Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

2014 Mini Paceman John Cooper Works


Its driving characteristics and design set the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works apart from the crowd in the premium compact segment. The seventh member of the John Cooper Works line-up takes to the stage as the stand-out sporting tool in a brand new category of car. The unmistakable style of the first Sports Activity Coupé in its class and numerous signature John Cooper Works features - among them the standard-fitted aerodynamic kit, lowered sports suspension and 18-inch light-alloy wheels - lend the 4,124- millimetre-long, 1,786-millimetre-wide and 1,527-millimetre-tall three-door car an imposing presence before it has so much as turned a wheel. Key to providing the inspirational performance to back up its looks is the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works's race-bred powertrain and chassis technology. And the standard ALL4 all-wheel-drive system, which optimises not only traction and driving stability on rough terrain but also agility through dynamically taken corners, plays its part in the car's extreme driving fun as well.

MINI Paceman John Cooper Works
MINI Paceman John Cooper Works

MINI Paceman John Cooper Works
MINI Paceman John Cooper Works

MINI Paceman John Cooper Works
MINI Paceman John Cooper Works


MINI Paceman John Cooper Works
MINI Paceman John Cooper Works

MINI Paceman John Cooper Works
MINI Paceman John Cooper Works

MINI Paceman John Cooper Works
MINI Paceman John Cooper Works

MINI Paceman John Cooper Works
MINI Paceman John Cooper Works

The result is a race-car feeling, served up in style to the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works's driver and three passengers. The individual seats of the rear compartment lend it a lounge-like ambience to go with the cockpit's typically John Cooper Works sports car surroundings. Sports seats for the driver and front passenger and a bespoke spread of colours and materials are central to the distinctive character of the interior, as is the extensive selection of standard equipment.

Muscular proportions, dynamic lines and an aerodynamic kit mould the unmistakable figure of an elite sportsman

The new model sees the compact Sports Activity Coupé concept re-emerge in an extra layer of muscular proportions and dynamically stretched lines. Long doors, the coupé-style roof swooping downwards from the windscreen and side windows tapering towards the rear shape the side view of the car. The upright front end exudes power and presence, while the broad-set rear - with its large tailgate - offers a hint of the car's surefooted roadholding. The performance-maxing character of the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works is further emphasised by an aerodynamic kit. The particularly muscular front and rear aprons and bespoke side skirts ensure the airflow around the car is even more efficient. The aerodynamic kit is part of standard specification for the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works, as is the sports exhaust system with polished stainless steel tailpipe embellishers and the 18-inch light-alloy wheels in Twin Spoke Black Burnished design with polished spoke fronts and black rim wells. Among the items on the options list are exclusive 19-inch light-alloy wheels in Cross-Spoke Crusher design. John Cooper Works logos on the radiator grille, tailgate, door sill strips and side indicator surrounds provide additional confirmation of the car's identity.

Customers can choose from nine exterior paint shades, including the Chili Red variant reserved for John Cooper Works models. White, Black and Chili Red can be ordered optionally as a contrast paint finish for the roof and exterior mirror caps, as well as for the Sport Stripes.

Irresistible combination: sports car ambience in the cockpit, lounge setting in the rear

Inside the car, the distinctive interior design combines with the customary sports car ambience of John Cooper Works models to particularly alluring effect. The two individual rear seats offer impressive shoulder and headroom, outstanding lateral support and unusually high levels of comfort. The armrests in the rear side panels further enhance the lounge-style character of the rear compartment. These are integrated into a circular rear trim element, which matches the colour and material of the seats. The individual seat layout is highlighted by two mouldings in the load compartment cover which extend out from immediately behind the head restraints into the rear. The rear seat backrests can be folded down separately, allowing the boot capacity of the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works to grow from 330 to as much as 1,080 litres.

A sports steering wheel with red contrast stitching and John Cooper Works logo, dark-coloured dials for the 260 km/h (162 mph) speedometer and the rev counter, an anthracite-coloured roof liner, a gearshift lever with red shift pattern lettering, red contrast stitching for the gearshift lever gaiter, and floor mats with red stitching are all part of the standard equipment count for the extreme sports model, as are cloth sports seats in Diagonal Track John Cooper Works Carbon Black trim with red contrast stitching. Lounge Leather sports seats in Carbon Black Championship Red are available as an option. Standard Piano Black interior trim strips add the finishing touches to the racing-inspired aura inside the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works. Exclusive Chili Red trim - consisting of red elements for the cockpit and doors and a red stripe for the otherwise black trim strips on the centre console - can be ordered as an option.

