Alfa Romeo Launch Prodrive Tuned Brera S For UK

There is soon going to be a new sports car on the block, developed specifically for roads in Britain. Alfa Romeo is planning for the new, limited edition Alfa Brera S with a hand from Prodrive, the world-leading motorsport specialist. Alfa says the engineers worked intensively for a year on suspension and chassis development and the result is a sports coupe that subtly enhances all that is good about the original Alfa Brera, while giving it crisp driver feedback & handling.

Distinctly different from the rest of the line-up, this unique addition to Alfa Romeo's UK range includes refined styling changes, inside and out. And to ensure ultimate exclusivity, production of the Alfa Brera S will be limited to just 500 individually numbered models. Power comes from a choice of two existing direct injection petrol engines – the 185 bhp 2.2 JTS and the 260 bhp 3.2 V6 JTS.

For the record, the 2.2 JTS and 3.2 V6 JTS Alfa Brera S can reach 62 mph from rest in 8.6 and 7.0 seconds respectively, on the way to maximum speeds of 139 and 155 mph.

To reduce roll and pitch and achieve an even flatter cornering attitude, Prodrive commissioned bespoke Eibach coil springs and Bilstein dampers. Spring rates are increased by over 50 per cent compared to the standard Alfa Brera, giving the car a more nimble and agile feel, while the specially tuned gas-filled mono-tube dampers give tighter body control. To further enhance suspension geometry and achieve lower centre of gravity, the cars have been lowered by 10 mm front and rear.

At each corner of the Alfa Brera S, unique Alfa 8C Competizione-inspired, lightweight 19" alloy wheels and Pirelli PZero Nero tyres have been fitted. The Prodrive stamped exhaust comes finished with chrome embellishers and has been altered to mirror the shape of the rear lights. The list continues with the Prodrive branded front stone deflectors, and a bespoke red 'S' or 'SV6' on the C-pillar.

Inside the 3.2 V6 JTS Alfa Brera S, changes are more obvious. Not only are the sports seats upholstered in soft black Frau® leather with red stitching, so are the dashboard fascia, door panels, steering wheel and gearlever. Foot pedals are fashioned from drilled aluminium and the headrest recess houses a limited edition Brera S aluminium plate, featuring the flags of Italy and Britain. This interior can also be specified on the 2.2 JTS version.

The transition from Alfa Brera to Brera S takes place at Alfa Romeo UK's dedicated import centre, near Bristol, and is overseen by Prodrive.

Source: TheyReviewed
Read More On: Alfa Romeo

Photo Gallery: Alpha Romeo's Limited Edition Prodrive Brera S High-Res Wallpaper Pictures.

Read more >>

Audi A5 Coupe UK Lineup Gets 2.0L TFSI Eco-Friend

Just like many other autmakers, Audi also wants to display its concern for environment. So it goes ahead and adds the new 2.0L TFSI to its A5 model range and will be available this August. The vehicles reported 42.8 mpg (36 mpg US) mileage in mixed driving definately boost its eco-friend credentials but don't worry, its also fun to drive. A5 2.0 TFSI generates 208 hp of power at 4300 rpm and torque of 258 lb-ft at 1500 rpm allowing it to hit 62 mph in a decent 6.9 seconds. And its all yours for £28,760. Check press release below for details.

PRESS RELEASE:
Latest Turbo FSI engine joins Audi coupé range and reiterates that fun and frugality are far from mutually exclusive A5 2.0 TFSI now available to order in front-wheel-drive or quattro all-wheel-drive forms priced at £28,760 OTR and £30,285 OTR – first deliveries in August. All-new Turbo FSI engine is based on 1.8 TFSI from new A4, but adds Audi valvelift technology for improved engine 'breathing' to maximise performance and efficiency.

A newly developed Turbo FSI petrol engine available from this week for the Audi A5 provides the sought-after coupe with yet another choice blend of pace and pence-per-mile efficiency. The new 211PS A5 2.0 TFSI can be ordered in either front-wheel-drive or quattro permanent all-wheel-drive forms for £28,760 OTR or £30,285 OTR, and will reach its first UK customers in August.

The new high-tech 2.0-litre unit is derived from the already much praised 1.8 TFSI engine introduced recently in A3, A4 and A5 models. It delivers 211PS from 4,300rpm and a very impressive 350Nm torque maximum from just 1,500rpm – more even than the 3.2-litre V6 FSI unit also powering A5 models. It enables the front-wheel-drive A5 2.0 TFSI with six-speed manual transmission to cover the 0-62mph sprint in 6.9 seconds, reach a top speed of 155mph and return up to 42.8mpg according to the combined cycle test. And despite doing full justice in performance terms to the purposeful styling of the A5, it also shows restraint where emissions are concerned, with an output of 154g/km for the front-wheel-drive version.

Standard specification for front-wheel-drive and quattro all-wheel-drive versions of the new A5 2.0 TFSI includes xenon headlamps with trademark LED strip daytime running lamps, 17-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, 3-zone electronic climate control, a 10-speaker Concert CD audio system, full Milano leather upholstery and rear acoustic parking.

