Normski's New Car Column

Status
This is not open for further replies. We close very old threads, and if this is the case, please start a new one on the same topic.

Normski

RMS Regular
Messages
2,089
Location
Co. Antrim
Drives
987 BoxsterS
I get email updates from auto express online all the time and i post the odd thing up here about cars that may interest. Some others may get these too but i'm sure theirs members out there wh don't and would enjoy a wee read about upcoming / new / interesting cars, so i thought (courtesy of auto express' information) i'd stick a wee thread on the go.

Again apologies if anyone has posted the info before or has read the info somewhere already. But hey something to read over lunch


to kick off - The possible new MG TF

It's the roadster revival of the decade! Auto Express can exclusively take the wraps off the car that’s sure to get British fans hot under the collar: the new MG TF.

Emerging from the ashes of the famous company, the roadster is the first sign that the spirit of MG is alive and well, even though the brand is in the hands of Chinese owners.

This stunning model is set to replace the existing TF – production of which is back on track at MG Rover’s old home of Longbridge in the West Midlands – and will go on sale around 2010. And there’s not only a convert­ible planned, but a coupé, too!

The new TF is based around the Roewe 550 compact hatch, which made its debut at the Beijing Motor Show (Issue 1,009). It will feature a rear-wheel-drive version of that model’s platform – and this should ensure it has plenty of appeal for enthusiasts.

Although it will be slightly bigger than the Mazda MX-5, the MG will be targeting the Japanese convertible, as it’s likely to carry a similar price tag. However, also in its sights are the likes of the Alfa Romeo Spider, Audi TT Roadster and Volkswagen Eos.

If it looks a little familiar, that’s because the new TF takes some of its styling inspiration from the MG SV supercar and X80 concept. Those models were both based on the Mangusta – a sports car from Italian maker Qvale, which MG Rover bought in 2001.

As you can see from our pictures, produced using insider information, the new TF updates that shape with a striking front end incorporating a deep-set four-piece radiator grille and quad headlamps. At the rear, the curvy tail completes the look.

Under the skin, the TF features a chassis based on a design that was created by MG Rover – one which would have underpinned a replacement for the 45/ZS, had the company not gone into receivership.

When Shanghai Automobile Corporation (SAIC) bought the rights to the 25 and 75, it also acquired projects such as the unfinished 45. It has since produced the Roewe 550 and the 75-based Roewe 750.
There has always been the desire within SAIC to build a replacement for the TF, but with rival Nanjing Automobile Corpor­ation (NAC) owning the rights to the MG badge, there was never any chance of it wearing the famous octagon emblem – until the two Chinese giants joined forces.

Featuring a rear-wheel-drive platform developed in conjunction with British engineering expert Ricardo, plus MG Rover-based engines – including a 1.8-litre turbo and 2.5-litre V6 – the TF will deliver a great driving experience. And as SAIC-NAC are looking to form a UK Roewe dealer network in 2010, the stage is set for the TF’s comeback.

car_photo_259545_25.jpg

car_photo_259548_25.jpg



Shock new look for Megane!?


The French revolution starts here! Auto Express has the pictures that prove Renault is ready to reclaim its reputation as the world’s most daring designer of family cars.

This is the new Mégane, revealed for the first time in all its glory. We’ve spied undisguised versions of both the three and five-door versions, which are being prepared at the firm’s HQ.

And our inside information also means we can reveal what drivers can expect from the line-up when it hits the UK early next year.

With a sporty looking coupé and practical five-door hatch under development, Renault plans to come out with all guns blazing in the fight against the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. The range of head-turning cars also promises class-leading levels of equipment and refinement, too.

Due to make their public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, the two models are inspired by the new Laguna, and use detailing first revealed by the Mégane concept, which Auto Express drove in Issue 1,006.

However, as you can see in our pictures, the similarities between the cars are limited. While they get panoramic glass roofs and distinctive headlamps, in profile they are very different. Both have unique rear ends and individual wheel designs.

The three-door is a coupé and has a dramatic nose, tapered roof and sharply rising window line. At the rear, wide haunches and a steeply raked glass area provide a purposeful stance, which reflects the car’s promised handling prowess.

The five-door has a more conventional front, plus a larger glass area and bigger tailgate to improve practicality. The tail-lights are different, as is the rear bumper. The addition of a pair of back doors has altered the roofline to provide greater headroom for rear seat passengers.

Inside, flagship versions of both models get an upmarket interior which includes silver rimmed instruments, keyless go and satellite navigation.
An advanced airbag system is expected to complement a range of safety features that includes traction and stability control. Details of the engine line-up are not so clear, but both petrol and diesel powerplants will be available, including a 230bhp turbocharged Renaultsport version, which is designed to replace the performance oriented R27.

Prices for the newcomer are yet to be announced by the company. However, as both models will mark a major step forward in both design and engineering, a small increase is likely. Entry-level models should start from around £13,000.

