car-oh-car: February 2010

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Family Ties: Audi Owner Rebadges TT Coupe as a Volkswagen

At a first glance, few would guess that the first generation Audi TT shares a platform, engine and most of its mechanics with parent company Volkswagen's Golf as well as the VW Jetta, New Beetle, Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia etc., etc.

Call it down right honesty, call it stupid, you know, call it whatever, but the owner of this 2000 model year Audi TT Coupe, which is up for sale on eBay, had no problem at all replacing Ingolstadt's four-ring logos with the VW badge. He even went as far as adding a couple of VW emblems on the seats.

"I just added Volkswagen logos around to make it look different, since they are the same company," said the eBay with a sincerity that could do with a good a dose of self-irony. More pics for your enjoyment after the jump.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Volvo Preparing "Naughty" S60 for Geneva Show

Once a maker of some of the most boring to drive and mundane-looking bricks on wheels cars in the industry, Volvo has managed to turn up some pretty interesting proposals over the past few years - no thanks to FoMoCo's involvement.

Their latest and most likely last vehicle to be developed under the "loving" arms of Ford before the Swedish company falls into the hands of China's Geely Motors, is the all-new Volvo S60 sedan that will premiere at the Geneva Salon on March 2.

That we already knew. What we didn't know is that Volvo may surprise us with a sporty version(s) of the S60 as this blurred teaser image and a series of videos titled "Naught Volvos Are Coming" suggest.

Ford to Unveil New Focus Station Wagon at the Geneva Motor Show

At next week's Geneva Motor Show, Ford will stage the world premiere of the fifth member of its Focus family after the five-door hatchback, four-door sedan and the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX minivans, the station wagon model.

According to our sources, the more practical and roomy Focus SW (also known as the Estate in some countries) will initially be launched in Europe. However, if there's enough interest by buyers in other international markets, Ford will add the station wagon variant to its global range of Focus models in the very near future.

Photo Galore: 2011 Audi RS5 Coupe 450HP V8

Audi is now ready to show us a lot more of its Geneva Motor Show-bound RS5 as the Ingolstadt automaker published a slew of high-resolution images of the high-performance coupe that will take on the BMW M3 and its ilk. Like all RS models, the hottest A5 has been fully developed by Quattro, Audi's in-house performance division.

Under the bonnet of the sleek-looking coupe is a subtly tweaked version of the same naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 engine found in the old RS4 and the R8. In the RS5, the high-revving V8 churns out 450HP at 8,250 rpm along with 430Nm (317.15 lb-ft) of peak torque between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm.

Those ponies are sent to all four-wheels through a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission with Audi announcing a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.6 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h or 155mph. Hit the jump for the 55 new photos of the RS5 or click here to read the full details.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Lawmaker Accuses Toyota of Withholding Crash Evidence

Toyota may just have been caught with its hand in the proverbial cookie jar. Corporate blower of whistles and former Toyota Motor Sales USA (a "product liability group") managing counsel Dimitrios Biller has apparently brought a few documents to light - documents the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee finds "troubling".

According to panel chairman Ed Towns (D-NY), the documents "indicate Toyota deliberately withheld records that it was legally required to produce in response to discovery orders in litigation... [The] documents concern 'rollover' cases in which a driver or passenger was injured, including cases where victims were paralyzed."

I.DE.A Institute Teases 'Sofia' Sports Sedan Concept Ahead of Geneva Show

Three computer generated images and a name is just about all we have on the I.DE.A. Institute 'Sofia' hybrid sports sedan that will be officially unwrapped at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2. The famous design house stated that the four-seater concept model will be instantly recognized by its "Italian styling and beauty".

Last year, I.DE.A made its first appearance at the Swiss international auto show after a decade-long hiatus with the ERA roadster.

Geneva Pre-Gaming: Techart's Reptilian Porsche Panamera Concept One

It's one of the cars representing German tuner Techart in Geneva this year: the Concept One, a Porsche Panamera meant to showcase the firm's "second individualization level". And individual it is.

