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Diesel hybrid Range Rover Sport – less than 100 g/km CO2

May 14, 2010 at 10:10 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Land Rover

Land Rover has confirmed that they will be bringing out hybrid versions of Range Rover models which will be called Range Rover_e. Apparently set for a 2013 launch, the diesel electric hybrid drivetrain will be introduced to the public in a Range Rover Sport body. Land Rover suggested that all their models have the potential of being driven by the hybrid system, and developing a petrol hybrid (mainly for US and Middle East) would be easy after mastering the harder to produce diesel system.

The chosen transmission is the ZF eight-speed automatic and the hybrid system adds about 110kg to the weight of the car. It has been reported that a 3.0-litre V6 diesel motor will partner a 25kW electric motor. the SUV will be able to run solely on electric power for 32 km. CO2 emissions will be less than 100 g/km, which is nothing short of amazing in such a big car. Currently, only eco models of superminis achieve that sort of figure.

Tests will start late this year with a small fleet of five units.

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Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas revealed at Wörthersee 2010

May 14, 2010 at 9:21 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has amassed multitudes of fans all around the world since production started in 1976. In just six years, the passion for the car was so strong that a GTI-Meet in Reifnitz at Wörthersee was organised. The stage was set for fans to share their love for the GTI. Fast forward to the present and the same scene can be experienced, apart from the updated models of course.

Wörthersee 2007 saw the introduction of the ultimately insane GTI W12-650 which packed a 650 horsepower W12 engine in a Golf GTI shell. In 2008 there was the Golf Estate RaVe 270, and in 2009 it was the Golf GTI Wörthersee 09. This year VW offers to fans the Golf GTI adidas.

Three German historical brands, adidas, GTI and Volkswagen, combine for this car. The Golf GTI adidas will be customisable and features 18-inch “Serron” alloy wheels, specially developed sport seat design (with three stripes) and bi-xenon headlights and LED rear lights as standard. The car’s interior is customised in the style of adidas and the sports brand’s logo sits on the base of the B-pillar. We like the dimpled golf ball gear knob and also noticed that the instruments are backlit in a cool blue colour, which differs from the white in the standard car.

More pictures after the jump
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Yulon Motor Luxgen MPV’s new 2.2 liter turbo engine

May 13, 2010 at 8:33 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News

Taiwanese automaker Luxgen has released more information on its new 2.2 litre MEFI Turbo engine that will be available in their MPV. The engine seems to be boosted quite lightly by its Garrett turbocharger, producing 175 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 255Nm of torque between 2,500 to 4,000rpm. Interestingly when details on the Luxgen MPV was first released the engine output was rated at 200 horses and 280Nm but I guess the engine has been revised now – perhaps they are playing it a little safe for reliability.

BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroen’s Prince engine can produce similiar horsepower and torque figures (both in terms of peak and spread) from their turbo direct injection 1.6 litre engine, but still it’s a good start and the higher torque is definitely necessary to move an MPV around comfortably. The engine complies to Euro 4 standards and is reverse-mounted, positioning the intake in front and the exhaust together with its turbocharger at the firewall side of the engine bay. This allows for the catalyst to be positioned closer to the exhaust manifold which helps with emissions.

I can’t wait for the year end where hopefully we’re going to be reading blog posts such as this one, except that we’ll be covering Proton’s new Project Phoenix turbocharged engine instead!

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Citroën DS3 roof and dashboard design competition

May 13, 2010 at 4:50 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Citroën, International News

Citroën’s DS3, the “anti-retro” rival to BMW’s MINI, was conceived as a customisable small car where unique colours and trims can be specified in (dashboard, seat, key fob) and out (floating roof, wing mirrors, rubbing strips, wheels) for each car to have its own personality. The offbeat French brand is taking this a step further; instead of just colours, future DS3 buyers will be able to choose from various motifs.

With that in mind, Citroën has launched an international design competition, inviting aspiring designers (or anyone for that matter) to customise the DS3′s roof and dashboard. In addition to a 5,000 euro cash prize, the winning design will be presented at Citroën’s international showcase on Champs Elysees, the C_42, in October this year to mark the start of the Paris Motor Show. As an ultimate reward, the design will be put into production, available in 2011 as part of a special DS3 collection.

