Saturday, May 28, 2016

The New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Crossover

The new 3008 crossover will lead Peugeot's future electric plans by gaining an all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid version in 2019. Peugeot's smaller models like the 208 and 2008 will be offered in all-electric versions shortly after, with bigger cars in the range to gain a plug-in hybrid version, Autocar reports.

New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Crossover

"For the smaller cars, like the 208 or 2008, we will launch electric versions of them," said Peugeot boss Maxime Picat during the reveal of the new 3008. "It will be electrification for smaller platforms, smaller cars, and plug-in hybridization for the bigger segments."

PSA has recently announced their 'Push-to-Pass' growth plan, which includes the launch of seven PHEVs and four all-electric models by 2021.

The plug-in version of the new Peugeot 3008 will feature an electric motor mounted on the rear axle, making it effectively an all-wheel drive model with an electric range of up to 31 miles (50km).

Following the introduction of the PHEV 3008, Peugeot will debut more autonomous-driving features across its range starting from 2020, according to Laurent Blanchet, the company's product director.

The new 3008 will feature adaptive cruise control with stop function, with Blanchet saying that is just the beginning. "That's the first step, to be at the same level as the best brands on the market," he says. "The next step will be later, around 2020, with a second, third, fourth step of autonomous driving system."

New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Crossover

New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Crossover

New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Crossover

New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Crossover

New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Crossover

New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Crossover

New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Crossover

New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Crossover

New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid Crossover

BMW M3 30th Anniversary Exclusive Editions

This exclusive version of the M3 builds on the Competition package models, bringing a 19hp upgrade for the twin-turbo straight six for a total of 444hp (450PS) and the optimized adaptive M suspension with new springs, dampers and stabilizers.

BMW M3 30th Anniversary Exclusive Editions

The whole car is basically an M3 Competition dressed in special clothes. The exterior is painted in the exclusive Macao Blue metallic, which back in the day was a special option for the original E30 M3.

Other exclusive features of this new special edition are the exclusively designed M gills on the front wings which bear the logo "30 Years M3". The cabin now hosts a black-blue full Merino leather interior, special badging on the sills and a numbered plaque on a carbon trim strip. Also the seat-belts have woven-in BMW M strips. Customers will be able to opt for a black-Silverstone leather option with contrast stitching as an option.

Production of the new BMW M3 "30 Years M3" will be limited to 500 units globally and will be offered both in manual and DCT versions. The company reckons that when fitted with the DCT gearbox, the latest version of the M3 is capable of running a 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in four seconds flat.

As for the pricing, the celebratory M3 will ask for 10,000 euros ($11k in current exchange rates) more than a standard M3 Competition in Germany, with the first cars scheduled to hit the market in the summer.

BMW M3 30th Anniversary Exclusive Editions

BMW M3 30th Anniversary Exclusive Editions

BMW M3 30th Anniversary Exclusive Editions

BMW M3 30th Anniversary Exclusive Editions

BMW M3 30th Anniversary Exclusive Editions

BMW M3 30th Anniversary Exclusive Editions

BMW M3 30th Anniversary Exclusive Editions

BMW M3 30th Anniversary Exclusive Editions

BMW M3 30th Anniversary Exclusive Editions

Friday, May 27, 2016

Range Rover Evoque Sport Coupe

Codenamed L560, the new model is expected to be dubbed Range Rover Evoque Sport Coupe. Quoting sources within the company, Autocar states that while most of its details remain a secret, the new addition to the Range Rover family is expected next year.

Range Rover Evoque Sport Coupe

It will reportedly use the same chassis and suspension as the Jaguar F-Pace, coming with a lightweight aluminum body. With a length of approximately 4.7 meters long, it will be slightly shorter than BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (4.9 m), slotting between the Evoque, which is 4.4 meters long, and the 4.85 meters Range Rover Evoque Sport.

While its size will put it close to the BMW X4 (4.6 m), its price tag, stylish exterior and an interior benefiting from the newest materials and finishes, will position it closer to the bigger German competitors. Its cabin is expected to offer seating for four, but a 2+1 rear seat, with a fifth seatbelt, should make its way to the options list.

The British magazine believes an all-electric powertrain might eventually join the lineup, made out of six and 8-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. It's not known at the time whether the four-pot mills available on the Jaguar F-Pace will make it to he new Range Rover. A hybrid powertrain is also in the cards, possibly based on the SDV6 HEV in the Range Rover Evoque Sport, while the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 is available for a range-topping SVR.

Range Rover Evoque Sport Coupe

Range Rover Evoque Sport Coupe

Range Rover Evoque Sport Coupe

Range Rover Evoque Sport Coupe

Range Rover Evoque Sport Coupe

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO Version

Just like the standard GT-R, the NISMO version comes with a restyled front end, highlighted by a new and more aggressive bumper, a larger dark chrome V-motion grille and a reinforced hood that's supposed to avoid deformation at extremely high speeds.

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO Version

However, unlike the regular model, the NISMO's front bumpers are made out of carbon fiber as designers looked to achieve the ideal amount of stiffness in a car built specifically for breaking lap records. Overall, the new GT-R NISMO generates more downforce than any other Nissan production car to date.

