We’re the lone vehicle in the far left lane of the Autobahn outside of Köln, Germany. The traffic has lightened, so we mash the accelerator to the floor. While we pull strongly up to about 200 km/h (about 125 mph), the speedometer counts much more slowly as it spins around the right side of the dial. Moments later, the digital indicator on the cluster passes 250 km/hr (155 mph). The late-model trailing in our wake has met its electronic speed limiter, so it slowly falls away in our rearview mirror. It takes another ten seconds for the display to stop counting and hover at 261 km/hr (160 mph). Bringing our fun to an end, traffic on the horizon forces us to drop back down to more reasonable speeds just a few seconds later.
Northern Europe is the ideal venue to drive latest models, each fitted with new 300 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 powerplants. We spent time driving both the rear- and all-wheel drive models in crowded cities, the open countryside and unrestricted highways. Where did the new V6 come from and what makes it unique? Where does the powerplant position the Panamera in relation to its competition and what is its new price point? These answers and full driving impressions after the jump…
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Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
Renault DeZir Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Renault’s home auto show in Paris this Fall will mark the beginning of a new styling direction for the brand, and that means a new concept car. The DeZir is the first major project under new design vice president Laurens van den Acker and according to Renault, it represents the vision of ’simple’, ’sensuous’ and ‘warm.’ From where we sit, the shape certainly fulfills the first two elements and the bright red finish is downright hot.
The DeZir wouldn’t be a modern Renault concept if it wasn’t powered by electrons, and such is the case for this coupe. Energy storage comes by way of the same size 24 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack that sits under the Nissan Leaf, and the driving range remains the same 100 miles. Unlike the Leaf, the pack in the concept is configured for Quick Drop exchanges.
Propulsion is provided by a 110 kilowatt electric motor spinning the rear wheels and pushing the 1,830 pound concept to 60 mph in 5 seconds (at least according to the spec sheet). Kevlar body panels (including a pair of trick reverse-hinged butterfly doors) are wrapped around a steel tube frame chassis with double wishbones at all four corners. Renault hasn’t given any indication yet if the DeZir will be produced. High-res gallery below, full details in the press release after the jump.
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[Source: Renault]
: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling direction
2009 BMW Z4 sDrive30i – Click above for high-res image gallery
Following all the criticism federal regulators received earlier this year for letting safety defects go unaddressed, everyone is taking a closer look customer complaints. The 2007-9 and the 2003-5 are both being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration following consumer complaints about a loss of power steering assist. Three Mazda crashes and one BMW accident are being blamed on the steering issue.
Although the specific circumstances vary for each of the vehicles, in either case the loss of assist results in significantly increased effort to turn the steering wheel. The Mazda uses an electro-hydraulic assist system and Mazda issued a in 2009 related to this issue. Contamination in the pump can cause it slow down reducing the available assist. A TSB is sent out to dealers to correct an issue if a car comes in for service or a customer complains but fall short of a full recall. The Z4 has an electric power steering system that seems to have issues at higher speeds and temperatures.
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Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Max Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: ]
Heading into the 2011 model year, is adding even more powertrain variants across its lineup. The most likely candidate for the U.S. market is the sedan. The 407 horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 can send its 400 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels with the rears getting 60 percent of the grunt. The front-to-rear balance can be adjusted on the fly based on traction conditions, and if the car is cornering, more torque is sent to the back freeing up the fronts for steering force.
In Europe, at least, BMW is also bringing back the 535d, but instead of the previous twin-turbo setup (which is still used in the U.S.) it has a single twin-scroll turbocharger. Output for the top diesel is now up to 300 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque from just 1,750 rpm. Acceleration to 62 mph takes just 5.7 seconds with combined mileage on the EU driving cycle being rated at 38.6 miles per gallon. We already got an early look at the new M Sport package yesterday which gives the 5 Series a slightly toned down M5 appearance.
xDrive is now available on several more and sedan variants including the diesel powered 740d. A new Design Pure Impulse package for the combines large quantities of Nappa leather and Alcantara with bright yellow paint and matching interior accents. Finally, the 204-hp X1 xDrive 23d can be ordered with a six-speed manual as an alternative to the automatic that was previously the sole gearbox choice.
