





|
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
When the Mercedes GLK was launched at this year's Beijing Motor Show there was very little left to the imagination as we had already seen the pre production Freeside and Townside concepts at the Detroit Motor Show back in January. But the area of imagination is where the Mercedes designers have been found lacking, with a rather uninspiring design which falls well short of the innovation expected in the premium SUV sector.
"Hey guys, the boss says we need to make something to compete with the X3! -Really? I'm so lazy today. Ok give me 5 minutes and a ruler, I will work something out." commented WCF reader Afterace2.'
Fortunately the German manufacturer has at least popped in a few of its recently developed technologies including 4MATIC all-wheel-drive, Agility Control suspension, Intelligent Light System, PRE-SAFE and 7G-TRONIC transmission. Power units range from the 170 hp 2.2-liter four cylinder engine up to the top of the range 3.5-liter V6 pumping out 272hp.
Check out the video for driving footage of the all new GLK.
The Venturi Fetish was first shown at the 2004 Paris Motor Show and will go into production this year, but Venturi first wanted to give the Euro 100,000 electric sports car an upgraded engine. This engine is called the VM 300 and produces 300 hp (220 kW) with 380 Nm of torque while weighing just 35 kg.
The Venturi Fetish was designed by Sacha Lakic and will be entering the newly established electric premium segment with the Fisker Karma and Tesla Roadster.
The 2009 Venturi Fetish with the new VM300 engine will be presented at the upcoming 2008 Paris Motor Show this October for those who have missed it at the elite Top Marques show in Monaco last weekend.
Greenpower is a series of events which aims to promote greater interest in young people to follow careers in the fields of engineering and technology. The 2008 Greenpower corporate challenge held yesterday was the first race of the season. 25 teams entered, comprising 15 school entries and 10 company teams. The Bentley team achieved their goal of completing the four hour race, despite some technical difficulties in the first section. The award was given in recognition of their excellent team spirit which they showed in overcoming these initial technical challenges. The F24+ season consists of eight 90-minute endurance race events which will culminate in a grand final at Goodwood in October. Race tracks on the F24+ schedule include Dunsfold, Rockingham, Croft and Aintree.
The Bentley Motors team is composed of nine of the company's apprentices who are all following a three or four year apprenticeship scheme at the factory in Crewe. Margaret Cheshire, Head of People and Organisational Development at Bentley Motors said, "It's fantastic that the apprentices are not only gaining the technical skills associated with building a car but are also increasing their knowledge of other areas of the business such as finance, purchasing and public relations." She continued, "It's all about giving the individuals knowledge and expertise to be successful in their future careers after the completion of the Bentley apprenticeship programme."
Having taken the initiative themselves to compete in the Greenpower challenge the apprentices have devoted weekends and evenings for the past ten months taking full responsibility for all aspects of the car's development. Three team members acted as drivers on race day, the rest of the team provided essential back-up support in the pits.
Tom Hodgson, Greenpower team manager added, "In building the car we pooled the expertise and resources from across the business to produce a project of which we're all proud. Having completed our first race we now know what we have to do to be successful for the rest of the 2008 Greenpower season. The experience of developing a project from idea to race-day was exhilarating. It was also hugely satisfying to see the positive support from sponsors keen to help the Bentley team".
Technical highlights of the Bentley Greenpower car
- Its 24v Motor delivers 0.5bhp and 5.1 lb ft (7Nm):
- Top speed of 40mph (64km/h).
- Zero CO2 emissions.
- Chassis & design:
o Fixed carbon fibre suspension wishbones for maximum strength and minimum weight.
o Excellent roadholding and superior grip from unique 1x16" carbon fibre wheels with bespoke Michelin low resistance tyres.
o Rear grille matrix in chrome finish.
o Bentley Hide/Alcantara trimmed interior
o Specially built ECU to control motor/transmission
More information on the project is available at www.bentleygreenpower.com
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
MODEL TYPE Single Seater
Power
Type 24v Wheelchair motor (Regulation)
Installation Transversely mounted, One-wheel drive
Power 240 Watt
Torque 7 Nm
Fuel Source 2 x 12 v Lead Acid Batterys
TRANSMISSION
Type Continuous one-wheel drive
Gearbox Nuvinci CVP
Ratios Infinitely variable between 0.5 under and 1.75 overdrive
PERFORMANCE
Top speed 40mph (64km/h).
