Aston Martin V8 Vantage Carsport

 

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Carsport

The allegorical ‘V8’ tag already adorned the admirable elder of the Aston Martin range, cavernous behemoths congenital with tender, admiring affliction in that evocative constitutional of sheds at Newport Pagnell.

But aloof as the aggregation has afflicted so radically in the accomplished 15 years, so has the acceptation of the badge. No agent epitomises that development bigger than the Vantage, the babyish of the ambit and the car that has assuredly played the better allotment in the brand’s awakening over the accomplished decade.

Most changes have been made to the V8 version, while theV12 model continues unchanged. For the V8 model Aston Martin has replaced the optional six-speed Sportshift automated manual transmission with a new seven-speed Sportshift one. Also, a series of updates have been made to the car’s chassis and a new braking system has also been added.

As for the exterior and the interior updates, most changes have been inspired by the Vantage S and N400 limited edition and make the car looking more aerodynamic and sportier.

UPDATE 04/11/2012: Aston Martin has announced the US prices for the new V8 Vantage model. The coupe version will be priced at $118,370 while the roadster version goes up to $132,870. We are still waiting to see how much we will have to pay for the V12 version.

Exterior and the Interior

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Exterior and the Interior

The exoteric changes for the V8 Vantage accept been aggressive by the Vantage S and N400 bound copy and includes a new lower bonanza with an aerodynamic splitter that incrludes beyond air assimilation for a bigger cooling of the agent and advanced brakes. The rear has accustomed a new diffuser and sculpted race-derived ancillary sills.

The S adaptation will be acclaimed by carbon cilia elements and a motorsport-derived aerodynamic package. On the autogenous aggregate is captivated in acceptable hand-stitched covering upholstery with arresting avant-garde architecture and “S” badges to added analyze the model.
Also, the S adaptation will be offered with a new accessory aeronautics arrangement developed in affiliation with Garmin and of advance Bluetooth and cruise control.

Gallery Aston Martin V8 Vantage Carsport

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Carsport

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Carsport 1

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Carsport 2

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Carsport 3

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Carsport 4

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Exterior and the Interior

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2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Detailed With Electric AWD

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Ahead of its debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month, Mitsubishi has free full details on its future traveller PHEV, the world’s initial plug-in hybrid SUV.

Mating a 2.0-liter petrol 4-cylinder to twin electrical motors (one at shaft wheel) and a twelve kWh lithium-ion battery pack, Mitsubishi aims to deliver SUV capability, petrol practice range and therefore the fuel potency of a plug-in hybrid. many completely different drive modes are out there, together with a pure heat unit setting, yet as settings for Series Hybrid and Parallel hybrid.
In Series Hybrid mode the ICE works to get electricity to the electrical motors whereas in Parallel Hybrid mode the ICE will most of the work to accelerate the vehicle, whereas being assisted  by the electrical motors.

In Series Hybrid mode the gas engine works to generate electricity to the electric motors while in Parallel Hybrid mode the gas engine does most of the work to accelerate the vehicle, while being assisted by the electric motors.

Thanks to the plug-in hybrid component, Mitsubishi claims a zero-emissions range of 34 miles (55 km) with a combined fuel efficiency of 143.5 mpg on the more generous Japanese driving cycle. Total driving range is rated at 547 miles.

That electric battery pack can also be 80 percent recharged in just 30 minutes.

As for off-road capability, Mitsubishi claims its Twin Motor 4WD system, integrated with the brand’s S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control). offers better response and control than a mechanical system

The Outlander PHEV will go on sale first in Japan in early 2013, before heading to markets around the world, including Europe and North America.

Gallery Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.1

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.2

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.3

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.4

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.5

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2013 Volkswagen Golf Mk7

 

2013 Volkswagen Golf Mk7

As if you don’t understand. This seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf is nearly clinically organic process in its feel and look, nonetheless it’s ground-up recent technology from its MQB platform to the all-new motors in its subtly additional angular body.

There is no obtaining far from the very fact the Golf could be a formula that works and Volkswagen would be wacky to vary it. The twenty nine million they’ve sold-out since it absolutely was launched in 1974 proves this.
Here we’re testing the one38bhp 1.4 TSI in top-spec GT trim, complete with seven-speed DSG case (a six-speed manual is standard) and cylinder deactivation, that truly makes this 109g/km gasoline engine cleaner than the lower-powered, one20bhp version of a similar 1.4 TSI which will sit to a lower place it within the vary and go while not cylinder management. conjointly on supply are associate 84bhp one.2 TSI, a 104bhp 1.6 TDI and a 148bhp two.0 TDI.

