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Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic MPVs receive facelift in 2013
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Like someone who goes for frequent Botox treatments, the Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic MPVs have undergone yet another facelift since the last time in January 2012. These revised models will make their world premiere in March's Geneva Motor Show together with the tough-looking Scenic XMOD. The facelifted Scenic and Grand Scenic sport the French carmaker's new corporate grille that is seen on the Clio and Captur crossover. On the interior, the MPVs get Renault's latest R-Link infotainment system featuring joystick control and a touchscreen display. The higher end Scenic model gets a Bose sound system. Underneath the hood, the revised Scenic family (including XMOD model) will be sold with three new Energy engines including the 1.4-litre TCe 130 which produces 130bhp as its name suggests. The new TCe 130 has a low-inertia turbocharger that is responsive even at low engine speeds. -
The all-new Infiniti Q50 will be making its European Premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. More importantly, the replacement for the G Series saloon will be the first Infiniti model to get forced-fed power plants sourced from Mercedes Benz. Although Infiniti did not reveal any details on the engines, they are expected to be the gasoline 1.8-litre turbocharged and the 2.1-litre diesel lump. The oil burner churns out 204bhp/500Nm in the CLS250 while the 1.8-litre produces 184bhp/270Nm in the C200 BlueEFFICIENCY. "The Infiniti Q50 is a world-class sports saloon with an engine line-up that will clearly demonstrate its intentions to be a major player within the European premium market," said Bernard Loire, Vice President, Infiniti Africa, Middle East and Europe (AMIE). Measuring 4.78m (L) by 1.82m (W) by 1.44m (H), the new Q50 saloon is targeted at BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 buyers. With a new range of smaller capacity engines, Infiniti will be able to compete more effectively in the European market than in the past. I am sure a 1.8-litre Infiniti saloon will improve the market share of the premium Japanese brand in Singapore as well.
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Toyota reported to be changing focus to downsized, turbocharged engines
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Toyota partnered with motorsports specialist GRMN and come up with a turbocharged version of the Vitz (Yaris) at the recent Tokyo Auto Salon. Although the display is a one-off event, Toyota is said to be shifting its focus to downsized, turbocharged gasoline direct-injected (T-GDI) engines. Although Toyota is the leading producer of hybrid engines, the market is small compared to the number of T-GDI motors out there. Take a look at Saturday's edition of The Straits Times and I'm sure you will find acronyms such as "TFSI", "TSI", "EcoBoost" and "TwinPower Turbo". Although Toyota has used direct-injection and turbocharging technologies in certain models, other carmakers like Volkswagen have implemented them in their entire engine lineup. A small Japanese business daily paper reported that T-GDI engines could appear in domestic models such as the Crown as soon as 2013, and they could be marketed to China and Europe as well. Automotive analyst of Deutsche Bank Kurt Sanger told The Detroit Bureau, "We expect it (America) to be a potential market for such technology to further increase the competitiveness of (Toyota) products." Other sources believe that the next-generation Toyota Corolla is likely the first all-new model to receive a T-GDI engine. -
Mercedes-Benz has released a slew of photos for its highly-anticipated entry level four-door coupe, the CLA. The car will make its official debut during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin. The CLA is previewed by the Concept Style Coupe and measures 4.63m long, 2m wide and 1.44m tall. Mercedes-Benz has managed to achieve a super-slippery drag coefficient of just 0.23. The 'baby CLS' is underpinned by Mercedes-Benz's MFA platform, which the A-Class is built upon. This means that the CLA will have MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension. In the US, the CLA250 with a 208bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine will be offered. However, in other parts of the world, the CLA should be offered with the 1.6-litre turbocharged lump borrowed from the A-Class. All these engines are mated to Mercedes-Benz's 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission. The range-topping CLA45 AMG will be unveiled at a later date. The CLA has large air vents on its front bumper which helps in projecting a sporty image. However, the rear bumper appears oversized from certain angles. The taillight combination has two LED loops which is a nice touch. The interior is typical Mercedes fanfare with the brand
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[extract] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D92gxpAcrRA After the introduction of the revised Continental GT Coupe and GTC convertible, Bentley is preparing the launch of the facelifted saloon version - the Flying Spur. As a build-up leads to the eventual launch of the 2014 Bentley Flying Spur during March
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[extract] Kia has released the official photos of the 2013 Kia Pro_cee