SUSPENSION
Front Single wishbone rigid suspension
Rear Single wishbone rigid suspension
STEERING
Type Rack & pinion,
Turns lock to lock 1
Turning circle (kerb to kerb) 19.2m
BRAKES
Rear 160mm ventilated disc (to single wheel)
Anti lock In development!
BODY & CHASSIS
Construction Carbon Fibre monocoque
Length 1420mm
Width (inc. mirrors) 1000mm (82.76in)
Weight 120 Kg
Height 500mm
Wheelbase 1300mm
Front track 1000mm
Rear track 1000mm
Wheels Custom made 16" carbon fibre
Tyres Michelin Eco-Marathon specials
FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSIONS
Fuel consumption 2 hours per battery set
Carbon dioxide emissions 0g/km
CONTINENTAL GT FEATURE SPECIFICATIONS
EXTERIOR FEATURES Bright chromed grille
Bentley Wheel Badge
INTERIOR FEATURES Trimmed Steering wheel, Seat and dashboard, Touch screen driver information panel in development
Tom Hodgson
Bentley Test & Development Engineering Apprentice
Greenpower Project Manager
Andrew Conneely
Bentley Whole Vehicle Engineering Sponsored Degree Apprentice
Greenpower Design of steering and suspension components
Martyn Brookes
Bentley Prototype Workshop and Test Facility Apprentice
Greenpower Chassis, Design & Electrical.
Ellis Dawson
Bentley Apprentice Analyst Programmer
Greenpower Team Marketing, Website, data logging and telemetry.
Annabelle Gibson
Bentley Commercial Apprentice
Greenpower Contact for sponsors.
Charlotte Watling
Bentley Electrical Engineering Apprentice
Greenpower Electrical design & Production and driver.
Hannah Proffitt
Bentley Body Hardware Engineering Sponsored Degree Apprentice
Greenpower Interior trim, Steering and driver.
Laura Taylor
Bentley Trim Development Apprentice
Greenpower Seat design and manufacture.
This new version of the Passat has the right image and the right price range, but be wary of VW's claim that it offers space without compromise: anybody sitting in the back who is much over 6ft tall will find their head touching the roof. This is a bit unfortunate as the Passat CC is strictly a four-seater luxury car and is fitted inside with different seats and more costly materials than you'll find in the saloon. It is a genuine luxury car and quite a large one at that, 15ft 9in long yet only 4ft 9in high, with generous legroom and a surprisingly voluminous boot, albeit with a small opening. It may be based on the Passat saloon's platform but the CC is longer, wider and the body stands a full couple of inches lower.
It's no surprise to see VW producing a superlative expression of the latest automotive technology. In fact, we expect nothing less and the Passat CC offers sophisticated adaptive chassis control. It's also the first VW with "lane assist", to help keep dozy drivers from wandering off the road.
From July, when Passat CCs start arriving here, there will be a choice between two petrol engines and one diesel. The cheapest model, from �21,000, is the CC TSI, front-wheel drive and powered by the smallest petrol engine, a 1.8-litre turbo producing 158bhp. Lively, smooth and quiet, this new engine is remarkably efficient, giving a top speed of 138mph, 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds and returning a very acceptable EC Combined fuel consumption figure of 37.2mpg, with CO2 emissions at 180g/km.
Early models also include a front-wheel drive, two-litre turbodiesel, whose impressively smooth engine gives 138bhp, which is sure to be the most popular choice because of its long-term cost. Later on there will be another petrol engine, with 197bhp, and a second diesel with 168bhp.
The range-topper, available from the start and the one that VW must hope will steal some sales from the rich boys' showrooms, is a very different machine. With an on-the-road starting price likely to be �31,120, the Passat CC V6 4Motion is packed with every technical marvel you could think of, including four-wheel drive, adaptive chassis control and a DSG gearbox as standard. With 296bhp on tap, its 3.6-litre V6 engine delivers the high performance expected. This is a very quick car - its top speed is electronically limited to 155mph - and on paper it does appear to take on far more costly rivals. Its sophisticated all-wheel drive and stability systems do all the right things to keep it safe and controllable but, driving it, I could not escape the feeling that VW has tried a bit too hard here.
