Hot Cars

Peugeot Modif

Automobile industry has seen various changes in past few years. Trend for compact hybrid cars is at its peak now a days. Several new designs are shaped every day and there is lot more to come.

Peugeot Modif is a fabulous design for a hybrid car that will be very successful in small towns and tight places. It has a two tone color scheme and the center of this is the large rubber tube-like center shaft that allows the car to squeeze up to 88 centimeters and also provides the front of the car with flexibility to swivel from side to side 18.5 degrees for better drive.

Each tire having six special pads holding sensors to intimate the driver for adjustment of car according to road conditions. Inside each massive wheel is a powerful hydrogen hybrid engine. 80% of the material used to make is renewable, the a rubber element in the front part houses the oil, water and CPU.

The cockpit of the car is covered by a large bubble top one-piece window that provides the passenger and the driver with an unobstructed view up to 360 degrees. Rare view cameras on both sides constantly provide with the status of the road behind on a screen embedded on the dashboard. It also features a high-discharge red led emergency light on the top for you to cherish a V.I.P. feeling. The exhaust pipe is positioned in the center that only emits water.

Just beware of cars and trucks together

Toyota Unleashes High-powered Hilux

Toyota’s powerful presence in the UK pick-up market is set to become even stronger with the launch this week of its new 3.0-litre D-4D 170 and higher-output 2.5-litre D-4D 120 engines. These new, Euro IV-compliant powertrains give the legendary Hilux more power, more torque, cleaner emissions and more refined performance, whether travelling on road or in the rough. They also strengthen Hilux’s profile as a vehicle that ticks all the right boxes, whether it’s being driven for work or for pleasure.

The new 3.0-litre D-4D 170 engine produces 169bhp (171 DIN hp) with 343Nm of torque available from 1,400 all the way up to 3,400rpm. Available in the Hilux Double Cab in HL3 and Invincible trim, it can be specified with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. For improved off-road handling, the 3.0-litre D-4D Hilux is fitted as standard with a limited slip differential.

The revised 2.5-litre D-4D 120 engine sees power up by 17 per cent to 118bhp (120 DIN hp) and torque boosted from 260Nm to 325Nm, with more than 300Nm produced between 1,600 and 2,600rpm. This gives the Hilux an excellent balance of flexible driving performance and low fuel consumption.

The 2007 Single, Extra and Double Cab Hilux range is available from £12,170 (CV on-the-road price, excluding VAT) for the 2.5 D-4D 120 Single Cab HL2 2WD. All versions come as standard with air conditioning, electric windows, remote central locking, driver and front passenger airbags and ABS.

New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Revealed

An impressive combination of ride comfort and agility is the hallmark of the new C-Class, which celebrated its world premiere in Stuttgart. In front of some 600 international journalists from over 30 countries, Mercedes-Benz presented the remake of its biggest-selling model series, which sets a new benchmark with its vigorously elegant styling, state-of-the-art safety technology and versatile product concept.

“With the new C-Class, we are yet again raising the bar in this important segment of the market – and that’s true right across the board, especially in terms of safety, comfort and agility,” declared Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of DaimlerChrysler AG and head of the Mercedes Car Group, at the world premiere, which was held in the Mercedes-Benz World in Stuttgart. “With its unique balance of driving characteristics, the fourth C-Class generation embodies a new driving culture in the compact premium car segment. We are thus offering our customers the most versatile and majestic C-Class of all time – and, for the first time, in two attractive outfits.”

First Mercedes saloon with two different faces

The new C-Class is the first Mercedes saloon to feature equipment lines with different faces. In the more traditional Elegance and Classic models, the star is, as before, to be found on the engine bonnet, while, in the avantgarde versions, the trademark is positioned in the centre of the radiator grille, as is typical in sporty models from Mercedes.

“Starting already with the vehicle’s external appearance,” says Zetsche, “each customer can decide for him or herself where they want the emphasis to be.” With its distinctive styling, the new premium-segment saloon offers its own unique interpretation of Mercedes-Benz’s current style statement and makes the technological supremacy and quality of the new C-Class apparent at the first glance.

Latest safety technology for optimal occupant protection

Alongside its renowned comfort, the traditional strengths of the C-Class include the vehicle’s exemplary occupant protection. Thanks to its integrated security concept, the new model continues to lead the way in its class, with greater active safety being afforded, for example, by the adaptive braking system from the S-Class and the Intel-ligent Light System with five automatic lighting functions. A new era in safety and ergonomics is ushered in by the C-Class’s innovative instrumentation and control concept, which noticeably reduces the burden on the driver and prevents him or her from being distracted.

