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The Motor Sports Association (MSA) was delighted to welcome more than 2,500 visitors to the inaugural Go Motorsport Live! at Silverstone, and can confirm the event will return in 2014. Staged at Silverstone last Sunday, Go Motorsport Live! was created to demonstrate just how easy it can be for people to get involved in motor sport. Visitors from all over the country attended the free six-hour show featuring a wide range of over 50 displays from motor clubs, teams, championships, manufacturers and other organisations. Most areas of the sport were represented from circuit racing and karting to drag racing and rallying, among others. Exhibitors reported excellent interest and engagement from the attendees. For example, one Oxford Motor Club staged an AutoSolo to showcase this entry-level discipline's huge appeal and more than 500 free passenger rides were provided during the day in a selection of unmodified road cars. Marshalling clubs were busy showcasing their expertise, performing extrications from a damaged saloon car, advising newcomers how to volunteer and highlighting the MSA
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[extract] SEAT will lead its presence at this year
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Italian firm Icona will make its U.K. debut at Salon Prive
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Here is a new supercar maker to take note of - Icona from Italy. Well they are not exactly new, having been around since 2010, with the launch of the electric concept car - the Fuselage. The Fuselage was a finalist at the 27th Festival Automobile International in Paris in the World's Most Beautiful Concept Car competition. The Italian firm was founded by Italian members and is led by an Italian director. The headquarters for the automaker is in Shanghai while the car is made in Italy. Icona has recently developed their second car - the pretty wicked looking Vulcano - which will make its U.K. debut in September at Salon Prive. The Vulcano coupe seats two and was unveiled in Shanghai earlier this year. The one-off is powered by a V12 Hybrid reaching up to 950bhp, capable of a top speed of 350km/h and a quick century sprint timing of nine seconds. The Vulcano was engineered by world famous former Scuderia Ferrari technical director Claudio Lombardi. Sales Director, David Bagley commented, "Icona is a very exciting new brand and we are delighted that it has chosen Salon Priv -
Radical will be attending the Salon Prive this September and for the first time, they will display the new Radical RXC. The RXC is Radical's first ever enclosed car and marks an exciting new step in the development of the marque, by bringing genuine Le Mans engineering and aerodynamics to the road in a package that delivers incredible performance whilst remaining easy to own. The V6 engine and seven-speed gearbox configuration has been developed specifically for the RXC under the guidance of Radical's Managing Director Phil Abbott as well as Chief Designer Nick Walford and his development team. The Ford Mustang sourced engine is a 3.7-litre 24-valve V6 unit with twin-independent variable cam timing and sequential multi-port electronic injection, controlled by a bespoke Radical/AER Life engine management system as employed successfully on the SR3 SL roadster. The six-cylinder develops 380bhp and 434Nm of torque. Since the RXC only weighs 900kg, the power-to-weight ratio of the car is 422bhp/ton, which will provide a century sprint of 2.8 seconds before climbing to a top speed of 281km/h. The car's striking design elements include gullwing doors, with Radical saying the RXC has the most complex body it has ever produced, as it includes both composite and carbon fibre sections. "It's the car we've always wanted to make, and by applying our extensive knowledge and understanding we have produced a GT car that - just like our other products - will outperform machinery costing many times more. But more important than that it's going to be incredibly thrilling to drive," said Radical's Managing Director Phil Abbott.
