Peugeot RCZ Coupe 2010 photos

Peugeot is set to rediscover sportiness after unveiling the production version of its new Audi TT rival, the RCZ.

The showroom version of the stylish coupe will become the first Peugeot passenger car to abandon the company’s zero-based naming system, but otherwise remains faithful to the 2007 308 RCZ concept.

This includes the RCZ’s unusual “double bubble” roof and aluminium roof arches that can be personalised in either black, chrome or ‘satin’.

The RCZ goes on sale in Australia in mid 2010 and is based on the same platform as the 308 small car.

It has been designed, however, to deliver more dynamic handling with a 20mm-lower ride height, 40mm-lower centre of gravity, and significantly wider front and rear tracks.

Bulging wheelarches will also be filled with large tyres, ranging from 18 to 19 inches, which in turn are fitted with big brakes.

The most powerful version of the 1.36-metre-high RCZ also gains a lower anti-roll bar on the front suspension, which Peugeot claims further improves the coupe’s agility.

This variant features a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 147kW and 255Nm (275Nm with overboost).

Mated to a six-speed manual, the range-topping RCZ sprints from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.6 seconds.

A hybrid version of the RCZ could also go into production, based on the all-wheel-drive diesel-electric RCZ Hybrid concept car that will debut alongside the production coupe at this September’s Frankfurt motor show – boasting CO2 emissions of just 95 grams per km.

Peugeot says it has also used sound technology to artificially enhance the 147kW RCZ’s exhaust note during acceleration.

Two other launch engines include a detuned version of the same turbo petrol engine – with outputs of 115kW and 240Nm – and a 2.0-litre diesel offering 120kW and 340Nm.

The diesel and lesser-powered petrol engines are available with a choice of either manual or automatic transmissions with six gear ratios.


Peugeot says the RCZ’s active rear spoiler contributes to aerodynamic efficiency, and an aluminium bonnet helps reduce the coupe’s weight.

An optional carbonfibre roof saves more weight as well as lowering the car’s centre of gravity.

Like the TT, the RCZ is essentially a two-seater sports coupe that offers two extra “occasional seats”, which are likely to be suitable only for kids or luggage.

Boot capacity is a respectable 384 litres and includes additional storage spaces under the floor. The rear seats also fold down to expand cargo space.

Peugeot Australia is hoping to sell between 350 and 400 RCZs a year, with pricing likely to be more affordable than the Audi TT.

The RCZ is revealed just two months after the French car maker completed a motor racing comeback with victory in the famous Le Mans 24 Hour race, and Peugeot is heralding the car as “the start of a dynamic new chapter in the history of Peugeot”.

Peugeot has struggled to appeal to enthusiast drivers since the 205 GTi hot-hatch of the ’80s and ’90s.

The RCZ will be built in Austria by specialist builder Magna Steyr.

Saab 9-5 Sedan photos

otocar reader Patrick sent us a collage with the first official photos of the all-new Saab 9-5 Sedan that is destined to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Saab 9-5 Sedan photos


 

BMW Z6 leads off growing Z-series

bmw

The BMW Z8 might have tanked a bit, but BMW isn't phased... much. The replacement is the BMW Z6, which BMW will pit against the Mercedes' SL class. The car will be produced in a higher volume at a lower price than the $130,000 Z8, and accompanied by two other Z-series vehicles, the entry level BMW Z2 and successor to the BMW Z4. The Z6 will use the BMW 5- and 6-series as a basis and sport "space-age" construction utilitizing such materials as aluminum and sport engines ranging from the twin-turbocharged 3.0 V6 to a "beefed-up" version of the 5.0L V10 found in the M5.

BMW C.L.E.V.E.R. Concept

BMW just released official pictures of its co-developed three-wheeled, natural-gas powered micro-car called CLEVER (Compact Low Emission VEhicle for URban Transport). Although nothing official yet, but this concept that was funded by the European Commission (Fifth Framework Programme) could base the C1 successor, marrying the worlds of cars and motorcycles. Partners in the C.L.E.V.E.R project included:

• BMW


• Technical University of Berlin, Institute for Land and Sea Transport (TUB), Berlin, Germany


• Cooper-Avon Tyres Ltd, Melksham, Great Britain


• ARC Leichtmetall Kompetenzzentrum Ranshofen GmbH (LKR), Ranshofen, Austria


• IFP


• TAKATA-PETRI AG, Berlin, Germany


• University of Bath, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute for Power Transmission and Motion Control, Bath, Great Britain


• Universität für Bodenkultur Vienna, Institute of Transport, Vienna, Austria


• WEH GmbH, Illertissen, Germany

The CLEVER concept, a €3.3 million (US$3.9 million) effort, is an enclosed two-seater that combines the safety of a microcar, and the maneuverability of a motorcycle, while being less polluting than other vehicles as it runs on compressed natural gas.

