New Bentley Continental V8 Range Revealed, will Debut at the Detroit Motor Show

Bentley today unveiled its new Continental V8 range powered by the VW Group's new 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. The new powerplant will power both the Continental GT coupe and its GTC convertible sibling, which will receive their world debut at the Detroit Motor Show on January 9.

This is the first time Bentley has put a V8 engine under the hood of the Continental: since 2003, when the first generation of the grand touring coupe entered production, the sole engine choice was the twin turbocharged 6.0-liter W12, which remains the flagship of the Continental engine range.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors , said: “With the new 4.0-liter V8 engine we are widening the appeal of the latest generation of Continentals. The new engine will have all the exhilarating power, drama and performance you would expect from a V8 engine sporting the famous Bentley wings, effortlessly delivered with our characteristic ‘wave of torque’. This is complemented by innovative powertrain technology that delivers exceptional fuel efficiency and emissions.”

Its maximum output is 500HP at 6,000 rpm and 660Nm (487 lb-ft) of torque, which are available from 1,700 to 4,000 rpm. Power is directed to all four wheels via a new, close-ratio 8-speed automatic gearbox and an AWD system with a Torsen differential and a 40:60 front/rear torque split.

Official figures show that the Continental V8 accelerates to 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in less than 5.0 seconds and reaches a top speed in excess of 290 km/h (180 mph).

The new V8 features a high-pressure direct injection system, low friction bearings, thermal management and energy recovery via the charging system. According to the company, the placing of the two turbochargers within the engines' banks ensures greater efficiency.

The new motor’s most sophisticated system, though, is the variable engine displacement that, under light loads, turns the V8 into a four-cylinder unit for reduced consumption and CO2 emissions. The British carmaker claims that, thanks to the sophisticated engine management system, the transition between the two modes of operation is imperceptible from the driver and occupants.

Although official figures will be released in early 2012, Bentley claims “outstanding levels of fuel efficiency for the luxury performance sector” and a 40% improvement over previous versions, as well as a range of over 800 km (500 miles) on a single tank of fuel.

Externally, the V8 GT and GTC are recognizable by the black gloss matrix grille with a chrome frame and center bar, the red enamel Bentley badge and the black matrix lower front bumper that is divided by three colored strakes.

Both the coupe and the convertible come with 20-inch alloy wheels as standard and 21-inch six-spoke, in Diamond Black or Diamond Silver, finish as an option, while at the back there are chromed “figure eight” exhaust pipes and a dark lower valance.

[From Bentley Press Release: THE NEW CONTINENTAL V8 MODELS]
Exterior

• Gloss black matrix grille with bright chrome surround and divider
• Three-segment lower bumper with black air intakes and striking body-coloured dividers
• Dark rear lower valance
• Distinctive twin ‘figure eight’ exhaust tailpipes
• Red enamel Bentley winged ‘B’ badges above the front grille, to the bootlid and wheel centres
• 7 exterior colours offered in standard range

Interior

• New Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus veneer unique to the V8 models
• Eliade cloth headlining and pillar trim
• Short centre console in place of W12 through-console
• 4 hide colours offered in standard range
• Unique two-tone leather colour split
• 3 hood colours (Continental GTC)

Engine & Transmission

• Exceptional power-to-emissions ratio reflecting engine efficiency
• Variable displacement (a technology first proven on the Mulsanne) imperceptibly cuts 4 cylinders on cruise and light throttle
• Switchable engine mounts ensure refinement
• Engine optimisation technologies boost efficiency
• New, close-ratio, 8-speed transmission offers 6 per cent efficiency gain with ultra-fast shifts
• Turbochargers mounted within ‘V’ for efficiency and fast response
• Over 500 miles (800km) range on one tank of fuel
• Distinctive V8 growl
• All-wheel drive system with 40:60 rear biased torque split

PHOTO GALLERY

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe Configurator Goes Live Plus First Photos of M Sport Package

It didn't take long for BMW to launch an online configurator for its brand-new 6-Series Gran Coupe, which was unveiled this past weekend ahead of its first public appearance that is scheduled to take place at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show next March, for those fans who just have to build their own.

For now, the configurator offers users some basic options to pick and choose from such as the exterior and interior colors, the decorative trims and alloy wheel designs

We also get our first look at the M Sport Package that will be available from the launch of the four-door version of the 6-Series next summer.

Among the features included is an M aerodynamics package with unique body components for the front end, side skirts and rear apron, exhaust tailpipes in dark chrome, black-painted brake callipers, LED foglamps, and a sports exhaust system for the 650i Gran Coupe

The package also includes standard 19-inch light-alloy wheels in M double-spoke design or optionally, 20-inch wheels, plus two bespoke M paint finishes, Carbon Black metallic and Imola Red non-metallic.

