Caught by spy photographers without any camouflage near BMW’s Source: WCF , Via: egmcartech
Thursday, July 19, 2007
2008 MINI Convertible To Get Multifunctional Soft Top
Caught by spy photographers without any camouflage near BMW’s 
SEAT Becomes First Carmaker To Put Diesel Into WTCC
Just like Audi presented the R10 TDI –the world's first
Despite facing a double handicap with the diesel car since, according to regulations, a diesel-powered car has to weigh 30 kg – 66 lb more than one with a petrol engine along with the fact that the intercooler and the turbo are situated ahead of the front axle, thus distorting even weight distribution, the Seat team has faith in the project. After seeing what Audi accomplished with the R10 TDI, who can blame them. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below
Jaime Puig, Director of SEAT Sport: ‘The regulations allow us to register a car equipped with a diesel engine, and we were happy to rise to the challenge. We are satisfied with the testing results and believe the Leon TDI WTCC can become a competitive car in the mid to long term. For the moment it will only be driven by Jordi Gené, who has been responsible for its development, and Yvan Muller. Gabriele Tarquini, Tiago Monteiro and Michel Jourdain will continue to drive the usual model.’
Benoit Bagur, SEAT Sport Chief Engineer: ‘Since the FIA made it possible to enter a diesel engine in the competition, we started looking into the viability of the project, and it took off a few months ago. The basis for the engine is the 170 PS 2.0-litre mounted in the Leon FR. We kept the engine block and the cylinder head of the production model, but changed the turbo compressor and gearbox. Furthermore, we had to alter the front part to house the intercooler and create new air intakes. The diesel engine is 35 kg heavier than the petrol, so we had to redistribute some weight. After satisfactory test results, we are eager to see its potential in actual racing conditions.’
Jordi Gené, SEAT driver: ‘We have been working on this project for several months, and appreciate its great potential. I am looking forward to it because one of the aspects I most like about my job is the possibility of working on new car development, and even more so when they feature new technology. We are facing a double handicap with the diesel car. The first is that according to regulations, a diesel car has to weigh 30 kg more than one with a petrol engine. The second is that the intercooler and the turbo are situated ahead of the front axle, which makes weight distribution detrimental compared with a petrol car. But, as the Leon has the best chassis in the Championship and our engine torque will be much higher, I think that, in the mid-term and on certain tracks, we can be competitive.’
Yvan Muller, SEAT driver: ‘I have done some testing with the diesel engine, and the lap times are very similar to the petrol. It is a little slower in the corners because of the extra weight and there is more stress on the tyres, but it is a little bit quicker on the straights. The chassis of the SEAT
SEAT
BASE CAR
- SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDI 170 PS
ENGINE
- Turbocharged, four-cylinder in line, transversely-mounted, 16 valves,
- twin overhead camshafts
- Displacement: 2,000 cc
- Bore x stroke: 81 x 95.5 mm
- Maximum power: 280 PS at 4000 rpm
- Maximum torque: 450 Nm at 2500 rpm
- Lubrication: wet sump
TRANSMISSION
- Front-wheel drive
- Gearbox: Hewland six-speed, sequential shift
- Clutch: twin-plate
- Differential: mechanical limited slip differential
CHASSIS
- Front suspension: MacPherson strut, coil springs, gas-filled dampers, anti-roll bar
- Rear suspension: multi-link axle, coil springs, gas-filled dampers, anti-roll bar
- Steering: power-assisted rack and pinion
BRAKES
- Non-assisted dual circuit system
- Front brakes: four-piston callipers, 332 mm steel ventilated discs
- Rear brakes: two-piston callipers, 280 mm steel discs
DIMENSIONS
- Length: 4330 mm
- Width: 1849 mm
- Wheelbase: 2600 mm
- Minimum weight: 1170kg (including driver)
Piece Of Art: SanDisk Ducati Edition USB Flash Drive
We don’t know about you but this is the probably best-looking USB flash drive we’ve seen by far. Sandisk’s Ducati Edition 4GB USB is simply a must for gearhead aficionados like ourselves. What a gadget; the damn thing looks like its moving even at a standstill! According to Sandisk, the “Ducatisti” USB is priced at $125 - €91. Pricey but who cares! -More pictures and details after the jump
Passion for Performance
The First USB Flash Drive that Looks as Fast as it Is - High-Speed Functional Art
One look at the
The included RescuePro Deluxe software delivers the added convenience enabling users to recover images, documents, music, or other files that they may have accidentally deleted.