The MINI Paceman John Cooper Works will be built alongside all the other variants of the brand's first Sports Activity Coupé and the MINI Countryman at the BMW Group's partner firm Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik in Graz, Austria. Production will take place on a separate assembly line set up and operated according to the exacting standards of the BMW Group. As with all the brand's models, the high-performance powerplant for this sharpest of all MINI Paceman models will be sourced from the Hams Hall engine plant, one corner of the MINI production triangle in England.

Racing expertise fuels peak performance - Engine and gearbox

Instantaneous power delivery and an unquenchable appetite for revs define the 1,598 cc four-cylinder engine powering the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works. The latest generation of the turbocharged John Cooper Works engine brings together technical details honed in race competition and cuttingedge innovations developed by the BMW Group's powertrain experts. Highlights include reinforced pistons, a weight-optimised crankshaft, an aluminium cylinder block and bearing mount, and further optimisation of the air supply and exhaust gas discharge system. Plus, the turbocharger is twinned with a generously sized intercooler. The four valves of each cylinder are operated by two overhead camshafts, low-friction rocker arms and hydraulic valve clearance compensation elements. The exhaust valves are sodium-filled to help provide the extra cooling required by a turbocharged engine.

The twin-scroll turbocharger joins forces with petrol direct injection and variable valve control based on the BMW Group's VALVETRONIC technology. This throttle-free load control system significantly improves both the engine's responsiveness and its efficiency.

Outstanding power and even greater torque thanks to the overboost function; six-speed automatic gearbox available as an option

The MINI Paceman John Cooper Works's powerplant develops its maximum output of 160 kW/218 hp at 6,000 rpm. Peak torque of 280 Newton metres (207 lb-ft) is on tap between 1,900 and 5,000 rpm, and can be increased to 300 Newton metres (221 lb-ft) for short periods between 2,100 and 4,500 rpm using the overboost function. This opens the door to gratifyingly vivacious acceleration to which the standard-fitted sports exhaust system provides a suitably striking soundtrack.

The front-mounted transverse engine of the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works teams up as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic is available as an option. Both variants have been revised and retuned to take into account the extra torque developed by the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works's engine, enabling outstanding performance combined with even greater efficiency. The automatic comes with the Steptronic function, which allows the driver to change gear manually using either the selector lever on the centre console or the shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The likewise standard Sport Button on the centre console can be used to tweak the engine's responses and soundtrack, as well as the power assistance provided by the steering. If the automatic gearbox is specified, pressing the Sport Button also quickens up shift times.

Smile-inducing acceleration, impressive efficiency

The choice of gearbox has no effect on the sprinting power of the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works. The new car dashes from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a trifling 6.9 seconds, regardless of whether the engine is sending its power through its manual or automatic conduit. Top speed stands at 226 km/h (140 mph) for the manual version or 224 km/h (139 mph) for the automatic.

The MINI Paceman John Cooper Works marries this impressive performance with eye-catching economy. The engine's inherent efficiency and extensive MINIMALISM technology - such as Brake Energy Regeneration, the Shift Point Display and the Auto Start/Stop function (on manual cars) - are the trump cards here. Among the other components helping to give the Paceman John Cooper Works its efficiency edge are Electric Power Steering, whose electric motor only uses energy when power assistance is actually required, a mapcontrolled oil pump, an on-demand coolant pump, lightweight construction elements and optimised aerodynamic properties. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 7.4 litres (automatic: 7.9 litres) per 100 kilometres / 38.2 (35.8) mpg imp, and CO2 emissions come in at 172 (184) grams per kilometre.

Surging forward with irresistible force - Power transfer and chassis

The MINI Paceman John Cooper Works converts the power of its turbocharged engine into extreme driving fun with compelling responsiveness and unshakable poise and assurance. Pulling the strings behind the scenes are advanced chassis technology - optimised specially for the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works - and the standard-fitted ALL4 all-wheel-drive system; the engine, power transfer and chassis of the new car come together to make a finely-tuned team. The vast well of expertise built up by John Cooper Works over its many years in motor sport underpins the car's captivating, but always controllable, handling.

