Tag: official

Official: Peugeot reveals Le Mans-derived 208 Hybrid FE prototype

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Europe, Hatchback, Peugeot

Peugeot 208 Hybrid FE - front three-quarter view, white

You can’t leave a team of racing engineers sitting still for too long. They need something to keep them busy. Just ask the guys at Toyota or Peugeot.

Toyota shut down its Formula One program in 2009 and didn’t get to Le Mans until last year, filling the vacuum left by Peugeot’s departure at the end of the previous season. In the meantime, the engineers at Toyota Motorsport GmbH developed the TMG Sports 650. Peugeot Sport had a similar lull after shuttering its LMP1 program before it launched Sebastien Loeb’s 208 T16 Pikes Peak challenger this summer. This is what they were working on in the meantime.

It’s called the Peugeot 208 Hybrid FE, and it’s set to debut next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Working in partnership with French oil company Total, the Peugeot racing team applied many of the lessons it learned from developing the 908 HDi FAP prototype to a base Peugeot 208 Access.

They bored out the 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine to 1.2 liters, gave it direct injection, replaced all the internal components and coated new ones in DLC (Diamond-Like Coating, a hardener used in motorsports engines and suspension components). All of this was done in order to increase torque by 25 percent (now up to 88 pound-feet) while keeping power steady at 68 horses. They then installed the 908’s electric motor for another 22 lb-ft of torque, along with its lightweight lithium-ion battery pack. They decreased aerodynamic drag by 25 percent (thanks in part to low-rolling-resistance rubber and a narrower track) and cut 20 percent off the structure’s curb weight to optimize efficiency.

The result is a prototype that sacrifices none of the donor car’s creature comforts (save for the air conditioning system) and can hit 62 mph from a standstill in 8 seconds flat, return 141.2 mpg (on Europe’s liberal efficiency cycle) and emit just 49 grams of CO2 per kilometer. All of which may not be as exciting as what Toyota’s racing team did with their down time, but as environmental impact becomes increasingly vital to global automakers, it could prove more important.

Continue reading Peugeot reveals Le Mans-derived 208 Hybrid FE prototype

Peugeot reveals Le Mans-derived 208 Hybrid FE prototype originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Aug 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Opel reveals updated Insignia OPC sans power boost

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Europe

2014 Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer

We’ve got good news, friends, and we’ve got bad news. The good news is that Opel has revealed the new Insignia OPC that we spied recently on the street. The bad news is that it does not have the hike in power we were hoping for.

The new Insignia OPC, pictured here in Sports Tourer form, is set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in a couple of weeks. Sitting atop the Opel Performance Center lineup, it’s got the same 325-horsepower 2.8-liter twin-turbo V6 and Haldex all-wheel-drive system as the model it replaces, but benefits from some minor enhancements. Those include subtly refreshed fascias front and rear, a reworked rear axle, revised software for the ESP and variable damper systems and a recalibrated suspension.

Equipped with a six-speed manual (there’s an automatic available as well), the Insignia OPC sedan will hit 62 mph in six seconds flat, or 6.3 for the wagon. Top speed is restricted to 155 mph, but without the limiter (as Opel previously offered), it’s said to hit 168 flat out. Which is still pretty impressive, even without the anticipated 400hp upgrade.

But that only brings us to the unfortunate reality that the Insignia OPC isn’t available Stateside, because with 259 horsepower from a turbo four, the Buick Regal GS just doesn’t feel the same.

Continue reading Opel reveals updated Insignia OPC sans power boost

Opel reveals updated Insignia OPC sans power boost originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Aug 2013 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2014 Subaru BRZ gets exceedingly modest price increase

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Subaru

2014 Subaru BRZ

Subaru has announced pricing for the 2014 BRZ, and with a $25,595 MSRP, it starts at just $100 more than the 2013 model. The destination charge adds $795 – a $25 increase over 2013 – bringing the total to $26,390.

Aside from the very modest price increase, the 2014 BRZ is essentially the same as its 2013 predecessor. The one notable change for 2014 is that Aha infotainment smartphone integration now comes with the standard navigation system. Subaru is one of the first automakers to include this feature, which delivers smartphone activity such as live news, podcasts and social media news feeds to drivers through the radio.

The rear-wheel-drive BRZ’s other features remain the same, and we certainly don’t have any complaints about that. It still comes with a 200-horsepower boxer engine, manufacturer-estimated fuel economy of 34 miles per gallon on the highway, 2+2 seating, and options such as dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats. Scroll down to get all the 2014 model year details in Subaru’s press release.

