2013 VW Golf GTI and Golf R Mk7

The next generation of the VW Golf which if not further delayed, will arrive towards the end of 2012 or early 2013, will be based on German firm’s cost-saving modular transverse architecture, more commonly known by its German abbreviation "MQB”.

The range-topping Golf models will use a new 2.0-liter TSI force-fed gasoline engine with more oomph producing somewhere around 220 to 230 horsepower on the GTI and close to 300-horses in the Golf R which will be equipped with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system.
As for what the new Golf will look like, VW accidentally gave us our first look at a very early clay prototype of the Mk7 Golf featuring a sharper snout and more steeply raked windscreen through an official video back in 2009.

carscoop.blogspot.com

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Volkswagen Passat With Auto Pilot

Auto Pilot system combines other driver-assistance function and is able to drive the car alone at speeds of up to 130 km/h (81 mph).

Volkswagen is using its research subsidies wisely.

The German automaker is working on a system called Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) which can semi-automatically drive a car on its own under limited conditions.

TAP works by combining other functions like ACC adaptive cruise control and Lane Assist (which helps keep the car within a lane) into an integrated system. Always monitored by the driver, and always leaving her/him the ability to override the system when needed, TAP can drive a car 'semi-automatically' at speeds of up to 130 km/h (81 mph) on a highway.

The system was developed by VW as part of the EU funded R&D project HAVEit ("Highly Automated Vehicles for Intelligent Transport") where the TAP system was presented as a complete project.

Said Volkswagen's Executive Director for Research, Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold:

"[This is] an important milestone on the path towards fully automatic and accident-free driving."

Sounds great. Hey, how about an onboard toilet?

Source: VW

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Renault Koleos SUV Refreshed for the 2012

The first thing you’ll notice on the updated model is the brand new fascia, evidently inspired by the newly launched Latitude Sedan, which like the Koleos, is the product of Renault Samsung Motors in Busan, South Korea.


The styling changes up front include new headlights, a larger single frame grille with chrome accents plus a redesigned bumper, fenders and hood. Other exterior tweaks include the new exterior mirrors that now incorporate LED indicators, fresh alloy wheel designs and the introduction of the pictured “Cayenne Orange” finish.

Inside, the Koleos benefits from a new selection of upholsteries and trims and the introduction of a restyled speedometer housing and display.


Depending on market, the latest Koleos is available with the 150HP or 175HP version of the firm’s M9R diesel engine, or with the 170HP (TR25) petrol engine.


For the new model year, updates to the range of diesel engines and transmissions have resulted in lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions with the two-wheel drive version powered by the dCi 150 engine now rated at 148g/km and the dCi 175 unit at166g/km.


The Koleos is also available with a Nissan-developed all-wheel drive system.
The French firm’s crossover is offered in 40 countries on five continents and is produced at the Renault Samsung Motors plant in Busan, South Korea.

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Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II

The name “GRMN” stands for GAZOO Racing tuned by Meister of Nürburgring, in honor of the late Hiromu Naruse (1944-2010), the Toyota chief test driver and head of the GAZOO Racing team who died in an accident last summer driving a prototype of the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition in Germany.

The latest prototype model features a completely new design for the body and an improved sports-hybrid all-wheel drive system.

The main power unit that includes a 249-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine, rear-wheel drive electric motors and transmission is mid-mounted while the front end hides a second electric motor driving the front wheels offering all-wheel drive traction.

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New MINI Coupe

The first “three-box” MINI also sits 52mm or 2.05-inches lower than its three-door hatchback counterpart. Notably, it also features an active rear spoiler that extends automatically at 80 km/h (50 mph) to optimize airflow at highway speeds.

Inside, the Coupé keeps the hatchback model’s familiar dashboard design and layout sprinkled with new colors and exclusive trim materials. The absence of a rear seat bench creates a larger 280-litre boot that can also be opened from the driver’s or passenger’s seat. Mini has tried to improve the car’s practicality with the larger door bins, three cupholders and a cross-rack behind the seats.

Under the skin, the British company says it has tweaked the Coupé’s chassis to further improve handling over the hatchback models.

Depending on the market, the two-door MINI will offer buyers a choice of three 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engines, including a naturally aspirated version with 122HP for the base Cooper, plus turbocharged variants with 184HP for the Cooper S and 211HP for the flagship John Cooper Works model. There’s also a 2.0-liter turbo diesel churning out 143HP for the Cooper SD.

In the UK, on-the-road prices have been set at £16,640 for the 122HP Cooper, £19,775 for the 184HP Cooper S, £20,510 for the diesel-powered Cooper SD and £23,795 for the 211HP JCW model.