The bespoke John Cooper Works chassis ensures optimum roadholding and unbeatable agility with every change of direction. And ALL4 allows the inimitable sense of driving fun through enthusiastically taken corners to be enjoyed in even greater depth - off road as well as on.

ALL4 all-wheel-drive system maximises assurance and sporting ability

The ALL4 all-wheel-drive system teams up with the thrillingly potent engine under the bonnet of the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works to deliver a razorsharp interpretation of the brand's trademark go-kart feeling. The ALL4 allwheel- drive system developed for MINI uses an electromagnetic centre differential to distribute drive seamlessly between the front and rear axles. This means power is always sent to the wheels where it can be translated most effectively into forward propulsion. The system therefore not only provides a noticeable increase in traction and driving stability on loose ground and in adverse weather conditions, it also enhances agility in quickly taken corners.

In normal driving situations ALL4 diverts a maximum 50 per cent of the engine's power to the rear wheels, rising all the way to 100 per cent in extreme conditions. This provides - at all times - a traction-led expression of the handling talents for which MINI is famed. The control electronics of the MINI ALL4 system are integrated directly into the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) management unit, which gives ALL4 extremely short response times and allows it to carry out proactive adjustments in the distribution of drive. The system uses the data collected by DSC to tweak the power split pre-emptively and to impressive effect through dynamically taken corners, for example. And that means the driver enjoys outstanding agility combined with surefooted driving characteristics in customary MINI style.

Lowered sports suspension as standard

Another key player in giving the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works its skyhigh levels of driving fun is chassis technology optimised specially for the new model. A single-joint MacPherson spring-strut front axle and forged cross members, a central-arm rear axle, Electric Power Steering with speed-sensitive power assistance and an extremely high-performance braking system with red callipers make for a potent combination. The front brake discs are 307 millimetres in diameter and 24 millimetres thick, the rears 296 x 10 millimetres. The standard sports suspension includes particularly firmly tuned springs and dampers, strengthened anti-roll bars and a 10-millimetre drop in ride height.

18-inch light-alloy wheels in Twin Spoke Black Burnished design with polished spoke fronts and black rim wells are also part of standard specification, while tyres come in 225/45 R18 format. The options list includes 19-inch light-alloy wheels in Cross-Spoke Crusher design - again created exclusively for the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works.

The standard DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system also comprises DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) mode, which allows a degree of wheel spin to help the driver pull away on loose sand or snow, for example. In DSC Off mode, an electronic locking function for the front axle differential comes into play. In tight corners it brakes a spinning wheel as required to improve handling. Known as Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), this system enhances the car's traction without adversely affecting its steering properties.

The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman's assured road manners are complemented by a comprehensive array of safety equipment. The car's highstrength body structure teams up with standard safety features - including front and side airbags, side curtain airbags for the front and rear seats, threepoint inertia-reel seat belts for all occupants, belt tensioners and belt force limiters for the front seats, and ISOFIX child seat attachments in the rear - to provide outstanding occupant protection all-round.

Individualist hits the ideal lines - Equipment and accessories

The MINI Paceman John Cooper Works identifies itself as an extreme sportsman and individualist without the need for a second glance. And neither does it require more than a single corner to demonstrate its stand-out character with stunning clarity. Playing a key role here alongside the extraordinarily powerful engine and model-specific chassis technology is the standard fitment of the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system, an aerodynamic kit, 18- inch light-alloy wheels, a sports exhaust, a Sport Button and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) including DTC (Dynamic Traction Control). John Cooper Works logos on the front end, rear and flanks complete the exterior picture, while the bespoke design of the interior delivers a focused sports car ambience. The premium profile of the MINI Paceman John Cooper Works is further emphasised by the standard inclusion of front foglamps, air conditioning, a run-flat indicator, electric windows, remote control central locking, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, the Centre Rail storage and attachment system, and the MINI Boost CD radio. Customers can also order their cars with all the comfort, functionality and individuality-enhancing options available for the other MINI Paceman models, a full complement of MINI Connected features and John Cooper Works accessories.

