The new Peugeot 301

2012 Peugeot 301

The new Peugeot 301 is a clear illustration of the Marque's internationalisation and demonstrates its desire to conquer new markets. It has been specifically designed to appeal to a wide customer base attracted by four-door saloons which are both accessible and present an enhanced level of status. In keeping with Peugeot’s desire to introduce cars for specific markets, the 301 is not intended for the UK market.


The Peugeot 301, which in time is expected to become one of the Marque's best selling vehicles worldwide, is positioned at the heart of its segment. It offers modern styling and features that are carefully adapted to fulfil the expectations of the different markets in which it will be sold.

The 301 incorporates the latest stylistic codes of the Marque offering a modern design and character which inspires emotion and gives an impression of strength. Furthermore, the design of this new car was guided at every stage by the desire to be the best in class incorporating Peugeot's highest quality criteria.

The 301 was developed to adapt to all conditions of use, and extremes (hot countries, cold countries, and poor roads). With an overall length of 4.44 metres it sets itself apart with an optimised and generous structure which puts it a step ahead of the competition. So, it will have benchmark characteristics in its segment:
  • Class leading occupant space in the rear due to a wheelbase of 2.65 m
  • A best in class boot volume of 506 dm3 (VDA 210)
  • Safe handling combined with high levels of comfort, the result of Peugeot's chassis expertise and thus guaranteeing excellent driving pleasure under all conditions
  • A wide range of safety equipment available: ESP, ABS, up to four airbags, emergency braking assistance, ISOFIX, etc.
The range of latest generation petrol and diesel engines on the 301 is perfectly suited to the expectations of target markets, with power values ranging from 71 bhp to 115 bhp and manual, piloted or automatic gearboxes:
  • 1.2 l VTi 52 kW (71 bhp) with manual or EGC ( electronic gearbox control)
  • 1.6 l HDi 68 kW (92 bhp) with manual gearbox
  • 1.6 l VTi 85 kW (115 bhp) with manual or automatic gearbox
A symbol of modernity, the 301 therefore will become the second car in the Peugeot range, after the 208, to benefit from the new range of 3 cylinder petrol engines (1.2 l VTi) which, due to their advanced technology, combine driving pleasure and reduced fuel consumption.

The 301 incorporates modern comfort equipment (electronic air conditioning, MP3 audio system with Bluetooth hands-free kit and USB connection, remote opening of the boot, rear parking assistance, etc), all of which guarantee an excellent level of comfort on board.

A family vehicle that is both safe and reliable with great driving characteristics, these are elements that have already ensured the success of the Marque in many of the countries where the 301 will be sold. Indeed, Peugeot has been manufacturing motor vehicles for more than 100 years and has designed numerous saloons which have earned and continue to earn their place in motor vehicle history (404, 504, 305, 405, 406, 407, 408, and 508).

The new Peugeot 301, manufactured in Vigo (Spain), will have its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September. It will then go on sale from 1st November 2012 in Turkey then into Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, The Middle East, Gulf and African States, as well as in certain Latin American markets.


Images : 2012 Peugeot 301


 

 

 

[Source : NEWSPRESS}

The new ABT AS7 : A perfect travel companion with racing genes

2012 ABT AS7 3.0 TDI

The ABT AS7 is a special car indeed. Naturally, the “AS” stands for “astonishingly sporty” and the coupé is elegant, assertive and comfortable, even over long distances. And especially in its latest, strongest Diesel version, the 3.0 TDI, which ABT Sportsline has developed for people who are on the road a lot but want to have it all. “This 3 litre diesel simply is a very economical high-performance engine,” says CEO Hans-Jürgen Abt.


The renowned Bavarian company’s managing director knows the bi-turbo engine’s strong potential inside out: “A torque of 700 Nm makes for full superiority”, Abt says. The V6 shows 360 diesel hp (265 kW); up from a standard 313 hp (230 kW). The ABT Sportsline engineers made this possible by employing their ABT Engine Control. The AS7 as the perfect travel companion gets from zero to 100 km/h in no more than 5.1 seconds – through all its lifetime. After all, the extravagant ABT AS7 is not only fast and strong, it is also extremely dependable.

 For the premium car with its extravagant design, ABT Sportsline also developed the right visually fitting components. The design masterpiece embodies the true racing spirit. A front spoiler, side skirts and the rear skirt set are part of its bespoke suit and its exhaust pipe covers stand for the sportiness that has characterised ABT for decades now.

 The globally largest tuner of cars produced by the Volkswagen Group recommends its own alloy wheels, too. They are perfectly in line with the AS7’s contours and make for an impressive appearance, even when standing still. These racy wheels are available in 20 and 21 inches, also with the appropriate high-speed tyres. Lowering the car’s center of gravity by using chassis springs or the adjustable ABT Level Control make the ABT AS7 look even more assertive. And its roadability is also improved, which makes driving the strong 3.0 TDI in particular a lot of fun. So if you want to put “high performance, much elegance and real extravagance” as briefly as you can, just say “ABT AS7”.


