Hot Cars

PT Cruisin’ On The Pacific Coast Highway

Chrysler Group has unveiled two new special editions for spring 2007 – the PT Cruiser ‘Pacific Coast Highway’ and the Grand Voyager ‘Signature’ models. The ‘Pacific Coast Highway’ model makes the great looking Chrysler PT Cruiser even more striking with Ocean Blue metallic paint and a matching interior.

The new PT Cruiser is based on the standard Touring model, and adds cruise control, leather steering wheel and chrome gear knob plus a six-disc CD/radio. The exterior styling has been enhanced with 17” alloy wheels, lowered suspension, chrome bodyside mouldings and tailpipe and a body colour roof spoiler.

The PT Cruiser ‘Pacific Coast Highway’ is available with a 2.4-litre petrol engine and manual or automatic transmission or as a manual-only 2.2-litre CRD diesel version. The special edition model is priced at £15,550 for the 2.4-litre manual, £16,370 for the 2.4-litre auto and £16,725 for the 2.2-litre CRD.

A new special edition Grand Voyager will also join the Chrysler model range in 2007. The Grand Voyager ‘Signature’ model boasts a list of standard equipment to rival any of its competitors.

Peter Lambert, Managing Director of Chrysler Group UK, said: “The Grand Voyager is our most popular model but this new special edition represents remarkable value for money with a list of standard equipment as long as your arm!”

The new model boasts an overhead rail system with sliding storage boxes, two-tone leather trimmed seats, rear seat DVD system, rear park assist, driver and front passenger airbags, plus three row side curtain airbags, power tailgate and sliding side doors.

The Grand Voyager ‘Signature’ is available with a 2.8-litre CRD engine and is priced from £29,175. Both the new special editions are available in Chrysler Group dealers now.

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.

Austin Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

Perfectly proportioned, with a low purposeful stance, the Vantage Roadster is uncompromisingly modern yet also incorporates classic Aston Martin design cues. The elegant lines are fused with traditional craftsmanship and striking 21st century style, with an interior hand-trimmed and finished in the finest quality genuine materials.

Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “The V8 Vantage Roadster is a pure sports car, a car that heightens the senses and provides a dynamically thrilling driving experience.

“The Vantage Roadster adds to the unbeatable thrill of open air motoring and by combining engineering excellence, technological innovation and physical perfection, will ensure every journey is one to remember.”

The Vantage Roadster will be built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters at Gaydon, near Warwickshire in the UK, joining the current Aston Martin line-up. This now comprises the flagship Vanquish S, the elegant DB9 and the agile V8 Vantage Coupe.

Design
The design of the Vantage Roadster is elegant and uncompromising, a single fluid form with characteristic attention to detail, both inside and out, representing the open sports car in its purest form.

The Vantage Roadster represents the latest evolution of Aston Martin’s synthesis of craft and technology. From the beautifully hand stitched leather seats to the hand-finished bodies, to the ultra-modern Aston Martin V8 engine, hand-assembled at a dedicated, high-technology facility in Cologne, Germany, the Vantage Roadster is an exclusive, advanced and uniquely desirable sports car.

The three-layer fabric hood gives a taut, aggressive appearance when closed and when folded, the flow from front to rear is smooth and elegant, enhanced by the leather speed humps that create a unique transition between interior and exterior. Even in convertible form the Roadster retains the critically acclaimed design of the Vantage Coupe. The hood is stowed neatly beneath the rear tonneau cover and is either opened or closed at the press of a button located on the centre console, in just 18 seconds, and at speeds of up to 30mph (50km/h) with no manual intervention required.

Offered with an imaginative combination of different leathers, contemporary fabrics and aluminium, Vantage Roadster customers will have an extensive choice of body and trim colours from which to choose.

Performance
Developed from the outset alongside the V8 Vantage Coupe which was launched in 2005, the Roadster shares the unique-to-Aston Martin bonded aluminium VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture – the backbone to all modern Aston Martins. Adding to this structure, sophisticated materials such as lightweight alloys, magnesium and advanced composites are used for the body, further contributing to the car’s low weight and high rigidity.

