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Audi reveals the A3 facelift
The premium compact models from Audi gets a facelift that will hit the showrooms this summer.
Since its introduction in 1996, the Audi A3 was a huge contributor to the carmaker’s global sales as Audi built 1.9 million units of them. The facelift will enable the model to continue that success thanks to a raft of new technologies such as the Audi magnetic ride.
On the outside, visual changes concern the front lid and fenders, the bumper and the large single-frame radiator grille. The headlights are also lightly redesigned. At the rear end, the modified bumper and the lights have been modified. As a result of the design modifications, the A3 has grown by 25mm in length to 4240mm, while the Sportback remain virtually unchanged at 4290mm in length. On the inside, the designers added Aluminium-look elements on the air vents, light switches and central console. The instruments have black dials and red needles. The leather sport steering wheel for the Ambition line has new aluminium trim clips, and Audi can supply a flat-bottomed leather sport steering wheel for the Ambition as an option. New inlays, new colours and a new selection of upholstery are available on the Attraction and Ambition.
With this facelift, Audi took the opportunity to redesign the 2.0-litre diesel engines which adopts common rail injection system. The 113bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine is replaced by the smaller but more powerful turbocharged 125bhp 1.4-litre TFSI unit. The entry level starts with the 102bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine. Above the 1.4-litre unit, there is the 158bhp 1.8-litre engine, followed by the 197bhp 2.0-litre TFSI, while the topping engine is the unchanged 250bhp 3.2-litre six cylinder petrol unit. Along with the petrol units, there are three diesel engines: the 1.9-litre TDI delivers 105bhp and the 2.0 TDI 138bhp or 168bhp.
Audi also upgrades the transmission package by offering as an option the new seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox on the 1.6, the 1.4 TFSI and the 1.8 TFSI powered versions.
The Magnetic ride suspensions that appeared with the Audi TT is now available on the A3. This system overcomes the age-old conflict between dynamic behaviour and ride comfort. The driver can choose between "Normal" and "Sport" programs by flipping a switch. A magneto-rheological fluid circulating in the shock absorbers changes its flow properties within milliseconds when a voltage is applied; this affects the damping characteristic, which can be varied from comfortably supple to crisply firm. Audi can supply the electronic damping control system as an option for the gasoline versions from the 1.8-litre version upwards, as well as for both 2.0-litre TDI versions.
The S3 is also now available as a Sportback version.
April 28, 2008
Peugeot announces production of the RC Z
Peugeot has announced it will put the RC Z into production. This news doesn’t come as a surprise as Petrol-Head announced it in December.
The final production model will be unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, two years after the concept car was first presented to the public and will then go on sale in the spring of 2010. The production version should be as close as possible to the concept car. One does hope the carmaker will keep the unique roof.
At this early stage, information remains scarce. The RC Z concept car was powered by a 175bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine taken from the 207 RC. It shared its underpinnings with the Peugeot 308 and Citroen C4. The RC Z is rumoured to be built by Magna at its Graz factory, located in Austria.
April 28, 2008
Spyhots: Saab 9-4X
Here are spyshots of a the Saab 9-4X expected to be launched in 2010.
Unveiled as a concept car at the Detroit Motor Show, the 9-4X will be the last premium SUV to be launched on the compact SUV market segment where there is a fierce struggle for a pie’s share. The future 9-4X will share its inner structure with the Cadillac BRX, but will likely get its own powertrains such as a rumoured 250bhp diesel engine. It will also come with the in-house all-wheel drive system called XWD.
The 9-4X won’t be built in Sweden, but in Mexico as part of the plan to reduce production cost and share technology between GM brands. It is expected to start at £24,000.

Click here to see the pictures
April 28, 2008
Volkswagen “Park Assist Vision” video
Here is a video of the astonishing “Park Assist Vision” that Volkswagen unveiled at Hanover.
The system uses two cameras located in the left and right exterior mirrors which are responsible for gauging the dimensions of the parking space. The video signals are transmitted to a 2-GHz high-performance computer which then analyses them and sends commands to the steering and drive systems. If the driver has himself initiated the parking manoeuvre, the “Park Assist Vision” will reverse the vehicle into the parking space in accordance with the previously computed course and using electromechanical power steering, the electronic parking brake, DSG and the engine power produced by the idling mixture. Two additional cameras at the front and rear of the vehicle as well as the system’s ultrasound sensors monitor the operation and will stop the vehicle if necessary. The driver may also interrupt the manoeuvre at any time using the remote control.

April 28, 2008
London cab to go all electric next year
London black cab maker Manganese Bronze has announced that it will release the TX4E, all-electric version of Manganese Bronze’s TX4 black cab.
If London mayor, Ken Livingstone, is happy to charge polluting Chelsea tractors, he never complained about the pollution generated by London taxis despite being among the most polluting vehicles around London. That will change next year when Manganese Bronze releases the TX4E.
The british manufacturer will develop the TX4E with The Tanfield Group, a leading manufacturer of commercial electric vehicles. It will have a top speed of 50mph and a range in excess of 100 miles on one battery charge. It will be specifically designed for taxi operations in congested urban areas.