We'll start with the "unusual" interior, which is where this car really shines (although most will probably disagree): cocoa over white with "Phosphor" green stitching and detailing accented by tasty Cerbero trim - which must be the gator-skin stuff - on the dash, consoles, and seats.

Ferrari 599 Hybrid Concept: First Photos Leak on the Web

We've been hearing a lot about Ferrari's Geneva-bound 599 Hybrid concept model for quite some time now, but the Italian supercar maker apparently can't keep it under wraps anymore as the first photos of the prototype model made it onto the web today.

Photos aside, we asked around and our sources gave us some inside information on the hybrid system featured on the 'green' 599 concept model.

The system comprises of an electric motor producing somewhere around 100 horsepower and 137Nm (110 lb-ft) of torque that is attached on the back-end of the rear-mounted transmission, and a battery pack located under the floor.

2011 Audi A8 Receives its First Tuning Job by Hofele Design

The new generation of Audi's A8 limo, codenamed D4, was only just presented at the end of 2009, but the tuning industry has already started cranking out performance and styling mods for the German automaker's flagship sedan.

One of the first (if not the first) tuners to launch a dedicated programme for the 2011 A8 sedan is Germany's Hofele Design that will present its proposal to the public at next week's Geneva Motor Show.

Hofele Design has readied power kits for both engines that will be available at the new A8's launch. The 4.2-liter V8 petrol gets a jump from 372HP and 445Nm to 400HP and 475Nm, reducing the 0-100km/h sprint time from 5.7 seconds to 5.3 seconds.

Get Litigious: Bumblebee's gone all Mustang

Coming straight out of San Antonio, Texas is this... let's call it interesting... Transformers-inspired Mustang. Some people wouldn't be so kind, and one of those people happens to be Mr. Marton; he had the cajones to get close enough to grab the pics. Marton threw out the phrase "Wrong Car Fail", and while I secretly agree, hey, it's not my car.

However, as a Mustang fan, allow me to say this: Mustangs never look good in yellow (or gold, for that matter). Want to prove me wrong? Send in some pics of your yellow Mustangs and we'll see what passes for good-looking these days.

Geneva Preview: Infiniti's Diesel-Powered EX30d in Detail, Expected to Account for 80% of European Sales

Having already provided us with general information on its new 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine that was developed in cooperation with Renault, Infiniti has now released the first photographs and more details on the European market EX30d crossover that will debut in Geneva next week.

The EX30d will be the second model of the Infiniti range to get the new diesel V6 after the FX series, and will be followed by the M30d sedan. The diesel-powered EX crossover will go on sale this summer at prices to be announced closer to the launch date. Not surprisingly, Infiniti said it is expecting that, throughout Europe, eight out of every 10 EXs will be the new EX30d.

Geneva Preview: BMW'S Activehybrid5 Sedan Concept is way too Smart... [with Video]

The ActiveHybrid 5 is (officially now) the newest concept from BMW's Efficient Dynamics division, and ED has shaken things up a bit in the power train department. Instead of going with a V8-based mild hybrid setup a la the 7-Series and X6 hybrids, BMW decided to try the system out with their award-winning TwinPower Turbo'd 6-cylinder with Start/Stop tech running the show.

The system is fairly straightforward: up front is the engine, followed by the electric motor which is connected via an automatic clutch, and the 8-speed automatic transmission is the caboose. BMW placed the battery pack somewhere around the rear axle in order to improve weight distribution.

The battery pack, which provides 40kW or 54HP of power, gets recharged by an advanced Regenerative Brake system that works in conjunction with the electric motor. That same battery pack also "delivers electric power to the car's on-board network".

Geneva Preview: Lancia Delta Special Series Finished in Matte Black

For the first time ever, Lancia will share its display with Chrysler at the Geneva Motor Show, demonstrating the Fiat Group's vision for a common future for the two brands.