Race feeling fed to four individual seats

The MINI Paceman John Cooper Works ensures that the inimitable feeling of race action can be a pleasure enjoyed by four. Both the sports seats for the driver and front passenger and the two individual rear seats are trimmed in Diagonal Track John Cooper Works Carbon Black cloth with red contrast stitching, although Lounge Leather sports seats in Carbon Black Championship Red are available as an option. The door sill strips come with special John Cooper Works lettering, while the interior trim strips of the cockpit, doors and centre console are in Piano Black as standard. Optional Chili Red trim - available exclusively for the John Cooper Works model - consists of red elements for the cockpit and doors and a red stripe for the otherwise black trim strips on the centre console. A sports steering wheel with red contrast stitching and John Cooper Works logo, dark-coloured dials for the 260 km/h (162 mph) speedometer and the rev counter, an anthracite-coloured roof liner, a gearshift lever with red shift pattern lettering, red contrast stitching for the gearshift lever gaiter, and floor mats with red stitching are all part of the standard equipment count for the new extreme sports model.

Comfort, functionality and individuality on demand; exclusive and innovative functions from MINI Connected

The John Cooper Works model can also be ordered with virtually all the options offered for its MINI Paceman siblings. Highlights include xenon headlights, Adaptive Headlights and black headlight housing, Comfort Access, automatic climate control, heated seats, Park Distance Control with rearmounted sensors, multifunction buttons for the steering wheel (including cruise control), an electrically operated tilting/sliding glass sunroof, a rain sensor with automatic headlamp activation, and automatically dimming rearview mirror and exterior mirrors. Among the features available to further enhance the car's functionality are a storage package, a level load compartment floor with removable cover and a luggage compartment partition net. Plus, the ambient lighting system (part of the optional light package) enhances the unique ambience inside the car.

As alternatives to the standard MINI Boost CD radio, options such as the harman/kardon hi-fi loudspeaker system, MINI Visual Boost radio and MINI navigation system are on hand to take care of entertainment and navigation requirements. The MINI Visual Boost radio and MINI navigation system link up with a 6.5-inch, high-resolution colour display in the Centre Speedo and Bluetooth hands-free functionality, complete with a USB audio interface. The maps for the MINI navigation system are stored on the car's built-in flash memory device. Also on the options list are a voice control system, a handsfree system/mobile phone preparation and a DAB tuner for receiving digital radio programmes.

The MINI Connected option also gives Paceman John Cooper Works owners access to a wide range of infotainment, communications and driving experience-related services, and allows full Apple iPhone integration. In addition, regularly updated MINI Connected apps provide an unmatched and constantly changing variety of functions, such as web radio, use of Facebook, Twitter and foursquare, Dynamic Music, Driving Excitement, Mission Control and the MINIMALISM Analyser.

Articles Source : Netcarshow

2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster


Automobili Lamborghini presented the new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster: the most exciting series production Lamborghini ever built and the new benchmark in the world of open-top luxury super sports cars.

2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster

2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster

2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster

2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster

2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster

2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster

On the heels of the successful coupe introduced in Summer 2011, and with over 1,300 units already delivered to customers, the House of the Raging Bull is now offering the convertible version of the Aventador, a vehicle that perfectly balances the ultimate driving experience with the ultimate in sports car sophistication.

The new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster can immediately be recognized by the unique profile of its upper area, which extends along newly designed geometric lines from the removable roof to the engine hood.

The Roadster's design is the result of a careful study into the best way of combining performance, elegant style, ease of use and a driving experience that excites all five senses.

The two-piece roof is made entirely from carbon fiber using various technologies such as RTM and Forged Composite®. These technologies guarantee maximum aesthetic performance and stiffness although each component is extremely light, weighing less than 6 kg. These two parts are removable, easy to handle, and being lightweight and simple to attach, can be stored in the front luggage compartment. In just a few seconds the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster can be admired in all its luxurious beauty.

The rear pillar has been redesigned to offer total support for the removable roof, accommodate an automatic protection system for passengers, and provide the engine compartment with ample ventilation.

Right at first glance, it's noticeable that the engine hood on the Roadster differs from the hood on the coupé because of its central "spinal column" with two pairs of hexagonal windows connected at the sides as if they were hyper-tech armor plates. Their purpose is to cool the engine, drain off rain water properly and, of course, allow the beauty of the V12 power unit to be admired.

