Latest
News
27 Sep,
2008
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Audi S4
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As reported before, the new generation Audi S4 abandons naturally
aspirated V8 for a more fuel-efficient 2995cc supercharged 90-degree
V6. This engine was first introduced in A6 3.0TFSI, but in the more
sporting S4 it is tuned to deliver 333 hp instead of 290 hp. Maximum
torque is 324 lb-ft from 2500-4850 rpm, versus 310 lb-ft in A6. Compare
with the old S4 with 4.2-liter V8, it loses 11 horsepower but gains 22
lb-ft of torque, while fuel consumption and CO2
emission are significantly improved. For technical details of the 3.0
TFSI engine, please read our news on 29 Jun.
Audi claims the new S4, when equipped with 6-speed manual gearbox, will
take 4.9 seconds to go from 0-60 mph, i.e., slightly quicker than the
old car. Max speed is still regulated at 155 mph. With new
longitudinally-mounted 7-speed double-clutch S-Tronic gearbox,
acceleration must be even faster.
Compare with regular A4, the S4 has stiffer and 20mm lower suspensions
riding on 245/40ZR18 tires. Handling is improved by the lighter V6 and
40:60 Quattro system. A Haldex active rear limited slip differential by
means of multi-plate clutch will be offered as performance option. Its
construction and theory is similar to those employed by Saab 9-3 XWD,
BMW X6 and M3 and Honda's SH-AWD (the former two are also supplied by
Haldex). It alters the torque split between the left and right rear
wheels to correct understeer and oversteer, thus contributes to more
accurate and agile handling. Besides, the S4 now includes a control
system with normal, comfort, sport modes to alter throttle response,
steering assistance and gearshift speed (in case of S-Tronic).
 
Summing all up, it means a nightmare to BMW 335i.
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27 Sep,
2008
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Audi RS6 sedan
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Audi launched the new generation RS6 in Avant (wagon) form first. Now
after 3 quarters of a year, the saloon version is finally released. As
seen in these photos, the sedan can be specified with blackened front
grille surround in order to deliver a sportier image. However, the
biggest surprise is the tail, which gets the restyled taillights like
the recently facelifted A6.
Mechanically there is little surprise. The engine is still that
twin-turbo 5-liter V10. Admittedly, with class-leading 580 horsepower,
there is no need for any further upgrade. Compare with the Avant, the
sedan carries 40 kg less weight, so 0-60 acceleration is 0.1 second
faster.
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27 Sep,
2008
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Chevrolet Volt
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Few future cars receive the same level of concern from automotive media
as Chevrolet Volt. American motoring journalists hope it could save GM
from its financial crisis, so they help publicizing this car every day.
After countless of spy photographs and speculations, the production
specifications has been released.
Set to be the world's first plug-in hybrid production car, Volt will
employ a 16kWh Li-ion battery to power its 150hp / 273 lb-ft electric
motor. This gives a pure electric range of 40 miles in urban area.
Battery charging will take 8 hours on standard 120V power supply in
North America or 3 hours if you have 240V socket-outlet. The gasoline
engine is a new 100hp 1.4-liter naturally aspirated unit. It does not
drive the car directly but generates electricity to supply the motor
(that's why it's called "plug-in hybrid"). The engine works whenever
battery runs low. It spins between 2000-4000 rpm to optimize fuel
efficiency. Of course, a hybrid car has the capability of regenerative
braking to make use of the energy that would be otherwise lost in
braking. The total range is unknown yet.
The Volt measures 4404 mm in length, 1798mm in width, 1430mm in height
and 2685mm in wheelbase. That is slightly larger than C-segment (i.e.
Golf / Focus / Astra etc.) but well under D-segment (Mondeo / Passat).
Note that its cabin sits 4 people only, because the rear passengers are
split with a large and tall transmission tunnel which houses some of
the batteries. Other batteries are placed under the rear seat, as is
the small fuel tank. Though the chassis is unique, its component set
comes from the next generation Delta platform (Opel Astra, Chevrolet
Cruze). Suspensions are MacPherson struts front and torsion beam at the
rear.