In terms of power, while the regular 2017 GT-R puts down 570 PS (20 PS more than the 2016 model), the NISMO is good for 600 PS (441 kW), the same as before but more enjoyable thanks to the stiffened body structure and upgraded shock absorbers, springs and stabilizers. Compared to the last NISMO, the 2017 model's slalom times and cornering performance have been improved by 2%.

The 2017 NISMO's 3.8-liter V6 also features a pair of high-flow, large-diameter turbochargers used in GT3 competition. While Nissan haven't released any official figures, its 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint should remain at a (still supercar-humbling) 2.8 seconds.

Inside the car you'll find that the 2017 GT-R's redesigned dashboard and steering wheel have been covered with high-quality Alcantara, as has the center armrest. Other differences between the NISMO and the regular 2017 GT-R would be the leather-appointed Recaro carbon bucket seats and the red Alcantara inserts found throughout the cabin.

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO Version

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO Version

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO Version

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO Version

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO Version

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO Version

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO Version

The New Renault Clio RS 16 Concept

Built to celebrate Renault Sport's 40th anniversary, the new Renault Clio RS 16 concept was revealed at the hands of F1 driver Kevin Magnussen at the Monaco Grand Prix. The company was keen to present a fully engineered car, so this special Clio features several enhancements in its chassis and suspension derived directly from motorsport applications.

Renault Clio RS 16 Concept

"In theory, a Clio R.S. fitted with our most powerful engine – the 275bhp, 2.0-litre turbo engine – was an attractive proposition, but we had to conduct more serious checks as regards its feasibility", said Managing Director Patrice Ratti. "In less than a month, a small team had completed a preliminary study that confirmed it was possible to house this engine under the bonnet."

The bodywork is now 60mm wider, the wheels measure 19 inches in diameter while the whole front end of the car was revised in order to correctly house the powertrain and the cooling system.

Dampers are the same used by the Megane RS 275 Trophy-R, meaning one-way adjustable shocks, with the big brother's braking system transferred as well, featuring 350mm steel discs. The rear axle was taken straight for the rally R3T version of the Clio which offers a 50% increase in roll rigidity. The wheels are 19inch items.

"Generally speaking, we tried to reuse the innovations that were introduced on Mégane RS 275 Trophy-R," said Maurizio Suppa. "For example, we used a lithium-ion battery, which saved around fifteen kilos and space in the engine compartment!"

Only two models exist so far, with the yellow one serving as the concept car and a black one used for development testing. Renault wants the new Clio RS 16 to be seen as the successor of the crazy Clio V6s of the past.

Renault Clio RS 16 Concept

Renault Clio RS 16 Concept

Renault Clio RS 16 Concept

Renault Clio RS 16 Concept

New Subaru Levorg STI Sport Wagon

The one thing Levorg STI fans really want from a car bearing Subaru's motorsport and tuning outfit's name is more power, but there's nothing of the sort on the Levorg STI, as the Japanese carmaker left the regular 168hp (170PS) 1.6-liter and 296hp (300PS) 2.0-liter turbocharged engines that are paired exclusively to a Lineartronic CVT automatic untouched. Instead, Subaru pulled some Levorg STI parts off the shelf and combined them with a few styling and handling upgrades.

Subaru Levorg STI Sport Wagon

The only true performance improvements were made to the chassis with a specially tuned version of Subaru's DampMaticII variable damping suspension with new Bilstein shocks, the modified electric power steering system, and the 18-inch STI alloy wheels.

On the outside, the Levorg STI Sport gets a new front bumper and grille, LED fog lamps, chrome exhaust tips and the addition of an optional WR Blue Pearl paint, while inside, there are two-tone black and dark-red leather seats with STI logos embroidered in the headrests and dark-red contrast stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever and door panels.

The new Levorg STI Sport will be available exclusively in Japan with prices set at 3,488,400 Yen (equal to $32,500) for the 1.6T and 3,942,000 Yen ($36,700) for the 2.0T.

Subaru Levorg STI Sport Wagon

Subaru Levorg STI Sport Wagon

Subaru Levorg STI Sport Wagon

Subaru Levorg STI Sport Wagon

Thursday, May 26, 2016

All-New 2017 Kia Cadenza

For 2017, the Cadenza features a stylish exterior with easy to notice signature Z-shaped lighting, both at the front as well as at the rear inside the LED taillights. And while a verdict is impossible to give seen as how it hasn't hit the streets yet, we do know that it's well equipped to take on its usual rivals such as the Toyota Avalon or the Nissan Maxima.

All-New 2017 Kia Cadenza

Powered by a revised 3.3-liter V6 unit, the new Cadenza is said to send around 290 HP to the front wheels (no exact figures yet), via the brand's first FWD-based 8-speed automatic transmission. The Korean automaker expects this gearbox to provide "quick and crisp shifts" and that's going to be important in a segment where everybody is trying to offer increased sportiness on the road.

Of course, the interior of the car counts just as much, and the Cadenza doesn't disappoint with its high quality soft-touch materials and heavy usage of leather. The fact that Kia saw to lower the driving position is also worth noting because these "little things" do add up in the minds of the consumers.

In terms of connectivity, the Cadenza features Kia's latest generation UVO system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, while audiophiles will enjoy listening to music through a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon system.

All-New 2017 Kia Cadenza

All-New 2017 Kia Cadenza

All-New 2017 Kia Cadenza

All-New 2017 Kia Cadenza

All-New 2017 Kia Cadenza