new car automotive: April 2010

Audi TT Coupe and Roadster Range Facelifted 2011 - New 211HP 2.0 TFSI

The Audi TT Coupe and Roadster models enter the 2011 model year with some modest exterior styling changes, a revised interior and the introduction of the firm's new 2.0-liter TFSI gasoline engine with 211 ponies on the entry-level versions.

The new 2.0 TFSI delivers 211HP and 258 lb-ft, or 11-horsepower and 51 lb-ft of torque more than its 2.0-liter predecessor. With the six-speed manual, the two-liter engine accelerates the Coupe from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 245 km/h or 152mph.

Optionally, Audi also offers the 2.0 TFSI with a six-speed S tronic dual clutch gearbox and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The spring from zero to 100 km/h takes only 5.6 s in this configuration.

According to the Ingolstadt automaker, the 2011 TT 2.0 TFSI consumes 6.6 liters of fuel per 100 km (35.6mpg US) in the European test cycle with CO2 emissions of 154 g/km (247.8 g/mile).

There are no mechanical changes for the 272HP TTS and the 340HP five-cylinder TT RS models. However, Audi said that starting this fall, the TT RS will be offered optionally with a newly developed version of the S tronic dual clutch transmission.

The most obvious styling updates on the outside concern the front of the TT models that gain a restyled front bumper with larger inlets, a revised single-frame grille in high-gloss black, and twelve white LEDs arranged in a straight line at the lower edge of the headlights that serve as the daytime running lights.

The faintly tweaked tail lights, larger tail pipes and the slightly larger flat black diffuser complete the cosmetic changes on the 2.0 TFSI models.

The upgrades to the TT Coupe and the TT Roadster have added two centimeters (0.79 in) to both cars, which now measure 4,187 millimeters (13.74 ft) in length.

Audi also added four new metallic colors to the TT range including Scuba Blue, Oolong Gray, Volcano Red and Dakota Gray.

As for the more powerful TTS Coupe and Roadster models, both benefit from a new grille combined with chrome air inlets, while the flagship TT RS remains unchanged.

Inside, changes are limited to the new aluminum-look trim on the steering wheel, the center console and in the door liner, the brushed gray aluminum strip above the glove box door and the availability of new interior colors on the TT and TTS models.

In the U.S., the 2011 TTS will hit showrooms this fall, while the TT 2.0 TFSI quattro goes on sale in the first quarter of 2011. The facelifted TT will have its world premiere at the Leipzig Auto Show in Germany later this month.

Audi TT Coupe and Roadster Range Facelifted 2011 - New 211HP 2.0 TFSI

New Ferrari 599 GTO - a limited edition supercar

Marking the return of the famous GTO badge, which stands for "Gran Turismo Omologata", Ferrari today unveiled the 599 GTO, a limited edition supercar that's inspired by the track-only 599XX prototype.

Set to make its public debut at the Beijing Auto Show in China at the end of April, only 599 examples of the GTO will be built.

Billed as the company's fastest ever road car, the 599 GTO makes use of the 599XX's (Enzo-derived) tweaked 6.0-liter V12 engine that punches out 670-horsepower at 8,250 rpm with maximum torque of 620Nm (457 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm. For comparison, the V12 delivers 700HP in the 599XX and 620HP in the standard 599 GTB.

Despite the increase in power over the 599 GTB Fiorano, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are both improve slightly to 17.5 lt/100km (13.4mpg US) and 411 g/km respectively.

Power is sent to the rear-wheels through the same six-speed sequential gearbox with lower 60 ms shift times and the possibility to make multiple downshifts found on the 599XX.

Ferrari announces a 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration time of just 3.35 seconds and a top speed over 335 km/h or 208mph.

More importantly, Maranello says that the 599 GTO lapped the Fiorano circuit in just 1min 24sec, or a second faster than the previous record set by the Enzo, making it the company's fastest ever road-car.

The 599 GTO inherits much of the weigh-saving measures employed in the 599XX track-racer including widespread use of composite materials, resulting in a dry weight of 1495 kg (3,295 lbs) or 84kg (185 lbs) less than the 599 GTB, and a weight-to-power ratio of just 2.23 kg/hp.

Ferrari sharpened the supercar's handling with the use of new springs and a stiffer rear antiroll bar as well as a second generation magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM2).

There's also a lighter , carbon ceramic braking system, again derived from the 599XX, that helps the GTO come to a halt from 100km/h (62mph) in just 32.5 meters.

Other changes include the improved aerodynamics with the addition of a new front spoiler that incorporates a separate lower wing, a new sill design with a more pronounced leading edge, a new double-curve rear diffuser and the tweaked underbody panels.

The 599 GTO also gets a new hood design with air-vents and a matte gray rooftop finish while it rides on new 20-inch alloy wheels shod in beefier tires size 285/30 up front and 315/35 at the rear.