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Making Formula One accessible to the general population
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The Formula One circus will be back to outwit and outlast each other this weekend at the British Grand Prix - to take place at the iconic Silverstone circuit. But just seven days after - certain teams will return to lend their support to the Motor Sports Association's inaugural Go Motorsport Live! on the July 7th - which also happens to be the German Grand Prix. With free public access, Go Motorsport Live! has been introduced as part of National Motorsport Week (U.K.) to encourage more people to get involved in all areas of motorsport. A wide range of enthusiast motor clubs, championships, teams and other organisations will provide displays and offer advice to help newcomers get started in the sport, whether as a competitor, volunteer or spectator. So essentially it sounds like one of those open houses we have here by the Air Force or Home Team only this time its all about high octane and two pairs of wheels. Visitors to Go Motorsport Live! will not only be able to see one of the Marussia F1 Team's cars up close but they will also have the chance to win factory visits to both the Sahara Force India and Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One teams. Sahara Force India is situated opposite the entrance to Silverstone and will be offering 50 lucky visitors a unique opportunity to visit the F1 team's headquarters. There will also be a chance for four Go Motorsport Live! visitors to win a factory tour at Mercedes AMG F1 at a later date. As a further attraction to Formula One fans, Silverstone will be offering hot laps on the southern section of its Grand Prix circuit as well as tours of its imposing new Wing pits. Visitors will even be offered the chance to stand on the F1 podium. -
Dutch car manufacturer - Spyker - will return to Salon Prive with two models featured on both the Concept Lawn and as part of the Audemars Piguet British Super Car Show at Syon House in September. Spyker has recently revealed the production-confirmed B6 Venator, which will feature on the Concept Lawn, with a Spyder (convertible) version also expected to be revealed later in the year. The Spyker B6 Venator Concept is a compact, two-door mid-engine sports car that Spyker claims will offer the discerning driver of the highest standards a new choice, delivering a rare combination of heritage, design, performance and exclusivity. Designed by Victor R. Muller, Chief Executive Officer of Spyker N.V., the Spyker B6 Venator Concept makes a contemporary statement whilst paying homage to its past. Highly detailed design, bespoke materials and aviation-inspired elements are a core part of the Spyker DNA. With the announcement of the Spyker B6 Venator Concept, the company once again proves its Latin axiom: Nulla tenaci invia est via (For the tenacious no road is impassable). The name 'Venator' is Latin as well, meaning 'Hunter' - a nod back to Spyker's Hunter fighter aircraft of the early 20th century. The Spyker B6 Venator Concept will begin production in early 2014 for key markets including Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and India, followed by the U.S.A in autumn 2014. The C8 Aileron, last seen at this year's Geneva Motor Show, will be displayed as part of the Audemars Piguet British Super Car Show, proudly demonstrating why this year's production of the model has already sold out. Salon Prive's David Bagley said, "I'm delighted to have Spyker at Salon Prive once again and showing a stunning lineup on both the Concept Lawn and as part of the Audemars Piguet British Super Car Show. We have a brilliant show coming together this year, the biggest and best ever in fact, and we're very much looking forward to seeing it all come together over the three days in September." The eight Salon Prive will run from Wednesday the 4th of September to Friday the 6th of September at Syon Park, London. Several new product debuts, as well as the Chubb Insurance Concours d'El
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Big stars from world of motorsports to attend Goodwood Festival of Speed