But while the Detroit Show earlier this year gave us a Chrysler-badged Delta prototype, the Italian firm's press release did not mention any plans for a Lancia-badged Chrysler model, simply noting that two Delta hatchbacks and two 300C sedans will be hosted on a common platform.

The Italian company added that it will show off a special edition version of the Delta finished in dark matte color called "Hard Black" that is further enhanced with chrome-plated mirror frames and new 18-inch burnished alloy wheels.

Pagani's Three-Color Wonder: The One-Off Zonda Tricolore

Pagani's Zonda has had more than a few iterations; it's like the Mustang of the �ber-supercar set. The latest is called the Tricolore, and it's most likely the last special edition Zonda ever as its replacement, the all-new C9 is on its way.

Built for a Spanish importer and debuting in Geneva next week, the Zonda Tricolore is based on the uniquely-bodied Cinque, carbon fiber body and all (we're assuming the power train is a carryover).

Mitsubishi ASX Crossover: New Gallery and Details on Euro-Spec Model

Mitsubishi's European arm has released a new batch of photos and additional information on its market-specific ASX Crossover that will premiere at this year's edition of the Geneva Salon. The European-spec version of the Japanese RVR, which went on sale in Japan earlier this month, will land in showrooms this summer.

With the exception of a few details such the black finish on the ASX's front and rear bumper inserts, grille and rocker panels as well as the addition of turning signals on the exterior mirrors, the European does not differ in any other way from the JDM version.

VIDEO: DTM Pilot Takes Audi's A1 Mini for a Spin on the Track

Wondering what a professional driver has to say about the new 2011 Audi A1? Well, here's your chance to find out as Audi invited DTM (or German Touring Car Championship) pilot Markus Winkelhock to take the premium supermini for a quick spin around the firm's Neustadt test track.

"The car is very well sprung. It swallows up bumps of almost any size without any amplification of the motions," said Winkelhock when describing his impressions. "After driving the Audi A1 for the first time, my opinion is clear: It's the benchmark in the small compact class," Winkelhock concluded.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Official F1 Safety Car for 2010 Season

The first race of the 2010 Formula-1 season in Bahrain on March 12 will mark the debut of the most powerful official F1 safety car of all time, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing, which replaces the firm's SL 63 AMG roadster that was used in the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Being a supercar and all, there was no need for Mercedes to fiddle around with the mechanical recipe so the new F1 safety car features the same 571HP V8 engine, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, suspension and brake system as the standard-production SLS AMG but gets an all-new rear silencer, that is said to allow the naturally aspirated V8 to breathe more easily and offer improved acoustics.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Lexus CT 200h: Official Information and Photos on Compact Hybrid Out And About

Official information for Lexus's Euro-fighting hybrid, the CT 200h, has just come out of the Press Release closet. Riding on 17-inch wheels mounted to a newly-developed front-wheel drive platform, the smallest Lexus ever is powered by a 1.8-liter gasoline engine mated to an electric motor with power (no performance figures have been released) going through an E-CVT transmission with, surprise surprise, settings that include ECO, SPORT, and NORMAL. But these are all facts we already know.

Spacially, the CT comes in at 4,320 mm long and 1,765 mm wide, with a 2,600 mm wheelbase. That helps Lexus' Audi A3-fighter provide owners with 345 liters (12.2 cubic feet) of cargo room with the rear seats up, or 700 liters (24.7 cubic feet) with them folded down.

Honda's CR-Z Hybrid drops into the JDM, Modulo Version and All [with High Res Gallery]

Honda's desperate-to-be-sporty hybrid, the CR-Z (or Compact Renaissance Zero... what?) will be going on sale, Friday, February 26th in its domestic market with a local sales goal of 1000 units per month. For those not in the know, that would be Japan, aka the JDM.

Just a recap: according to Honda, this the CR-Z will be the world's first hybrid vehicle with a 6-speed manual transmission, and it's also the manufacturer's first vehicle to feature a three-mode system which allows the drive to choose among Sport, Normal, or Econ settings.

