The Japanese automaker Subaru has revealed this week a special edition of the very popular Impreza STI and it is called the S206. They will make only 300 units and all of them are destined for the domestic market. The new model follows on from previous “S” versions of the car, like the S203, S204 and the S205.
JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206
The car has been fitted with exclusive Bilstein dampers, a flexible front tower bar and draw stiffener, STi coil springs – all of them promising to make the car more precise and faster while cornering. The car features a new set of 19-inch BBS alloys that have been created especially for this limited edition, and are wrapped around in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206
The Japanese engineers from Subaru also worked on the flat-four turbocharged engine as they managed to further optimize the weight balance between the pistons, crankshaft and connecting rods, managing to improve the rev feel.
JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206
The 2.0-liter engine of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206 has also been fitted with a retuned ECU, a reduced-back pressure exhaust system and an enhanced twin-scroll turbocharger, allowing the power unit to develop 320 hp and a peak torque of 318 lb.-ft (431 Nm). The automaker mentioned that the car offers a faster throttle response and brings more torque in the lower to mid-range revs.
Design-wise, the car features a new grille and lower front spoiler, new side sills and a new design for the rear spoiler. All of these modifications are exclusive to this model and have been implemented in order to improve the aerodynamics of the car and also to differentiate it from the regular STI model. Inside the cabin it features an exclusive steering wheel wrapped around in leather, Recaro bucket seats that have red seatbelts along with the STI-designed push engine start.
JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206 NBR Challenge Package
The automaker also created a special NBR Challenge Package for the Impreza WRX STI S260 which commemorates the company’s very first win at the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race. It has a carbon fiber roof and rear spoiler, red door sills and the Nurburgring Challenge. They will make only 100 units of this limited edition and all of them will remain in Japan.
JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206 NBR Challenge Package
The British automaker Aston Martin has started the testing for the V12 Vantage GT3 this week in United Kingdom at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent. The car already covered more than 1,000 km and it was driven mostly by factory driver Turner. 2012 is going to be a development year for the car as homologation from FIA is still one year away.
Aston Martin Racing V12 Vantage GT3
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 is powered by a V12 6.0-liter engine that has been tuned in order to output 600 hp (608 PS / 442 kW) and a peak torque of 516 lb.-ft (700 Nm). This engine is mated to a 6-speed Xtrac sequential gearbox. The car is scheduled to replace the current DBRS9 racer and will be eligible to participate in various races like FIA GT3, ADAC Masters, British GT, Blancpain Endurance Series, Open GT, Nurburgring VLN and Belcar.
The prices for the car begin at 341,000 Euros (298,000 pounds).
CoverEFX is a vinyl wrap specialist from Germany and their latest project is based on the Mini Cooper JCW. One of the cars that they have developed has a yellow and black theme while the other adopts a blue and black exterior look. Besides the visual upgrades, the car also gets more oomph under the hood, thanks to a mcchip-dkr software that lifts the power by 17 hp and 22 Nm of torque. Other than that, it packs a new exhaust system that has stainless steel manifolds and a down pipe, allowing the engine of the car to develop an impressive 234 hp.
CoverEFX Mini Cooper JCW GP R53
The CoverEFX Mini Cooper JCW GP R53 rides on a set of 17-inch OZ Racing alloy wheels and features a Bilstein B14 suspension kit. Other goodies worth mentioning include the GP charge air cooler, a Schrick camshaft as well as a new air filter box. The new exhaust system has been developed by KBR motorsport and comes with new spark plugs, new fuel injectors and an M7 thermostat. Other than that, the Mini has an H&R 17-mm adjustable rear stabilizer.
CoverEFX Mini Cooper JCW GP R53
Inside the cabin, this special Mini Cooper JCW created by CoverEFX has Recaro sport seats that have been wrapped around in Alcantara.
We don’t have any information at the moment about the price tag of this CoverEFX Mini Cooper JCW GP R53.
