Dodge Circuit Concept Car

Dodge Circuit Concept Car

The Circuit EV is Dodge's idea of a practical sports car. It's an all-electric vehicle with a 200-mile range and the capability to go to sixty miles an hour from a standsill in just over five seconds.

Looking at this car and the all-new Dodge Challenger production car (I didn't get a picture of that - sorry), it was hard to believe that Chrysler was in serious trouble and about to go under if Fiat doesn't come to its rescue. Like GM, Chrysler is hoping exciting products will turn things around.

Maybe. But it's worth noting that Studebaker debuted its now-legendary Avanti sports car in 1963. It got the company a lot of positive attention and feedback. By 1967, though, Studebaker was gone.

2011 Porsche Cayenne

2011 Porsche Cayenne


Porsche has quietly announced U.S. pricing information for the 2011 Cayenne, on their American consumer website.

Starting at $46,700 (the version with the 8-speed automatic goes for $49,700), the Cayenne features a 3.6-liter V6 with 300 hp (224 kW / 304 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. The sport-ute accelerates from 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds (7.4 with the automatic) and has a top speed of 142 mph (229 km/h).

The Cayenne S starts at $63,700 and boasts a 4.8-liter V8 with 395 hp (294 kW / 400 PS) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 160 mph (258 km/h).

If you want performance and fuel efficiency, Porsche offers the $67,700 Cayenne S Hybrid. It features a 328 hp (245 kW / 333 PS) supercharged 3.0-liter V6 and a 46 hp (35 kW / 47 PS) electric motor. Expected to return 28.7 mpg (official EPA numbers haven't been released), the S Hybrid runs from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds and tops out at 150 mph (241 km/h).

The $104,800 Cayenne Turbo is powered by a twin-turbo 4.8-liter V8 with 493 hp (368 kW /500 PS) and 516 lb-ft (699 Nm) of torque. It rockets from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, before maxing out at 172 mph (277 km/h).

[Source: Porsche]


2011 Porsche Cayenne


2011 Porsche Cayenne


2011 Porsche Cayenne

Peugeot 308 GTi

Peugeot 308 GTi


The Peugeot 308 GTi come with the same 1.6 litre THP 147 kW (200 PS) engine that will be featured in the RCZ coupe model. That engine makes the 308 GTI competitive with the 155 kW (211 PS) of the Golf GTI - the benchmark GTI for this segment.

The THP engine, fitted with a twin-Scroll turbocharger and a high pressure direct-injection system with VTi technology (variable valve and timing injection), produces 275 Nm (203 lb-ft) of torque and will come mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes 7.7 seconds while fuel consumption will be 6.9 liters/100 km and CO2 emissions 159 g/km.

A sound system technology has also been employed to make sure the engine rumble provides for just the right sporty sound that customers will be looking for.

For the proper GTi ride the 308's front MacPherson suspension gets larger bearings with specific damper settings for the 22 mm rods (20 mm in the standard car). The rear torsion beam suspension also gets the same damper treatment.

On the outside are 18-inch wheels with 225/40 R18 tires, a rear spoiler, a lowered rear bumper fitted to a black (Perla Nera) diffuser and dual chrome exhaust pipes. The front fascia also gets a lowering panel borrowed from the 308 CC and a carbon-style insert beneath the front bumper.

GTi-badges are featured on the side and rear of the car.

On the interior are an aluminum foot rest and gear knob and a leather sport steering wheel.

[Source: Peugeot]


Peugeot 308 GTi


Peugeot 308 GTi


Peugeot 308 GTi

2010 Skoda Fabia VRS

2010 Skoda Fabia VRS


The Skoda Fabia vRS goes on sale in the United Kingdom on 29 July for a recommended minimum OTR of £15,700. There is also an estate (combi) version to be made available for the first time. Powered by a 1.4 TSI engine with both supercharger and turbocharger, the vRS is the fastest production Fabia that Skoda has ever brought out of the factory.

Maximum power is 132 kW (178 bhp / 180 PS) at 6,200rpm and peak torque is 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) between 2,000rpm and 4,500rpm. The engine is mated to a 7-speed DSG gearbox which helps it accelerate from 0 - 62mph in 7.3 seconds for both the hatch and the estate. Average fuel consumption comes to 45.6 mpg-UK (6.2l / 100km).

A set of 17-inch ‘Gigaro' alloy wheels with 205/40 R17 84W tyres appears both up front and at the rear. Other exterior highlights include LED daylight running lights, rear chrome double exhaust pipe and a rear spoiler. Running gear includes ESP, Hill Hold Control and XDS (Electronic Differential System).

The interior is equipped with vRS sports seats, paddles, a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with radio controls, an 8-speaker sound system and MDI (Multi-device interface) amongst others.

[source: worldcarfans.com]


2010 Skoda Fabia VRS


2010 Skoda Fabia VRS


2010 Skoda Fabia VRS

2012 Ford Ranger gets hot sweaty

Ford is still working very hard on the next generation Ranger pick-up truck. Engineers took two RHD diesel prototypes and descended to Death Valley, CA and Colorado to put the newcomer under some hot-weather testing.