The most controversial to me is the styling. It deviates a lot from the
concept shown last January. The profile becomes more conventional for
production, which is predictable, but I simply dislike the blackened
part under the side windows, which pretend to have large windows like
the concept car. The cabin looks much more futuristic than the
exterior. It has a cool white center console and a LCD screen as
instrument panel. However, things could change when the car go on sale
in late 2010.
Those hoping Chevrolet Volt could save GM are childish. As revealed by
Bob Lutz, this car is set to lose money because of its high costs
(think about those Li-ion batteries). What it could help GM is more
image-wise. I just hope it won't repeat the tragedy of EV1.
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27 Sep,
2008
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Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid
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Sometimes I don't understand why we automotive journalists have to
report about the same cars times to times. Last September we already
reported the new Mercedes S400 Hybrid in Frankfurt motor show. Now the
same car appears again, only in a new name, S400 BlueHybrid.
The car is actually unchanged. Its engine is S350's 3.5-liter V6 tuned
to deliver 279 horsepower. A small disc-type electric motor generating
20hp / 118 lb-ft is added between the flywheel and gearbox. It acts as
a supporting role (so it is only a "mild hybrid" instead of a "full
hybrid") in acceleration and enables regenerative braking. It needs
only a small Li-ion battery (supplied by German component giant
Continental AG) which is placed in the engine compartment, taking the
place of conventional battery. The combined output is 299 hp and 277
lb-ft - strangely, I read two press releases from Mercedes, one
mentioned 277 lb-ft and another 284 lb-ft. However, back in last
September it was said as 277 lb-ft.
Compare with S350, 0-60 acceleration barely improves by 0.1 seconds due
to the extra weight of the hybrid hardware. However, the Bluehybrid is
definitely greener rather than bluer. Fuel consumption improves from
27.9 mpg to a remarkable 35.7 mpg, while CO2 emission reduces from 242
g/km to 190 g/km.
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27 Sep,
2008
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Golf GTI
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Here's the sixth generation Golf GTI. Its engine is still that 2.0 TFSI
unit, although the basic architecture is changed to the new EA888
family like that recently introduced to Scirocco. Tweaked induction
results in slightly more power at 210 hp, while max torque remains
unchanged at 207 lb-ft.
Like Scirocco, it gets a new adaptive damping, electronic differential
lock (which applies braking to simulate LSD, not really a LSD) and a
normal/sport mode control system which alter throttle response,
steering and damping. Like the rest of the Golf VI range, there is
virtually no surprises.
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27 Sep,
2008
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Bentley Arnage to say goodbye
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Born in 1998, Bentley Arnage is set to say goodbye early next year. A
final 150 units of the Arnage Final Series edition will be built. It
has the most luxuriously trimmed cabin and the 500hp engine from Arnage
T. Surprise, the Arnage is still competitive. Bentley should not let it
die so early.
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13 Sep,
2008
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Renault Megane III
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Viewing from some angles the new Renault Megane III (yes, the 3rd
generation) is really stylish. For example, its sculpted clamshell
bonnet looks quite upmarket under the reflection of sunlight.
Nevertheless, from other angles it looks too mainstream compare with
last generation. The tail is no longer special. The sculpted front
fenders are too close to Mazda 2. The side view is just the same as
anything on the market. Don't expect it to age as well as Megane II.
Mechanical side is predictable as well. Slightly longer in wheelbase
(2640mm vs 2625mm) and overall length (4.3m vs 4.2m), MacPherson strut
and torsion-beam suspensions, electrically assisted steering, vast of
electronic safety and convenience equipments but none is really new.
The interior continues the upmarket trend of Renault, with soft
materials and LCD speedo. Cabin room should be good, while 405 liters
boot (without spare tire) is remarkable for a hatchback.