Unlike which produces AMG badged versions of just about every model in its lineup, has maintained greater exclusivity with the M badge. Until last year’s launch of the and , there have only been four M models (not counting the M1), but one M got as far as prototyping and testing, but never produced: The M8.
Powered by a 550 horsepower version of BMW’s original M70 V12 engine, the M8 was meant to challenge the 456 GT. However, following testing of the single prototype, BMW canceled the program and built the 375 hp 850CSi instead. The M8 prototype was long thought to have been crushed, but it turns out that it was stashed away in a corner and turned up in the BMW museum in Munich. Check out the for more shots.
2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery
Since we took delivery of our 2010 Cup Street Edition – henceforth know as the , for the sake of brevity – we’ve managed to rack up a little over 1,100 miles on our long-term Salsa Red tester.
We’ve bounced around the Bay Area, made it out to the coast, logged several trips into San Francisco and made the trek to Infineon raceway. In the process, we’ve experienced the normal post-delivery phases: honeymoon, discovery and finally, annoyance. On the whole, however, the Jetta TDI Cup has proven to be a perfectly balanced package, with a smattering of tech-rich amenities and a surprisingly sporty demeanor – diesel or not.
We that the offers one of the best tillers in the compact sports sedan segment. The electric power assist steering feels like it’s been slightly tweaked compared to past Jetta models we’ve driven, although the 18-inch wheel package is surely helping the matter. While it’s not as communicative as the , you get a good sense of what the tires are doing both on-center and while loaded up, and the rate of return when powering around corners is perfectly matched to the 236 pound-feet of torque being channeled to the front wheels. Our only gripe remains the and the placement of the paddle-shifters. to see what we mean.
Aftermarket experts inspect the Honda CR-Z at SEMA preview event
Have you ever wondered how the aftermarket is always ready with custom-fit parts and accessories as soon as a new model is introduced? You probably assumed tuners get advance copies of the latest and greatest to slice and dice, but that’s not quite the case, and our friends from Clunkbucket have lifted the veil off the process.
They were invited into a special gathering arranged by and the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association, or SEMA. As you can see from the photo above, reps from several aftermarket tuning companies were allowed to get their hands on three new hybrids at a measuring session.
As Mike Bumbeck of Clunkbucket describes it, “The three 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrids shown here are being measured for everything from seat covers to supercharger systems.”
With Honda’s marketing focused on the CR-Z as the first sporty hybrid, part of the strategy is to have performance parts available right out of the box. These measuring sessions are how that happens. We’ve already seen some of the fruits of their labor, with , and even showing the possibilities, so we’re looking forward to finally getting a chance to see what the U.S. tuning arms have created for the SEMA show later this year.
2010 Saab 9-5 – Click above for high-res image gallery
The hasn’t even lost its new-car smell yet and already tuners are coming out of the woodwork to churn out power upgrades for the car’s three available engines. If you happen to find yourself in Europe and holding the keys to a brand-spanking new , Hirsch is claiming that it can pull up to 335 horsepower from the Aero’s 2.8-liter turbo V6 engine. That’s around 35 more ponies than what shells out from the factory – not huge numbers, but still a useful increase.
According to enthusiast website , Hirsch can bump the output from the not-for-North-America 2.0-liter turbo-diesel from 160 horsepower to 190, and the 220 horsepower four-cylinder engine can be massaged to 260 ponies with a little effort. It isn’t immediately clear how much the Hirsch upgrades cost, or what goes into pulling the ponies from the existing engines. We’re guessing the program is little more than an ECU reflash, possibly with a less restrictive exhaust or air intake to boot, but we could be wrong. Either way, we wouldn’t be surprised to see similar efforts pop up in our neck of the woods soon.
