2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster

Automobili Lamborghini presented the new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster: the most exciting series production Lamborghini ever built and the new benchmark in the world of open-top luxury super sports cars.

On the heels of the successful coupe introduced in Summer 2011, and with over 1,300 units already delivered to customers, the House of the Raging Bull is now offering the convertible version of the Aventador, a vehicle that perfectly balances the ultimate driving experience with the ultimate in sports car sophistication.

The new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster can immediately be recognized by the unique profile of its upper area, which extends along newly designed geometric lines from the removable roof to the engine hood.

The Roadster's design is the result of a careful study into the best way of combining performance, elegant style, ease of use and a driving experience that excites all five senses.

The two-piece roof is made entirely from carbon fiber using various technologies such as RTM and Forged Composite®. These technologies guarantee maximum aesthetic performance and stiffness although each component is extremely light, weighing less than 6 kg. These two parts are removable, easy to handle, and being lightweight and simple to attach, can be stored in the front luggage compartment. In just a few seconds the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster can be admired in all its luxurious beauty.

The rear pillar has been redesigned to offer total support for the removable roof, accommodate an automatic protection system for passengers, and provide the engine compartment with ample ventilation.

Right at first glance, it's noticeable that the engine hood on the Roadster differs from the hood on the coupé because of its central "spinal column" with two pairs of hexagonal windows connected at the sides as if they were hyper-tech armor plates. Their purpose is to cool the engine, drain off rain water properly and, of course, allow the beauty of the V12 power unit to be admired.

The driver of the Aventador Roadster and his passenger can decide for themselves how intensely they would like to enjoy the driving experience. The powered rear windshield not only influences the flow of air in the vehicle, but also controls the experience of the sound from the twelve-cylinder engine. The wind deflector, on the other hand, delivers almost complete calm inside the car, even at high speed. It rests on the front windshield frame and can likewise be stored in the luggage compartment when not in use.

The Lamborghini Aventador Roadster is also equipped with door windows with chamfered edges, which always ensure a perfect fit into the hard-top seal, and underline the sharp side profile of the car.

The body of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster sports a two-tone finish, as the windshield pillar, the two roof sections and the rear window area up to the "fins" are painted in gloss black. The visual effect is that of a completely open vehicle with sleek lines combining perfectly balanced sportiness and elegance.

The range of colors available for the Roadster has been supplemented with a very light, metallic blue color, Azzuro Thetis, whose tone varies with the angle of the light. This color recalls the shade of the extraordinarily beautiful 1968 Miura Roadster, and both highlights and reinforces the lines of the vehicle by adding strength and dynamism.

Even the interior has a new look. The use of leather called Sabbia Nefertem highlights the superb hand-made craftsmanship of the upholstery from Sant' Agata Bolognese and is a perfect match for the exterior in Azzuro Thetis. Finally, the new Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster also features new Dione 20"/21" rims with a daring, aggressive look. Crafted in light forged aluminum, they lower the weight of the vehicle by 10 Kg as compared with the standard set of rims.

The new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster boasts record performance. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3 seconds flat and has a maximum speed of some 350 km/h.

These numbers, combined with a drive train featuring a centrally located, 6.5 liter aspirated V12 generating 700 hp, an ISR 7-speed gearbox and push-rod suspension make the new Aventador Roadster a unique super sports car with no direct competition.

Of course the Roadster's V12 also includes a cylinder deactivation system when the engine is working at partial capacity, while the innovative, instant Stop & Start system includes high-performance capacitors known as supercaps to awaken the engine. This is an absolute first in the super sports car segment.

The new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is a dream that can be realized and ordered at any Lamborghini dealer in the world for the price of 300,000 euro, excluding taxes.

Land Rover to Debut New 9-Speed ZF Automatic Transmission in Geneva

Land Rover will be displaying a new 9-speed automatic transmission for use on its passenger cars and SUVs at next week's Geneva International Auto Show. The new ZF 9HP gearbox was developed by transmission specialist ZF with Land Rover being a lead partner in the project – or so the British company says.

