Author: yoann besnard

Mercedes unveils interactive micro-site for the GLK
Mercedes has launched an innovative micro-site dedicated to the new Mercedes GLK which enables the user to design scenery and music, and ask questions to the engineers.
Forget the creative side of the website to focus on the ability to talk with designers and engineers who participated in the GLK’s development. The visitor has to register to be able to ask a question. Each week the five most interesting questions will be selected and then answered via video by one of the engineers and designers.
Along with this interactivity with the engineers and designers, you can also customize your own GLK with various colors, rim designs and equipment packages. But let’s be honest, the customization is very poor.

Click here to see the website
May 19, 2008
Hyundai to launch £1,800 car in India by 2012
Hyundai has confirmed it will build an ultra-low-cost car which will cost around £1,800 and will released in 2012.
The Korean carmaker had expressed its interest in building a budget car three months ago. However, it had no definite plans. This time, the Hyundai Motor India Managing Director and CEO H S Lheem has given more details about it. First, Hyundai has confirmed that the car will be more expensive than the Tata Nano, At £1,800 it will be £550 more than the Indian car. Secondly, Lheem also said that the car will not compete with the Nano like Renault-Nissan plans to do.
Other information remain scarce as the car is in the early stage of development.
May 18, 2008
Chevrolet ridicules Citroen’s C4 Transformer ad
GM has released a funny commercial aping Citroen’s famous C4 Transformer spot, except here the robot is slightly faulty.
May 18, 2008
Audi unveils the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept
In a previous report, Petrol-Head published the spyshot of the production version of the TT Clubsport Quattro Concept. Audi is readying its second Clubsport model based on the A3 and powered by a TDI engine.
The main interest in this concept is the TDI engine. A 2.0-litre unit, it has a power output of 221bhp and a torque of 332lb ft. Audi claims the A3 Clubsport can shuttle from rest to 62mph in just 6.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 149mph. The power is transmitted to the Quattro system through a six-speed manual gearbox. At the front wheels, stopping power is provided by six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs. The Audi drive select driving dynamics system allows the driver to vary the throttle response characteristics, the exhaust sound, the level of power assistance for the steering, the cut-in thresholds for the ESP stabilization system and the operating mode of the dampers.
Will Audi build the A3 Clubsport as it might do with the TT Clubsport. According to Autocar, Audi has no plan to produce it. However, it announces a future range of powerful diesel engines currently developed by the Quattro division.
May 18, 2008
Scion reveals limited edition xD Release Series 1.0
Sold in the US The Scion xD in unknown on our shores, but was unveiled under the Toyota label as the Urban Cruiser model at the latest Geneva Motor Show. On the American market, Scion is Toyota’s attempt to attract young buyers to the bossom of Toyota’s family. So, the youth brand has released a limited edition intended to spice up the current range.
Called Release Series 1.0, this special xD comes with a Hot Lava exterior paint. It also includes a DAMD body kit, rear spoiler, Release Series wheel covers and TRD lowering springs. On the inside, xD RS 1.0 will feature Hot Lava accented seats and interior trim, and a Razo Release Series shift knob. Under the bonnet, there are no technical changes. The Scion is still powered by a 128bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine.
Limited to 2,000 units, the xD Release Series 1.0 costs £7,225/$14,550 on the American market.
May 18, 2008
Spyshots: next-generation Mazda 3
Leftlanenews has published some spyshots of the forthcoming Mazda 3 due to be unveiled next year.
The Mazda 3 will be the second generation to feature the “Zoom Zoom” design after the larger Mazda 6 unveiled last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The 3 will likely be a 6 in reduction, so one does expect to find large headlights at the front and an overall sporty design. On the inside, the dashboard will also be similar to that of the 6 saloon. It will include a sporty instrument panel, a central console with aluminum-like panels and multi-function steering wheel.
One of the biggest model of its market segment, the Mazda 3 will still grow in size. It is unknown whether the interior will be roomier or not.
The spotted model was equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. Secrecy still surrounds the specifications although the Mazda 3 will likely feature the current engines. The petrol engines will be the 104bhp 1.6-litre unit, the 148bhp 2.0-litre. There will also be a MPS version. All petrol engines will likely get a power increase. On the diesel side, there will be the two already known units, a 108bhp 1.6-litre unit and the same 140bhp unit as the Mazda 6.
May 18, 2008
Future Silvia to get hybrid powertrain
Nissan is currently working on a new Silvia due to be launched in 2010 as Petrol-Head has reported earlier. Latest informations reveal that the future coupé will offer a hybrid system.