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Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
The current started life with a Motor Trend SUV of the Year award, followed by strong sales that helped succeed in a down auto market. The story gets a bit better for the 2011 model year with a new 2.5-liter boxer engine and a host of added features.
The new engine retains the same displacement as the outgoing mill and achieves the same 170-horsepower, but it’s now packing a chain driven double overhead cam versus the belt driven single overhead cam before. The result is maximum horsepower available at a lower RPM and an additional four pound-feet of torque (to 174 lb-ft). The new 2.5-liter helps the Forester post 21 miles-per-gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway whether you’re sporting the manual or automatic transmission. That’s up one mpg versus the outgoing model.
Other changes include a new model; the Subaru 2.5XT Touring, which slots above the Limited model. Among the standard features on the Touring model are HID headlamps, backup camera and dual-zone climate control. Subaru is also adding a 2.5XT Premium model (old model was 2.5X Premium), which includes a 10-way power driver’s seat, an upgraded stereo with six speakers, Bluetooth and a USB port for your iPod. Also available is a removable 4.3-inch TomTom Navigation System for directions on the cheap. Hit the jump to read over the Subaru presser if you’re interested in all the details.
Ferrari F430 SU35 by Status Design – Click above for high-res image gallery
Lovers of Italian supercars know these prized steeds sit in a league of their own, subject to no comparison. But their respective automakers don’t seem to mind being compared with fighter jets, like the , the Lamborghini Reventon, or this, the F430 SU35 by Status Design.
The Russian tuning house took their inspiration from the SU35 fighter, one of the most advanced aircraft to be created in the pre-stealth era. So the attention-grabbing, high-contrast paint job is a good fit. If the body kit bares a striking resemblance to the 430 Scuderia’s, that’s no coincidence, from the front bumper through the racing stripes to the wheels and door mirrors, with a big old carbon fiber rear wing for good measure.
Status has also recalibrated the ECU and fitted a new exhaust to bump output up from 490 to 525 horsepower, and will gladly bolt a Novitec supercharger kit at the buyer’s request for 700 hp. Have a closer look in the substantial image gallery below.
Volkswagen BlueSport Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Now this is interesting. Hot on the heels of rumored over the BlueSport roadster, AutoExpress is reporting that has given the droptop concept the green light for production. Color us skeptical. It’s not that we don’t want to believe that VW has told its squabbling children to cool their jets so that ze people’s automaker can bring the world an efficient and entertaining ragtop, it’s just that there’s a noticeable lack of details baked into the AutoExpress piece. Specifically, which of the three automakers will get to build the thing.
An “unnamed source” has confirmed the car for production and given the publication a quick peek at the final version of the car. Lucky them. AutoExpress goes on to say that the will come with a 178-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine as standard equipment, though a variety of other power plants will also be available. Those include the twin-charged 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine from the as well as a turbo 2.0-liter gasser from the .
It all sounds great as it floats around the vast vacuum of the internet, but until we see something from Volkswagen itself, we’re not exactly ready to call this one a done deal.
Audi R8 5.2 FSI tears up an airforce base – Click above to watch video
We all like a good car video. Whether it’s a high-dollar commercial worked up just for the or one of pieces of cinematic glory, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t mind watching a slick piece of sheetmetal get sideways. But it’s easy to underestimate the amount of work that can go into even the shortest pieces of footage. Take, for instance, this latest spot worked up by the crew at WebRidesTV for the 5.2 FSI. The guys shot from dawn till dusk, hired none other than Nathan Swartzbaugh of fame to pilot the mid-engined terror and even rolled out a slick camera car just for the action – all 30 seconds of it.
Now, if you’re like us, you’re probably wondering where the “” part comes from in the title. We honestly have no idea. As far as we can tell, there’s no sort of predetermined course, active timing or even meandering Segways – just Swartzbaugh getting sideways in a car that’s worth more than all of our worldly possessions. Still, not a bad way to blow five minutes of your day. to see the action.
