New Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse gets 1,200-Horses

We all knew that the one thing missing from the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, which is the targa-top version of the series, was a little extra oomph as the standard model's 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged 16 cylinder engine with 1,001HP and 1,250 Nm (922 lb-ft) didn't quite make the cut for everyone… The long-rumored open-top version of the now discontinued Veyron 16.4 Super Sports is named the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and it will make its world premiere at the 82nd International Geneva Motor Show at the beginning of March.
The Vitesse features the same tweaked W16 engine with the four enlarged turbochargers and intercoolers found in the Super Sports model, and which delivers 1,200HP and 1,500Nm (1,106 lb-ft) of peak torque.
To support the increase in power, Bugatti's engineers have also made changes to the Grand Sport's chassis.
“The rapid success of the Super Sport convinced us to increase the performance of the Bugatti roadster. Once again our engineers worked hard to demonstrate that Bugatti is able to constantly redefine the boundaries of what is technically feasible,” commented Bugatti President Wolfgang Dürheimer.
“We gave our all to transfer the achievements of the Super Sport over to the Grand Sport, thereby turning open-top driving itself into an extraordinary experience at high speed," he added.
The Molsheim, France based automaker has not yet specified acceleration times or top speed for the Vitesse.

PHOTO GALLERY

New Volvo V40 Five-Door Hatchback Fully Exposed

No more hiding for the all-new Volvo V40 as a pair of what we believe to be the first official photos of the premium compact model made their way online today via a Polish magazine's Facebook page. The slinky five-door hatchback is scheduled to make its first public outing at the 2012 Geneva Auto Salon at the beginning of March.
The design of Volvo's new model is a mix of styling elements seen on the S60 series, especially up front and at the rear end, with a profile that looks like a lower interpretation of the Swedish automaker's crossover models such as the XC60 and XC90.
Previously leaked information mentions that the V40 will measure 4,500 mm or about 177-inches in length, making it only 20 mm or 0.77-inches shorter than the V50 station wagon, which it will most likely replace when it arrives in the market later this year.
The possibility of Volvo developing additional body styles of the V40 including a three-door model to replace the C30 and a four-door sedan as a successor to the S40, remains open.

Many thanks to Jacek B. for the tip!

Story References: Facebook/Motodziennik

PHOTO GALLERY

2013 Audi A3 Three-Door Hatch Leaked in All its Production Glory

A full set of official photos of the upcoming generation of Audi's A3 hatchback were spilled onto the web today affording us our best look at the new compact car before it heads over to the Geneva Motor Show for its world premiere. These pictures reveal the three-door hatchback variant, though Audi is planning to expand the range with the five-door Sportback, a two-door convertible and for the first time ever, a four-door saloon based on last year's A3 sedan concept.
On the outside, despite having a slightly more aggressive front boasting Audi's new family face with the six-point grille and "angrier" headlamps, the new A3 could easily be mistaken for a facelifted version of the current model.
However, this is not the case as the Audi A3 is the first production model in the VW Group to use the company's brand-new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) vehicle architecture, which will underpin most new VW Group cars including the Golf Mk7.
We expect the A3 to get a fresh line of engines that should include the VW Group's new 1.4-liter TSI with cylinder deactivation technology straight from launch.
As for the interior, the A3 sports a very clean and stylish layout with minimal use of buttons.
Though we remain short on official details, at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Audi told us that among the many features introduced in the new A3 is an electromechanical parking brake and the next generation of Audi's MMI infotainment system, with the controls for both systems located on the center tunnel console.
We'll try to get more information on the A3 so stay tuned on Carscoop.

Hat tip to Bruno Miguel P. S. Rodrigues for the find!

Story References: Zr

PHOTO GALLERY

Nissan Engineer's Show us the 2013 Pathfinder On and Off the Road

Revealed for the first time at the Detroit motor show back in January followed by another appearance at this month's Chicago auto show, the new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is now heading for regular production with a planned sales date in the U.S. this fall. Since it will be months before we get to see the new seven-seater model in showrooms, the folks at Nissan want to keep our interest in the Pathfinder going with the release of a new video showing the SUV on and off the road.
The video includes footage of a 2013 Pathfinder in camouflage during cold weather testing in a 1,500-mile journey from Colorado to Alaska.
One of the most important aspects of the new Pathfinder is that Nissan has abandoned the current model's body-on frame architecture and returned to a unibody construction.
Nissan's new SUV will be offered with a V6 engine linked to next-generation Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iMziYq8RTXk 

New Bentley Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification Promises Sportier Look and Feel

