Hyundai Genesis-Bound V6 Turbo with 420HP

Hyundai Motor America’s CEO, David Zuchowski, recently announced that the firm’s new 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 was not going to make ~380 hp, but closer to the 420 horses of the Tau V8.

The advantage is obviously having the same power output but with less weight and more efficiency; this engine will equip the top of the range next-gen Genesis coupe and current-gen sedan in N-Performance guise.

It will be one of three engines offered for the revised Genesis lineup: the first is a 2.0-liter turbo, the second is the current 3.8-liter atmospheric V6 with the turbo N sitting at the very top.

TheKoreanCarBlog adds that the supposed market launch date for the unit is 2017.

Apparently, the new turbo V6 gets forged and strengthened internals in order to cope with high-output.

Having 420 hp in something that is an evolution of the widely-acclaimed current Genesis coupe has the potential to give some established sports cars a good run for their money – with that kind of power it can go up against a BMW M4, and if Hyundai plays its cards well (and so far it really has, I think, in the most recent phase of its premium-wannabe makeover) actually make a better driver’s car.

Hyundai could listen to all the complaints people had with the M4 and just know to avoid doing the same things on its (quite similar) offering.

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2013 Jaguar XJ

One of the most significant upgrades is the presentation of the Jaguar-Land Rover Group's brand-new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that replaces the naturally-aspirated version of the 5.0-litre V8, and which will also be used on the upcoming F-Type roadster.

In the XJ, the force-fed V6 produces a maximum output of 335hp (340PS) and peak torque of 450Nm (332 lb-ft) allowing for a 0-60mph sprint time of 5.7 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds) and a combined fuel economy of 30mpg UK (9.4lt/100km or 25mpg US).

By comparison, the outgoing 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 delivered 380hp (385PS) and 515Nm (380 lb-ft) for a 0-60mph time of 5.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds) and an average fuel efficiency of 24.8mpg UK (11.4lt/100km or 20.6mpg US).

Equally important is the introduction of a new 8-speed automatic ZF transmission with Jaguar's 'Intelligent Stop-Start' as standard on all XJ models, including the 3.0-liter supercharged V6, the 3.0-liter turbo diesel and the 5.0-liter supercharged V8, which replaces a 6-speed automatic.

In the 271hp (275PS) diesel model, the 8-speed transmission with start-stop has helped improve fuel economy and cut CO2 emissions by around 14 percent to 47mpg UK and 159g/km respectively.

For the new model year, the XJ also benefits from re-calibrated spring and damper tunes as well as remapped damper software, while Jaguar has teamed up with British audio specialist Meridian to develop a new 825W sound system that comes as standard on Portfolio and Supersport XJ models while offered as an option on other derivatives.

In the UK, the 2013 Jaguar XJ goes on sale from September with prices starting at £56,260. Jaguar has not yet provided details for other markets such as the U.S.

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2013 Ford Taurus 2.0 Turbo V6

 

The Blue Oval notes that all three engine options of the 2013 model have now been certified at 25 mpg or higher in EPA highway estimates.

The new addition to the Taurus family, the 237HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost model, has received an EPA certification of 32 mpg on the highway and a combined rating of 26 mpg – the automaker has not yet released a figure for city driving.

Ford highlights the fact that the new Taurus 2.0-liter turbo returns a better highway economy than the 2012MY Chrysler 300, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger and Toyota Avalon, adding that it's 26mpg combined rating is higher than the Mercedes-Benz E350 Bluetec diesel, Porsche Panamera S Hybrid as well as the V6 models of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

The improved 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 that delivers 290hp (up from 263hp) returns 19mpg city, 29mpg highway and 23mpg combined (for the FWD model), while the flagship SHO model, which sports a 3.5-liter EcoBoost with 365HP, is rated at 17mpg city, 25mpg highway and 20mpg combined.

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2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Edition

The 300 Luxury Edition is powered by the regular model's 292HP 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine matched to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.

As with the HEMI-powered Luxury Edition, the V6 model sports a slew of bespoke extras highlighted by the liberal use of leather throughout the interior.

Aside from the Black or two-tone Mochachino seats that are wrapped in Nappa leather and include 12-way power-adjustable front seats with two-mode ventilation and two-mode heated seats for both front and rear passengers, the Luxury model gets the same leather treatment for the dashboard, center console, door panels, armrest and steering wheel.

Furthermore, the interior package includes die-cast paddle shifters, Natural Pore Mocha wood trim in a matte finish, an infotainment and navigation system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, LED-illuminated instrument cluster with driver-selectable colors, power-adjustable steering wheel column and pedals, chrome door sills, dual heated/cooled cup holders, ambient lit foot well lighting, LED illuminated interior door handles and front and rear map pockets plus premium carpeted trunk mat.

On the outside, the Luxury package adds 20-inch polished face (RWD) or 19-inch (AWD) alloy wheels, plus platinum chrome fascia accents, exterior mirror caps and door handle accents.

Both the V6- and V8-powered Chrysler 300 Luxury Series models will go on sale next February.

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (including $825 destination) of the 300 Luxury models is:

• Chrysler 300 Luxury Series (V6 RWD) $40,145
• Chrysler 300 Luxury Series (V6 AWD) $42,495
• Chrysler 300C Luxury Series (V8 RWD) $42,895
• Chrysler 300C Luxury Series (V8 AWD) $45,245

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2012 Chevrolet Camaro V6 323 HP

The revised engine is 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg) lighter and benefits from a thorough rework, including new cylinder head design, larger intake valves, new fuel pump and optimized-flow fuel injectors, among other changes.

2012MY Camaro SS coupes will be available with a new FE4 sport suspension, which improves handling. “We applied lessons learned from extensive track testing to better refine the suspension geometry for flatter cornering, a more neutral balance during hard turns, and minimized understeer at the limit,” says Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer.

The new suspension package includes retuned front and rear dampers, new solid front (23 mm) and rear (24 mm) stabilizer bars and 20-inch aluminum wheels.
The interior revisions for the 2012 model year Camaro concern the revamped instrument panel with different graphics and trim, a new steering wheel design (which looks exactly like the one found in the Sonic…) and a power lift feature for the passenger seat.

A new added feature is the Rear Vision Package, which consists of a rearview camera system. On the outside, the 2012 Camaro gets a new rear spoiler and the RS appearance taillamps as standard.
Chevrolet will also launch a 45th Anniversary Special Edition Camaro, set to be unveiled on April 15 in Arizona at the Camaro5 Fest II. The anniversary package will be offered on the top two trim levels (2LT and 2SS), for both coupe and convertible models. Special edition Camaros carry over all the 2012 upgrades and feature a unique rally stripe in red and silver painted over the Carbon Flash Metallic paint.

Model-specific exterior details include 45th Anniversary badges on the front fenders, new 20-inch dark silver wheels, RS-style taillamp lenses, fog lamp and taillamp bezels finished in dark silver, standard rear spoiler and HID headlamps and body-color roof molding.
On the inside, the 45th anniversary Camaro features a Jet Black interior with leather upholstery, a white instrument panel and door trim inserts, red, white and blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift knob, door armrests and console lid. The 45th Anniversary logo can be found on the seats, steering wheel and sill plates.

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