A wealthy Italian industrialist named Gian Mario Rossingnolo has bought De Tomaso, and is planning to revive the famous marque.
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Category Archives: Car Launches
The New Fiat Doblo
The latest edition of Fiat’s family bus was launched. And can I first say, although quite embarrassed, that it’s quite a handsome looking thing although not as good as the new Citroen C3 Picasso. But let’s get back to the facts.
When on sale it will be offered with four engines: a 94bhp petrol, and three diesels with 89bhp, 104bhp and 133bhp. It sounds ok for a car like this but 89bhp does sound a bit depressing. But these types of 7-seater cars never seem to be anything other than depressing. Well, I don’t think this is the case here, you see this is made by Italians. I’m not suggesting in any way that it’s passionate or any other thing that some Italian cars are but it’s not as bad as a Renault Espace for example.
The interesting thing is that it will be offered with a dual fuel engine which will work on petrol or methane. There will also be a new diesel later with a paddle shift gearbox. No comment on the dual fuel engine, that sounds ok but a paddle shifter? On a 7-seat family car? Who is going to buy that? Another good thing for the family oriented motorist is the start-stop system which will come as standard. And it’s ecological too with only 129g/km of CO2.
Unfortunately, Fiat hasn’t announced the prices yet.
Source: Autocar
Peugeot Release Special Edition of the RCZ
Peugeot has released a special edition of the RCZ called the Black Yearling. It only comes in matte black, but that’s not a bad thing, it looks great in that colour.
It will come with 1.6L 156hp engine linked to a six-speed gearbox. The source worded itself a bit odd, but it will either have the option of, or come with satellite navigation, heated electric leather seats, and parking sensors. It will cost around 33,000 Euros (About 49,000 USD) and only 75 will be made.
It definitely looks good, but it could really use more power.
Source: Eurocarblog
Volkswagen Launches Highline Plus Version of Passat
Yet another trim level released today, this time for the Volkswagen Passat. It’s called the Highline Plus, and it’s based around the Passat Highline.
Toyota Launches Luxury Edition of the Aygo
Toyota has launched a luxury version of it’s Aygo city car called the Platinum.
It is based on the Aygo+ model. Luxury changes include an Alcantra and leather interior, a leather gearknob, and a six-speaker audio system. On the outside, there are new 14-inch alloy wheels, and all the models come in Crystal Silver metallic paint. It’s got a 1.0L inline-3 engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The engine puts out 67hp and 69lb-ft of torque. For £380 (About 650 USD), you can add the Aygo Xtra Protected pack, which includes rear parking sensors and rear protection mouldings. Prices start at £8995 (About 15000 USD), and it is available to order now. Unless you, like me, live in North America, in which case we don’t have the Aygo. The Aygo is quite a fun little car, and a luxury model is quite an interesting touch, just so long as the weight of all that luxury doesn’t ruin the fun.
Source: Autocar
Bufori CS To Be Launched in 2010
Bufori – yet another man-in-a-shed car, this time from Malaysia though. It was founded by two brothers in the 80s. Anyways, their latest creation is the CS:
My god is it hideous. Details are a bit sparse, but we know that it will be powered by a 2.0L turbocharged engine. There will also be an advanced space frame chassis, unequal upper and lower control arms, and fully adjustable coil over suspension. There will be a racing version called the Bufori BMS R1. It has been jointly-developed with Axle Motorsport and will make its racing debut at the 56th Macau Grand Prix, which begins in about a week. There will be WTCC and Formula 3 there, so presumably this will be a WTCC car. Doesn’t sound too promising to be honest, a 2.0L turbocharged engine in such a hideous body isn’t what I’d call mouthwatering. I’ll reserve final judgment until further details are released.
Source: WorldCarFans
Volkswagen Ends Golf Mk1 Production With Citi Golf Mk1 Limited Edition
For those of you who didn’t know, Volkswagen has been producing the Mk1 Golf in South Africa all this time. Only in South Africa, and a slightly modified version called the Citi Golf, but nonetheless. Now, they will be stopping production, and as a good bye to the Mk1, Volkswagen will be producing a Citi Golf Mk1 Limited Edition.
It will be fitted with a 1.6L engine putting out 160hp. The colour choice will be either black or shadow blue metallic, no other colours are offered. Only 1,000 will be made.
Rumours say that the Citi Golf will be replaced by the Volkswagen Gol (No, I didn’t mean Golf, it’s called the Gol), a cheap supermini which is very popular in South America.
Source: WorldCarFans
North American Buick Regal Officially Unveiled
The North American version of the Buick Regal has finally been unveiled.