Ford Receives Three Times More Orders for Freshly-'trained 2011 Mustang in January

It's hard to quantify exactly how much better Ford's 2011 Mustang Coupes and Convertibles are over their 2010 model year predecessors, but if order figures are any indication it's three times better.

Numbers from Ford show that in the first month on the market approximately 11,000 people have placed orders for the newly-power-trained 2011 Mustang.

A hefty fifty per cent of those orders were for the V6 base model (30 mpg, 305 horsepower), while the GT V8 (25 mpg, 412 horsepower) came in second at 41% and the beefy GT500 snagged the last 9% (23 mpg, 550 horsepower).

Senner Tuning Remembers the VW Golf V R32

The all-wheel drive, V6-powered VW Golf V R32 is long gone but not forgotten by tuning firms like Germany's Senner that has just presented a new sports package with styling and performance mods for the hot Euro hatch.

Senner has massaged the Golf R32's 3.2-liter V6 engine with a revised ECU, BMC air filter and a new sports exhaust system, boosting output from 250 to 274 horsepower and peak torque from 320Nm to 339Nm or 250 lb-ft.

Ford Releases Details on 2011 F-Series Super Duty Pickup

Ford's Super Duty F-Series pickups - that's F-250s and up - just got a little more super. The fanciness starts with Ford's new, quieter, more efficient, B20 (20% biodiesel / 80% petroleum diesel) compatible Power Stroke turbo diesel V8.

Designed and built fully in-house, the 6.7 liter is best-in-class all around. It develops 390 horsepower while dropping what we like to call a torque bomb - 735 lb-ft at 1,600 RPM.

Depending on chassis selection, towing capacity ranges from 14,000 lbs (F-250/350 single rear wheel) to 26,400 lbs (F-550 with the fifth-wheel hitch). Payloads range from 4,050 lbs in an F-250 to 6,520 lbs in an F-350 dually.

Fiat 500 by Diesel Upgraded with New Diesel (Engine...) and Paint Finish

The Chrysler Group's Italian daddy plans to use next week's Geneva Motor Show to unveil the 2010 Fiat 500 by Diesel, a special edition model done in partnership with the Italian clothing company. The new model year introduces Fiat's second-generation 1.3-liter Mutlijet diesel engine and a special "Midnight Indigo" dark-blue body finish that gives the impression of an iridescent color.

BMW ActiveHybrid5 Concept Photos Leak Out Ahead of Geneva Show

The first official photos of the BMW ActiveHybrid5 Concept, or in plain English, the near-production version of the upcoming 5-Series Hybrid sedan, have made their way into the web ahead of the car's planned world premiere (alongside the rest of the 2011 5-Series range) at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

We're still in the dark about the tech lowdown on BMW's latest concept model, but if we are to believe the German grapevine, the ActiveHybrid5 will use a similar hybrid setup as the one found in the X6 and 7-Series hybrids.

However, unlike those two model that are powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, it is said that the ActiveHybrid5 will make use of the firm's 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six assisted by a 40kw electric motor.

Again, this is just a rumor and has not been confirmed by BMW officials. Until BMW decides to let the cat out of the bag, check out the photos of the ActiveHybrid5 after the break.

Geneva Preview: Hamann BMW X6 Tycoon EVO M with 670HP

While Evolutions are in the news, we might as well go and cover the latest nastiness from Hamann: the Tycoon Evo M. Under all the bodywork is an more/less/equally beautiful/interesting/hideous (you choose) BMW X6 M sport activity vehicle.

Tycoon's bi-turbo V8 is massaged a little... to the tune of 670 horsepower and 780 Nm or 575 lb-ft of peak torque. Time-warps to 100 km/h (62mph) take a claimed 4.2 seconds on the way to 300 km/h or 186 mph.

Audi to Surprise us with New Concept Model at Geneva Show, Justin Timberlake to Unveil A1

Together with the world premiere of the RS5 Coupe 450HP V8, the A1 premium supermini and the near-production A8 Hybrid limo, the 80th Geneva Salon will also play host to a new Audi concept car, details of which are being safe-guarded until the show opens to the members of the press on March 2.