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Kia Optima 2.0-litre Turbo now available in Right Hand Drive
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Only until recently, the Kia Optima 2.0-litre Turbo was only reserved for the North American market as it was solely available in left-hand drive mode. However, Kia has managed to overcome the engineering impediments to building a right-hand drive version which is starting to roll off the production line. The Optima turbo features direct injection and is rated at 274bhp with 365Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. The top-of-the range Optima completes the century sprint in a brisk 6.8 seconds. This means that the Optima turbo reaches the 100km/h mark faster than a BMW 520i. The addition of the Optima turbo will strengthen Kia's image in Singapore if it is introduced here. The Korean sedan will finally have the 'go' to match the 'show' and put it in a better position to compete with the Europeans. Here's a short video review of the Kia Optima Turbo: -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HjspOSt0Zc Until recently, Singapore buyers looking for a premium mid-sized sedan with a capacity of 2.0-litre or below would probably shortlist the BMW 520i, Mercedes E250 CGI or the Audi A6 2.0-litre TFSI. Now there is one more contender to the fight and its British. The Jaguar XF has just thrown its hat into the current three-corner fight with the introduction of the 2.0-litre petrol turbocharged variant here. The 2.0-litre XF is powered by a 240bhp engine akin to the unit in the Ford Mondeo. However, unlike the Mondeo which uses a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, the XF is equipped with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The entry-level XF sprints from 0 to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds, and boasts a higher horsepower figure than its three German rivals. With reference to sgCarMart, the 2.0-litre Jaguar XF is priced at S$275,000 without COE. The introduction of a new base model for the XF might snatch some buyers away from 'the big German three' 520i, E250 and A6 2.0-litre TFSI.
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[extract] Opel has unveiled a new 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine as part of the company
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With the Lunar New Year around the corner, the owner of this E 63 AMG in the Fujian Province in China wanted to attract more luck and has decided to wrap his ride in gold foil. As evident from the photos, the body of the E 63 AMG is highly reflective. One can imagine the nuisance the car becomes when viewed from the rear mirror on a sunny day thanks to the reflective glossy surface. Most aspects of the car seem to be stock besides the blackened the grille. The E 63 AMG here is a pre-facelift model and is powered by a 518bhp capable 5.5-litre V8 bi-turbo engine. The performance sedan sprints from 0 to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds before reaching an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. The E 63 AMG has a price tag of 1.88 million Yuan (S$32,0599) in China. The original body work of the E 63 AMG is found below. Do you like this particular Chinese mod or the stock model? Photo Credit: carnewschina.com
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Cadillac ATS wins 2013 'North American Car of the Year' title
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The 2013 Detroit Motor Show has started on a positive note for Cadillac as the ATS sedan has been named the North American Car of The Year by a jury of automotive writers. Finalists for the title include the 2013 Honda Accord and Ford Fusion sedans. "This is a very meaningful honor for the entire Cadillac team, especially the men and women who build the ATS in Lansing, Michigan, and our dedicated and talented designers and engineers," said Bob Ferguson, GM vice president, Cadillac Global. "A car like ATS is the result of incredible commitment and focus. That's the only method for creating a great performing luxury car." The Cadillac ATS is compact luxury sedan designed to take on the likes of the BMW 3-series and Audi A4. The ATS is offered with a choice of three engines, namely a 202bhp 2.5-litre, 272bhp 2.0-litre turbo and a 3.6-litre V6 with 321bhp. These engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. A diesel engine will be available in the future. The ATS is based upon General Motors' Alpha platform and is offered in either rear- or all-wheel drive configurations. -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M14raMbpGg8 Mercedes has recently released the details of the 2013 E 63 AMG which include a series of high resolution photos. However, stationary photos do not do justice to the storming machine. Rejoice as Mercedes has now uploaded promotional videos of the top-of-the range E-Class in saloon and estate body styles. The videos mainly show the cars tearing down a race track and drifting along the way. Styling details of the exterior and interior are highlighted as well. The 2013 E 63 AMG is powered by a 5.5-litre V8 twin-turbocharged engine with output boosted to 550bhp and 720Nm of torque. A more powerful S-model with the same capacity is rated at 557bhp and 800Nm and it goes from 0 to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds. Both versions are fitted with the AMG Speedshift seven-speed automatic transmission. To keep the E 63 AMG rooted to the ground, it comes with 4MATIC all-wheel drive system as standard. Sit tight and enjoy the videos!