As for the interior, Ferrari fitted the car with bespoke, longer carbon-fibre F1 paddles for easier use in high-speed driving, a pair of bucket sport sears and the so-called "Virtual Race Engineer", which is a system that monitors the status of the car and gives the driver immediate visibility of vehicle performance.

The Italian company did not release pricing on the 599 GTO, but a leaked document suggest that those interested will be looking at €267,136 (~$355,000) before taxes and options.

New Ferrari 599 GTO - a limited edition supercar

Lotus Exige GT3 - Concept Car

Lotus Sport, part of Lotus Cars Ltd (owned by Malaysia's Proton) launched the Exige GT3 Concept in Geneva, Switzerland on the 6th of March at the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show.

This car features a new one-piece front clam-shell with fully masked front wheels and wheel arch venting. Quite aggressive looking.

The car is powered by a supercharged engine that produces 275PS (271bhp / 203kw) and max speed of 257kph (160mph).

It rests and runs on ten inch rear wheels with 255 width tyres.

The Exige GT3 Concept is expected to go on sale in late 2007 with an estimated price tag of between £50,000 and

New Concept Cars at Beijing Show - IAT-Auto

At this year's edition of the Beijing Auto Show that runs from April 23 to 27, a Chinese company called IAT-Auto that few have heard outside its home market will take the veils off three new concept studies.

The most interesting prototype is the Wu Feng II which is a follow up to the Wu Feng I. It's a compact coupe with gullwing-style doors that's said to have a top speed of 200km/h or 124mph and can reach 100km/h (62mph) from standstill in 7 seconds.

The other two concept models are the eTAXI, a mid-size sedan powered by an electric motor, and the all-electric Bamboo Wind, a futuristic take on the A-Class the small MPV segment.

According to the official website, IAT-Auto is a company that "mainly engages in the development and design of automobile, engine and its power train, and their relative manufacture business."

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FILLING MY CAR’S TIRES WITH NITROGEN

The practice/concept of filling street car tires (tires that are driven on city streets) with nitrogen has been around for the last few years. The idea has its foundation in the racing industry where nitrogen has been used to fill race tires and run air tools for decades.

What is good for race cars must be good for street cars, right? Not so fast!

There are reasons why nitrogen is used in the racing industry that do not transfer to everyday, street-driven vehicles:

1. The nitrogen molecule is larger than the mixture of molecules in regular air. Race tires are purposely built for adhesion and not for longevity, so must be as light as possible. Therefore, the race tire sidewall is not as thick and durable as on street tires. In short, race tires do not do a good job of holding inflation for long periods of time. They tend to go flat within weeks. Thus, the larger nitrogen molecules help them stay inflated longer. Street tires are very durable, and hold inflation quite well, so there is no real need for the larger molecules. Cheap street tires leak more air than good quality street tires, however, so it is important to buy good quality tires.

2. Nitrogen gas is much dryer than regular air. Race tires go through very large changes in temperatures (from 75 to 350). No street-driven tires go through such a large change in temperature unless they are severely under-inflated or being driven illegally.

3. The more moisture inside a tire, the more this affects pressure changes and tire stability. Race tires want stability, and will notice a 1 to 2 PSI (pounds per square inch) change in tire pressure. Street tires, if driven within the law, will not notice even a 3 to 4 PSI change. Also, the racing industry uses cylinders of 100% nitrogen. The nitrogen being put into street tires is NOT 100%.

So, what is all the talk on the internet about the benefits of nitrogen? Well under laboratory testing using nitrogen versus regular air, benefits to using nitrogen probably can be measured. Strict testing in a laboratory, however, is no comparison to the real world. In the real world, street tires are filled with something less than 100% nitrogen. The tire/wheel assembly already has regular air in it. This combination of air already present in the tire and the less than 100% nitrogen, further dilutes the percentage of nitrogen in the tire/wheel assembly. This dilution is enough to negate any possible positive effects from using the nitrogen.

The benefits of putting nitrogen in your normal street tires are negligible, so even if you choose to do so, do not pay to have nitrogen put in your tires. The only winner there is the facility selling the nitrogen.

Lotus inspired Proton car - launched at Malaysia

Malaysian car company recently launched the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition. Meant to commemorate the Lotus Formula One racing team, the car wear the traditional Lotus green and yellow racing colours.

The car is powered by a retuned version of Proton's 1.6-litre CamPro CPS engine. Special features include the R3 Tuned Öhlins Coil-Overs Dampers and Öhlins DFV (Dual Flow Valve) technology. This 5 speed manual car has a maximum power of 145bhp at 7000 rpm and can go from 0-100Km/hour in 9.2 seconds.

The car is currently available at RM115,000 which is approximately around £23K. So far, there is no news of it being exported to the UK.

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Concept Cars: Kia Ray | New Car Automotive