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The Festival of Speed remains unique in its ability to attract the majority of the current season's Formula 1 teams and drivers, with seven current F1 teams confirmed for Goodwood including Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus, Mercedes, Marussia and Caterham. Current F1 drivers and leading characters in action at the Festival will include previous World Champions, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, on top of Nico Rosberg, Roman Grosjean, Max Chilton, Heikki Kovalainen and Adrian Newey among others. Past Grand Prix masters present at this summer's Festival of Speed will include Alain Prost (above), Nelson Piquet, Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart and Nick Heidfeld among others. In total, 17 Grand Prix winners will be in action, with a total of 232 GP wins between them! One of the great Festival of Speed's moments will be relived at this year's event when Nick Heidfeld is reunited with the very McLaren MP4/13 that he so famously launched up the Goodwood Hill in a record time of 41.6 seconds back in 1999. From the world of rallying, IRC Champion, Andreas Mikkelsen(above) will be spitting gravel in the 2013 VW Polo WRC, as will Spanish double World Champion Carlos Sainz, whilst Mikko Hirvonen's Citroen DS3 WRC will also be in full flight on the Goodwood Forest Rally Stage. A host of other star drivers and riders, plus cars and motorcycles from each of the world's major motor sport disciplines, past and present, will also be featured at Goodwood, including champions from Formula 1, Indycar, the World Rally Championship, Superbikes, NASCAR, World Sports Cars and Touring Cars, plus Land Speed Record holders. Goodwood is recapturing many of the outstanding Festival of Speed moments from the 1993-2012 era, including over 350 great machines from all of the world, as far flung as New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Japan and the USA, all making a very rare return to the U.K. The 20th anniversary of the Festival will see many famous man and machine pairings reunited, including three-time Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet returning to the cockpit of his celebrated Brabham BT52, in which he secured the 1983 crown. -
Lexus will return to Salon Prive later in September this year to showcase its industry-leading range of full hybrid models. It will have a special focus on the F Sport versions of its cars, which combine sportier styling and performance with the peerless luxury, craftsmanship and advanced technologies that are associated to the Lexus brand. Among the line up will be the IS 300h F Sport, representing Lexus's all new sports saloon. Adopting Lexus Hybrid Drive technology for the first time, the new IS presents the latest interpretation of Lexus's L-finesse design philosophy. The effect is even more pronounced in the F Sport, with a stronger rendering of the spindle grille design and styling cues inside and out that take reference from the Lexus LFA supercar. As it delivers increased driving pleasure, the IS 300h achieves CO2 emissions from 99g/km and an official combined cycle fuel economy of 27.9km/L at the same time . It will be joined by the new GS 450h F Sport, representing the fourth generation of Lexus's luxury sports saloon. The GS's hybrid system combines a 288bhp V6 petrol engine with a compact but powerful electric motor. The GS 450h F Sport can accelerate from rest to 100km/h in less than six seconds and progress to a 249km/h top speed despite emitting a modest 141g/km of CO2. The Lexus RX - the original luxury SUV - has been consistently refined and developed over the years to the current RX 450h. It will be present at Salon Prive in F Sport trim too, demonstrating how Lexus has successfully interpreted its sporting theme across its full model range. Common with all current Lexus hybrids, the RX allows the driver to select different drive modes to prioritise fuel and emissions efficiency or performance, according to personal preference or driving conditions, including an EV mode for all-electric running with zero tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption. The LS 600h Premier is the flagship of the Lexus range, a limousine rich in advanced technologies and luxury features. The innovations include the world-first Lexus Climate Concierge, which maintains an ideal cabin environment by monitoring the individual facial temperature of each occupant to determine appropriate co-ordination of the ventilation, heating, heated seats and heated steering wheel. With handcrafted finishes, a supremely smooth V8 hybrid powertrain and a cabin designed for optimum comfort, the LS 600h fulfills Lexus' mission to deliver a world-class limousine.
