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Audi has unveiled the all-new A7 Sportback, a large five-door model with a dynamically accentuated rear end that brings together the best of three worlds: the sporty elegance of a coupe, the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a station wagon in Munich.
Measuring 4.97 metres long and 1.91 metres wide, but only 1.42 metres high, the 2011 Audi A7 Sportback features a long bonnet, short front overhang, long wheelbase, sportingly flowing C-pillars and sharply dropping rear to create a dynamic overall impression. The five-door coupe is an aesthetic athlete with a wide, powerful road stance.
At launch, the A7 Sportback will be powered by a choice of four V6 engines - two petrol and two TDI units - with power output ranging from 150 kW to 220 kW. The sporty chassis comes with new solutions, such as electromechanical power steering. When it comes to assistance and infotainment systems, the luxury-class coupe exhibits all of the innovative power expected of Audi.
The A7 Sportback is pure high-tech. Its body is very lightweight thanks to numerous aluminum components. The elegant interior shows a craftsman's level of workmanship.
The excellent vibrational comfort likewise contributes to the atmosphere of cultured tranquility on board. This is the result of painstakingly tuning all components, systematic hydraulic damping in the axle and drivetrain bearings and the extremely stiff body. The body is comprised primarily of aluminum and high-tech steels, making it extremely lightweight and safe. The large rear hatch opens wide to reveal a large, extremely usable luggage compartment that is very easy to load. Its 535-litre capacity swells to a volume of 1,390 litres with the rear seat backrests folded down.
Optional LED headlights reinforce the unmistakable expression of the A7 Sportback and provide all light functions with light-emitting diodes while minimising energy consumption. Bi-xenon headlights and LED tail lights come standard. The innovative all-weather light function has also been integrated into the headlights, replacing the classic fog lights.
The sinewy sportiness of the exterior carries over into the interior of the A7 Sportback, where Audi again demonstrates its leading role in automotive design. The salient element is the "wrap-around," a horizontal line that encircles the driver and front-seat passenger in the interior to provide a feeling of safety and security. The wave-shaped application strip with its integrative dynamics is the salient element of the dashboard.
The utmost care has been devoted to every last detail in the interior. Workmanship is at a craftsman's level. Optional climate-control and massage functions are available for the front seats covered in high-grade Audi leathers. The optional ambient lighting fills the entire interior with atmosphere.
Like Audi's A8 flagship, the A7 Sportback also combines a new level of technical intelligence with logical, intuitive ergonomics and self-explanatory operation. The advanced MMI operating system with central menu button and reduced number of buttons comes standard, while one of the options is a new head-up display that projects the most important information on the windshield. The MMI touch system combines a hard drive navigation system with the convenience of touchpad input.
The driver can use the touchpad to perform numerous functions, such as using his or her finger to write the letters of the destination or the digits of the telephone number.
The online services work together with Google to connect the five-door Audi coupe to the Internet via the Bluetooth car phone. A UMTS module delivers images and information from Google Earth to the monitor and combines them with the navigation route. A WLAN hotspot is used to connect mobile devices. Further to the Bose sound system, the top-of-the-line option is the Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen featuring 1,300 watts of power and
15 speakers.
The top navigation system works closely together with the many optional driver assistance and safety systems in the A7 Sportback. It forwards the route data to the control units for the headlights, the automatic transmission and the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, enabling these systems to recognize complex scenarios. In many cases, the Audi pre sense safety system can reduce the severity of accidents and their consequences. The new Audi active lane assist helps the driver to keep the A7 Sportback firmly on course, and the new park assist system relieves the driver of the chore of steering when parallel parking.
The standard automatic transmissions also play a role in the high efficiency of the Audi A7 Sportback. Audi offers two different transmissions depending on the engines: The continuous multitronic sends the power to the front wheels, while the sporty seven-speed S tronic works together with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The latest evolutionary stage of quattro features a crown-gear center differential and torque vectoring.
The drive system is particularly flexible and dynamic. The optional sport differential actively distributes the power between the rear wheels.
The chassis also combines sporty precision with luxurious comfort. The Audi
A7 Sportback rolls on large wheels measuring from 18 to 20 inches in diameter. The chassis features aluminum control arms and a newly developed power steering system with an electromechanical drive for high efficiency. The Audi drive select dynamics system is standard and can be supplemented by the optional adaptive air suspension with controlled damping.
[Source: Audi]
The all-new 2011 Hyundai i20 hatch has arrived downunder with the promise to bring convenience, comfort, safety and efficiency to life in a modern vibrant package: Whether it's negotiating the urban jungle or escaping out of town, i20 is all about going places.
Designed at Hyundai's European Design Studio at Russelsheim in Germany, the latest model in the i-series line-up offers comfort, economy and efficiency in a stylish compact vehicle designed to get people going places.
Strong character lines and feature details including teardrop headlamps, stacked rear lighting clusters and body coloured mirrors and handles continue the streamlined appearance. Front and rear fender flares combined with wrap around bumpers ensure a sporty aesthetic. Three and five door hatchback models offer versatile options for today's modern lifestyle.
i20 offers an interior package that belies its compact size. Airy with practical and versatile features, the in-cabin refinements are smart and fresh, with optimum driver comfort and passenger conveniences including delayed fade-out interior lights, an illuminated glove box compartment, electric windows and comfortable spacious seating complimented with a Multi-Information Centre located above the centre console for external temperature, clock, trip readouts, fuel consumption (Elite and Premium models) and more.
Seating and storage options in i20 are addressed with the provision of versatile split rear seating and a generous 295-litre boot (rear seat backs in upright position). Multiple in-cabin stowage areas such as the innovative glove-box cooling system and storage recesses for convenient placement of mobile phone, sunglasses and coins, provide easy access storage solutions.