Speaking with Drive.com, Junichi Endo, Nissan’s senior vice president of global marketing says that there is a possibility that Nissan will feature a hybrid system on the future model. However, Nissan’s priority is to build a sports car. if the hybrid solution isn’t sporty enough, Nissan will use conventional petrol engine. Nissan would be able to market the car as both sporty and environmentally friendly.
In addition to the hybrid-powered Silvia, Nissan is also seriously considering building an all-electric model which would easily meet the strictest regulations in the world. Nissan isn’t the first carmaker to thnk at featuring on a sports car. Honda is even ahead of Nissan as it will unveil a successor to the CR-X, called CR-Z at the next Paris Motor Show.
May 18, 2008
Next-generation Audi A6 details emerge
The replacement of the Audi A6 is a few years away, but first information have emerged on the internet.
The main novelty for the next-generation will be its construction that will use the lightweight ASF II spaceframe. Inaugurated with the current TT, the Aluminum and Steel Spaceframe (ASF II) is a platform which weighs half as much as steel, but is half again as rigid. Until now, the carmaker has reserved the platform technology for low volume models, but with the A6, the Audi will go mainstream.
Using an aluminum body will enable the company to save weight, reduce consumption, CO2 emissions and also improves handling and performances. THE ASF II will also be used for the next-generation Q7 which will reduce its weight by 300kg.
Like the latest models, the next A6 will use the company MLB platform which will bring new suspension, new brakes, new steering like it happened with the A4 as the engine is mounted further back in the chassis for better balance. From the A4, Audi will also take the overall styling
The next A6 will likely take is styling cues from the Audi A4 and A5, which means that it will be serious, classy but as exciting as an Italian car.
Like the current model, the next-generation A6 will be available with a wide range of engines. Petrol unit will include a 190bhp 2.8-litre V6, a 224bhp 2.8-litre V6, a 265bhp 3.2-litre V6, a 350bhp 4.2-litre V8, a 420bhp 5.2-litre V10 unit for the S6 and a 580bhp 5.0 V10 unit for the RS6. Two diesel will be available, a 185bhp 2.7-litre unit and a 238bhp 3.0-litre unit. Surprisingly, the future supercharged V6, which delivers 290bhp, is not listed.
The next A6 is expected to be unveiled in 2010.
Source: Car
May 18, 2008
Spotted revamped 3-Series
Here are some spyshots of the facelifted 3-Series that BMW plans to unveil this year.
With this facelifted, BMW will try to relaunch the family car which has suffered since the Mercedes C-Class hit the market. The spotted version is the saloon, the best selling variant. From the clear spyshots, it appears that the model will get a serious facelift for a BMW with redesigned taillights and slightly re-designed front fascia.
The taillights will be reduced by one quarter, while the front fascia will feature a new bumper, modified foglights, new bonnet and new grille.
The facelift will also see the launch of the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre unit on the estate variant.
May 17, 2008
Our naughty driving secrets
Research undertaken by organisers of the British Motor Show uncovered bizarre behaviour behind the wheel.
A fifth of British drivers (21%) have been frisky with their partners whilst driving, almost a third flirt with traffic wardens to avoid tickets (30%) and a fifth spend more time checking out good-looking drivers than focusing on the road (19%), according to the research.
The research found a dishonest fifth (21%) of UK drivers, who accidentally damage another car, don’t own up to it, but that figure rises to nearly half (44%) of all drivers in London. Other areas of the country to avoid are Wales (19%), and East Anglia (18%).
Supermarkets are also a hot spot, with nearly half (44%) of all secret prangs happening in their car parks, with street parking (32%) and multi storey car parks (30%) also topping the list. Reasons for driver behaviour include it being too much hassle to own up (19%), “I’ve had it done to me before” (20%) and being in a hurry (13%).
The research also probed people’s knowledge of the workings of their car, and unearthed guilty secrets here too. Nearly half doesn’t how to change a tyre (43%), a third doesn’t know where the dipstick is (29%), a quarter doesn’t know how to adjust tyre pressure (27%), a quarter doesn’t know the difference between the windscreen washer and the radiator cap (25%), a quarter doesn’t know how to refill with oil (25%) and a tenth put petrol in a diesel engine (9%).
Below is the list of The UK driver’s top ten guilty secrets:
- Eating at the wheel (67%)
- Chatting on mobile (37%)
- Flirting with traffic wardens to avoid a ticket (30%)
- Driving off with items left on the car roof (26%)
- Damaging another car and not owning up to it (21%)
- Checking out the good-looking drivers around you (19%)
- Putting on lipstick/makeup/checking hair in the mirror (18%)
- Reading a newspaper or magazine (13%)
- Using a ‘Dr on call’, when you’re not a doctor (8%)
Picture from rjw1 on flicker
May 17, 2008