6/29/12

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.












6/28/12

BMW X Roadster Concept Study

 

Schurmann's concept study is named the X Roadster and from what we can tell by looking at the pictures since the project has not been detailed, it was designed as a mid-engine, two-seater sports car.

















6/27/12

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.










6/22/12

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Babe,


     
Before you head over the break to check out the pictures, let us tell you that the highlight of Inden Design's tune is the engine upgrade that includes a custom sports exhaust system with an electronic valve control and a reprogrammed ECU that lift output from 563hp (571PS) to 614-horses (623PS).

In addition, the tuning firm has equipped the 'gullwing' sports car with a new set of two-tone 21-inch lightweight rims wrapped around Continental Sport Contact high-performance tires size 265/30R21 (front) and 295/25R21 (rear), and a new coilover kit to improve handling.







2013 BMW M6 Convertible



The pride and joy of the third generation F12/F136 - series range is offered for the first time in the history of the model with a turbocharged V8 engine, as the first M6 sported a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter inline-six with 282hp (286PS) in EU-spec, and the second iteration a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10 churning out 500hp (507PS).

The new M6 gets a high-revving 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that's good for 553hp (560PS) linked to seven-speed M double clutch transmission driving the rear wheels.

BMW quotes a zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.2 seconds and to 200km/h (124mph) in 12.6 seconds along with an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h (155mph) or 305km/h (189mph) with the M Driver's Package.


BMW M6 Convertible:
Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 4.3 seconds,
acceleration [0 – 200 km/h (mph)]: 13.1 seconds,
top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph), 305 km/h (189 mph) with M Driver’s Package),
average fuel consumption: 10.3 litres/100 kilometres (27.4 mpg UK / 22.8mpg US),
CO2 emissions: 239 g/km, exhaust standard: EU5.