Set to be officially unveiled next week during the Tokyo Motor Show, the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack will be making an appearance in the showrooms next year. This is a more rugged version of the Passat estate and comes with an all-wheel drive configuration in the United Kingdom and will be slotted between the regular Passat estate and the Tiguan.
Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
UK buyers will be able to order the car with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that fires 138 hp or 168 hp, and it comes fitted with the company’s 4Motion all-wheel drive technology. In the rest of Europe, the Passat Alltrack is going to be available with a FWD configuration and gasoline engines. The 138 hp diesel engine will be linked to a 6-speed manual gearbox, while the beefier one is mated to a 6-speed DSG.
Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
The German car maker has stated that the Alltrack version of the Passat estate has real off-road capabilities, something that is emphasized with both equipment and styling. The front and rear bumpers have been revised and now adopt a more Tiguan-like appearance, while the Touareg-inspired flared wheel arches will be wrapped around in black plastic cladding. Even though there are some changes to the exterior of the car, the Alltrack Passat’s dimensions are the same as the ones of the regular Passat estate, standing at 4771 mm and 1820 mm respectively.
Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
The approach angle is 16 degrees while the departure angle is 13.6 degrees and the breakaway angle is 12.8 degrees. All of these have been increased in comparison to the Passat estate while the suspension has been raised by 30 mm in order to provide a higher ground clearance which now is of 165 mm.
Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
Another feature that makes this model different from the regular estate version is the Off-Road Driving Program that is borrowed from the Tiguan and the Touareg. It can electronically tune various equipment like the ABS, electronic differential, hill descent, torque control, while the models fitted with the DSG gearbox it can tune the transmission to provide a more focused off-road drive. This system is available up to a speed of 18 mph.
Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
In the United Kingdom, the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack will be offered in only one trim level and will have 18-inch alloys and Alcantara upholstery. Most likely, the car will be available for ordering in April next year and the first deliveries will be made later on in July. We don’t have any details about the price tag of the car but it is safe to assume that it will be more expensive than the Passat estate.
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will be hitting the dealerships in the first quarter of 2012 and General Motors will also offer an Eco version of the car which will have a base price of $25,995, including here the $760 destination charge. GM says that this is the most efficient Malibu that they have ever made and it will use the eAssist mild-hybrid technology that has an electric motor-generator and a lithium-ion battery that enables regenerative braking, start/stop functionality and electric assist.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco comes with a 4-cylinder 2.4-liter Ecotec engine that is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The conventional engine is capable of developing 180 hp but it can receive an additional 15 hp during more powerful acceleration from the aforementioned eAssist system.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
EPA figures are still pending, but General Motors says that the upcoming 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco will be able to return 26 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
This frugal version will be the first to be launched in the U.S., followed in the summer by the LS, LT and LTZ trim levels that are powered by a 2.5-liter Ecotec engine that develops 169 hp.
The German automaker Porsche has revealed this week the first photos and details about the upcoming 2012 911 (991) Carrera Cabriolet as well as the Carrera S Cabriolet. The open top model is powered as you would expect by the same engine available in the Coupe version which means that it will be motivated by a 3.4-liter unit that churns 345 hp (350 PS / 257 kW) whereas the Carrera S Cabriolet has a beefier 3.8-liter power unit that generates 394 hp (400 PS / 294 kW).
2012 Porsche 911 (991) Carrera S Cabriolet
The new design of the roof manages to retain the roof line of the 911 Coupe, and just like its predecessor it comes with a soft top, plus a new lightweight folding roof frame made from magnesium.
2012 Porsche 911 (991) Carrera S Cabriolet
Both versions of the 911 are scheduled to go on sale in March next year. In Germany, the Porsche Carrera Cabriolet will have a starting price of 100,532 Euros, while the S version will cost from 114,931 Euros.
