Audi A3 Sedan, 2014

 

 

 Audi A3 Sedan, 2014

With the launch of the A3 Sedan in spring 2013, Audi is entering the world's largest market segment, the class of compact sedans. The dynamic four-door car offers all of the strengths of the A3 model series - with low weight thanks to lightweight design, powerful and highly efficient engines and numerous high-end solutions for infotainment as well as driver assistance systems. The top model of the series is the S3 Sedan with 221 kW (300 hp).

The Exterior Design
The Audi A3 Sedan has a sporty stance on the road, and it is precise and highly expressive in every detail. Its design is a cross between the classic three-box concept and the coupé philosophy. The "tornado line" design element forms a distinct light-refracting edge that runs over the entire side. The overhangs are short. The four-door car has a 2.64 meter (8.66 ft) long wheelbase and an overall length of 4.46 meters (14.63 ft).

Above the side sills, the dynamic line rises more sharply than on the other two A3 models. The side surfaces are more intensively curved, and the wheel arches are slightly more flared. With a width of 1.80 meters (5.91 ft), the A3 Sedan is eleven mm (0.43 in) wider than the A3 Sportback; its height (1.42 meters [4.66 ft]) is still nine mm (0.35 in) lower than that of the Sportback.

The four-door car also expresses independent lines in the contour of its hood, in the bumpers, air intakes and its implementation of the singleframe grille. At the rear, the spoiler is integrated in the trunk lid, and the lights emphasize the car's horizontal lines with their broad and low cuts. LED technology is available as an option. Audi will also be offering full-LED headlights right at market launch - their innovative technology and distinctive appearance underscore the exceptional positioning of the Audi A3 Sedan.

The Body
With a 1.4 TFSI engine, the sedan has a curb weight of just 1,250 kg (2,755.78 lb). Audi uses many hot-shaped steel parts in the passenger compartment for low weight and maximum strength, while the engine hood is made of aluminum. The body is very rigid, crash-safe and quiet.

The strict dictate of lightweight design carries over into the interior and the engines as well. The four-cylinder engine weighs just over 100 kg (220.46 lb).

The Powertrain
When the Audi A3 Sedan launches in Germany and Europe, the engine line-up will consist of three four-cylinder engines. Completely redesigned, the engines bring together efficiency technologies from Audi - direct fuel injection, turbocharging, innovative thermal management and the start-stop-system. The line-up of engines and transmissions will grow further, and will include two new basic engines.

The 2.0 TDI produces 110 kW (150 hp) and develops 320 Nm (236.02 lb-ft) of torque. It accelerates the Audi A3 Sedan from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 8.7 seconds and takes it to a top speed of 220 km/h (136.70 mph). Its combined fuel consumption is 4.1 liters per 100 km (57.37 US mpg) - for a CO2 equivalent of 108 grams per km (172.20 g/mile).

Key performance parameters of the 1.4 TFSI are 103 kW (140 hp) and 250 Nm (184.39 lb-ft). At low engine load, the COD (cylinder on demand) system deactivates two cylinders. The 1.4-liter engine gives the car a combined fuel consumption of just 4.7 liters fuel per 100 km (50.05 US mpg); its CO2 emissions are 109 grams per km (175.42 g/mile). It takes just 8.4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph), and the car's top speed with this engine is 213 km/h (132.35 mph).

The 1.8 TFSI produces 132 kW (180 hp) and 250 Nm (184.39 lb-ft) of torque. It utilizes an extensive package of high-end technologies, including dual injection into the combustion chambers and the induction manifold. It enables sporty performance, taking 7.3 seconds for the standard sprint to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) and reaching a top speed of 235 km/h (146.02 mph). Its combined fuel consumption is 5.6 liters per 100 km (42.00 US mpg), equivalent to 129 grams CO2 per km (207.61 g/mile).

Depending on the engine, either a manual six-speed transmission or the S tronic is used. The dual-clutch transmission shifts the gears without any noticeable break in propulsive power. It is controlled by either the selector lever or paddles on the steering wheel.

The D shifting map is laid out for maximum fuel efficiency, while the rev levels are somewhat higher in the sporty S mode. In cooperation with the Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system, the S tronic offers a free-wheeling function in its efficiency mode which further reduces fuel consumption.

Chassis
The pole position that the Audi A3 Sedan has enjoyed in its segment is largely due to its chassis engineering. Providing the foundation here is a finely balanced axle load distribution (60 percent front and 40 percent rear, varies somewhat for different engines). All engines are tilted twelve degrees towards the rear, while the front wheel suspensions are placed far forward.

