Hot Cars

Volkswagen Fahrenheit GTI Heats Up Dealerships

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced that the exclusive Fahrenheit GTI has arrived at dealerships. This uniquely styled, high performance hatchback is available to only 1200 lucky customers.

The Fahrenheit GTI distinguishes itself from others in the lineup with its electrifying orange exterior color that is sure to turn heads. Each distinctive vehicle includes “Fahrenheit” badging and a unique vehicle number displayed on a three-spoke perforated leather steering wheel.

This special edition also boasts a European sport-tuned suspension; 18-inch alloy wheels; leather top sport heated seats; a sunroof; Fahrenheit orange interior accent trim; Fahrenheit orange stitching on the floor mats, DSG™ boot, brake handle and steering wheel; and optional Sirius Satellite Radio. This special edition GTI is priced at an affordable $27,665 and is only available with the advanced automatic DSG transmission.

New Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

With the Gallardo Superleggera, to be launched at the 2007 Geneva motor show, Automobili Lamborghini presents an uncompromisingly high-performance sports car. Thanks to increased power (an additional 10 hp) and a 100 kg reduction in weight, the new range-leading Gallardo Superleggera is even more dynamic than the already very sporty Gallardo. The weight/power ratio of the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera is only 2.5 kg/hp, putting it in the top lightweights of its class.

The Superleggera also has the fastest acceleration in its class. It needs only 3.8 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph); 0.2 seconds less than the basic model, and boasting speed and grit under various driving conditions.

The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera is an extremely high-performance car: it includes a standard robotized mechanical e-gear gearbox that guarantees shifting without removing hands from the steering wheel. The new Gallardo Superleggera can be ordered through the dealer network starting March 2007: production volumes will be restricted to lower numbers than the standard Gallardo.

The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera’s engine is the latest version of Lamborghini’s well-known 4,961 cm3 V10. Now 530 hp is reached in 8,000 min-1. The increase in power was made possible by the engine’s improved volumetric efficiency through reduced intake load losses and by exhaust backpressures, together with optimized electronic control. Naturally, emission levels observe the strict EURO 4 and LEV II standards.

Lamborghini engineers decreased the Lamborghini Gallardo’s already low weight when empty (1,430 kg) by another 100 kg (70kg in the USA) using advanced materials and technologies. The engine hood is made of visible carbon fibre and transparent polycarbonate, a type of material that guarantees lightness and also shows off the magnificent V10.

The rear diffuser and underbody covering, the rearview mirrors, door panels and the central tunnel’s covering are also made of carbon fibre. Further reductions in weight were achieved by replacing certain glass surfaces with transparent polycarbonate. For the interior, monocoque carbon fibre sports seats covered in Alcantara® were chosen to ensure restraint of the driver and passenger during the intense lateral accelerations that the Gallardo Superleggera is capable of achieving around curves.

Bugatti Veyron Crash

This is the first Bugatti Veyron to be wrecked on the streets. It is the fastest and most expensive production vehichle in history, list price about $1.6 million.

The Veyron was doing around 100mph when it spun out of control, spinning 3 times before hitting a Vauxhall Astra with a 7-month pregnant woman inside. It then smashed into trees up a 3 foot embankment.

Audi RS6 Crash

The Driver survived without a scratch!

A Back Seat With A View - Free In-car Entertainment From Citroën

Citroën is now giving away a fantastic free portable DVD in-car entertainment pack worth £300 to all customers purchasing a new Xsara Picasso, Berlingo Multispace or C8 people carrier before the end of March. Backseat passengers will never be bored again thanks to this great offer, which has been developed exclusively for Citroën.

The DVD pack is powered through the 12V socket and consists of two high quality 7” screens, a remote control and two sets of Sony headphones. A mains adaptor is also included for use at home.

The pack features a unique attachment system, with the screens integrated into specially designed covers that complement the car’s interior aesthetics and slip easily over the front seat head restraints. They can be simply pulled back off and hidden away when not in use. For added peace of mind, all units are offered with a one year warranty.

The free DVD pack is available alongside Citroën’s existing great value deals, which include 0% and Low Cost Finance on selected Xsara Picasso and C8 models as well as impressive cashbacks of up to £3,670 on all three people carriers.

Citroën’s hugely successful Xsara Picasso continues to be the UK’s top selling compact MPV amongst private buyers, with almost a quarter of a million models on British roads. The versatile Berlingo Multispace both invented, and has subsequently dominated, the budget MPV sector, while the full-size C8 provides a flexible seating system that can accommodate up to eight adults or adapt to provide a massive 3,000 litres of load space.

Peugeot 407 SW Sport XS Is Dressed To Thrill

Peugeot’s distinctive 407 SW is soon to be available in a new ‘Sport XS’ trim level for those wanting highly-distinctive, versatile transportation. Available from £23,995 OTR, the 407 SW Sport XS enhances its class-leading feature specification, combining the acclaimed 2.2-litre HDi 170 diesel engine with a stylish exterior.

Designed to provide owners with a more distinctive visual treatment, the 407 SW Sport XS features, in addition to the high-standard Sport specification; 18” Soleil alloy wheels (already standard on V6 HDi versions), front bumper spoilers, rear tailgate spoiler, a sports mesh front grille and twin sports exhaust.

407 SW Sport XS is available in four metallic colours – Onyx Black, Aluminium, Iron Grey or Halcyon Blue – with Zino half leather upholstery as standard. In addition, leather upholstery in either Mistral Black or Cerbere Red is also available as a factory option as is the new RT4 Multi-Media system available to order at £995.

The 407’s 2.2-litre HDi is an evolution of the existing 2.2 DW12 TED4 engine, and utilises the latest advances in diesel technology by combining power, refinement and excellent fuel economy. It is the fourth phase of the cooperation between PSA Peugeot Citroën and the Ford Motor Company (initiated in 1998).

The quest to deliver an outstanding state of the art diesel engine has resulted in the creation of a twin turbocharged, parallel sequential induction system that gives unrivalled levels of power and responsiveness, even at low revs. The first low inertia turbo operates up to 2,700 rpm, and gives an immediate response to throttle input. As the revs rise, the second, smaller turbo kicks in seamlessly to give enhanced performance throughout the rest of the rev range. The new HDi 170 is fully compliant with Euro 4 regulations, and produces a maximum torque output of 277 lb ft at only 1,500 rpm, mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Technical Overview

The in-line four-cylinder diesel engine has 16 valves (4 valves per cylinder) with direct injection and two fixed geometry turbochargers. Bosch injection, with piezoelectric injectors, delivers high-pressure fuel from the pump driven by the exhaust camshaft. There are two overhead camshafts (of which only the exhaust camshaft is driven by the timing belt).

Performance and fuel consumption

407 SW

Maximum speed (mph) 137

Acceleration 0-62 mph (sec) 9.0

Urban drive cycle (mpg) 34.4

Extra Urban drive cycle (mpg) 55.3

Combined drive cycle (mpg) 45.5