La Cost Killer called for more integration with Nissan, so here comes a
new 1.4 TCE turbocharged engine designed in Japan. It produces 130 hp
and 140 lbft. Variable valve timing works on the intake camshaft. This
is the star of the engine range, as it will be more frugal than the
1.6-liter 110hp and 2.0-liter 140hp Renault engines initially offered
yet provides better tractability. Another input from Nissan is a CVT
transmission, hopefully will join from 2009. At the moment, manual and
automatic gearbox.
Diesel engines are all Renault, predictably. The 1.5dCi unit produces
either 90hp or 110hp depending on tune and your wallet, but both won't
emit more than 120 grams of carbon-dioxide per kilometer in order to
please EU commission. More performance ? Get the 2.0dCi in either 130
or 160hp form. Still not satisfied ? A 180hp 2.0 TCE petrol turbo will
join in 2009. However, Renault Sport Megane is still far far away.
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13 Sep,
2008
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Concept Fascination: preview CLK
& E-class
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Mercedes Concept Fascination previews the forthcoming new generation
CLK and E-class. From these photos we can see it features the quad
square headlamps that will be transferred intact to the new CLK and
E-class. You might question why these two different class cars share
the same headlamps. In fact, the next generation CLK will be no longer
CLK. Although underneath its skin will still be based on C-class, its
appearance will resemble the upmarket E-class as it will be named and
marketed as a E-class coupe. In fact, from the fast-angle windscreen
and the coupe-style mask of this concept car, you can see it is more in
line with the next coupe.
No technical details are available now except that the concept car
debuts with new 204hp 2.2CDI Bluetec diesel engine. This engine has
been announced for the production C250CDI BlueEfficiency.
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13 Sep,
2008
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Honda Insight
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Is this really the new Honda Insight ? or a copycat to Toyota Prius ?
Honda made no secret that its second generation hybrid-power Insight,
now a 5-seater instead of a coupe, targets at Toyota Prius. It plans to
sell 200,000 copies a year worldwide, half of which in the United
States. To achieve that target, it will be slightly cheaper than
today's Prius.
Ridiculously, apart from this picture, Honda provides no insight into
its new Insight. We'll have to wait until Paris motor show next month
to see the technical specifications.
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13 Sep,
2008
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Seat Ibiza Cupra
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Seat announced the Cupra version of its Ibiza. Unlike the old car that
employed a 1.8 turbo engine, the new car is powered by a far more
efficient 1.4TSI twincharger (turbo+mechanical supercharger) engine
with
direct injection to produce an impressive 180hp (10 more than the same
engine used in Golf). It mates with 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG
gearbox with paddle-shift. Stiffer and lowered suspensions ride on
215/40VR17 tires. Also don't forget that giant killer look !
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13 Sep,
2008
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New Toyota Avensis
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Toyota has released a couple of pictures for its new generation Avensis
sedan, which continues to serve the European market only. The rear view
looks stylish but the front end still disgusting. We are waiting for
specifications.
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13 Sep, 2008
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| Industry News |
Renault and Volvo
to cut jobs
Poor economy and poor performance of sales hit Renault and Volvo. The
former decided to slash 6000 jobs, mostly in France. This include 1000
jobs at the Sandouville plant that produces Laguna, reflecting how poor
the sales of this car.
Anticipating sales recline in Europe and USA, Volvo also announced that
it will cut another 900 jobs in addition to the
2000 jobs already announced in June.
Tesla Roadster new
powertrain ready
As reported before, the original 2-speed gearbox of Tesla Roadster was
proved undurable thus so far the 38 cars produced had the 1st gear
disabled. Now Tesla has finally completed testing of the new powertrain
with a BorgWarner single-speed gearbox and a more powerful electric
motor, which delivers 280 lb-ft of torque instead of 211 lb-ft to
compensate the lack of gearchange. Brilliantly, travel range is also
improved by 10 percent to 244 miles (393 km). Tesla now plans to step
up production to 10 cars per week within a few weeks and then up to 40
cars per week from March 2009. Let's see whether it could sustain
customer interest after Chevrolet Volt and Fisker Karma go on sale.
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