Audi A1 Quattro (2012)

Click Thumbnails to Enlarge

Audi A1 Quattro (2012) first official pictures

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

21 December 2011 15:15

This is the Audi A1 Quattro, a 252bhp and four-wheel drive hot hatch that’s as exclusive as an R8 GT Spyder. Just 333 Audi A1 Quattros will ever be built so they’ll be a rare sight on the road – and particularly in Britain as the entire production run is left-hand drive, and Audi UK will import a tiny number only if there’s enough customer interest.

So I probably can’t afford an Audi A1 Quattro, and I might never see one – what am I missing out on?

Let’s talk power. Shoehorned under the bonnet is a direct injection 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, dressed with a turbocharger to produce 252bhp (at 6000rpm) and 258lb ft (from 2500 to 4500rpm). Thankfully the A1 Quattro has Quattro (hence the name), and previews the new four-wheel drive system that Audi is developing for the forthcoming circa-220bhp S1.

With all four wheels pawing at the Tarmac, 0-62mph takes 5.7 seconds, 1.2 seconds quicker than the current 182bhp (and front-wheel drive) A1 1.4 TFSI. Top speed is 152mph and it’ll do 32.8mpg on the combined fuel cycle.

It’s got a double-clutch S-tronic gearbox, hasn’t it?

Actually it hasn’t. The prototype four-wheel drive A1 we tested earlier this year had a six-speed manual, and so does this production A1 Quattro. And enthusiasts should also like the sound of the chassis tweaks: Audi promises this limited-run A1 ‘is much more tautly tuned than the production model’.

Those are changes below the skin though; much more obvious is Glacier White paint (the only colour available) the deep front bumper (that mainly comprises intakes rather than any actual metalwork), red-tinted headlights, sill extensions, twin exhaust pipes, the big rear wing and white alloy wheels. There are 225/35 R18 tyres all round, 312mm front brakes clamped by black callipers, and a three-stage ESP system with a Sport mode and a you’re-on-your-own setting. Inside there’s a red rev counter, and red stitching to contrast with the black Nappa leather.

The first customer cars will be delivered in the second half of 2012, and if you want to own one in the UK, start waving at least £30k in the face of your Audi dealer now.

Toyota NS4 concept car (2012)

Toyota NS4 concept car (2012) first official pictures

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

21 December 2011 09:45

Toyota regularly shows hybrid concept cars at the Detroit auto show – and the 2012 NAIAS is no different. Problem is, we don't yet know much about their planned debut.
Called the NS4, all we can see so far is this rather ludicrously cropped shot of the headlamp. We nearly didn't bother publishing this at all, but figured you'd rather see a snippet of the Toyota NS4 rather than nothing.
The brief statement issued today says: 'Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc will debut NS4, an advanced plug-in hybrid concept vehicle, at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
'The reveal will feature the world premiere of the concept vehicle as well as the North American debut of the Prius C hybrid during Toyota's news conference on Tuesday 10 January at 8.45am in the Riverview Ballroom at Cobo Center.'

Lexus LF-Lc concept car (2012)

Click Thumbnails to Enlarge

Lexus LF-Lc concept car (2012) is leaked early

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

21 December 2011 10:29

A concept depicting what a future Lexus SC could look like has leaked early. The new Lexus LF-Lc will be shown at the 2012 Detroit auto show in January.

Road & Track magazine in the US is being blamed for the leak, which has provided this low-res image of the LF-Lc.

It shows a sporting targa coupe and officials openly refer to it as a design study in the mould of the rare SC convertible, a kind of Merc SL from Japan.

Lexus LF-Lc: the lowdown

Pay attention to the styling of the LF-Lc. Lexus types admit it is exploring a fresh design expression for the company; although it persists with the L-Finesse design language, this shows a modest progression.

The spindle grille, in particular, is said to be influential - taking the new-look snout from the GS and giving it a fresh twist. It fronts up a massively elongated bonnet, with cartoonish proportions.

Another hybrid Lexus

Naturally, that long, long bonnet houses a hybrid powertrain. No word yet on its specification.

Will Lexus build this targa-top sports car? They must be feeling buoyed by the reception for its LF-A supercar, but we suspect the LF-Lc won't be at the top of their priority list.

AMP to Debut All-Electric Jeep Grand Cherokee at the Detroit Motor Show

Adding another new green vehicle to the long line forming at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, AMP Electric Vehicles will premiere it's latest electric conversion based on the new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The Ohio-based company is in the business of converting gasoline-powered vehicles to electric having previously offered a battery-powered version of the Saturn Sky while it currently converts the 2010-2011 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 and the Chevrolet Equinox (for fleet use).