Thrifty 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre Gamma petrol engines power i20, balancing performance and efficiency. Both engines feature 16-valves and twin overhead camshafts. The four-cylinder engines deliver peak power and torque outputs of 73.5kW @ 5500rpm and 136Nm @ 4200rpm for the 1.4-litre Gamma petrol engine; and 91.1kW @ 6300rpm and 156Nm @ 4200rpm for the 1.6-litre Gamma petrol engine.
Impressive fuel efficiency and lower emissions are ensured in i20, with combined fuel consumption figures of 6.0-litres per 100kms for the 1.4-litre petrol manual model and 6.1- litres per 100kms for the 1.6-litre petrol manual model. CO2 emissions are 142 (combined g/km) for the 1.4-litre petrol manual and 144 (combined g/km) for the 1.6-litre petrol manual models∫.
Note: ∫Australian Design Rules 81/02 static laboratory combined average city and highway cycle test. Fuel consumption will vary depending in a combination of driving habits and the condition of the vehicle.
A five-speed manual transmission offers precise and easy gear shifts, while the modern four- speed electronic HiVec (Hyundai intelligent Vehicle electronic control) ensures smooth, precise gear changes.
Urban agility is evident in the handling of i20 with sharp, accurate directional response made possible through the application of Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) tuned for the Australian market. i20's suspension has been tuned for Australia's unique road conditions and combines McPherson struts with coil springs in the front and a Coupled Torsion Beam Axle in the rear, offering nimble manoeuvrability and ride comfort.
As always, occupant protection is a core element of Hyundai design. i20 comes complete with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features to ensure driver and passenger confidence. Standard on all i20 models is Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS), four-channel, four-sensor Anti-skid Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).
Hyundai has designed the i20 range to meet the needs of real-world private and business buyers. Crucially, no compromises have been made in providing the best combination of high performance levels, safety and value of any small car currently available in Australia today.
And because i20 is all about a vibrant life, a comprehensive range of Genuine Hyundai Accessories is available including Genuine Hyundai Whispbar Quiet roof racks, iPod® accessories including Direct Connect lead for iPod® and reverse park and front park assist sensing warning systems ensuring parking is a breeze. Alloy wheels and other distinctive styling accessories let owners add personality and individuality.
Prices for the Hyundai i20 starts at $14,990 for the 1.4-litre petrol manual 3-door 'Active' model and up to $23,490 for the i20 Premium 1.6-litre petrol automatic 5-door.
[Source: Hyundai]
The all-new 2011 Peugeot 508 has been unveiled ahead of its public debut in October at the Paris Motor Show and introduces the French car maker's new design look which has evolved from the stylistic codes first unveiled on the SR1 Concept Car.
Combining both a stylish and strong design with cutting-edge technology; quality, purity and efficiency have been the watchwords that have guided the Peugeot designers and engineers during the creation of the 508.
The stylish exterior design is elegant and timeless and full of 'French chic', equally at home in Paris or London. The interior of the car combines hi-tech with the use of high quality materials and every detail has been chosen to offer indisputable perceived quality, both visually and to the touch. An exceptional interior space, a very generous boot, and a level of standard specification provide interior comfort and convenience of a very high level.
In line with Peugeot's strategy to produce vehicles that emit low levels of CO2 and optimise fuel efficiency, the 508 has been designed to optimise the performance of its engines, enhance environmental efficiency, reduce weight and improve aerodynamics, matched at all times to a broad range of highly efficient engines.
The Peugeot 508 will be powered by a range of engines all well positioned in their categories in terms of performance and driveability, but also fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. All engines will benefit from the latest engine technology including Peugeot's new e-HDi stop and start system. This is the first of the new generation of stop and start systems which offers improved driveability and economy enhancements of up to 15%.
After launch, Peugeot's HYbrid4 technology will become available on the 508 and will provide 200bhp performance with all-wheel drive and emissions of 99g/km of CO2 or zero in electric mode.
The Peugeot 508 will be available in two body styles: a Saloon (with a length of 4.79 m) and a SW (4.81 m). Both models will be revealed to the public in October at the Paris Motor Show, and will go on sale at the beginning of 2011.
Utilising the PSA Group's platform 3, the 508 will be produced in Rennes in France, for the European market and in 2011 in China, for the Chinese market.
[Source: Peugeot]
The all-new 2011 BMW X3 has been unveiled with local deliveries expected to start in the first quarter of 2011. Manufactured at BMW's South Carolina plant in the US, the new generation X3 conveys elegance, agility and ruggedness
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Volvo has unveiled the all-new 2011 V60 sports wagon ahead of its debut at this year's Paris Motor Show in September. Sleekly styled with a pronounced wedge shape and slim coupe-like roof line, the new V60 are accompanied by the shoulder profile along the car's sides, creating a gentle yet powerful double wave from the headlamps at the front to the taillights at the rear
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Aston Martin has unveiled a new motorsport-inspired special edition; the V8 Vantage N420 which brings a new dimension of sporting prowess and dynamic ability to the V8 Vantage range
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The ultimate version of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, the "Super Sport" is officially the world's fastest car with an average top speed of 431 km/h set on the proving grounds of the Volkswagen Group at Ehra-Lessien (nearby its headquarters at Wolfsburg
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The latest addition to the Range Rover family has been unveiled at an exclusive preview in London for guests attending a 40th birthday celebration of Range Rover
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Mercedes-Benz have unveiled the facelifted 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, the flagship coupe of the German car maker. Dubbed "the epitome of luxury coupes" by the manufacturer, the biggest change lies under the bonnet in the form of a new 316 kW V8 biturbo engine in the CL550. This new engine achieves a 10-15% improvement in fuel economy and 23% improvement in CO2 emissions yet still manages boasts 12% more powerful than its predecessor
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