Selasa, 01 Maret 2011

Range Rover Evoque Personalisation Options


















Range Rover has announced details of the range of personalisation options for their new baby Range Rover, the exciting, £30,000 Evoque – the smallest, lightest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever built, in classic 4WD and now FWD forms. A dizzying array of colour and feature combinations are available, such as three contrasting roof colours, 12 exterior colours, seven alloy wheel choices and a selection of up to 16 tailored beautifully hand crafted interiors, with other alternative trim and technology finishes. Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director said: "Customers like to make their own unique statement with a vehicle and we have provided individuals with lots of opportunity to personalise their Range Rover Evoque, whilst maintaing the essence of the design. The options on offer are spectacular and customers can use our 'designer's choice' to guide their selection, with carefully co-ordinated colour and material combinations, that have their own distinctive character." Find out more at www.landrover.com and see a full Road magazine article on the Range Rover Evoque at: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_12

Geneva launch: Saab hybrid-power XWD Phoenix iX concept















Saab have released details of their Phoenix iX concept, showcasing their future manufacturing goals. It features low drag "aeromotional design," inspired by old-Saab aviation roots, a minimalist Saab IQon infotainment cabin, small-but-200PS-potent 1.6-litre turbo engine powering the front wheels and innovative electric rear wheel drive – making an eXWD all-wheel-drive system – a 2+2 cabin "blending simplicity with technology," butterfly doors and much aerodynamic trickery, enabling the Phoenix to net 56.5mpg and emit just 119g/km CO2. Looks interesting, intelligent technology to us, and keeps the turbocharger and petrol dream alive... yay!

Geneva launch: Fastest ever Audi A3


















Audi have just shown their fastest ever 'A3 Concept' at Geneva – a compact four-door saloon, offering a thunderous 408PS and 500Nm (from as low as 1,600rpm, to 5,000rpm) and with a wicked 0-60mph in 4.1s and 155mph (limited) potential: A pocket RS4 or RS6 if you will. It will be powered by a big turbo 2.5-litre five cylinder TFSi engine, linked to a slick seven-speed S Tronic twin clutch transmission. Yet, in line with modern manufacturer goals, it will still achieve 31mpg and emit 212g/km of CO2. The very definition of fast, frugal and frightening speed stealth motoring eh?

Geneva launch: Maserati GranCabrio Sport
















Following on from their GranCabrio launch at Frankfurt in 2009, Maserati have chosen Geneva 2011 to showcase their 'Sport' version – "Offering more driver enjoyment, thanks to overall improved vehicle dynamics, more horse power, a more responsive and efficient engine and optimised gearshift response." The 4.7-litre V8 gets more poke with 450bhp and 510Nm, and 6% hike in fuel efficiency too. Top speed is now 177mph, with 0-62mph now reduced to 5.2s. And the six-speed automatic transmission now includes MC Auto Shift software, developed from the Quattroporte Sport GT S. The GranCabrio Sport also gets a revised exterior look, with distinctive nose, black grille/headlamps/tailpipes, white front corner splitters, fresh side skirts, 20-inch rims and a red-accent Maserati Trident. And the interior gets ally pedals, Trofeo-design gear paddles and revised sports seats. Nice V8 ragtop sports action! Imagining a lap of Spa, or the Ring in this beast...

Toyota-Subaru FT-86 II Concept




















We're not going to bring you ALL of the mountain of Geneva news, just a selection of the sexiest stuff... and check this out – Toyota and Subaru's exciting FT-86 II concept, which we flagged o last week (see below). Yum! It looks amazing, will be powered by Subaru's legendary horizontally-opposed Boxer engine and a lightweight/low centre of gravity six-speed transmission, will be rear wheel drive and has been designed to be super-lightweight for a phenomenal power-weight ratio. It should launch in 2012, and we can not wait. This could be very special indeed...

Ken Block's edited gymkhana three video, part two



Road buddy and Ford Monster Team WRC-driver, Ken Block has just released an edited part two of his Gymkhana Three, in his rage-filled Fiesta... spitting flames and banging of the rev limiter. The film was shot last year in France at Linas Autodrome and features his now infamous Segway donuts. Have it Ken! But keep your eyes on the prize – WRC pal!!! Oh, and you can get a cap free, if you buy a Ken Block/DC Shoes hoodie and shoes at the moment, via www.wrcclothing.com and look like the man himself...