Continue reading 2014 Subaru BRZ gets exceedingly modest price increase

2014 Subaru BRZ gets exceedingly modest price increase originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Aug 2013 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Royal Mail celebrates British Auto Legends with special stamp collection

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Government/Legal, UK

Lotus Esprit stamp from the Royal Mail

We love cars because they’re fast and exciting. The postal service, not so much. But at least the mail is reliable, which is a lot more than you could say for most classic British cars, like the ones which the Royal Mail in Great Britain is celebrating with this special philatelic collection.

Launched this year on the occasion of Aston Martin’s centenary and the 150th birthday of Sir Henry Royce, the British Auto Legends stamp collection includes the 1961 Jaguar E-Type, 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, 1963 Aston Martin DB5, 1968 Morgan Plus 8, 1976 Lotus Esprit and 1962 MG MGB as part of the six-stamp Thoroughbreds set. Another four-stamp Workhorses mini sheet features the Morris Minor Van, Austin FX4 black cab, Ford Anglia 105E and Land Rover Defender 110.

Rather than create them from stock images, the Royal Mail commissioned veteran automotive photographer Andrew Mann (since our own Drew Phillips was busy) to capture pristine examples of the cars selected. And like all special stamps issued by the Royal Mail, Queen Elizabeth II approved the final designs herself, and apparently didn’t object to the absence of her own Daimler and Bentley (or any Daimler or Bentley, for that matter) from the collection. The stamps are available to the estimated 2.5 million stamp collectors in the UK by phone, online or at any of the 10,000 post offices across the UK.

Royal Mail celebrates British Auto Legends with special stamp collection originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Aug 2013 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2014 Kia Soul to get quasi-SUV look for Europe [w/poll]

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Crossover, Kia, Design/Style

European 2014 Kia Soul will come standard with a SUV Styling pack that won't be available in the US.

The 2014 Soul is bigger and more refined, and Kia says its look has been inspired in part by the Track’ster concept. Interestingly, European buyers will get the option of a different look than what we’ll see in our showrooms. They’ll be able to specify the SUV Styling Pack seen here, which includes matte-black cladding on the front and rear fascias, along with what Kia refers to as piano-black trim on the wheel wells and side skirts. The roof is available painted black, white or red. With all of that black trim and slightly tougher look, the styling reminds us of the Fiat 500L Trekking, a model the Soul will compete directly against.

European markets also have the ability to spec their Souls like our North American version, which substitutes body-color trim for most of the black pieces. Currently, there are no plans to bring the SUV Styling Pack to the US. But that doesn’t mean we’ll never be able to buy this butch-look Soul on our side of the Atlantic. Company spokesperson James Hope confirms to Autoblog, “[Kia] has no plans to offer something similar to the EU-spec Soul at this time. However, we are always monitoring the market and if we saw an opportunity we would certainly look into it.”

Feel free to peruse the press release below for more details on the Euro-spec Soul – which is slated to debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show – and then let Kia know if they should bring the SUV Styling Pack here by participating in our poll below.

View Poll

Continue reading 2014 Kia Soul to get quasi-SUV look for Europe [w/poll]

2014 Kia Soul to get quasi-SUV look for Europe [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Aug 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Like sands through the hourglass, so is the 2014 Lexus GX

Filed under: SUV, Lexus, Luxury, Off-Road

2014 Lexus GX 460 - front three-quarter view

Well, that didn’t take long. Just days after patent images leaked, Lexus has released pricing and images for its redesigned 2014 GX 460. Our first reaction is… wow, look at the front end on that! The updated luxury SUV features what Lexus calls “a new interpretation” of its now-trademark Spindle grille. The oversized hourglass shape is certainly unique, and whether for good or bad, it’s sure to make the GX stand out.

The redesigned GX is set to hit dealerships in September and it starts at $49,085 – nearly $5,000 less than the 2013 model. Along with the new grille, it comes with standard LED headlights and daytime running lights. Inside, the GX boasts a new eight-inch touchscreen display with backup monitor, HD radio with complimentary weather and traffic data, Bluetooth and a vehicle information display. New espresso wood with black trim is also available for 2014.

Of course, the Luxury model, which starts at $60,715, adds even more frills, including navigation, a new Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, adaptive air suspension and Intuitive Parking Assist. Some of these features are also available on the base model with the addition of the new Premium Package, which Lexus touts “will be at the same price as the base 2013 model year GX 460.”

With all the luxurious appointments, it might be easy to overlook that the GX is a bona fide trail runner, but let’s not forget that it also comes with a 4.6-liter V8 engine and standard full-time four-wheel drive, including a low range for off-roading. The powertrain appears to be carryover, with Lexus quoting the same 301 horsepower as last year’s model, as well as the same six-speed automatic gearbox. As before, the GX is equipped with Lexus’ so-called Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System to enhance handling both both on- and off-road, and for 2014, trailer sway control is a new addition. See the press release from Lexus below for the full details, and let us know what you think of that hourglass grille and the rest of the updates in Comments.