The driver of the Aventador Roadster and his passenger can decide for themselves how intensely they would like to enjoy the driving experience. The powered rear windshield not only influences the flow of air in the vehicle, but also controls the experience of the sound from the twelve-cylinder engine. The wind deflector, on the other hand, delivers almost complete calm inside the car, even at high speed. It rests on the front windshield frame and can likewise be stored in the luggage compartment when not in use.

The Lamborghini Aventador Roadster is also equipped with door windows with chamfered edges, which always ensure a perfect fit into the hard-top seal, and underline the sharp side profile of the car.

The body of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster sports a two-tone finish, as the windshield pillar, the two roof sections and the rear window area up to the "fins" are painted in gloss black. The visual effect is that of a completely open vehicle with sleek lines combining perfectly balanced sportiness and elegance.

The range of colors available for the Roadster has been supplemented with a very light, metallic blue color, Azzuro Thetis, whose tone varies with the angle of the light. This color recalls the shade of the extraordinarily beautiful 1968 Miura Roadster, and both highlights and reinforces the lines of the vehicle by adding strength and dynamism.

Even the interior has a new look. The use of leather called Sabbia Nefertem highlights the superb hand-made craftsmanship of the upholstery from Sant' Agata Bolognese and is a perfect match for the exterior in Azzuro Thetis. Finally, the new Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster also features new Dione 20"/21" rims with a daring, aggressive look. Crafted in light forged aluminum, they lower the weight of the vehicle by 10 Kg as compared with the standard set of rims.

The new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster boasts record performance. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3 seconds flat and has a maximum speed of some 350 km/h.

These numbers, combined with a drive train featuring a centrally located, 6.5 liter aspirated V12 generating 700 hp, an ISR 7-speed gearbox and push-rod suspension make the new Aventador Roadster a unique super sports car with no direct competition.

Of course the Roadster's V12 also includes a cylinder deactivation system when the engine is working at partial capacity, while the innovative, instant Stop & Start system includes high-performance capacitors known as supercaps to awaken the engine. This is an absolute first in the super sports car segment.

The new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is a dream that can be realized and ordered at any Lamborghini dealer in the world for the price of 300,000 euro, excluding taxes.

Articles Source : Netcarshow

2014 VW Golf GTI Revealed in Production Guise, Available in 220PS and 230PS Trims


Welcome to the new-old, or what Volkswagen prefers to call the seventh generation of the Golf GTI, which was unveiled today in final production trim following the release of a thinly disguised concept study at last year's Paris Motor Show.

2014 VW Golf GTI

2014 VW Golf GTI

2014 VW Golf GTI

2014 VW Golf GTI

2014 VW Golf GTI

2014 VW Golf GTI

As with the regular Golf MK7 hatchbacks, you'll be forgiven if you're having a hard time telling the new GTI apart from the current model, as VW has followed an extremely conservative evolutionary approach with the design.

The new sports hatch gets all the usual styling trinkets we've come to expect from GTI models, like the red accent line on the grille, which now extends into the headlamps, honeycomb grille inserts, smoked (LED) tail lamps, a rear spoiler, twin pipes, side sills, a diffuser and different set of 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 225/45 size tires.

The same applies for the interior with the classic tartan pattern fabric for the standard sport seats, a flat bottom steering wheel, black headliner, and red ambience lighting.

What's different about the latest Golf GTI is that it is based on VW's newest MQB platform that helps sheds 42kg (93 pounds) over the outgoing model for a base curb weight of 1,351kg (2,978 pounds)

It also gets a newer 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder unit that's offered in two power levels, 217hp (220PS) for the base model and 227hp (230PS) for the GTI Performance version, which also features a front axle differential lock.

Available transmission options include a standard 6-speed manual gearbox and a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic.

VW quotes a 0-100 km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155mph) for the 230PS model with a manual gearbox, which compares to the current 210PS Golf GTI's 6.9 seconds and 240km/h (149mph).

In Germany, advance ordering for the new Golf GTI Mk7 will begin on March 5, the same day that the car will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, with prices starting at €28,350 or about US$37,000

Articles Source : Carscoop

2014 Jeep Compass with New 6-Speed Auto Heads to Geneva for its European Premiere


We've already seen the 2014 Jeep Compass here in the States as it was unveiled at last month's Detroit auto show, and now it's time for European consumers to get a taste of the updated model as well at the Geneva Auto Salon that opens its gates for the press on March 5.

