Milotec Lays its Hands on the Skoda Octavia II RS

The second generation Octavia is one of the most successful out of Volkswagen - Skoda partnership. And as RS, the Octavia is perhaps one of the best proposals in the family car segment for those who wish to trade some performance VW Golf GTI and attributes handling more space and increased functionality without breaking their budget.

Although not as popular as the GTI at the scene of spare parts, is a selection of tuners that offer many improvements in the Octavia RS, which is available in Europe with a choice of two engines, one gasoline of 2, 0 liters TFSI producing 200 horsepower and a 2.0-liter TDI diesel with 170 horsepower.

Skoda Milotec a specialist tuning them and presented a new design and a tuning package for hatchback versions of the Octavia RS.

Outside, Milotec designed a new grille with matching covers lights, a new front bumper spoiler with revised carbon wrap the roof and a rear apron diffuser and boot spoiler.

The more aggressive look is completed by new 19-inch alloy wheels finished in the same color as the body and wrapped around Hankook S1 Evo tires size 225/35 R19 and a new sport suspension kit from H & R, which drops the ride height.

Milotec also offers a range of internal improvements such as aluminum pedals and footrest, aluminum fittings tailored to the dashboard and door panels and custom cut.

Both petrol and diesel version of the Octavia RS series can be equipped with a sports exhaust system of the new Milotec increase production by 5 percent, while the tuner has also developed a new ECU the load capacity of 2.0 liters TDI 200 - horses.

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Subtle Updates for 2012 Holden Commodore

While Holden's engineering team is working hard on the development of the new generation Commodore dubbed VF, which is expected to launch within the next two to three years, the company's designers took some time off to spiff up the current model.

For the 2012 model year, Australia's homegrown Commodore VE (sold as the Pontiac G8 in the States before the brand was axed) receives some minor exterior and interior enhancements, plus the introduction of the track-inspired FE3 sports suspension on the Redline series.

On the outside, select models receive chrome accents up front, while the Omega gains new 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, the Calais V a new lip spoiler and the SS V-Series Redline Edition new-look forged and polished 19-inch alloy wheels plus rear brake calipers.

Holden also introduces two new exterior colors named Perfect Blue and Chlorophyll. The blue hue pays homage to Australian motorsport icon Peter Brock and his famous Formula Blue HDT Group A VK SS Commodore that was launched back in 1985.

“We wanted the colour to express that unique connection Holden had with Peter, who was an incredibly talented man and a fine ambassador for Holden," said Holden Chief Designer Sharon Gauci. "Peter left a lasting impression on Holden and our company heritage so Perfect Blue is our way of celebrating his achievements,” she added.

Inside, Holden has added silver stitching to the optional Onyx and Razor leather interior trims, while also updating the iQ multimedia system to be compatible with the latest smartphones.

Finally, Holden’s previously optional FE3 super sports suspension set-up is now standard across all three body styles of the SS V Redline Edition series including the sedan, Sportwagon and Ute.

 

 

Interior and exterior design enhancements across the range include:

Omega
•New seven-spoke 16” alloy wheels
•New chrome-highlighted lower outboard fascia inserts

Berlina
Builds on Omega features with –
•New unique chrome-highlighted fog lamp surrounds
•New interior silver seat stitching to complement the Razor/Onyx leather fabric trim option

Calais
No change

Calais V-Series
•New sedan lip spoiler
(also available as an accessory across the remaining sedan line-up)

Commodore SV6 and SS
•New chrome-highlighted lower air dam and front grille surround
•New interior silver stitching on seat and door trims with Razor/Onyx leather trim

Commodore SS V-Series
Builds on SV6 and SS features with –
•Additional chrome-accented lower outboard inserts
•Redhot interior stitching on seats and door trim for models featuring the Redhot interior trim (only available with Redhot, Phantom and Alto Grey exterior colours)
Redline
Builds on SS V only, with -
•FE3 performance tuned-suspension added to Sportwagon and Ute – now available across all three Commodore body styles
•New 10-spoke 19” polished and forged alloy wheels
•New red-painted Brembo 4-piston front brakes and rear brake callipers

The VE MY12 colour palette features 11 choices, including two new colours. The new colours are:

•Perfect Blue – a bright solid blue based on Brock’s Formula Blue
•Chlorophyll – a metallic teal

Carryover colors include:

•Alto Grey –mid-toned grey with silver highlights
•Hazard – head turning bright solid yellow
•Mirage Glow – a light, soft and luxurious beige
•Sizzle – bright metallic red
•Heron – solid white
•Karma – an architectural blue with metallic highlights
•Nitrate – a classic silver metallic
•Phantom – metallic black with silver highlights
•Red Hot – highly chromatic solid red

 

 

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2012 MY Volvo XC90 Receives Mild Updates in Europe

Despite being launched way back in 2002, the XC90 is still holding on in the sales front –even recording its best-ever year in the UK in 2010 with 7,000 units, and global sales of 37,000 cars. Now Volvo has decided to introduce some mild updates for the 2012MY.