Driver and passenger sit low, close to the car’s centre of gravity, where they can feel the car reacting to the input of the driver – a special sensation, usually only experienced in racing cars – providing a direct and sporting connection between car and driver.

Despite the additional mechanism associated with the Vantage Roadster’s convertible roof and the additional body stiffness, Aston Martin’s engineering team have ensured only a minimal weight increase to preserve the agile and sporting characteristics of the V8 Vantage Coupe. At just 4.38 metres (172.5 in) long, Vantage Roadster remains not only the smallest model in the Aston Martin range but also one of the leanest cars in its class.

The Vantage Roadster delivers exceptional performance with careful development and engineering ensuring that the Roadster equals the achievements of its Coupe sibling, with 0-100km/h (62mph) achieved in 5.0 seconds (0-60mph in 4.9 seconds) and a potential maximum speed of 280km/h (175mph).

Vantage Roadster will be available with two transmission alternatives from launch. Offered as standard is the fast-shifting, six-speed Graziano conventional stick-shift manual gearbox, with ratios perfectly matched to the performance of the V8 engine. This is joined by Aston Martin’s new Sportshift automated manual transmission – an ultra-quick system that provides the driver with heightened precision via fingertip control of gear changes using paddles to progress smoothly and swiftly through the ratios.

Deliveries of the V8 Vantage Roadster are expected to commence during quarter two 2007, with prices to be confirmed at a later date.

BMW 3 Series Coupe By HAMANN

BMW’s trump card in the two-door sedan segment is the 3 Series coupe. This elegantly proportioned model lends itself perfectly to accentuating its sporty appeal by adding new details. HAMANN from Laupheim also shares this opinion and adorns the 3 Series coupe an aerodynamics kit, power boosts, new wheel rims and a stylish interior.

Power boosts for petrol engines and diesels

HAMANN boosts the power in this coupe by means of optimized curve maps. In other words, the electronic power boost is achieved by recalibrating the standard ECU.

The six-cylinder petrol engines 325i and 330i receive a boost of 13 bhp / 10 kW and 17 bhp / 12 kW and in both cases around 25 Nm torque. The top speed goes up to 250 and 265 km/h respectively (standard: 325i 245 km/h, 330i 250 km/h). In the 330i, the price includes the deactivation of the 250 km/h speed restriction.

Also when it comes to the diesel models, customers can expect a substantial power boost. In the 330d, 272 bhp / 200 kW, 259 km/h top speed (standard: 248) and 600 Nm at 2000 rpm are quite possible. In the top diesel model 335d 313 bhp/230 kW, 272 km/h and a more than generous 630 Nm at 2000 rpm. A power boost to around 380 bhp for the 335i is currently in preparation.

By fitting a HAMANN 4-pipe sports rear muffler with four round tailpipes, the 335i and 335d can make their power public. The 4 stainless steel tailpipes, each 76 mm in diameter, make the rear end of this coupe look even more attractive.

Various power boosts

Still so young, and already its first facelift…. HAMANN does not do things by half and sets to work on the face. The new, sportier-looking HAMANN front spoiler is designed to be fitted onto the standard bumper. The visual lowering effect is created by the new side sills, which lend the side view more character. The vehicle’s back can either be customized with a HAMANN rear spoiler or a spoiler lip.

A truly effective means of reducing the lift. The same effect is produced by the HAMANN roof spoiler, which sits on top of the vehicle. The rear center molding, which incorporates matching cutouts for the tailpipes, is designed to be used in conjunction with the HAMANN 4-pipe sports rear muffler. Fitting Carbon-Kevlar mirror caps lends the HAMANN 3 Series coupe a further eye-catching touch.

Wheels from 18 to 20 inch

HAMANN really goes to town when it comes to the wheels. No fewer than four different designs and three sizes from 18 to 20 inch make choosing difficult. The HM2 design, available in an 18 inch version, is a single-piece light alloy wheel with five spokes in the ‘Silver’ finish and features an outer rim with an INOX steel lip.

