Skoda Commences Road Tests of its First Pure Electric Vehicle

After the production of a fleet of 10 electrically powered Octavia Green E Line models last fall, Skoda is entering the second phase of its EV project as it commenced road tests around the Czech city of Mladà Boleslav, which is located about 50 km northeast of Prague.

The company's goal is to gain practical experience with electric propulsion in real life conditions as it prepares for the presentation of an actual production model.

The Octavia Green E Line was introduced as a concept at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. It is based on the Octavia Combi swapping the regular model's internal combustion engine for an electric powertrain that comprises of an electric motor developing a maximum output of 85kW (114HP) and 270Nm (199.2 lb-ft) of constant torque, and a lithium-ion battery.

The Czech automaker says that the Octavia Green E Line can accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 12 seconds and reach a top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph). The batteries offer a driving range of around 150km (93 miles).

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Mercedes-Benz Releases UK Pricing on New SLK 55 AMG

The most powerful production SLK of all time, the new 2012 SLK 55 AMG, has arrived in Britain and is available for to order with an on-the-road price of £54,950 (equal to US$84,630 / €66,200).

Lying under the hood of the AMG-branded SLK is a naturally aspirated, direct-injection V8 engine with a displacement of 5.5-liters that produces 421-horses at 6,800rpm and 540Nm (398.2 lb-ft) of peak torque at 4,500rpm.

A seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission drives the rear wheels with Mercedes laying claims to a 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint time of 4.6 seconds and a restricted top speed of 155mph (250km/h).

The roadster model's combined fuel economy is 33.6mpg UK, with CO2 emissions of 195g/km.

Among other standard features, the SLK 55 AMG comes equipped with Nappa leather upholstery, 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, an Intelligent Light System, COMAND Online with Media Interface and a DAB digital radio.

On the options list there's a special AMG Performance Package with revised suspension and brakes with a rear differential lock (£4,105) and the AMG Driver’s Package that removes the speed limited and includes attendance at an AMG ‘Power and Passion’ driver event (£2,755).

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Jaguar XF gets New 163PS Version of 2.2-liter Turbo Diesel

Jaguar is doubling the XF's four-cylinder diesel offerings with the presentation of a new base version of its 2.2-liter unit that produces 163PS (161bhp) and supplements the 190PS (187bhp) variant already on sale in Europe.

The new lower output diesel accelerates the XF from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in 9.8 seconds en route to a top speed of 130mph (210km/h), while returning a combined fuel economy of 52.3mpg UK (43.5mpg US or 5.4lt/100km) and emitting 149 g/km of CO2.

In comparison, the 190PS model returns the same fuel economy and CO2 figures but it goes from standstill to 62mph in in 8.5 seconds and achieves a maximum speed of 140 mph (225 km/h).

The new entry-level 163PS XF 2.2-liter Diesel is priced at £29,950 OTR in the UK with standard features including suedecloth and leather seats, a touch screen centrally mounted display, electronic climate control, an 8-speed automatic transmission and Stop-Start.

Jaguar said dealers are taking orders for the new base model now ahead of the first deliveries in March.

 

Read More

BMW Adds 125i 125d and 116d

The new 1-Series five-door hatchback is the next BMW after the 3-Series to benefit from the addition of a fresh batch of engines. The new models presented in Europe are the diesel-powered 125d and 116d EfficientDynamics Edition, and the gasoline-powered 125i.

Beginning with the latter, the 125i gets a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection delivering 218bhp at 5,000 rpm and peak torque of 310Nm (228 lb-ft) between 1,350 and 4,800 rpm. With a six-speed manual, the 125i sprints to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.4 seconds (8-speed automatic transmission: 6.5 seconds), reaching a top speed of 245 km/h or 152mph (243 km/h).

BMW says the 125i has an average fuel consumption of 6.6 lt/100km (35.7mpg US or 42.8mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 154 g/km.

Next up is the 125d powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel producing 218 bhp at 4,400rpm and 450Nm (331.9 lb-ft) of peak torque. Both with 6-speed manual gearbox and with 8-speed automatic transmission, the compact five-door model goes from zero to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds en route to a top speed of 240 km/h (149mph).

