Automotive Spot

BY JENS MEINERS, ILLUSTRATION BY YOSHI G.
Source : www.caranddriver.com


Five-cylinder engines have long been an Audi trademark. First used in 1977 in the Audi 100/5000, five-cylinders took Audi upmarket and clearly differentiated the brand from the competition. The Audi 200 Turbo, with its 170-hp inline-five, became the world's fastest four-door in 1984; the 315-hp, Audi 80–based RS2 Avant of the mid-‘90s was the most extreme station wagon of its time; and Audi won several rally championships with the five-banger Quattro—the S1 Pikes Peak had almost 600 hp.




In the mid-‘90s, Audi dropped the five-cylinder engine and its characteristic, subdued growl in favor of more conventional four-cylinder and V-6 engines. Brand aficionados howled in futile protest, and engineering guru Ferdinand Piëch, who had developed the five-cylinder engine but later moved on to become head of VW, said he never quite understood why the engine had been dropped.

It’s Back!

As of March 2009, a five-cylinder will be back in Audi's range in the form of a 2.5-liter unit with direct injection; it is based on Audi's modular engine architecture. The transversely mounted engine is force-fed by a single turbocharger and will make 330–340 hp. Torque is rumored to be around 330 lb-ft. That's enough to significantly set the TT RS apart from the lesser TTS with its 265-hp, 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine.

The TTS coupe is claimed to run from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and the fixed-roof TT RS—which will be built as either a 2+2 coupe or roadster—should jet to 60 at least a half a second quicker. If customers request it, top speed will be raised to 174 mph; the TTS is governed to 155. Curb weight will be around 3000 lb and Quattro all-wheel drive will be standard. Power will be transmitted through a six-speed manual transmission; it is unlikely that the dual-clutch transmission will be adapted to the TT RS.

Expect minor but significant changes to set the TT RS apart from the TTS. It needs even more air, so the front intakes will be larger, and it will sport the two large oval exhaust tips which identify Audi's RS models.



Headed For a Geneva Debut

Just a few months back, a tussle strained Audi and Porsche's high-tension relationship even further: Porsche threatened to take legal action against Audi's use of the RS moniker. Porsche had long ago managed to protect the RS nameplate for its exclusive use and allowed Audi to use it only in conjunction with a number, as on the RS 4, RS 6, and so on. Audi engineers went ballistic, and Porsche backpedaled, allowing the TT RS to keep its name. Listen for a five-cylinder rumble at the 2009 Geneva auto show next March, which is where the TT RS is scheduled to make its first public appearance.

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There are lots of other compact SUVs to choose from for a lot less -- but none have the same abilities as the 2008 BMW X3.
Impeccable SUV: BMW X3 makes the perfect runabout.

Everyone has a favorite.

In the car world, I break down many of mine -- yes, there is more than one -- by segment. Among trucks, midsize sedans, sporty coupes, there are vehicles that I just like more than others. Some are not always the best value and some might surprise you.

In the compact SUV group, I like the BMW X3 3.0si with xDrive most of all.

At least I thought I did, based on past experiences with this snazzy SUV. With its plush interior and its prim-and-proper road manners, what's not to like? But a lot of compact SUVs have hit the market since I last drove the X3 and I wasn't sure it would still top my list.

So, naturally, when BMW asked me to test drive the 2008 X3, I grabbed the keys and headed out to "run some errands."

Yep, it hasn't changed: I love this little all-wheel drive piece of German engineering.

It's a 3 Series sedan with more cargo space and a higher riding position.

The long nose, the distinctive grille and the lit ring around the headlights give away its pedigree. The dual kidney grille and a big 'ol air intake under the bumper add to its powerful look. Yes, this compact SUV was made for me.

Zipping along I-75, I could barely hear the harsh world outside. Construction plagues the interstate near my home but the BMW just gobbled up all of those uneven concrete pieces and melded them into a minor bump in the road. It's a quiet ride perched behind the driver's seat of this vehicle.

Nothing is overstated and that's one of the reasons I like X3 so much. The leather seats feel like sport seats -- well bolstered and comfortable. The wood trim looks like it came off some impeccably maintained Victorian piece of furniture. The simple white-on-black gauges are pure BMW.

The second row offers plenty of space for adults, but I wouldn't try to cram three in the back for a long trip. Really, this compact luxury SUV is the perfect runabout for a family that has lots of little trips to soccer practice, instrument lessons and Friday date nights. It's a multi-purpose kind of vehicle with true utility.

Fold the backseats and there's more than 70 cubic feet of space. That's enough space to pack things to fill a dorm room -- which any smart college student would tell his parents.

But keep this fun runner at home. It can bring home the bacon so the maid can fry it up in a pan.

There are some excellent details that I enjoy as well, such as the door handles that have a modern art kind of look about them. Simple and elegant, the handles reach around the arm rest connecting to the door above and below it. Those are the touches a driver with impeccable tastes can appreciate -- I like them too.

The X3, however, never shows off in the cab. It saves that for the road.

