2013 Buick Verano Turbo with 250HP

While its understated looks make it seem like the regular 180hp Verano with the only giveaways being a discreet "T" badge, the dual exhaust outlets and a barely visible decklid spoiler, the Turbo is actually faster than the 270hp Regal GS.

Power for the flagship model of the Verano series comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection and continuously variable valve timing that produces 250hp at 5,300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353Nm) of torque at 2000 rpm.

Buick notes that more than 90 percent of the Verano Turbo’s peak torque is available between 1,700 to 5,500 rpm.

The Verano Turbo will be available with a choice of a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox, with Buick quoting an estimated 0-60 mph sprint time of 6.2 seconds, or half a second quicker than the 270hp Buick Regal GS.

We'll have to wait for the fuel economy numbers, though GM says the Verano Turbo is expected to be "in line with Buick’s other turbocharged models".

Pricing for the newest addition to the Verano's range is to be announced closer to the start of production in late 2012.

Read More

BMW i3 Concept

While some have been spreading the word that this particular i3 Concept features a newer interior that is closer to the production model, this is not true.

What BMW's designers did is simply change the colors of the cabin and add different materials on the seating surfaces and eucalyptus wood trim on the dashboard, nothing more, nothing less.

The exterior of the car also remains the same with the i3 concept displayed at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

The new i3 will roll off the production line in late 2013 at the BMW plant in Leipzig.

In addition to the i3, the opening of the London store saw the BMW Group presenting for the first time in public the new "BMW i Wallbox" charger which has been specially created for the i models and will be offered via selected BMW i partners.

Read More

2013 Opel Astra Sedan

The new Astra sedan is 4,658mm long, 1,814mm wide and 1,476mm tall making it 239mm longer than the hatchback. The two body styles share the same wheelbase of 2,685 mm.

All that extra space benefits the trunk that offers 460 liters of volume, or 90 liters more than the five-door model. By folding down the 60:40 split rear seat, the luggage volume can be increased up to a maximum of 1,010 liters.

At the start of sales this summer, the new generation of the Astra sedan will offer an initial choice of seven engines. These include four gasoline units with outputs ranging from 99hp (100PS) to 177hp (180PS), of which three can be combined with a six-speed automatic transmission.

There will be three diesel engines rated at 94hp (95PS), 108hp (110PS) and 129hp (130PS) respectively. The 1.7-liter CDTI ecoFLEX diesels with 108hp and 129hp come fitted with Start/Stop as standard returning consumption figures as low as 3.7lt/100km (63.6mpg US or 76.4mpg UK) with corresponding CO2 emissions of 99g/km.

Opel said it will sell the new Astra sedan in select Western European markets such as Germany and Spain but not the UK, in Eastern Europe, Russia and Turkey.

The world premiere of the new member of the Astra model family will take place at the Moscow Auto Salon 2012 on August 29.

Read More

Volvo V40 Heico Sportiv

Heico Sportiv, which is the official Volvo Car Germany partner for road vehicle customization, says it is developing a raft of parts for the V40 premium compact hatchback.

The V40 tuning program will cover ECU upgrades for all mainstream engines, custom exhaust systems, sporty suspension and braking systems, a choice of alloy wheel designs along with interior applications and body styling kits.

Heico Sportiv has also prepared a new Volvo V40 racer, with which it will compete in next year's 24 Hour Endurance Race at the Nürburgring.

The motorsports V40 is powered by a five-cylinder turbo diesel D5 engine tuned to produce 296hp (300PS) and a peak torque of 600 Nm (442 lb-ft). It also features a lightweight, carbon fiber body kit highlighted by the huge wing at the rear.

Read More

2013 Skoda Rapid

Rapid will make its first public appearance in Paris this September and hit dealerships across Europe before the end of the year.

Despite its saloon appearance, the rear window lifts together with the boot revealing a capacious 500 liters of space.

Engines are to be confirmed at a later date, but since the Rapid rides on a stretched version of the current VW Polo’s platform architecture, it will likely be offered with a similar lineup of diesel and petrol engines.

Read More