Specifically designed for transverse applications, the ZF unit is rather compact in dimensions, as despite sporting three more gears, it is only 6mm (0.23 inches) longer and actually weighs 7.5kg (16.5 pounds) less than the outgoing six-speed transmission it will replace.

According to the British carmaker, increasing the number of gear ratios from six to nine provides significant improvement in fuel consumption and a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions, while the smaller ratio steps help improve response during acceleration, shift quality, drive and refinement.

Furthermore, the lowest ratio in the new 9HP is far lower than the existing 6sp transmission, with the company stating that it is specifically designed for "off-road use, towing and more extreme on-road conditions like gradients and altitude, giving the driver a heightened sense of control".

Another special feature of the ZF 9HP is the adaptive shifting system that allows the software to learn from the driver's techniques "within seconds, sharpening up during brisk driving then slipping seamlessly into a more economical regime just as quickly when taking a more relaxed approach," according to Land Rover.

“We are extremely excited about the 9HP which has been tailored exactly to dovetail with the unique attributes of our vehicles,” said John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director. “It will add another layer of performance, refinement and efficiency, further enhancing Land Rover’s world class abilities.”

Further details about the ZF 9HP's availability will be announced during Land Rover's Geneva Motor Show presentation.

Articles Source : Carscoop

2014 VW Golf GTI Revealed in Production Guise, Available in 220PS and 230PS Trims

Welcome to the new-old, or what Volkswagen prefers to call the seventh generation of the Golf GTI, which was unveiled today in final production trim following the release of a thinly disguised concept study at last year's Paris Motor Show.

As with the regular Golf MK7 hatchbacks, you'll be forgiven if you're having a hard time telling the new GTI apart from the current model, as VW has followed an extremely conservative evolutionary approach with the design.

The new sports hatch gets all the usual styling trinkets we've come to expect from GTI models, like the red accent line on the grille, which now extends into the headlamps, honeycomb grille inserts, smoked (LED) tail lamps, a rear spoiler, twin pipes, side sills, a diffuser and different set of 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 225/45 size tires.

The same applies for the interior with the classic tartan pattern fabric for the standard sport seats, a flat bottom steering wheel, black headliner, and red ambience lighting.

What's different about the latest Golf GTI is that it is based on VW's newest MQB platform that helps sheds 42kg (93 pounds) over the outgoing model for a base curb weight of 1,351kg (2,978 pounds)

It also gets a newer 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder unit that's offered in two power levels, 217hp (220PS) for the base model and 227hp (230PS) for the GTI Performance version, which also features a front axle differential lock.

Available transmission options include a standard 6-speed manual gearbox and a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic.

VW quotes a 0-100 km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155mph) for the 230PS model with a manual gearbox, which compares to the current 210PS Golf GTI's 6.9 seconds and 240km/h (149mph).

In Germany, advance ordering for the new Golf GTI Mk7 will begin on March 5, the same day that the car will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, with prices starting at €28,350 or about US$37,000

Articles Source : Carscoop

2014 Jeep Compass with New 6-Speed Auto Heads to Geneva for its European Premiere

We've already seen the 2014 Jeep Compass here in the States as it was unveiled at last month's Detroit auto show, and now it's time for European consumers to get a taste of the updated model as well at the Geneva Auto Salon that opens its gates for the press on March 5.

The most important upgrade is the introduction of a new 6-speed automatic transmission offered on the 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter gasoline engines producing 156 and 170 horsepower respectively. The 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine with 136hp and 163hp continues to be linked exclusively to a six-speed manual gearbox.

You'll probably have a hard time noticing the cosmetic changes, which concern trim specific updates such as the Limited model's revised grille, chrome front fog lamp bezels, smoked tail lamps and new 18-inch wheels, while all models equipped with a ParkView rear backup camera gain a plated chrome insert on the tailgate trim applique.

Interior revisions include the optional Saddle Brown perforated leather seating with accent stitching, updated instrument cluster overlay graphics, satin chrome finish for the center bezel, shifter bezel and pull cups, and a vinyl wrap for the armrests and center console lid. The only new safety feature is the now standard front-seat-mounted side air bags.