The 3-liter I-6, made of a composite of aluminum and magnesium, in the X3 cranks 260 horsepower and jumps off the line with a surge. This is a product of the 225-pound-feet torque and the all-wheel drive system that gets every tire moving quickly.

The steering is precise and has just enough of that twitchy feel in sharp turns to keep you mind on the road, the all-wheel drive system also handles wet roads very well, keeping the back in a tight line through a turn. The optional adaptive headlights will help with the big corners as they will remain level and follow you through the turn. Really, it is just fun to drive and it handles more like a car than a truck.

First of all, the BMW nameplate carries a certain celebrity that other vehicles just don't have. Secondly, it's an expensive vehicle. Starting at $39,000, my test vehicle topped $47,000 once it was upgraded and added features such as heated front and rear seats, Xenon headlamps, navigation system, a premium audio system and HD radio.

They are all features I enjoyed and used while cruising about, though the price tag scared me a little. There are lots of other compact SUVs to choose from for a lot less -- but none have the same abilities as the X3.

I don't see this as a serious off roading machine, more because I would hate to scratch the paint.

No, the X3 belongs on the highways and byways, blasting through curves and gobbling up straight-aways. The toughest off-roading should be the gravel driveway to the summer home or a snow-covered road on the ski trip.





2008 BMW X3

Price: $39,000
Seating capacity: 5
Engine: 3-liter I-6
Transmission: six-speed automatic or manual
Horsepower: 260 @ 6,600 rpm
Torque: 225-pound-feet @ 2,750 rpm
Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
Fuel tank: 17.7 gallons
EPA gas mileage:
Manual: 16 mpg city / 23 mpg highway
Automatic: 17 mpg city / 24 mpg highway
Dimensions (inches):
Length: 179.9
Width: 73
Height: 65.9
Wheelbase: 110.1
Curb weight: 4,012
Interior dimensions (inches):
Front/rear
Headroom: 39/39
Shoulder room: 56/55
Legroom: 40.2/35.8
Luggage capacity: 30 cubic feet
Maximum cargo capacity: 71 cubic feet
Warranty:
48 months / 50,000 miles unlimited
Four-year BMW Roadside Assistance
4 year / 50,000 miles Full Maintenance Program


Source : fresh-car-news.blogspot.com

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Fiat has just launched a new special edition version of its diminutive off-road model for the Italian market. What makes the Panda 4x4 Glam Edition special in Fiat's eyes is the new pearl white finish that's complemented by the aluminum roof bars and the newly styled 15-inch alloy wheels. Similarly, interior mods are limited to the new jean-like seat and door-panel fabrics along with the decorative aluminum trim on the dash. Power for the Panda 4x4 Glam Edition comes from either a 60HP 1.2-liter petrol unit or a 70HP 1.3-liter turbo diesel engine with prices in Italy set at €14,800 and €16,910 respectively.



Source : new-car-insurance.blogspot.com

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Publisher: Primedia Consumer Media & Magazine Group
Language: English
Number of Pages: 202
PDF: 37 MB

Motor Trend is one of the oldest automobile magazines still publishing. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line The Magazine for a Motoring World. Today it is published by Source Interlink and boasts a paid monthly circulation of over one million readers. One of the earliest and most enduring of the magazine's creations was its Car of the Year award, given almost continuously since its inception, although the phrase itself would not become entrenched until well into the 50s. (The first winner was the 1949 Cadillac.) The award has gone through several splits and permutations over the years, being called the Golden Wheels Award for a while in the 70s and having given rise to Truck of the Year and Import Car of the Year as well as SUV of the Year. Nevertheless, it is still coveted by manufacturers and is usually covered by the mainstream press as the most important distinction awarded in the American auto industry.


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Publisher: Primedia Consumer Media & Magazine Group
Language: English
Number of Pages: 192
PDF: 36.8 MB
ISSN: 0027-2094

Motor Trend is one of the oldest automobile magazines still publishing. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line The Magazine for a Motoring World. Today it is published by Source Interlink and boasts a paid monthly circulation of over one million readers. One of the earliest and most enduring of the magazine's creations was its Car of the Year award, given almost continuously since its inception, although the phrase itself would not become entrenched until well into the 50s. (The first winner was the 1949 Cadillac.) The award has gone through several splits and permutations over the years, being called the Golden Wheels Award for a while in the 70s and having given rise to Truck of the Year and Import Car of the Year as well as SUV of the Year. Nevertheless, it is still coveted by manufacturers and is usually covered by the mainstream press as the most important distinction awarded in the American auto industry.




IN THIS ISSUE

Cover
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Them Ferraris, Lambos, and Porsches ain't that hard to beat.

Acura TL
Rethinking its bread-and-butter sedan.

Hyundai Genesis 4.6
Proof that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Apex Predators
Test gear, test gear, great and small, what's the best-handling car of all?

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Language: English
Number of Pages: 175
PDF: 22 MB

Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hachette Filipacchi Magazines. Originally headquartered in New York City, the magazine has been based in Ann Arbor, Michigan since the late 1970s.

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Ferrari is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello and Modena, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929 as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street legal vehicles in 1947 as Ferrari, This is an illustrated version, illustrated using Adobe Illustrator CS3.
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