New compact Audi Q5

Let me start from the line of engines. By the beginning of the sales of the car (which) are planned at the end of 2008 the choice of engine will be represented by 3 diesels and one petrol variant. The diesels are a 2-liter 4—cylinder 170-hp Common Rail (350 Nm) and two 3.0-liter V6 with 211 and 240 hp accordingly. The petrol variant – 2.0-liter TFSI-unit with 211 hp and 350 Nm of torque.

As for the additional variants, they will appear in the middle of 2009 – for instance, 177-hp petrol power unit, 143-hp diesel and 270-hp 3.2-liter V6 FSI.

Top variants will be available closer to 2011 – 3.0-liter petrol V6 compressor with 333 ponies and 3.0-liter diesel TDI with 300 hp and 500 Nm of torque. It should also be mentioned that the diesel will be equipped with a 8-grade automatic transmission.

Some minor details

For example, the novelty will be available with a 3-stage dynamics control program – “Comfort”, “Auto” and “Dynamic”. Moreover, the car will be equipped with the typical for Audi suspension system “Magnetic Ride” plus the system of individual settings control MMI.

Prices

In Germany the cheapest Q5 will cost from 36 000 euro and the most expensive – from 60 000 euro (S-variant).

BMW experts have showed the racing M3 ALMS

In Chicago BMW showed a racing version of the supercar M3 made for ALMS (American Le Mans Series).

The difference of the “mighty” novelty from its serial variant is obvious – the mass, power and exterior. Under the cowling of M3 ALMS works a modified V8 “heart” with 485 hp (the series – 420-hp). And the max torque of 500 hp. The power train is carried out with the help of a 6-grade sequential transmission. The car posted a 0-100 time of less than 5 seconds and the max speed of 300 km/h.

The car’s dynamics is enhanced by a perfectly shaped body-kit all the elements of which are made of plastic based on CFK (carbon fiber). The result – 1150 kg (while the serial variant weights 1615 kg).

2008 Geneva Premieres: Honda Accord & Renault Koleos

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New Accord will be shown in Geneva

Honda Officially released the new generation of Accord. The premiere of the car is to take place in Geneva at the beginning of March.

What’s new? Firstly – slight restyling of the body, secondly – filling of the engineering and a few new safety systems alongside new eco-friendly engines.

As for the new safety systems (as an option for two top variants), Honda introduced the system of road marking control LKAS (stands for “Lane Keeping Assist System”) that is able to warn about changing lanes plus ACC (“Adaptive Cruise Control”) with the function of automatic speed control CMBS (“Collision Mitigation Brake System”) that activates when the car is approaching an obstacle too fast.

Basically, the new Accord is equipped with dynamics stabilization system, active steering-wheel control system in collaboration with EPS, modernized ABS and EBD, 8 airbags plus 2-zone climate-control.

About the engines

By the moment new Accord is released there will be 3 variants of engines – 2 petrol and one diesel which conform to Euro 5 requirements.

2 petrol power units are represented by a 2-liter 4-cylinder i-VTEC with 156 hp and a 2.4-liter with 200 hp. The only diesel variant - i-DTEC is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 150 hp. All the introduced engines are basically accompanied by a 6-grade mechanics. As an option comes (an only for petrol versions) 5-grade automatic transmission where shifting can be carried out with the help of steering-wheel levers.

As for the interior, the novelty got a few new devices, buttons, new 3-spoke steering wheel with control buttons, and a huge navigation-screen.

The price for new Accord will be around 26 000 euro.

Top 20 Safest Vehicles of 2007 by Forbes

New crossover Renault Koleos will make its debut in Geneva

Renault announced the release of the new crossover Koleos last Monday. A few official pictures and some info about the car has been released as well.

So, the novelty has been developed and realized in collaboration of two companies – Renault and Nissan. The platform of the car is a modernized base of Megane and Scenic with the rear suspension from Nissan X-Trail. The dimensions of the car are: 4.52 m long, 1.85 m wide which is slightly bigger than its “fellows” – for example, compact-van Scenic. As for the boot, it is quite spacious and is able to carry up to 450 l of capacity and with the folded rear row of seats, the capacity is 1 380 l.

Engines – a petrol one and a few Common-Rail

The power palette of Koleos is represented by 3 power units – 2 diesels and one petrol engine. Diesels: 150-hp dCi and 173-hp dCi (the latter is serially equipped with 4WD). The petrol engine – 2.5 liter 172-hp (taken from the partner - Nissan). All the variants come alongside 6-grade mechanic transmission. Two diesels can be equipped with 6-grade automatic.

The dynamics of the novelty is likely to have been borrowed from a real SUV. Thus, the new system “All Mode 4×4” enables Koleos to drive through the most dense jungle. For instance, in the normal mode all the draft is concentrated on the front drive but if it is necessary up to 50% of it can be transferred to the rear one – for example during a typical slipping. The road clearance is 20.6 cm in the petrol variant and 18.8 in the diesels. Plus the car is equipped with a modernized ESP and other safety and driving assistants.

Interior

The interior of Koleos is spacious and fresh. A great advantage is a big glass top and the basic 2-zone climate-control. All the other aspects – egronomic sundries. Round devices, creative accessories very comfortable seats and application elements from aluminum complete the “package” if the interior.

The car will appear in Europe in September 2008. The price hasn’t been announced.

Geneva 2008: Ford Fiesta and Ford Kuga