Interior amenities include M sports seats in Alcantara/leather with blue contrast stitching, an M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and gearshift paddles, and aluminum hexagon interior trim strips. In addition, the M Sport package adds door sill finishers sporting the M logo and an M driver’s footrest.

PHOTO GALLERY

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Honda to show new NSX supercar at Detroit 2012

By Tim Pollard

Motor Industry

12 December 2011 10:14

Honda has officially confirmed it will show a concept car for the next NSX supercar at the 2012 Detroit auto show.

'American Honda has announced it will unveil four all-new vehicles at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, including a concept version of the next-generation Acura NSX supercar,' said the statement issued today.

Acura NSX?

That's Honda's upmarket wing in America. The previous NSX was sold as an Acura Stateside, but came to Europe as a Honda. It's still fondly remembered as one of the first supercars to add comfort and ease of use to its pursuit of outright speed, and one Ayrton Senna was invovled in its development.

The statement is proof that Honda is back on track developing a successor to the NSX. We've been teased before, more obliquely, with the Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept of 2007.

At the time, there were plenty of nudges and winks but no official word that it pointed to the new NSX. This time, they're being far more open.

An earlier NSX project was mothballed during the financial storm of 2008 and beyond, but we now know that Honda has now dusted down the project.

So what do we know about the new Honda NSX?

It's a case of jigsaw identification today. Honda remains tightlipped, apart from the confirmation of the project. But looking at Honda's strategy, it seems to wager that the new NSX will pioneer a more sporting hybrid application of the technology seen in lesser Hondas.

We expect it to be a two-seater with lightweight build, a full zero-emissions EV capability to creep silently around town and a launch date speculated to be in 2013.

The other Honda cars on show at the NAIAS 2012 will be a new compact sports saloon, a refreshed RDX crossover and a concept of the next-generation US-market Accord Coupe.

All four will be unveiled on 9 January 2012.

Mercedes SL (2012)

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Mercedes SL (2012): aluminium saves 8% weight

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

29 November 2011 09:31

Mercedes' new 2012 SL will weigh a solid 140kg less than today's SL roadster - a significant saving of some 8%.

This crash diet has been enabled by the adoption of aluminium for the new SL. The learnings from the SLS gullwing are now trickling down to the higher-volume SL, which will be revealed in December 2011.

Why the new 2012 Mercedes SL is aluminium

The lion's share of the weight saving is made in the bodyshell, which is a stout 110kg lighter than the current steel shell. That's not bad considering today's SL already has aluminium bonnets and doors.

It's the first time a series production Mercedes has been made entirely out of aluminium. Some of the rear panels are crafted from magnesium, and the rollover structure in the A-pillar is steel - but 89% of the bodyshell is aluminium. The whole shell weighs 254kg.

'The effect is rather as if a heavyweight-class passenger had got out of the car and taken his heavy flight luggage, too,' said Thomas Rudlaff, responsible for the aluminium bodyshell. 'The result is perceptible and measurable. Less weight means more dynamism and less consumption. In other words: the motoring enjoyment increases and the environmental burden sinks.'

What else do we know about the new Merc SL?

Not a lot yet, but Mercedes has issued these prototype testing photographs. The basic outline of the SL hasn't changed a jot: this remains a full-size premium roadster.

The SL has dominated its segment for most of the years since its launch back in 1954. It'll remain a two-seater convertible with a folding hard-top.

Gizmo alert: Magic Vision Control

One innovation Merc is touting on the 2012 SL is its new screenwash system. Dubbed Magic Vision Control, occupants won't notice any water being squirted at the screen at all, claims Daimler.

We've seen similar systems before, but Mercedes claims you'll see no water whatsoever on the screen. A heated duct delivers water directly to the wiper blade, using laser-cut injectors that sound nearly as precise as a piezo squirter in a direct fuel injection system.

They mete out water so precisely at just the time and place required that the driver notices no water at all - just a clean screen, says Merc.

It's even clever enough only to inject water on a downward sweep when the roof is down, so you'll never get a light drizzle on your bonce when the roof's down and you're posing.

Nissan Juke Nismo Concept (2011)

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Nissan Juke Nismo Concept (2011) first official pictures

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

30 November 2011 09:11

Nissan will tomorrow unveil this Nismo-tuned Juke concept car at the 2011 Tokyo motor show, and it signals the start of grand plans for the company’s motorsport arm. Nissan Motorsport (Nismo) will tune mainstream models, and this Juke show car shows how such a strategy could come to fruition.