A series of video briefs will be available on www.citroencreativeawards.com to give you an idea of what they’re looking for. ‘Daring’ and ‘professionalism’ are the watchwords of the jury, which will include senior representatives from GQ, the Cartier Foundation and Louis Vuitton. Last date of submission is 4 July.

Click here to view images of the DS3 Racing that was unveiled at Geneva for some inspiration.

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Marussia F2 – Russia’s high tech multi-purpose SUV

May 13, 2010 at 2:20 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News

Russian company Marussia Motors displayed their ultra futuristic multi-purpose F2 SUV at the 22nd International Exhibition of Telecommunications Equipment, Control Systems, Information Technology and Communications Services, CSTB-2010 in Moscow. Multi-purpose because the company claims that the F2 can do good as an army, fire department, emergency squad, police or mobile operation control centre vehicle.

Interior adaptability is the key of the F2′s flexibility as the spacious cabin can be moulded to fit any specialist equipment. The exterior looks commanding as it has a very muscular, almost brutish but streamlined and modern at the same time. The F2 also boasts excellent infotainment credentials such as Bluetooth connectivity, GPS and TV, and it’s also future proofed to accommodate any new technology, as flexibility is the selling point of this car.

Marrusia is one of the sponsors of the Virgin Racing F1 Team. They also have a car that looks as if it can eat the Veyron for breakfast. The aluminium-kevlar bodied B2 weighs only 850 kg and is powered by a 300 bhp Cosworth V6. 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds! You can see a glimpse of the B2 in one of the pictures in the gallery after the jump.
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Job cuts and plant shut down on the menu for Ferrari

May 13, 2010 at 2:16 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Ferrari, International News

Ferrari employees walked out in response to the proposed job cuts by the Italian supercar maker to pay for a 2009 bonus due last month. Ferrari plans to cut 120 office positions and 150 factory jobs to achieve this from the 3,000 people that they employ. This trimming is due to the fact that sister brand Maserati has reduced orders for engines, which Ferrari builds for the Trident marque. Maranello made engines for about 4,500 Maseratis last year, down from almost 9,000 units in 2008.

Besides the job cuts, Ferrari plans to shut down the its Maranello factory for a week this month, which will involve 600 staff. Ferrari plans to slash 2010 production targets to 11,000 from 20,000 and will cope with the reduction in staff by outsourcing non-core jobs to local companies. The restructuring will help Ferrari focus on product development, technological innovation and reaching new customers.

Source

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911 GT2 RS is the most powerful road Porsche of all time

May 13, 2010 at 2:03 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Porsche

The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS has been unveiled and it’s being touted as the most powerful street legal Porsche of all time. The claim is backed by a 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine boosted by two turbochargers with variable turbine geometry to produce an incredible 620 hp. With just 1,370 kilograms to pull, 0 to 100 km/h is done in 3.5 seconds while 200 km/h appears in 9.8 seconds, a shorter time than some cars’ century sprint time. If you’ve got a death wish, continue to keep the pedal to the metal and you’ll be at 300 km/h in 28.9 seconds, by when you’ll still have 30 km/h to go before reaching maximum velocity.

Compared with the “standard” GT2, power has been increased by 90 hp while weight has been reduced by 70 kg. Power to weight ratio is one horsepower to propel every 2.21 kilos into a blur. All the grunt is channeled through a six-speed manual gearbox on to the 325/30 ZR 19 rear tyres. With all that performance, how can a GT2 RS owner possibly coax out the claimed 11.9 L/100 km fuel consumption is anyone’s guess. CO2 emissions of 284 g/km is down by 5%.

With great power comes great brakes, so PCCB composite ceramic brakes are standard here. Driving dynamics are maintained by RS spring set-up, PASM Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management, anti-roll bars, dynamic engine mounts and PSM Porsche Stability Management.

Flared wheel arches and wide wheels give the RS a muscular stance while the use of matte black finished carbon-fibre-reinforced (CFR) components around the car adds a touch of sportiness. The light-alloy wheels with central locking are exclusive to this model while ”GT2 RS“ model designations on the doors and rear lid leaves no doubt about its identity. Aero parts include an upgraded front spoiler lip and a rear spoiler lip which is now 10 mm higher, made of CFR and as of course, finished in carbon fibre.