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Its strengthened frame will protect the driver in a crash and the vehicle will have a top speed of approximately 50 mph. The 230cc BMW engine—modified by Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP) to use natural gas—produces 12.5 kW (17 hp) of power and maximum torque of 15.5 Nm at 6,300 rpm.

Fuel consumption is estimated to be 2.4 liters/100 km gasoline equivalent (98 mpg US), with 59.5 g/km of CO₂ emissions. The compressed natural gas is stored in two removable gas bottles providing a range of 150 km (93 miles).

A problem with three-wheel vehicles with a symmetrical wheel layout is the tipping moment when cornering, which cannot be controlled at high speeds if the vehicle has a short wheelbase. To solve this problem the vehicle’s center of gravity can be moved towards the center of the corner—just as a motorcycle does when it corners.

The do this, the vehicle is a cabin tilter, with the system designed by the University of Bath. The cabin with the front wheel is connected to the power unit and the two rear wheels by a pivot bolt. The rotary movement of the cabin is produced by two hydraulic cylinders (actuators) that are installed between the cabin and the power unit. The actuators create the rotary angle of the cabin of +/-45° relative to the vertical power unit.

New 2009 Mercedes E-Class Leaked in German Automag

Until then, these first photos enough to recognize that much fresh, different from the family. Like the front, the typical C-Class, with glossy, kantigem grille. Unlike the middle class keeps the most important image makers, however, the striking face-to-face. Only that it no longer round lights shining, but aggressively angular lights.

Due to the growing pedestrian protection E-Class to 4.91 metres in length, changing the wheelbase by two centimetres to 2.87 meters. The chassis will remain at the four-bar front axle, rear axle area handlebars and was only re-vote. Either swing the new E-Class on steel springs or air pillows improved “Airmatic”.

Read more (+photo an details)!!

Mercedes interior promises a touch more space, the trunk sets slightly. It attracts a surcharge equal to an entire column of electronic helpers: for example, lane departure warning system with steering intervention, night vision device, fatigue sensor and dead-spot monitoring. Tools that are already in the current S-Class used, or the model care measures still to be offered. Series protects the E-class passengers for the first time with a knee airbag. Also, the central control knob on the center console comes from the S-Class. Instead of a monitor are the instruments classic round, the dashboard is similar to the new terrain vehicle GLK.

The shares of the new E-Class several engines. Both the diesel and the petrol Stuttgart has large backlog of hybrid technology would grow. BMW continued to be “Efficient Dynamics” with start-stop automatic, Audi made great leaps in direct gasoline engines. And finally, yes finally, it is also progressing at Mercedes. The company continue pursuing the Mercedes Bluetec strategy. This means that soot filters plus two other catalysts catch nitrogen oxides in the exhaust tract to next year from the current Euro 5 emissions standard to meet. The E 300 with 211 hp is the strongest market for CDI, later followed by a six-cylinder with 252 hp, 2010 is expected to Mercedes‘ first diesel-hybrid. The petrol is the electrical support yet equally available - hybrid, there is only once in the S-class and in the large SUV. A new V6 with 204 hp, the entrance is the E 200 Kompressor (184 hp), and the top marked the 500th E On gasoline above 400 hp Mercedes waived only once.

Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series

This is a picture from Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance. Raw. Real raw. That is probably best description of truly amazing new SL65 Black Series.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

Mercedes just unleashed the long-awaited SLR McLaren Roadster which will go on sale from September 2007. Like the 1999 Vision SLR concept on which it's based, the production version of the SLR McLaren Roadster retains the scissor-type doors of its coupe counterpart. Unlike the SL and SLK roadsters, the SLR features a retractable soft-top which is available in three different colors. The roof opens and closes semi-automatically in less than ten seconds, with the driver having to a little ���dirty��� work by unlocking the roof from the windscreen frame and briefly raising it, after which it folds away electrically. We have to say that, while we love the SLR McLaren Roadster���s appearance with the top down, we���re not so enthusiastic about the cars looks when its roof on.
Disproving rumors that Mercedes would prefer the upgraded 650Hp V8 of the SLR McLaren 722 Special Edition, the Roadster retains the ���stock��� 626Hp turbocharged V8 which is coupled to an AMG Speedshift R five-speed automatic transmission. According to Mercedes, the Roadster sprints from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3,8 sec while it reaches a maximum speed of 332km/h (206mph) which identical to the Coupe���s performance figures -3,8 sec & 334 km/h (207mph) respectively.

