Author: yoann besnard

AC Schnitzer launches BMW 1-Series cabriolet sport package
The German tuner has unveiled a sport package destined for the new 1-Series cabriolet.
On the outside, the sport package adds a bodykit that includes front and rear spoilers, and sport exterior mirrors. There are also several new alloy wheels with sizes varying from 17in to 19in. The interior is trimmed with carbon-fiber panels and features a sport steering wheel.
In addition to the visual enhancements, AC Schnitzer offers engine upgrades: 135i’s output jumps from 306 to 360bhp, he 120d’s from 177 to 200bhp and the 123d’s from 204 to 240bhp. There are also a suspension kit.
May 12, 2008
Subaru dealer’s see through car
When you’re a Subaru dealer, selling the first diesel engine of the carmaker represents quite a challenge when customers only think of the Impreza when they hear ‘Subaru’. An inventive Subaru dealer has devised a see-through car to promote the new Boxer Diesel engine.
The selected model is the Outback which appears to have a bonnet made of glass, with every engine detail meticulously replicated on a vinyl wrap. Equally startling is the side of the car which shows the engine plus Subaru’s famous symmetrical all-wheel drive system and even the exhaust silencer.
Ian Armstrong, Dealer Principal of ‘Stan Palmer Sales’ of Carlisle says the idea came to them while seeing a cutaway picture of the engine in the brochure. The car was imaged up in one day after a photograph was taken of the engine using a high-resolution eight mega-pixel camera. He adds that "the reaction has been fantastic, with people almost tripping up as they walk past."
This is the first time a dealer has a cost-effective idea to advertise a new model However Subaru UK advertised the Impreza in a similar way last year. A car transporter toured the UK carrying three new cars upside down on its lower deck and three the corre
May 12, 2008
Volvo unveils the V70 R Design
M Pack for BMW, s Line for Audi… Premium carmakers feature visual sporty kits, less expensive than developing a real sporty version, while the model still keeps its appealing to the customers. Last year, Volvo launched the R line which is an attempt to revive the famous R moniker. The V70 becomes the fifth Volvo model to be offered with the R-Design pack.
The R-Design pack for the Volvo V70 comes with a wide range of glitchy features like door mirror housings, foglamp décor at the front and grille detailing in silk metal finish, chrome exhaust tailpipe and exclusive 18in aluminium wheels. On the inside the seats get a leather-clad upholstery in black and Nordic Ceramic Light, while various aluminium details are fitted on the dashboards.
In addition to the eye-catching features, Volvo engineers got the cheek to lower the chassis by 20 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear.
May 12, 2008
Hyundai unveils the i800 MPV
A few years ago, the market was loaded with several people carriers, but the strong demand for SUVs pushed carmakers to forget them. Fortunately, Hyundai has launched a people carrier with room for eight, called i800.
The i800 succeeds where others fail: carrying 8 people, while keeping 851 litres of space in the boot when loaded with passengers. In order to achieve such a performance, the i800 measures 5,125 mm long, 1,920 wide and 1,925 tall. Aware of the intimidation generated by the dimensions, Hyundai has fitted electronic reversing sensors as standard.
On the inside, the ambience is car-like with two-tone interior trim, privacy glass, a six-speaker audio system and ducted air conditioning throughout. Individually-controllable overhead vents in the rear make sure all of the occupants can keep their cool. The i800 features a pair seats in front and two benches behind, each accommodating three adults in comfort with uncompromised head and legroom. Both rear benches feature a 60:40 split-fold and recline while the centre row also slides forwards or backwards to tailor space as required All of the rear seats are accessed by pair of sliding doors.
The i800 is powered by a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder CRDi diesel engine, which is intercooled and features a variable-geometry turbo. Peak power output is 170PS with a massive 392Nm of torque. The i800 will go on sale on 20th June costing £19,495. If you still think that the i800 is a bit too expensive, the Korean carmaker will launch later in the year by a cheaper version.
May 12, 2008
Spyshots: next-generation E63 AMG
Here are some spyshots of the next-generation high-performance E63 AMG due to be unveiled next year.
Like the current model, the E63 AMG will be the only E-Class version to feature four tailpipes. The spotted E63 AMG also featured large perforated brake discs with heavy-duty callipers. The super-saloon is expected to come with aggressive front and rear bumpers and forged alloy wheels like the C63 AMG.
Recently, AMG had announced the horsepower war was over, but this future iteration of the AMG family will still get a power boost. While the current model offers 500bhp, the next E63’s powertrain will likely deliver 550bhp. However, for the first time, the German carmaker won’t try to take the lead and the power output will be below that of the Audi RS6.
Instead of following Audi in the power race, company’s engineers have focused on improving handling and chassis strength.They will try to accomplish again what they did with the C63 AMG. The E63 AMG is reported to come with sit on a widened front track, while the steering will feature a unique ratio, different from the normal E-Class models.
The E63 AMG is rumoured to be unveiled at the same as the full range, at the next year Geneva Motor Show.
Click here to see the pictures
May 9, 2008
550bhp for the future McLaren
Autocar has revealed a bit more details about the upcoming McLaren supercar that will take on the established rivals such as Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari F430.
Codenamed P11, the future supercar will be powered by a 550bhp V8 engine outsourced from the former company’s partner Mercedes-Benz in a heavily revised version and built by Mahle in the Cosworth factory, located in Northamptonshire.
The McLaren supercar will be launched as coupé at first sometime in 2009. Rumours mention a launch a the Frankfurt Motor Show before a sales launch in 2010. Later, McLaren will add a spider variant. The British carmaker also plans to launch in 2011 a topping version codenamed P12 and powered by a V10 engine with a power output rumoured to be around 600bhp. The P12 is expected to cost about £250,000.
May 9, 2008
20,000 interested in buying the Volt
Despite an unknown sales price, over 20,000 people have expressed interest in buying the future Chevrolet Volt.
This is good news for GM and confirms the appeal generated by electric cars for American consumers. However, this interest in buying the Volt might also become the company’s biggest nightmare as GM has already announced it will only build around 10,000 vehicles the first year. The carmaker is rumoured to favour "smile states" such as California, New York, Washington D.C. and Florida to sell the future model.
May 9, 2008
Alfa Romeo announces Prodrive collaboration
In an attempt to increase its sales and improve its brand image on the British market, the Italian carmaker has teamed up with Prodrive, to evolve the handling of the Alfa Brera coupe, specifically for our market.
Following a year’s intensive suspension development programme, including full sign-off from the engineering department in Italy, the result is a bespoke, British-honed, Alfa Brera S. According to Prodrive Project Leader, Peter Cambridge, the collaboration has “built on the existing model’s capabilities to deliver outstanding driver feedback and handling.” The Alfa Romeo Brera S will hit the showrooms on May 19 of this year. Details remain scarce although the two existing petrol engines in standard specifications will power this special edition.
Production of the Alfa Brera S will be limited to 500 numbered cars that will include further enhancements to the exterior and interior of the car.
May 8, 2008
BMW 3.0L twin-turbo awarded 2008 engine of the year
BMW has once again won the prestigious title of ‘International Engine of the Year 2008 for one of its engines, the 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol unit.
The powerful BMW unit was one of seven engines to triumph in the 2008 Awards that use turbocharging to achieve high power output from smaller displacement engines that use less fuel and produce less CO2. The 300bhp powertrain is found in many models from the 1-Series to the X6.BMW also wins ‘Best New Engine of the Year’ with its 2-litre Diesel Twin-Turbo unit and the ‘1.4-litre to 1.8-litre’ category with the co-engineered BMW-PSA 1.6-litre turbocharged engine.
Peter Langen, BMW’s director of powertrain who also witnessed his engines top the 3- to 4-litre and Above 4-litre categories, commented: “BMW rightly views these awards as the highest industry recognition of its outstanding achievements in engine technology and manufacturing. It is an honour for our 3-litre twin- turbo engine to have secured the highest accolade for the second year running, and we are truly delighted that so many of our other engines have been judged as class-leading.”
The Awards, which are judged by 65 motoring journalists from 32 countries from four continents, also rewarded a variety of other manufacturers for engine excellence across a number of different categories. The Volkswagen/Audi Group, Toyota, Porsche and Subaru were all worthy category winners.