So what is Nissan’s plan for Nismo?

Besides building and running various race cars, Nissan Motorsport has developed a number of its own cars over the years, but these have always been niche products and/or built in small numbers. Cars like the Z-tune R34 GT-R were limited to just 20 units, and the Nismo versions of the 350Z and 370Z have never been made available in Europe. But all that’s about to change as Nissan has announced a major expansion programme for its legendary performance arm, a strong brand that’s remained untapped for too long outside of Japan.

The plan is for Nismo to produce both complete performance versions of Nissan models (a Nismo 370Z already exists, and the Juke concept showcases how that thinking will be applied to more mainstream models) and to expand its performance parts and accessories range. To accomplish all this, it’s getting a new global HQ in Yokohama – it’ll be ready for the start of 2013 ‘Nismo adds even more excitement and innovation to Nissan products,’ said Nismo president Shoichi Miyatani. ‘We now plan to inject that style and excitement into other models in the Nissan range. As the Concept shows, Nismo brings new levels of individuality to mainstream Nissan cars like Juke. The future for Nismo is to develop premium sports designs for an ever-widening range of customers. Our forthcoming range of cars will be just as accessible and innovative as every Nissan product, but with added Nismo energy they will be even more fun to own and drive.’

What about the Nismo Juke itself?

There’s a Nismo bodykit, with widened wings, new front and rear bumpers, a different grille, sleeker wing mirrors and revised sills, and it’s all finished in the racing arm’s signature pearl white and red highlight colour scheme. There are 19in wheels as well, lowered and stiffened suspension (using components that should become part of Nismo’s expanded aftermarket accessories range), and a few choice upgrades to the direct injection 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. Inside the standard front seats have been replaced with leather-trimmed buckets, there are revision to the steering wheel, pedals and gearstick, and the rev counter is now illuminated in red.

‘The global sales success of the Juke has proved beyond doubt that customers are looking for something different,’ said Nissan’s vice president Andy Palmer. ‘The Juke Nismo Concept takes that idea to the next level. It’s energetic, distinctive and highly desirable.’

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Volkswagen Cross Coupe concept car (2011)

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

30 November 2011 11:34

Volkswagen has revealed the Cross Coupe concept car crossover at the 2011 Tokyo auto show.

At 4345mm long, it's roughly between Golf and Tiguan - suggesting the successor to the Tiguan could adopt a more Evoque-inspired stance.

VW Cross Coupe: the lowdown

This isn't just a conceptual look at future VW SUVs - it's also the first sight of the group's new MQB platform.

This is the architecture that'll underpin all VW family medium-sized cars, starting with the new 2012 VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon. As our European editor Georg Kacher has previously reported, it's a highly flexible platform allowing a variety of configurations, stretches and efficiencies to be made.

The Cross Coupe has unusually short overhangs, which give the car a claimed ability off road; approach angles for climbs stand at 24.2deg at the front, 32.5deg out back.

What powers the VW Cross Coupe?

Naturally, it's part-electric. The four-seater has a pair of electric motors driving all four wheels, boosted by a TSI direct-injection petrol turbo engine.

VW claims a top speed of 125mph and 0-62mph in just 7sec thanks to a combined total output of 261bhp.

Shades of Concept A?

Well remembered. That show car came in 2006 and influenced the Tiguan, which landed one year later. It'll be interesting to see if the same happens with the transition from Cross Coupe to Tiguan Mk2.

Honda EV-STER concept car (2011)

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Honda EV-STER concept car (2011) first pics

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

30 November 2011 12:17

Honda has recreated a Beat-style compact electric sports car at the 2011 Tokyo motor show - this stunning EV-STER concept car.

It's tiny, at just 3570mm long and 1500mm wide. And those compact dimensions mean the electric powertrain doesn't need to be too big to power this two-seater sports coupe.

Honda EV-STER: what else do we know?

The Japanese have thrown everything they know at this sports car. Carbonfibre helps trim weight (although no figures are available yet) and the EV drivetrain showcases Honda's expertise in electric motors.

Honda claims a range of around 100 miles, although drivers can choose their power output. Select warp mode on the dial, and we suspect big gobbets of silent torque will diminish that range somewhat.

I like the idea of a modern-day Beat...

So do we. Road test editor Ben Pulman, who's in Tokyo, drew the parallel - this is a tiny, K car style vehicle standing just 1100mm tall.

Honda says the EV-STER is capable of 100mph and will scuttle silently to 62mph in approximately 5.0sec.

The lithium ion battery is rated at 10kWh; Honda claims a full charge takes 'under three hours' on a 200v system.