Lexus has announced Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for its 2010 models, most of them get an increased price tag with some upgrades as well. Please note that the prices do not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875. The models will arrive at dealerships later this month. Lexus’ Safety Connect telematics system is now available as standard on most non-navigation equipped models such as IS 250, IS 350, IS F, IS 250C, IS 350C, RX 350 and RX 450h, while the full Lexus Enform with Safety Connect is standard on most of the models with navigation. Complimentary one-year trial subscriptions of Lexus Enform and Safety Connect are included. As part of the Lexus Enform navigation platform, XM NavTraffic(R) and XM NavWeather(TM) are available via individual XM(R) subscriptions and include a complimentary 90-day trial subscription.
The IS 250, IS 350 and IS F also enter the 2010 model year with an updated premium audio system with an optional hard disc drive navigation system, while the IS F gets new 19-inch wheels, a limited slip differential, and foldable rear headrests.
For 2010, the SC 430 receives new 18-inch wheels, side mirrors with puddle lamps, an updated navigation system and updated Mark Levinson audio, as well as some new colors.
The new HDD navigation system is standard on SC 430 and LX 570 and available for IS 250, IS 350, and IS F. The Lexus Navigation System includes Voice command, a casual-language based voice recognition feature, and enhanced Bluetooth with phonebook download.
Vorsteiner has unveiled their new limited edition GTS3 styling package for the BMW E90/E92 M3 models. The package includes a new front bumper and hood replacement unit. Just have a look at the photo, the new bumper has an expanded center air intake, a downward extension (that lowers the car visually), redesigned side air vents, and a replaceable one-piece carbon fiber front splitter. Vorsteiner also offers some front bumper options such as carbon fiber construction, "dry vacuumed woven plastic" construction, and a two-piece carbon fiber front splitter.
The GTS3 vented power dome hood, which is available only for the E92 M3, features vacuum bagging carbon fiber construction, revised central power dome with sharper tension edges and dual ventilation openings for engine heat extraction. Some hood options include double or single sided carbon fiber construction w/ carbon fiber underside paneling.
To celebrate its 100th anniversaries this year, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. unveiled the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Sang Bleu at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance show. The Sang Bleu is very exclusive, since it's a one-off exercise honouring the marques precious heritage. The model features the use of blue carbon fiber, with polished aluminum expanding along each front fender and door. The combination of carbon fibre and aluminum hasn’t been used before. Bugatti calls this approach a 'new dimension of « Art – Forme – Technique »', the company's core values statement.
The unique alloy wheels are inspired by the rims of the Grand Sport Roadster on which it's based, and highlight a Midnight Blue and Diamond Cut two-tone finish. Inside, to create an elegant and harmonious appearance, the vehicle gets a Pebble Beach-special design, with Gaucho leather trim accenting the exterior's materials.
Just as other Veryons, the Sang Bleu gets a potent 1,001-horsepower W-16 quad-turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive powetrain. It shares the rest of its technical specification with the Grand Sport on which it's based.
Due to be on sale in late 2010 as a 2011 model, the 2011 Porsche Cayenne SUV has been spotted on several occasions, revealing some details of the vehicle. Like the current model, the next Cayenne will still share a common platform with the next-generation Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7, and will be built in Volkswagen Group’s Bratislava plant in Slovakia. Unfinished Cayennes will then be transported to Porsche’s Leipzig plant for final assembly.
Plans are to make it smaller and more compact than the current model. The wheelbase will be shortened by almost 40 mm, while the height will be reduced by about 20 mm. Other details include a taller waistline and LED daytime running lights.
Inside, modifications include a redesigned center console with air vents positioned to the sides of the navigation screen instead of at the top, as well as much fewer buttons than the current model. The design also shows a similarity to the interior of the Panamera.
Under the hood, the 2011 Porsche Cayenne gets a range of powertrains. Both V-6 and V-8 petrol engines will be on offer, including a turbodiesel option, as well as a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain to be shared with the Panamera sedan. All engines will include Porsche’s new direct-injection technology, and some could even be matched to the automaker’s new dual-clutch gearbox.