The front suspension is a MacPherson design with A-arms and aluminum pivot bearings. It is joined to an aluminum subframe. The electromechanically assisted steering system operates sensitively and efficiently together with various assistance systems. In the four-link rear suspension, which utilizes a steel crossmember, the springs and shock absorbers are mounted separately. The sport suspensions for the Ambition line and S line lower the body by up to 25 mm (0.98 in).

The Audi A3 Sedan has 16- to 18-inch-wheels; quattro GmbH can also deliver wheels up to 19 inches in diameter. The front brake discs are internally ventilated.

Electronic stabilization control or ESC also includes an electronic differential lock. In fast driving through curves, it brakes the inside front wheel very slightly to minimize understeering and improve traction.

The Interior
The interior of the Audi A3 Sedan is characterized by impressive attention to detail. The lines and surfaces are cleanly designed, and a long arc spans the width of the windshield. The instrument panel with its curved front is slender, and the center console is slightly turned towards the driver. The optional color display of the driver information system (DIS) shows images in highly detailed 3D graphics.

Starting with the MMI Radio system, the MMI operating system has an electrically extending screen. Its terminal is housed in the console of the center tunnel. The electromechanical parking brake is activated by a pushbutton. The steering wheel has either three or four spokes, depending on the version. The customer can also order the steering wheel with a flat bottom, multifunction keys and shift paddles. Audi can also install sport seats in the front as an option. They are standard in the Ambition line, where S sport seats with integrated head restraints are available as an option.

The interior colors - black, titan gray, pashmina beige and chestnut brown - are based on the specific equipment line. The two-tone Audi design selection lasso brown creates an exclusive color world. The S line sport package, which can be ordered for the A3 Sedan Ambition, immerses the interior space entirely in black. Available upholstery materials include fabric covers, a mix of fabric and artificial leather, Milano leather and a combination of Pearl nappa leather and Alcantara.

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Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430, 2015

 

 

 Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430, 2015

Pure, unadulterated fun is what lies at the heart of the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430. Honed on the track to excel on the road, N430 - available in Coupe or Roadster form - boasts a power hike to 436 PS at 7,300 rpm that brings its output up to that of the spirited V8 Vantage S.

Ian Minards, Director of Product Development at Aston Martin, said of the new car: "N430 is all about bringing track-honed excitement to the road in an accessible, emotionally engaging, and authentically 'analogue' way. The dynamic exhilaration of Vantage is the perfect complement to the eye-catching looks of the N430."

Ally that inherent dynamic capability to lightweight and sporting-biased features as standard such as carbon fibre and Kevlar seats and ten-spoke forged alloy wheels in a new graphite painted finish - together yielding a weight saving of 20 kg - and it's clear that the GT4-inspired N430 has been created to deliver exceptional performance with a club sport ethos.

No surprise, then, that the new V8 Vantage N430 is capable of 190 mph, with a 0-60 mph time that drops to 4.6 seconds.
That power feeds the rear wheels through a sporty six-speed manual gearbox; with the option of a close-ratio seven-speed Sportshift™II automated manual transmission with short final-drive ratio for those demanding the most driver-focused yet involving set-up.

N430's front mid-mounted, 4.7-litre, all-alloy, quad overhead cam, dry-sumped V8 engine is complemented by a rousing sports exhaust, aerodynamics honed through numerous wins in GT racing and a competition-derived braking system.

The compact proportions and inherent balance of the Vantage design are supported by a carefully calibrated sports suspension tune and quick-ratio steering rack that rewards the true enthusiast driver on road, and on track.

Countless hours testing at circuits around the globe, including the Nürburgring's Nordschleife which is home to a dedicated Aston Martin Test Centre, have delivered a machine truly worthy to join Aston Martin's family of 'N' cars.

Styled to evoke thoughts of the track, N430 celebrates Aston Martin's sporting heritage and motorsport success.
A purposeful package of dark-themed exterior details - graphite painted forged alloy wheels alongside black front grille, headlamp bezels, exterior meshes, side window surrounds and textured tailpipe finishers and clear rear lamps with black surrounds convey the appropriate air of menace and excitement.

This neatly offsets the eye-catching liveries with optional club sports graphics packs - inspired in part by the exceptional CC100 Speedster concept and nodding to Aston Martin's most famous motorsport triumph, the DBR1 - that leave no doubt to the car's identity or character.

The inside, as out, N430's sporting associations are unmistakable with new interior features and materials such as machined carbon sill plaques, N430 seat logos, black magnesium paddle-shifts or carbon fibre gearshift surround; contemporary driver instrument panel; black anodised rotaries; leather steering wheel with contrasting on-centre stitch feature (or Alcantara with matching stitch); seat and door inserts in technical PlissèAlcantara - indented leather on Roadster models - and unique seat trim patterns.