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After the Passat CC, VW is reportedly to be preparing the Golf CC for a 2015 launch. Like the Passat CC, the Golf CC will adopt a 'four-door coupe' styling. The newcomer is designed to take on the forthcoming Mercedes CLA. The Golf CC will be built upon the MQB platform that underpins the Golf. It will get a marginally longer version that will also underpin the Golf Estate and the upcoming Audi A3 saloon. The Golf CC will be fitted with a wide-opening hatchback tailgate to help improve access, similar to the Audi A5 Sportback. The boot capacity will be larger than the Golf but smaller than the current Jetta's. At launch, engine options will include a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol with 120bhp and a 2.0-litre TDI with 150bhp. A hot GTI version will follow to challenge the CLA 45 AMG at a later date. The soon-to-be launched Audi A3 saloon, which is also under the VW stable, is often seen as a direct rival to the CLA. A multi-cornered fight is brewing slowly
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First official photo of face-lifted Mercedes E 63 AMG emerges
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
After much anticipation and speculation, the 2014 Mercedes E 63 AMG has finally show its face in an official photo alongside with its lesser brethrens that include the sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible variants. The hottest version of the E-Class range is expected to be powered by the existing 5.5-litre V8 twin-turbo which is good for 518bhp and 699Nm of torque. A performance package is available which pumps up the engine to 550bhp and 799Nm of torque. The E 63 AMG will be presented at the upcoming Detroit Motor Show. A statement from Mercedes reads, "Not only will we introduce the E-Class Saloon, Estate, Coupe and Cabriolet, but also the E 63 AMG model, now available in a 4MATIC version and, of course, the new four-door coupe, the CLA." 4Matic is the name of an AWD four-wheel drive system developed and used by Mercedes-Benz. Like the regular E-Class saloon, the E 63 AMG has a re-designed single headlamp unit. However, it sports a more aggressive front bumper that houses huge air intakes on both sides. -
Autocar pits the new Maserati Quattroporte against the Jaguar XJ
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The sixth generation Quattroporte has yet to make its world premiere but it already have to start fending off rivals. Recently, Autocar UK pits the latest luxury saloon from Italy against the Jaguar XJ, thanks to Maserati which allowed the motoring press to review their newest model. The all new Maserati Quattroporte will be making its global debut at the upcoming 2013 Detroit Motor Show. In this group test, the Quattroporte is powered by the top-of-the-range 3.8-litre V8 twin-turbocharged with 523bhp. Its opponent's specifications are no less impressive. The XJ is equipped with a 503bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 motor. It is ranked 'Best in Class' by Autocar UK. This review is set to be a clash of the titans. Can the new comer overcome the formidable super cat? Read on to find out. -
Look out BMW 3 Series. Details on the 2014 C-Class is starting to emerge. Mercedes-Benz insiders claim that little or nothing will be carried over from the existing C-class and it will be completely re-engineered with the aim of attracting younger buyers. The new C-class will be the first model to use Mercedes-Benz's new MRA (modular rear-wheel drive architecture) platform. Due to the light weight chassis, the new car is said to weigh less despite growing to a size of 4.7m long. The existing MacPherson strut suspension will be replaced by a double wishbone layout at the front while the back will get a significantly updated multi-link setup. Engine-wise, there will be a range of 4-cylinder and V6 petrol engines with an entry-level 2.0-litre turbo with 184bhp right up to a 330bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo. The current 2.1-litre diesel will be offered in four states of tune, spanning 120bhp to 220bhp. The new C-class will be equipped with a six-speed manual or an updated version of the current seven-speed automatic gearbox, depending on the engine. A new nine-speed automatic transmission is undergoing development and could make it for the face lift in 2017. Four body styles are planned for the new C-class. They include the saloon and estate, which will be launched at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, and a more individually styled coupe as well as a cabriolet version for 2015 launch. All body styles will be 'AMG-ed' and receive a new turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine from the Mercedes tuning specialist. Photo Credit: automotoring.blogspot.sg