We'll avoid to play the guessing game about the type of vehicle that Audi is planning to surprise us in Geneva, but feel free to entertain us with your thoughts in the comment section after the jump.

2011 Porsche Cayenne SUV: Official Images and Details [Updated]

[Updated with High-Res Photos and Additional Info] Breaking news: after more leaks than the Titanic, Porsche came out of hiding and released official photos and initial specs on its redesigned SUV model that will have its first public outing at next week's Geneva Motor Show..

The verdict is still out on the new Cayenne's styling, but from what we can tell by these images, the next generation of Porsche's most profitable model looks less clumsy and a bit more sleeker than its predecessor thanks to a lowered roofline, steeper angle of the rear tailgate and sharper looking snout.

Then again there's that awkwardly styled rear end that could be mistaken for any other SUV - Crossover model - you didn't hear the word "Nissan" from us...

The interior has been redesigned from the ground up with the dashboard and center and lower consoles looking very similar to the Panamera sports sedan.

New VW CrossGolf: Facelifted Version of MPV-SUV Mishmash to Premiere in Geneva

The sixth-variant of Volkswagen's Golf family, the redesigned CrossGolf, will make its world debut alongside the new CrossPolo, Polo GTI and Touareg SUV at the German firm's Geneva Motor Show stand in March. Similarly to the CrossPolo, VW's new compact crossover is basically a higher-riding version of the facelifted Golf Plus kitted out to look more rugged. And no, it is not offered with all-wheel drive as all CrossGolfs keep the standard model's front wheel drive configuration.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

MUGEN Accessorizes the Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe

Honda fans, hold your 'horses'; Mugen's take on the new Honda CR-Z improves the Japanese hybrid coupe in all areas except the one that probably counts the most for you: Performance...

However, there's still hope as Honda's official tuning arm has made it clear that it is still considering the development of a high-performance version of the CR-Z in the likes of the MUGEN Civic Type Rs, but until we see the car in the flesh, you'll have to do with the firm's new range of go-fast bits.

Geneva Preview: New Abarth Punto EVO Packs 165HP 1.4-liter Turbo Engine

A few months after the premiere of the (facelifted) Punto EVO, and Abarth has announced that it has prepared its own version of the three-door supermini packing a 1.4 liter turbocharged Multiair four-banger that will debut alongside the souped-up 500C that we told you about earlier today at next week's Geneva Motor Show.

Fiat's performance division has sourced a larger turbocharger from Garrett in order to lift output to 165-horsepower and 250Nm of torque (at 2,250 RPM). 100 km/h rolls by you in 7.9 seconds, meaning there's got to be more than just a power boost to make this worthy of the Abarth name. And there is.

2011 Opel / Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid: Production Version of European Volt Spied Completely Undisguised!

The most enlightening spy photos of the production version of the 2011 Opel Ampera plopped in our inbox today. At first we thought it was just the concept model out testing, but a closer look at the completely undisguised Ampera with the German license plates revealed that this is the actual production model that's due to go on sale in Europe and the UK (as a Vauxhall) in late 2011.

A sister model to the North American Chevrolet Volt, the road-ready Ampera features a few minor styling tweaks and additions over last year's concept model (see pictures here).

At the front-end of the plug-in hybrid, we find a slightly revised front grille, relocated front turning signals, plain black decorative trim on the bumper and the addition of washers on the bonnet.

At the back, the boot lid spoiler has been extended and features a larger third-stop light, while the reflectors on the corners of the bumper have been pushed outwards and the diffuser on the bumper has been redesigned and incorporates center mounted lights.

Hyundai i-Flow Sport Sedan Concept: New Photo and Details, Powered by Diesel-Electric Hybrid Powertrain

As well as publishing a second photograph of the Geneva-bound i-Flow concept car, Hyundai also released new information on its sport saloon study that is said to hint at a future Ford Mondeo rivaling, D-segment mid-size sedan.