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Alfa Romeo MiTo, 2014

 

 

 Alfa Romeo MiTo, 2014

The new Alfa Romeo MiTo Model Year 2014 revamps its technological image while maintaining its consolidated image as a sporty compact capable of winning over motorists who demand care for details, Italian style and technical excellence for total safety driving style.

The 2014 range introduces some important new style features, starting from the new redesigned grille completed by a chrome-plated frame to create a family feeling with the Giulietta, making the front of the car look more streamlined. Other new features are the Anthracite Grey body colour and the burnished finish of the front light clusters that characterise all trim levels.

The interiors are even more sophisticated, now with four new upholstery combinations to choose from: two new Evoluzione fabrics (Black/Titanium or Black/Red) for Distinctive, the QV Sportiva pack with a new sporty seat and white inserts (available for Distinctive only) and the new Heritage Black fabric with electrically welded Alfa Romeo badge for the Quadrifoglio Verde.

Innovations also in the dashboard portfolio: Street with specific black version for Impression, Progression and QV Sportiva; and Evoluzione - two dashboard designs, both shaded (grey-black or black-red) for Distinctive.

New 0.9 Turbo Twin Air 105 HP
The engine is the heart and at the same time the true strength of every Alfa Romeo model. And the Alfa Romeo MiTo Model Year 2014 is no exception: under its sporty line and strong personality, the new car offers an extensive range of superb engines, packed with the latest technology and bursting with performance, which are also environmentally-friendly. Not to mention the fact that Alfa Romeo power units are distinguished by their unmistakable Alfa Romeo sound that emphasises the unique nature of the car while complying fully with type approval constraints and environmental aspects.

One of the most important innovations of the MiTo MY 2014 is the new 105 HP 0.9 TwinAir distinguished by its dazzling personality and low fuel consumption. Combined with a six-speed manual gearbox and with the DNA selector in Dynamic position, the new engine delivers 105 HP (72 kW) at 5500 rpm and a peak torque of 145 Nm at 2000 rpm (ratings are 105 HP@5750 rpm and 120 Nm@1750 rpm, respectively, in Natural mode).

Furthermore, the 105 HP Twin Air is the best expression of eco-friendliness, as confirmed by its consumption and CO2 emissions, which are among the lowest in its class: 4.2 litres/100 km and 99 g/km on the type-approval combined cycle, respectively. Remarkably, emissions are so low that comply with the European standards of 2020 already today. In other words, the 105 HP TwinAir Turbo is comfortable, cost-effective, eco-friendly and never boring when it comes to performance: it clocks a top speed of 184 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in only 11.4 seconds, in addition to having a remarkable specific power of 120 HP/litre, which ranks it among the sportiest of engines.

The new Twin Air family engine combines the concept of downsizing (displacement and weight reduction) with sophisticated technologies, like supercharging with high-efficiency turbocharger, integration of the exhaust manifold in the cylinder head and the totally new Multi Air intake valve control system. With its unique intake cam profile, the Multi Air second generation further optimises thermodynamic efficiency of the engine by modulating the amount of exhaust gas recirculated in the combustion chamber (internal EGR).

The new 105 HP 0.9 Twin Air completes the range engines that consists of 2 turbo diesel engines - 85 HP 1.3 JTDM and 120 HP 1.6 JTDM (both updated in E5+) - and 5 petrol engines: 70 HP 1.4, 78 HP 1.4, 135 HP 1.4 Multi Air Turbo Petrol (with manual gearbox or Alfa TCT automatic transmission) and the 170 HP 1.4 Multi Air Turbo Petrol. The engine range also includes the 120 HP 1.4 LPG Turbo, a superb concentration of power and technology, which combines top-notch performance, environmental-friendliness and low running costs. New drivers can choose the 70 HP 1.4 and the 78 HP 1.4 petrol engines or the 85 HP 1.3 Jtdm diesel version.

The Infotainment
The multimedia device is made by Continental and based on Uconnect, the next-generation infotainment platform concept, is debuting on 2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo to reconfirm the technology ambassador spirit that characterised the car's first steps.

Available with or without integrated navigation system developed with Tom Tom, the device features a 5" colour touchscreen for accessing many functions, the radio and the multimedia devices (media player, iPod, iPhone, smartphone) connectable via USB port and the Aux-in connector.

The system also includes an advanced Bluetooth interface to access extra functions, such as phone call management or reading received SMS text messages via text-to-speech technology, innovative Audio Streaming system that reproduces music files and web radio stations directly from a smartphone in streaming via Bluetooth on the U Connect device.

By choosing the version with integrated navigation you have the opportunity to enjoy additional new features: in addition to the built-in navigation developed in collaboration with Tom Tom (with voice recognition), the system will be equipped with GPS system, IQ Routes (which calculates the best route based on the real average speeds measured on the roads) and Info traffic system with real time updates.

