2009 MINI Roadster Concept and Coupe Concept, dubbed as the Oxford Twins, have been unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Looking at the elegant design and fascinating, sporting driving characteristics, we can’t help hoping that MINI brings these two cars to market. Under the hood, the two-seater MINI Roadster gets the John Cooper Works edition 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo engine that generates 211 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque. An extra torque comes from the "overboost" button, then the torque rating increases to 280 Nm. Thanks to the improved weight distribution, the slightly shorter layout and lower weight, the Roadster gets a better handling. Safety is taken in seriously consider. MINI has you covered with a pop-up rollbar that helps keep the car's passengers safe even if things go horribly wrong.
As a MINI being, it’s easy to recognize from the styling. Extensive use of family design cues makes that possible, including the round headlights, short hood and circular interior theme. The Roadster is identical to the standard Cooper from the windshield forward and the door panels. From the windshield back, there are numerous differences, including a more steeply raked windshield, a more rounded rear end, and a short decklid--not to mention the convertible top. Talking about the top, however, the Roadster's soft top won't drop on its own--it's manual-operation only.
The Roadster comes in at 3.71 meters long, 1.68 meters wide, and 1.36 meters high. Meanwhile, the roadster has a cargo capacity of 250 liters, much more than the 150 liters found on the Mazda MX-5 Miata, or the 142 liters in the Honda S2000, also beats out the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster. The cargo space falls well short of the 283 liters available in the BMW Z4.
Some special MINI features include the "openairometer", which will warm the hearts of Convertible fans, plus the NatureGuard function which informs the driver of the environmental impact of their driving. Not that this green machine isn't concerned with speed either: a "Highspeed Shifter" swaps cogs with ease and the "Gravity" indicator gives a readout on lateral acceleration. The Roadster Concept can even measure the driver's heartbeat--perhaps the gold standard of how exciting a car is to drive.
Renault Twingo has been one of the best-selling small city cars in France for two years running. Twingo Nokia, Twingo Night & Day, Twingo XV de France, Twingo Rip Curl and Twingo Art Collection, all these models help to get that achievement. Now, Renault has added a new special limited edition called Twingo Dolce Vita which is targeted at female drivers. To catch eyes in first sight, Twingo Dolce Vita comes with elegant and smart exterior styling. There are gold stickers on the front bumper, door handles, and B-pillar. Other changes include the same bumper as the Dynamique equipment level, black headlamp masks and foglamps, Dolce Vita graphics on the foglamp surrounds, door pillars and door handle recesses, Pearlescent black exterior mirror housings and foglamp surrounds, plus black ‘Pirate’ wheel trims. Initially, body color is available with Pearlescent Black and Glacier White. Later from early November, a choice of two new body colours namely Cajou Brown and Vanille White will be on offer.
Inside, the special edition receives a CD audio system with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, extra chrome trim, and a "bright and cheerful color scheme." Other features include electric powers mirrors, a height-adjustable driver's seat, and independent sliding rear seats.
Under the hood, Renault Twingo Dolce Vita is available with a choice of two particularly eco-friendly engines (1.2 LEV 16V 75 and dCi 65) which emit 119g and 113g of CO2/km respectively. Both of them qualify for France's €700 'eco bonus' subsidy.
The Twingo Dolce Vita will only be available in France from September 11, and prices start at €11,750.
Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG is regarded as the most dynamic business limousine by the company. Now German tuner Carlsson offers an even more powerful version of the E 63 AMG, dubbed as Carlsson E-CK63 RS, boasting a hefty improvement in horsepower over the standard E 63 AMG. The 6.3 liter V8 engine which usually has 525 (386 kW) and 630 Nm, now has 585 hp (430 kW) and a flying 695 Nm of torque. The extra power is attributed to the "re-engineering" of the engine. Carlsson offers a perfected motor management, an optimised exhaust system and most accurate adjustments. With that power, the Carlsson 2010 Mercedes E63 AMG accelerates to 100 km/h in only 4.5 seconds. This is three tenths of a second less than the acceleration values of the E 63 AMG.
Carlsson also provides an aerodynamic package made out of polyurethane (PU-RIM) which guarantees perfect fit and highest stability. The package includes front and rear skirts, extended wings and side moldings. The Carlsson wheel 1/5 REVO in 8.5 and 10.5x20 inches are also available.
Inside, Carlsson uses leather and ultra-suede on the seats, steering wheel and the inside of the doors to create an enormously luxurious atmosphere. The illuminated floor mats with the Carlsson logo are another eye-catcher.
In addition, Carlsson confirms the renowned quality with a three-year Carlsson Warranty for its own works.
After months of spy shots, teasers, finally the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG went to the public. Debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG boasts lightweight engineering and superior handling dynamics. The vehicle will arrive in German showrooms early next year. European pricing will start at around €177,310. Inspired by the legendary 300SL Gullwing, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG features an aluminum spaceframe body with unique gullwing doors. The wide radiator grille with the large Mercedes-Benz star and the wing-like fin also remind people of the legendary sports car.
