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Volkswagen Releases Official UK Price for 2012 CC

VW CC Volkswagen Releases Official UK Price for 2012 CC

What do we get when the first time we lay eyes on the 2012 Volkswagen CC? Obviously, the luxury sedan is no longer part of Passat since Das Auto decided to divide the brand into separate ways. The 2012 CC is definitely offers modern styling and somehow, we still confuse to determine whether it is a sedan or a saloon because its got the sleek styling of sedan and the luxury size of a saloon. Since the official introductory at last year Los Angeles Auto Show, Volkswagen is overloading with the demand and they decided to release the official price tag for theUK market.

For theUKcustomers, they can get the 2012 Volkswagen CC with basic price tag of £24,200 in the form of RHD or right-hand drive. The standard engine choices of 1.8L TSI which provides 160 horsepower and the top of the range is 2.0L TDI that offers 170 horsepower that mated to a 6-speed DSG transmission and BlueMotion Technology. The last engine choice can be yours if you are willing to pay £30,100.

No matter choices of engine you choose, according to autoevolution.com, the 2012 CC luxury sedan offers features such as the RNS 315 touchscreen satellite navigation system, DAB radio, iPod, and Bluetooth connectivity, 2Zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, and brake-energy recovery systems. Das Auto offers GT trim levels where you can get additional heated front seats, Nappa leather interior, 3-mode adaptive chassis control, cruise control, parking sensors, 18-inch alloys, front fog lights, and heat insulating tinted glass at the back.

Other features on the 2012 Volkswagen CC are safety systems, standard ESP, optional features consist of Side Assist which monitors the blind spots and Lane Assist; rear view camera, front seats with massage function, and electrically deployed towbar. Well, all we can say is that this is one pretty sweet irresistible deal, folks.

alicia March 29, 2012 Volkswagen

Witnessing the Development of Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder prototype Witnessing the Development of Porsche 918 Spyder

If you wish for hotter version of the 911 and the new Cayman, you might want to hold that thought because we have brought you the hottest version which Porsche could have developed. What you see is a working progress of the Porsche 918 Spyder which is a hybrid sportscar and promises to bring you supercar performance and undisputed fuel efficiency. Okay, that is one bold marketing strategy, right?

Just so you know, there have been three prototypes of the 918 Spyder hybrid sportscar and recently, the one prototype was allowed to be opened to public where it tested on the Nardo high-speed test track which we provide you with some of the photos. Yes, we know what we attached is not pretty view, but as we mentioned earlier that the hybrid sportscar is still in prototype form which means that what we see is far from the pre-production or even the production version.

Porsche 918 Spyder engine Witnessing the Development of Porsche 918 Spyder

The Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid sportscar is powered by the 4.6L V8 engine with power output around 578 horsepower. The powerplant is borrowed from a ALMS LMP2 RS Spyder race car with the additional two electric motors. The first motor offers 122 horsepower which coupled to 7-speed transmission and the second one offers 109 horsepower and sends the power to the front axle. So, can you calculate the total power output? Yes… it is 770 horsepower, folks.

Porsche 918 Spyder interior Witnessing the Development of Porsche 918 Spyder

That amount of power will be useless if Porsche doesn’t make the 918 hybrid sportscar as lighter as possible and the total weight is 1,678kg. This combine sportscar can hit 0 to 60 mph less than 3 seconds with top speed at 202 mph or 325 km/h. According to autoevolution.com, the performance setup also includes a 6.8 kWh battery which offers all electric range of 16 miles or 26 km with recharging time around 6 hours if using 110V outlet and cuts down the charging time into 2 hours if Porsche uses a fast charger.

alicia March 29, 2012 Porsche

BMW Lowered Down the EPA Figures for 2012 328i

2012 BMW 3 Series lineup BMW Lowered Down the EPA Figures for 2012 328i

We all know how the 3-Series is one of the most wanted luxury sedans in the world but one thing that some of us not notice is the fact that this vehicle has pretty high EPA figures. The 2012 BMW 328i already gone through its official test and the Bavarian carmaker proudly stated that the EPA figure has been dropped down for the automatic version of the luxury sedan. So, how many digits the new EPA figures which scored by the 2012 328i luxury sedan?

