2012 VW New Beetle Caught Testing, will get 2.0T and Possible Hybrid

Before you are spy pictures of an all-new second-generation New Beetle. While the test mule appears to still be wearing the current model's nose and rear, the big news here is the appearance of the less "cute" and more "masculine" roof line that seems to be part Beetle and part stubby Chrysler Crossfire or Porsche 356; take your pick.

Volkswagen hopes the larger and lower-slung Beetle, which should get at least a few cues from the Ragster concept, will make the retro compact more appealing for the style- and space-conscious (and men, too, we hear).

Also, the actual production front and rear fascias will likely be more chiseled in order to be closer related to VW's current design language.

Other than the brand new design, power trains should be similar to Volkswagen's Golf/Jetta lineup. That means an entry-level 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder, and 210-horsepower-strong 2.0-liter turbo engine in the States. For other markets, the Beetle will also appear with a variety of smaller gasoline mills as well as some TDI diesel units.

We should have more info and pics as we get closer to the Beetle's debut (right now, that's anywhere from L.A. in November, Detroit in January, or Geneva in March). That's also when we should be getting some information on any Cabrio, hybrid, Turbo S, and 4Motion variants.

By Phil Alex

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2012 VW New Beetle Caught Testing, will get 2.0T and Possible Hybrid

Before you are spy pictures of an all-new second-generation New Beetle. While the test mule appears to still be wearing the current model's nose and rear, the big news here is the appearance of the less "cute" and more "masculine" roof line that seems to be part Beetle and part stubby Chrysler Crossfire or Porsche 356; take your pick.

Volkswagen hopes the larger and lower-slung Beetle, which should get at least a few cues from the Ragster concept, will make the retro compact more appealing for the style- and space-conscious (and men, too, we hear).

Also, the actual production front and rear fascias will likely be more chiseled in order to be closer related to VW's current design language.

Other than the brand new design, power trains should be similar to Volkswagen's Golf/Jetta lineup. That means an entry-level 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder, and 210-horsepower-strong 2.0-liter turbo engine in the States. For other markets, the Beetle will also appear with a variety of smaller gasoline mills as well as some TDI diesel units.

We should have more info and pics as we get closer to the Beetle's debut (right now, that's anywhere from L.A. in November, Detroit in January, or Geneva in March). That's also when we should be getting some information on any Cabrio, hybrid, Turbo S, and 4Motion variants.

By Phil Alex

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Survey Finds that BMW Drivers are the Angriest on Britain’s Roads

If I had a dollar for every time I was honked at, tailgated or called something unsavory on the road, I would be a very rich man. And it seems that the worst for this sort of behavior, at least according to a recent UK survey, are BMW drivers - feel free to insert your own joke about iDrive. If you want to see a frustrated / angry BMW driver in action, check out this... enlightening video.

The results were released by Gocompare.com, a UK insurance comparison site, that asked some 3,000 UK motorists about their opinion on road rage. Scroll down for their findings.

-Over 50% drivers polled said they had suffered a "bad experience" at the hands of a BMW driver.

-17% had a "bad experience" with a motorist in the last week.

-23% confronted a motorist who got out of their car after an altercation.

-10% have been involved in accidents they claim was a direct result of road rage.

-11% were forced to make an insurance claim after an encounter with an angry motorist.

-90% claim men are more likely to show signs of road rage than women.

-65% claim they encounter one intimidating driver every hour.

-The most frightening behavior on Britain's roads is tailgating (58%), other drivers pulling out in front (40%) and speeding (39%).

-40% get worried when they see others undertaking or driving faster in the inside lane.

-37% feel nervous when others flash their headlights to indicate they want to overtake.

-32% are shocked to receive a rude hand gesture.

AND... THE TOP 10 ANGRIEST DRIVERS IN BRITAIN ARE:

1.BMW

2.White van

3.Audi

4.Ford

5.Land Rover

6.Lorry

7.Vauxhall

8.Range Rover

9.Volkswagen

10.Mercedes

Lee Griffin, Gocompare.com's Chief Operating Officer said about the poll:

"There really is no excuse for bad behavior and loss of tempers on the road, and we would recommend anyone who is feeling angry or emotional thinks twice before getting in the car. It only takes one wrong decision or thoughtless maneuver to cause a really serious accident - and if you're thinking about waving an angry fist at someone, your full attention isn't on the road."

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Telegraph

Survey Finds that BMW Drivers are the Angriest on Britain’s Roads

If I had a dollar for every time I was honked at, tailgated or called something unsavory on the road, I would be a very rich man. And it seems that the worst for this sort of behavior, at least according to a recent UK survey, are BMW drivers - feel free to insert your own joke about iDrive. If you want to see a frustrated / angry BMW driver in action, check out this... enlightening video.

The results were released by Gocompare.com, a UK insurance comparison site, that asked some 3,000 UK motorists about their opinion on road rage. Scroll down for their findings.

-Over 50% drivers polled said they had suffered a "bad experience" at the hands of a BMW driver.

-17% had a "bad experience" with a motorist in the last week.

-23% confronted a motorist who got out of their car after an altercation.

