Hyundai ix-onic Concept with 175hp 1.6 Turbo: First Photos of 2010 Tucson Study

This is Hyundai's ix-onic concept, also known as the HED6, and it previews the second-generation Tucson compact crossover / SUV that will be officially revealed in production form at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show this fall. Even though it's hard to deny the styling resemblances to the Ford Kuga, the ix-onic that was penned at Hyundai's European center looks way cooler than the anonymous Tucson.

The concept version of the 2010 Tucson that will be called in Europe ix-35 will be powered by Hyundai's new 1.6-litre turbocharged gasoline engine that delivers an output of 175HP. This engine will be available in the production version as well other Hyundai models in the near future. It will also be joined by a new 2.0-liter turbo diesel producing 184HP.

Source: www.carscoop.blogspot.com

MY2009 Alfa Romeo 159 with new 200hp 1.8 Turbo and 170hp JTDm

Europe's sexiest mid-size sports sedan -feel free to disagree with us at your own risk (...), the Alfa Romeo 159, will receive two new powertrains for the 2009 model year, a 1.8-liter turbocharged petrol engine and a JTDm diesel, and these are the first official photos of both versions. To be presented at the Geneva Show, the 159 1.8 TBi is equipped with a 1.8-liter turbocharged direct injection gasoline unit producing 200HP while the 159 JTDm will get a new variant of Alfa's four-pot diesel with 170HP. Since there's no press release out, we are unaware of anyother changes on the MY09 159 sedan and SportWagon models.

Source: www.carscoop.blogspot.com

2010 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro - First Official Photos

Automakers are leaving no stone unturned these days to make a buck or in Audi's case, a Euro or two. The German company is getting ready to enter a new niche segment with the presentation of the A4 Allroad Quattro, a crossover version of its latest A4 Avant that will compete head on with the new Saab 9-3X, and in some ways act as an alternative proposal to compact SUV's like its own Q5 and the BMW X5. Audi will initially offer a gasoline engine and two diesel engines for the A4 Allroad Quattro that will hit European dealerships early this summer at a basic price of €37,100.

The engine range comprises of the 2.0-liter TFSI gasoline unit that delivers 211HP and 350 Nm of torque. Matted to Audi's S-Tronic dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission, it propels the Allroad to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.9 sec, and to a top speed of 230 km/h (143mph). On average, it consumes 8.1 lt of fuel per 100 km (29 mpg).

The diesel range includes the 4-cylinder 2.0-liter TDI with 170HP that's combined with a six-speed manual gearbox launching the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 sec and on to a top speed of 213 km/h (132mph) with an avg fuel consumption of 6.4 ly of fuel per 100 km (36.8mpg). The more powerful 3.0-liter TDI V6 delivers 240HP and is hooked up to dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission propelling the Allroad from standstill to 100 km/h 6.4 sec topping out at 236 km/h. On average, the three-liter TDI sips 7.1 lt of fuel per 100 km (33.1mpg).

Aside from the standard quattro all-wheel drive system, Audi's engineers widened the A4 Avant's front and rear tracks by 20mm (0.79-in.) while the body is higher on account of a new chassis with longer springs - though Audi did not say how high. Furthermore, the Allroad is equipped with Audi's Offroad Detection (ORD) technology that senses the type of driving surface and adjusts the ESP's control parameters accordingly. The car sits on 17-inch alloys shod in 225/55 tires.

Similar to the A6 Allroad, Audi's smaller faux-offroader gets color-contrasting body cladding, restyled bumpers, a unique grille and roof rails. Inside changes are limited to the standard electromechanical handbrake and the availability of an exclusive Allroad fabric trim.
The A4 Allroad will make its world debut in Geneva in March. The German firm has yet to disclose its plans for the North American market.

Source: www.carscoop.blogspot.com

Video: BMW 5-Series GT Concept Presentation in Munich

In a special event in Munich, BMW took the wraps off its new Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo prior to next month's Geneva Motor Show. The five-door liftback which is taller and longer than a 5-Series, supposedly combines elements and characteristics from several segments including MPVs and SUVs. BMW's latest niche model, known until now by as the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS), is scheduled to enter production later this year. In this film we get the chance to see the concept inside and out as well hearing BMW design director Adrian van Hooydonk's initial thoughts on the GT.

Source: www.carscoop.blogspot.com

New 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Guard Model Announced

Mercedes-Benz has added the E-Guard high-protection package to the new W212 E-Class lineup. Not easily differentiated from the normal sedan, most of the work is under the skin. A protective cocoon made of special steel and all-around polycarbonate glazing forms the basis of the E-Guard's protection systems.

The E-Guard can withstand attacks by a .44 Magnum firearm. Even the underbelly can resist the blast of a DM51 hand-grenade. An optional intercom system will enable occupants to communicate with the outside world without opening any part of the car.

To compensate for the extra weight brought on by the protective layers of the car, the AIRMATIC suspension and the brakes have been duly adapted while the E-Guard runs on 17-inch runflat tires.

Three engine variants are available with the E-Guard badge in both Elegance and Avantgarde trim; the E350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, the E500 and the E350.

The E-Guard package can be ordered in Germany from April at a price of €45,000 excluding VAT.

Source: Daimler

Y's Factory BMW M5 is Radical or Ruined?

Japanese tuners can be quite eccentric as far as body kit goes. This BMW M5-based sedan is an example of such eccentricity from Y's Factory. The front end features a revised bumper with tinted blue headlamp lenses. The low-profile tyres look at least 20-inch in diameter and are wrapped around 10-spoke black rims which feature what appears to be larger blue 6 piston calipers with matching hardware.

But the most visible signs of excess are at the rear where the car cannot be mistaken as it passes by. That is because of the two massive mufflers flanking an air diffuser. The wing on the boot rises up to about three thirds of the rear window and is wider than the body of the car itself.
Inside all that can be seen from the pictures are blue Recaro seats, standard M5 detailing and a floor that looks stripped out and bare. Details pertaining to the car's performance abilities can be seen on the tuner's website but unfortunately for us it's all in Japanese.

Source: thekucars.wordpress.com via autoblog.nl

1937 Bugatti Type 57S Sells for $4.4 million at Paris Auction

The 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante that was recently discovered forgotten in a garage in the UK has sold for about $4.4 million.

Hailed as one of the last great garage discoveries, the Bugatti was found locked in the garage of a reclusive Newcastle doctor after his death, along with an Aston Martin and a Jaguar E-Type. The Type 57S Atalante went under the hammer at the Paris Bonhams Retromobile auction on February 7, and the final selling price was 3,417,500 euros.

One of just seventeen examples, the car was originally owned by Earl Howe, the first president of the British Racing Drivers Club. Registered DKY 5, the Bugatti was a familiar sight in the local sports-car scene, and passed through a few owners until Dr. Harold Carr ended up purchasing it in 1955. It was in his garage that the car sat after it was mothballed in the early 1960s until it was unearthed in 2007.

The Type 57S was a sportier incarnation of the Type 57, with a high-performance engine and a shortened, low-slung frame and de Ram shock absorbers. Type 57S racers won the A.C.F., la Marne and Comminges Grand Prix races in 1936 and at Le Mans in 1937.
The identity of the Type 57S' new owner has not been disclosed.

Source: autoweek