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Much has been said about the all-new 2013 Skoda Octavia. However, the Czech carmaker did not reveal the details regarding the engine lineup until now. At launch, the grown-up Skoda sedan will be powered by a slew of four turbocharged petrol and four turbocharged diesel engines. In summary, here's the global engine lineup for the 2013 Octavia: Petrol options - 1.2-litre : 86bhp with 160Nm of torque - 1.2-litre (Greentec) : 105bhp with 175Nm of torque - 1.4-litre (Greentec) : 140bhp with 250Nm of torque - 1.8-litre (Greentec) : 180bhp with 250Nm of torque Diesel options - 1.6-litre : 90bhp with 250Nm of torque - 1.6-litre (Greentec) : 105bhp with 250Nm of torque - 1.6-litre (GreenLine) : 110bhp - 2.0-litre (Greentec) : 150bhp with 320Nm of torque The Greentec label denotes the cars with lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than the standard Skoda vehicles. They feature technologies such as brake energy recovery and start-stop system. Depending on the engine, the Octavia will be equipped with a five-speed manual, six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG transmission. The top-of-the range vRS variant will be launched at a later date.
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Alfa Romeo has raised consumer's expectations for its upcoming 4C coupe. In the latest teaser for the mid-engined car, it states "BEHOLD, THE CAR TO END ALL CARS IS NIGH". The new model is previewed by the 4C Concept that was presented at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The production version will derive its styling cues from the 4C concept and will likely be propelled by the 1750 TBi engine currently found in the Giulietta QV. The turbocharged lump produces 232bhp with 340Nm of torque. This is enough to send the Giulietta QV from zero to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds. In the sleeker and lighter 4C, the century sprint timing is expected to be much better. Power will be sent to the rear wheels via a dual-clutch transmission. The new 4C will be making its debut at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show. Often referred to as the successor to the 8C Competizione, let's hope that the new model can walk the talk. Note: The photos shown in this blog are the 4C concept
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Ford Focus ST takes on the Golf R and later on, the Subaru BRZ!
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oapP8qzehI In a recent episode of Head to Head, Carlos Lago pits the Ford Focus ST against its arch rival, the VW Golf R. Not only that, the Focus ST has to face off against the Subaru BRZ subsequently, a situation which I will explain later on. Hence, the Focus ST is in a situation similar to a participant in WWE's 'King of The Ring' tournament. Can the hottest version of the Focus take the heat? Both the Golf R and Focus ST are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged power plant. The models in the test are equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. Even their horse power ratings are quite close to each other - 256bhp for the German and 252bhp for the American. However, the Golf R has an AWD configuration while the Focus ST sends the power to the front wheels. As the stability control in the US Golf R cannot be turned off, it was replaced with the Subaru BRZ during the race track portion of the evaluation. This part of the test is conducted by Randy Pobst, a professional race car driver. He commented that the BRZ has probably the best balanced handling on the whole market right now. Tough luck for the Focus ST it may seem. Tighten your seat belts and watch the video to find out! -
Feeling the heat from Mercedes AMG A 45's 2.0-litre turbo unit, Audi is working to dial up more power and torque from its 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI engine. Stephan Reil, Head of Development of quattro GmbH, commented, "The five-cylinder engine will have a big future with us. But the numbers I see from AMG's engines are enormous from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder." AMG's power plant (below) produces 350bhp, which is only 10bhp behind the larger capacity unit from Ingolstadt. However, there is a tougher challenge awaiting Audi. The engine has to meet the tough EU 6 emissions standard in Europe by September 2014. This means that the engine's combustion processes and catalysts need to be heavily revamped, according to Reil. Audi's turbocharged 2.5-litre Inline five-cylinder currently powers the TT RS and RS3 models. Five-cylinder engines are noted for combining the best aspects of four and six-cylinder engines. They generate more power and torque than six-cylinder engines while maintaining the fuel economy and peppiness of smaller four-cylinder engines.