2014 Jeep Compass

2014 Jeep Compass

2014 Jeep Compass

2014 Jeep Compass

2014 Jeep Compass

2014 Jeep Compass

The most important upgrade is the introduction of a new 6-speed automatic transmission offered on the 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter gasoline engines producing 156 and 170 horsepower respectively. The 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine with 136hp and 163hp continues to be linked exclusively to a six-speed manual gearbox.

You'll probably have a hard time noticing the cosmetic changes, which concern trim specific updates such as the Limited model's revised grille, chrome front fog lamp bezels, smoked tail lamps and new 18-inch wheels, while all models equipped with a ParkView rear backup camera gain a plated chrome insert on the tailgate trim applique.

Interior revisions include the optional Saddle Brown perforated leather seating with accent stitching, updated instrument cluster overlay graphics, satin chrome finish for the center bezel, shifter bezel and pull cups, and a vinyl wrap for the armrests and center console lid. The only new safety feature is the now standard front-seat-mounted side air bags.

In Europe, the Jeep Compass will be available in three trim grades named Sport, Limited and the all-new North edition, with front wheel drive or Jeep's Freedom Drive I full-time active 4x4 system with Lock mode.

Articles Source : Carscoop

New 2014 Chevrolet Impala Starts from $28,445* in Canada


The new rear-wheel drive SS sports sedan won't be heading to Canada, but another new Chevrolet sedan will, which is only natural since the 2014 Impala is built at GM's Oshawa, Ontario factory as well as at the Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan, assembly plant.

2014 Chevrolet SS

2014 Chevrolet SS

2014 Chevrolet SS

The new generation of the Impala will reach Canadian dealerships this spring with a starting price of $28,445, which GM says is "just $145 more than the 2013 Impala it replaces", but conveniently forgets to mention in the same sentence that whereas the base version of the 2014 model features a 195hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the outgoing 2013 model is fitted with a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V6.

If you want a V6, the 305hp version of the 2014 Impala has an MSRP of $32,945 for the LT and $39,645 for the better equipped LTZ. Besides the base $28,445 LS, other trim grades available for the 2.5-liter engine are the $31,445 LT and $36,445 LTZ. Destination charge on all models is $1,550 (*). GM said pricing for the third engine option, the 2.4-liter gasoline unit with eAssist, will be announced at a later date.

In the U.S., the 2.5L Impala LS starts from $27,535 and the 3.6L LT from $30,760, with both prices including destination charges.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Next Dodge Viper ACR Could Land In 2014: Report


The last Dodge Viper ACR (for American Club Racing) rolled off the assembly line in 2010, boasting the same 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque from its V-10 engine as standard Viper models. Weight on ACR models was reduced by up to 90 pounds by gutting the interior, while the suspension and brakes were upgraded for track use.

Dodge Viper ACR

Dodge Viper ACR

Dodge Viper ACR

Dodge Viper ACR

Dodge Viper ACR

The car’s functional aero package produced around 1,200 pounds of downforce at 150 miles per hour, and in September of 2011 a Viper ACR turned a lap time of 7:12.13 on Germany’s fabled Nürburgring circuit.

Depending upon your definition of a “production car,” that could make the 2010 Viper ACR the fastest production car around the ‘Ring, though the ultra-low volume Gumpert Apollo Sport, Radical SR8 and Radical SR8 LM have all pasted up quicker laps.

We’ve heard previous rumors that the new SRT Viper would be built in ACR form as well, but now Motor Trend says it has confirmation from a “high-level” source at Chrysler that the ACR is under development and scheduled for a 2014 release.

Word is that the car would come to market sooner, if tire-supplier Michelin would only sell its Pilot Sport Cup product to SRT. The Viper’s Pirelli tires don’t return the same level of performance, so SRT has requested that Pirelli develop a tire specifically for the Viper ACR, and that takes time.

As for why Michelin reportedly won’t sell its Pilot Sport Cup tires to SRT, the answer is simple: they’re delivered on the range-topping Corvette ZR1, and Michelin isn’t going to endanger its relationship with GM.

Like the previous Viper ACR, the new model isn’t expected to produce more horsepower (to the delight of aftermarket suppliers), but it will serve up track-ready brakes, an adjustable (but track-focused) suspension, functional aerodynamics and weight savings via the deletion of luxury items.