Power comes from an AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine located front-mid, producing 571 horsepower and up to 650 Nm of torque. The engine is mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. As a result, the vehicle can accelerate to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 317km/h. Moreover, it can also be able to stop as fast as it accelerates. The Motorsport-style carbon-ceramic brakes are offered as standard.
Despite its massive engine and prodigious power output, the fuel consumption is at a reasonable level for such a supercar: 13.2 l/100km.
The rear-mounted gearbox and the engine mounted aft of the front wheels produces a rear-biased weight distribution of 47/53 front to rear. And its low center of gravity "emphasize the outstanding sports car concept". To keep the weight low, the SLS AMG uses a aluminium chassis which weighs just 241kg. In total, the kerb weight is 1620kg, which plays a key part in keeping fuel economy up.
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will come in a choice of Alanite Grey, Alubeam Silver, Syvanite Grey, and a shade of red. Combined with the SLS’s all-alloy double-wishbone front and rear suspension, and sizable 265/35R19 rubber on the front and 295/30R20 tyres on the rear, the SLS should boast a high level of agility.
Alfa Romeo is expanding its MiTo range with the 1.4l MultiAir engine,
Initially, the Alfa MiTo 1.4 MultiAir will be available with two power levels, 105 hp, 135 hp. They are available for all the MiTo models. Later, there will be an even more powerful 170 horsepower MultiAir Turbobenzina, which will come with the new Quadrifoglio Verde, or Green Four-Leaf Clover. All the three engines will be mated with a manual gearbox with either 5 or 6 gears. The 1.4l MultiAir engines combine outstanding performance with excellent smoothness and exemplary emission behavior and fuel consumption. The engines provide 10% more power and 10% more fuel efficiency than a traditional petrol engine with the same displacement. According to Fiat Powertrain Technologies data, particulates drop by up to 40% and NOx levels are reduced to half. The figures sound pretty impressive for the MINI competitor.
For instance, the mid-range 1.4 MultiAir 135 hp engine allows for a 0-60 sprint “at the very top of the mini category.” CO2 emission levels for this engine stand at 129g/km of CO2, while fuel consumption rating stands at 5.6l/100 km.
As for the 1.4 MultiAir Turbobenzina 170 hp model, the car achieves a 0-62 mph time in a shade over seven seconds, combining with a six-speed transmission. That is just below the MINI Cooper S time of 7.4 seconds, although real world tests suggest the Coop hits the mark around eight seconds. The unit provides 139 g/km of CO2 and 4.8 l/100km.
Besides the engines, one great feature of the new MiTo addition is the Start&Stop system, used for the first time on an Alfa Romeo. It helps to improve the economy greatly. Other improvements include a new suspension, a new steering system, a gear shifter shortened by a full 2.5 centimeters, and a renewed finish.
Renault has announced a special edition Koleos, the Koleos White Edition. Based on the Dynamique equipment level, the Koleos White Edition offers some Dynamique features as standard, meaning a total saving for the customer of 4,800 euros. The Dynamique options include Bluetooth capability, DVD navigation, a Bose sound system, a gloss black trim for the dashboard and a two-tone leather finish. The Renault Koleos White Edition comes in a Mineral Beige body colour, but also available in Argent Grey and Perle White. On the outside, there are rear lip spoiler, chrome skid plates, extra-tinted rear glass and 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels fitted with Continental tyres.
The White Edition is available with most of the engines in the 4x4's range. The price is as follows: Renault Koleos White Edition dCi 150 DPF (1,995cc) €29,350 Renault Koleos White Edition dCi 150 DPF 4×4 (1,995cc) €31,350 Renault Koleos White Edition dCi 150 DPF 4×4 automatic (1,995cc) €32,850
We have reported that Mercedes-Benz B-Class f-cell, the world's first series production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, is going in to limited production at the end of 2009. Besides, the company is also working on another fuel-cell B-Class concept, called BlueZERO E-Cell Plus. First debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus is still on the stage of a Concept car. However, it’s expected to production in near future. Recently, Mercedes-Benz has reveiled the "near-production" BlueZERO E-Cell Plus Concept, which will also come to the Frankfurt Auto Show.
Based on the existing A Class / B Class platform, the BlueZERO E-Cell combines gets a 1.0 litre 3-pot turbo petrol engine with a compact electric motor. The petrol engine producing 67 bhp, is used to charge the 18KWh lithium-ion batteries that drive the electric motor that produces 100kw and 320 Nm of torque. As such, the car springs from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 11 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h (93 mph).
The BlueZERO E-Cell Plus Concept can travel up to 100 km (62 miles) on electric power alone, before the gasoline engine kicks in to recharge the lithium-ion batteries, enabling an extended range of 500km (300 miles).
It is worth mentioning the recharging technology used in the car. Due to the special 20 kW rapid charger, the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus can be recharged for 50km trips in just 30 minutes and fully charged in about an hour. However, if you use a standard 3.3 kW household outlet, it will take up to six hours for fully charged.
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