Lorinser E-Class Coupe Styling Kit Revealed
2010 Peugeot Sports Coupe SR1 Concept
Ford to launch facelifted Mondeo until global Mondeo
Ford is reportedly preparing to launch a subtle facelift for its European-market Mondeo sedan, but according to reports, this will be the last Mondeo revision before the new model – Ford's third new global product – hits the streets in 2014.
The interim Mondeo, pictured in the leaked photo on the right, will receive some minor adjustments to its appearance and specifications in an effort to keep it fresh, like the new Galaxy and S-Max minivans, until the new model arrives.
The next-gen Mondeo, however, will join the Fiesta and the new Focus as Ford's third new global car, replacing the Mondeo overseas and the Fusion in the North American market. According to reports, the new Mondeo/Fusion is being developed in the United States for expected simultaneous manufacturing – with few adjustments to local tastes – in the U.S., Europe and China.
[Sources: Autocar, BurlappCars.com]
2011 Kia Sportage SUV revealed via EU patent application
These images are of the 2011 Kia Sportage SUV, revealed via Kia’s patent filing with the EU Patent Office. It shows either the production version or as some suggest, the near production concept that could be paraded at the upcoming Geneva or Seoul motor shows. The Sportage is scheduled to hit domestic showrooms towards the end of 2010 or by the first quarter of 2011.
Penned by former Audi designer Peter Schreyer, the mid-sized SUV features Kia’s new signature grille and sports a cleaner, less severe look than the Hyundai Tucson/ix35, which it shares underpinnings with. The Hyundai was introduced in Singapore last November with a 166 bhp/197 Nm 2.0-litre Theta II engine paired with a newly developed six-speed automatic, so we presume that the Sportage could carry the same drivetrain when it reaches our region.
Tokyo Auto Salon - Lexus IS-F Circuit Club Sport Concepts Debuts
Here are a few snapshots of the Lexus IS F CCS (Circuit Club Sport) Concept car which was on display at the Tokyo auto salon this past weekend. Dressed in a vibrant contrast of orange and black, the IS F CCS goes heavy on the carbon fiber. Or should we say "light". Much of the body has been rendered so, including the roof, rear wing and diffuser, front spoiler lip, the hood as well as the side mirrors. The interior also gets a do-over in carbon fiber, such as the center and lower consoles, gear stick, steering wheel trim and door panels. The IS F CCS is also fitted with two-tone bucket seats.
The weight reduction helps boost the performance of this 5.0 liter V8 enabled Lexus. That engines produces 423 hp in its Japanese market iteration. Additional performance enhancement comes by way of forged magnesium wheels wrapped in performance tires, carbon brake disks, sports suspension and a sport exhaust system with a titanium muffler.
But weight and track time figures Lexus has not yet provide. Nor, for that matter, is there any news on what Lexus plans, if anything, to do in the future with this concept.
Mitsubishi ASX to Debut at Geneva - European
Mitsubishi will be debuting its new crossover, the ASX, at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
The ASX is the European version of the Japanese market RVR. It is a 5-seat, compact crossover, about 4.3 meters long, and is slotted below the Outlander in the Mitsubishi lineup.
Mitsubishi hasn't released many details on the model. It will come with a 1.8 liter turbocharged, direct-injection petrol/gasoline engine coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission, but they don't specify power outputs. The concept upon which the ASX is based, the Concept-cX, featured a diesel, but there is no mention of an oil-burner for the European market in the very brief press release. That concept car was also an all-wheel drive but there's no news either on whether this crossover will have that feature too.
The RVR will go on sale in Japan next month. The ASX will be rolled out in European markets in the spring, following its introduction in Geneva. We will have to wait until then for more details.
[Source: Mitsubishi ]
Suzuki Swift with 1.2-litre engine launched in India
Maruti Suzuki has launched a new Swift variant with a 1.2-litre petrol engine which complies to the stricter Bharat Stage IV standard. BS-IV, which is India’s equivalent to Euro 4, will come into force this April.
The new K-series engine, with a power output of 84 bhp and 113 Nm replaces the old 1.3-litre engine with 87 bhp and 111 Nm. Maruti Suzuki claims better refinement and fuel consumption of 17.9 km/l, 2 km/l better than the old 1.3. As a comparison, the M15A 1.5-litre Swift sold in Malaysia has 101 bhp and 133 Nm.
But many Swift buyers are turning to diesel. Maruti introduced the Swift with Fiat’s 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine (common rail turbo with 75 bhp and 190 Nm) back in 2007 and it has been selling well ever since. Despite increased competition, Maruti sold 10,900 Swifts in December 2009, the model’s highest monthly sales since its debut back in May 2005.
[Source: Paultan]
Goodyear Duraplus can be used to 100,000km
The new Goodyear DuraPlus was launched recently in Malaysia and the company claims it is able to achieve mileage as much as 100,000km. That sounds like really good news for the budget-conscious consumer who just want to buy something, fit it on and forget about it for the next few years.
The key behind the durability of the DuraPlus is what they call TredLife Technology, which actually consists of a few key design features that enables the tyre to last longer. A wide face cavity leads to increased footprint and more wearable rubber in contact with the road. A higher land to sea ratio tread depth allows for more wearable rubber.
11 sizes are available in Malaysia, for 13 inch to 15 inch wheels. The Duraplus replaces the Goodyear GT3 in the Malaysian line-up.
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 620 YarroW
Here's another variation on the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4. This one, called the YarroW, is from German tuner Wheelsandmore. First up, power on this Lambo is amped up to 620 hp and 580 lb-ft of torque (785 Nm). Wheelsandmore achieves this increase by means of ECU tampering, a carbon airbox and a stainless steel exhaust system with valve control.
The YarroW also comes with a beefed-up brake system to match those extra horses. 8-piston calipers are fitted at the front and 6-piston ones for the rear wheels, with 14.96 and 14.17-inch discs at front and back, respectively.
20-inch wheels are also part of the tuning kit, wrapped in 235/30/20 Dunlop Sport Maxx tires at the front (for the 8.5 x 20" rims) and 305/25/20 at the back (11.5 x 20"). The 3-piece forged rims are lightweight and come in various color and surface configurations.
The suspension gets a special coilover installed that goes up to 1.77 inches by hydraulic lift.
Carbon parts added to the exterior include a rear diffuser, frontflap and side mirrors. Carbon finish is also part of the interior redecorating.
Prices?
Engine tuning: 12,500 euros.
Brake kit: 13,998 euros.
Suspension: 8,999 euros.
Wheels: 11,400 euros.
[Source: gtspirit.com]