Today, the French carmaker announced the latest addition to their range, the Peugeot 3008 crossover, a car which they say is something between an SUV, an MPV and a hatchback. The first impression is that the car looks really good and it might have a chance of competing the Nissan Qashqai, the leader in this market segment.
Under the hood, the 3008 will be available with six powertrain choices:
HDi FAP diesel:
- 1.6 litre HDi FAP 80 kW (110 bhp), 240 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox, CO2 emissions: 137 g/km;
- 1.6 litre HDi FAP 80 kW (110 bhp), 240 Nm, 6-speed electronically-controlled manual gearbox, CO2: 130 g/km;
- 2.0 litre HDi FAP 110 kW (150 bhp), 340 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox – Euro 5, CO2: 146 g/km;
- 2.0 litre HDi FAP 120 kW (163 bhp), 340 Nm, 6-speed automatic gearbox – Euro 5, CO2: 176 g/km;
Petrol (developed in cooperation with the BMW Group):
- 1.6 litre VTi 88 kW (120 bhp), 160 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox – Euro 5, CO2: 165 g/km;
- 1.6 litre THP 110 kW (150 bhp), 240 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox – CO2: 176 g/km, and the 1.6 litre
THP 115 kW (156 bhp), 240 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox – Euro 5, CO2: 170 g/km.
According to Peugeot, the 1.6 liter HDI is the most economical one, with an average fuel consumption of only 4.9 liters/100 km (48 US mpg). The French company has also announced that a hybrid version based on the Prologue HYbrid4 concept’s powertrain will also be available, starting with 2011. Meanwhile, sales of the new 3008 are scheduled to start this summer.
Check out more photos and a video after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: crossover, Peugeot, peugeot 3008
It looks like the American carmakers were very well prepared for the Detroit Motor Show, because after GM unveiled the Cadillac Converj Concept, another very good looking electric vehicle was introduced, the Chrysler 200C EV Concept. Though we can’t help noticing a resemblance between the concept and the recently launched Opel Insignia, especially at the front part, the 200C EV (just like the Fisker Karma S Concept, shows that cars can be both environmental friendly and beautiful.
“The Chrysler 200C EV concept represents the perfect blend of provocative design and leading-edge technology, as well as the new Chrysler DNA,” said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President – Product Development, Chrysler LLC. “Chrysler’s latest concept vehicle combines the benefits of progressive, ENVI Range-extended Electric Vehicle technology – which offers nearly zero emissions during daily commutes – with a design that boasts a combination of modern shapes, a planted athletic stance with classic overtones and an undeniably luxurious interior.”
Using Chrysler ENVI’s Range-extended Electric Vehicle technology, the Chrysler 200C EV is capable of driving up to 40 miles on battery-only power (no fossil fuel is used and there are zero emissions), but the car is also able to have an extended driving range of up to 400 miles, through a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator that produces electricity. To read more about the technology behind the concept, you can check out the official press release.
So, what can we say, the future looks pretty good. And clean. See more photos of the concept after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: Chrysler, chrysler 200c, chrysler 200c ev concept, concept-car, detroit motor show
Either this article‘s full of crap or this is the nicest newspaper around. News of the week claims to have broken the mistery around The Stig, but they chose not to spoil it for everyone and only revealed his eyes and a few details about his personal life. So…who is the Stig? According to the newspaper, The Stig is in his 30s, married, lives in a £300,000 home and drives a £15,000 car (they don’t say what car, only that it would even bore James May). The Stig, which takes home around £150,000 a year from Top Gear and from performing some stunts and test drives, is a former pilot in Formula First, GT Racing and Stock Cars and was very close to competing in Formula One.
We don’t know if this is true or not, but if it is, we’re very glad that News of the week chose not to make his name public, because they would’ve ruin it for us and for the other millions of fans, who I’m sure don’t really want to know who he is.
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Post tags: Tags: the-stig, Top Gear
One of the coolest debuts from this year’s Detroit Motor Show was the Fisker Karma S Concept, a plug-in hybrid hardtop convertible which tries to proove that a car can be both environmental friendly and exciting. Based on the same aluminum spaceframe architecture and powered by the same Q-DRIVE powertrain (403 hp from two electric motors) as the Fisker Karma sedan, the car can go up to 50 miles on a single battery charge.
“Our objective is to create a singular design language and heritage around our state-of-the-art Q-DRIVE® powertrain,” said Fisker Automotive, Inc. CEO Henrik Fisker. “The Karma S is an extension of the Fisker Automotive product range of eco-conscious automobiles and sets the tone for our future.” It’s good to see that things are finally getting started with the Karma project, after a lot of talking, Fisker Automotive finally presenting a production ready version of the Sedan in Detroit and now this beauty.
Check out a full photo gallery after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: concept-car, detroit motor show, fisker, fisker karma s, fisker-karma
10 years ago, at the Detroit Motor Show, BMW introduced what would become one of their most important and successful car ever, the BMW X5. The car, which was sold in 845,000 units since then, is basically the one the created the SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) segment, one of the most competitive ones in today’s market. The X5 still remains one of the most important players in this market, while the X range from the German carmaker extended with two new models, the X3 and the X6, and a fourth, the X1, almost ready for production.