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In 2011, Audi presented the Quattro Concept, the final production version of which has yet to come. But now, it seems that the German automaker is finally ready to take the wraps off the final production version when the 1984 Audi Sport Quattro celebrates its 30th anniversary. Rumour has it that the final version will look sportier as well as sharper than the Quattro Concept. It's also said that the final version of the car will carry a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine. Capable of producing a total power output of 650bhp, the car will seemingly take only 3.4 seconds to go from 0-100km/h. The Quattro Concept, however, had to count on a turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine with a total power output of 408bhp. In addition to a powerful V8 engine, the successor to the Audi Sport Quattro will also feature a sports tuned suspension with adaptive dampers, a sports Quattro rear differential, and carbon-ceramic brakes. To keep things light, Audi will be using such components as aluminium, magnesium, and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). In total, the car won't weigh over 1,300kg. If you are keen on seeing the car with your very own eyes, you may want to anticipate the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show as the German automaker is likely to show it there. And, if all the rumoured specifications turn out to be true in the end, expect to see a price tag of around
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2013 Opel Insignia facelift revealed ahead of world premiere at Frankfurt Motor Show
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Opel has removed the wraps off the 2013 Insignia facelift. The revised German mid-sized sedan will be making its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Exterior updates include revised headlamps, front and rear bumpers, taillight combination and front grille. On the inside, the center console is now less cluttered with buttons, which Opel claims improved intuitive operation of common functions such as air conditioning and infotainment. The instrument cluster also has a new set of dials. A new flat-bottomed steering wheel completes the interior update. For the petrol power trains, the 2013 Insignia gets a choice of 1.6-litre SIDI engine with 170bhp or a 2.0-litre version with 250bhp. The 2.0 SIDI engine produces 30bhp more than the existing 2.0-litre turbocharged unit. Diesel options include a 2.0-litre CDTI with either 120bhp/320Nm or 140bhp/370Nm. A 2.0-litre BiTurbo CDTI with 195bhp and 400Nm of torque is also available. Depending on the engine choice, the Insignia is offered with a choice of six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission. -
Production ready Vencer Sarthe to be unveiled in Salon Prive
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] If there is space for anything in this world, it is the addition of another Sportscar maker. New Dutch start up Vencer are about to enter the world of tailor made sports cars with their first model -
Porsche commemorates 50th anniversary of the 911 with a special edition
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The original 911 was revealed to press and public at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show as the 901. 50 years have since passed. To commemorate its golden anniversary, Porsche has created a limited edition 911 Carrera S and only 1,963 units will be built. Set for a world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the '911 50' will be available in two unique colors - the darker Graphite Grey and a lighter Geyser Grey metallic. The limited edition coupe is 44mm broader across the rear wheel arches, a feature typically reserved for AWD Carrera 4 models. Other exterior updates include a '911 50' badge on the rear lid, chromed window frames, SportDesign side mirrors and new 20-inch alloy wheels. On the inside, '911 50' logos can be found on the rev counter, headrests and door sill plates. There are styling touches reminiscent of the original 911 such as green labelling on the instruments with white pointer needles and silver caps on the instrument pivot pins. The fabric pattern on the center section of the leather sports seats seemed like a blast from the 1960s 'Pepita' tartan design. Powered by a 400bhp 3.8-litre flat-six engine, the '911 50' edition with PDK transmission sprints from 0 to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 298km/h. The coupe is equipped with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) to compensate for the wider rear body and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with rear limited slip differential. -
[extract] The last time we saw the Maserati Ghibli was at the floor of the Shanghai Motor Show. The new entry model for the Trident brand looked great under the special lighting conditions. However, a car
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Caterham aims to defend speed title at Cholmondeley Pageant of Power
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
After taking the honours last year, Caterham aims to defend its lap record at the 2013 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power to occur from the 14th till 16th June with its SP/300.R. This year, four British sportscar manufacturers will go head-to-head, with four distinct vehicles in an attempt to better last years timing of 61.89 seconds at the narrow circuit. Caterham's sports prototype racer will compete against exotic supercars and specialist track-day vehicles to defend its title. Caterham Drive Experience instructor, Scott Mansell, will once again take the wheel of the SP/300.R for this event. The racer will join supercars, classic and modern race cars, as well as specialist track-focussed machines, with the latter expected to do battle for the lap record. Caterham Cars' CEO, Graham Macdonald, said, "Last year's contest was extremely close and we expect it to be even tighter this year, given that there are four British manufacturers attending, each with exactly the same aim." The SP/300.R is powered by a 2.0-litre Supercharged Ford engine, producing 300bhp via a six-speed sequential gearbox. Flat out, it is capable of topping 289km/h and will reach 100km/h in 2.6 seconds. The sports prototype vehicle has attracted strong demand among the premium trackday community with sales across the U.K., North America and France. Visit http://www.caterham.co.uk for more information about the SP/300.R and Caterham -
After revealing a teaser shot of the taillight combination of the all new Corolla, Toyota has now released two fresh crops of the latest iteration of the best selling car in the world. One of the photos shows the sedan's lower grille and fog lamp assembly. The shape of the lower grille somewhat reminds me of the signature Audi grille. The second photo shows the Toyota logo on the hood. In addition to the new photos, Toyota has released a video, featuring Toyota Vice President of Marketing, Jack Hollis. The cheerful executive wants the viewers to keep coming back for more details of the new Corolla as the launch date of 6th June draws nearer. He claims that the new model will have a new styling and attitude. The next generation Corolla is previewed by the Furia Concept that was displayed at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show in January this year. Click for the 2014 Corolla introduction video.
