Auto Plus News

Posted Sep 30th 2008 12:28PM by Jonathon Ramsey
Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Etc., Volkswagen

The VW Jetta TDI has proven to be quite popular in the short time it’s been on sale here in the U.S.: it has put sales of the Tiguan in the cooler and the ones that are available are very hard to get. Now the fairest Jetta of them all has set a Guinness World Record by traversing the lower 48 U.S. states while returning 58.82 mpg thanks to John and Helen Taylor.

The Taylors took 20 days to cover the 9,419 miles in a counter clockwise direction, and this wasn’t a hypermiling slow-as-you-can-go affair – they stayed within 5 mph of the speed limit. Their car was completely stock as it consumed just 11 tanks of ultra low sulfur diesel and traveled 853 miles per fill up. With that kind of mileage and handling high up on the fun factor, the Jetta TDI makes an excellent case for itself if you like driving and want to lower your fuel consumption.

VW also recently told us that the go-fast Jetta TDIs in the TDI Cup Series are returning an average of 25 mpg and doing their entire 7-race series on just two tanks of gas, which includes qualifying. If that’s true, there’s got to be another world record in there somewhere…

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

Posted Sep 30th 2008 1:31PM by Jeremy Korzeniewski
Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Hatchbacks, Volvo, UK

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 R-Design

Rumors of a new Volvo hot hatch have gotten hot again with talk of a new 300-horsepower C30 for Europe. According to reports, the new model would be powered by the same 2.5-liter inline-five cylinder turbo engine that powers the new Ford Focus RS. One difference between the two cars, which share a similar platform, is that the Swedish beauty would be offered with a Haldex all-wheel drive system in contrast to the Blue Oval’s torque-steer inducing front-engine, front-drive layout. Larger 20-inch wheels ought to fill out the arches quite nicely, and a special body kit should bring the whole look closer to the tarmac. To keep demand high, Volvo may limit the new model to 4,500 units worldwide, though we have no idea where it will offer the hatch besides the U.K. Considering that the Swedish automaker has diluted its R-nameplate, we’re also not certain what this performance-minded C30 will be called, but we’re sure it’ll be the most fun we’ve had in a Volvo for quite a long time.

Gallery: Volvo C30 R-Design

[Source: Autocar]

Posted Sep 30th 2008 10:57AM by Jonathon Ramsey
Filed under: Sports/GTs, Paris Motor Show, Supercars, Citroen, Toys

Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the GT by Citroen

In a move more “Um, yeah…” than “Oh yeah!”, Citroen has released the sixth teaser image of the car that will, one of these days, be revealed entirely to the world, all at once, front and back. We aren’t even sure if this qualifies as a tease, since getting a glimpse at a front end we’ve already seen doesn’t really ring the bell. What we can say is that one of our commenters appears to be right: the car does look like it’s only 10 inches high. Relive the magic of the slowest reveal ever in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Sony/Citroen GT Teaser

[Source: 4 Wheels News]

CHICAGO, ILL., Sept. 30, 2008 - ProClip USA, Inc. today announced the launch of a new device holder with tilt swivel and pass-through connector designed to securely mount iPhones to car, truck and SUV dashboards and consoles. The pass-through connector creates a docking station to which you can connect your stereo cable, charging cable or any other 30 pin dock connector cable.

These holders, designed and manufactured by Brodit AB in Sweden, are custom made for the new iPhone 3G and attach to vehicle specific ProClip dashboard mounts. Once this two part solution (Device Holder plus Vehicle Mount) is attached, to the vehicle dashboard, the solution provides better viewing and easier access. ProClip holders may also be attached to other manufacturers’ vehicle mounts or any other flat surface.

“Securely and conveniently mounting handheld devices like the iPhone, without damaging a vehicle’s interior, is what we do best,” says Bjorn Spilling, president of ProClip USA. “We offer mounting solutions that are custom designed for virtually every car in the world, and all popular handheld devices.”

The Holder with Tilt Swivel and Pass-Through Connector will make docking and undocking, your iPhone, easier and more convenient. Attach your stereo cable, charging cable or other iPhone dock connector cable, to the bottom of the Holder, to create a docking station for your iPhone. You no longer need to plug and unplug the cable each time. Your iPhone is conveniently on the dash within easy reach and slides in and out of the holder with one hand. The holder is custom made with a neat and discreet design. It tilts 15 degrees in any direction for optimal viewing.

The ProClip Vehicle Mount is the only vehicle specific, consumer installable mounting bracket in today’s global market. The mount clips into the dashboard seams, providing a very sturdy and tight fit. Average installation time is 2 minutes. No dismantling of the dashboard is required and there is no damage to the vehicle’s interior!

Other holders are also available for first generation iPhones and iPods.

WOLFSBURG – September 30, 2008: Volkswagen has now qualified for two prestigious sustainability indexes: the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, considered to be the world’s leading sustainability index, and the Dow Jones Sustainability STOXX. Apart from recognizing achievements in highly-efficient technological solutions and environmental protection, the latest evaluation places special emphasis on progress in human resources and corporate citizenship.

