Archive for February, 2010
BMW unveils the Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid
The all new 5 Series was launched late last year and more variants of the new mid-sized sedan will soon be introduced including a touring as well as a high-performance M5. There will also be an ActiveHybrid version which is previewed by this Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid.
The concept will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show and it features an inline-6 gasoline engine with BMW’s TwinPower Turbo. There is also a 40kW electric motor and an 8-speed transmission. Just like the ActiveHybrid X6 and 7 models, the eventual ActiveHybrid based on the new 5er is expected to be a very powerful vehicle.
The concept also has an engine start stop system and brake energy regeneration. A production version of the concept is expected to be revealed in about one year. More images can be found after the jump! You can also read our test drive report of the new F10 5 Series here. Read the rest of this entry.
2011 Porsche Cayenne revealed: Includes 380hp hybrid variant
Porsche has officially revealed the all new second generation Cayenne SUV. The new Cayenne which goes on sale in Europe in early May now has a sharpened front end and it looks good. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the rear end.
Something is just not right about the taillights. Its not Porsche enough for me but I will reserve my conclusion when I actually see it in the flesh. Dimensions wise the major change is the length which is 48mm longer than the model it replaces. Wheelbase is also 40mm longer.
Lets talk about engine options. The entry level Cayenne gets a 300hp 3.6 liter V6 that is mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic S gearbox. Next up is the Cayenne S that has a 4.8 liter V8 which produces 400hp, up by 15% compared to the outgoing model. The Cayenne Turbo makes 500hp from its 4.8 liter twin turbo V8. There is also a diesel Cayenne motivated by a force-inducted V6 outputting 240hp and 550Nm of torque.
The other variant is the Cayenne S Hybrid. This model features a 3.0 liter supercharged V6 engine that is paired with an electric motor. The former makes 333hp while the fuel-less counterpart produces 47hp. Collectively the system outputs 380hp and a massive 580Nm of torque which is available from 1,000 revs! Imagine that!
The S Hybrid can run solely on electric power at speeds of up to 60 km/h until power runs out. The hybrid SUV can also run on electric power during high speed cruising. The V6 combustion engine can be completely switched off and disengaged from the drivetrain at speeds of up to 156km/h. Continue reading to view an image gallery of the all new Cayenne. There is also a video for your enjoyment.
Read the rest of this entry.
M Sport package for 2011 BMW X5 revealed
BMW has revealed the M Sport package for the 2011 X5 SUV. The package is made up by a retuned chassis, 19-inch alloy wheels in V-spoke design, different exhaust tailpipes, window frames finished in satin aluminum and roof rails in satin-finish chrome.
On the inside there is an M leather steering wheel, M driver’s footrest, interior trim with aluminum finish, electric sports seats for the driver and front passenger as well as an anthracite headliner.
The front and rear aprons have been modified as well and BMW revealed it worked around sensors and cameras used for the Park Distance Control and the Side View systems, which means both features can be added to the M Sport package as well. The package will be made available as soon as the updated X5 goes on sale in spring. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
Lotus teases Evora 414E Hybrid
Lotus will unveil a hybrid variant of the Evora at the Geneva Motor Show next week. The company has released a teaser image of the hybrid which is designated as the Evora 414E Hybrid. The plug-in hybrid uses two electric motors with each being able to develop 204hp and 400Nm of torque.
Both motors are linked to Lotus’ Range Extender Engine which is a 1.2 liter unit. The engine along with a lithium polymer battery pack, acts as a range extender and makes certain that the hybrid vehicle can deliver up to 483 kilometers over a full charge. Overall power output is figured at 408hp.
New Porsche Cayenne scans out in the open!
Porsche has so far resisted the temptation of giving the world a sneak preview of its new Cayenne, so we’ll have to wait for next week’s Geneva show to get a glimpse of Stuttgart’s fast SUV. However it looks like car mag French L’Auto Journal has got hold of some official shots of the Cayenne, scanned and uploaded by Le mag de l’Auto.