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Group Test : Ford Fiesta ST vs Peugeot 208 GTi vs Renault Clio RS
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Recently, I blogged on two reviews involving the Ford Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208 GTI. Now, Auto Express U.K. made a triple-threat match by pitting the Fiesta ST and 208 GTI against Renault Clio RS. In the previous reviews, the Fiesta ST was clearly preferred over its French rival. Can the American pocket rocket do it again? Like the other two members in this group test, the Clio RS is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine which is good for 200bhp and 240Nm of torque. However, it is the only car here with a twin-clutch six-speed automatic transmission. The Clio RS also takes the podium for being the priciest among the trio. Auto Express drives the cars through hundreds of miles over a range of routes ranging from motorways to towns to pick a winner. The Clio is the best in the drag race while the Fiesta is the fastest round the track. -
Toyota has released the first teaser shot of the 2014 Toyota Corolla. The next generation Corolla is previewed by the Furia Concept that was displayed at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show in January. The official premiere of the Eleventh iteration Corolla is scheduled to take place on 6th June in California. Toyota wants us to
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The Lotus Exige S Roadster is about to be ready for bookings
RchLuvSlly posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Back in the Geneva Motor Show last year, British automaker, Lotus, introduced the world to its potentially fastest handmade convertible ever, the Exige S Roadster. Based on the company's new Exige S coupe, this roadster looks mostly identical to its coupe counterpart. However, the rear spoiler has been disposed of and there's now soft top roof available. Weighing no more than 1,166kg, this roadster will let you feel the wind blowing your hair at a speed of 233km/h, thanks to its supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine. Mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or the automaker's Serial Precision Shift (SPS) transmission system, the engine can provide the power of 345 horses in addition to 400Nm of torque. The Lotus Exige S Roadster will get you going to 100km/h in no longer than 3.8 seconds, from a complete standstill. And, to complete your comfort, you can choose a sporty or a comfortable enhanced plush interior. As Lotus is readying the 2013 Lotus Exige S Roadster for order, the automaker has also announced the prices of its latest roadster for 3 regions - UK, European Union, and Japan. With Japan being closer to us here in Singapore than the other two, I think we can assume that the price tag of the roadster there won -
Peugeot has taken the wraps off the new 308 hatchback. The new model sports chiselled lines as compared to the outgoing model which looked bubblier and somewhat feminine. The new French model adapts Peugeot's new family face and is built upon the new EMP2 modular platform which contributes to weight savings of 140kg. Peugeot claimed that the interior quality has improved and highlighted its 'i-cockpit' which does not have any buttons. The main focal point of the cabin is the centrally-mounted 9.7-inch touchscreen multi-functional display. Peugeot has not released any engine details at the moment but it has confirmed that CO2 emissions will be as low as 85g/km. The new 308 will make its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show come September. In the meantime, enjoy the gallery of France's latest VW Golf competitor. The outgoing 308
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Skoda Rapid Sport Concept to debut at Worthersee tuning show
