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Geneva: Audi R8 TDI Le Mans
Audi has launched the first commercial V12 diesel in a supercar, the R8 model: 500bhp and 738 lb ft!
Audi had unveiled a V12 diesel-powered R8 at Detroit. The concept car was so close to production that it was a question of time before Audi unveils the final version. Geneva was the opportunity for the carmaker to do it. The supercar is called R8 TDI Le Mans to commemorate the company’s victories at the famous Le Mans race with its diesel-powered race cars.
The R8 diesel is powered by the 6.0-litre V12 engine that has a power output of 500bhp and a torquer output of 738 lb ft. The R8 TDI Le Mans can shuttle form 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 186mph.
March 7, 2008
Geneva: Renault Megane Coupé
Renault has unveiled the Megane Coupé concept car that previews the next-generation Megane due to be on sale next year.
The car you see here will mark the come back of the carmaker on the design scene. The Laguna III has been heavily criticised for its conservatism. The next Megane will feature a bold design without alienating conservative drivers like the current generation does.
At 4500mm, the concept car is longer than the current Megane. The production version won’t, of course, keep the gullwing doors or the 21in wheels. Under the bonnet, the Megane Coupé is rather conventional: no hybrid engine, but a 200bhp turbocharged 4 cylinder petrol engine.
March 7, 2008
Geneva: Skoda Superb
Skoda has unveiled the second generation of the Superb saloon. Like the outgoing model, the new Superb will promote a highly competitive roominess-to-price ratio, but also more character.
In the UK, the Superb met quite a success with the taxis by offering a lot of space and boot capacity at a low price. However in emerging countries, Skoda is considered as a premium brand and the new Superb will help the company to move upmarket.
At 4830 mm long, the Superb is longer than the outgoing model by 30mm and offers similar dimensions to the Mercedes E-class and the BMW 5-series. Hopefully, the Superb didn’t gain weight and won’t powerful engines to provide decent performance.
If the Superb has the ambitious plan to take on established rivals, it shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Passat, like the outgoing generation. However the Superb features a unique exterior and interior styling combining a large grille and strong lines. At the rear end, the Superb is the reminiscent of the aging Saab 9-5. On the inside, the link with the Volkswagen products is more obvious although the saloon comes with exclusive controls like the air conditioning control panel.
The Superb will be available with a choice of four petrol engines, the 138bhp 1.4-litre TSI, the 158bhp 1.8-litre T-FSI, the 197bhp 2.0-litre T-FSI . There will also be the traditional TDI engine range.
March 6, 2008
Geneva: Lamborghini LP560-4
Some faceliftings are more interesting than others. The Lamborghini Gallardo is one f them and gets a styling and technical facelift with an all-new V10 engine.
Without a doubt, the Gallardo is a big success for the carmaker. In just five years, the supercar became the company’s best selling model of all time. After the SE and the Superleggera versions, the new v10 petrol engine takes the Gallardo to new levels.
The new engine is slightly smaller than the current unit and features a new direct injection system. Its power output gains 40bhp and jumps to 552bhp. The final power output is not so impressive if we consider that the Audi RS6 offers 572bhp. However, the Gallardo is also lighter than the heavy RS6.
The gearbox has also received all attention from engineers. Gear change time have been reduced by 40 percent, and the driver may choose between five different driving and changing programs. The most performance-oriented "CORSA" setting not only affects shift speed — it also directs the engine for maximum acceleration. The ‘Thrust Mode’ ensures maximum acceleration from neutral while the angle of the throttle valve and the clutch are optimized. Lamborghini engineers have also focused on weight reduction and the Gallardo loses 44 lbs. The Gallardo can be equipped with a carbon-ceramic-disc braking system which uses eight-piston Brembo calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear.
With all those combined improvements, the Gallardo can shuttle the 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 202mph.
March 6, 2008
Geneva: Dacia unveils the European Sandero
Renault’s budget brand Dacia has launched an assault on the small car market by unveiling the Sandero model which is intended to take on established rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and the Renault Clio.
The Sandero shares its inner structure, powertrains and suspension layout, with the Logan, but has a unique exterior and close interior styling. At 4020mm long and 1750mm wide, the Sandero is slightly bigger than a Clio but much shorter than a Logan. Dacia claims it is a ‘generous and clever’ brand and the Sandero proves it. At 320 litres, the boot capacity is larger than that of the Clio and close to that of the Megane. The Sandero promises to be more practical than the Logan by offering a folding rear bench seat with a 60/40 split according to version. With the bench seat folded, the total carrying capacity extends to 1,200 litres.
The Sandero will be available with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines simlar to the Logan’s although the topping 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol unit won’t be featured on the former. The entry level will be powered by a 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit, followed by the 90bhp 1.6-litre unit. Along with the petrol engines, there will be two hard working diesel, a 1.5-litre dCi available in two power outputs, 70bhp and 85bhp.