The launch of the two Méganes will not affect the recently revised Scenic and Grand Scenic compact MPVs, both of which will continue until at least 2010.

However, Renault has hinted that a convertible Mégane could be on the cards to replace the current metal- roofed C-C. And estate and saloon variants are also due to join the line-up.

car_photo_259803_25.jpg

car_photo_259821_25.jpg

car_photo_259806_25.jpg



Meanest Ibiza Yet?


SEAT has put its money where its mouth is! Thanks to the great public reaction to its Bocanegra concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the Spanish firm has confirmed it will be putting the stunner into production.

The Bocanegra – the name means ‘black mouth’ in Spanish – features a striking Perspex-trimmed face. It previewed the three-door version of the all-new Ibiza, which will be badged SportCoupé when it goes on sale in November. And the Bocanegra’s nose will appear on a flagship Cupra variant, which is due in 2009.

The hot hatch will have real road presence, thanks to the neat transparent housing for the xenon headlights, as well as the big vents that feed cool air to the engine.

SEAT design director Luc Donckerwolke, previously of Lamborghini, told Auto Express: “When we showed the finished concept to our president Eric Schmitt, he said ‘I want one!’. And after the positive Geneva reception, there was no way we couldn’t put the Bocanegra into production.”

The Cupra will also get the same ground-hugging bodykit, plus a panoramic glass sunroof. Power should come from the 1.4-litre twin-turbo FSI petrol engine which appeared in the concept. This will have around 180bhp and be mated to a seven-speed semi-automatic DSG gearbox.

In a related story, Auto Express has been given exclusive access to the firm’s new Mondeo rival. It will be based on the platform of Audi’s previous-generation A4, and will feature an almost identical body, except for restyled front and rear ends – as previewed by early design sketches.

“We need to get into the family segment as quickly as possible, and using the A4 is the best way of doing that,” explained a SEAT spokesman. “We will then bring out a totally new model for the next generation.”

Engine options will include 1.9 and 2.0-litre diesels and a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol. As well as a saloon, there will be an A4 Avant-based estate. The newcomer is expected to be unveiled at October’s Paris Motor Show, with sales starting before the end of the year.

car_photo_259695_25.jpg



Return of the M1?


It’s a blast from the past for BMW! This stunning concept has been built as a tribute to the 1978 M1 – the firm’s first and only true supercar.

To celebrate the Seventies model’s 30th anniversary, BMW unveiled the sleek Homage at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy – one of Europe’s most exclusive motoring events. The styling is packed full of design cues from the M1, such as twin BMW logos on the curvaceous rear flanks denoting it’s a mid-engined model. And the specially developed ‘liquid orange’ paint is a similar shade to that of the original car. The low-slung stance is finished off by cobweb-design alloys which fill the wheelarches.

The dramatic louvres on the rear screen match those on the M1, and the car is a similar size, too. However, the headlights are a modern twist on a classic design, visible only when they are switched on. If they’re not in use, they virtually disappear into the bonnet, similar to the way the pop-up lamps on the historic version did.

BMW says the Homage isn’t only about honouring the past – it also demonstrates the creativity and potential of the firm’s designers.

So, 30 years after the M1 blasted on to the scene, is a genuine successor waiting in the wings at last?

car_photo_259677_25.jpg

car_photo_259674_25.jpg


Normski
 

Porter

RMS Regular
Messages
4,215
TOP ONE IS VERY CRYSLER CROSSFIRE

the second one is very corsa vxr from the rear.
 

Normski

RMS Regular
OP
Normski
Messages
2,089
Location
Co. Antrim
Drives
987 BoxsterS
some new updates for lunch time reading!!! again everything taken from auto express.


New Baby Ferrari

The California dreaming is over – Ferrari has finally pulled the wraps of its stunning new supercar!

These are the first pictures of the exciting California, which is set to be the star of this October’s Paris Motor Show. Boasting a new 454bhp V8, a slick shifting 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and folding hardtop, the Italian newcomer will be a driver’s delight.

But the Italian won’t have it all its on way. Auto Express can reveal that the model will go head-to-head with another eagerly anticipated supercar – the Jaguar F-type. We’ve got the full story on the Brit bruiser here.

Pitching the best of Britain against the cream of Italy, the two machines are the most exciting to emerge in recent years, and are set to give a Porsche and Aston Martin a real run for their money.

First to arrive will be the Pininfarina-penned California, which will become the Italian firm’s entry-level Grand Tourer, slotting into the range below the 599 Barchetta. It a will also indicate the point at which the firm’s range divides into lightweight, hardcore sportscars such as the F430, and luxurious front-engined GT motors.