According to autoevolution.com, the new fuel consumption figures of 2012 BMW 328i is 23 mpg for city and 33 mpg for highway with the previous figures were 24 mpg for city and 36 mpg for highway. Now, the automakers have the obligation to run EPA testing procedures for their cars and published the result. But sometimes, they run another tests to see if the improvements resulting in new EPA figures.

The 2012 328i automatic gone through EPA-approved fuel on a US-spec in Munich, but when US organization tested the luxury sedan, they obtained different result from the ones which done by the Bavarian carmaker. Now, BMW has the intention to redo the tests once it’s allowed to, but only for the 2013 model year. This luxury sedan is powered by the new 2.0L turbo which replaces the 3.0L V6 engine. New engine means new price where the old ones is $34,600 and the new price is $35,775.

alicia March 29, 2012 BMW

Spyshots: Facelifted 2013 Audi Q5 with Unnecessary Additional Headlights

2013 Audi Q5 Facelift Spyshots: Facelifted 2013 Audi Q5 with Unnecessary Additional Headlights

Okay, the Ingolstadt automaker is definitely got us confuse here because there are two versions of facelifted 2013 Audi Q5. The one with white paintjob, and this one is the latest which not only the German carmaker changes the color, but also adds what we think very unnecessary additional headlights. Headlights? Yup… we really think that Audi is imitating the Land Rover or the Range Rover as they want their facelifted crossover to be some kind of explorer transportation.

2013 Audi Q5 Facelift side view Spyshots: Facelifted 2013 Audi Q5 with Unnecessary Additional Headlights

Before we get too panicked, let’s see what the headlights on the facelifted 2013 Q5 actually are, shall we? Actually, besides the unnecessary headlights, our attention go straight to the undisguised hexagonal grille which means that it is what the German crossover will look like when it enters the production division. According autoevolution.com, the Ingolstadt carmaker won’t leave it that way as we are referring to the mid-cycle facelift and pretty much Audi will focus on the LED headlights.

2013 Audi Q5 Facelift rear view Spyshots: Facelifted 2013 Audi Q5 with Unnecessary Additional Headlights

This latest spyshot revealed that the facelifted 2013 Audi Q5 is offering very irresistible LED headlights and taillights with strip tape hiding the running lights at the bottom. With this crossover prototype out and about, it is very clear that the primary goal for this crossover is to compete with the BMW X3 and determine to expand the European market. Our aforementioned source hinted that the 2013 Q5 could be arrived at Paris Motor Show in September.

alicia March 29, 2012 Audi

Porsche Panamera Plug-In Hybrid Arrives in 2013

2013 Porsche Panamera Plug In Hybrid Porsche Panamera Plug In Hybrid Arrives in 2013

Okay, we don’t that surprise knowing that the luxury four-door saloon of Panamera will be getting additional family member which we had spotted for test drive. Yes folks, the Porsche Panamera Plug-In Hybrid is finally here, yet… Well, sort of as the German automaker announced that the brand new powertrain will be introduced to the Panamera models lineup. So, it is not like we force Porsche or anything, but it turns out that they are able to develop hybrid powerplant if they w try to.

The upcoming Porsche Panamera Plug-In Hybrid might be not in full hybrid, but at least Porsche dares to take the challenge, right? The German automaker is having the very clear ambitions on PHEV drivetrain as they have no intention to develop pure hybrid technology, at least not now. It seems like the prototype of the Panamera Plug-In Hybrid four-door luxury saloon which sent for test drive in Scandinavia came back with outstanding result.

According to autoevolution.com, the Porsche Panamera Plug-In Hybrid recognized by some kind of indentation on the left side of the saloon, just behind the C-pillar which not found in Panamera S Hybrid. Now, Porsche already did numerous of tests on the platforms and a prototype without the clear green light that they are going to deliver the Panamera Plug-In Hybrid comes to life. Since this is big saloon, it probably going to be equipped with larger lithium-ion with an electric range which in European drives cycle around 30km or 19 miles. The engine still is derived from the Panamera S Hybrid in the form of 3.0L V6 which coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

alicia March 28, 2012 Porsche

Mercedes: 2013 Sprinter Got Facelifted and New Transmission

Mercedes Benz Sprinter Mercedes: 2013 Sprinter Got Facelifted and New Transmission

Mercedes in on the offensive move in developing van as the commercial vehicle division just deployed the Citan urban delivery van and Viano for winter test drive. As if that is not enough, to fill the empty slot for the 2012, they are offering the Viano Pearl Limited Edition. And so, the three-pointed German automaker released another announcement which stated that they are currently developing the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter where the commercial van will be getting facelift program and new transmission and already scheduled to hit the market this spring.