While MINI’s press blurb did not mention anything about U.S. prices, Autoweek reported that the company has released pricing information with the base Cooper starting at $22,000, the S variant at $25,300 and the JCW at $31,900, with all prices including a $700 destination fee.

Albeit different in philosophy, it's worth mentioning that the Coupe is priced on par with Chevy’s Camaro (312HP V6 starts at $22,805, 426HP V8 from $31,070) with the JCW being more expensive than BMW’s own entry level 128i Coupe with its 230HP inline-six ($30,950).

EUROPEAN-SPEC

MINI John Cooper Works Coupé:Four-cylinder petrol engine with
twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection, plus numerous technological details carried over directly from motor sport.
Displacement: 1,598 cc,
Output: 155 kW/211 hp at 6,000 rpm,
Max. Torque: 260 Nm/192 lb-ft at 2,000 – 5,100 rpm
(280 Nm/207 lb-ft with overboost at 1,700 – 4,500 rpm).
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 6.4 seconds,
Top Speed: 240 km/h (149 mph).
Average Fuel Consumption According To Eu Standard: 7.1 litres per
100 kilometres (39.8 mpg imp),
Co2 Emissions: 165 g/km.
MINI Cooper S Coupé: Four-cylinder petrol engine with
twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.
Displacement: 1,598 cc,
Output: 135 kW/184 hp at 5,500 rpm,
Max. Torque: 240 Nm/177 lb-ft at 1,600 – 5,000 rpm
(260 Nm/192 lb-ft with overboost at 1,700 – 4,500 rpm).
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 6.9 seconds,
Top Speed: 230 km/h (143 mph).
Average Fuel Consumption According To Eu Standard: 5.8 litres per
100 kilometres (48.7 mpg imp),
Co2 Emissions: 136 g/km.
MINI Cooper Coupé: Four-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.
Displacement: 1,598 cc,
Output: 90 kW/122 hp at 6,000 rpm,
Max. Torque: 160 Nm/118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm,
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 9.0 seconds,
Top Speed: 204 km/h (127 mph),
Average Fuel Consumption According To Eu Standard: 5.4 litres per
100 kilometres (52.3 mpg imp),
Co2 Emissions: 127 g/km.
MINI Cooper SD Coupé: Four-cylinder turbodiesel with aluminium crankcase, common-rail injection and variable turbine geometry.
Displacement: 1,995 cc,
Output: 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm,
Max. Torque: 305 Nm/225 lb-ft at 1,750 – 2,700 rpm.
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 7.9 seconds,
Top Speed: 216 km/h (134 mph).
Average Fuel Consumption According To Eu Standard: 4.3 litres per
100 kilometres (65.7 mpg imp),
Co2 Emissions: 114 g/km.
Exterior dimensions:
Length: 3,734 millimetres (MINI Cooper Coupé: 3,728 millimetres
Width: 1,683 millimetres
Height: 1,384 millimetres (MINI Cooper Coupé: 1,378 millimetres)
Wheelbase: 2,467 millimetres

NORTH AMERICAN-SPEC

MINI John Cooper Works Coupe: 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection, plus numerous technological details carried over directly from motorsports.
Displacement: 1,598 cc
Output: 208 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. torque: 192 lb-ft at 1,850 – 5,600 rpm (207 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,700 – 4,500 rpm)
Acceleration: 0–60 mph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed: 149 mph
Average fuel consumption according to EU standard: 7.1 liters per 100 kilometers (US EPA estimates not yet available.)
CO2 emissions: 165 g/km
MINI Cooper S Coupe: 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group's VALVETRONIC technology.
Displacement: 1,598 cc
Output: 181 hp at 5,500 rpm
Max. torque: 177 lb-ft at 1,600 – 5,000 rpm (192 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,700 – 4,500 rpm)
Acceleration: 0–60 mph: 6.5 seconds
Top speed: 142 mph
Average fuel consumption according to EU standard: 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers (US EPA estimates not yet available)
CO2 emissions: 136 g/km
MINI Cooper Coupe: 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group's VALVETRONIC technology.
Displacement: 1,598 cc
Output: 121 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. torque: 118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm
Acceleration: 0–60 mph: 8.3 seconds
Top speed: 127 mph
Average fuel consumption according to EU standard: 5.4 liters per 100 kilometers (US EPA estimates not yet available)
CO2 emissions: 127 g/km
Exterior dimensions:
Length: 146.8 inches / 3,728 millimeters (MINI Cooper S Coupe, MINI John Cooper Works Coupe: 147 inches / 3,734 millimeters)
Width: 66.3 inches / 1,683 millimeters
Height: 54.6 inches / 1,387millimeters (MINI Cooper S Coupe, MINI John Cooper Works Coupe: 54.5 inches / 1,384 millimeters)
Wheelbase: 97.1 inches / 2,467 millimeters

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