Commenting on the results, Dr. Horst Neumann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft for Human Resources, said: “Volkswagen’s strategy of a timely response to changes in economic, ecological and social conditions is proving fruitful. This assessment also confirms that we are moving closer to our goal of becoming the most attractive employer.”

Launched in 1999, the indexes track the performance of companies in the field of sustainability and corporate citizenship. Companies must qualify for selection each year. The evaluation covers criteria such as environment management and climate strategy, working conditions, safety and health, supplier management, risk management and corporate citizenship.

Volkswagen achieved a high performance level in all criteria. This year’s evaluation paid particular attention to progress in human resources and in attractiveness as an employer. Volkswagen’s performance in occupational health and safety, corporate citizenship, transparency and commitment was also well above average. The recently introduced “mood barometer”, a survey in which each Volkswagen employee can express their opinion on the company and their individual work situation, is singled out for praise.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Mark Nichol

30th September 2008

It’s the British supercar set to raise the roof! This is the MG X-Power SV-S WRC - and Auto Express is the first and only magazine to get up close to the newcomer.

Set to be officiallly unveiled in January next year, the car you see here is an early development prototype - but as you can see it already looks stunning in neon orange paintwork.

Based on the MG X-Power SV-S we drove in issue 1,016, the WRC (William Riley Convertible) retains the coupé’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine but replaces the roof with a manual cloth hood. This means the open top SV-S gains very little weight, even with the chassis strengthening required after losing the fixed head. 

There’ll also be a non-supercharged SV-R version and, later, a fibreglass-bodied variant - set to cost less than half the Kevlar-bodied SV-S pictured here!

The SV-S WRC is our issue 1,032 cover star, so make sure you pick up your copy when it hits the shelves tomorrow to get all the details on this amazing newcomer - as well as a scoop on what’s coming next from the UK maker!

We’ve also got scoops on the new Mercedes Gullwing and the BMW X1 junior-SUV, as well as the story on the hot new Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse. Don’t miss it!

HANOVER - September 30, 2008: The Executive Board of Continental AG, Hanover, has opened up broader future options for the international automotive supplier by reorganizing the tasks of its members to concentrate on two core business fields. As of October 1, 2008, Continental Executive Board chairman Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann will head the Automotive group, consisting of the Chassis & Safety, Interior and Powertrain divisions. On the same day, deputy chairman Dr. Alan Hippe will take on the management of the Rubber group, made up of the Passenger and Light Truck Tires, Commercial Vehicle Tires and ContiTech. On Tuesday in Hannover, the Supervisory Board of the company took assenting note of this new task allocation as decided by the Executive Board. The Supervisory Board also extended Executive Board member Dr. Hans-Joachim Nikolin’s term of office until May 2014.

Dr. Alan Hippe will continue to hold the position of CFO and head the Passenger and Light Truck Tires division within the Rubber group. Heinz-Gerhard Wente will fill the position of Gerhard Lerch as head of the ContiTech division, who is retiring as planned. Wente will maintain his position as Executive Board member for HR and Director of Labor Relations for the company. The Commercial Vehicles Tires division in the Rubber group will continue to be headed by Dr. Hans-Joachim Nikolin, who is responsible for purchasing as well as quality and the environment in the corporation’s Executive Board.

There will also be no changes in the operative management of the divisions within the Automotive group, which is in the hands of Dr. Ralf Cramer (Chassis & Safety), Helmut Matschi (Interior) and Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann (Powertrain).

“Following an elementary change in strategy, Continental developed two major company groups in the past 10 years, primarily through selective acquisitions, major investments and focused expenditures in research and development. These groups are concentrated on two very different business fields: Automotive and Rubber“, explains Executive Board chairman Dr. Neumann. “Following the acquisition of Siemens VDO, we created the three Automotive divisions in the summer of 2007 – already at that time with a common management for the coordination of cross-divisional tasks. The future Automotive group was thus called to life. We are now taking the next logical steps, creating not only a strong Rubber group as a counterpart but, at the same time, setting up very clear management and responsibility structures for both groups.”

“Under the roof of Continental, two company groups have basically achieved positions that are much stronger and more stable, than the initial position of the “classical” Continental at the beginning of the nineties – with regards to sales and margins, production capacities and market position,” stressed vice chairman of the Executive Board Dr. Hippe. “With this move, we are providing both company groups with more freedom so they can react to the respective trends and options in their various business fields with much greater sovereignty. At the same time, the corporation attains the flexibility it needs to respond quickly and decisively to the wide range of future trends and possible options, especially in view of the tough economic environment and the critical situation on the financial markets.”

GAYDON, UNITED KINGDOM – September 30, 2008: One year after making its first public appearance at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Aston Martin have confirmed details of a number of enhancements for the company’s flagship DBS, including the introduction of a ‘Touchtronic 2’ transmission.

A series of additional features to provide customers with even greater personalisation capabilities are also introduced - including a new Bang & Olufsen audio system, the availability of 2+2 seating and a new lightweight wheel option.

Touchtronic
Introduced as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual gearbox, DBS customers will now be afforded the option of the ‘Touchtronic 2’ six-speed automatic transmission. Derived from the same ZF transaxle unit that was developed for the DB9, the system has been substantially re-engineered to accommodate the power and performance characteristics of the DBS.

