Citroën Facelifts Berlingo and Jumpy/Dispatch Vans for 2012

Citroën has revealed the facelifted versions of its Berlingo and Jumpy (called Dispatch in Britain) minivans. Depending on the market, the Berlingo and the larger Jumpy/Dispatch are offered in both passenger and commercial variants. In Britain, Citroën has provided initial details on the Berlingo Multispace and the Dispatch Combi, which are the passenger models of the series.
Starting with the smaller Berlingo Multispace, which is available in five- and seven-seat variants, the French firm's minivan gains a wider and more defined grille, a new chevron badge and a new headlight arrangement that can optionally include LEDs.
Other notable changes on the outside include the redesigned exterior mirrors and new alloy wheel designs, while Citroën also introduced an optional "Black Pack" styling kit with Onyx Black trim on the top of the front bumper, side mirrors, side strips and rear number plate moulding.
Inside, the updated Berlingo Multispace gets a new assortment of colors and higher quality materials throughout the interior.
Customers can choose from several engines including the e-HDi 90HP Airdream diesel with Stop & Start and a six-speed automated manual transmission, the HDi 75HP and HDi 90HP diesel units. The latter now deliver reduced emissions (135g/km down from 139g/km).
Moving on to the larger Dispatch Combi than can accommodate up to nine passengers, the 2012 model sports a new face with a chromed grille featuring the brand’s updated chevron design.
Citroen notes that it has reduced the Dispatch's CO2 emissions by adding new aerodynamic panels underneath the body and a ‘volt control’ function to optimize battery charge management by the alternator.
The 2012 Dispatch Combi is optionally available with the newly introduced "Grip Control" traction control with four modes: normal, all-terrain, snow and sand.
Engine options include the HDi 160HP diesel with a new six-speed automatic transmission, and the HDi 95, HDi 125 and HDi 160 engines with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Citroen said that final UK specification and pricing details for both the 2012 Berlingo Multispace and Dispatch Combi will be released closer to their launch date on April 2.

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2013 SRT Viper First Official Teaser Leaves us in the Dark

We suppose it goes with the Viper's slithery nature to keep in the dark, but we can't say we're enthralled with the first official image of the Chrysler Group's re-branded sports car that was released just moments ago on the firm's Facebook page. The black and white picture outlines the front end of the model, which seems like it will keep the familiar face of the previous generation Vipers, but that's about it.
We'll remind you that the new Viper drops the Dodge nameplate and adopts the SRT moniker.
The Detroit automaker has told us that the new model will be the first of the series to be offered with a stability control, something that Dodge boss Reid Bigland says will widen its appeal without diluting its character.
As for the engine, there's nothing official yet but a refined version of the previous model's V10 possibly upgraded with Fiat's latest technological goods such as the new MultiAir electro-hydraulic system of engine valves could be in the cards.
The 2013 SRT Viper will come out of hiding at the New York Auto Show this April and go on sale in the U.S. before the end of the year.

Russia's AvtoVAZ to Build New Lada Sedan Based on a Renault Platform

AvtoVAZ, Russia's biggest automaker and the manufacturer of the Lada, will begin production of a new compact sedan based on the running gear of an as of yet unspecified Renault model. According to Bloomberg news, AvtoVAZ CEO Igor Komarov said that the first examples of the new four-door Lada would roll off the assembly lines at the end of February.
Komarov added that the same line will also manufacturer Nissan branded vehicles later this year boosting the facility's annual productivity from 630,000 cars in 2011 to as many as 750,000 by the end of 2012.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance currently owns a 25 percent stake in AvtoVAZ but the firm's CEO Carlos Ghosn has revealed that the group intends to buy another 25 percent this year.
When asked about this by reporters Komarov said that he expects Renault-Nissan to reach a deal with AvtoVAZ stakeholders very soon.

2013 Dodge Dart GTS 210 Tribute with a Two Stage Kit by Mopar

On the occasion of its 75th anniversary, the Chrysler Group's parts and service arm Mopar will be displaying four specially crafted models at next month's 2012 Chicago Auto Show including the Dodge Dart "GTS 210 Tribute". Once it goes on sale later this year, Mopar plans to offer more 150 accessories and parts for the new Dart sedan, improving both its looks and performance.
The "GTS 210 Tribute" comes fitted with two packages. The first stage is all about aesthetics adding a ground effects kit with matte-black trim pieces such as a lower chin spoiler, side sills, rear spoiler and rear-diffuser panel.
A lightweight carbon-fiber hood with a prominent air scoop and 18-inch, 10-spoke forged alloy titanium-colored wheels complete the exterior modifications.
Moving on to the interior, the package refines the cabin with Ruby Red Katzkin leather seat fronts, door panels, center armrest and map-pocket inserts, along with black accent stitching. There's also Piano Black trim on the dashboard, a black suede instrument cluster brow with red accent stitching and black leather-wrapped steering wheel with red accent stitching.
The second stage kits concentrates on the Dart's performance lightly boosting the base engine's output from 184-horsepower to 210-ponies.