Gotta Get A Ducati?
For gadget gurus, design aficionados, and “Ducatistis” (Ducati loyalists), the SanDisk Extreme Ducati Edition USB Flash Drive is an obvious choice. This limited edition
Product Details
- Available in 4GB configuration
- Fast 20MB/second sequential read/write speed
- The fastest consumer USB Flash Drive SanDisk offers
- Includes SanDisk Extreme Ducati Edition lanyard for easy carrying, and recognition as an officially licensed Ducati product
- Includes RescuePRO Deluxe Recovery Software CD
- Comes with Lifetime Limited Warranty
Video: BMW 740i Burning Out Turns Upside Down!
Hi dad, um, you know I kinda lost balance and sort of trashed the bimmer while I was attempting to make a sideway burnout in front of my friends, but don’t worry, Dumbo and I are fine, quite embarrassed, but other than that, totally ok... -Click “Read More…” below to check out a second video of the accident shot from a different angle
Thanks for the tip Johan!
Audi A3 1.4 TFSI: New 125Hp Turbocharged 1.4-litre Petrol Unit
As predicted, VW Group is quietly substituting the 115 Hp 1.6-litre FSI petrol unit with its new version of the 125 Hp1.4-litre TFSI engine in every model. Following the VW Golf / Jetta and the Seat Altea / Leon models, time’s up for the Audi A3. Available from September 2007, the turbocharged A3 accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 9.6 sec while it boasts a top speed of 203 km/h (126mph). According to Audi, its average fuel consumption is just 6.5-liters per 100 km (36.2 mpg). Kinda off subject but since we’re talking about turbocharged petrol units, we thought this would fit in. See, while
The reason for this drop will be due to the stricter emission rules applied by the EU which will significantly raise the already expensive, manufacturing and development costs of diesel units, making them totally unattractive to automakers and consequently to car buyers. And that’s were small-capacity turbocharged petrol engines show up since they're cheaper to develop and manufacture. Moreover, don’t forget that petrol engines can also burn alternative fuels like natural gas or hydrogen, something that even the most advanced diesel cannot. -Audi A3 1.4TSI Press Release after the jump
Efficiency and performance: New 1.4 TFSI engine in the Audi A3
A new, ultra-modern four-cylinder TFSI engine with a displacement of 1.4 litres and turbocharger can now be ordered for the Audi A3 and A3 Sportback. The 1.4 TFSI engine delivers 92 kW (125 bhp) at 5,000 rpm. Its maximum torque of 200 Nm is available across an unusually wide speed range of 1,500 to 4,000 rpm.
Audi’s engineers have long been demonstrating the effectiveness of FSI technology in combination with turbocharging both on the world’s racetracks and on the road. The prime example of this is the “Engine of the Year” award with which a jury of experts crowned the 2.0 TFSI in 2007 for the third time in succession.
This concept is being consistently used once again for the new 1.4 TFSI in order to combine optimal levels of efficiency and performance. Six-hole injectors guarantee highly homogeneous mixture preparation and extremely efficient combustion. The reduction of pollutants is also aided effectively in this way.
The integrated turbocharger and modified exhaust valve timing ensure optimised responsiveness and help torque to build up even more smoothly. 80 percent of the maximum torque of 200 Nm is available from 1,250 rpm, just above idle speed. The 1.4 TFSI at the same time sets new standards in its class in terms of acoustics. The new high-tech unit from Audi can be ordered for the A3 and A3 Sportback in combination with a six-speed manual gearbox.
With a top speed of 203 km/h and acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds for the three-door A3, the 1.4 TFSI ensures supreme performance. Its average fuel consumption is just 6.5 litres of premium-grade fuel per 100 km.
The basic price of the A3 1.4 TFSI Attraction is 21,350 euros. The first vehicles will be available in September 2007.