If you like to see BMW bragging about their X5, make sure you read the official press release (a lot of numbers and awards there). So, happy birthday X5, you trully are one of the milestones in automotive history!
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Post tags: Tags: BMW, bmw x5
After we were really impressed with the MINI Crossover Concept last fall in Paris, is looks like the British company is really serious about this project, because spy photographers caught the MINI crossover testing on the frozen grounds of Lapland in Scandinavia. So far nothing’s official, but it seems that the MINI crossover (which doesn’t have an official name yet) will be built by Magna Steyr in Austria and they’re hoping to sell around 60,000 units per year once the car debuts, most likely in 2010. Nothing about the powertrain, the only thing we can tell, from these photos, is that the production version will probably be very similar to the concept showcased in Paris.
This will definitely be on the most highly anticipated cars in the next period, so stay tuned as we’ll let you know more once we find out news about it.
Source: World Car Fans
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Post tags: Tags: crossover, Mini, mini crossman, mini crossover
After last month’s teaser photo, yesterday the Japanese carmaker has unveiled the Subaru Legacy Concept in Detroit. The car, which previews the next generation Legacy sport sedan, also celebrates 20 years since the first Legacy was introduced (and 3.6 million units sold). Though the teaser photo was really exciting, we can’t say we’re in love with the concept, which is not as sporty or striking as we’d expect. And the concept design’s theme, “Presence” as Subaru calls it, it’s kinda dull actually.
As for the powertrain, details are scarce, Subaru mentioning so far that the Legacy Concept features Symmetrical AWD and is powered by a Horizontally-Opposed 3.6 liter Boxer engine, which should be enough to offer a thrilling ride. We’ll see about that.
More photos and a video after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: concept-car, detroit motor show, Subaru, subaru legacy, subaru legacy concept
The incident in this video happened about two weeks ago, on December 30, somewhere close to Heathrow Airport, in London and it involved an AA van which was towing a broken down BMW owned by a British Airways employee. While going through an automatic security barrier, the van passed safely, but the barrier came crashing down on the BMW and, as if this wasn’t enough, the car was then lifted six feet into the air by two hydraulic bollards launched up from the ground. British Airways started an investigation on this, while AA officials deny any responsability, saying that the van driver was assured that it was fine to proceed through the barrier. No one was injured and the BMW suffered minor damages.
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Post tags: Tags: aa, accident, BMW, british airways, crash, heathrow airport, london
Cadillac Converj electric Concept debuts in Detroit
The Cadillac Converj concept, which debut a couple of days ago at the Detroit Motor Show is GM’s view of the future of luxury transportation. The four-seater coupe is powered by Cadillac’s Voltec electric propulsion technology, made up of a 16 kWh, T-shaped battery, an electric drive unit and a four-cylinder engine generator. The thermally managed battery contains more than 220 lithium-ion cells, offers a 40 miles range and it takes about three hours to fully recharge, at 240V or three hours from a 120V outlet. You might say that the 40 miles range is really low, but the concept also has an ‘extended-range mode’, which reacts when the battery is low. Basically, this means that a flex-fuel powered engines starts creating energy to power the car until it is refueled or the batteries are recharged. The electric drive unit delivers 120 kW (163 hp), 273 lb.-ft. (370 Nm) of torque and is able to take the Converj up to a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).
This sounds really good (read full details in the official press release), not to mention the concept looks absolutely amazing, making the Tesla Roadster look like a frog. It’s finally good to see that, in order to save themselves, GM has to “reinvent” their approach on the car market. And this first step is really promising.
Check out more photos of the Cadillac Converj concept after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: Cadillac, cadillac converj concept, detroit motor show
The 2009 Detroit Motor Show marked the debut of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, “the world’s first dedicated luxury hybrid” according to the Japanese carmaker. Placed between the IS luxury sport sedan and the ES luxury sedan, the HS will offer a hybrid choice for entry-luxury car customers. The HS 250h is powered by Lexus’ first four-cylinder engine, the 2.4 liter unit which is a part of the Lexus Hybrid Drive System which generates a total of 187 hp.
Though looking a little better than the rest of the hybrid pack, this is definitely not the most beautiful Lexus around. Like the guys from Carscoop point out, the car shares a lot of styling elements with the new European Toyota Avensis, but still has that chuncky look all hybrids have.
The Lexus HS 250h, which is expected to return a fuel efficiency more than 30-percent better than any current Lexus vehicle and is scheduled to hit US showrooms this summer. For more details on the car, check out the official press release.
And enjoy a full photo gallery after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: detroit motor show, Hybrid, Lexus, lexus hs, lexus hs 250h
In Detroit, under the title “Volkswagen celebrates comeback of the compact roadster”, the German carmaker presented the Concept BlueSport, which is a modern sports car aimed at offering “maximum driving fun with minimal fuel consumption”. “The BlueSport proves to be a compact and passionate car with a clear Volkswagen signature. The car offers pure dynamics with a powerful 180 PS Clean Diesel engine that is combined with the characteristic Volkswagen philosophy of efficiency,” said Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen’s Chairman of the Board. So, what does the BlueSport offer?