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Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2009, Weblogs, Inc.
2011 Kia Sportage – click above for high-res image gallery
The crossover is the high-fructose corn syrup of the automotive world. Think about it: Rather than using real sugar, Pepsi opts for a cheaper, highly refined and processed sweetener. Which, according to lots of studies, is pretty bad for us. Why would they do that? Higher profits, pure and simple. Likewise, CUVs offer all of the space of a comparably long station wagon or hatchback, get inferior mileage, don’t handle as well, take longer to stop and in most cases offer none of the utility of a true off-roader. But guess what? They pull in fistfuls of greenbacks for auto companies.
Like high-fructose corn syrup then, car experts (”Hi, Mom!”) can scream out their lungs until they’re blue about the benefits of a more sensible, safer, smarter product (again, wagons). Yet consumers simply don’t listen. The fastest growing automotive segment is – of course – the small CUV. Like the Snickers bar, the Twinkie and a twenty-piece Chicken McNuggets meal with BBQ sauce (all of which is mostly corn syrup), they are here to stay, forever. Buyers just seem to like the looks and the perceived safety that a high-riding vehicle affords them. Plus, for those with infant children, not having to stoop down to strap Junior into his car seat is the most luxurious feature on earth. With all that in mind, some CUVs are better than others – and not only in terms of looks, but also handling, packaging, content and value. Is the new one of them? Read on to find out.
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Photos by Jonny Lieberman / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
In 20 years, odds are few people will remember that 2010 was one of the worst years for in terms of recalls, but for now, it seems like the company just can’t win for losing. The company has announced that it is currently preparing to recall a total of 270,000 Toyota Crown and , GS and IS models worldwide. As it turns out, some of the company’s 4.6-liter V8 and 3.5-liter V6 engines were built using faulty valve springs that may cause the car to stall while driving. Around 180,000 of the faulty powerplants were sold outside of Japan.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the company says that some Toyota Crown, Lexus LS460, Lexus LS600h, Lexus LS600hL, Lexus GS350, Lexus GS450h, Lexus GS460 and Lexus IS350 models will be affected by the recall, and that it will initiate a procedure to fix the problem as soon as it can figure out a way to do so with the least amount of inconvenience to its customers.
The news comes as Toyota continues to try to put this year’s bevy of behind it, including paying a $16.4 million fine to the U.S. government for delaying certain recalls. Thanks for the tip, everyone!
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Photos by Frank Filipponio / Copyright (C)2009, Weblogs, Inc.
The new-for-2011 Bentley Supersports Convertible is the latest and perhaps final iteration of the Continental lineup. It’s also the world’s fastest four-passenger convertible.
Prestone gave some well-trained pyromaniacs high-powered blow torches and melted the aluminum engine block of a GM 3.6-liter V6. Don’t let overheating happen to you.
The 2011 Lexus CT 200h will be a vital product for Lexus. The Premium C-segment accounts for a large share of the European luxury market, and Lexus can afford to overlook it no longer. We flew out to Toyota’s European headquarters to see how development of the new CT 200h has been coming along and to let Lexus take us for a ride.
Also of interest:
Kizashi hits the recall skids over dashboard safety issue
2010 SuzukiKizashi – Click above for high-res image gallery
Bad news for the loveable : the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has issued a recall on the Japanese sedan. Evidently, the lower glove box door can pop open during an accident, possibly coming in contact with the front passenger’s body at the same time. For those interested in such things, the news means that the Kizashi doesn’t conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201. The standard deals with passenger protection from impact on pieces of the car’s interior, fittingly enough.
According to the NHTSA, will replace the offending door with a new piece free of charge on all 5,107 Kizashi models covered by the recall. There’s no word on how long the fix should take. For more information, owners can check out the or contact their local Suzuki dealer.