Source: Audi
Read More On: Cars From Audi


Read more >>

Aston Martin Vantage Joins Kilgour At Paris Fashion Show

Sports car manufacturer, Aston Martin, and bespoke tailor, Kilgour of Savile Row, teamed up at a unique event yesterday at the BETC Photographic Studio in Paris. At Kilgour's first-ever fashion show in Paris presenting its spring/summer collection, Aston Martin created its very own haute couture bespoke V8 Vantage Coupe for the occasion, inspired by the latest creations.

The special V8 Vantage was finished in a unique Morning Frost Satin paint, with the texture of fine silk. The interior is influenced by Kilgour's latest collection and finished in Kilgour Midnight Blue, with the seat-inserts adorned with a polka-dot effect.

Aston Martin and Kilgour both build on long traditions of highest quality craftsmanship and design and attract clients from all over the world with their tailor-made and cutting-edge innovations. The fashion show in Paris offered a unique opportunity to view the latest creations of two extraordinary brands. The new collection and the V8 Vantage were appreciated by 250 invited VIP and media guests.

Source: Aston Martin
Read More On: Astom Martin

Photos Gallery: Aston Martin V8 Vantage High-Res Pictures.

Read more >>

Spy Video: 2011 Honda/Acura NSX, 3 Minutes Of Fun

We recently showed you a small clipping of 2011 Acura NSX scorching the Ring. Well to follow it up, we have the full 3 minutes of spy video footage of Acura NSX for your pleasure. Taste it, love it, hear it, enjoy it..do whatever you need to but don't miss it.

Source: YouTube
Read More On: Honda NSX



Related Posts:
2010-2011 Honda/Acura NSX First Spy Video.
2011 Honda/Acura NSX Prototype Fast Catching On Nissan GT-R.
Honda's 2011 Acura NSX Sportscar Spied In Germany.

Read more >>

Text+Video: 2009 Corvette ZR1 Breaks Nissan GT-R's Lap Record

Corvette Chief Engineer, Tadge J. Juechter has official broken the news of the upcoming 2009 Corvette ZR1 posting the fastest ever production car lap time around the Nurburgring. ZR1 now beats the 2009 Nissan GT-R's impressive record of 7:29 with its faster laptime of 7:26.4, as verified by the onboard datalogging and two hand-held stopwatches.

Here's what Juechter wrote on GMNext blog: "This morning (Friday June 27), General Motors development engineer Jim Mero drove the Corvette ZR1 around the Nürburgring in a time of 7:26.4. Jim commented after the lap that conditions were good except for a strong headwind down the main straight and that the lap was solid, but he felt there were a few places he could have gone faster." Now this indicate towards GM's intention of further improving the lap time and thus make things more difficult for upcoming 2011 Honda/Acura NSX and Toyota LF-A.

Giving out further details, Juechter clarified that the ZR1 that lapped the Ring was instock trim with no change in engine calibrations and it wore the production cars Michelin Pilot Sport 2’s tires. The chassis alignment and vehicle height were set to factory specs and the fuel used was the standard pump (not racing) gas. The only additional devices used were the communications and safety equipment.

To put an end to all possible speculation, Juechter wrote: "The vehicle was exactly like the cars that will be built in Bowling Green, Kentucky and sold around the world later this summer."

An in-car official video will be posted in the week of July 7 when the ZR1 engineering team returns from Germany. But rather waiting till then you can checkout BridgeToGantry's short spy video below that gives you glimpses of the 2009 Corvette ZR1 lapping the Ring. Hope you won't miss the sweet humming of ZR1's supercharged V8.

Source: GMNext
Read More On: Corvette ZR1

Video: 2009 Corvette ZR1 Performing At Nurburgring.

Related Posts:
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's LS9 V8 Specifications(specs).
2009 Chevrolet Corvette Comparison: ZR1 Vs Z06.
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 V8 Photo Gallery.
Read more >>

Ford UK Launch Red Fiesta Limited Edition Model

The Fiesta is Fords most selling mid-size vehicle in the UK. And since its due for replacememnt soon, Ford is trying to come out with newer Fiesta limited or special edition models to make most out of this vehicle before its gets dumped. So moving on that line, Ford has now launched the Red edition Fiesta Zetec S. Named 'Red' since this model would be available in, you guessed it, only red color.

The Red edition of Fiesta is based on the Fiesta Zetec S, powered by a 1.6-liter four generating 100hp of power. Only 400 pieces of Fiesta Red edition will be created for sale in UK and will be offered at a price of £13,000. For the guys and gals who need more details about the new Fiesta guise, we have pasted Ford's official press release below.

FORD ADDS STRIKING NEW FIESTA LIMITED EDITION
- New sporty Fiesta Zetec S Red special edition
- Black and white 'chequered flag roof' and Colorado red body paint
- Leather seats and privacy glass
- On sale now priced at £13,000 on-the-road

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 26 June, 2008 – The appeal of the exciting Ford Fiesta line-up continues to expand with the debut of a new sporty, feature-packed special edition – the Zetec S Red. Just 400 new Zetec S Red special editions, representing 10 per cent of all Zetec S models, will be available, priced at £13,000.

