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| 27 Jul, 2010 |
| Audi A7
Sportback |
 One and a half year ago Audi showed Sportback concept at Detroit motor show. It was a four-door coupe in the mould of Mercedes CLS. We knew it would be put into production. Today, it becomes A7 Sportback. As suggested by its name, A7 sits between A6 and A8 in size and market positioning. By the standards of 4-seat coupes, it is very large (4969mm x 1911mm x 1420mm x 2914mm wheelbase). This is because the car is based on the next generation A6 platform, which will get larger than today's model. For the same reason, its chassis is constructed in steel monocoque instead of the aluminum spaceframe of A8, although a lot of aluminum parts are employed to save weight, such as bonnet, doors, hatchback, front bulkhead and suspension arms. The lightest front-drive model weighs just under 1700kg, whereas 4WD models weigh about 1770 kg. No surprise here.  Styling of the car follows closely the Detroit concept. All the beautiful lines and profile are retained, although the front grille and bumpers are altered. For a four-door coupe, its fastback is quite subtle, not as radically angled as the case of CLS, Jaguar XF and XJ. This should guarantee pretty good headroom to the two individual rear seats. The fastback is a feature of the Sportback. It opens to a generous luggage space ranging from 535 to 1390 liters. Apart from the fastback, another feature to distinguish it from Audi saloons is the frameless windows.  Audi provides the A7 with 2 petrol and 2 diesel engines at launch:
 The lower power diesel engine is optimized for fuel economy as it is the only engine mated with front-wheel drive and Multitronic CVT. Other engines have compulsory Quattro system and 7-speed S-Tronic twin-clutch gearbox. The Quattro system employs a new crown-gear type Torsen center differential, as in the case of RS5, to give 40:60 torque split in normal driving, or up to 70% and 85% front and rear respectively in case of slippage. Also like RS5, "torque vectoring" is available in two ways – by means of braking (fitted as standard) or by means of active rear differential (cost option). Adaptive air suspension and adaptive damping will be optional. For environmental reason, A7 is unlikely to get V8 engine – at least until S7 arrived – though it may get a hybrid V6. At the moment, 3.0TFSI is the highest performance model available. While its power-to-weight ratio is not very high, it is benefited by a flat torque curve, all-wheel traction and quick response of S-Tronic gearbox, so it is capable of 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds. That will be good enough to beat the next generation Mercedes CLS350.  |
| 27 Jul, 2010 |
| Mercedes
CL AMG updated |
 In March we reported AMG was changing its M156 6.2-liter V8 to M157 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8. Now the first application has been shown in CL-class. Theoretically, the new model should be named CL55K AMG. However, as the customers of AMG get used to the idea that bigger numbers meant better, it decided to retain the CL63 AMG moniker. In standard form, the 5461cc V8, with direct injection and twin-turbo running at 1.0 bar, generates 544 horsepower instead of the previous 525 hp. That's not much, but the icing on the cake is 590 lb-ft of torque at 2000-4500 rpm, overwhelming the old engine's 465 lb-ft at 5200 rpm. The tremendous torque enables the engine to run at lower rev in regular driving, thus improving fuel consumption by an astonishing 25 percent. That's not all. Customers opting for Sport pack will release even more potential from the engine - 571 hp and 664 lb-ft - and simultaneously raised the speed limiter to 186 mph. Another big change to the new CL63 is the adoption of MCT (Multi-Clutch Technology) gearbox, which first appeared in SL63 AMG a couple of years ago. It is based on the 7G-Tronic automatic tranmission but with conventional torque coverter replaced with a computer-controlled multiplate clutch to improve the speed of gearchange. However, it is not easy to see the difference in 0-60 mph. AMG claims the new car improves that by merely 0.1 second in standard form or 0.2 second with Sport pack from the original 4.5 sec. I suppose traction is still a limiting factor to the FR machine. Apart from CL63, the range-topping but largely superfluous CL65 AMG has also undergone some changes. A minor tweak ups its peak power from 612 to 630hp, although the 738 lb-ft (1000Nm) of maximum torque is still limited by the old 5-speed automatic transmission. 0-60 mph has been shortened by 0.1 second to 4.2 sec, while top speed is raised to 186 mph. |
| 7 Jul, 2010 |
| Renault
DeZir shows new styling direction |
 The fact that it won't be put into production does not hurt its significance. DeZir is the first fruit of Renault's new design boss Laurens van den Acker, who was head hunted from Mazda last year to succeed Patrick le Quement. From it we can see signs of the "Flow" design theme he used on various Mazda concept cars, such as Nagare and Ryuga. Many of its styling features, especially the eagle-shape grille incorporating an enlarged Renault logo and the "eyelids" above the headlamps, will be applied to future production Renaults starting from the next generation Clio. Hopefully he will make Renault interesting again.  Rumors said the DeZir may also preview the new Alpine sports car that Renault is planning. However, similar rumors appeared many times during the past decade and never materialized, so I don't take it seriously. The concept sports car is compact and low. Thanks to a steel tubular frame chassis and Kelvar bodywork, it weighs only 830 kg. Power comes from a 150hp electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, enabling it to claim 0-62 mph in 5 seconds.  |
| 7 Jul, 2010 |
| Aston
Martin N420 |
 In the mold of the N400 built in 2008, Aston is introducing another limited edition called N420. Sadly, as implied by its name, this car offers the same 420hp engine as today's V8 Vantage. Its slight performance gain comes from merely a weight reduction of 27 kg. The latter is achieved by using lighter front splitter, side sills, diffusers and racing bucket seats, all made of carbon-fiber. What about the eye-catching black roof rails ? sorry, they are only painted black to make a stronger styling statement. Other things distinguishing the car from V8 Vantage include a sportier sounding exhaust, stiffer sport suspension (although it is always optional to V8 Vantage), 10-spoke alloy wheels and minor changes to interior decoration. |