It achieves an average fuel consumption 4.9lt/100km (48mpg US or 57.7mpg UK) with CO2 emissions at 129 grams per kilometre. The automatic version has an average fuel consumption of just 4.8lt/100km (49mpg US or 58.9mpg UK) with CO2 emissions at a level of 126 g/km.

The third and final new addition to the 1-Series hatchback's range is the 116d EfficientDynamics Edition powered by 1.6-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 116bhp at 4,000rpm and 260Nm (191.8 lb-ft) between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. This model features additional measures to reduce fuel consumption such as low rolling resistance tires and aerodynamic upgrades.

Equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, it accelerates in 10.5 seconds from zero to 100 km/h, with a top speed of 195 km/h (121mph). Its average fuel consumption stands at 3.8 lt/100km (61.9mpg US or 74.4mpg UK), with CO2 emissions of 99 g/km.

In Europe, BMW will soon launch the M Sports Package for the new five-door model that includes a host of aero components plus a 10mm lower sports suspension, 17- or 18-inch M Style alloys and numerous interior trim upgrades.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

New Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel to go on Sale in the States in 2013

On Wednesday, Porsche confirmed that it will bring the Cayenne Diesel to the U.S. by 2013, but the German company isn't the only automaker with plans to sell a diesel-powered SUV in the States.

The Chrysler Group announced today that it would add a diesel version to its Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup in the United States and Canada. The North American diesel model will be manufactured at the firm's Jefferson North Assembly Plant [JNAP] in Detroit.

In addition, Chrysler revealed that it would add a third crew and 1,100 new jobs at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant next year. Current employment at the plant is approximately 2,890 workers.

"We believe that investing in Detroit is not only the right thing to do, but it is a smart thing to do as we work to write the next chapter in our shared history," said Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne.

The automaker did not divulge any more details but there's a good chance that the North American market Grand Cherokee Diesel will be offered with the same engine as its European counterpart.

The latter is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 CRD common-rail turbo diesel available in two states of tune delivering 190HP at 4,000rpm and 440Nm (324.5 lb-ft) at 1,600-2,800rpm, and 241HP at 4,000rpm and 550Nm (405.7 lb-ft) at 1,800-2,800rpm. Both versions of the V6 are matted to a five-speed automatic transmission.

The 190HP model accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 10.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 191km/h (119mph) while returning a combined fuel consumption of 8.3 lt/100km (28.4mpg) in the European cycle.

The more potent 241HP variant goes from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.2 seconds en route to a top speed of 202km/h (126mph) but returns the same fuel economy at 8.3 lt/100km (28.4mpg).

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Honda EV-STER Concept to Spawn a Production Model

It looks like the retro-styled N Concept 4 city car won't be the only Honda study displayed at this month's Tokyo Motor Show that will end up going into production as the Japanese carmaker's CEO Takanobu Ito told German magazine Auto Motor und Sport that the open-top EV-STER has also received the green light.

The Honda boss revealed that the battery-powered, rear-wheel drive roadster could arrive in the market as early as 2012, adding that the company may also introduce more conventional version with a classic gasoline engine, without offering any more details.

However, it's only reasonable to assume that the gasoline model would be a hybrid matching an internal combustion engine with an electric motor.

At 3,570mm (140.5-in.) long, 1,500mm (59.0-in.) wide and 1,100mm (43.3-in.) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,325mm (92.5-in.), the tiny concept is marginally larger than Honda's 1990s mid-engined kei car, the Beat.

In conceptual form, the two-seater features an electric motor that draws energy from a 10kWh lithium-ion battery and powers the rear wheels. Honda said that the EV-STER could complete the zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint in 5 seconds flat and reach a maximum speed of 160km/h (100mph).

The Japanese automaker also claims a driving range of around 160 kilometers (100 miles) and a charging time of under 3 hours using a 200V source and in less than 6 hours with a 100V source.

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

Read More