Under the hood, there’s a 180 hp (132 kW) Clean Diesel TDI featuring commonrail injection and downstream NOx storage catalytic converter which, mated to a 6-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, is able to take the roadster from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.6 seconds and up to a top speed of 226 km/h (140 mph). The fuel consumption figures also look great, with only 4.3 l/100 km (54.7 US mpg), the Concept BlueSport featuring two new technologies, part of the so-called Eco mode (automatic start-stop system and energy regeneration), which lower the fuel consumption by 0.2 liters per 100 km.
The Concept BlueSport also looks very good, the show car having a Flex Silver exterior finish with an orange fabric convertible top, while the interior features, among others, an easy to operate touchscreen and leather upholstered seats in lightweight construction with their single-piece seatbacks.
Check out more photos of the Volkswagen Concept BlueSport after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: concept-car, detroit motor show, roadster, Volkswagen, volkswagen concept bluesport
At the Detroit Motor Show, which is happening as we speak, the Audi Sportback Concept was unveiled. Though the German carmaker didn’t confirm, the concept most likely previews the future Audi A7 four-doors coupe. A proof that the project is quite advanced is the technology behind the Sportback concept. Under the hood there’s a 3.0 liter V6 TDI clean diesel which delivers 165 kW (225 hp) and 550 Nm (405.66 lb-ft) of torque and with only 156 g/km (251.06 g/mile) of CO2 emissions, it meets the emission standards of all 50 U.S. states and the Euro 6 standard scheduled to take effect in 2014.
Featuring a new 7-speed tiptronic gearbox and quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system, the Audi Sportback Concept is able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 7 seconds and up to a top speed of 245 km/h (152 mph), while managing to achieve a fuel consumption of 5.9 l/100 km (39.87 US mpg), which is, we must say, incredible.
The car looks pretty good, with several styling influences from other VW Group cars (the headlights are similar to those from the Audi R8, while the rear part reminds us of the awesome Lamborghini Estoque, even though Audi mentions that it’s inspired by the A5).
And now check out a complete photo gallery after the jump.
Update: We’ve also added a short video of the concept, released by Audi. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: Audi, audi a7, audi sportback concept, concept-car, detroit motor show
With the new 2010 Ford Mustang unveiled about two months ago, it was just a matter of time before we got to see the new Shelby GT500. With its debut scheduled for the Detroit Motor Show next week, the most powerful car to come out of Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) is powered by a supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V8 engine which is expected to deliver 540 hp and 510 ft-lb of torque.
Among the new features the 2010 Shelby GT500 sports are: nww gearbox enhancements which allows the car to deliver improved acceleration performance and better highway fuel efficiency, aggressive new exterior design with new functional details, such as the hood extractor to remove heat from the engine and “Gurney Flap” spoiler to tune rear downforce and a new exclusive interior featuring genuine materials such as real leather in all seats, real aluminum on the instrument panel and Alcantara inserts on the seats and steering wheel.
Built at the Auto Alliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, the 2010 Shelby GT500 will be available in dealerships this spring.
More photos after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: detroit motor show, Ford, ford-mustang, shelby, shelby gt500
Yesterday, GM has unveiled the new 2010 Cadillac SRX, one week before the car’s official debut at the Detroit Motor Show. The new mid-size luxury crossover follows Cadillac bold design philosophy and, to be honest, it looks pretty good. Under the hood, the vehicle will be powered by a new 3.0 liter V6 engine (a smaller displacement version of the 3.6 liter V6 from the CTS) with direct injection and variable valve timing, which delivers 260 hp and is mated to a Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission that helps save fuel by lowering the engine’s rpm at constant highway speeds.
Because it’s a crossover and owners might want to take it out on more rough terrain, the SRX will be also be availabe with all-wheel-drive systm with rear eLSD. “In icy or wet conditions, the system can transfer up to 100 percent of torque to the wheel that has more grip, while the eLSD also gives the driver enhanced control when cornering hard or completing a high-speed maneuver, such as a lane change, by momentarily applying more or less torque to either of the wheels to help the rear of the vehicle more closely follow the direction of the front wheels. The suspension includes a real-time damping system in conjunction with AWD that adjusts shock damping rates in response to road conditions for a smooth ride quality.”
The SRX will also have plenty of safety features, such as the use of martensitic steel in the fully enclosed rocker sections which improves the protection in the case of side impacts, standard head curtain side air bags, standard front seat-mounted pelvic/thorax side air bags, front safety belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters, rollover mitigation sensors, a pedal release system, trailer stability assist. The SRX was also designed to meet European pedestrian protection standards; and the front bumper is positioned for greater compatibility with car bumpers.
The 2010 Cadillac SRX production is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2009 and the first cars will hit dealerships soon after that. Check out more photos after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: Cadillac, cadillac srx, detroit motor show
Hey everyone! How were your holidays? We’re finally back from our winter vacation, eager to get back to work (because we’ve got a lot of catching up to do) and looking forward to what 2009 will bring us and the auto industry. So stay tuned because it’s going to be one hell of a ride 
The Auto Unleashed Team
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