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Audi Presents New Bi-Turbocharged V6 Diesel with 313PS for the A7 and A6 Models in Britain

The already available in Germany new 3.0-liter BiTDI V6 engine from Audi has arrived in the UK market heading the diesel lineup in the A6 Saloon, Avant, Allroad Quattro and A7 Sportback. Audi's most potent V6 diesel lump comes equipped with a two-stage turbocharger group as well as a start-stop and recuperation system delivering 309HP (313PS) from 3,900-4,500rpm and a generous peak torque of 650Nm (479.4 lb-ft) from 1,450 to 2,800rpm.
The diesel unit is matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard and it propels the A6 3.0 BiTDI quattro Saloon from standstill to 62mph (100km/h) in just 5.1 seconds, and the A6 Avant and A7 Sportback in 5.3 seconds, with all versions reaching a limited top speed of 155mph (250km/h).
Audi says that the combined fuel economy on the A6 and A7 Sportback models is on an equal footing at 44.1mpg UK (36.6mpg US or 6.4lt/100km).
A noteworthy addition to the 3.0-liter V6 BiTDI is an actuator in the auxiliary channel of the exhaust system that comprises a speaker, which Audi says imposes "a defined oscillation pattern on the exhaust flow" to transforms the typical TDI exhaust note to a sound that's closer to a petrol engine.
On the road prices for Audi's top V6 diesel engine start from £43,810 for the A6 sedan.

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New Mopar '12 Chrysler 300 Special to go on Sale in this Summer, Only 500 will be Made

As part of its 75th anniversary celebrations, Mopar revealed a new limited edition version of the Chrysler 300 that will go on display at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show from February 10-19 before it arrives in dealerships this summer with a starting price of $49,700, which includes $825 for destination.
The Mopar '12 300 will be built in a limited run of 500 units, all of which are painted in a black exterior finish with bespoke Mopar appointments such as the black chrome grille and accents, tinted lights, blue pin stripes on the profile and hood, plus “Mopar 75” fender badges and a set of color matching 20-inch forged alloy wheels.
The Chrysler division's tuning and performance arm also made changes to the interior that features black leather with blue accent stitching on the seats and steering wheel, a unique Mopar shifter handle, special sill plates and badges, and matte carbon hydrographic accents on the instrument panel and center console sections.
The Mopar '12 300 retains the standard model's 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine linked to a five-speed auto transmission but the differential has been boosted from 3.06:1 to a 3.91:1 final-drive ratio for enhanced acceleration with the company stating that the car returns a 0-to-60 mph time in the "low 5-second range".
The suspension, on the other hand, has been re-tuned and gets 42 percent stiffer front and 23 percent stiffer rear spring rates, while to improve grip and braking, Mopar fitted the '12 300 with stickier P245/45R20 Goodyear Eagle F1 three-season tires and high-performance brake linings mounted to dual-piston front and single-piston rear calipers.
Mopar will also give each customer of the 12 300 a personalized owner kit that includes vehicle identification number (VIN), exact date of manufacture and the number of the vehicle, plus an original sketch of the car signed by the designer and the official brochure.

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Rumors: New Porsche 911 Turbo to Get Three Turbochargers?

There used to be a time when bolting a turbocharger into a bog-standard engine was more than adequate. As the horsepower wars escalated, twin-turbochargers appeared in high-performance models. Truth be told, even the most daring of tuners would stay away from adding a third turbo. BMW was the one of the first manufacturers to make it a hat-trick with its new 3.0-liter M-Performance tri-turbo diesels – and it was quite a surprise.
Now, according to a report from British publication Autocar, Porsche is going down the same road. Unlike BMW, though, it’s not for a diesel version of the Panamera or the Cayenne, but for the gasoline-powered flagship version of the latest 911.
The report claims that a series of patents of the new 911 Turbo that were uncovered show a smaller turbocharger positioned closer to the 3.8-liter flat-six for instant response and increased torque at low revs, plus two more that are similar to the Variable Turbine Geometry turbochargers employed by the 997.
Of course, no one has complained that the current 500HP 911 Turbo was lacking in the performance department. Moreover, Porsche’s engineers could have easily upped power by with some very minor tweaks.
Such are the times however, that even a brand like Porsche needs to lower its models’ fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. So, even though the 991-based Turbo will have an output of around 520HP, just 10HP shy of the current Turbo S, the primary reason for introducing a third turbocharger will probably be to make the engine more fuel efficient and greener.

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