2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5-Series

BMW’s ActiveHybrid 5 is powered by a hybrid power train comprising of the 535i's 306HP twin-turbocharged six-cylinder gasoline engine, a 55HP electric motor and a high-performance lithium-ion battery pack placed in the trunk.

The system has a combined output of 340HP and 450Nm (332 lb-ft) of peak torque, with power transferred to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. BMW says that the ActiveHybrid 5 goes from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds and can reach an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The lithium-ion battery enables the hybrid 5-Series to be driven pure-electric mode at speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph). BMW says that at an average speed of 35 km/h (22 mph), its all-electric range is a mere 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).

When the car is braking or coasting, the electric motor acts as a generator and charges the battery, while under acceleration it boosts performance. Moreover, when cruising at speeds of up to 160 km/h (100 mph) with the Eco Pro mode selected, the gasoline engine can be automatically switched off and decoupled, further reducing consumption.

Despite its performance, the ActiveHybrid 5 returns an average fuel consumption of 6.4-7.0 lt/100 km (44-40 mpg) with corresponding CO2 emissions of 149-163 g/km.

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VW Passat Goes Off-Road with Alltrack Version

Volkswagen has released the first-ever crossroad version of its Passat mid-size model, named the Passat Alltrack. It will receive its world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show on December 3 and will go on sale in early 2012.

A successful recipe is not meddled with so the (European) Passat Estate-based Alltrack has all the goods one expects in the segment: raised suspension height, stainless steel-look front and rear underbody protection panels and plastic covered wheel arches that house 18-inch alloys.

Ground clearance has been increased from 135mm to 165 mm. This has improved the ramp breakaway angle from 9.5 to 12.8 degrees, while the redesigned front and rear bumpers have increased approach and departure angles from 13.5 to 16 degrees and from 11.9 to 13.6 degrees respectively.

The 4Motion all-wheel drive system uses an electrohydraulic Haldex clutch. Under normal use, it sends 90% of the power to the front axle and just 10% to the rear, though when necessary almost 100% can be directed to the rear axle.

The Passat Alltrack also sports an off-road mode, which works at speeds up to 30 km/h (18 mph). When the driver switches it on through dashboard-mounted button, the system activates hill descent assist, which automatically brakes the vehicle when the descent angle is greater than 10 degrees, and also alters the function of the ABS and the electronic differential locks (EDS).

On DSG-equipped cars, it also increases the transmission’s change points to make the gas pedal easier to modulate, and it doesn’t upshift when in manual mode.

The Alltrack will be available with two turbocharged direct injection petrol engines delivering 160HP and 210HP, and two turbodiesels with 140 and 170HP.

The 170HP diesel and the 210HP gasoline engines will feature all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch DSG transmission as standard, while the 140HP diesel will be optionally available with all-wheel drive.

Volkswagen did not say if the Passat Alltrack will be offered in the States.

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Volkswagen CC Facelifted (2013)

To reinforce its point, VW has made some changes to the styling of the 2013 CC that made its world debut this week at the LA Motor Show.

While the main bodywork stays the same, the front end of the CC sports a new chrome grille, redesigned headlamps with LED daytime running lights and a different bumper. It’s a similar story at the rear end that gains LED tail lamps and new boot and bumper designs.

The cabin features new climate controls and trim options, stainless steel door sills – and that’s about it on the design department. However, one significant upgrade in the 2013 CC is that there is now seating for five, with a three-seat rear bench taking the place of two individual buckets.

There are no changes to the engine line-up, which in the States, includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 200HP and a 280HP 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6, both with direct injection tech.

What has changed compared to the outgoing model is the addition of driver assistance systems, such as the Side Assist Plus with Lane Assist that warns you of vehicles in the car’s blind spots and, if necessary, makes the required direction changes to avoid an accident.

The updated 2013 CC, which will be launched first in Germany in February and subsequently in the rest of Europe and the U.S, can also be ordered with Dynamic Light Assist and a (rather useful, we guess) traffic sign detection system.

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Audi A1 Sportback 5-Door Hatchback (2011)

The exterior dimensions of the Sportback remain almost the same compared to the three-door model at 3.95m long, 1.42m tall and 1.75m wide with a wheelbase of 2.47m.

The exterior styling is what you would expect it to be: an A1 with five doors – nothing special here other than that the Sportback will be available with contrasting roof colors. 

The same goes for the interior, the only difference being that it is now easier to access the rear seats.

The A1 Sportback will be available in Europe with the same engine lineup as the three door model including the 1.2 TFSI and 1.4 TFSI turbocharged petrol engines and the 1.6-liter TDI diesel, all of which are offered in various outputs.

The new A1 Sportback will most likely receive its world premiere at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show on November 30.

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