Chinese Toyota RAV4 & BMW X5 Clones Coming To Frankfurt
“Frankfurtians” beware, here come the attack of the clones leaded by CEO and UFO RV… Just to clarify, these are not fictional but the actual names of the two Chinese SUV’s. According to German magazine Automobile Industrie, both cars will be shown by Munich-based China Automobile Deutschland at the Frankfurt Show in September. We’ve previewed both models in the past but to refresh your memory, the Shuanghuan CEO (or SCEO) borrows several styling elements from the BMW X5 and Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs while the Zhejiang Jonway UFO RV which made its first Euro appearance at last year’s Bolonga Show as the DR, kinda reminds us of the previous generation Toyota RAV4, we’re not exactly sure why, but it does… Oh, don’t you lust to be a fly in the air when
The magazine reports that both SUV’s will go on sale in
UFO
SCEO - CEO
Via: Automobile Industrie
Scoop: Audi A8 - VW Phaethon Based Coupe
Spy photographers of Swedish car magazine Teknikensvarld have spotted this weird test mule based on a shortened version of the Audi A8 luxury sedan. The Swedes support that the two-door car we’re seeing here is prototype for an upcoming Coupe-Cabrio version of the VW Phaethon, but we believe otherwise here at Carscoop.From what we can make from the pictures this is a coupe and not a hardtop cabriolet, but most importantly we seriously doubt that VW will attempt to penetrate the luxury segment with another proposition. It sounds more logical to us if the VW Group let Audi handle these special segments and this coupe –which could also spawn a cabriolet, could be Ingolstadt’s answer to the BMW 6-Series and Mercedes-Benz' SL models. -One more (blurry...) image after the jump
Via: Teknikensvarld
UPDATE: Ford Kuga SUV Official English Press Release
There’s no need to get excited or anything since, as we informed you last night when we got the German press release in our hands, Ford didn’t include any technical details on the Kuga. What it does contain though is comments from various Ford Europe Execs like CEO John Fleming and Executive Design Director Martin Smith. -Follow the jump to read the full English press releaseFORD KUGA: A STYLISH, ALL-NEW ADDITION TO THE FORD RANGE FOR 2008
"With the launch of the Ford Kuga, we will keep the promise that we gave at the Paris Motor Show 2006: to develop a stylish new model based on the stunning Ford iosis X concept car in less than two years," said John Fleming, President and CEO, Ford of Europe.
Ford's European Design team has applied its exciting 'kinetic design' form language to introduce a compact and distinctive new 4x4 crossover to the Ford portfolio. "We recognised that image-conscious customers for this kind of vehicle want a very individual car in which impressive on-road capability blends seamlessly with substantial off-road ability," said Martin Smith, Executive Design Director for Ford of Europe.
"Kuga will stand out from the crowd by offering the visual excitement of 'kinetic design' and the on-road driving quality that customers of cars like the Ford Focus, the S-MAX and the new Mondeo have come to expect from us," added Smith.
The Ford design team is also releasing its first official styling sketch of the new model.
"Kuga is adventurous and distinctive, and we wanted to highlight this in our first official image," Stefan Lamm, Ford's Chief Designer for Exteriors, commented. "We believe that there is a role for a more athletic and charismatic vehicle that marks a departure from the norm, in the same way that the award-winning Ford S-MAX carved out new territory for an MPV."
The all-new Ford Kuga will go into production early in 2008 at Ford's Saarlouis plant in
"I'm really excited that we are adding the Ford Kuga to our growing product range in
2008 MINI Clubman Interior Scoop Images
Having already exposed the first exterior images of the forthcoming MINI Clubman, the only thing left for us to see before the Frankfurt Show unveiling were the interior shots. Thanks’ to a couple of readers at Motoringfile, we now get that chance. The scoop images not only reveal details on the interior but we also see the mechanism on the 3rd (suicide style) door and the space provided for the rear passengers. -Image gallery after the jumpVia: Motorpasion , Source: Motoringfile
Video: 2009 Porsche Panamera In Nurburgring
Lately we’re seeing a lot of Porsche’s forthcoming Panamera -just last week we showed you a new set of pictures of the Via: Le Blog Auto
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)