Commenting about the pure electric Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jim Taylor, AMP CEO said: "Beginning with a world class vehicle, and adding AMP's electrification results in an EV that offers everything SUV Customers expect: smooth powerful performance, zero emissions and up to a 100-mile range."

AMP said that it will announce pricing, initial delivery dates and market distribution for the Grand Cherokee EV at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

*Regular 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee shown in pictures

PHOTO GALLERY

Official: New Mercedes E300 BlueTEC Hybrid and E400 Hybrid to Debut in Detroit

Carmakers’ research and development departments around the world are focusing most of their attention not so much in performance as they used to in past years, but in improving fuel consumption and lowering CO2 emissions as much as possible.

Mercedes-Benz claims to set new standards in the executive segment with the development of two new hybrid versions of its latest E-Class sedan and estate models, both of which will receive their world premiere at next month's Detroit Motor Show.

The E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid combines a four-cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 204HP and 500 Nm (368.7 lb-ft) of torque with an electric motor that has an output of 20 kW (27HP) and 250 Nm (184.3 lb-ft). It also features an auto stop/start system, regenerative braking, a pure electric mode and a “sailing” function.

Mercedes says that the E300 BlueTEC Hybrid is the most economical luxury model in the world with an average fuel consumption of just 4.2 lt/100 km (56.0 mpg US) and 109 g/km of CO2. Moreover, even though its power is comparable to that of the E 300 CDI diesel, its fuel economy is 15 percent lower than the E 250 CDI.

The second Mercedes model is the E 400 Hybrid in which the 27HP and 250 Nm electric motor used in the E 300 diesel hybrid is mated with a 306HP and 370 Nm (272.9 lb-ft) V6 gasoline engine. According to the company, average consumption based on the U.S. CAFE standards is 27 mpg (8.7 lt/100 km).

"With these two E-Class models we are now continuing our comprehensive hybrid offensive. said Thomas Weber, Daimler Board Member for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

"The modular technology opens up a quick way for us to complement other model series with hybrid models. The E-Class hybrids provide a clear reduction in consumption as well as a very impressive driving experience. They represent hybrid motoring at the premium level," he added.

Mercedes said that the E300 BlueTEC HYBRID is initially planned to be launched on the European market after the Detroit Show, while the E 400 HYBRID will be made available on the American market first, followed by other countries such as Japan and China later in the year.

PHOTO GALLERY

New 2013 Lexus GS 350 Keeps 2011MY's $47,775* Price Tag

We're accustomed to carmakers upping prices on brand-new models, especially if when they feature significant enhancements over their predecessors. But given the competition from its German rivals, Lexus decided to play it safe and keep the base U.S. price of its all-new 2013 GS 350 sedan unchanged over the outgoing model.

“With all of the enhancements to the all-new GS, the base price remains the same at $46,900*,” said Mark Templin, group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division. “We expect the GS will suit the needs of many drivers and compete well in the segment.”

If you add a delivery, processing and handling [DPH] fee* of $875, the rear wheel-drive 2013 GS 350's MSRP rises to $47,775.

There's also an all-wheel drive model priced at $49,450 or $50,325 with the DPH fee, which equals to a $600 increase over the 2011MY GS 350 AWD.

Both the RWD and AWD versions of the 2013 GS 350 are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with 306HP matched to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The RWD model accelerates from standstill to 60mph (96km/h) in 5.7 seconds while returning EPA-estimated ratings of 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined.

Standard features include bi-xenon HID headlamps, L-shaped LED daytime running lights, paddle shifters, a new energy-saving auto climate control system and the S-Flow system that uses the occupant-detection system to focus air-flow only to the front area where passengers are actually seated.

A next-generation Remote Touch that allows the user to control the climate, audio, phone controls and optional navigation, and a color TFT multi-information display are also standard.

The Japanese brand's premium sedan will offer buyers three optional packages named Premium, Luxury and F-Sport.

Priced at $1,400, the Premium Package includes rain-sensing wipers, heated and ventilated front seats and power rear sunshade.

The Luxury Package, priced at $5,750, includes the aforementioned features plus: Adaptive Variable Suspension; an Adaptive Front Lighting System; high gloss linear espresso wood trim; semi-aniline leather, 18-way power front driver and passenger seats, side bolster and thigh support controls; four-way lumbar; driver and passenger seat memory; rear HVAC and audio controls; rear manual side sunshades; 18-inch alloy wheels, and wood and leather steering wheel.

The F-Sport package, which carries an MSRP of $5,690, enhances the GS 350 with a comprehensive aero kit, 19-inch alloy wheels, an F SPORT-tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension, larger front brakes with high friction pads, Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), sport seats and interior trim plus an Sport S+ mode that changes the settings of the adaptive variable suspension, steering system, and vehicle stability control (VSC).

LEXUS GS 350 F SPORT