Like the Logan, the Sandero will offer three- year/ 100,000km warranty in the majority of its European markets. No word on pricing yet from Dacia but with the Logan starting at £5,800, expect the Sandero to be aggressively priced. The new Dacia shouldn’t find too much difficulty upsetting the segment’s established order.
March 5, 2008
First pictures of the Seat Bocanegra
Here are the first pictures of the Seat SportCoupe Bocanegra that previews the eagerly-awaited next-gen Ibiza.
As explained yesterday, the Ibiza will feature the company’s DNA for the next-generation models. On the menu, a German design with ‘Mediterranean’ flavor. The Bocanegra illustrates the new styling direction. The overall design has still some German influences,but the concept car comes with a unique aggressive look. Without a doubt, the next Ibiza will likely be one serious competitor on the small car segment.
Sharing its inner structure with the Skoda Fabia, the Bocanegra is powered by the 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine whose power output is between 170bhp and 200bhp. The future Ibiza will spearhead a revival of the Spanish brand in Europe after the failure encountered by the Leon/Altea/Toledo trio. Several options have been considered for the brand’s future including the possibility of selling it. If the next-generation Ibiza fails, the future of Seat is more than uncertain.
March 4, 2008
Castagna unveils the 500 WoodyWagon
Italian coachbuilder Castagna has unveiled the Fiat 500 WoodyWagon at Geneva which is a stretched Fiat 500 mimicking the famous Mini Clubman.
The Fiat 500 has been stretched by 50-60mm at the rear overhang as the wheelbase keeps its dimension. The C-pillar has been moved back, of course, and is also more vertical featuring a new rear side window. The 500 by Castagna comes with a two-color painting emphasized by the external wood frames.
Aside the exterior changes, the 500 WoodyWagon is powered by the 1.4-litre petrol unit on which the coachbuilder added a supercharger. The power output jumps from 100bhp to 155bhp and the 500 WoodyWagon can reahc a top sped of 124mph. No price has been given.
The 500 WoodyWagon is appealing lengthened 500 and one does hope that Fiat will consult the coachbuilder to design the future 500 estate due to appear in 2010.
March 4, 2008
SAIC in talks with Karmann to build the Roewe 550
SAIC has entered into talks with Karmann to build the European Roewe 550.
SAIC is holding talks with the german coachbuilder Karmann, in order to build the future Roewe 550 set to compete on the European market. This comes a surprise as the SAIC owns the Longbridge since the company has bought the other Chinese carmaker NAC MG.
It is true that Longbridge encounters serious difficulty to put into production the MG TF which has been delayed for months, but calling Karmann for help is the sign British workers didn’t really expect form SAIC.
The Roewe 550 will spearhead the launch of the carmaker in Europe. The carmaker might also bring the rumoured SUV which will likely be a re-badged Ssangyong model.
March 4, 2008
Audi unveils the Q7 Coastline concept
Along the new Q7 V12 TDI, Audi will also reveal a special Q7 called Coastline that takes its inspiration from the boating industry. Gossip mongers will say the massive Audi Q7 goes back to its roots.
Compared to the new Q7 diesel, the Coastline edition features a special pearl white painting, called Inuit, and slight exterior changes with a white casing for the side mirrors and dark High Gloss Steel for the single-frame radiator grill and the side air intake slots. Based on the Q7 V12, it also features the large wheelarches and the new bumpers
On the inside, the changes are more obvious as the interior is dominated by alabaster white, a color popular on luxury yachts. All the equipment such as the carpet, the floor mats made of fine wool, the pillar trim, the roof lining, the seat upholstery, the seatbelts, the steering wheel, the front of the cockpit and the door trim come in white. The only contrasting color is provided by American walnut panels and by nut brown piping on the seats as well as fine brown piping on the instrument panel and the door.
Sharing its inner structure and powertrain with the new V12 TDI, the Coastline can run the 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds and reach the usual limited speed of 155mph.
March 4, 2008
Chrysler to go 100% hybrid
Chrysler President Jim Press, former head of Toyota in the US, wants the carmaker to make a big jump into the hybrid market.
At a recent seminar, Jim Press said that the carmaker would like to offer every future models with a hybrid solution to comply with the tougher new CAFE regulations. However, he didn’t give any timeline. As the future CAFE law promoting a fuel efficiency of 35mpg won’t enter into effect before 2020, Chrysler has still enough time to develop hybrid-powerd vehicles. Chrysler follows Toyota which expects its lineup to be only powered by hybrid solution by 2020.
At the last Detroit Auto Show, the company unveiled three hybrid-powerd concept cars: ZEO, EcoVoyager and Renegade. The three concept cars previewed the direction taken by Chrysler for its future models.
March 4, 2008