Audi A5 Sportback revealed before Paris Auto Show

Audi revealed the new A5 and S5 sportback before its world debut in the Paris Auto Show. The second generation Audi A5 Sportback will be sold in both Europe and America.

The Audi A5 Sportback, for those who are not used to the Audi Nomenclature system, is a 4-door version of the 2017 Audi A5. Resemblance is near with the previous generation Sportback and the Audi A4 on which it is based. It comes with two engine variant, a small 2.0L straight 4 engine, produces 252 bhp from 5,000 to 6,000 rpm and 370 Nm of torque between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm, coupled to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for the A5. There is also a 3.0L turbocharged V6, making 354 bhp and 500 Nm of torque, this one is coupled to a 8-speed automatic gearbox, available for the S5. Audi said that the 3.0L engine will take the car from 0 to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds and his top speed is 250 kph. Both variants come with Audi’s All-wheel-drive.

The new Audi A5 comes with driver assist features like the collision avoidance auto braking, adaptive cruise control that can assist the driver in acceleration, speed (limit to 40 mph), breaking and even steering, traffic jam assist, park assist, cross-traffic assist rear, exit warning, turn assist, collision avoidance assist and camera-based recognition of traffic signs. The interior is spacier with 17 mm larger cabin, 11 mm more in shoulder space and 25 mm more for knee space compared to the previous A5. The A5 features a high resolution screen to run all infotainment and control systems.

The price and the rest of the options were not announced yet, more to come on the Mondial de l’Auto on the Sep 29th.

 

Kia reveals the 2017 Kia Rio in sketches

Kia best selling model (470000 sold units around the globe) in 2015, will come to Paris Auto Show (Mondial de l’automobile) in a new look, presented by Kia only in sketch form, and we hope it will look as great as it does on paper.

Kia did not give much information about the new Rio, so we expect more at the presentation in Paris. But the sketch looks a bit more aggressive, sportier, and with a bit of attitude. Designers in South Korea, Germany and California did many changes to the exterior and interior design. Kia promises great practicality and use of new technology to guarantee a safer driving. Competition will be of course with Ford Fiesta.

 

2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed

After many customers complaints that they were not getting enough from the 505 bhp old Bentley Mulsanne, Bentley came up with a newer, more powerful version with plenty of torque. It is the Mulsanne Speed, that was improved in every way compared to the old one thanks to the help of professional drivers and chauffeurs.

Customization started from the engine. The Mulsanne has a 6.75l V8 that produces 530 bhp and 1100 Nm of torque. This increase in power and torque, is due to revision to the turbocharging system, a revamped compression ratio, new combustion chamber, inlet ports, spark plugs, fuel injectors. The optimized turbocharging system now is boosting the car even at low Rpm’s. As a result, the bullet Mulsanne accelerates to 100 km/h in just 4,8 seconds, 5,3 for the base car, which is pretty impressive if you note the weigh of the car : 2,6 tonnes. The 8-speed paddle-shifted gearbox is reworked to give a better torque. Top speed is expected to be around 300 to 305 km/h.

The car has improved fuel consumption and CO2 emission as well. Now, thanks to better control of the combustion, optimizing of the variable valve timing, and cylinder deactivation system, the Mulsanne Speed can do up to 80 km on a single fuel tank. It has a fue consumption of 12 to 19 Mpg in city and highway, and 14 mpg combined. The CO2 emission improved by 23% compared to the older model, and now the car does only 342g/km.

There are 3 variable driving modes in the car : The “S” mode, which keeps the engine revs up to receive boosts from the turbochargers in full time, the Sport mode, which stiffens the suspension, adjusts the steering for a sportier drive, and the custom mode which is dedicated for the drivers who know what they are doing, therefore they can adjust the engine, suspension, brake setting to their taste of driving.

The Mulsanne Speed saw the light only 15 days of being revealed on the internet, it will cost up to 350000€ to get a two-months hand-assembled luxurious Bentley Mulsanne, the torquiest sedan in the world.

Source Bentley.

VW XL Sport

There were many surprises at the Paris Auto Show, one of which was the amazing Volkswagen XL Sport. It is based on the XL 1, that symbolizes the partnership between Ducati and Volkswagen. The XL Sport is an updated, more powerful version of the XL1.

The car has a rear mounted Ducati V-twin Superleggera 1199 engine, slightly modified than the one used on the XL1. It is the most powerful two-cylinder engine, that can rev up to 11000 Rpm. Ducati uses a hand fabrication and high-precision manufacturing industrial process. and the result is staggering. The engine is now a tough engne, it has strong light titanium connecting roads, double-overhead camshafts. It has a bore/stroke ratio of 112 mm by 60.8 mm. The two cylinders are disposed in 90° configuration, they feature desmodromic valve control, thus ensuring the best valve clearance. Magnesium was used in different parts of the engine such as the  clutch, cylinder head, oil pan covers, the throttle valve discs and the fuel injectors, which are two per cylinder. As a result, the total power is 200 bhp and 134 Nm. The engine has the best power to weight ration of any motorcycle ever made. The car can reach 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds (which is a bit tomorrow in supercars time) and tops 168 mph. The car has a doube-clutch DSG 7-speed gearbox fitted to it

The XL Sport does look like the XL1 model, but it has better aerodynamics. the frontal area is 1.7 sq m and the drag coefficient Cd is one of the lowest available 0.258, there fore the Cda is 0.44 sq m. The car has a higher downforce, wider tires air intakes for air cooling, special vanes used to channel the air in the front, the underbody was reworked to get a better aerodynamic result, air ducts on the hood, an extendable rear spoiler (that uses the same electric motor as the Lamborghini Aventador) and a rear diffuser. The are air cooling vents in the rear to cool the power unit of the car. Other then the aerodynamics, the XL sport is wider, larger, but has the same height as the old XL1. It is 168 in long, 72.7 in large, has a 87.6 in long wheelbase, and 45.4 in high. It has a newer, revised chassis as well.

In the inside, the two cars look similar as well. The Sport has a red finishing in the seats. Aluminium, and leather are used in the interior. It houses a digital instrument cluster (lap timer, oil pressure display..). The steering wheel is decorated by red stitching and has aluminium shift-paddles mounted to it. The air vents have aluminium accents, same as the DSG shift gate.

500 units will be produced, which is the double of the XL1’s. In terms of sport car values, the XL Sport stands well, Volkswagen did a great job, used newer materials, to gain weight, and efficiency, they claim that the car will do a 1L/km which is really needed in today’s conditions.

Source : Volkswagen Press release

Aston Martin Lagonda

The Lagonda is back, revealed on the Paris Auto Show, keeping almost the same angle-shaped design. It is however destined for Middle east markets only. The old Aston Martin Lagonda was one of the first cars to use computerized engine management, and a digital instrumentation panel. But this time, Aston Martin did not reveal much about the newer car. It is based on the Rapide S, it is 5.4  m long, and has a 3.18m long wheel base.

It is said that the car, will have the same engine in the Rapide S, which is a 6.0l v12 engine, deiveling 560 bhp and 620 Nm of torque. Power transmission to the rear wheels will be via a 6-speed auto gearbox from ZF. The car is expected to do 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds, and reach 300 km/h in top speed.
Same as the Lagonda, and the Rapide S on which the new Lagonda is based, it is a super luxurious saloon car. The interior is covered with leather, courtesy of Q. The car has a lighweight aluminium body structure, same as the Vanquish and other models of Aston Martin. The front has a larger grille, the one used for the 1976′ Lagonda was a few square centimeters. The car uses full LED lights.

 Source : Aston Martin