As far as passive safety is concerned, the new C-Class meets significantly higher standards than are required around the world by the various statutory regulations. The standard equipment includes seven airbags as well as active head restraints. In addition, the new C-Class – like the large Mercedes saloons and SUVs – is also available with the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system.

Wide range of economical and powerful engines

Customers can choose from a range of state-of-the-art four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. At its market launch in the spring, the new C-Class saloon will come in three petrol-engined versions (C 200, C 280 and C 350) as well as in a four-cylinder diesel variant (C 220 CDI). In the course of the year, Mercedes-Benz will extend the available range to include, among others, the C 320 CDI V6 diesel engine as well as two four-cylinder versions, the C 180 and the C 200 CDI.

The development engineers at Mercedes-Benz have focused above all on improving the popular four-cylinder engines, the outstanding qualities of which now include lower fuel consumption, higher power output and superbly smooth operation.

In Germany, despite the rise in VAT to 19 percent, the gross entry-level price for the new C-Class is still below 30,000 euros, which means that, adjusted for inflation, the price level of the new C-Class is the same as for its predecessor, over two million units of which have been sold around the world since its market launch in 2000.

2007 Volvo V70 Range With New Special Edition Sport

The Volvo V70 is the UK’s best-selling, large premium estate car and, for 2007, Volvo is introducing a high specification, great value V70 Special Edition Sport model, at the same time as simplifying the rest of the V70 range. The Special Edition Sport is equipped with a number of sporty additions1 including leather sports upholstery, unique 5 spoke wheels, chronograph instruments, rear spoiler, speed dependent steering and colour co-ordinated front and rear lower spoilers and lower side mouldings.

This model also offers exceptional value with prices starting from £24,310 (on the road) for the 2.4 (170PS) model. Priced at just £500 above the entry-level S specification and £1,300 less than the Sport model it replaces, the new Special Edition Sport is available with a choice of three of Volvo’s five-cylinder engines – a 2.4 (170PS) petrol and two diesels, a 2.4D (163PS) and D5 (185PS). All engines are available to order immediately with a choice of manual, automatic or Geartronic transmissions.

Both 2.4 and D5 diesel engines have a relatively low CO2 emission figure of 179g/km, which is good news for company motorists. A 22% tax payer will pay just £117 per month to get behind the wheel of the 2.4D or £121 for the more powerful D5 Special Edition Sport4.

The Volvo V70 range for 2007

The Volvo V70 range continues to offer a wide range of trim levels for 2007, including S, SE, SE Sport and SE Lux models, plus the high performance, 300PS V70 R, and the new Special Edition Sport.

To simplify the V70 range and offer the most attractive variants, Volvo is keeping the five most popular engines2 – the 2.4 (170PS), 2.5T (210PS), T5 (260PS), 2.4D (163PS) and D5 (185PS), plus the Bi-Fuel (CNG) model. This reduces the range from 46 to 15 model variants.

In addition, Volvo has reduced the price for the 2.4 (170PS) engine model by £700 which now becomes the entry-level engine in the V70 range at £23,810.

These range adjustments mean that, with a CO2 figure of 179g/km, a 22% company car tax payer will pay £134 per month4 to get behind the wheel of the new Volvo V70 2.4 S and just £117 per month to drive the V70 2.4D Special Edition Sport.

Impreza RB320 In ‘Autosport Show’ Success

Subaru’s new Impreza RB320 has proven a runaway success at the recent ‘Autosport 2007 Show’, together with a special track day promotion in memory of the late rally hero, Richard Burns. Almost 300 places were snapped up for a two-hour spin around Prodrive’s Warwickshire circuit in the new special edition which had its public debut at the show at Birmingham’s NEC.

The lucky participants were transported from Subaru’s show stand over two days, having paid a £50 donation to the Richard Burns Foundation which helps those suffering from serious injury or illness.

And not only did Subaru raise more than £14,300 for the Foundation but now has 20-plus orders for the car which will have a limited run of 320 units.

Meanwhile, the ‘Autosport’ show itself has been praised by Subaru management for attracting a high quality of enthusiastic stand visitors. For example, the manufacturer sold more than £7,500 worth of accessories and clothing.