Continue reading Like sands through the hourglass, so is the 2014 Lexus GX

Like sands through the hourglass, so is the 2014 Lexus GX originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Aug 2013 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Forza 5 announces Laguna Seca and Spa, details on new physics engine [w/video]

Filed under: Videos, Audi, Toys/Games, Racing

During Gamescom in Cologne, Germany the Forza Motorsport team showed off another demo of Forza Motorsport 5 and announced two tracks for the game: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Spa-Francorchamps. Laguna Seca and its Corkscrew have been in the previous four versions, while Spa and Eau Rouge are making their first intro to marquee Xbox driving game.

Turn 10 director Dan Greenawalt said during an interview that the power of the coming Xbox One has permitted new tire modeling, and that Turn 10 worked with internationally eminent tire testing institute CalSpan to upgrade the game’s tire science. We won’t know how that translates through the wheel until the game and console launch in November, but we’re told that being able to “collect data on tire variables that have never been isolated” means greatly enhanced “tire physics, suspension, geometry, aerodynamics.”

That sounds like code for getting more feedback, but you’ll need to be a much better driver. You can check out the interview in the video below and a host of new screenshots from the game, featuring the Audi R18 e-tron quattro.

Continue reading Forza 5 announces Laguna Seca and Spa, details on new physics engine [w/video]

Forza 5 announces Laguna Seca and Spa, details on new physics engine [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2014 Subaru Forester scores 5 stars in NHTSA crash test [w/video]

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Videos, Crossover, Subaru

2014 Subaru Forester XT

Having aced the crash test from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and earning the highest rating of Top Safety Pick+, the 2014 Subaru Forester headed over to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a date with destruction. In the barrage of NHTSA tests, the new Forester met similar results as it did with the IIHS, earning a five-star overall crash rating.

Comparing these number to the previous model, which carried a four-star rating in all areas, the new Forester did much better in the side-impact test to earn a full five stars; frontal and rollover ratings were still at four stars like the old model, but the improved side crashworthiness was enough to gain the NHTSA’s highest overall rating. The frontal impact video is posted below, but all the various test videos can be seen on NHTSA’s website.

Continue reading 2014 Subaru Forester scores 5 stars in NHTSA crash test [w/video]

2014 Subaru Forester scores 5 stars in NHTSA crash test [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Aug 2013 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Petersen Museum undergoing stunning design overhaul [w/video]

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Videos

Petersen Automotive Museum exterior renovation plans

If you were alarmed when the Petersen Automotive Museum starting selling off large and significant parts of its venerable collection, fret not: the museum isn’t in trouble. In fact it’s about to embark on what could be its most ambitious rebirth since the late Motor Trend publisher Robert E. Petersen and his wife Margie founded the museum nearly 20 years ago.

The plans announced at Pebble Beach this past weekend revolve principally around an architectural renovation of the former department store that houses the museum by the corner of Wilshire Boulevard at Fairfax in Los Angeles. The project is being undertaken by Kohn Pederson Fox Associates (no relation) and calls for flowing bands of stainless steel enveloping three sides of the red structure, giving the building a fresh look without requiring any structural changes. The steel ribbons will be backlit by LEDs day and night, and remind us of a blend between a hot rod flame job and cartographical topography. But the renovation isn’t just a facade: the project will also add another 15,000 square feet of display space inside, with new galleries and digital displays focusing on cars and car culture in South California and around the world.

The overhaul will also encompass a “refined and upgraded” collection as well as rotating displays, although few details were given at this point as to what exactly that will entail. Scope out the video clip and the press release below for more.

Continue reading Petersen Museum undergoing stunning design overhaul [w/video]

Petersen Museum undergoing stunning design overhaul [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Lexus to open stores with branded accessories [w/video]

Filed under: Car Buying, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury

Lexus Intersect

Trying to build a boutique buying atmosphere with a large-volume premium brand isn’t easy, but Lexus is attempting to do just that by introducing its new Intersect By Lexus dealership experience. This aspect of Lexus retailing has nothing to do with cars and everything to do with luxury lifestyle accessories. Intersect By Lexus is effectively an all-in-one shopping destination for high-quality, hand-crafted designer products, many of them created specifically for the marque, right down to their “Crafted for Lexus” branding.

The first Intersect By Lexus store will open at the end of this month in Tokyo, with other stores planned for New York and Dubai. Going over the first store’s initial product list, it seems that each store will offer wares that reflect its location. Some of the products available at Intersect By Lexus Tokyo include a $400 minimalist LED desk light, hand-sewn $286 tablet cover and a $133 drip coffeemaker and cup set handmade from the ash of Japan’s Sakurajima volcano. Scroll down for a short video showing how some of these products were made.

Continue reading Lexus to open stores with branded accessories [w/video]

Lexus to open stores with branded accessories [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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