2011 Porsche Cayenne

Following leaked images onto the internet the all-new 2011 Porsche Cayenne has now been officially revealed ahead of its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

The second-generation Porsche SUV is set to go on sale in Europe from May and will offer more room, improved technology, and increased performance but most notably significantly less weight and fuel consumption.

Every model in the Cayenne range from the entry-level V-6 to the top-spec Turbo will have improved performance while using less fuel and producing fewer emissions than the previous generation.

The big news is undoubtedly the Cayenne S Hybrid, which features an advanced parallel hybrid drive system that combines a supercharged 333 horsepower 3.0-litre gasoline V-6 engine with a 47 horsepower electric motor running on lithium-ion batteries. The combined result is a V-8 like 380 horsepower and 427 pound-feet of torque, which is available from a low-down at 1,000 rpm. With correct driving conditions, either the supercharged V-6 or electric motor can operate independently or together. This means that the Cayenne S Hybrid can cover short distances running solely on electric power alone, up to speeds of 70kph.

In terms of the gasoline-only Cayennes, Porsche are claiming that on average they are 23% more fuel-efficient than the current Cayenne range, although no official fuel economy figures have been released yet.

When it comes to power the figures are tidy, the base Cayenne with a 3.6-litre V-6 engine will get 300 horsepower, while the Cayenne S gets 400 horsepower from its 4.8-litre V-8 unit. The king-pin Cayenne Turbo stays with a twin-turbocharged 4.8-litre V-8 engine and 500 horsepower.

All Cayennes will be offered with an eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission as standard. A low-speed transfer case has been dropped, making the new Cayenne even more of an on-road vehicle than the outgoing model. A stop-start system and thermal management of the engine and transmission are also set to help improve fuel economy.

While there isn’t a massive power increase for the new Cayenne it does weigh on average 180kg less than its predecessor. The weight saving has come from a new construction processes the increased use of aluminum and the removal of the two-speed transfer case.

In terms of size, the Cayenne is grown slightly in length and wheelbase.

Sales of the Cayenne in New Zealand begin on July 24. Initial models to go on sale will be the Cayenne S, S Hybrid and Turbo. These will be joined later by the V6 Diesel and V6 Petrol models.

New Zealand specification and pricing is still yet to be confirmed and will be announced nearer to the arrival date.

2010 Audi A5 Sportback

"Do you lust after an Audi A5, but need something with some extra doors and space to handle the family? Good news: Audi has just the car for you.

Well, not quite. Such a car--the 2010 Audi A5 Sportback shown here--is indeed destined for production, but not the New World. Audi says the shapely fastback doesn't mesh well with its U.S. market plans, and as such, the car will essentially be forbidden fruit for the time being.

Although it looks quite similar to the new BMW 5-series Gran Turismo, the A5 Sportback is considerably smaller. At 15.45 feet long, the A5 is a foot shorter than the Bimmer, and is closer in size to an A4.

Those accustomed to riding in the back of an A4 will complain the rear seat is slightly smaller (it's been pulled forward in light of the rakish roof), but luggage space isn't compromised one iota. The Sportback offers 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space, but that number expands to 34.6 cubic feet--nearly two-thirds of that offered in the A4 Avant--with the rear seats down. Unlike the 5-series GT, access to the cargo bay is available only through a full-size hatch.

Although it's labeled as an A5, the Sportback's engine offerings have more in common with the A4 range. The 180-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 is the A5 Sportback's base engine, available in a front-wheel-drive model with either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. A 211-hp version is also available, but only with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The A4's direct-injection 3.2-liter V-6 serves as the premium gas engine, and is available only with Quattro and the S-tronic dual-clutch transmission.

As the A5 Sportback is tailor-made for Europe, a number of diesels are also part of the model mix. Volkswagen's ubiquitous 2.0-liter turbo-diesel I-4 serves as the base engine, while 2.7-liter and 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6s offer buyers additional power. To further boost fuel economy, both the 2.0-liter gasoline and diesel engines come with a start/stop system on models with manual transmissions.