In Europe, the Jeep Compass will be available in three trim grades named Sport, Limited and the all-new North edition, with front wheel drive or Jeep's Freedom Drive I full-time active 4x4 system with Lock mode.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Latest Nissan Altima Becomes the New Teana for China

Nissan and its Chinese partner Dongfeng Motors lifted the veils off their new local market Teana sedan during a press conference in China on Tuesday in front of more than 1,000 (!) journalists and dealers from all over the country.

If the mid-size sedan looks eerily familiar, it's because the Teana is the same car as the North American Altima with some barely noticeable changes such as the added chrome strips on the lower sections of the doors and rear bumper, and the front grilles, the white markers on the headlamps and the revised tail light graphics.

The Teana will be manufactured at Dongfeng Nissan’s plant in Xiangyang, Hubei province, and is set to go on sale in the country in late March. It will be offered with Nissan's latest 182hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine matched to an Xtronic CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission).

According Nissan, the previous generations of the Teana achieved more than 700,000 sales in China since its introduction locally in 2004, a success the company believes will continue with the new model.

“It doesn’t get any more important than this. This is the flagship of the Nissan range in China. This represents everything that we are about,” said Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer, at the launch in Guangzhou.

“We are confident because the new generation Teana is a stronger product," said Dongfeng Nissan Vice President Ren Yong. "It contains even more of our efforts and we’ve done thorough preparations for it. We hope that with the launch the new Teana, it will bring momentum to dealers and for our sales. It will also allow customers to experience the benefits of the new Teana and return us to a position of strength.”

Articles Source : Carscoop

Cadillac Begins Producing XTS Sedans in China for the Local Market

This week, General Motors and its Shanghai-GM passenger vehicle joint venture with SAIC began manufacturing the new Cadillac XTS sedan at a plant in Shanghai, with all cars to be sold in China. A GM factory in Oshawa, Ontario, started production of the XTS last summer for sale in North America.

To better serve the needs of local customers, the China-market XTS will also be offered with a smaller displacement 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine, which is not available in the U.S..

The XTS will be marketed in five different configurations with prices ranging from 349,900 Yuan and 569,900 Yuan ($55,100 to-$91,400), which is significantly more than what Cadillac commands for the car in the States ($44,075 to $64,360).

Currently, Cadillac China’s dealer network numbers 150 shops, roughly doubling in the past year, while GM plans to open another 100 outlets by 2015. The luxury brand delivered 30,000 vehicles in China in 2012 and has set an annual target of more than 100,000 units by 2015.

“We are reaching the next level of Cadillac growth in China,” said Bob Ferguson, vice president Global Cadillac. “This expansion in localized assembly for our brand in China coincides with the strong momentum of our new product portfolio and significant growth in the dealer network.”

Articles Source : Carscoop

Datsun Brand to Sell Cars in South Africa as Well Starting from 2014, First Teaser Rendering

At a press conference at Nissan's Yokohama plant on Monday, the Japanese carmaker announced that the re-born Datsun Brand is set to return to South Africa, with the first passenger car to be launched onto the market at the end of 2014.

The announcement follows a global decision in 2010 to re-introduce the Datsun brand as part of the Japanese company's "Nissan Power 88" mid-term plan, which calls for an 8 percent global market share and 8 percent operating profit by fiscal year 2016.

Currently, Datsun sales are planned for four major markets, including South Africa, India, Indonesia and Russia, during the course of 2014.

"Following Infiniti's launch last year, we are delighted that South Africa is also a destination of choice for Datsun vehicles," commented Mike Whitfield, managing director of Nissan South Africa (NSA).

"Datsun enjoyed a proud heritage in the country after the Bluebird made its debut at the Pretoria Show in 1958, the 120Y and SSS models were household names, before going on to become the number one brand between 1976 and 1978."

In addition to the announcement, we also found a teaser rendering showing the front end of Datsun's first production model that will be a compact passenger car. We're not sure if this image has gone public before, but this is the first time we've seen it.

In December, it was revealed that the Datsun's new low-cost family cars will share their underpinnings with Russia's Lada, which in mid-2014, will pass into the ownership of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

Articles Source : Carscoop