The "Red" edition follows the success of the popular radian yellow "Anniversary" and lime green "Celebration" models which sold out within weeks of their launch last year. Ford Fiesta has been in the top three best-selling vehicles in Britain every month this year with 42,895 models sold up to the end of May - almost 20 per cent of the British small car market.

With the zesty yet thrifty1.6-litre, 100PS petrol engine, Zetec S Red features Colorado red paintwork with chequered flag roof decal. Dark privacy glass on the rear windows and panther black features: door mirrors, door handles, bodyside mouldings, roof spoiler and tailgate handle, all add to the stylish look. Also standard are Quickclear® heated front windscreen, ebony leather seats, 16in alloy wheels, air conditioning and heated electrically-operated door mirrors.

Source: Ford
Read More On: Ford Fiesta

Photo Gallery: 2008 Ford Red Edition Fiesta Zetec S High-Res Pictures.

Read more >>

2010 VW Golf TwinDrive Electric Hybrid Concept Revealed

Volkswagen yesterday unveiled its new hybrid concept called the Golf Twin Drive. The uniqueness of this Twin Drive concept is the combination of a fuel-efficient diesel engine with plug-in electric hybrid technology. The electric motor stored in Golf's cargo hatch runs on an array of easily chargable lithium-ion batteries generating a respectable 82hp (61kW) of power. You won't need to worry once the electric-only range of 31 miles (50 KM) is crossed and the batteries get drained as the 122 horsepower 2.0L turbodiesel engine would take over from there.

It won't be right to compare the 2010 Golf Twin Drive with the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, as unlike the Volt, there would be no charging of the batteries by the engine. But the good thing is that you can still hook-up the car to a regular household power outlet and enjoy your beer while the baby gets all charged-up.

To further boost its travelling range, Golf will be loaded with two new innovative technologies, the regenerative braking to charge the batteries, and the start-stop system to shuts off the engine when idling in traffic.

By 2010, Volkswagen along with the German government would be developing a fleet of 20 Golf test cars fitted with the Twin Drive system. And VW promises to charge the batteries for the vehicle's electric motor using only 'renewable electricity' during the trial process. If you are confused by the term 'renewable electrictiy', not a prob, it just denotes the electric energy thats generated from renewable resources such as wind and hydro power.

Source: Autoblog
Read More On: VW Golf

Photo Gallery: New Volkswagon Golf Twin-Drive Electric Hybrid Concept High-Res Pictures.

Read more >>

2009 Dodge Ram Gets More Power But Consumes Less Fuel.

Dodge has announced its new 2009 Dodge Ram with improved fuel economy even though power gets boosted to 390 hp with a 407 lb-ft of torque. For comparison sake, the Ram's all-new 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 with fuel-saving Multiple Displacement System (MDS) technology offers 4 percent improved fuel economy, 13 percent more horsepower, 8 percent more torque over 2008 engine.

Engines available in all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 models include the 390-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8, flex-fuel 4.7-liter and 3.7-liter gasoline engines. The 2009 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty models (with current 2008 design) are available with either the 5.7-liter HEMI or the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine, which acording to Dodoge achieves 2010 NOx emission standards, making it the cleanest and best-performing heavy-duty pickup truck in the market.

The 4.7-liter V-8 delivers 310 horsepower (231 kW) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 Nm) of torque and shares some of the HEMI engine's combustion technology with its twin spark plugs per cylinder. Dodge will also continue to offer customers a 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine generating 215 horsepower (160 kW) and 235 lb.-ft. (319 Nm) of torque. It will come standard on all-new 2009 Dodge Ram two-wheel-drive regular cab and Quad Cab® models.

Dodge had confirmed that it will introduce an all-new Cummins turbodiesel engine in its light-duty pickup trucks after 2009. The new engine is said to provide a dramatic increase in low-end torque, up to a 25-percent improvement in fuel efficiency and a 20-percent reduction in carbon dioxide (C02) emissions when compared to an equivalent gasoline engine.

The Dodge Ram 1500 Hybrid, available after 2009, will be the latest addition to Chrysler LLC's fuel-efficient lineup, joining clean diesel, HEMI and flex-fuel vehicles. The two-mode hybrid system is currently being introduced in the company's 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid and 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid. It uses electric motors to allow the HEMI V-8 to remain in four-cylinder mode more often, improving fuel economy.

With gas prices moving up faster than ever and new stricter emission norms just few years away, it's does not seem to be a great time to debut an all-new full-size pickup truck. But still truck manufacturers are trying to salvage their falling sales with new fuel efficient powertrains and a promise of partial hybrid versions in upcoming models. Hope this works for Dodge Ram.

Photos: NCP
Read More On: Dodge

Photo Gallery: New 2009 Model Dodge Ram High-Res Pictures.

Read more >>