Volkswagen chose their Annual Press and Investors Conference, hosted today at Wolfsburg, to debut the brand’s first all-electric production vehicle, the e-Up!. Set to have its premier in Public in IAA in September, the four-sitter e-Up! has a driving range of 150km while it operates with nearly zero noise.

The e-up! is powered by an electric motor with 60 kW / 82 PS peak power, that provides a continuous power of 40 kW / 55 PS and a maximum torque of 210 Nm. From standstill, the first 100 km/h come within 14 seconds, while the e-Up! can accelerate up to its top speed of 135 km/h. The integrated in the underfloor area lithium-ion battery has a total energy storage capacity of 18.7 Kilowatt-hours (kWh) and can be recharged to 80 per cent of its energy storage capacity within 30 minutes. The total weight is 1,185 kg.

An interesting feature is the optional Combined Charging System (CCS), a standardised system by Volkswagen and other carmakers, which supports both DC and AC charging, so that drivers can easily charge their cars at most charging stations – regardless of the power sources or charging rates that they offer. Finally, the e-Up! is visually differentiated from it’s internal combustion brother with the curved layout of the LED daytime running lights in the front bumper and the aerodynamic optimization of the front end and the underbody.

Click more to see our photo gallery and VW’s press release.

Source: [WolksWagen]

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Posted in: Volkswagen

Just a few weeks before the most waited automotive event of the year, the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz dropped a bombshell, in the name of the A45 AMG. That’s a normal A-Class, that comes with a 2.0l turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that develops 360hp and 450Nm at 1.8bar of boost pressure, an AWD system (5th generation Haldex) and enhanced looks.

As it’s supposed to be a direct competitor to the M135i and the upcoming RS3, the M133 engine is currently the most powerful four cylinder engine in production in the world, developing a maximum output of 265 kW (360 hp) and up to 450 Newton metres of torque. That’s a stunning 181hp per litre of displacement! Coming under the BlueDIRECT family of engines, the M133 features spray-guided direct petrol injection via piezo injectors positioned centrally in the four combustion chambers, as well as a gravity-die sandcast all-aluminium crankcase, weight-optimised crank assembly with forged steel crankshaft and forged pistons with friction-optimised piston rings, NANOSLIDE cylinder wall technology, air-water charge air cooling, generator management and ECO start/stop function. This combination improves fuel utilisation and increases thermodynamic efficiency substantially, leading to lower exhaust emissions.

The issue with the throttle response, or lag, with the high-boosted turbocharged engines, is resolved by using a twin-scroll turbocharger, aiming for a  maximum derestriction of the exhaust system and implementing an innovative injection strategy. Finally, the, familiar from the SLK55, exhaust system features large pipe cross-sections and an automatically controlled exhaust flap. As far as the engine cooling is concerned, a low-temperature circuit is additionally deployed for air-water charge air cooling, coming straight from the SLS. Cooling of the transmission oil is integrated in the water cooling circuit for the engine.

The familiar AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission is directly flange-mounted on the transversely installed M133 engine, featuring a dual clutch, seven gears, three driving programmes, a double-declutching function and a launch control function. The 4MATIC all-wheel drive comes as standard. According to MB: “The power flux to the rear powertrain is provided by a compact power take-off unit (PTU) which is fully integrated in the 7-speed sports transmission. It does not possess an oil circuit of its own. Instead, it is supplied with lubricant from the oil circuit of the sports transmission”.

For more details, please visit our official thread (here) or click more, to read the complete press release and see our photo gallery!

Source: [Daimler AG]

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Posted in: Mercedes-Benz

The Audi A7 raised controversy with its rear end design when it was unveiled, back in April 2011. That controversy was partly forgotten later that year with the introduction of the S7 and its 420PS/550Nm 4.0TFSI V8 engine. Now, Audi chose the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit to show us the 560PS/700Nm version, called RS7.