Generally speaking, electric cars are more efficient than the conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles out there. The king in terms of efficiency would have to be the 2012 Mitsubishi i who occupies the number one spot in EPA’s Annual Fuel Economy Guide. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the tiny car is able to return 126 miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) in the city and 99 MPGe on the highway.
This means that the 2012 Mitsubishi i is better than last year’s Nissan Leaf and it is also the cheapest EV that money can buy at the moment. However, keep in mind that the i is considerably smaller than the Leaf as it is categorized as being a subcompact.
There’s also a larger version of the car which has been on sale in Japan and Europe for more than one year. The U.S.-spec model adopts a seating for four people and is able to reach a top speed of 80 miles, while the EPA-approved range is of 62 miles.
The next generation of the Audi A3 has been spied by the journalists from Auto Express who captured a few photos of the car while undergoing some tests in Germany. The new model is very important for Audi because it will have to face some serious competition coming from the BMW 1-Series and the Mercedes-Benz A Class.
Next-gen Audi A3
The design of the new model will adopt a larger front grille, LED daytime running lights, chunky C-pillars and short overhangs. Inside the cabin, the new A3 will offer more equipment, including Wi-Fi and Google Maps-enabled satellite navigation system.
Next-gen Audi A3
As far as the engines are concerned, the car will be available with a bunch of gasoline engine that will develop between 105 hp and 210 hp, along with 1.6- and 2.0-liter TDI units. Also in the works is a 100 hp TDIe variant that promises to return more than 80 mpg UK while CO2 emissions will be less than 100 g/km. Due in 2013 are electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants of the new A3.
Next-gen Audi A3
Enhancing the chassis of the new model will be the Audi Drive Select as well as adaptive dampers. Even though the car promises to remain just as fun to drive as the outgoing model, the new generation will offer a more grown-up experience and a more comfortable ride, while increasing the level of refinement.
The 3-door version of the new Audi A3 will come out in the first part of 2012, followed later on by the 4-door sedan. In 2013 we’ll probably see the Cabriolet model and the 5-door Sportback variant.
The 2012 Tata Nano has been revealed and its tiny 2-cylinder 600cc will get 3 hp more, raising the output to a grand total of 38 hp. Torque figure is also up by 3 lb.-ft to 38 lb.-ft, and the car promises to be more fuel efficient, managing to do 59.7 mpg (71.7 mpg UK or 3.9 liters / 100 km), with CO2 emissions standing at 92.7 g/km.
2012 Tata Nano
The revised version of the Nano will benefit from a new suspension set-up that will have an anti-roll bar at the front. In addition, the car’s steering mechanism will be revised while the exhaust note will be enhanced. As standard, the 2012 Tata Nano will be sold with power assisted brakes. The car will be available for purchase in a greater variety of exterior colors and clients will be able to choose from more interior materials.
2012 Tata Nano
The starting price for the 2012 Tata Nano is $2,670 (1,980 Euros / 1.40 lakhs).
The biggest car market in the world is in China where General Motors have been leading the sales figures for 6 six years in a row and by the end of 2011 they plan on delivering more than two million units. In order to achieve this goal, GM will introduce the Volt model which will be available through 13 Shanghai GM Chevrolet dealerships in eight cities: Shanghai, Beijing, Foshan, Shenzhen, Wuxi, Suzhou, Guangzhou and Hangzhou.
This announcement occurred this week during the 2011 Auto Guangzhou exhibition where GM’s local joint ventures, SAIC-GM-Wulling and Shanghai GM are exhibiting more than 30 Buicks, Baojuns, Cadillacs and Chevys.
The bad news for Chinese people would have to be the very steep price of the Chevrolet Volt. When it will be available for purchase, GM’s extended-range hybrid is going to cost a hefty $75,533 which is almost double the price compared to the car’s price tag in the United States. Those who will afford to buy the car will also be able to join in the V+Club, which is an all-day bilingual hotline that offers one-on-one service. The owner of the Volt will also be invited to participate in various “green” activities.