The single-piece rim Anniversary I has a multi-spoke design and is also available in the ‘Silver’ finish and features an outer rim with an INOX steel lip. HAMANN offers it as an 18, 19 and 20 inch version. The PG3 wheel is a composite five-spoke wheel in silver with a high-gloss polished rim flange. Here, customers can choose between the sizes 19 and 20 inch.

Needless to say, 20 inch wheels suit the customized 3 Series coupe best. In this size, HAMANN offers its “Edition Race” design as its top model. The appearance of this three-piece, ultra-lightweight, forged rim in a cross-spoke design and with a black spider is characterized by the 9 main spokes, each of which branches outwards into 2 further spokes. In addition to the exciting design, the titanium bolts are a particularly eye-catching detail. The high-gloss rim flange adds the finishing touch to the stylish looks.

Typical wheel/tire combinations in 20 inch:

Edition Race: front 8.5 J x 20 / rear 10.0 J x 20 - 235/30 ZR 20 / 285/25 ZR 20
PG3: front and rear 8.5 J x 20 - 235/30 ZR 20
Anniversary I: front and rear 9.0 J x 20 235/30 ZR 20

By fitting a suspension lowering kit, comprising four progressive suspension struts, HAMANN succeeds in lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity by 35 mm at the front and by 20 mm at the rear. Even in vehicles that come with sporty suspension tuning, that’s still around 15mm.

Numerous accessories combine to make sitting inside the HAMANN 3 Series coupe all the more pleasurable. Thanks to the three-spoke HAMANN airbag sports steering wheel, the driver always has the reins securely in his hands. A sporty flair is added by the decorative carbon-fiber components, which HAMANN fits on the dashboard, center console, ashtray trim, doors, steering wheel, gearshift knob, handbrake lever and the I-Drive-Controller.

HAMANN adds further sporty nuances in the form of sport gearshift knobs (in aluminum or leather/aluminum), aluminum pedals, an aluminum handbrake lever and an aluminum footrest. An exclusive set of floor mats sporting the HAMANN logo in silver rounds off the interior offering.

Needless to say, HAMANN will customize every 3 Series to a customer’s own specific requirements. By way of illustration, luxurious leather upholsteries in various colors are possible, as are extensive multimedia conversions featuring a DVD player, TV reception and a PlayStation.

Chevrolet HHR Premiere Edition To Debut In Detroit

Chevrolet announced the HHR Premiere Edition, which features a special Cappuccino Frost Metallic exterior color and a special Ebony/Gray two-tone interior. Only 4,000 HHR Premiere Editions will be built.

The HHR Premiere Edition begins production early in the first quarter of 2007; it is based on the popular HHR 2LT. The Premiere Edition package is priced at $995 MSRP and includes the following features:

- Seventeen-inch black chrome wheels
- Black chrome exterior package
- Front fog lamps with smoked lenses
- Headlamps with smoked lenses
- Color-keyed running boards
- Color-keyed outside rearview mirrors
- Exterior accent stripe
- Aero wing rear spoiler
- Black, roof-mounted side rails
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting stitching
- Custom floor mats
- Cappuccino Frost Metallic exterior color
- Ebony/Gray two-tone interior

The HHR 2LT equipment includes a 2.4L Ecotec engine, FE3 sport suspension, anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power outside mirrors, cruise control and remote keyless entry. Also standard is a 260-watt Pioneer sound system with subwoofer, including a front-mounted auxiliary input jack so that an iPod or similar device can be played through the audio system.

“The HHR has been among the hottest selling vehicles in the industry since its introduction last year,” said Cheryl Catton, general director of Chevrolet car marketing. “The HHR Premiere and the previously announced HHR Panel will help us maintain that momentum in 2007.”

Since its launch, HHR has received five-star crash ratings – the highest rating awarded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program. The five-star ratings were awarded for the driver and right-front passenger in a frontal crash, as well as five-star side-impact crash ratings for front seat and rear seat passengers. The HHR also was the highest-rated SUV for the 2006 model year in NHTSA rollover testing.

Chevrolet is America’s No. 1-selling automotive brand. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $78,175. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles.