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Kia releases first pics of K9 flagship – Korea only for now

February 28, 2012 at 11:27 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Kia, Koreans

Kia today revealed the first official images of its new flagship sedan. To be called K9 in Korea, it will be launched there in the first half of 2012. The K9 is Kia’s first rear-wheel drive sedan. As its name denotes, the big sedan slots in above the K5 (Optima) and K7, or Cadenza in export markets.

“K9 is our first rear-wheel drive large sedan, created without compromise in its design, driving performance and new technologies. K9 sets a whole new level of standards and values in the large sedan segment, and its design will be another Kia demonstration of our brand’s power to surprise the world,” said Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing Group.

The K9’s design concept is “high-tech luxury sedan” and Kia describes the front end as “imposing and characterful”. The BMW style front grille slats may be a touch heavy for some, but it does lend the car presence. The rear end reminds me of the Hyundai Grandeur. No word on what’s inside, but there’s a “3.8 GDI” badge at the back. The 2012 Hyundai Genesis is powered by a 3.8 GDI V6 with 333 hp and 395 Nm, 350 hp/400 Nm for the Genesis Coupe.

It’s interesting to note that while the popular models at the lower end of the scale such as the Forte and Optima K5 sport sharp styling, the large higher end models like the Cadenza and this K9 have round edges and smooth lines.

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Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG joins the roadster range

February 28, 2012 at 11:14 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

Mercedes-Benz has announced another introduction to its roadster range, and the SL 63 AMG rolls in to join the SLS AMG Roadster and SLK 55 AMG in the company’s top tier topless range.

The car is available with two power outputs for the first time – the M157 5.5 litre V8 twin-turbo AMG mill offers 537 hp and 800 Nm of torque in its base guise, while with the AMG Performance package strapped on, the figures rise to 564 hp and 900 Nm. And going the all-aluminium bodyshell route means that this one is 125 kg lighter than the car it replaces.

The base output is good enough to get the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, and it’s just a shade faster at 4.2 seconds for the AMG Performance spec. Meanwhile, top speed is an electronically-limited 250 km/h, but the AMG Performance package takes this to 300 km/h, again electronically-limited.

Kit incudes an enhanced AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control (ABC), a new AMG speed-sensitive sports steering, the AMG high-performance compound brake system and the AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission. An automatic double-declutching function for downshifting and the Racestart function are also included as standard with the transmission.

The car comes fitted with five-twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels painted titanium grey, with a high-sheen finish, shod with 255/35 front and 285/30 rear tyres. A multi-spoke AMG forged wheel from the AMG Performance Studio is available as an option, and this one is in matte black with a rim flange done in a high-sheen finish.

The sixth-generation SL retains the space-saving, electrohydraulically retractable vario-roof, enabling the SL to be transformed into a roadster or a coupé in under 20 seconds. In contrast to the outgoing model, however, there are three versions to choose from for the new SL, these being painted roof, glass roof or the unique panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control.

Inside, the SL 63 AMG’s cabin gets cues inspired by the SLS AMG – the four jet engine-styled air vents, the E-SELECT lever and the AMG Drive Unit are all reminiscent of the super sports car.

Standard equipment includes AMG sports seats in single-tone or two-tone nappa leather, with a unique V8 seat upholstery layout and AMG badges in the seat backrests, AMG carbon-fibre trim and AMG illuminated door sill panels as well as IWC-design analogue clock.

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LEAKED: Volvo V40 video and hi res pics emerge online

February 28, 2012 at 9:21 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Spyshots, Volvo

This is the all new Volvo V40, a premium hatchback alternative to cars like the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 Sportback. To debut in Geneva, the V40 marks a start of a new generation, replacing the one that gave us the current S40 and V50. The new car sits on the Ford Focus platform, although EPS and suspension settings are unique.

The leaked video and images show a body that’s not quite a wagon, but more like a long hatchback. The design is unmistakably Volvo, following the styling direction of the new S60 and V60. The vertical tail lamps highlighting the shoulders, the wavy beltline, they’re all there.

But unlike the V50 and V60, the rear number plate is on the bumper here, not on the hatch, which now has a black panel housing the Volvo name.

Inside, it’s what we’ve seen from Volvo over the years (a good thing) but with a flashy new instrument cluster. The tacho is king, and a digital speedo resides within it. The auto gear knob now has the legend printed on it.

Reports mention six engine choices divided evenly between petrol and diesel. The flagship will be a 254 bhp turbocharged five-cylinder engine, expected to power the V40 to 96 km/h (60 mph) in 6.5 seconds. This is a Volvo the GTI boys don’t want to drag with! Some form of electrification will replace the fifth cylinder in some point.

Lower down, the petrols are four-cylinder turbos with 150 hp and 180 hp, while the economy king of the range is a 115 hp 1.6-litre diesel. As expected, all versions have stop-start systems and brake energy regeneration. Volvo’s City Safety system, which prevents accidents by auto braking, now works up to 50 km/h.

But the safety headlines are reserved for a new pedestrian airbag that pops the bonnet and transforms the base of the screen into a large cushion. Apparently, the driver will still see the road since the victim sinks into his V40′s hood! We’ll need a video to better see how this works.

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Citroën DS4 Racing concept – a 256 hp 1.6 litre scorcher

February 27, 2012 at 4:58 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Citroën, International News

Citroën is set to debut a hot-blooded concept in Geneva next month, and this one will feature the most horsepower ever seen in a Citroën series production car. It’s called the DS4 Racing concept, a barnstormer developed by Citroën Racing, the brand’s seven-time WRC winning motorsports division.

Its Citroën Racing-derived 1.6 litre turbo petrol engine offers 256 hp (essentially, 160 hp per litre), which should translate to pretty quick. In addition to plonking in the merry mill, the boys at Citroën Racing have modified the chassis and running gear – the chassis has been lowered by 35 mm, and the track widened by 55 mm at the front and 75 mm at the rear.

Meanwhile, the braking system boasts fixed four-piston callipers at the front together with special 380 mm diameter discs, and the DS4 Racing gets kitted out with 19-inch wheels and 235/40 series tyres. New carbon fibre components are also on, and these include an air diffuser, front splitter and wheel arch extensions.

The car will be finished in a textured-effect matte grey paint, which the company says catches the light to further enhance the lines of the car. Further exterior refinements include a two-tone roof, and the special DS4 Racing design wheels are also done in a two-tone finish.

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LEAKED: Undisguised rear image of Jaguar XF Sportbrake

February 27, 2012 at 4:34 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Jaguar, Spyshots

This is a car Jaguar needs, to compete with German rivals, which is a wagon version of its XF saloon. The long overdue estate will make its debut at the upcoming Geneva show, but an image of its behind, without any disguise, has been leaked online. It’s grainy, and could have been scanned/snapped from publicity materials.

It’s not fashionable to simply call it the “XF Wagon,” so Jaguar has named it XF Sportbrake. The leaked pic shows a good looking estate car with a sloping roofline and sharply raked tailgate. Quite sleek, and it retains the signature rear look of the XF saloon, with a chrome bar linking the two tail lamp clusters.

And unlike some wagons, the rear screen appears linked to the side glass areas. Blacked out pillars are also present on Jaguar’s XJ limo.

This front image was released earlier by Jaguar itself to promote the car. No big difference with the facelifted XF sedan, but the chrome element in the lower bumper curves in the different direction.

Powertrains will be shared with the sedan, which means 2.2L four-cylinder and 3.0L V6 diesels will be offered beside a 5.0L petrol V8. The UK reports say there’s no supercharged XFR Sportbrake for now.

The facelifted XF was introduced in Malaysia last month, click here for the launch report.

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Bertone Nuccio concept to be unveiled in Geneva

February 27, 2012 at 3:58 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News

Stile Bertone is set to debut its radical Nuccio concept in Geneva, and the design derives its inspiration from the Lancia Stratos Zero concept from 1970.

Penned by the styling house’s design director, Mike Robinson, the mid-engine concept takes its name from Guiseppe Bertone’s nickname. The latter, who was the son of company founder Giovanni Bertone, took over the running of the company after the Second World War, and along the way helped establish the business into a world-renowned one.

The concept isn’t just a wild take on things as to how a modernised, reintepreted Stratos Zero shapes up – apparently, the basis of it is very much a working one. Robinson was quoted as saying that the Nuccio is designed around a very modern, two-seat, mid-engined donor sports car.

Technical innovations include a tensile steel roof that offers a low weight but a high structural resistance. As for the powertrain, the Nuccio is reported to wear a 483 hp 4.3 litre V8 mill. More on the car when Geneva comes, undoubtedly.

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Geneva preview: Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept is out to gauge public reaction

February 25, 2012 at 1:38 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Land Rover

Yes, Land Rover has chopped off the Evoque’s roof! Geneva will see LR unveil the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept, with a mission is to explore the potential for the “world’s first premium convertible SUV”. It’s to gauge reaction for what could be another “white space product” from the 4X4 specialist.

“The Evoque lends itself beautifully to the idea of a convertible. This study is not a traditional convertible design execution – instead we have worked with the balance of the Evoque’s lines to retain its distinctive shape and create something that is unique and, we believe, highly desirable,” said Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern

Based on the Evoque Coupe, the topless one features a fully retractable roof system with Roll Over Protection System. The hood is housed in a tapered finisher with the roof mechanism stowed discretely below the belt-line. The said line and distinctive shape has been retained and the convertible body style has been achieved with minimal changes to weight and torsional rigidity, says LR. There’s also a drop down tailgate and four-seat accommodation.

Too weird for you? The roofed Evoque is sold here in three-door Coupe and five-door form, from RM353k. Click here for the launch report and here for a comprehensive test drive report.

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Geneva preview: Honda’s European CR-V Prototype

February 24, 2012 at 7:47 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News

Honda has revealed the first images of its European CR-V Prototype ahead of its public debut in Geneva next month.

The prototype showcases the exterior styling direction of the new European Honda CR-V, which is set to go on sale sometime in autumn this year. Essentially, the Euro version of the fourth-generation SUV adopts a slightly more aggressive outlook than its Japanese and North American siblings.

No specific details about the vehicle, but design cues include deeper sculpting of the body lines and a bolder front fascia – there’s a revised lower front bumper, which integrates more smoothly into the fascia for improved aerodynamics. The Euro version also gets more athletic-looking wheels.

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Great Wall Motor opens its first European plant in Bulgaria

February 24, 2012 at 5:54 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, China, Great Wall, International News

Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motor has opened its first factory in Europe, a major part of its strategy to grow in the region. Great Wall’s plant in Bulgaria will assemble 50,000 units of the Hover SUV, Steed pick-up and Voleex city car models. The Hover is sold in Malaysia as the Haval H5, while the Steed is branded as Wingle here.

The factory in Lovech, 150 km northeast of capital Sofia, will initially build cars for its host market before exporting to other European countries. Investment in the Lovech plant by Litex Motors, a joint venture company in which Great Wall holds a minority stake, is targeted to reach 100 million euros.

Great Wall exported 83,000 vehicles from China to 120 countries last year. In Europe, Great Wall currently sells cars in Italy and Bulgaria. The company plans to launch the Steed/Wingle in the UK next month. The company is also making great strides in its Dakar Rally programme, click here to read more.

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Aston Martin V8 Vantage gets big upgrade for 2012

February 24, 2012 at 5:36 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Aston Martin, Cars, International News

The entry level Aston Martin V8 Vantage range gets a big upgrade for 2012. Changes to the top-end of the Aston range will happen later this year when the new and exclusive V12 Zagato enters production.

The revised 4.7-litre 426 PS V8 Vantage gets a raft of improvements first seen in the Vantage S. The standard six-speed manual transmission remains, but the optional six-speed Sportshift AMT has now been replaced with the seven-speed Sportshift II. This new ‘box brings an additional gear, closer ratios, lower final drive and a quicker, refined shift quality.

The V8 Vantage’s chassis gets quicker steering, bigger brakes and wider tyres. A new steering column installation, re-valved power-steering pump and a quicker ratio of 15:1 (17:1 previously) is matched with stopping power from new 380 mm two-piece ventilated cast-iron front discs and six piston calipers. This new braking system also includes Hill Start Assist. Tyres are 10 mm wider than the outgoing model.

Looks wise, changes are inspired by the Vantage S and N400 limited edition. Up front, a lower bumper with aerodynamic splitter houses a larger air intake. At the rear, a diffuser “creates added drama and function” while sculpted “race-derived side sills” complete the more muscular appearance.

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