It is essentially a re-badged Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, but that isn’t by any means a bad thing, as the Insignia is a fine car. It will be offered with a 4-cylinder Ecotec engine, in 2.4L naturally aspirated and 2.0L turbocharged form. The 2.4L version will produce 182hp and get 30MPG on the highway, while the 2.0L version will produce 220hp and get 29MPG on the highway. Both engines will be hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission. Sadly, there’s no manual option mentioned, though the press release mentions something about driver controlled shifting, perhaps a flappy-paddle gearbox. The 2.0L version will also come with “Interactive Drive Control System”, which will allow the driver to choose between four different suspension settings.
Looks brilliant to me, and hopefully the rumours of a sports version will become a reality, as well as my hopes for a manual transmission.
Press Release:
The 2011 Regal: A Buick Bred On The Autobahn Sport Sedan Blends Sleek Design with European Road Manners for Great Driving
QUICK FACTS
* A new midsize Buick sport sedan with a European-bred driving experience
* On sale in the second quarter of 2010
* Based on the award-winning Opel Insignia and available now as a Regal in China
* Modern, sleek design with great attention to detail and excellent build quality
* Efficient, four-cylinder/six-speed powertrain with 30 mpg (est.)
* Turbocharged model available in summer 2010
* Driver-selectable Interactive Drive Control System available in summer 2010
* Available rear-seat thorax air bags
* Standard 18-inch wheels, leather and heated front seats, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth and OnStar.LOS ANGELES – On Thursday Buick will reveal the 2011 Regal sport sedan to customers in the L.A. area. Armed with turbocharged horsepower, a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm, European-tuned chassis, it delivers a driving experience that rivals the best import sport sedans in the segment.
“The 2011 Buick Regal is like nothing you’ve ever experienced from this brand,” said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick GMC. “The Regal is the next chapter in Buick’s transformation and will expand the portfolio to include a sport sedan.”
The new Regal arrives in the second quarter of 2010, with its sights aimed squarely on competitors like the Acura TSX and Volvo S60. It has a longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those vehicles, along with standard features – including a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and OnStar – that aren’t offered standard on either competitor.
The Regal’s development is rooted in Germany, where the globally led engineering team created the award-winning Opel Insignia – the 2009 European Car of the Year. The Insignia has garnered more than 31 prestigious awards and is the best-selling midsize sedan in Europe. Regal will bring all of Insignia’s award-winning design, technology and European-inspired performance capabilities to the American market.
The Regal has already been a success on another continent, in China. It went on sale in December 2008 and more than 64,000 Regals have been sold there. Enthusiastic customers cite its sculpted, flowing design and responsive performance as the top reasons for purchase.
Regal at a glance
Regal will initially be offered in premium CXL trim only, with additional trim levels to be offered in the 2012 model year. The well-equipped Regal CXL includes the following as standard or available equipment:
* Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW)
* Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) – available late-summer 2010
* Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission standard with driver-shifting control
* Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine
* MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
* All-new Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) available with the 2.0L turbo, offering driver-selectable suspension settings and automatic driver suspension setting adaptability
* Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake
* Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control
* Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; rear-seat thorax air bags available
* Available navigation system, Harmon Kardon sound system, internal flash drive (1GB), hard drive with 10GB for music and USB port
* Standard 18-inch wheels (19-inch wheels standard with IDCS)
* Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth capability; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.Design story
The Regal’s sleek design blends the sweeping silhouette and proportions of a coupe in a progressive package that suggests motion from all angles. Great attention to detail complements that aggressive styling, with tailored applications of Buick’s signature design cues, such as the waterfall grille, select use of chrome trim and superior fit and finish of the exterior panels.
“Regal is all about great proportions,” said John Cafaro, design director, passenger car. “For example, with the fenders flared to wrap around the tires. It’s an aggressive stance that people aren’t used to seeing in recent Buicks.”
The car’s performance-oriented spirit is also conveyed in sleek, sculpted body-side detail and aggressive headlamps that further suggest motion. At the rear, an abbreviated deck and tucked-in body panels are the hallmarks of a contemporary sport sedan, with bold taillamps and their intricate lighting elements reinforcing Regal’s attention to detail. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard.
The sweeping design motif carries over to the interior, where the side panels flow uninterrupted into the instrument panel. The instruments have the look of expensive sport timepieces and are lit with ice-blue LED lights. The center stack, housing the climate and “infotainment” controls, was designed to allow for a lower, driver-centric instrument panel profile. Features such as a thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped steering wheel and firm, highly bolstered and leather-covered seats also support the sport-oriented driving experience.
“There is great design harmony between the exterior and interior,” said Cafaro. “The feeling of flow and motion carries through in an engaging manner that makes you want to take the Regal out to your favorite twisting road to see what it can do.”
A breakthrough interior
The Regal’s finely crafted, sporty and well-appointed interior builds on the exceptional attention to detail found in the Enclave and LaCrosse, blending signature styling cues with contemporary sport sedan aesthetics.
Regal’s firm, highly bolstered seats were benchmarked against the top import competitors for comfort and support, while a standard flow-through center console offers plenty of storage for passengers in the front and back.
