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New car lines
publication date: Feb 15, 2010
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author/source: Robin Roberts
| | | The all-new Touareg has been unveiled - a car
which is up to 200 kg lighter and up to 20 per cent more fuel efficient
than the model it replaces.
It's sharper, cleaner and yet,
in Hybrid form, able to out-accelerate many hot hatches while returning
34 mpg on the combined cycle. The new vehicle maintains all the same
virtues of space, comfort, refinement and off-road and towing ability
that have led the original Touareg to build up a loyal following since
its launch in 2003.
The overall length and wheelbase of the Touareg
have each grown by 40 mm to measure 4,758 mm and 2,900 mm respectively.
The width of the new Touareg remains as before at 1,928 mm while
overall height drops by 20 mm to 1,724 mm.
The changes over the
outgoing model extend far beyond new styling. Standard examples of the
new Touareg will feature an eight-speed transmission as well as, on the
majority of models, Start/Stop technology, touchscreen satellite
navigation and leather upholstery. In addition, a choice of advanced
new options can be specified including High Beam Assist that
automatically dips the headlights when it senses oncoming traffic, Side
Assist to warn of vehicles occupying blind spots, adaptive roll
compensation air suspension and air conditioned, massaging seats.
The
new Touareg Hybrid brings together a 3.3-litre supercharged V6 petrol
engine producing 333 PS and 265 lbs ft of torque and an electric motor
generating 47 PS, resulting in a total output of 380 PS and 428 lbs ft
of torque.
The electric motor can operate independently of the
combustion engine making the new Touareg a full hybrid. On electric
power alone the new Touareg is capable of travelling at speeds of up to
30 mph.
Alternatively the electric motor can supplement the V6
engine to provide a useful boost during overtaking manoeuvres and
allows the Touareg Hybrid to accelerate from rest to 62 mph in 6.5
seconds before reaching a top speed of 149 mph.
The entry-level
engine and the likely volume seller is a powerful and refined 3.0-litre
V6 TDI engine generating 240 PS and 405 lbs ft of torque while
returning 38.1 mpg and emitting 195 g/km of CO2 to place it in VED band
J.
A new 4.2-litre TDI V8 engine producing 340 PS and 590 lbs ft of
torque sits at the top of the new Touareg range. Despite its
substantial power and torque outputs the new engine is still capable of
achieving 31 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 239 g/km of CO2.
The
new Touareg range will extend to four versions in the UK: SE, Altitude,
Hybrid and Escape. The Escape model, available with the V6 TDI engine,
features a system called 4XMOTION which comprises reduction gearing,
centre and rear differentials that can each be fully locked for
off-road applications and five stage control for the four wheel drive
system.
The first stage is for on-road applications, the second is
for off-road use and activates automatic control for the mechanical
differential locks, stage three engages the low-range gearbox with
revised mapping of the gearbox to raise the shift points and switches
off the automatic upshift in manual mode. Stage four applies the centre
differential lock, stage five adds the rear differential lock.
The
greater refinement afforded by the new drivetrain is matched by an
all-new interior featuring a subtle mix of leather, wood and aluminium
highlights and more space than ever before thanks to the longer
wheelbase on which the new Touareg sits. Though the Touareg remains a
five-seater, legroom in the rear has grown significantly due to the new
sliding rear bench and reclining backrests while the boot measures from
580 litres to 1,642 litres depending on the seating arrangement.
Production
of the new Touareg for the UK market starts in June before first
deliveries commence in August. Prices and specifications will be
announced nearer this time. |
 | | | Vauxhall will unveil not one, but two cars at this
year's Geneva Motor Show on March 2, with world premieres of the
all-new Meriva compact MPV and a futuristic concept car, which is set
to boost the company's credentials as a leader in environmental
vehicles.
Bolstering this message still further at the show will
be the groundbreaking Ampera extended-range electric vehicle and
Vauxhall's most economical production car to date, the latest Corsa
ecoFLEX.
‘Vauxhall is covering all bases at Geneva,' said Duncan
Aldred, Vauxhall's Managing Director. ‘With the Meriva, we have a
unique and innovative take on family motoring, but the concept car and
Ampera prove that we are truly at the forefront of environmental
technology. These vehicles also show that their versatility and
efficiency doesn't come at the expense of stunning design.' |
 | | | An enhanced interior is the main change for the
Infiniti luxury brand’s sporting two-door cars, the G Coupé and G
Convertible, for Model Year 2010.
The move brings the
V6-powered performance cars into line with the third G Line member, the
saloon, which, it has already been confirmed, benefits from the same
package of interior revisions for 2010 as well as exterior
enhancements. In addition, Infiniti has introduced a new all-inclusive
specification called Premium for the G and G Coupé in response to
customer demand.
The new interior look centres on a redesigned
console, based on that of the EX and FX crossovers. The revised console
builds on Infiniti’s individual interior character, with its emphasis
on natural materials and Japanese craftsmanship, while retaining all
the ergonomic excellence of before.
Infiniti’s hard disk drive
(HDD) information and entertainment platform, Connectiviti, is fitted
to the G and G Coupé for the first time, while the innovative
navigation version, Connectiviti+, is standard-fit on new Premium
models.
The revised models form part of an expanded G Line for 2010 with new Premium editions slotting in at the top of the range.
In
other changes for 2010, the success of the all-wheel drive option for
the Infiniti G saloon means it now ranks as a model in its own right. G
prices for 2010 start at £30,930 for the Infiniti G, £32,620 for the
Infiniti G Coupé and £38,800 for the Infiniti G Convertible with
electric retractable hard-top. The all-wheel drive x saloons starts at
£34,100. |
 | | | An all-new concept car is set to catch the ‘i’ of visitors to the Geneva Motor Show.
Hyundai has chosen the event to reveal the i-flow, a stylish saloon that previews the look of its new D-segment contender.
Styled
at the company’s European design headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany,
i-flow is expected to attract much attention, thanks to its striking
appearance – the latest product of the company’s evocative new form
language, ‘fluidic sculpture’. The name i-flow reflects the
exceptionally aerodynamic shape and the flowing lines of the concept
car’s eye-catching styling, and retains the ‘i’ prefix of Hyundai’s
established nomenclature.
The i-flow incorporates numerous new
technologies from chemical company BASF, ranging from innovative
lightweight materials to solar cells, to assist in reducing weight and
improving energy efficiency.
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