inside rear wheel to the outside rear wheel around a corner if the system detects an imminent risk of understeer. Dynamic Performance Control also counteracts oversteer in its early stages, switching drive from the outside rear wheel - which is experiencing particularly high centrifugal forces - to the inside rear wheel. Dynamic Performance Control also steps in to stabilise the car when the driver takes his foot off the accelerator, ensuring precise and agile turn-in and enabling extremely dynamic acceleration out of corners.

The chassis technology underpinning the BMW X5 M50d and BMW X6 M50d is based on a double-joint spring-strut front axle and integral rear axle. This arrangement offers the ideal platform for a sporty handling set-up which also achieves high standards of ride comfort. Both models also feature air suspension with automatic self-leveling at the rear axle. The support mounts, elastokinematics, spring and damper system, and Servotronic mapping of the hydraulic steering - among other things - have been modified to imbue the chassis set-up of the two BMW X models with hallmark M characteristics.

Stronger body mounting reduces roll, which in turn optimises steering accuracy through corners. At the same time, the linear build-up of lateral forces for which M cars are renowned enables precisely controllable handling up to the limit. The M-specification tuning of chassis components extends to the electronically controlled dampers and active anti-roll control function of Adaptive Drive, which comes as standard on the BMW X6 M50d and is available as an option for the BMW X5 M50d. Meanwhile, the large-format braking system - with 385-millimeter front discs and 345-millimeter rear discs - provides powerful and consistent braking, even under heavy loads.

Exclusive exterior and interior design features for the two BMW M Performance Automobiles based on the BMW X models provide clear visual differentiation, optimized aerodynamic balance and enhanced driving pleasure. Its powerful presence and distinctively three-dimensional contours make the body-colored front apron a genuinely eye-catching item. To optimise the supply of cooling air to the power unit, the spaces normally reserved for foglamps on regular BMW X models take on a new role as air intakes, and these large surfaces offer a tantalizing hint of the engine power lurking behind the scenes. Horizontal bars in the color shade Ferric Grey metallic course across their surface. The race-inspired air-channelling flaps sited below the side air intakes optimise the cars' aerodynamic balance at high speeds.

Titanium-colored vertical bars for the BMW kidney grille, exterior mirror caps in Ferric Grey metallic, a model badge on the tailgate and BMW High-gloss Shadow Line trim for the side window surrounds and exterior mirror bases add further model-specific touches. The BMW X5 M50d comes as standard with 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in V-spoke design, the BMW X6 M50d with 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design. Both models are also available with optional 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in Ferric Grey metallic developed exclusively for the BMW M Performance Automobiles and fitted with mixed tires. The powerful appearance of the BMW X5 M50d is given additional presence by wheel arch extensions and bespoke side sills and kick plates, while the athletic stance of the BMW X6 M50d is underlined by a bonnet sporting a striking powerdome as standard. Both models also boast a muscular rear apron with the embellishers for the exhaust tailpipes integrated left and right.

Customers of the regular X5 can now approach BMW for its Individual program that encompasses unique colors such as Ruby Black metallic and Pyrite Brown metallic, a different group of wheels, and special treatments, colors and materials for the interior. The BMW Individual range will be available for the new X5 from December 2013.

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Ford Fiesta 2014

The 2014 Ford Fiesta will reveal at Jakarta on Indonesian International Motor Show Sept 2013 with a new front fascia, a longer list of options, and some extra tech. The Fiesta gets a few updates for the 2014 model year, including a more efficient EcoBoost engine, a sporty ST model, and new styling that evokes the 2013 Fusion.

For the first time, Ford’s smallest car gets the MyFord Touch infotainment system, as well as an improved version of the Sync voice recognition control in current models. 

MyFord Touch allows the driver to control functions like navigation, audio, climate control, and Bluetooth primarily through a touch screen. In the Fiesta, it’s a 6.5-inch unit mounted prominently in the center stack.

Ford seems determined to put MyFord Touch in all of its vehicles, although the first version of the system was panned for being slow and requiring too much of the driver’s attention. Ford updated the software earlier this year.

Hopefully the Fiesta will strike a better balance between technology and functionality. MyFord Touch-equipped models come with a redesigned center stack with fewer buttons, although some are retained as redundant controls. We’ll have to see if Ford has found the happy medium between too many buttons and too few.

The 2014 Fiesta also gets the newest version of Sync, which streamlines calling and texting with voice recognition. It uses more logical voice commands that, for example, allow drivers to ask for their favorite radio station by name instead of calling up the radio, FM, and the music genre.

Ford’s Sync AppLink, which allows drivers to use Ford-approved apps, returns, as does the Sync Services concierge, which offers things like turn-by-turn directions. Making the most of Sync and MyFord Touch is an available eight-speaker Sony HD radio with satellite capability.

The 2014 Fiesta also features a new exterior design with a front end that apes the 2013 Fusion’s (definitely not a bad thing), and a new turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine with an estimated 40 mpg. Despite its microscopic size, Ford says the 1.0-liter delivers more horsepower per liter than a Lamborghini Aventador.

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