Europeans should see the A5 Sportback in dealers this September, but we'll have to wait until 2010 to see a Sportback--a larger A7 model--arrive on our shores."

Volvo’s New XC60 Premium Crossover

"Irvine, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2009) – Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, today announced that it’s upcoming entry in the small premium utility segment, the XC60, will be a 2010 model year. Set to arrive in Volvo retailers in March, the 2010 XC60 will be offered as a single well-equipped T6 AWD model featuring 281 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive with Instant Traction. Final pricing is expected to be announced late January with a base MSRP of less than $40,000.

Continuing Volvo’s quest as a pioneer and leader in vehicle safety systems, the XC60 introduces a new world’s first as standard equipment. City Safety is a driver support system aimed at preventing or mitigating collisions occurring at speeds of 19 mph or less. It utilizes a closing velocity sensor to help determine whether a collision is likely. Depending on the closing speed, City Safety will either pre-charge the brakes or automatically brake the XC60 to help avoid a rear-end collision or lessen its impact.

The 2010 XC60 also announces Volvo dynamic new design language. From every angle, the XC60’s dramatic style takes Volvo design DNA to the next level by artfully blending muscular lower body cues capped off by a sporty coupe-like greenhouse. The XC60 features a charismatic strong shoulder line while adding more expressive design elements front and rear.

The XC60 is Volvo’s first all-new carline to offer HD Radio as standard equipment updating radio to digital quality. FM broadcast quality improves to the level of a typical CD while AM broadcast quality is improved to the prior level of FM. The XC60’s standard high performance sound system includes AUX and USB inputs to allow connection and control of personal music devices such as iPodsTM, memory sticks and other media players."
Source Volvo Cars USA

Lotus

"Lotus was founded by the brilliant engineer Colin Chapman and we have always held his principles at the core of everything we do; innovation, performance through light weight, excellent ride and handling and fun to drive.

A hand-built manufacturing process using our innovative aluminium chassis provides an involving and communicative drive. Lightweight materials and finely tuned suspension ensures lightning responsiveness and inspirational handling.

Every modern Lotus embodies these values to create the most pure driving experience available in any car today. These values are now more relevant than ever. Our obsession with low mass ensures that efficient, exhilarating performance will always be the trademark of our cars."

Mazda Mazdaspeed 3

"Ignore, if you can, all the various 'MPS' emblems on this hot hatch. They won't be on the car when it's sold in North America as the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3.

Like its staid sedan and hatchback siblings, the latest iteration of the Mazdaspeed 3 is far from revolutionary. In fact, most changes are cosmetic, including the new wide-eyed front fascia, revised hatch and taillights, and a new hood scoop.

Evolutionary also applies to what's under the hood. The turbocharged 2.3-liter I-4 seen in the last-generation Mazdaspeed 3 soldiers on in the 2010 model, producing the same 260 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Likewise, it's still mated only to a six-speed manual transmission, channeling power to the front wheels.

Still, there are a few things to love about Mazdaspeed's latest compact. To start, the car benefits from additional chassis tuning, including new reinforcements in the firewall and body tunnel to add stiffness. Mazda claims new half shafts were designed to reduce torque steer, and new 18-inch wheels, patterned after those on the RX-8, are capable of handling wider Dunlop 225/40R18 rubber.

And there's also the matter of the car's interior. While the previous 3's cabin wasn't intolerable, the new car's living quarters are a vast improvement. The wraparound dashboard is both slick and sophisticated, and it's highlighted by red-tinted carbon fiber accents. This theme continues with the seating, which wears black leather skins with bright red stitching.

Although it may not represent a quantum leap in power, the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 mixes new refinements with an already potent performance car. We can't wait to get our hands on one when it arrives in the U.S. later this year."