Bentley will make its way to this year's edition of the Geneva International Auto Salon in early March with a new edition of its Mulsanne limousine that resurrects the Mulliner nameplate, or to be more precise, the car is being called the 'Mulliner Driving Specification'. The VW Group-owned British automaker says the latest addition to the Mulsanne's range targets customers looking "for a sportier look, feel and character," though there are far less changes than what Bentley would like you to believe.
On the outside, there are newly designed 21-inch lightweight alloy rims with race-derived titanium fasteners and bright-finished rims wrapped around beefy 265/40 ZR21 tires. The wheels are available in both painted and polished finishes as well as with Bentley’s optional self-leveling badges.
The vents on the lower part of the front fenders are engraved with the Mulliner script, and that's about it as far the exterior changes are concerned.
Inside, the extra opulence comes mainly from the new upholstery that keeps with the tradition of sportier Bentley's as the leather hide on the front and rear seats and door casings features a bespoke Diamond Quilting pattern, complemented by an indented leather headlining.
Other upgrades include the drilled alloy accelerator and brake pedals and the new Mulliner treadplate plaques applied on the passenger door sills.
To account for the driving claim in the car’s name, the Drive Dynamics Control system that allows suspension and steering systems to be tuned to a preferred driving style, now features a bespoke ‘Sport’ setting, which Bentley says provides "enhanced grip, body control and steering accuracy, without compromising ride comfort".
Under the hood, you'll find the same 505bhp (512PS/377 kw) twin-turbocharged 6¾-litre V8 employed in the regular Mulsanne, which allows from a 0-60mph sprint time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 184mph (296km/h).
“The Mulsanne represents the pinnacle of British motoring with unrivalled luxury and effortless performance," commented Alasdair Stewart, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing "Now, the distinctly sporting accent of the new Mulliner Driving Specification provides an even greater degree of driving enjoyment without compromising the Mulsanne’s legendary comfort and refinement," he added.
Along with the presentation of the Mulinner, Bentley announced the introduction of two new options for the Mulsanne range including a large tilt-opening, tinted glass sunroof and a specially designed, electrically operated bottle cooler that comes complete with hand-blown and hand-cut lead crystal champagne flutes.

PHOTO GALLERY

New Photos, Video Footage and Full Details on 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

After yesterday's surprise reveal on the sidelines of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 presentation in Barcelona, the German automaker has now gorged us with extra high-resolution photos and a new video of the 2013 SL63 AMG roadster. The most powerful version of the new SL series will launch in Europe this May with prices in Germany set at €157,675 (US$206,600) for the SL 63 AMG and €189,269.50 (US$246,900) for the "Edition 1", while the optional AMG Performance Packages goes for €14,280 (US$18,600). Mercedes said U.S. sales will start later in the year, with pricing to be announced.
For the first time, the SL63 AMG will be available with a choice of two outputs.
The base version of the 5.5-liter bi-turbocharged V8 delivers 530bhp (537PS) at 5,500 rpm and 590 lb-ft (800Nm) from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm for a 0 to 60mph sprint time of 4.2 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.3"), and to 124mph (200km/h) in 12.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155mph (250km/h).
With the optional AMG Performance Package, the V8's output is boosted to 556bhp (564PS) and a massive 664 lb-ft (900Nm), with the 0 to 60mph time reduced to 4.1 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.2") and to 124mph (200km/h) to 12.6 seconds, while top speed increases to 186mph (300km/h).
Mercedes says that in either case, the SL63 AMG returns a combined fuel consumption of 9.9lt/100km (23.8mpg US or 28.5mpg UK) on the European driving cycle, a full 4.2 liters or 30 percent lower than for the outgoing model.
The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission with four modes including, "C" (Controlled Efficiency), "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport plus) and "M" (Manual), transfers power to the rear wheels.
One of the highlights of the new SL series is its all-aluminum body shell that is similar to that of the SLS AMG super sports. It trims 242 pounds (110kg) from the kerbweight, while the SL63 AMG's carbon fiber bootlid with a plastic outer shell and some other measures shave another 33 pounds (15kg) bringing the total weight savings to an impressive 275 pounds or 125 kilos over the previous model. The total comes out to 4,067 pounds or 1,845 kg.
To improve handling, the SL63 AMG gets a more aggressive Active Body Control suspension, huge brakes with 390mm compound discs with six-piston fixed callipers at the front and 360mm integral discs with single-piston floating callipers at the rear, while riding on 19-inch alloys shod in 255/35 R 19 front and 285/30 R 19 rear tires. 20-inch wheels are offered as an option.
Separating the SL63 AMG from its lesser siblings is a subtle aero package and quad tailpipes on the outside, and numerous AMG touches inside such as the bespoke sports seats in single-tone or two-tone nappa leather and the carbon-fibre trim.

PHOTO GALLERY