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The Skoda Rapid Sport concept will make its world premiere at the Worthersee tuning show in Austria. The concept gives the plain looking Rapid sedan an extreme makeover and turns it into a boy racer's fantasy. The Sport Concept is painted in two-tone metallic Steel Gray and Corrida Red and wears aggressive 19-inch red alloy wheels. The exterior is complimented by a body kit and twin exhausts pipe at the rear. The darkened side mirrors, head lights and grille remind us that this is a rapid sedan from the dark side. The recessed hood completes the external updates. According to Skoda, the sporty layout continues in the interior of the car, with a sports type steering wheel, Recaro seats and illuminated door sills. No engine details are available at the moment but given its promising looks, anything less than a 2.0-litre TSI would be a disappointment. Marking the 32nd year of the Volkswagen Group event, the 2013 Worthersee show takes place in Reifnitz, Austria between 8th to 12th May. Skoda will display the Fabia RS Motorsport, Citigo Motorsport and an accessorised 2013 Octavia Combi alongside with the Rapid Sport Concept. -
Just to refresh your memory, at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show, the German automaker Volkswagen (VW) displayed its BlueSport roadster concept. Unfortunately, not long afterwards, VW postponed the project. Some early reports mentioned that the reason production of the roadster was postponed was because the German automaker didn't see a business opportunity for the model while I would say otherwise. The car looks attractive and that, alone, should be able to attract quite a few customers already. Add that with quite an affordable price tag for a roadster, you may be surprised by the number of people interested in spending their cash on the model. Yet, rumours have been swirling on the internet with some still believing that the roadster will finally come to life. I, for one, would like to see the open-top model comes into production. Despite the various rumours on the World Wide Web, there's now a bigger chance that the VW BlueSport will actually hit our showrooms within the near future. At least, this seems to be what Walter de Silva is trying to tell us, although not so explicitly. The VW Design Chief told AMS, "I'm not the only one in our company who is convinced that a small roadster wouldn't be the worst thing for Volkswagen. This is a vehicle that we particularly like, and we always have in mind." Well, I agree with you, de Silva, I like the open-top very much, too. Therefore, it's nice to know that there're still some insiders in VW that would like to move on with this particular project. Moreover, it was confirmed by one of the German automaker's spokesperson. Just in case you can't really recall, the VW BlueSport roadster concept carried a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine when it debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The engine is good enough to spit out 177bhp in addition to 349Nm of torque. Volkswagen claimed that the fuel consumption of the roadster could reach 23.2km/L, which is quite efficient in my opinion. The company also mentioned that the car would need only 6.6 seconds to reach 100km/h from a complete standstill. Also, expect no less than 225km/h when it comes to the top speed of the car. Given its model and engine specifications, I'd say the BlueSport concept may well be slotted under such brands as Porsche and Audi. Yet again, perhaps it doesn't really matter as both the brands belong to VW as well. Now that the VW BlueSport roadster may finally come to life, here's hoping that VW won't forget to ship the model to the showrooms here in Singapore as well. By the way, the roadster is estimated to cost around USD$30,000 (around S$37,000). As I said earlier, it's quite affordable for a roadster, isn't it? The only drawback so far that I can think of about this roadster is probably its roof. I think it would have been better if VW applied a hardtop, but perhaps, the softtop is a better solution for the current estimated price tag of the roadster.