Ford engineers are among the most erratic bunch of people within the automotive industry. Our spy photographer said that once engineers saw her, they tried mowing her down! Thankfully, she’s still standing on her own two feet, grabbing us some great photos of the forthcoming Ranger.

Despite still wearing heavy camouflage, both mules are double-cab variants – something that isn’t currently offered in the U.S and are wearing Michigan plates. The 2012 Ranger will be built on a global platform called the T6 that is presently being designed in Australia – compared to the current Ranger pick-ups which only share the same name. The newcomer will be bigger in all dimensions too.

Internally, a less utilitarian interior with a multi-function steering wheel backed up by stylish new dials similar to those in the Fiesta and new Focus will feature.

Engines accessible to customers will be Ford's newest 1.6 litre EcoBoost engine (direct-injection and turbocharged), producing 175bhp and 244Nm (180lb/ft) of torque. However, other sources state the 2.0 litre EcoBoost and 2.5 litre Duratec naturally aspirated petrol engines will be used. On the diesel front, either a 2.2 litre, 3.0 litre or 3.2 litre Duartorq TDCi engines will be available. All engines will use 4 cylinders and be mated to either 6 speed manual or automatic transmissions.

The next-generation Ford Ranger is expected to make its first appearance next year.

2010 Ford Ranger

2011 Ford Focus

Maserati CEO spills info on next-generation Quattroporte

The next-generation Quattroporte sedan will be available with four-wheel drive and stop-start technology, according to Maserati’s CEO.

Harald Wester said the new sports saloon, scheduled for 2012, would also weigh about 15% less than the existing model and fuel consumption and CO2 emissions would be improved by approximately 25%.

Wester claims that adding four-wheel drive will help Maserati's flagship model compete with Mercedes, Audi and BMW.

Other methods in the pipeline include economised V6 and V8 petrol engines, in addition to an 8 speed ZF automatic gearbox.

Citroen Metropolis and Survolt due for production

Citroen is working hard on bring two of its most recent concept cars into production: the Metropolis premium saloon and the Survolt electric sports car.

Citroen’s effort at breaking into the European executive saloon market with the current C6 failed but Ploué said that Citroën must carry on and the Metropolis is the model that could do that. The Metropolis would take its place as Citroens flagship saloon and may be badged ‘DS9’.

“We cannot afford to let the likes of Audi, Mercedes and BMW forge into Citroën’s heartland supermini territory without fighting back and pushing into theirs. Selling large luxury cars in Europe is not easy at the moment, but I believe Citroën has a great deal more to bring to the market. A large, characterful DS flagship model — we could call it a DS9 to reference the original DS19 — could do great things for us”, Polué said.

In addition, Polué suggested that developing such a car for the Chinese market – which would measure over 5.4m – and badging it as a Citroën, would be a positive financially.

“It’s still our intention to put the Survolt into low-volume production, and we’re pursuing the idea of a one-make race series,” well-placed insiders confirmed.

Nissan to reintroduce 200SX

Nissan is looking to revitalise the 200SX sports coupé that will take on the Mazda RX-7 and VW Scirocco, insiders say.

The 200SX coupé replacement would slot beneath the 370Z sports car to give Nissan a more affordable, fuel-efficient fastback as oppose to the VW Scirocco and the Renault Mégane 3dr.

The coupé would be rear-wheel drive, but the problem of finding a suitable platform on which to build it is tricky. A shortened 370Z chassis has been considered at one point but it was too heavy. The convertible rear-drive sports car that Nissan was exploring at one time, which could also have provided the hardware has been abandoned.

Nissan is making use of the next generation of its Tiida compact family car — sold in Slovenia, Germany, Ireland, Austria, Poland, Russia, Greece, Switzland and Ukraine — to strengthen its family car line-up alongside the Qashqai. The Qashqai crossover has been a colossal success, but the car maker still wants a regular small family car to replace the Almera, so it can take on the VW Golf, Vauxhall/Opel Astra, Kia Cee’d/Hyundai i30 and Ford Focus across Europe.

Porsche produces 25,000th Panamera sedan

Porsche has announced that the 25,000th Panamera has rolled off the assembly line in Leipzig, Germany. The milestone car, a ruby red Panamera, is destined for a customer in the United States. Under the hood is a 3.6 litre V6 engine with 296bhp (300PS) and 400Nm (295lb-ft) of torque.

According to Bernhard Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, "The benchmark performance of our Panamera V6 models wins over our customers worldwide. Even in the USA, a country with a preference for V8 engines, they impress with their efficiency and sportiness. The 4-door combines these aspects with the comfort and exclusivity of the luxury class."

The Panamera launched in September 2009 and quickly became one the best selling Porsche models of all time. In recent months, the sedan has outsold the Cayenne in the U.S. It was only back in December when Porsche produced its 10,000th Panamera.

Mercedes-Benz Back to the future

Built by 150 trainees, the car combines traditional design features with the latest technology.
So while it has large spoked wheels that hark back to the first Benz Motor Car of 1886, it is powered by a hybrid drive system using an emission-free fuel cell.

the first Benz Motor Car

Honda V4 Motorcycle Concept

Honda V4 Motorcycle Concept