Press Release

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster: An open-air adventure for all the senses

Stuttgart, May 04, 2007

Mercedes-Benz will in future also market its SLR McLaren super sports car in the form of a roadster with a top. In common with Formula 1 vehicles of today, it, too, will be made of carbon fibre, a material that will endow the vehicle with a very high degree of safety as well as extreme torsional stiffness at the same high level as the coup�� version. This gives rise, in combination with the racing-type chassis, to outstanding ride characteristics.

The maximum speed of the new high-performance sports car, which is powered by an AMG V8 compressor engine delivering 460 kW/626 hp, is 332 km/h, therefore at the same high level as the coup��. Although, thanks to its fully retractable top, the Roadster offers undiluted open-air driving pleasure in the highest performance class, its occupants in no way lose out in terms of comfort or the vehicle's suitability for everyday use. Consequently, the new Roadster opens up a new dimension in refinement for open-top super sports cars.

Like the coup�� version, the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster once again unites the legend of the successful SLR racing models from the 1950s with the innovative technology of modern Formula 1 vehicles from the Vodafone-McLaren-Mercedes team. Typical stylistic elements, such as the arrow-shaped tip of the Formula 1 Silver Arrow, establish a visual link with the racing cars. The SLR leg-end of the 50s lives on stylistically in the distinctive lateral louvers, side pipes behind the front wheels and the wide-opening gullwing doors.

The new Roadster benefits technically from the many years of experience of Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 partner McLaren. Apart from two aluminium engine frames, its body is made entirely of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials, making the vehicle an exception among high-performance sports cars. Especially for the Roadster, complex carbon-fibre technology has been intelligently further developed for the monocoque chassis. The result is low weight, exemplary energy absorption and, therefore, extremely high occupant safety as well as a degree of torsional stiffness hitherto unattained in open-top vehicles. This leads to outstanding ride characteristics of the kind otherwise found only in closed-top super sports cars.

The puristic top is suitable for high speeds

The exceptional qualities of the Roadster are attributable also to the fully retractable top, which blends harmoniously into the flowing lines of the SLR McLaren. Its newly developed roof material, which is available in three different colours, not only guarantees complete suitability for everyday use in all weathers, but also endows the high-performance sports car with characteristics that are exception-ally unusual in a roadster. For example, at 332 km/h, the maximum speed is at the high level of the coup�� version. Conversation is still possible at well over 200 km/h on open-air journeys thanks to the favourable aeroacoustics.

The roof opens and closes semi-automatically in less than ten seconds, thereby combining the desire for convenience with the puristic character of the roadster. To open, the roof merely needs to be unlocked from the windscreen frame and be briefly raised, after which it folds away electrically. Since an aluminium cover is integrated into its front section, the roof elegantly closes off the top when re-tracted.

Sophisticated aerodynamics and racing-type chassis

In the wind tunnel, the Roadster has been optimised for high speeds with regard to handling, aeroacoustics and aerodynamics. It likewise employs the aerodynamic concept already known from the coup�� version, featuring an airbrake integrated into the access lid and a diffusor in the rear bumper to provide increased downforce on the rear axle.

The open two-seater is equipped with a racing-type chassis featuring high-performance carbon-ceramic brake discs, thereby setting extremely high stan-dards. Its front-mid-engine provides for optimum weight distribution. With 460 kW/626 hp and a maximum torque of 780 Nm, the AMG V8 compressor engine, which is coupled to an AMG Speedshift R five-speed automatic transmission, accelerates the Roadster from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.

Unique safety and exclusive fittings

A high degree of safety is ensured by unique carbon-fibre crash elements, steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed roll-over bars. The comprehensive specification also features adaptive airbags, knee and side airbags as well as seat belt tensioners and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

The exclusive standard equipment includes semi-aniline-leather-upholstered carbon-fibre bucket seats which can be individually adapted to the driver and front passenger by means of differently sized seat pads; dual-zone automatic air-conditioning; a high-quality BOSE premium sound system; a multifunction sport steering wheel with gear-change paddles, and a navigation system with integral radio and CD player.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR Roadster, like the coup��, is produced at McLaren's Formula 1 factory in Woking, England, in accordance with stringent Mercedes-Benz quality criteria and will be available as from September 2007.