The sporting theme continues inside with lightweight bucket seats (in CFR plastic) and door panels. The latter is closed with door straps instead of the usual door handles for a race car feel. Most of the interior is black but the roof lining, seats, seat belts, gearshift and handbrake are red, the latter two in alcantara.

Only 500 of these monsters will be built so your 199,500 euros investment is bound to be exclusive. A fully kitted up GT2 RS can cost up to 237,578 euros.

Hi res images and a nice promo footage video is available after the jump.
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BMW celebrates 30 years of GS with special edition

May 13, 2010 at 12:39 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International News

The iconic BMW GS is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and BMW Motorrad takes the opportunity to offer a special “30 Years GS” edition, an exclusive model to commemorate three decades of the highly successful series, which started with the R 80 G/S of 1980. The anniversary model is available for the 110 bhp R 1200 GS pictured here as well as the R 1200 GS Adventure and smaller siblings F 800 GS and F 650 GS.

Features exclusive to this anniversary edition include Alpine White non-metallic paint with three-colored decals, “30 Years GS” badging, cross-spoke wheels with their spoke rings in black epoxy finish and hand protectors. The eye catching seat is finished in red with a three-dimensional GS mark embossed on its sides. The Adventure model is fitted with a two-tone red and black seat.

More images after the jump.
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Iran president opens biggest car plant in the Middle East, unveils locally designed Tiba car by Saipa

May 12, 2010 at 5:17 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News


Click to enlarge

Last Sunday, Iran president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad opened a car plant that is said to be the biggest in the Middle East. It belongs to state-run automobile company Saipa. Located in the city of Kashan, the US$50 million facility has the capacity to manufacture 150,000 vehicles annually.

To offer 4,000 jobs, the plant will build locally designed small cars called the Tiba (deer). The latest Tiba (pictured above), also unveiled by Ahmadinejad on the same day, is priced between US$8,000 to US$9,000, targeting lower middle-class buyers.

“This is the first Iranian vehicle with Iranian characteristics as it is designed and manufactured by Iranians. Tiba is the symbol of our confidence in ourselves. The Iranian nation has shown that despite sanctions and pressures from enemies, we have have resisted and have progressed,” the Islamic Republic’s president was quoted as saying on state owned media. “The quality of our cars should be such that if an Iranian wants to buy a vehicle, he must prefer home-made ones,” Ahmadinejad added.

Iran is the largest automobile manufacturer in the Middle East with more than 1.4 million vehicles produced last year. Of that figure, Saipa contributed 54% while state-run Iran Khodro made the rest. Saipa has tie-ups with Kia and Renault, while Iran Khodro collaborates with Peugeot. Most of the cars assembled in Iran are past gen models, with the exception of the Dacia Logan range, which is called Renault Tondar in Iran.

Here’s an interesting fact. Iran has banned importing vehicles which compete with locally made models, which have to be paid for in cash. Luxury vehicles are allowed, but only after paying 90% customs duty!

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Hawaii to be a fuel cell vehicle friendly island

May 12, 2010 at 4:08 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under General Motors, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News

With the advent of fuel cells and hydrogen powered engines, there has always been questions as to the availability of a hydrogen fueling structure to accommodate the demand. Hawaii is set to be a real life case study for fuel cell vehicles, now that The Gas Company (TGC) and General Motors have teamed up to lay down the foundations on the beautiful island.

TGC, Hawaii’s biggest gas company, has a 1,000 mile pipeline service running through the country and aims to tap into this particular line to provide people with hydrogen through filling stations. TGC’s pipes flow with synthetic natural gas and hydrogen and the latter, which at present comprises 5% of the mix, can be extracted at stations using a “pressure swing absorption system”.

This development is beneficial for GM as it has invested more than US$1.5 billion in fuel cell tech over the last 15 years. GM’s Project Driveway is the world’s largest initiative involving fuel cell vehicles which has so far amassed 1.4 million miles by thousands of people since 2007. GM is looking to redeploy some of the Chevy Equinox SUVs used in Project Driveway (119 units in service) to Hawaii. The General is currently working on a mass market fuel cell system, targeted for 2015 release.

Click here for our driving experience of the Honda FCX, a fuel cell vehicle.

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