Exterior modifications of the 2012 XC90, which will be available in October, include new LED day running lights in the lower front bumper, LED rear brake lights, a redesigned bumper bar, new six-spoke 18-inch alloys and, finally, the addition of roof rails to the standard specification of all trim models.

The interior sports a new three-spoke steering wheel, different aluminum décor and white lighting for the instrument dials, while the tailgate comes with a color-coordinated leather handle.

The updated XC90 offers the option of Bluetooth connectivity in its On Call system, which has been upgraded with music streaming capability and a new mobile application for iPhone and Android cellphones that enables the owner to view the SUV's location on a smartphone and acquire information about things like fuel level and average speed and consumption.

Furthermore, the driver can perform a “car health check” displaying on the smartphone’s screen info about the engine oil level and pressure or the coolant level.

Volvo is also introducing the Executive version that boasts a number of standard features like leather seats that come with ventilation and massage operation. The XC90 is also available in the R-Design specification, which has a sports chassis as standard and new upholstery, door panels and 19-inch alloy wheels.

 

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Infiniti Announces Sportier 2013 IPL G Convertible

Nissan's luxury arm is doubling its Infiniti Performance Line [IPL for short] lineup with the addition of the new 2013 IPL G Convertiblethat we first saw in concept form at last year's Paris Motor Show.

IPL is Infiniti's answer to the in-house tuning divisions of its German competitors such as Audi's S brand, BMW's M department and Mercedes-Benz's AMG branch.

Scheduled to reach the market in spring of 2012, the convertible model follows the IPL G Coupe that went on sale in the States in December of 2010.

Infiniti has not yet announced final details, but the Japanese company said the production model will sport the same "level of equipment and performance modifications" as the concept car.

This means that like its coupe counterpart, the IPL G Convertible will feature a more powerful version of Infiniti's 3.7-liter V6, most likely delivering the same output at 348 horsepower, an increase of 18 horsepower over the engine.

The concept also sported a bespoke aero kit along with a custom exhaust and suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels and unique red leather-appointed interior set against a Malbec Black exterior.

“The IPL G Convertible will deliver the goods, just like the current IPL G Coupe does. Plus, the new IPL G Convertible offers the added pleasure of open-air motoring," said Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where the IPL G Convertible Concept was on display this past weekend.

“Like every Infiniti, the new IPL G Convertible will take a different path from its established competitors,” added Poore. “It’s a terrific addition to the Infiniti Performance Line, taking the dramatic Infiniti G Convertible to an even higher level.”

 

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Spicier Dodge Avenger R/T returns for 2012

If you’re looking for an Avenger with a little more bite, Dodge may have just the car for you. The company will unveil its new Avenger R/T at the 2011 New York Auto Show this week, and though the drivetrain has been left largely untouched, the mid-sized fighter now packs a tighter suspension.

Dodge engineers managed to increase the vehicle’s roll stiffness by 18 percent thanks to upping the front spring rates by 17 percent and damper rates by 15 percent. Out back, the rear springs see an increase in stiffness of 12 percent while the back damper rates jump by 20 percent. The Avenger R/T also benefits from a larger rear stabilizer bar – 21 mm (up from 19 mm).

Dodge says it’s shooting for a more spirited, performance sedan driving experience, though there’s no indication that the vehicle’s brakes have been upgraded in kind.

Power still comes from the same torque-steer happy 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 283 horsepower mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, so hopefully the firmer suspension has quelled the powertrain’s wayward tendencies somewhat. Either way, Dodge says that the combo is good for 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

Outside, the Avenger R/T is differentiated from its lower-trim siblings with aesthetic tweaks like a body-color grille and R/T graphics on the front fenders. Large, 19-inch alloy wheels are also standard and the interior gets a special gauge cluster with the tachometer taking center stage, along with a special perforated leather steering wheel and “SRT-inspired” pedals. Rounding off the changes are special fabric seats with embroidered logos. Hit the jump for the full press release.

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