Showing posts with label NEW CARS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NEW CARS. Show all posts

3/20/15

2017 Skoda Superb


You might be surprised to know that Skoda is not a stranger to convertible cars, which occasionally dotted its lineup in the previous century. It even did a few roadsters too. That’s why, while this latest Superb convertible rendering is not realistic in any way, it is a nod to cars the company used to make many decades ago.

Like the Superb sedan, it’s not bad looking, and losing its roof and two of the doors does add to its elegance; picture it in black with a beige interior if you have trouble spotting it, as that’s a surefire way to add more premium into the mix.

The rendering is quite realistic and up to the usual standard of quality that we’re used to from Theophilus Chin.

We also took the liberty to accompany the renderings with a selection of old photos of Skoda cars that have no roof; they’re in the second gallery below.

Via Theophiluschin 





Land Rover Defender Pick-Up by Kahn Design


Kahn Design’s latest Land Rover Defender project is a wide-body 90 Pick-Up that brings both styling and equipment upgrades compared to the standard model.

The Land Rover Defender 2.4 TDCI 90 Pick Up – Chelsea Wide Track is painted Keswick Green and features front and rear wide wheel arches with exposed bolt apertures, an X-Lander front grille, stainless steel hood and fender vent mesh, full front bumper replacement with integrated lights and shadow chrome headlights.

The truck also sports Chelsea Truck Company wheel covers and optional side steps. 

The Defender rides on a new set of 1939 Defend Retro Dish wheels shod with 275/55/20 tyres, with other exterior tweaks including the toughened mud flaps and a twin cross-hair exhaust system.

Inside, the cabin gets a luxurious ambiance thanks to Sports GTB seats in quilted and perforated leather, leather wrapped instrument binnacle and door cards, as well as trim detailing in soft Alcantara. 

The package is completed by a Kahn billet steering wheel, vented foot pedals in machined aluminum, a Churchill Time Clock and hard-wearing front and rear floor mats.

The Land Rover Defender 2.4 TDCI 90 Pick Up – Chelsea Wide Track is priced at £28,930.









KIA K900 'King James Edition'


It turns out, while we were too busy being fed up with Mr James for not setting us up with a few proper shots of his special edition KIA K900, the car itself was busy being unveiled at the 2015 Cleveland Auto Show.

While, these aren't exactly the quality images we had in mind, they still count as an unveiling and we can definitely draw pretty much all of our conclusions right now.

The first one is, um, yeah it kind of looks like we assumed it would. They gave it a clean look, door handles left untouched, door mirrors slightly altered by the black inserts in between the turn signal light strip, blacked out grille and there's your 'King James Edition' K900.

Still, we can't be sure if there aren't any other changes to the interior, more badges, maybe something on the center console, instrument cluster and so on. But we're happy overall.

Like we said before, it's not that the K900 is a bad looking car. If you ignore its front end, it looks very Lexus LS-ish, which is a good thing, no matter what your name is.

So there you have it guys. Bottom line, would you rather have this version of the K900 or simply configure a regular one yourself? 

Also, big thanks to Dylan See for pointing us in the right direction!







3/19/15

2016 Kia Optima Looks Awesome


These sketches are our first teaser glimpse at the production version of Kia's new generation Optima sedan, due for a world premiere at the New York Auto Show on April 1. 

Naturally, as with all teaser sketches, they're a bit on the optimistic side – heck, the Optima here looks more aggressive than the Geneva Motor Show Sport Space concept that hinted at the design direction for the mid-size sedan as well as a possible estate addition to the range. 

What we'll take from these official renderings is the more sculpted sides and the pronounced wheel arches together with the more angled rear window and a glasshouse that has a strong resemblance to the current model that was introduced at the 2010 NY Auto Show. 

The only piece of information we get from Kia is that the new Optima was "passionately designed and obsessively crafted". 

We do know that it will share its platform with the latest Hyundai Sonata, so it should offer a similar engine lineup in North America, including a 1.6-liter turbo, a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four and a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit.





3/18/15

New 240PS VW Passat 2.0 TDI Proves it Packs a Strong Punch


Numbers are rarely impressive in mainstream cars these days, but extracting 240 PS (237 hp) from a two-liter diesel engine is.

It’s a real achievement in the sector, and when powering the new (lighter) VW Passat, it promises a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint time of 6.1 seconds; top speed is 240 km/h (239 149mph).

If you’re wondering what that feels like, the video posted below puts it into perspective. It features acceleration runs of the new Passat powered by both the 150 PS (148 hp) and 240 PS TDI units. The first is fairly brisk, reaching the benchmark sprint speed in 8.2 seconds, besting its claimed time of 8.6 seconds.

