car.kak.net

With more than 15 million cars built, the Passat and Passat Variant rank among the really big successes in automotive history. Now Volkswagen is extending the model range of this car line by adding a third dimension: the Passat CC. Its fully independent body design, an interior that has sporty individual bucket seats in the rear too, impressive powertrain systems and technological highlights worthy of the luxury class, meld together to create a unique vehicle in the Passat’s market segment. The Passat CC is an elegant sedan and a dynamic coupé simultaneously. The concept and design of this Volkswagen are defining fresh, new directions beyond the mainstream.

Read the rest of this entry »

The iconic Pirelli name is set to make a return to the Golf GTI range exactly 25 years after the original made its debut as the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli is launched in the UK. Originally introduced in May 1983 the GTI Pirelli was based on the MkI Golf and featured the distinctive Pirelli ‘P’ alloy wheels.  The vehicle proved to be an instant hit with its planned production run of just 10,500 vehicles selling out within six-months. For 2008 the GTI Pirelli returns to the UK.  Based on the MkV GTI bodyshell the new vehicle features uprated dynamics and aesthetics to distinguish it from the standard car.

Read the rest of this entry »

Today the covers come off the most important new model in Spanish car maker SEAT’s recent history with the unveiling of the all-new Ibiza five-door supermini. The newcomer’s dramatic debut, at the firm’s Martorell HQ near Barcelona, marks the start of a major product offensive from the ambitious Spanish brand which will, over the coming months, also see the debut of further Ibiza variants, as well as striking new saloon and estate contenders in the upper medium segment.

Read the rest of this entry »

Automobile sportiness is the order of the day at the Volkswagen brand stand in Hall 7: the presentation focuses on the various generations of the Scirocco. “Scirocco” is the term for a hot wind from the Sahara blowing towards the Mediterranean coast. From 1974, though, Volkswagen offered its customers much more than just hot air with the Scirocco. Like the ground-breaking Golf concept, the Scirocco brought a breath of fresh air to the Wolfsburg model program.

Read the rest of this entry »

On the eve of the new HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship season, which kicks off at Brands Hatch on Sunday 30th March, SEAT is giving style-conscious car buyers the chance to stand out from the pit lane crowd with the launch of a new, race-bred Leon special edition. The unveiling of the exciting new Leon FR550 coincides with SEAT Sport UK’s determined assault on the 2008 BTCC crown.  The Northants-based team once again promises to be at the business end of the grid as drivers Jason Plato and Darren Turner bid for glory in their radical, diesel-powered, Leon TDI racers.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Audi R8 has achieved a double victory at the 2008 World Car of the Year awards, winning both the World Performance Car and the World Car Design of the Year awards. The super sports car from Audi was chosen for these awards by 47 World Car jurors from 24 countries throughout the world. When naming the Audi R8 as the 2008 World Performance Car, the jurors observed that it has “solid credentials on paper thanks to its mid-mounted 420 horsepower V8 engine and aluminum construction. But where it excels is in the exceptional balance, refinement and control that grant the driver the confidence to push to the limit. It has astonishing precision for a car of its size category”.

Read the rest of this entry »

Seven gears that shift at lightning speed without interrupting traction - Audi presents a new phase in the evolution of transmission systems. The seven-speed S tronic combines its dynamic working method with high efficiency. The new twin-clutch transmission is designed to work with longitudinally installed engines and the quattro all-wheel drive system, and its 550 Nm torque capacity makes it suitable for a wide range of sporty models. Audi will introduce the new S tronic into multiple model lines in series production during the course of this year.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Audi Sport quattro has just turned 25 years of age. In 1983, the “Shorty”, as it was affectionately known, caused a sensation as the most powerful series-produced German car. It is thus logical that Audi Tradition will be represented at the 20th Techno Classica in Essen, Germany (from 26 to 30 March 2008) with the motto “25 years of Audi Sport quattro”. The five featured series-production vehicles will not be the only highlights on the Audi stand in Hall Seven. As a special feature, Audi Tradition will be presenting the latest addition to its own historic collection: the Audi Sport quattro Group B rally car. There are only five remaining examples of this race car worldwide. New from this year: Audi Tradition will now be offering a strictly limited edition (333 units) 1:43-scale model car of the year, the first of which can be purchased at the Techno Classica. In 2008 this is an Audi Sport quattro in orange.

Read the rest of this entry »

Prices now confirmed for new Audi premium compact cabriolet which will reach the UK in good time for top-down motoring. The ideal antidote to the winter blues - the new Audi A3 Cabriolet - can be administered by Audi Centres from this week as the brand’s first premium compact class ‘open top’ opens for order in standard, Sport and S line trim with OTR prices ranging from £20,750 to £27,060. Deliveries will begin in May.

Read the rest of this entry »

Volkswagen has revealed full details of its range-topping Touareg luxury 4×4 - the R50 - which offers customers more power and equipment, and boasts one of the most powerful diesel engines available on the market. At the heart of the Touareg R50 is Volkswagen’s award-winning 5.0-litre V10 TDI engine, uprated from 313 PS to produce 350 PS at 3,500 rpm. Beyond the power output, the R50’s engine has also been given a substantial boost to produce an extra 100 Nm of torque: if the standard car’s 750 Nm was more than enough to enable the Touareg to tow a Boeing 747, pulling power of an enormous 850 Nm (627 lbs ft) sets the R50 yet further apart from the crowd.

Read the rest of this entry »