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[Source: ] Photos by John Neff / Copyright (C)2009, Weblogs, Inc.
is no stranger to being first – Japanese luxury vehicles and hybrids chief among them. Although may have launched earlier, remains the only Japanese luxury marque to market in Japan. And having launched in Europe shortly after America, Lexus was also the first to challenge the European heavyweights on their home turf, and with its and , it remains the only non-European marque to compete at the top level.
Credit Toyota, as well, for popularizing hybrid technology, as it launched the domestically as the first mass-produced gas-electric, whereupon it has dominated the market with successive generations. But where the Japanese auto giant has really stood apart is in the combination of both luxury and hybrid technology.
Recognizing the technology’s popularity with upscale buyers, Lexus has carved out a niche in producing luxury hybrids. In fact, its lineup in many European markets is comprised exclusively of hybrids. The launched late last year as the world’s first dedicated luxury hybrid model and now Lexus is branching out again by electrifying territory previously uncharted by Japanese automakers: the premium hatchback segment. We flew out to Toyota’s European headquarters to see how development of the new CT 200h has been coming along. Follow the jump to see what we found.
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Photos by Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
As we see it, there’s one major problem with the 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible. No, not the $280,000 asking price, or even the give-us-a-break curb weight of 5,269 pounds. We also aren’t talking about the fact that this basic chassis has been around since 2003. Nor are we concerned that there exist very few places on earth where you can even maybe-kinda-sorta properly experience the thrust of the Supersport’s twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12’s profligate output. Get this: 621 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 590 pound-feet of torque available between 2,000-4,500 rpm. Did we mention this one’s a convertible?
Furthermore, the topless Supersports’ problem does not involve the fact that there are very, very few people in its target demographic. You know, the guy that wants to take three members of his family for a ride at 197 mph with the top down ( would like us to point out that with the top up, the Supersports Convertible will hit 202 mph). Thing is, out of the earth’s 6.7 billion inhabitants, there will surely be around 400 folks that fit the bill, coincidentally about the same number of these topless Supersports Bentley intends to build. No, the problem with the Bentley Supersports Convertible is that the preposterously humongous carbon-ceramic brakes feel a bit squishy coming down from 165 mph. Mind you, at 130 mph, the stoppers work like anchors.
2011 Volvo V70 R-Design by Heico Sportiv – click above for a high-res image gallery
A wagon from a tuner can’t help but sound exciting to us. Externally, the Volvo V70 T6 R-Design by delivers what you’d expect for an exclusive Euro express, carrying an eye-watering €70,193 price tag (that’s more than $86,000 USD). Metallic sapphire black is the only color available for the limited-edition run of 100 cars. Ride height is lowered by 30 millimeters over attractive five-spoke 19-inch wheels, a sport exhaust system is fitted and there’s an ever-important viking-helmet emblem affixed to the car’s rump. Heico also re-tunes the turbocharged six cylinder engine, which jumps from its standard 304 horsepower to 330.
Volvo’s R-Design dress-up parts are applied liberally, as well. Matte metal accents in and out and sport leather upholstery further set this special wagon apart. The aesthetics are without fault, but then there’s the performance details. Despite increased horsepower and claims of “apparently limitless power reserves,” the resulting numbers aren’t terribly impressive for a car with such sporting overtones and lofty price. 0-62 mph arrives in 5.9 seconds, which is quick, but for about the same money, an packs a 429 pony wallop that reaches 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds, and we’re guessing that it’ll outhandle the Swede as well. is a veritable bargain, ringing up a €48,000 price tag (just under $59k) and delivering a nearly-identical run 6.0 second run to 100 km/h from its 306 hp engine. On this side of the Atlantic, you could pick up an Ecoboost-powered for $37,000 and get more space and similar pace (Ford’s three-row scorcher ran to 60mph in 6.0 seconds for a shoe).
Despite the number-crunching, there’s little doubt that this Heico-tuned V70 is among the sportiest Volvo wagons extant, but exclusivity and styling will have to sell this car. It’s out-sprinted by a V6 , and even the V6 will give it a hard time – not exactly what you’d expect from a “tuner” car.
