Aston Martin Vantage V8 Mildly Updated for 2012 with Bits and Pieces from the Vantage S

The time has come for Aston Martin to unveil the subtly facelifted Vantage V8 in what is being described by the British sports car maker as "the most comprehensive programme of enhancements since 2008". However, what Aston Martin is really trying to tell us is that it has upgraded the base Vantage V8 with many of the improvements first seen on the Vantage S.
While the standard six-speed manual transmission remains, the optional six-speed Sportshift automated manual transmission has replaced with the seven-speed Sportshift II.
In addition, the base V8 model gains the Vantage S' quicker steering with a ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1, bigger brakes with 380mm two-piece ventilated cast-iron front discs and six piston calipers, and 10mm wider tires.
On the outside, the 2012 Vantage V8 inherits a number of styling changes from the Vantage S and N400 limited edition, which include a new lower front bumper piece with a splitter, more sculpted side sills and and a rear diffuser.
The base Vantage's 4.7-liter V8 engine that produces an output of 420bhp (426PS/313kW) remains intact.
The technical and styling changes have been applied to both the V8 Vantage Coupe and Roadster models, with prices starting from £84,995 in the UK and from €108,500 in Germany.
Production of the other Vantage models, which include the Vantage S featuring a 430bhp version of the 4.7-liter V8 along with a bespoke sports exhaust system and a carbon fiber aero package, and the 510bhp Vantage V12 continue unchanged for 2012.
We'll remind you that Aston recently also launched the V12 Zagato, which assumes the role of flagship model of the series and will be produced in a strictly limited run of 150 units.

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New Maserati GranTurismo Sport with Improved 460HP V8

This is the new Maserati GranTurismo Sport that has been revealed ahead of its world premiere at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show in the beginning of March. The new model, which replaces the GranTurismo S variant in the coupe's lineup, benefits from a more powerful engine and some select styling changes to its exterior and interior.
The Sport model is motivated by an improved version of Maserati's 4.7-liter V8 engine that gains 10bhp over the outgoing S model for a total output of 460-horsepower.
There are some visual changes on the outside too, namely the redesigned front bumper with larger air vents, tweaked headlamps with DRL Led technology and darker tail lights.
While Maserati has not yet published any photos of the interior, the Italian company tell us that the Sport gets a brand new set of front and rear seats and a new steering wheel "with a more sporty and muscular look".

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Audi's 253bhp A1 Quattro Hot Hatch Makes its Video Debut

As Audi begins to take orders for the new A1 Quattro before it arrives in select markets in Europe this March, the German automaker released the first video footage of the four-wheel drive hot hatch in action. Only 333 units of the A1 Quattro will be produced - all in left-hand drive, with 19 of those heading to the United Kingdom with an on-the-road price of £41,020.
Under the bonnet lies a direct injection 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine enhanced with a turbocharger to produce 256PS (253bhp) at 6,000 rpm and 350Nm (258 lb-ft) of peak torque between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm, coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Performance-wise, the A1 Quattro hits the 100km/h (62mph) mark after 57 seconds and tops out at 152mph (245km/h), while returning a combined fuel economy of 33.2mpg UK (equal to 8.5 lt/100km or 27.7 US mpg) on the European driving cycle. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqdER9Khzxg&feature=player_embedded 

New Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati Convertible Heading to the Geneva Motor Show

Some three years after Fiat's Abarth division collaborated with Ferrari for the creation of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, the Italian company is heading to the Geneva Salon with yet another special edition of the 500 that pays homage to one of the Group's premium brands, the Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati. Whereas the Ferrari inspired model is based on the tin-top Abarth 500, the Maserati-flavored variant is offered exclusively in convertible form, though the term is somewhat misleading as the open-top model features a canvas top that rolls back but keeps the roof rails intact – something like a huge sunroof.
The inspiration for Abarth's 695 Tributo Maserati comes from the GranTurismo with the Italian automaker trying to apply some the latter's sporty attributes and stylish elements to its city car.
Powering the special edition model is a 1.4-liter Turbo T-Jet 16v petrol engine boosted to 180-horsepower that's coupled to an automated five-speed manual transmission fitted with steering wheel controls.
Abarth says it has beefed up the braking system with 305 mm Brembo discs squeezed by four-piston calipers while the up-rated suspension comes with new shock absorbers.
The exterior of the Fiat 500-based car has been glamorized with a bespoke to this edition Pontevecchio Bordeaux color sourced directly from Maserati, which also provided the design for the 17-inch alloy wheels shod in low profile performance tires. At the back, we also find new hexagonal tailpipes that mimic the styling of Maserati's exhaust outlets.
The customization continues inside with a pair of sport seats upholstered entirely in sand beige Poltrona Frau leather, while the dashboard and gearbox surround feature a special matt-finish carbon lining.
The special edition Abarth model also gets a two-tone leather sports steering wheel, bespoke instrument panel gauges by Jaeger, aluminum pedals and a carbon fibre kick plate with "Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati" graphics.
Abarth said that production of the 695 Tributo Maserati will be restricted to 499 units with more details on availability and pricing to be after the car's world premiere at the 82nd Geneva International Auto Salon.