The TX4E will contain all the conventional features of the TX4, but will be powered by Tanfield’s advanced electric drive train and Iron Phosphate lithium-ion battery pack. Based on current electricity prices, it is estimated the TX4E will cost less than 4p per mile to run, therefore providing significant whole life cost savings over an equivalent diesel vehicle.
The initial cost of the TX4E is however likely to be higher than the diesel powered TX4.
April 28, 2008
Audi to unveil the A5 convertible in October
Audi has announced it will unveil the A5 convertible at the next Paris Motor Show in October of this year.
After the new Q5, Audi will add another variant to the A4/A5 family by launching a convertible version from the A5 coupé. Unlike the BMW 3-Series, Audi won’t switch to folding roof and will use a traditional canvas on the A5. As expected, the A5 convertible will be available with the same engine range as the coupé.
The A5 convertible is a milestone fro the carmaker which decided to build the new model at its Neckarsulm plant in Germany alongside the coupé while previous models were and still are being built by Karmann. Karmann has started to build the A4 convertible in 2002 and has built 200,000 cars since then. The loss of the Audi A5 convertible contract is a real blow for the German coachbuilder which suffers from Indian and Chinese competition.
April 28, 2008
Renault works on an electric car
Renault has confirmed it is currently working on an electric car due to be launched by 2012.
In an interview with AutoExpress, Renault’s Executive Vice President, Plan, Product Planning and Programs, Patrick Pelata has revealed that the carmaker is working on an electric powered model. Company’s executives hope the car will be ready for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Pelata also gave some details about the future unique model. It will be about the same size as the Twingo. What’s interesting about this future model is the possibility to choose between two battery packs. One pack will be dedicated to short distances while the other pack will be designed for larger trips.
Pelata hasn’t said whether Renault will reuse Nissan technology. The Japanese carmaker is also developing an electric vehicle expected to be launched in 2010. Renault’s city car will be the company’s serious attempt to take on established rivals like the Smart ForTwo but also the G-Wiz and the Th!nk City on a fast-growing market segment.
This isn’t the first time the French carmaker is considering launching an electric urban model. In 1992, the carmaker had unveiled the Zoom concept car (pictured) born of common research by Renault and Matra into modern electric vehicle. The Zoom featured an innovative modular wheelbase variable between 2.65m and 2.30m in action when the vehicle is stopped. Width remained constant at 1.52m, which means Zoom was 23cm higher in retracted wheelbase configuration. The electric engine delivered a power of 34bhp.
April 26, 2008
BMW M-Zero Concept
This BMW isn’t an official concept car unveiled by the German carmaker, but a design study realised by a your designer Maël Oberkampf.
The BMW M-Zero was designed like a true BMW although this supercar takes some styling cues from Audi, Aston Martin and even Mercedes for the rear lights. The final design is appealing even if the model lacks some visual details that would classify as a beautiful car such as the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.
No doubt that powered by the 507bhp V10 petrol unit, this M-Zero would be an answer to the Audi R8. Unfortunately, the M-Zero will remain a design study.
April 26, 2008
Fuel supply not under threat say petrol retailers
Petrol retailers says there will be no shortage of fuel supply when refinery workers at Grangemouth refinery will go on strike.
After refinery workers at Grangemouth refinery announced a two-day strike starting on Sunday, there were fears over fuel supplies in Scotland and Northern England, but Petrol Retailers Association reassured people by announcing there will be no shortage in the near-future.
‘Fuel availability for motorists outside Scotland will not be affected by the potential shutdown at the Grangemouth refinery. If the shutdown does occur, the effect on supply in Scotland will be limited due to the sheer volume of fuel already in the supply chain,’ said Ray Holloway, director of the RMI Petrol Retailers Association.
However if car-owners buy more petrol than usual to prevent a fuel shortage, they might put pressure on the fuel supply chain and perhaps create fuel shortage.
‘It is bulk-buying of fuel that will ultimately be responsible for any shortages. Even if supplies are not interrupted, if motorists buy more than their normal requirements, they will be putting abnormal pressure on the road delivery services of the oil industry in Scotland. Forecourts do not have unlimited storage facilities. If they are prematurely drained of fuel stocks due to bulk buying this will lead to consumer inconvenience while they are refilled.’
Refinery workers will go on strike after talks between the union and the plant’s operator, Ineos, broke down Wednesday over a company proposal to modify the salary pension plan.
April 26, 2008
Mi.To’s dashboard revealed
A picture of the interior of the Alfa Romeo Mi.To has emerged on the Internet.
The picture looks like it is similar to that of the spyshots revealed on Petrol-Head before. However it isn’t confirmed whether the pictured dashboard is the final form or not. The central console features two big aerators like the 156 model and metallic panels. The instrument panel will remind the user he’s owning a true Alfa Romeo despite being based on the same platform as the Fiat Punto.
This picture is a new mark to know the interior of the baby Alfa as the carmaker still keeps it secret.
April 26, 2008