The European penned i-Flow features all the typical design cues of the new Hyundai style with the company claiming a drag coefficient of only 0.25Cd.

Wind it Down: Say Good-bye to Hummer as Chinese Deal goes from... Sweet to Sour

As of today, General Motors has officially declared that Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd. (try saying that ten times fast, I'll wait) won't be buying the Hummer brand after all. If you don't recall, Tengzhong is the Chinese company that thought it could make the Hummer business work in today's world.

There are many rumors to as why China officials would not support the transaction including Beijing's political agendas and environmental concerns (wait, Hummer's aren't efficient and green?), but fact is, the proposed deal is dead.

VIDEO: Citroen's MINI Cooper JCW Fighting DS3 Racing 200HP

Here's the first official video clip of the limited edition Citroen DS3 Racing that will be formally introduced at the Geneva Motor Show next week. A creation of Citroen's Racing division that handles the firm's World Rally Championship cars, the DS3 Racing will be produced in a strictly limited number of 1,000 units.

The hottest variant yet of the French automaker's premium supermini is powered by a tweaked version of the BMW-PSA Citroen Peugeot co-developed 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that's also used on the rivaling MINI Cooper JCW model. In the DS3 Racing, the 1.6 THP delivers an output of 200HP.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Receives its First Recall Only Two Weeks After U.S. Launch

Hyundai's all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata just got hit with its first recall (at 2 weeks into US sales, it probably just wants to get one under its belt like the big boys), forcing the little-Korean-that-could to put a "halt sales" order out on all models being sold in South Korea and the United States.

The cause: front door lock mechanisms are screwing up. When front passengers try to open their door from inside the car while also holding the lock button (I assume it's like trying to lock the doors as you're trying to get out of the car... weird), the inside door handle / latch mechanism sticks in the "pulled" or open position; this prevents the door from being able to properly shut.

Audi Considering New A1 Mini for USA, Says no Plans for Quattro, Roadster or Convertible Models

Even though Audi will hold a press conference at the unveiling of the new A1 premium hatchback in Geneva next week, the Germans gave journalists the opportunity to ask a bevy of questions ahead of the car's presentation, answering the most popular ones through a voting process.

And while questions about the possible introduction of S1 and RS1 sporty variants didn't make the cut (for the record, we voted, but go figure...), a few interesting questions did.

First of all, Audi said that there are no plans to offer the A1 with the firm's all-wheel drive quattro system while the first generation of the car will be offered only as a three- and five door hatchback body styles.

Despite various reports supporting the opposite (chiefly from UK magazines), Audi made it clear that neither a Cabriolet nor a Roadster is currently being considered.

New Abarth 500C: Performance Version of the Fiat 500 Convertible Heading to Geneva

Fiat's official tuning brand, Abarth, has dropped the lid on its latest creation based on the 500C ahead of the convertible's world premiere at next week's Geneva Motor Show. Like its tin-topped counterpart, the Abarth 500C benefits from a more powerful turbocharged engine as well as chassis upgrades and a full suite of aero tweaks to reduce drag and improve high-speed stability over the standard Fiat 500C.

Motivation comes from a 1.4-liter turbocharged T-Jet engine delivering 140 horsepower and 206Nm of peak torque at 2,000 rpm. Power is transferred to the front wheels through a standard six-speed automated manual gearbox with paddle shifters.

The Abarth-ized 500C can sprint from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.1 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 205km/h or 127mph, while returning an average fuel consumption in the combined cycle of 6.5lt/100km, or the U.S. equal of 36.2mpg.

The Italian company said that it is also working on a more powerful "Esseesse" model that will be available later this year.

First Official Photos of 2011 Porsche Cayenne?

Adding to the suspense surrounding the reveal of the new 2011 Porsche Cayenne, the folks from "Lemagauto" sent us these two photos of the SUV model supposedly scanned from Thursday's edition of French car magazine, "L'Auto Journal". We can't validate their authenticity, but the Cayennes featured appear to be in line with the prototype models we've seen in numerous scoop photographs over the past few months.

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