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Renault Brings Updated Megane RS with 265HP to the UK

Starting from today, the improved 2012 Renault Megane RS is available for customer ordering in Britain with on-the-road prices set at £24,825 for the 265 Cup edition and £26,025 for 265 model. First deliveries are expected in early April. The new model sports a more powerful version of Renault's 2.0-liter force-fed four thanks to an increase to the turbo boost pressure by 0.2 bar to 2.5 bar along with a revised air intake system. These changes help lift output by 15hp to 265hp and peak torque by 20Nm (14.8 lb-ft) to 360Nm (266 lb-ft).
The driver can select between two power settings, with the default mode allowing for 250hp and 340Nm (251 lb-ft) of torque for a five per cent improved fuel consumption, while the Sport mode returns an unrestricted output of 265hp and 360Nm (266 lb-ft). The Sport mode is activated through the ESC button and also enhances the car's exhaust note.
In Sport mode, the Megane RS 265 completes the 0 to 62mph (100km/h) sprint in 6.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 158mph (254km/h), an improvement of 0.1 seconds and 2mph respectively over the outgoing 250hp model.
The new model year also bring three new optional items including the £350 "Red Design Pack" that apes the styling of the limited edition 265 Trophy adding red striping on the front blade, rear diffuser and side skirts, the £300 Visio lane departure warning System and a £360 new rear-parking camera.
Buyers can also opt for the £1,350 Cup Chassis Pack that improves the Megane RS's handling with 18-inch matte black alloy wheels wrapped in 235/40 R18 95Y Michelin Sport 2 tires, along with grooved brake discs from Brembo, a limited slip differential, red brake callipers and stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.

Lancia to Present Final Version of Chrysler-Based Flavia Cabrio in Geneva, goes on Sale in March

At last year's Geneva Motor Show, Lancia previewed its adopted models from the Chrysler brand in pre-production form, and now the Italians are returning to the…scene of the crime at the 2012 edition of the Swiss salon to debut the final version of the Flavia Cabrio before it goes on sale across Europe in late March. We're not sure where Lancia gets its feedback from, but in the company's own words, the Flavia Cabrio enjoyed "critical and public success at the most prestigious motor shows".
In any case, the Lancia-badged Chrysler 200 Convertible will be offered in Europe with a 2.4-liter inline-four with 175-horses and 225Nm of peak torque linked to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission.
There will only be one well-equipped model fitted with alloy wheels, electronic stability control (ESC), a full leather interior, automatic climate control, electrically operated soft top, keyless entry, heated and electrically adjustable seats and door mirrors, automatic headlamps, navigation system and a high-end Boston Acoustics Sound System that include 6 speakers and a 40GB hard disk as standard.

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VW Releases a Fresh Collection of Photos of the New Passat Alltrack

First seen at last year's Tokyo Auto Show, the new VW Passat Alltrack is now available for order in select markets around Europe. We revisit it today because the German automaker has seen fit to afford us with a new crop of images that show the high-ridding estate model in a different light.
The Audi A4 Allroad's more economical cousin gets all the usual bells and whistles expected from an estate model turned into a soft-roader.
On the outside, the Passat Alltrack sports more rugged looks thanks to the front and rear underbody plates, protective black plastic cladding around the wheelarches and side sills, along with a bespoke set of alloy wheels and a matte chrome finish for the door mirrors, roof rails and window surrounds.
To cope with some light off-road driving, aside from the available 4Motion all-wheel drive system, VW's engineers raised the Passat Estate's ground clearance from 135 to 165 mm, while the front approach angle was increased from 13.5 to 16 degrees, and the departure angle at the rear was increased from 11.9 to 13.6 degrees. In addition, the ramp angle for crossing over a hill was improved from 9.5 to 12.8 degrees.
There are four available engines, including a 2.0-liter TDI diesel with either 140PS (138bhp) or 170PS (168bhp), a 1.8-liter TSI petrol pushing out 160PS (158bhp) and a 2.0-liter TSI delivering 210PS (208bhp).

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