You probably knew already that the 2013 Nissan GT-R was going to be an impressive car, but it is even better than most of you have hoped, being capable of hitting 100 km/h in only 2.84 seconds. If this figure is accurate it means that the car will be faster than the Ferrari 599 GTO, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and pretty much every car out there, except for the Bugatti Veyron.
As a reminder, the 2013 Nissan GT-R is powered by a revised twin-turbo V6 3.8-liter engine that develops 542 hp (550 PS / 405 kW) and a peak torque of 466 lb.-ft (632 Nm). We don’t have official details regarding the performance specifications of the car, but we do know that it is going to be a very quick vehicle.
Nissan unveiled at this year’s edition of the L.A. auto show two food truck concepts based on the NV models. One of them is for grilled cheese while the other is for ice-cream sandwiches. Both of them have custom fold-out serving windows, full exterior graphics and work counters.
The trucks were developed in collaboration with Coolhaus Truck and The Grilled Cheese Truck.
The German automaker Volkswagen revealed a few days ago at the Los Angeles Auto Show the new generation of the CC model which will no longer carry the “Passat” designation. Some of the most noticeable exterior modifications include a new chrome grille, revised headlamps that now feature LED daytime running lights, along with a new bumper. At the back we find updated LED tail lamps, along with new bumper and boot designs.
2013 Volkswagen CC
Inside the cabin there are new trim options and climate controls as well as new stainless steel door sills. Probably the most important change inside is the inclusion of a three-seat rear bench which replaces the previous two individual bucket seats.
2013 Volkswagen CC
The U.S.-spec model will be available with the same engines as before: a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter unit that produces 200 hp and a beefier naturally aspirated V6 3.6-liter that generates 280 hp. Both of these engines benefit from the direct injection technology.
2013 Volkswagen CC
For the new model Volkswagen decided to add a bunch of systems like the Side Assist Plus with Lane Assist which warns the driver of the car’s blind spots and it can also make the necessary direction changes in order to avoid an accident. The U.S. model will also be available with an optional Dynamic Light Assist plus a traffic sign detection system.
2013 Volkswagen CC
The 2013 Volkswagen CC will be launched at first in Germany in February 2012, followed by the rest of Europe and the United States.
The 2013 Ford Mustang Boss made a public appearance at this year’s edition of the Los Angeles Auto Show. It is motivated by a V8 5.0-liter engine that develops 444 hp and 380 lb.-ft of torque. As far as the changes that have been brought in comparison to the outgoing model, the 2013MY features a new design for the splitter, functional bonnet vents, standard HID headlights, LED tail lamps and easily removable covers.
2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Inside the cabin, this powerful rear-wheel coupe comes with Ford’s SYNC infotainment system as a standard feature. This includes a USB connection for digital music players as well as hands-free with voice activation calling through Bluetooth. Other than that, the system incorporates an on-demand diagnostic and information service plus an automated “911 Assist” emergency calling service which is entirely free.
One of the models introduced last week in L.A. by Infiniti is this gorgeous 2013 IPL G Convertible which is powered by a V6 3.7-liter engine that churns 343 hp (348 PS / 256 kW) and 273 lb.-ft (370 Nm), mated to a 7-speed automatic gearbox. The car rides on seven-spoke 19-inch IPL graphite-finish alloy wheels that are wrapped around in Bridgestone Potenza RE050A performance tires.
2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible
Customers will be able to choose from one of the two available exterior colors: Malbec Black and Moonlight White, along with two colors for the interior: Monaco Red (IPL exclusive) and Stone. Surprisingly, the 2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible will come in one fully-equipped package and buyers won’t be able to add other options.
2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible
The car is scheduled to hit Nissan/Infiniti dealerships in the U.S. starting with the spring of next year.
Source: Nissan/Infiniti via WCF
Post tags: Tags: Infiniti, infiniti ipl g, Infiniti IPL G Convertible, la-auto-show
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