Smart applications of technology are also hallmarks of the Regal, including details such as a multi-function controller on the center console for operation of the audio system, navigation system and the Bluetooth phone. The faceplate for the “infotainment” screen is set at a 30-degree angle to contribute to the car’s flowing interior design.
A new era in Buick design is also seen in the satin metallic, piano black and new, Kibo-patterned interior trim materials. Kibo is a rich, dark, progressively grained wood that lends an international flair to the Regal.
Under the hood
Unique with its all-four-cylinder powertrain, the Regal relies on the excellent horsepower-per-liter ratio of the Ecotec engine family to deliver smart, on-demand performance that is also very efficient.
Both the standard 2.4L engine and the available 2.0L turbo use direct injection technology to optimize performance, reduce emissions and maximize fuel efficiency. The 2.4L is the same engine offered in the Buick LaCrosse, but in the smaller, lighter Regal, it delivers more agile performance. The 2.0L turbo cements the sport sedan credibility of the Regal, with on-demand power comparable to a V-6, but the inherent efficiency of a four-cylinder. To ensure responsive power across the rpm range, the 2.0L turbo uses a twin-scroll turbocharger that builds power quickly at lower rpm.
Distinct, uniquely calibrated six-speed automatic transmissions are paired with each engine. Both offer driver shift control that enhances the sporty driving feel of the Regal.
Driving experience
The chassis and structural systems were developed in Germany and give the Regal the handling and dynamics of a premium European sport sedan, as well as the quiet, refined ride and road manners expected of a Buick. The body structure is one of the most rigid in the segment, which is approximately 25-percent stiffer than the previous Regal. This solid structure supports more precise suspension tuning and a quieter ride.
A relatively long wheelbase of 107.8 inches (2738 mm) gives the Regal refined, well-balanced vehicle dynamics and supports comfortable ride tuning. Additionally, an independent MacPherson strut-type front suspension with single-path mountings and hydraulic ride bushings; a four-link independent rear suspension; hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering; and optimized four-wheel disc brakes are optimized to the capability of the individual powertrains and tailored to the expected use by drivers. Models equipped with the 2.0L turbo engine, for example, feature larger brakes.
Latest-generation electronic stability control (ESC or StabiliTrak), anti-lock brake system (ABS), and traction control system (TCS) are standard with Buick’s innovative, Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) real-time damping system offered on models equipped with the 2.0L turbo powertrain.
Interactive Drive Control System
Regal’s Interactive Drive Control System chassis technology (available on models with the available 2.0L turbo engine) offers enhanced vehicle stability and greater driving safety. It is designed to change the personality of the car based on the personality of the driver. A sophisticated driving mode control module continually monitors driving style utilizing yaw rate, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering wheel, throttle and vehicle speed. It defines the dynamic vehicle state, including acceleration, braking and cornering, to optimize chassis reactions. It also executes all of the IDCS driver selections.
All four dampers are electronically controlled and continuously adapt within milliseconds to the prevailing road conditions, vehicle movements and individual driving style. Chassis settings are adjustable by the driver, with Normal, Tour and Sport settings.
IDCS allows the driver to choose between three different operating modes that change the suspension settings, throttle response, shift pattern and steering sensitivity through the variable effort steering system. The three modes deliver three types of experiences:
* Normal – balanced and optimized for all driving situations
* Tour – optimized for comfort and relaxed driving on long journeys
* Sport – optimized for road holding; enthusiast driving .Selecting “Sport” mode optimizes the car for dynamic driving, tightening the suspension and steering response and speeding up the reaction of the automatic transmission. The “Tour” mode is optimal for long-distance cruising or rough road conditions, providing an increase in comfort. “Normal” or Default Mode is the perfect all-around setting for daily commuting and city traffic. The other major benefit of Interactive Drive Control is that it automatically adapts Regal’s performance settings to individual driving styles. When a driver begins to drive more aggressively it will tighten the suspension and increase steering effort and change to a more aggressive throttle response. When the vehicle senses that the driver is doing relaxed cruising, it adjusts settings for rolling smoothness and comfort.
Apart from a more rewarding driving experience, IDCS also offers safety benefits in emergency situations. For example, if an obstacle must be avoided when the car is in Tour mode, various chassis sensors convey this to the DMC and the dampers are stiffened within milliseconds, delivering greater body control.
Source: Jalopnik
Another man-in-a-shed car from the UK
The UK has given us plenty of “man-in-a-shed” type cars. Now, there’s another. It’s called the Arash AF-10.
Volvo S60 – First Official Pictures of the Production Model
The first official pictures of the production Volvo S60 have been released, and they show that the car will stay true to the original concept.
No pictures of the rear end have been released yet, but judging by the side profile picture, it shouldn’t have changed much. It’s still just as good looking as the concept, even better in my opinion, and I’m looking forward to the car. Hopefully they’ll manage to make it fun as well. The car is set to debut at the next Geneva Motor Show in March.
Source: Car and Driver