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Infiniti Q50 awarded 'Best Chinese Premiere' at 2013 Shanghai Motor Show
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The Infiniti Q50 sedan has been awarded the 'Best Chinese Premiere' by the organising committee of the Shanghai International Motor Show in conjunction with sohu.com, one of China's leading online magazine. The award was presented to the Managing Director of Infiniti China, Daniel Kirchert. "We are honoured and very proud that our new premium Q50 sedan received this much respected award. This is a kickstart for the Q50 in China. We are looking forward to the market launch in spring 2014 with much confidence," said Kirchert. Infiniti fronted the Shanghai Motor show with the Q50 Hybrid variant, making its debut in Asia. The car is powered by a 3.5-litre petrol V6 featuring electric motor assistance. The hybrid system's nett power is approximately 354bhp, providing strong acceleration and lean fuel economy. The engine is matched with a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and steering-mounted magnesium paddle shifters. The Q50 is available in both rear-wheel drive and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. Last year, Infiniti moved its global headquarters to Hong Kong where it can serve the Chinese market better. At the Shanghai Motor Show, Infiniti announced the long wheel base versions of the Q50 and QX50, both of which are specifically developed for the Chinese market. They will be built in the Xiangyang plant which is operated by Infiniti's partner in China, Dongfeng Motors. -
MG is developing a range of turbocharged, direct-injected gasoline engines which will be launched in China at the end of 2014, and arriving in Europe a year later. These engines include 1.4-litre and 1.5-litre force-fed units as well as a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit that claims to rival Ford's Ecoboost unit. Given that Ford's 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has been named the 2012 'International Engine of the Year' - MG has got some very serious work to do. "Our benchmark for the 1.0-litre has to be the Ford Ecoboost engine," commented MG's Head of Powertrain, Paul McNamara. "Ford has got the technology to market first and changed perceptions. Our goal is to be competitive with their figures and attain the best real-world results possible," McNamara added. The larger 1.4-litre and 1.5-litre turbocharged engines will be available in the MG3, MG5, MG6 and a production version of the CS Concept (above) displayed at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show. In addition to new power plants, MG is also working on two dual-clutch transmissions, namely a wet version that can handle 359Nm of torque and a dry version that can take up to 223Nm of torque. The wet dual-clutch transmission will go on sale in China this year while the dry one will likely go into production in 2015. The MG Car Company Limited was a former British sports car manufacturer founded in the 1920s. On 22nd July 2005, the Nanjing Automobile Group purchased the rights to the MG brand and the assets of the MG Rover Group, creating a new company called MG Motor.
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The sports coupe to succeed the 350Z from the Japanese automaker Nissan, the 370Z, was officially unveiled for the European market back in 2012, during the Paris Motor Show. However, the model has now made it into the spotlight, again, with Nissan announcing an imminent launch of a facelifted version of the 370Z in China. Like its predecessor, the Nissan 370Z facelift maintains its sporty look. In fact, it looks a bit sportier and more luxurious now with a new front bumper, revised front end, and also a pair of vertical LED daytime running lights, the latter being the trend in the present day automotive market. However, expect no increase or decrease when it comes to performance as Nissan will not make any alteration to the engine. That said, the Nissan 370Z maintains a 3.7-litre V6 engine capable of spitting out 324bhp of total power output. Thanks to this engine, the car is able to go from a complete standstill to a speed of 100km/h in no more than five and a half seconds. For the facelift, Nissan is offering two new colours - Midnight Blue and Magma Red. Personally, I would choose the Magma Red over other colours as I think the car looks stunningly wonderful in it. Of course, apart from the colours, you also get to choose whether you want to drive in a coupe or to feel the air blowing on your hair. For the coupe version of the Nissan 370Z facelift, you'll have to pay 608,000 Chinese yuan (S$121,000). As for the roadster version, you'll have to spend a total of 668,000 Chinese yuan (S$134,000). Of course, you can only get the car at those prices in China, at least for now.
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When Cadillac displayed its all new CTS saloon at the 2013 New York Auto Show, the car's vertical LED strip that stretches from the headlamp right down to the bumper captivated the crowd in attendance. It is a unique design that distinguishes the American luxury brand from other makes. Cadillac has now shared more details behind the design of this intriguing feature. According to Cadillac, each headlamp houses 16 indirect fire LED lights, with eight LEDs on the fender of the car and the rest continuing down the front bumper. The eight LED lights mounted on the front bumper function as turn indicators hence eliminating the need for additional lights, which helps to improve aesthetics. Furthermore, these LEDs work as daytime running lights as well while the HID projector lamp provides for both low and high beam illumination. "The CTS is the first Cadillac to combine DRL and turn signal under the same lens," commented CTS Exterior Design Manager, Brian Smith. "Giving the HID projectors a dual purpose allowed us to shorten the front headlamps and give the CTS the most dramatic signature lighting of any Cadillac to date," he added.