The interior styling of the car will also look familiar to owners of the current, sixth generation of the Golf, with the only really notable change being the center console that is angled towards the driver, much like what we see on BMW models.

What really separates the Mk7 from its predecessor is what you can’t see and in particular, the new MQB platform shared with other models in the VW Group such as the new 2013 Audi A3 and Seat Leon.

While larger in dimensions and more spacious that the outgoing Golf, the new model is up to 100kg / 220 lbs lighter. VW recently told us that the 2013 Golf will be available with several new engines including the EA211 turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder direct injection petrol unit with cylinder deactivation that produces 138hp (140PS).

Gallery 2013 Volkswagen Golf Mk7

2013 Volkswagen Golf Mk7

2013 Volkswagen Golf Mk7-1

2013 Volkswagen Golf Mk7-2

2013 Volkswagen Golf Mk7-3

2013 Volkswagen Golf Mk7-4

2013 Volkswagen Golf Mk7-5

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Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid construct showcases new developments in plug-in, range-extended electrical propulsion, new electronic technologies to boost driver involvement, the ability of the Lotus Versatile Vehicle design (VVA) that underpins the Evora 414E Hybrid and a dramatic new roof system and interior construct from Lotus style.

Lotus had a number of partners for the development of the technology that makes up the 414E including Nissan (Infiniti’s parent company) Xtrac, Evo Electric and Jaguar Land Rover. JLR, however, shifted direction during the project and decided to abandon the range-extending ‘Limo Green’ project and build a conventional parallel hybrid – the recently shown XJ-e concept – instead.

Lotus says that the project also helped it bring small component manufacturers – such as those involved with battery manufacturing – up to speed on what is required to become a ‘Tier 1’ supplier, the type of company that supplies global car manufacturers directly.

Fitting a ‘range-extender’ electric drivetrain into the Evora was the project that was used as the basis for building this knowledge base. Lotus says the 414E spurred it on to help develop sophisticated Synchronous Axial flux Drive Motors with integral inverters, massively improved accuracy of the motor’s torque output (from errors of 25 per cent to just 2 per cent) and new cut-off safety systems for use in an accident.

Lotus has also used the project to develop sophisticated software control systems for hybrid drivetrains and even a virtual development programme that allows it to drive virtual test cars around a virtual Hethel test track.

There are two sources of power in the 414E. A new 15kWh battery pack which weighs 250kg and is fitted into the space normally occupied by the Evora’s rear seats. Lotus is claiming a range of 30 miles on a full charge and the ability for the battery to deliver a serious slug of power when the driver demands it.

The engine/generator is the latest version of Lotus’s bespoke 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, petrol unit. It is built around a single aluminium block, with the cylinder head, exhaust manifold integrated into one unit.

Good for 47bhp, when in charging mode it runs between 1500 and 3500rpm and can consume methanol, ethanol or petrol. The generator is mounted directly on the crankshaft. This engine is used to supply charge directly to the wheel motors either when the battery has dropped to a 30 per cent charge (at which point it stops driving the wheels) or when the driver is demanding full-bore acceleration. The motors drive the wheels through a single speed transmission.

Despite the 414E gaining 377kg over the 1382kg showroom Evora, the 4.4 second 0-62mph sprint and impressive (especially for a car driven by electric motors) top speed of 133mph is a function, say Lotus, of the new battery and motor design

Gallery Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid1

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid2

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid3

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid4

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid5

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid6

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid7

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid8

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Chevrolet Sonic RS

 

Chevrolet Sonic RS

The acclaim amped up adaptation of the Sonic (America’s booty on the Aveo) a car which barter allegedly told Chevrolet they would body themselves if the architect autonomous not to advance it. Such is the abeyant ability of aftermarket personalisation in the States that the blackmail was taken seriously, and the RS is the result.

Why do we care? Well, abreast from the amore and fuzziness we acquire from any broiled up hatchback, the archetypal is currently beneath analysis for barrage in Europe. If the new Aveo proves accepted enough, and Chevrolet thinks there’s allowance at the top for an able-bodied aura archetypal (there is) again we could potentially see the RS in the UK abutting year.