From these images, we can see that the new Cayenne looks pretty much like the current car, which means that it’ll look ugly to many. The slimmer headlights are take after the Panamera’s and those signature gaping air intakes are arranged differently now for a more aggresive face. This image should be of the Turbo, judging from the huge twin-spoke wheels and yellow brake calipers.
Have a closer look after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Hyundai i-flow concept: Another image and more details released
Hyundai has released another image of the i-flow concept that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show. This second image reveals the front section of the concept and just like its rear, it is also treated to various design lines which is part of the company’s “fluidic sculpture” design language.
The hybrid concept which previews a future D-segment vehicle is powered by a 1.7 liter turbocharged diesel engine paired with an electric motor and a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Hyundai also revealed that the i-flow is able to deliver 100 kilometers with just 3 liters of fuel while CO2 emissions output is figured at 85 grams per kilometer.
The company also announced that it will showcase the facelifted i30 at the motor event as well. There will also be a fuel cell variant of the ix35 or Tucson SUV as well as five Blue Drive variants of the 10, i20, i30, i30cw and the ix35/Tucson.
Audi RS5 official details released – high revving 450 bhp V8, twin-clutch gearbox!
Now that the world has seen the leaked brochure images, Audi has decided to come clean on its hot new RS5 coupe and we like what we hear. Under that long hood is a 4.2-litre FSI V8 engine, which isn’t new (the old RS4 and R8 has it), but comes with more grunt – 450 bhp at 8,250 rpm, while 430 Nm of torque is produced between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The choice of a high revving naturally aspirated engine is a refreshing change from today’s turbo trend. The hand made V8 will be “right at home even at high revs – almost like a race engine”, says Audi.
Its partner in crime is a dual-clutch gearbox with seven forward ratios, branded S tronic. This specially reinforced unit (to withstand the high revving V8) should be an improvement from the R8’s single-clutch R tronic semi-auto, which isn’t a favourite among road testers. To blow away that pesky Golf GTI at the traffic lights, launch control will blast the RS5 to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds on to a limited top speed of 250 km/h. Ask nicely, and Audi can increase that to 280 km/h. The four rings brand is also proud of the RS5’s combined fuel consumption of 9.3 km/l, which it says is class leading. Not bad figures for a 1,725 kg car.
Unsurprisingly, the RS5 comes with quattro AWD, but a new development is the self-locking crown-gear center differential. Thanks to its package of plates, the differential can widely vary the distribution of torque between the axles – up to 70% can flow up front or as much as 85% to the rear (default ratio is rear biased at 40:60). A rear axle differential that actively shuffles torque between the rear wheels is optional. Quattro works in conjunction with electronic torque vectoring, which slightly decelerates an imbalanced wheel to cancel wheel spin, resulting in improved traction while “generating a yaw moment which aids cornering”.
Audi drive select allows the driver to switch among three modes – comfort, auto, and dynamic – which adjusts steering, gearbox, differential, engine and the exhaust system. If your RS5 is equipped with the MMI navigation system, you can customize your own profile. Encouragingly, the speed-dependent servotronic steering in the RS5 is especially taut, claims its maker.
The officially released images are after the jump! Read the rest of this entry.
USF1 wishes to miss first four races, awaiting FIA’s verdict
Looks like Bernie Ecclestone’s prediction was right. The Formula 1 supremo has been saying that the USF1 may not be able to be part of this year’s grid. He also said the same about Campos as these are the only teams that have yet to launch their 2010 contenders.
Formula 1’s ‘Godfather’ is also openly supporting Stefan GP to take over a spot should USF1 or Campos fail to race. Stefan has purchased many parts from Toyota’s Formula 1 team including engines and has recently revealed that it will be ready to race in the season-opening race.
According to a report published by The New York Times, USF1’s founder Ken Anderson revealed that the team may not take part in the first four races of the season and is seeking an approval from Jean Todt, President of the FIA although Todt has said before this that no teams are allowed to miss a single race.
Anderson said the main issue behind the delay is money as certain sponsorships have fallen through. So what will happen to the team? Well, only time will tell. My bet? We will probably see Stefan GP in Bahrain.