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Autocar pits Audi A1 Quattro against Nissan GT-R on wet, twisty track
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Autocar's Editor, Steve Sutcliffe, recently pitted the Nissan GT-R Track Pack against the Audi A1 Quattro in a portion of the MIRA test track which is located in the former RAF Lindley airfield. The A1 Quattro is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 253bhp. On the other hand, the GT-R is propelled by a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 with over 500bhp. So, with nearly two times the capacity and power, the German supermini seemed destined to be devoured by the Japanese monster. However, Sutcliffe's verdict was that the GT-R was all over the place as it was too heavy and could not put its excessive power down on the road while the A1 Quattro was much more composed. The GT-R recorded a lap time of 1:19.32 while the A1 complete the same route in a more convincing 1:14.80. However, GT-R fans may argue that the car's electronic stability control and traction control could be turned off during the test, resulting in its lacklustre performance. -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COh9BmAUg50 This is the first official video released by Mercedes with regards to the upcoming CLA compact sports saloon. Often nicknamed as the 'baby CLS', the new model will be revealed at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show. The CLA will be riding on the German carmaker's all-new MFA platform, which is also adopted by the new generation of the A-Class and B-Class. The CLA will be powered by 1.8-litre and 2.1-litre diesel engines, as well as turbocharged petrol engines of 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre capacity. Topping the lineup will be the CLA45 AMG, with a 2.0-litre turbo four cylinders that will produce around 350bhp and 406Nm of torque. All versions of the CLA will be equipped with the new 4Matic drivetrain that will provide variable torque delivery to all four wheels. The CLA will be positioned below the C-Class in Mercedes' lineup, which should make the car an 'affordable', stylish German marque.
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[extract] Kia has released a teaser sketch of the Kia Pro_cee'd GT, a high performance variant of the 2013 Pro_cee'd hatchback which will arrive in European showrooms in the second half of 2013. Although the illustration shows a coupe body style, five-door hatchback and estate versions are reported to be in kia
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[extract] Ford is currently working on a 150bhp version of the 3-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. Speaking to Auto Express at the launch of the facelifted Ford Fiesta, EcoBoost chief engineer, Andrew Fraser, said: "I
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Perhaps to prove that their 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine is truly a compact unit, Ford chose to transport it in a hand-carry cabin luggage on its way from Detroit to the Los Angeles Airport. The winner of the 2012 'International Engine of The Year' award claims to occupy only the footprint of an A4 size paper when it was launched. From the photo, only the empty engine block is carried and hence it should not be too heavy. Fortunately, the car engine passed the transportation security screening without any problem. The engine is on its way for the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. Ford is showing the engine to the US market in preparation for its launch in the 2014 model year Ford Fiesta. The tiny turbocharged 1.0-litre engine is the epitome of downsizing, churning out 125bhp with 200Nm of torque on overboost. In addition to the face-lifted Fiesta, the engine is also powering the Focus hatchback and the 4.8m all-new Ford Mondeo. Ford proves that great things do come in small packages!