Chevrolet dressed up the interior in athletic wear, too. There are sport seats, a thicker steering wheel with a flat bottom, aluminum pedals, and a unique instrument-cluster design. Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system, which features a seven-inch touch screen and Bluetooth connectivity, will be standard. A smartphone app will be available to push navigation info to the display.

While we’re a bit bummed the RS doesn’t get any more power, the turbocharged 1.4-liter four’s 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque were good enough to propel a Sonic to 60 mph in just 8.2 seconds in our testing. In this class, that’s pretty quick. Turbo Sonics are currently only available with the stick, but the RS ushers in a new era of choice, offering both the six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic. The auto will be available in other turbocharged Sonics in the spring. Engineers did fiddle with the RS’s gearing a bit—the manual gets closer ratios, and the automatic gets a shorter final-drive—so it will likely be slightly quicker than the standard turbo..

Chevy did a bit more underneath the RS. Its suspension is stiffer and lower, and it will be the only Sonic with rear disc brakes. The electric power steering is untouched, which is fine by us—we found the rack plenty quick in the standard car.

Chevy’s going to have a tough time pricing the RS. Normal Sonics can get pretty expensive, especially the higher trim levels. The last LTZ Turbo we tested cost $19,545—and it wasn’t even fully loaded. Even a modest premium for the RS could push it into the territory of the larger Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus. (If Ford’s Fiesta ST goes into production, it will face a similar problem.) Regardless of the potential price woes, though, we’re excited to see what a racier version of GM’s best-ever small car will be like to drive.

Chevrolet Sonic RS

Chevrolet Sonic RS.7

Chevrolet Sonic RS.8

Chevrolet Sonic RS1

Chevrolet Sonic RS2

Chevrolet Sonic RS3

Chevrolet Sonic RS4

Chevrolet Sonic RS5

Chevrolet Sonic RS6

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Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet already sells the ample Captiva SUV in the UK, but sales haven’t absolutely been booming. So can the US cast accept a little bit added success with the Nissan Juke-rivalling Trax?

Take one attending at the new car and it’s bright that it’s an absolutely altered hypothesis to the Juke – it’s hardly longer, added and a accomplished lot added practical. The Trax offers a best baggage accommodation of 1,372 litres, while the Juke has alone 830 litres.

Chevrolet has based the Trax on the accessible Vauxhall Mokka, but it looks added masculine, with a bolder adenoids and split-level grille. Larger wheelarches, foglamps and atramentous off-road cladding for the bumpers add to the beheld appeal.

Inside, the Trax has the aforementioned angular centre animate as the Mokka, but the apparatus array is aggressive by the Camaro beef car, while the birr gets a soft-touch covering. There’s a aerial active position and affluence of amplitude for taller drivers.

Being so far head of the starting gun means that the car can only be driven with several provisos in mind. First, these are pre-production models (although only be a slender margin) and second, they are all in Canadian spec.

Not much of an issue, you might think, but unlike Ford, Chevrolet still likes to tune its cars to what it regards as regional tastes, and that means that suspension settings, tyre choice, steering tune and even gear ratios are all going to subtly change before delivery to Europe begins.

Nevertheless, while the manufacturer may have only just begun work on building its variant for the old world, it is that market’s ballooning appetite for compact SUVs which has made the Trax a no-brain introduction to Chevrolet showrooms.

The aim is to hit the high-sided B-segment sweet spot where the likeable Skoda Yeti and overrated Nissan Juke currently reside. To that end, the Trax, like most of the brand’s offerings, is a largely orthodox piece of packaging.

The car follows hard on the heels of the well received Aveo – appropriate, as it shares its Gamma II platform, albeit in lengthened, fattened and strengthened format, and with the option of four-wheel-drive versions.

Precise details on pricing and trim levels are yet to be set in concrete, but it would be relatively safe to assume that Chevrolet will re-run its familiar LS, LT and LTZ line-up, that it will be well equipped and almost certainly undercut whatever sticker its cousin at Vauxhall wears.

Gallery Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet Trax1

Chevrolet Trax2

Chevrolet Trax4

Chevrolet Trax5

Chevrolet Trax6

Chevrolet Trax7

Chevrolet Trax8

Jed LeceisterAudi Q3 Whiteblue

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