And as you can see, the design is clearly influenced by bigger 599. At the front are distinctive swept back headlamps, together with a large ‘egg-crate’ grille. Look down the sides and you’ll see the steeply rising waistline, while at the stubby rear end are the company’s trademark circular lamps and an eye-catching quad exhaust layout.

But the big news is the inclusion of a folding hard top, which will come as standard on all versions. Made of aluminium to keep weight down, it is electrically powered and can be stowed away at the flick of a switch.

With the hood lowered, you’ll be better placed to enjoy the tuneful soundtrack of the 4.3-litre V8. Mounted in a mid-front position – a first for the prancing horse – the unit features direct injection and produces 454bhp. Connected to an all-new 7-speed dual clutch gearbox it will allow the California to scorch from standstill to 60mph in just 4.0-seconds.


Ride and handling
Like all Ferraris, the newcomer should also excel once the road turns twisty. A new multi-link rear suspension set-up promises exceptional agility and sharp responses, while the adjustable F1-Trac traction control has been tweaked. Carbon ceramic brakes mean that reigning in all the performance shouldn’t be a problem either.

Long distance cruising ability will also be part of the California’s extensive abilities. Inside, the cabin gets what Ferrari call a 2+ seating layout that means carrying occasional rear passengers should be a possibility, while a decent-sized boot will swallow enough luggage for a weekend away.

No firm launch date has yet been revealed, but expect the first examples to hit UK showrooms in 2009 priced at around £130,000.

car_photo_261072_25.jpg

car_photo_261069_25.jpg

car_photo_261066_25.jpg



Jaguar Launches it's own GT


It seems Ferrari isn’t going to have it all its own way, as Jaguar is also getting ready to launch a stunning GT.

Called the F-Type, the stylish Brit is set to offer a similar driving experience to the California, but at a much lower price. When it arrives in showrooms in 2012, it will sit at the top of the brand’s sports car range – and be the first big cat in many years to get close to capturing the spirit of the E-Type from the Sixties.

The newcomer takes much of its styling inspiration from the XF, the car which debuted Jaguar chief stylist Ian Callum’s view for the future of the brand. It’s based on a shortened version of the lightweight aluminium chassis from the new XJ, which arrives in 2010. The F-Type will target Porsche’s 911, Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage, Audi's R8 and Ferrari's new California.

As well as the drop-top shown here, which is likely to use a folding fabric roof, there will be a coupé, too. Entry-level models are to be powered by a 4.2-litre V8, while the range-toppers will get a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 producing about 500bhp.

Thanks to the car’s lightweight build, performance should be spectacular, with the sprint from zero to 60mph taking around 4.5 seconds. Top speed is likely to be electronically limited to 155mph, while power will be delivered through a standard six-speed automatic gearbox with manual changes possible via steering wheel-mounted paddles.

Like all Jaguars, the F-type will serve up excellent handling and ride, making it a blast to drive on twisty roads, but also a comfortable long distance companion. An evolution of the firm’s hi-tech CATS adaptive suspension will be available, using Audi-inspired magnetic dampers.

Luxury won’t be forgotten in the quest for sharp driving dynamics, though. A cabin influenced by the XF will mix state-of-the-art with a more traditional feel. Wood and leather will be joined by more modern materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium, to create a stylish and cosseting cabin.

Expect the first production cars to arrive in 2012, with prices starting at around £70,000.

In the meantime, take a look at our Jaguar gallery, where we look back at some of the firm's greatest achievements.

car_photo_261429_25.jpg



Pagani Zonda Evolution


Here are great new pictures of the scorching Pagani Zonda replacement. We spotted the Italian supercar as it took a breather from testing.

As you can see, it is an evolution of the existing car, which is nearly nine years old. At the front, soft curves replace sharp creases, while a wider grille has been fitted to aid cooling and improve the looks.

These changes to the bodywork should also improve aerodynamics, with greater high-speed stability and refinement the main benefits.

The cabin structure and glass area have been carried over from the current car, and the interior has received only minor changes, keeping the same mix of hand-stitched soft leather and bespoke aluminium controls and trim. But the big news is at the rear. Look closely and you’ll spot two gaping air scoops on top of the rear wings, together with a single duct on the engine cover.

These additions hint at a new powerplant instead of the current 547bhp 7.3 V12 supplied by AMG, Mercedes’ tuning arm. Heading the shortlist to replace it is the supercharged 5.4-litre V8 unit from the McLaren SLR, which produces up to 680bhp in the 722 GT version.

Combine that with the Pagani’s lightweight carbon fibre construction, and performance is sure to be blistering. The 0-60mph sprint is likely to dip below three seconds, and top speed should be comfortably beyond 200mph.

Although no launch date has been set for the new Zonda, the first showroom-ready examples are due in dealerships early next year.

car_photo_260781_25.jpg
 
Status
This is not open for further replies. We close very old threads, and if this is the case, please start a new one on the same topic.
Top