The DBS Touchtronic transmission features a final drive ratio shortened from 3.15:1 to 3.46:1, aiding quicker acceleration times and an improved performance feel. Additionally, changes to the gearbox calibration aid more aggressive gear shifts and greater usability, while retaining the performance potential of the manual gear box – matching the 0-60mph (0-100km/h) time of 4.3 seconds. System functionality is consistent with that on the DB9, with ‘Park’, ‘Reverse’, ‘Neutral’ and ‘Drive’ modes selected via facia mounted controls.

When in ‘Drive’ mode, pulling either of the leather-trimmed magnesium alloy paddles mounted on the steering column will activate Touchtronic mode, enabling the driver to control gear shifts via the paddles. Touchtronic mode is also accessible directly on engine start-up or directly from ‘Reverse’. Alternatively, the ‘Drive’ mode can be selected at any time by pressing the ‘D’ control on the centre console, engaging a fully automatic mode which will select the most appropriate gear for the speed and driving conditions automatically.

The system also includes a ‘Sport’ mode - activated by a button on the centre console – which engages a more aggressive gear shift strategy as gear changes feel sharper and more forceful, engine speed matching on downshifts is more aggressive and in full automatic mode, upshifts occur at higher speeds. The Sport setting also incorporates a more responsive throttle map to match the high-performance characteristics of the DBS.

Bang & Olufsen Audio
The DBS will now also benefit from the installation of a new Bang & Olufsen BeoSound system – developed specifically for the DBS – as standard equipment. The BeoSound DBS system produces a total power output of 1000W, delivering the sound image through a total of 13 channels across 10 speaker locations. Adopting new speaker grille designs throughout the car and acoustic lenses which rise out of the facia, the system offers customers an unrivalled audio experience.

Enhanced Option Range
After evaluating customer feedback the DBS will now also be offered with an optional 2+2 seating configuration, where the rear storage areas are replaced with two seats. A 2+0 arrangement – where two storage areas populate the rear environment – remains standard.

Also introduced to the DBS is the option of a new 10-spoke 20’’ forged aluminium wheel with diamond-turned surface – available in either silver or graphite finishes. The optional wheel delivers a total unsprung mass reduction of 8kg versus the standard cast wheel, aiding enhanced handling and improved acceleration and braking performance.

The Aston Martin DBS is a 6.0-litre V12 powered, race-bred, two-seater shaped by the aerodynamic demands of high performance, with an exquisite interior that marries beautifully hand-finished materials with the very latest in performance technology.

A combination of elegant design, innovative manufacturing processes, race-derived materials and components and Aston Martin’s unrivalled hand-build expertise makes the DBS a luxury sports car without equal. Every line, crease and curve conveys the enormous potential of the DBS, a seductive blend of refinement and raw power, provided by the hand-built V12 producing 380 kW (510 bhp/517 PS) and a top speed of 191mph (307km/h).

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “The DBS is the ultimate expression of Aston Martin’s engineering and technical ability. It offers pure performance without compromise.”

The DBS is built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters at Gaydon, near Warwickshire in the UK and almost 300 examples have now been built and delivered to customers around the world since production began at the end of 2007.

Prices for the DBS start at 162,500 ($269,000) for the six-speed manual and 165,500 ($273,000) for the Touchtronic.

LUTON – September 30, 2008: Corvette ownership has just become more affordable with the revision to 2008 Model Year prices of the C6 and Z06 models in its line-up. Front-engined, rear-wheel drive Corvettes have always offered an unbeatable combination of blistering performance, everyday comfort and driveability and they are now better value than ever before.

The entry-level C6 is available as a Coupe or Convertible, both of which reach 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph, and now retails from 39,999 OTR. The LS3 6.2-litre V8 packs 437 ps and maximum torque of 575 Nm. It is available with a three-mode paddle-shift automatic or a short-throw six-speed manual, while advanced aerodynamic development of the iconic Corvette design includes hidden radio antenna and keyless access in place of mechanical door handles.

The race-bred Z06 – boasting 512 ps and reaching 60 mph in 3.9 seconds before powering to a top speed of 198 mph – is now available from 54,995 OTR. The Z06 was developed alongside the Le Mans GT1 class-winning Corvette C6.R racecar and benefits directly from an extensive transfer of motorsport technologies, engineering know-how and advanced materials to deliver astonishing performance. The LS7 7.0-litre V8 is hand-assembled and features a number of lightweight titanium components engineered to reduce weight while increasing performance and durability.

Progetto940.it revealed today a new rendering of the future Alfa Romeo 149, this time inspired by the Kamal Concept and with the same styling as the new Mito and the 8C Competizione. If this sketch becomes the production car, it is just one more reason we want Alfa to return to the U.S.

The successor of the 147 will be built on an entirely new platform, internally known as the “C-Evo”. The chassis is taken from Fiat Bravo and Lancia Delta. Under the hood Alfa Romeo will place a 1.4 T-jet engine with output between 120 and 150 hp. The GTA version will be offered with either a 1.6 or a 1.8-liter engine with output up to 190 hp.