This is another fast, technically brilliant machine, but it is heavy and I felt that the concept might be a touch overblown. I was occasionally conscious of the sound of all that sophisticated machinery driving it along, in a way I never am with, say, an Audi or a Mercedes-Benz, but then those cars do cost a lot more. VW tends not to make marketing mistakes these days and the company seems quietly confident of its ability to satisfy a niche or two with the Passat CC range.
When it comes to driving pleasure, however, I found the cheapest Passat CC, the 1.8-litre petrol, the most enjoyable of the lot. It felt lighter in every way, the new engine was smooth and very willing and it never seemed like a slow car. A top speed of 138mph cannot be regarded as remotely inadequate, surely? VW's four-cylinder engines, petrol or diesel, are all excellent now. They can be found in the cheaper Audis, too, where they seem that bit quieter, but there isn't much in it.
For all its sporting looks, the Passat CC does not rival BMW in driver appeal. There's a touch too much understeer for that and the CC can best be described as supremely competent. Volkswagen calls it a "Comfort Coup�", after all, and that's exactly what it is. With the choice of comfort, normal and sport modes, however, its behaviour can be altered and, to be fair, it feels noticeably firmer and sharper when the damping is set for sport.
The most intriguing new gadget is the optional "lane assist". When engaged, this comes into play at 40mph and above. It disengages when the indicators are used or the speed drops below 37mph. What happens when you let the car drift off its lane? Very gently, reacting to signals from a camera, you can feel the steering easing the car back on line. Although we tried it only in sunshine, it should also work in bad weather and at night. It's effective, but it doesn't take over the driving completely, not yet anyway. If you let it carry on, it will wander from side to side three times before emitting a warning noise and flashing a sign telling you to take proper control. Quite right, too. I can't help feeling that anyone who really needs this sort of help shouldn't be driving at all. More useful is the optional "park assist" which will guide you into a parking space (as long as it's big enough), with you working the pedals.
Does the Passat CC make the grade? Probably, thanks largely to its very stylish looks. The neighbours will be impressed, no doubt about that, and they might also be astonished to see that it carries VW Passat badges.
Price/availability: 1.8 TSI from �21,000, 2.0 TDI from �21,870, V6 4Motion from �31,120. On sale from May, 2008; deliveries commencing in July.
Engines/transmissions: 1.8 TSI: 1,798cc turbo petrol in-line four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC; 158bhp at 5,000rpm, 184lb ft of torque at 1,500rpm. 2.0 TDI: 1,968cc turbo diesel in-line four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC; 138bhp at 4,200rpm, 236lb ft of torque at 1,500rpm. V6 4Motion: 3,597cc petrol V6; 296bhp at 6,600rpm, 258lb ft of torque at 2,400rpm. 1.8 TSI and 2.0TDI: six-speed manual; seven-speed DSG optional. 4x4. V6 4Motion: six-speed DSG. Four-wheel drive.
Performance: 1.8 TSI: top speed 138mph, 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds, EU Urban fuel consumption 27.1mpg, CO2 emissions 180g/km. 2.0 TDI: 132mph, 9.8sec, 37.6mpg, 153g/km. V6 4Motion: limited to 155mph, 5.6sec, 18.7mpg, 242g/km.
We like:Stylish looks with convincing feeling of luxury, good legroom in rear for this class, adaptive chassis control and loads of technical goodies.
We don't like Not quite as sporting to drive as its looks suggest, visibility slightly difficult when reversing, restricted headroom in rear, noisy mechanicals in the V6 model.
Alternatives: Alfa Romeo 159, from �18,555. BMW 3-series, from �24,145. Mercedes-Benz CSL, from �43,962.
Source:telegraph.co.ukThe Cadillac CTS sedan has enjoyed a fair amount of success since it was launched last fall and this could well continue in the form of the top of the line 550hp CTS-V which will hit dealers later this year. Lets also not forget the coupe variant currently under development derived from the awesome CT Coupe concept.
But obviously the line up is missing an open top variant, this is where conversion specialists Coach Builders Ltd come in with their version of the CTS Convertible. The design has just been completed and orders are now being taken at a whopping $19,000.
The convertible kit does not have a roll bar and features an acrylic polyester cloth hydraulic top in a number of colors, a padded roof and exterior fabric for sound and temperature insulation, it takes about eight weeks to complete.
|
|
---|