2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Photos on the Loose

There's no end to the automotive leaks today with the latest victim of "someone, somewhere did it, but it wasn't me" being the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, photos of which "somehow" made it online several hours ahead of its world premiere at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

We were the first to bring you the low down on Hyundai's 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline unit in the beginning of 2011, while the South Korean automaker officially revealed details on the engine last October.

We'll have to wait until tomorrow for the full details but in KDM form, the 1.6-liter unit that makes use of a twin-scroll turbocharger and a direct fuel injection system produces 204-horses at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 265Nm (195 lb-ft) at 1,750 rpm. Hyundai has said that the performance numbers will differ only slightly between markets (the U.S. version is rumored to be rated at 201HP and 196 lb-ft).

The Veloster Turbo will be available with both a six-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels.

The photos reveal that the Turbo model receives some styling changes to differentiate it from the 138HP base version, including a full face front grille, a redesigned front bumper with new fog lamp surrounds and protruding wings on both corners, widened front fenders, side skirts and a new rear bumper with oval tailpipes.

Interior goodies include a pair of body-hugging front seats and bespoke trim.

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Kia Presents Korea's First Production Electric Model

The new Ray EV is not only Kia's first attempt to enter the electric car market but it is also the first production EV to be introduced by a Korean automaker.

The battery-powered model is based on the recently launched Ray city car, which is only offered in Kia's home market. It shares the regular model’s major dimensions and, in a global first for an EV manufacturer, is built on the same production line as the conventional combustion-engine models.

In place of the Ray's 1.0-liter unit, the EV model gains a 50kW electric motor that develops 167 Nm of constant torque (an increase of 77 percent over the gas unit) and a high-capacity 16.4 kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack with a 10-year life cycle that's placed under the rear seat and cabin floor.

Kia says that even though the Ray EV weighs 187 kg (412 pounds) more than the gasoline model, it offers a "brisker" 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration time of 15.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 130km/h (81mph).

The battery pack can be fully recharged in six hours using a standard 220V household supply and just 25 minutes in fast-charge mode.

Other highlights include the Ray EV’s automatic transmission that offers the driver a choice of two modes while in ‘D’ drive: the ‘E’ (or ‘eco’) mode, which optimizes the delivery of the motor’s torque to increase the driving range, and ‘B’ (or ‘brake’) mode, which can be chosen when driving downhill roads to maximize braking power.

The Ray EV gets a unique instrument cluster that displays electric motor operation, battery status and distance to recharge while Kia also fitted the car with a warning system called VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System) that delivers a mixture of recorded gasoline engine noises to warn pedestrians.

Kia says that it is planning to manufacture 2,500 units of the Ray EV in 2012, all of which will be for government use in Korea - at least for the time being.

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Audi Pays Tribute to Japanese National Soccer Team with A1 Samurai Blue

Adding along with the new A1 Sportback five-door hatchback at this year's Tokyo Motor Show unit, is a one-off A1 SAMURAI BLUE particular specific to the Western nationwide group.

The A1 particular is using the three-door style with the 122HP 1.4 TFSI gas engine and features the crew's common blue and white colours highlighted by the red of the Western banner. It trips on exclusive 18-inch tires displayed in red.

As for the inside, the A1 SAMURAI BLUE gets a couple of body-hugging sports chairs with particular design on the back and different appears in blue, plus corresponding features for the air release mister nozzles, inlays, center unit and floorboards pads.

Audi says that it plans to provide the Seattle Engine Display A1 SAMURAI BLUE as a one-off style and provide part of the income to a charitable organisation. However, the In german car maker famous that a exclusive edition using the SAMURAI BLUE venture car will go available in 2012.

An Mercedes A1 Restricted Version is also designed to provide in 2012, with its design according to

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2011 Citroen C4

Following the publication yesterday of the first pictures of the new Citroën C4 hatchback compact, we just got hold of a short film static and details of the engine program will be available at launch.

When it goes on sale across Europe after its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show, the rival of the French firm of golf is offered with a total of three (GLP greater capacity) and three diesel engines.

The petrol range includes a 95HP 1.4-liter unit mated to a five-speed manual, a 1.6 liter 120 hp is available with a 5-speed manual or 4 speed automatic, a GPL version can 1.6L unit and finally a 1.6-liter turbo with 155hp which is connected to a 6-speed gearbox Semi-automatic.

Diesel fans can choose the 1.6 liter HDi 90HP or 105HP produces (both in the manual transmission), and 150HP 2.0L HDi coupled with 6-speed manual.

In addition, two 1.6-liter HDi units are available in e-HDi that come with a semi-automatic 6-speed and the new Citroën pseudo micro-hybrid system that incorporates the latest generation Stop and Start.

The production remains the same in both versions e-HDi, but the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have improved the standard HDi.

 

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