-10% have been involved in accidents they claim was a direct result of road rage.

-11% were forced to make an insurance claim after an encounter with an angry motorist.

-90% claim men are more likely to show signs of road rage than women.

-65% claim they encounter one intimidating driver every hour.

-The most frightening behavior on Britain's roads is tailgating (58%), other drivers pulling out in front (40%) and speeding (39%).

-40% get worried when they see others undertaking or driving faster in the inside lane.

-37% feel nervous when others flash their headlights to indicate they want to overtake.

-32% are shocked to receive a rude hand gesture.

AND... THE TOP 10 ANGRIEST DRIVERS IN BRITAIN ARE:

1.BMW

2.White van

3.Audi

4.Ford

5.Land Rover

6.Lorry

7.Vauxhall

8.Range Rover

9.Volkswagen

10.Mercedes

Lee Griffin, Gocompare.com's Chief Operating Officer said about the poll:

"There really is no excuse for bad behavior and loss of tempers on the road, and we would recommend anyone who is feeling angry or emotional thinks twice before getting in the car. It only takes one wrong decision or thoughtless maneuver to cause a really serious accident - and if you're thinking about waving an angry fist at someone, your full attention isn't on the road."

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Telegraph

Rhys Millen Sports-up Hyundai's Equus Flagship for 2010 SEMA Show

The soon-to-be-launched onto the U.S. market Hyundai Equus doesn't exactly scream SEMA Show material, but that hasn't stopped the Korean firm from allowing Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) to customize their flagship limo for the Las Vegas tuning convention. Dubbed the RMR Signature Edition Equus, the S-Class sized saloon will be upgraded with a variety of exterior, interior and performance parts.

Starting with the car's exterior looks, the tuning proposal will sport a two-tone carbon fiber and Red Bull Racing blue satin clear paint by BASF along with carbon mirrors, front chin and rear deck spoilers plus massive 21-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Signature Edition Equus is said to feature embroidered headrests and floor mats, and... ostrich hide leather seats with suede accents.

In the performance division, RMR a special air-intake and stainless steel sport exhaust will add 30 ponies to the 4.6-liter V8 engine pushing output to 415-horsepower. The car will also get a high-performance 14-inch brake kit.

"This is the third consecutive year we've partnered with Hyundai to bring a must-see car to the SEMA Show," said Rhys Millen, owner of the company. "The intelligent luxury platform of the new rear-wheel drive Equus is a perfect vehicle for tuners who have graduated from other segments and want to work with the best the automotive industry has to offer."

Rhys Millen Sports-up Hyundai's Equus Flagship for 2010 SEMA Show

The soon-to-be-launched onto the U.S. market Hyundai Equus doesn't exactly scream SEMA Show material, but that hasn't stopped the Korean firm from allowing Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) to customize their flagship limo for the Las Vegas tuning convention. Dubbed the RMR Signature Edition Equus, the S-Class sized saloon will be upgraded with a variety of exterior, interior and performance parts.

Starting with the car's exterior looks, the tuning proposal will sport a two-tone carbon fiber and Red Bull Racing blue satin clear paint by BASF along with carbon mirrors, front chin and rear deck spoilers plus massive 21-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Signature Edition Equus is said to feature embroidered headrests and floor mats, and... ostrich hide leather seats with suede accents.

In the performance division, RMR a special air-intake and stainless steel sport exhaust will add 30 ponies to the 4.6-liter V8 engine pushing output to 415-horsepower. The car will also get a high-performance 14-inch brake kit.

"This is the third consecutive year we've partnered with Hyundai to bring a must-see car to the SEMA Show," said Rhys Millen, owner of the company. "The intelligent luxury platform of the new rear-wheel drive Equus is a perfect vehicle for tuners who have graduated from other segments and want to work with the best the automotive industry has to offer."

VW Group's Walter de Silva to Help Style Future Porsches Starting from the Cajun 3door Baby SUV

There's some good news if you're a fan of Porsche and/or automotive design. Walter de' Silva, Volkswagen Group's design director, will very soon have another VW brand reporting to him: Porsche. Scroll on down for a gallery featuring some of his previous works including the Alfa Romeo 156, 147 and GTV, Seat Salsa and Tango concepts, Leon, Altea, and more recently, the Audi A5.

As Porsche becomes more integrated with its new parent, Michael Mauer, the brand's design director, will work more and more with de' Silva in order to help evolve the brand. Of working with Stuttgart's sports car manufacturer, de' Silva says, "I really hope to be able to add something positive to Porsche's new models, which will remain coherent with the great tradition of Porsche."

We should have a good idea of what he hopes to do with the brand when Porsche's new 'baby' SUV model, the Cajun, arrives in 2014. De Silva said that while the designs of the next generation Porsche 911 and Boxster sports cars have already been completed, "the Cajun will be the first new Porsche created under my influence."

Some sources from Germany claim the Cajun will be sold initially as a three-door variant to take on the Evoque (looks like someone heard my wish in the previous Cajun post).

Before the Cajun arrives, though, we could see a few concepts next year to hint at what he has in mind.

By Phil Alex

Source: ANE [sub. req]

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