Developing tires is tricky business, so it’s hard to say when the new SRT Viper ACR will hit the market in 2014. The same can be said of price, which, we suppose, will be determined by how many trick parts the new Viper ACR uses.

Can the next Viper ACR best its father’s time around the ‘Ring, or will Chevrolet serve up even more performance in its next Corvette ZR1? Regardless of which car pastes up a faster time, the real winners will be those lucky enough to park these supercars in their garage.

Articles Source : Motorauthority

Hennessey Performance To Build A 1,000 Horsepower Corvette Stingray


The 2014 Corvette Stingray won’t begin shipping to dealerships until the third quarter of 2013, but those planning a purchase can already put together a holiday wish list, thanks to Hennessey Performance Engineering.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

While the C7 Corvette Stingray will come to market with 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, that’s just not enough thrust for some buyers. Yes, a new Z06 (with up to 600 horsepower) and a new ZR1 (which will target 700 hp) are in the works, but don’t expect either before sometime in 2014.

In the mean time, those with a hardcore need for speed can reach out to Hennessey, which promises to offer supercharger systems to bump the Stingray’s output to 700 horsepower, or twin-turbo systems that will deliver between 800 and 1,000 horsepower.

If the cost (in terms of both dollars and engine life) is more than you’re willing to spend, Hennessey will also offer up bolt-on upgrades that will yield a more modest increase in performance, like cold-air intakes, headers and catalyst-back exhaust systems.

If you’re happy with the as-delivered 450 ponies, Hennessey can still sell you wheel and tire packages, Brembo brake systems and suspension upgrades, to name but a few go-fast options from the company behind the Venom GT supercar.

We’re not sure how far along in the development process Hennessey is, since its website says the parts are planned, not in stock. While you may not be able to park an 800-horsepower, Hennessey-tuned Stingray in the garage a week after you get your C7, we’re sure Hennessey will beat the next ZR1 to market by a comfortable margin.

If you’ve got a 2014 Corvette Stingray on order and want to up its game, head on over to the Hennessey Performance Engineering website for contact information. 

Articles Source : Motorauthority

2014 McLaren P1


McLaren Automotive has released the final numbers, images and information relating to its phenomenal McLaren P1™ ahead of a global reveal at the 83rd International Geneva Motor Show.

2014 McLaren P1
2014 McLaren P1

2014 McLaren P1
2014 McLaren P1

2014 McLaren P1
2014 McLaren P1

2014 McLaren P1
2014 McLaren P1

2014 McLaren P1
2014 McLaren P1

The race-inspired Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) gives the McLaren P1™ astonishing performance. Zero to 100km/h will take less than 3 seconds, zero to 200 km/h under 7 seconds, and zero to 300 km/h will be achieved in no more than 17 seconds. Putting that into perspective, that's 5 seconds faster than the legendary McLaren F1 road car. Top speed is electronically limited to 350 km/h.

McLaren has been engaging with potential customers actively in the last few months to get their views on the McLaren P1™, about the car's styling. Their unanimous verdict on the styling was not to change the car presented last September in Paris. So unusually, the McLaren P1™ has translated to production form with very little change. In fact just one, the addition of LTR ducts ahead of each of the front wheels to further aid cooling and optimise downforce.

McLaren has closely monitored demand so as to maintain exclusivity, and announced a production number of just 375 units - a figure that will ensure the McLaren P1™ will remain a rarity and, if spotted on the road, an unforgettable sight.

McLaren has also announced that the car will cost from £866,000 on the road with a specification that fully equips the car for both road and track use. The company prides itself on designing performance cars that their owners can use regularly so the McLaren P1™ comes comprehensively equipped as standard with an array of colour and trim alternatives from which the customer will be able to choose as well as visible carbon fibre in the cabin. The options list is limited to only bespoke content that a customer might wish to add through McLaren Special Operations, and fitted luggage.

As already announced, the McLaren P1™ will have the combined force of two highly-efficient powerplants, offering the optimum mix of superb throttle response, day-to-day drivability and top speed. A mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine is substantially enhanced featuring, for example, larger turbochargers and a highly effective electric motor, to give a combined output of 916PS (903 bhp) and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm. This ensures instantaneous throttle response through the rev range, more akin to a naturally aspirated engine. Emissions of less than 200g/km on the combined cycle are reduced to zero in full electric drive mode, while the Formula 1-derived DRS and IPAS technologies offer an increase in straight-line speed and an instant boost of power.