It will reach a top speed of 180 mph and 0-60 mph times of less than five seconds for top end models. Meanwhile, taking the fuel economy into account, the new model will be lighter and more fuel efficient.
VW has announced that Volkswagen and Porsche has reached an agreement that VW will buy a shareholding of 42% in Porsche AG for about €3.3 billion by the end of 2009. Then the two German automakers will get a merger and the Auto Union name could be revived to brand it. "A new era" for both companies begins. Volkswagen’s current CEO, Martin Winterkorn, will act as the new head of Porsche and will likely oversee the combined company.
Earlier this year, Porsche had hoped to take over the VW Group by buying up its voting shares, but due to a mountain of debt totaling $12 billion, the takeover failed and Porsche fired CEO Wendelin Wiedekin. Ultimately VW Group took the purchase of Porsche stock.
However, it’s not Volkswagen running the whole show. According to a statement released by the VW Group, "The integrated automotive group will be formed from the progressive participation of Volkswagen in Porsche AG and the subsequent merger of Porsche Automobil Holding SE and Volkswagen AG. Porsche will remain an independent company headquartered in Stuttgart."
VW board chairman Martin Winterkorn described the company's plans in July, saying, "Volkswagen and Porsche have excellent know-how at their disposal and can use their resources even more efficiently by combining them. For this reason, we expect additional growth opportunities, safeguarding existing jobs and creating new ones.
"At the same time, we can call on our considerable experience in the integration of proud and successful brands rich in tradition. Like Audi today, Porsche can also continue its independent development under the aegis of Volkswagen and preserve its own identity. We have great respect for the achievements of the Porsche workforce and are convinced that Porsche can enrich the Volkswagen Group – just as Volkswagen can vice versa enrich Porsche.”
Of course, we customers concern more about the changes of the lineup. The combined company will have 10 brands, adding the Porsche marque to a stable that already includes Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Skoda, Seat and Lamborghini.
The next-gen VW Touareg is expected sometime in 2011. Now spy photographers have caught some photos of its hybrid variant. Under the heavy disguise, first detail we can gather from the spy shots is that the new Touareg is leaner and less bulky than the current model. However, according to some report previously released, the next-generation VW Touareg will be about 300 kilograms lighter than its predecessor (like its "cousin" the Porsche Cayenne), but larger too, and feature a third row of seats. It will be likely to get some considerable styling changes, including a new grill, front apron and newly designed lights.
The new Touareg hybrid will be fitted with a 3.0 liter V6 mated to an electric motor, developing 245 kW (333 hp) and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque. With the electric motor, the vehicle will get another 38 kW (52 hp) and an additional, whopping 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) torque.
As for the rest of the powertrains, the new engine lineup for the 2011 Touareg is expected to come with both a 280 horsepower 3.2-liter V-6 gasoline engine and a 345 horsepower 4.2-liter gasoline V-8. A pair of diesel engines will also be on offer, including 2.7-liter and 3.0-liter turbodiesels.
As you can see, details are still unclear, so we expect more information to be released as we get closer to the launch day.
Ilmor Engineering, who has built F1 powerplants for Mercedes-Benz and worked with a number of Indy car teams for over a decade to build engines, is now introducing a newly developed internal-combustion engine. It is a three-cylinder, 700cc (0.7-litre) five-stroke turbocharged petrol that claims to be at least 5% more efficient than an equivalent direct injection engine. The 5-stroke concept engine is able to develop 97kW (130bhp) and 165Nm (122lb-ft) of torque. The engine is also more compact, and unlike other new technologies does not require any new manufacturing techniques.
However, the engine is just a concept for now, further development is expected to cylinder capacity, valvegear design, turbo selection, and ancillaries. These should increase power to 112kW (150bhp) and return a weight saving of 20%.
Steve O'Connor, Ilmor's engineering manager says that plenty of refinements to this concept are under way and they will see even more improvements to all the aforementioned figures.
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