Based on the iconic Impreza WRX STI the RB320 is named after Richard Burns who died in November 2005 of cancer.
The new car features around £6,000 worth of extra equipment including the 320 PS Prodrive Performance Pack, yet costs £29,995 on-the-road – an increase of only £3,500.

Available only in Obsidian Black, the RB320 features bespoke 18 ins alloy wheels and specially developed Prodrive suspension comprising Bilstein dampers, an Eibach sports spring kit with revised rear anti-roll bar and a ride height lowered by
30 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear.

Also standard on the RB320 are a chrome mesh front grille, front lip spoiler, quickshift gearchange, side sill plates and RB320-branded gear knob, carpet mats and exclusive exterior badging. Each owner will also receive an individually numbered black alloy tax disc holder.

The PPP boosts power to 320 PS at 6,000 rpm with torque leaping to 332 lb ft at 3,700 rpm. This reduces the 0-60 mph time to 4.8 seconds with a 0-100 mph time of 12.2 seconds.

First deliveries of the RB320 are due in March with the first 50 customers being invited to a special celebrity driveaway and track day – again at Prodrive’s Warwickshire circuit.

Warning! Do not get into Car trouble

Jaguar XKR GT3 Revealed

Jaguar’s new XKR Coupé is being revealed to a new audience at the Autosport International Show at the NEC, Birmingham, and in a new guise.

Buckingham-based Apex Motorsport, under the direction of Richard Lloyd, has developed the stunning XKR model for use in the FIA GT3 European Championship. It is being revealed in the ‘flesh’ for the first time to the world’s motorsport media at what is recognised to be globally one of biggest and most successful motorsport shows.

Lloyd and Apex have enjoyed huge racing success in the past, most recently with Bentley with whom they won the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“It was obvious to us that the Jaguar name was missing from the list of GT3 contenders,” said Lloyd. “We believe the new XKR has great potential for success, and Team Manager Dave Ward and the guys have been working flat out since receiving our first car at the end of September. We’ve still got a mountain to climb with roll out and first test scheduled to take place within the next five weeks and, of course, the first race of the season at Silverstone in May. The first car is sold and we have received very positive interest for another two so we’re confident there will be plenty of Jaguars in the FIA paddock and in other emerging GT3 series around the world.”

While Apex has Jaguar’s blessing to compete with the XKR GT3, this is not a factory motorsport programme and the Apex race activities are independent of Jaguar. At the time of the programme’s announcement in September, Stuart Dyble, Jaguar Board Director and Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, Premier Automotive Group and Ford of Europe, said, “We welcome this initiative which will result in production Jaguar sportscars being seen once again on race circuits across Europe. We have just launched the all new Jaguar XKR road car, and GT3 is the natural race series in which to compete.”

The Jaguar XKR GT3, featuring a 4.2 litre V8 supercharged engine, retains the aluminium body of its production cousin, but has had modifications made in line with the regulations. Draft technical specifications are attached but the definitive specification will be revealed following the official FIA track tests, the first of which takes place at Monza on February 22/23.

The first car to be built by Apex Motorsport has already been sold to Stuart Scott, Managing Director of East Anglia’s most successful travel management company, Cambridge Business Travel. Scott, who has most recently been racing in the British GT Cup, will be driving the Jaguar in a programme of six events with a yet-to-be-named co-driver. He said of his involvement, “I feel privileged to be here at the beginning of this project. In my racing past I have always tried to do something that’s a ‘first’ or a bit different, and to take delivery of the first XKR race car is a dream come true. I’ve been aware of Richard and Apex for a long time and to now be part of such a professional team is wonderful.”

The FIA GT3 European Championship is already a very marketable racing series for teams and manufacturers, using sexy coupés that are closer to their road-car origins and therefore less expensive to build and to run. The series captured the imaginations and interest of competitors and fans alike in its inaugural 2006 season with some forty entries, and looks set to be strengthened further with the addition of Jaguars to the starting line up. Each manufacturer is represented by up to six entries ensuring a fair distribution of honours, and the performance between the different marques is balanced by the use of success penalties. Entry is aimed at gentlemen and non professional drivers graded by the FIA via a combination of racing experience and age.

The five round Championship begins in May at Silverstone, then travels to Bucharest (ROM), Monza (I) and Brno (CZ) in Europe before finishing in Dubai in November. Some owners may also plan on entering the non Championship GT3 race within the Spa 24 Hours event in Belgium at the end of July.