The tyres fitted to the McLaren P1™ are specially developed P Zero Corsas, which have been developed with McLaren's technology partner, Pirelli. The team at Pirelli has been involved throughout the entire development programme, and this has seen the tyre testing phase integrated into the schedule, as a key performance component. The final compound and construction has been developed and optimised during testing, and the end result is a tyre that is finely tuned specifically to the performance and handling characteristics.

To rein in the power produced by the twin powerplants, the McLaren P1™ is designed to offer braking performance more associated with a GT3 or sports racing car. Developed by McLaren's Formula 1 partner Akebono, the system features a new type of carbon ceramic disc, which has previously seen service in space, but never before used on a road car. Stronger than conventional carbon ceramic, the material dissipates heat more effectively, giving the highly efficient braking system exceptional stopping and cooling capability. The system also boasts significantly reduced weight, and a bespoke ceramic layer coats both friction surfaces to give an attractive mirrored finish.

One surprising feature is that the car can also be driven solely in electric mode. In city driving, with an average speed of 30 mph, this could mean up to a 20km range. More than enough for an owner to enter, for example, a city centre Zero Emissions Zone, have dinner and return home.

Articles Source : Netcarshow

2014 Ford EcoSport EU-Version


Ford revealed the European production version of the all-new Ford EcoSport SUV at the mobile technology industry's influential 2013 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

2014 Ford EcoSport EU-Version
Ford EcoSport EU-Version

2014 Ford EcoSport EU-Version
Ford EcoSport EU-Version

2014 Ford EcoSport EU-Version
Ford EcoSport EU-Version

2014 Ford EcoSport EU-Version
Ford EcoSport EU-Version

2014 Ford EcoSport EU-Version
Ford EcoSport EU-Version

2014 Ford EcoSport EU-Version
Ford EcoSport EU-Version

2014 Ford EcoSport EU-Version
Ford EcoSport EU-Version

2014 Ford EcoSport EU-Version
Ford EcoSport EU-Version

2014 Ford EcoSport EU-Version
Ford EcoSport EU-Version

The EcoSport will be equipped with Ford SYNC voice-activated in-car connectivity system as well as SYNC Emergency Assistance. In addition, the compact SUV will be one of the first Ford vehicles in Europe to offer Ford SYNC AppLink, which enables customers to voice-control smartphone apps from the driver's seat.

"We are entering the age of the connected car and debuting EcoSport at Mobile World Congress underlines just how important advanced vehicle technology is to customers and to Ford," said Paul Mascarenas, Ford chief technical officer and vice president, Research and Innovation.

The Ford EcoSport will be the second SUV to be launched in Ford's expanding European range when it goes on sale in 2013; following the Ford Kuga. Ford also plans to bring to Europe the next generation Ford Edge, a larger and more premium utility vehicle popular in the U.S. and other markets.

Built on Ford's global B-segment platform, the compact EcoSport will deliver the agility and fuel efficiency of a small family car with the flexibility, spaciousness, high driving position, and "go anywhere" appeal of an SUV.

"The role of the car is evolving," said Mascarenas. "Customers want to be able to safely enjoy the same level of connectivity in their cars as they would do at home, and SYNC AppLink enables then to do just that. By maximising the potential of apps, Ford can offer customers a class-leading range of smartphone app capabilities while on the move."

Ford SYNC with Emergency Assistance directly connects the vehicle occupants to local emergency services operators after an accident, in the correct language for the region using information from the vehicle's on-board GPS unit, and mobile network to pinpoint accident location and choose the appropriate language in which to deliver an introductory message.

The all-new Ford EcoSport will be offered with Ford's innovative 125 PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, the "International Engine of the Year," a 110 PS 1.5-litre petrol engine; and a 90 PS 1.5-litre diesel engine expected to deliver class-leading fuel efficiency.

The SUV's distinctive front grille, short bonnet and raked front pillars, deliver a sporty and contemporary feel, and angular headlamps reinforce the modern look. It will also offer a comprehensive package of driver assistance technologies including Electronic Stability Program and Hill Launch Assist.

Articles Source : Netcarshow