| 7 Jul, 2010 |
| Volvo V60 |
 Volvo is breaking away from one of its traditional strengths - roomy estates. The new V60 looks as sporty as its sedan sister thanks to relatively low roof line and short rear overhang. This mean its luggage space measures an unremarkable 430 liters with the rear seats in place. If you want maximum load space, you had better to choose V70 or something from Mercedes-Benz or Skoda.  |
| 7 Jul, 2010 |
| Industrial
News |
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Volkswagen
man heads Porsche
Since Volkswagen acquired Porsche, it has been increasing its influence to the sports car maker by replacing key personnels. As expected, the top job at Porsche finally goes to VW man. Yesterday the company announced Volkswagen man Matthias Muller is replacing Michael Macht as the CEO of Porsche. Previously, Muller was the product planning chief of VW group. He performed a similar function at Audi between 2003 and 2007, thus is credited for the successful expansion of Audi as we see today. If you remember, Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn also served as the CEO of Audi in the same period, no wonder Muller is seen as the right-hand man of Winterkorn. What about Michael Macht ? Previously being the production chief of Porsche, he was promoted to the top job last year when Wendelin Wiedeking left the company due to the counter-acquisition by VW group. Now he is getting a promotion (in name) to the production chief of Volkswagen group. The management shuffle is likely to accelerate the integration of Porsche into Volkswagen group. With a VW man heading the sports car maker, we expect Porsche will greenlight joint-venture programs like the "new 356" and a small SUV. |
| 5 Jul, 2010 |
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| Bugatti
Super Sport set speed record ! |
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 In 2005, Bugatti EB16.4 Veyron set a stunning world speed record of 253 mph. Two years later, it was broken by American supercar Ultimate Aero by a margin of only 3 mph. However, the Bugatti was still seen as the world's no. 1 supercar because of its bespoke design, accessible performance, high build quality and impeccable engineering. Until today some 295 cars have been sold despite of its 1-million euro price. To strengthen its leading position in the supercar business, Bugatti now introduces the first performance upgrade to Veyron. Shown here is the Super Sport version. Its 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine got enlarged turbochargers and intercoolers to lift its output from 1001hp and 922 lb-ft to 1200hp and 1106 lbft, an increase of exactly 20 percent. At the same time, by using lighter kind of carbon-fiber materials the dry weight of the car has been reduced by 50 kg. This allowed the SS to set a new world speed record at Volkswagen's Ehra-Leissen test track yesterday. The new bar is 268 mph (two-way average), comfortably ahead of its oppositions.  The production car will be electronically regulated at 258 mph to protect its tires, which were not certified to higher speed. However, if you are willing to take risk, take the car to Ehra-Leissen and I think Volkswagen will allow you to access its true potential. In terms of acceleration, the Super Sport claims the unchanged time for 0-62 and 0-124 mph, but 0-186 mph has been reduced from 16.8 to 15.0 seconds, showing its superiority lies on the top end. Externally, the SS differs from the original car by revised aerodynamic design. Its revisions bring better cooling and reduced tubulence within wheel wells. The biggest difference is found around the engine lid, where the old car used to have two cooling ducts raised above the roof level, the new car had replaced them with a pair of NACA ducts recessed in the roof. This should reduce its frontal area hence drag. At the back, the SS also sports new double diffusers and revised exhaust pipes. On the downside, these changes make it look even more like a big cockroach...  The suspensions have been beefed up with stiffer springs and anti-roll bars and new dampers. They allow the Super Sport to corner at up to 1.4 g.
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| 3 Jul, 2010 |
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| Mercedes
CL facelift |
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 This is the facelifted Mercedes CL-class. Externally it differs from the outgoing car by revised headlamps, fascia, bumper intakes and more contoured bonnet, all are very subtle. The cabin also got slightly upgraded materials and safety features. However, the most important change is found inside the engine compartment. The outgoing 5.5-liter V8 has been replaced with new twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 that we reported back in May. It boosted horsepower from 388 to 435, but more crucial, max torque increases by 125 lb-ft to 516 lb-ft. At 2000 rpm, it delivers 45 percent more torque than the old V8, no wonder 0-60 mph acceleration is cut by half a second to only 4.7 seconds. Besides, the turbocharged V8 also makes CL500 far greener than before. A comparision of the old and new car is shown below:
The V12 engine of flagship CL600 is unchanged because it is near the end of its life. |
| 3 Jul, 2010 |
| Tesla
Roadster v2.5 |
 Tesla has updated its Lotus-built Roadster to version 2.5. New to the car is a facelifted front end and a slightly improved interior with more supportive seats, better sound insulation and a 7-inch touch screen. No changes has been made to the chassis and powertrain as resources have been concentrating to the Model S.  By the way, the California-based electric car company has completed IPO (Initial Public Offering) on NASDAQ stock exchange. Its share price rose 40 percent on the first day, absurd for a company hasn't turned a profit yet and is still burning US$30 million a quarter. This allowed company owner Elon Musk to offload some of his shares to earn $24 million. Previously, Musk has sunk at least US$70 million of his personal wealth into the company. If share price remains high for a bit longer, hopefully he could have his Great Escape done before the bubble burst. |
| 3 Jul, 2010 |
| Industrial
News |
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Last
Viper built
The last Dodge Viper has rolled off the production line at Conner Avenue plant yesterday, ending a history that could be traced back to 1992. Chrysler did not reveal how many Vipers have been built through the years. |