International Engine of the Year Awards 2008: Winners
Best New Engine of 2008
BMW 2-litre Diesel Twin-Turbo (123d)
Green Engine of the Year
Toyota 1.5-litre Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius)

Best Performance Engine
Porsche 3.6-litre Turbo (911 Turbo, 911 GT2)

Sub 1-litre
Toyota 1-litre (Aygo, Yaris, Peugeot 107, Citroën C1, Subaru Justy)
1-litre to 1.4-litre
Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Golf, Touran, Tiguan, Jetta)

1.4-litre to 1.8-litre
BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo (MINI Cooper S, Clubman, Peugeot 207, 308)
1.8-litre to 2-litre
Volkswagen/Audi 2-litre Turbo (A3, A4 Cabrio, A6, TT, Eos, Jetta, Golf GTi, Seat Altea, Leon, Skoda Octavia)
2-litre to 2.5-litre
Subaru 2.5-litre Turbo (Forester, Impreza, Outback, Legacy)

2.5-litre to 3-litre
BMW 3-litre Twin-Turbo (135, 335, X6)

3-litre to 4-litre
BMW 4-litre V8 (M3)
Above 4-litre
BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)
May 8, 2008
Ford spices up the Ford Mondeo with the Titanium X Sport trim level
Ford has unveiled a new topping trim level on the Mondeo dubbed Titanium X Sport that combines luxury and sporty look.
Available in five-door hatchback and estate body styles, Titanium X Sport models come with 18in alloy wheels twin chromed exhaust tailpipes and body-coloured side skirts. The interior is also themed with sporty red stitching on the leather/alcantara seats, leather steering wheel and gear shift lever. Aluminium trim detailing is replaced with stylish piano black inlays.
The Mondeo Titanium X Sport’s standard equipment includes in-dash Sony six CD player, voice control, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlights, front and rear park assist, dual-zone climate control and start button.
The new trim level is only available with two engines, the five-cylinder 217bhp 2.5-litre petrol unit and the new 173bhp 2.2-litre TDCi engine. The five door version starts at £23,355, while the estate starts at £26,605.
May 8, 2008