The all new Audi RS7 comes with the same engine as its lesser brother, yet the former, taking advantage of the biturbo V8′s full potential, can reach speeds up to 305km/h, while consuming an average of 9.8l per 100 km, thanks to an innovative cylinder head design, a start-stop system and above all, the cylinder on demand (COD) system, as Audi calls their cylinder deactivation mode. Power is sent to al four wheels via an 8 speed tiptronic gearbox, with the lower gears being closely spaced for sporty response and the eighth gear being tall for reduced fuel consumption. The Quattro permanent all wheel drive system uses a center differential with a high locking rate and a separate oil cooler to regulate its temperature to distribute power between the front and rear axles. The standard configuration of 40:60 front:rear is constantly regulated by a torque vectoring software that supports the work of the differential during cornering.

The four internally vented wsave-like break discs are housed inside the standard 20 inch wheels (21″ are optional) and measure 390mm in diameter up front. Pins decouple the steel friction rings from the aluminum brake caps. The RS7 comes with an adaptive air suspension that lowers the body by 20 millimeters and adapts to the condition of the road and the driver’s style.

Please check our forum thread (here) for more information, photos and videos on the all new RS7 and while you’re there, join us by telling us your opinion. You will also find the full press release and a photo gallery after the jump.

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Posted in: Audi

Porsche has a unique way of making their cars even more desirable with every new generation or even facelift they introduce. This, of course, applies to the new Cayman which was unveiled today at the 2012 Los Angeles Motor Show. According to Porsche, this is the third generation and a completely new car and is up to 30kg lighter and 15% more efficient (in l/100km fuel consumption) compared to its predecessor.

Design wise it’s an evolution of the current Cayman and shares many aspects with the new Boxster, like the front fascia and the rear spoiler that extends to the tail lights. Under the hood, on can find a 2.7l boxer 6 cylinder engine with 275hp in the basic Cayman and a 3.4l flat six with 325hp in the Cayman S. The first 100km.h come in just 5.4sec for the Cayman and in an astonishing 4.7 for the Cayman S, with fuel consumption of less than 9l/100km for both models! Both come with a six speed manual gearbox, while a 7 speed PDK double clutch unit is available for order.

The sales are scheduled to start on March 2, 2013, with prices starting from 51,385 euros for the Cayman and 64,118 euros for the Cayman S in Germany. More details in Porsche’s press release after the jump.

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Posted in: Porsche

Porsche just announced a new power upgrade and a new series of personalisation products for the 911 Carrera S. To begin with, the power of the 3.8l boxer engine is increased to 430 hp (316 kW) from 400 hp (294 kW), which results in only 4 seconds for the zero to 100 km/h with PDK in Sport Plus mode. The top speed is also increased to 306 km/h with PDK and to 308 km/h with a seven-speed manual gearbox, yet the fuel consumption figures remain unchanged.

These enhancements of the Carrera S’es performance are a result of small changes to the electronic engine management system and special cylinder heads with different camshafts and an entirely new variable resonance intake system design with six air flaps and a resonance flap. An additional radiator is installed to prevent overheating and a new sport exhaust system that is equipped with two sets of twin tailpipes guarantees an amazing sound.

As far as the visual upgrades are concerned, the new front apron features the air intakes from the Sport Design package is combined with a fixed rear spoiler in legendary “ducktail” form. The Aerokit Cup offeres an additional fixed rear wing over the rear spoiler and a special front spoiler lip with additional air intakes. The titanium coloured engine cover with carbon inlays serves as a trademark of the Powerkit

For more details, click “more” for Porsche’s press release and photo gallery.

Source: [Porsche AG]

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Posted in: Porsche

Porsche has just released a few photos of the 918 Spyrder with the legendary Martini® Racing looks alongside the announcement of the partnership between Porsche AG and the Martini® brand, which is making the Martini® Racing design exclusively available to the innovative 918 Spyder. In the same press release Porsche hints of a less than 7.22 laptime around the famous Nürburgring-Nordschleife race circuit.

The 918, with a combined power of 770hp, makes use of an internal combustion engine with electric drives at the rear and front axles, to achieve supercar segment performance with only ~3l/100km consumption. The CFRP monocoque chassis, the fully variable aerodynamics, adaptive rear axle steering and “top pipes” exhaust system, which routes the pipes upwards, guarantee the 918′s great performance.

Full press release and photos are available after the jump.

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Posted in: Porsche