The revised on the technical sides of the 2013 Sprinter van targets the fuel efficiency, but that is not the highlight part. Mercedes-Benz proudly announced that the commercial van will be adopting the 7G-tronic automatic transmission as an optional feature. According to autoevolution.com, the newly developed transmission on the upcoming sprinter able to operate very smooth at temperature as low as -30 degree Celsius or -22 degree Fahrenheit.

In term of fuel efficiency, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will be equipped with BlueEFFICIENCY pack which offers features such as low rolling-resistance tires, an ECO steering system, and engine start/stop system. The pack also allows the four-pot engine diesel engine which powers up the commercial van to provide EPA figure at 7.4L for every 100km and the figure can get lower around 7 liter for 100km if a high-ratio rear axle is chosen.

Another features which Mercedes-Benz might be granted for the 2013 Sprinter commercial van is an Adaptive Electronic Stability program which offers new two functions of Electronic Brake Prefil which prepares the braking system for action when the driver takes his foot off the gas; while the Brake Disk Wipe is removing the water the surface of the rotors.

alicia March 28, 2012 Mercedes-Benz , , ,

Spyshots: Facelifted BMW X1

BMW X1 Facelift spyshots Spyshots: Facelifted BMW X1

Just like Audi which officially announced that the A3 station wagon won’t be sold for US market, BMW is starting to consider which model they should offer to the Uncle Sam’s soil. The Bavarian carmaker already deployed the prototype of the facelifted BMW X1 and they kind of have the doubt whether to offer this model or not. It is not without reason why they think like this because the X3 already filling the US market segment for SUV although there is still open market for compact crossover such as the X1.

BMW X1 Facelift side view Spyshots: Facelifted BMW X1

But then again, BMW X1 is also one of top-selling little crossovers on the Bavarian’s models and they might miss potential profit on US market. According to autoevolution.com, although the facelifted X1 crossover prototype is covered in heavy camouflage sheet, the official introductory has been scheduled and it will take place at the 2012 New York International Auto Show or the NYIAS. Although the X1 is best-selling in Europe, the US will be getting a slightly different model from the European sibling.

BMW X1 Facelift rear view Spyshots: Facelifted BMW X1

The different model of the BMW X1 is referred as LCI of Life Cycle Impulse which also known as “facelifted”. The engine choice for this compact crossover is probably the 2.0L turbo which provides total power output at 245 horsepower. Rumor has it that the facelifted X1 is going to be equipped with Performance model which will be launched in the form of M345i xDrive where the power comes from a V6 turbo.

alicia March 28, 2012 BMW

Tuning Series: 2013 Audi AS3 by ABT

2013 Audi AS3 by ABT Tuning Series: 2013 Audi AS3 by ABT

We already witnessed hot the next edition of A3 on the floor of 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Guess what, ABT is hypnotized by the German coupe hatchback and directly release tuning image of 2013 Audi AS3. Yes, we know that ABT choose different color, instead of raging red, the German tuning specialist chooses the pure white paintjob on the design concept. But still, any color on the 2013 AS3 will only make this coupe hatchback is hotter than ever.

ABT’s field of expertise is in developing complete body kits without leaving the technical sides behind. And so, the 2013 AS3 is showing how the hatchback carries subtle visual mods but you just can’t deny the sporty feeling, can’t you? According to autoevolution.com, the front bumper has a lip, revised front grille, new side skirts, and fresh rear fascia which securely hides the double mufflers.

The round tires on 2013 AS3 by ABT are covered in DR lightweight alloy wheels with dynamic design. You can order the rims in 18- or 19-inch size and a coilover suspension which brings German coupe hatchback is getting the advantaged of closer ground clearance and beefier brakes which use 345mm of rotors. Moving on to the engine, folks… ABT is playing with engine but it is still working progress, but what we know is that the 2.0L TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with original output 200 horsepower is getting additional 50 horsepower, while the 2.0L TDI with original 170 horsepower, gets additional 30 horsepower.

alicia March 28, 2012 Audi
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