The second, shoots off the line (helped by its standard DSG gearbox and 4Motion all-wheel drive) and even though it was going uphill, it still hits 100 km/h in 7 seconds dead (.9 seconds off what VW claims).

The second car tested is an estate, so the sedan could be a tad quicker. Oh, and do check out the fully-digital dials in action – they look very clear and are easy to read; they’re also very restrained, in typical VW fashion.

Via Autogefühl 




5/4/13

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S


The all-new model comes with an array of new features, including an new all-wheel drive system, active rear axle steering, adaptive aerodynamics, full-LED headlights and a bi-turbo flat-six engine that develops up to 560 PS (552 hp) in the Turbo S variant.

The 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine with direct injection churns out 520 PS (513 hp) in the 911 Turbo. There’s no manual gearbox available, as the engine is linked to a standard seven-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK), fitted with an auto start/stop function. The latter, together with the new thermal management system for the turbo engine and the PDK gearbox bring the 911 Turbo’s fuel efficiency to the remarkable figure of 9.7 l/100 km (24.2 US mpg), 16 percent better than the previous generation (applies to the 911 Turbo S as well).

Naturally, performance is what matters more for a Porsche 911 Turbo owner, and the new model doesn’t disappoint. The 911 Turbo with the optional Sport Chrono Package sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds, one-tenth faster than the previous 911 Turbo S. The new 911 Turbo S is even faster, at 3.1 seconds, while top speed is 318 km/h (197.6 mph).

These figures are made possible also by the new all-wheel drive with electro-hydraulic control, equipped with a new water-cooling function that helps direct more drive torque to the front wheels if necessary. The PDCC active anti-roll system, which is being offered for the first time in 911 Turbo models, also contributes to increasing dynamic performance. The system is standard in the 911 Turbo S, as is the Sport Chrono Package with dynamic engine mounts and PCCB ceramic brakes (all these are optional for the base 911 Turbo model).

Porsche says that with standard production tires, the 911 Turbo S model laps the Nürburgring Nordschleife in well under 7:30 minutes,.

Aesthetically, the new 911 Turbo is even wider than before – 28 mm (1.1 in) wider than the 911 Carrera 4 – with the increase being most visible in the rear body panels which house two generous air intakes. Two-tone 20-inch wheels (fitted with hub wheel locks on the Turbo S), more aggressive bumpers and the carbon fiber roof round out the 911 Turbo’s meaner look.

Handling is improved due to rear axle steering, which steers the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph). At speeds above 80 km/h (50 mph), the system steers the rear wheels parallel to the turned front wheels. The new model also comes with Porsche active aerodynamics (PAA) consisting of a retractable three-stage front spoiler, whose segments can be pneumatically extended, and a deployable rear wing with three adjustable wing positions, ensuring optimal efficiency.

On the inside, the 911 Turbo builds on the classic 911 ambiance, with more space courtesy of the 100-mm (3.94-in) longer wheelbase. The S model offers features such as an exclusive interior in a black/Carrera red color combination and adaptive sport seats plus with 18-way adjustment and memory.

A Bose sound system is installed as standard, with a Burmester system also available as an optional feature. A radar-controlled cruise control system, camera-based road sign recognition and speed limit recognition are other new options being offered.

Both the 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S will begin to arrive in European dealerships at the end of September 2013, with prices in Germany starting from €162,055 ($212,750) for the base Turbo model, while the Turbo S starts from €195,256 ($256,350).

In the U.S, the turbocharged models will hit dealers at end of 2013 with the 911 Turbo priced from $148,300, and the 911 Turbo S from $181,100, not including a destination charge of $950.















Shanghai's Auto China 2013 Motor Show


It might not be apparent (yet) to your average car buyer, but gearheads and auto journalists have surely noticed the growing importance of China's motor shows over the past few years.

Not too long ago, we often monitored events like the Auto China Show only for its bizarrely styled creations from manufacturers we had never heard before and which many times resembled or blatantly copied designs from western carmakers.

True, odd-looking cars and clones continue to be part of the allure of China's motor show scene, but nowadays, we're also treated to a number of significant world premieres, which will only increase in the coming years.

Being that today is the last day of the 2013 edition of the bi-annual Auto China Show in Shanghai that alternates with the Beijing Auto Show, and even though we've mentioned all the important world debuts such as the BMW X4 study, the Ford Escort Concept and the Maserati Ghibli, we thought you may want to take a photo tour of the event and check out what else was on display at the show.