Minggu, 27 Desember 2009

Volkswagen Golf R


It's long been thought by Volkswagen enthusiasts that VW's turbocharged four is superior to the V-6. After all, it's lighter, and with added boost can generate more power. That belief is embodied in the 2010 golf R, a car destined to go on sale in Germany before the end of the year, although not currently slated for the U.S.


Not only does the R's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine belt out 270 bhp-20 more than the previous R32's V-6 but the R weighs 335 lb. less. The 4-cylinder also sits farther back in the chassis, thus reducing some of the R32's notorious front weight bias. The R's latest generation 4 Motion all-wheel drive features a prdictive center defferential, rather than reactive. An electrohydraulic control unit adjusts the torque bias, in extreme cases going to full lockup transmitting 100 percent of the torque to the rear axle.

The R features a lowered, revised suspension and bigger brakes. The stability control system incorporates a new sport mode, while the optional Dynamic Chassis Control adjusts the responsiveness of the steering

Sabtu, 19 Desember 2009

Lexus LF-Ch concept


Lexus says the new LF-Ch concept is aimed at the European premium compact segment, although its 5-door body style resembles that of the Lincoln Concept C unveiled earlier this year at the Detroit auto show. The LF-Ch (the "h" stand for hybrid) was designed by Calty Design Research Inc., Toyota's north American based research an design center in Newport Beach, California. Lexus says the LF-Ch "will allow the brand to study the needs of young urbanites and consumer values in a compact luxury vehicle."

The concepts's yellow paint if offset by blue interior lighting. that interior is lined with leather, aluminium and wood to give the impression of expensive and artistic funiture. Blacked-out B-pillars and hidden rear door handles provide the LF-Ch with a couple-like look, but it's really a sporty hatch. Sizewise, the LF-Ch is in the same league as Toyota's matrix, but with its hybrid powertrain, luxurious appointments and unique styling, this Lexus would probably compete against car such as BMW's 1 series. 

Sabtu, 12 Desember 2009

Lamborghini Reventon Roadster


Two years after Lamborghini unveiled the angular Reventon coupe, the Italian company has revealed a Roadster version. The Reventon Roadster is painted a special shade of matte grey, similar to the color seen on stealth fighters to minimize radar detection. The Roadster's body is made primarily of carbon fiber, helping it weigh in at 3725 lb., only 55 lb. more than the coupe.  


The Reventon Roadster is powered by a 6.5-liter V-12 rated at 670 bhp and 478 lb.-ft. of torque, which propels it to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a claimed 3,4 sec. and to a top speed of 205 mph. The car comes only with a 6-speed paddle shift e.gear transmission powering all four wheels via a viscous coupling center differential.


What one? better get in line fast, and bring $1.6 million. Lamborghini tells us thet fewer than 20 Reventon Roadster will be made.

Jumat, 04 Desember 2009

Audi e-tron concept


With exterior styling similar to the R8's, the Audi e-tron concept is an all-wheel-drive electric car propelled by four asynchoronous motors, one for each wheel. Audi says the combined power output of 313 horspower and a whopping 3319 lb.-ft. of torque can push the car to 62 mph (100km/h) in 4.8 sec. and to atop speed of 125 mph. Thanks partly to body panels made of fiber-reinforced plastic, the e-tron tips the scales at around 3500 lb.

Onboard electricity is stored in water-cooled  lithium-ion batteries (weighing about 1000 lb.) in the center of the vehicle. The e-tron has a range of 150 miles, and can be fully recharged in 6-8 hours. Audy is investigating the possibility of an inductive charging system where no cables are necessary to connect the car with an outlet. Audy can't confirm if we'll see e-tron in production. However, it did say the e-tron is part of a board range of alternative energy vehicle it is studying and planning for the future.   

Rabu, 02 Desember 2009

Ampersand Bugatti 16 C Galibier concept


More than 80 years after legendary Royale, Bugatti may very well produce a new 4-seater. Named after special Type 57 (and a famous hillclimb of the Tour de France), the 16 C Galibier could start production in 2013. Called "the most exclusive, elegant and powerfull limousine in the world," the Galibier is a serious concept, one that Bugatti will be discussing with its customers all over the world.
Of course, we've seen 4-door Bugatti concepts before, including the EB 112 from 1993, as well as the Giugiaro-designed EB 218 from 1998-neither of wich saw production. Is there more certainly this time around? Buggati president, Dr. Ing. Franz-Josef Paefgen, emphasized that the Galibier-shown during Bugatti's centenary celebration ceremonies in Molsheim, France-is one of several concept studies that the company is considering for the future of the marque.


Although the next Bugatti may ora may not be the Galibier, one thing is for sure: The mighty Veyron 16.4 will cease production in 2012, at which point the French automaker will have built around 450 examples of the mid-engine exotic.

Therefore, a successor to the Veyron is priority nomber one, and there have been several ideas to fulfill even the highest expectations. Because building another top-speed icon could be viewed as trite, Paefgen and his team favor a 4-door model taht would possess performance figures far above anything else in the super luxury class. And with the plan to build only 100 cars priced in the seven-digit range, exclusiveness would be guranteed. "Even in times of financial crisis, we have proven that there is still a place in the market for us," Paefgen said.

 

In the Galibier, Bugatti's W-16 engine will sit over and aft of the fronst axle. And instead of four turbo-chargers of the Veyron, it will use two mechanical superchargers to deliver maximum torque at low revs. while it is too early to mentions exact specs, involved technicians hint at 885 lb.-ft. of torque and well over 1000 bhp. These forces will be permanently directed to all four wheels via a new 8-speed twin clutch paddle shift gerabox.

The chassis consists of a carbon front end followed by longitudinal steel rails along the cabin to the rear suspension, while body components are made out of carbon fiber and alloy. But don't be surprised if the Galibier shares some Volkswagen Group corporates parts, such as the new Audy A8's electronics and suspension, and Bentley Mulsanne-like headlights; the Galibier concept's luxurious interior even features a central-mounted touch screen that shares its technology with a Volkswagen city car.

Despite large dimensions-211 in. long, 78 in. wide and 60 in. high-the Galibeier looks more compact in the flesh. As expected, there's the trademark horseshoe grille, in this case framed by LED lights. Bugatti's heritage is proudly stated by a longitudinal edge line that spilts the rear window, where it the incoporates a third vertical LED brake light. Othe gimmicks are special wheel hubs that can be illuminated in the dark. The interior features four seats, although the layout could chance to five depending on customer preference.

The detail work on this concepts is so perfect, it seems hard to believe the Galibier is anything other than the next Bugatti. We were told the final decision will be made next spring. The Galibier will feature a limited Tourbillon made by Swiss watch maker Pamigiani. Positioned in the center of the dash, it can also be removed and worn on the wirst, use a pocket watch or put on a desk. Its estimated price is said to be over $150,000.