Safety
The Alfa Romeo MiTo was designed to obtain the maximum score in passive and active safety tests. In short, total protection making it one of the safest cars in the field of motoring, as demonstrated by the prestigious five Euro NCAP stars.

The new car offers, as standard on the entire range, the most sophisticated electronic devices for maximum dynamic vehicle control (from braking to traction) implemented to increase dynamic limits even further, non-intrusive to the driver, but affording all-round safety.

In addition to a braking system affording excellent performance levels, the Alfa Romeo MiTo Model Year 2014 is equipped with the ABS anti-lock braking system, one of the most sophisticated currently available, complete with electronic brake force distribution (EBD). Other functions include the electronic stability (ESC) and traction (ASR) control systems, the hydraulic brake assistance for emergency braking system (HBA), assisted hill start system (HILL HOLDER), the system that controls engine braking when the accelerator pedal is released (MSR) and the Cornering Brake Control (CBC) system. The extensive range is completed by the Alfa Q2 - the electronic system reproducing the action of a self-locking differential - and Alfa Active Steering, the 'active electronic steering' that prompts the driver to correct over steering on poor-grip surfaces through a light impulse on the steering wheel.

The Alfa Romeo MiTo MY 2014 is one of the safest cars in its segment and also in the field of motoring as a whole. The new model represents the state-of-the-art as far as passive safety is concerned. Total protection, in short, as evidenced by seven airbags as standard (two of which Multistage), three-point seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, an anti-whiplash device built into the backrest on the front seats, 5 warning lights displayed on a small screen to inform the driver whether the seat belts of all the passengers are securely fastened, and LED rear lights to improve the visibility of the car. Not to mention the contribution to occupant protection made by the body, the bonnet, the doors and the dashboard crossmember in addition to the seats and steering column, that have been designed with a view to their behaviour in the event of an accident.

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Acura RDX, 2013

 

 Acura RDX, 2013

The 2013 Acura RDX, the second generation of Acura's 5 passenger crossover SUV, up the ante with a new approach to achieving both advanced performance and fuel efficiency via a new engine, transmission and all-wheel-drive system.

The 2013 RDX rides on a 4-wheel independent suspension with a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension design. A longer wheelbase, wider track and lower center of gravity provide the foundation for the new RDX's improved handling and ride quality. New chassis technology for 2013 includes Acura-exclusive Amplitude Reactive Dampers and a new Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering system that replaces the previous hydraulic steering. The 2013 RDX  available in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants.

Standard features for 2013 Acura RDX include bold new 5-spoke 18-inch wheels and improved 4-wheel disc brakes that include an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Not only do the brakes provide better performance, but they also incorporate improvements to lessen brake drag for reduced rolling resistance and improved fuel economy.

Replacing the turbocharged 2.3-liter inline 4-cylinder used with the previous RDX, the 2013 RDX now have as standard equipment a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 273 horsepower—33 more than the outgoing model. For even higher performance and improved fuel economy, the Acura RDX makes use of an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission with a new lock-up torque converter. The RDX also gets a new, lighter weight all-wheel-drive system that provides outstanding performance and safety with increased efficiency to achieve higher fuel economy.

With an EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 20/28 mpg, front-wheel-drive versions of the 2013 Acura RDX are expected to offer the best fuel economy of any gasoline-powered V6 luxury SUV in the class. All-wheel-drive models deliver an EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy of 19/27 mpg.

The RDX boasts a sleek and more aerodynamic body, evolving Acura RDX from a sporty, compact SUV to a more formal SUV appearance with a longer, sculpted hood and styling that is more elegant and sophisticated to match the Acura philosophy of timeless, beautiful design.

Inside the 2013 RDX, new sweeping shapes, matte surface trim, and generous use of leather combine to give the RDX interior an upscale look and luxury feel that Acura customers have come to expect. Abundant use of sound deadening materials and Active Sound Control team to provide an exceptionally quiet cabin. Additional interior features, such as larger door openings, more passenger room, increased cargo volume and an available power rear tailgate make the Acura RDX interior even more accommodating and flexible.

Passenger safety has always been a cornerstone of every Acura model. In addition to using Acura's acclaimed Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, the 2013 Acura RDX employs new design features and myriad high strength materials aimed specifically at occupant protection. Although yet to be tested, Acura anticipates that the RDX will achieve top crash safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2013 RDX produced (using U.S. and globally sourced parts) exclusively by the company's East Liberty, Ohio plant—home to one of four of the top five-rated assembly lines in North America in the J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Study (IQS). The first generation Acura RDX is produced at the Marysville, Ohio auto plant.

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