[Source : ABT]

Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati

Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati

The new limited edition Abarth 695 Maserati Edition will cost £32,000 (OTR) when it goes on sale in the UK at the end of this year, the high performance brand has just announced. A set of stunning Tramontano leather luggage is among the exclusive convertible’s long list of standard equipment.


Just 499 of the 180bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged superminis will be produced. It follows the hugely successful Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari project of three years ago – but this time the collaboration with a sporting legend has resulted in a limited edition epitomising the elegance and comfort of a Gran Turismo with the handling of a car fit to take on the road every day.

The Abarth 695 Maserati Edition (Edizione Maserati) features exclusive style details and special technical features developed by Abarth engineers for Maserati. The 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v engine is linked to an electrically-operated manual Abarth Competizione gearbox with steering wheel controls, while performance tyres on 17-inch Maserati-inspired Neptune design alloy wheels also improve acceleration.

The chassis has also been engineered to cope with the extra power. Front brakes feature Brembo monobloc callipers with floating 305mm discs while special Koni shock absorbers guarantee high performance in complete safety. A variable back-pressure ‘dual mode’ exhaust improves engine performance and delivers an inspiring sound above 3,000 rpm.

The car is finished in Pontevecchio Bordeaux – a colour from Maserati which is achieved with special three-layer paintwork to reflect light and accentuate its shine. The same paintwork is added to the door mirrors while the electrically controlled soft top is made of grey fabric.
Inside, the seats are upholstered in sand beige leather, with a 695 logo embossed on the headrests. The dashboard and gearbox trim are distinguished by a special matt-finish carbon lining, further enhanced with the 695 logo, while the door panels and rear panels undergo a special UV-LUX treatment, to give an elegant grey ‘flocking’ effect.

The black leather steering wheel is characterised by beige leather inserts and tricolour hub and houses the steering wheel gearbox controls, while the instrument panel has been specifically produced by the Jaeger brand. Other details include the aluminium pedal unit and sill plates, the carbon fibre kick plate with customised Abarth 695 Maserati Edition graphics, and a plate with the car’s series number from 1 to 499.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – ABARTH 695 MASERATI EDITION


ENGINE  4 cylinder in line, 4 valves per cylinder, 1368cc
Power: 180bhp (132 kW) at 5500rpm
Maximum torque 250 Nm in sport mode at 3000rpm
Supercharged with Garrett 1446 turbo 
  
TRANSMISSIONAbarth Competizione gearbox with 5 speeds, C510 gearbox family with gear paddles on the steering wheel
  
SUSPENSIONFront Abarth Koni shock absorbers with FSD valves
Rear Abarth Koni shock absorbers with FSD valves
Lowered ride
  
STEERINGElectric power steering with sport mode
  
BRAKES Floating, perforated and self-ventilating front discs ø 305mm × 28mm
Ventilated rear discs ø 264mm × 22mm
TTC - Torque Transfer Control
  
WHEELS  Neptune Design 7×17" alloy wheels Tyres: 205/40 R17"
  
EMISSIONSEuro 5 EEC-F5 Standard
  
CO2 EMISSIONS151 g/km
  
FUEL CONSUMPTION Urban consumption (mpg): 33.6
Combined consumption (mpg): 43.4
Extra-urban consumption (mpg): 52.3
  
PERFORMANCEMax speed >140mph.
Acceleration 0–62mph: <7 secs.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

  • Special ‘Pontevecchio Bordeaux’ paint from Maserati
  • Xenon headlights
  • Titanium Grey soft top
  • Automatic climate control
  • Leather steering wheel with radio controls
  • Blue&Me TomTom satnav
  • Beige leather seats
  • Dashboard, fascia and gearbox trim in matt carbon
  • Door panels, console and tunnel in ‘Flocked’ UV-Lux
  • Dual mode exhaust with Maserati-inspired design
  • JBL hi-fi system
  • Bag set by Tramontano



Images : Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati


 

 

 

[Source : NEWSPRESS]

The new Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet

2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet

WOLFBURG : May 21, 2012 - No other sporting label in the compact class is as familiar or as successful as Volkswagen’s “GTI” signature. When the first Golf GTI made its debut 36 years ago, the letter combination became – almost overnight – the definition of a new vehicle segment. Since that time, only the GTI has been considered the original among compact sports cars. After selling over 1.8 million Golf GTI cars, Volkswagen is now launching the first open-top version of the icon: the Golf GTI Cabriolet with 155 kW / 210 PS. The convertible, which sports such standard features as an electric soft-top, air conditioning, electric windows, an audio system and a roll-over protection system, will begin arriving at dealers in mid-June; the open-top GTI is offered at prices from 31,350 euros in Germany. And despite a clear performance advantage over its direct competitors, the new Golf GTI Cabriolet is the most economical model in its class.


Driving performance of the GTI. Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the most powerful Golf Cabriolet ever accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds. Its top speed is 237 km/h (DSG: 235 km/h). This contrasts with a combined fuel consumption of just 7.6 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 177 g/km (DSG: 7.7 l/100 km and 180 g/km CO2). The Golf GTI is also the only convertible in the compact class up to 210 PS to be offered with a dual clutch gearbox.

 
Insignias of the GTI. Visually, the convertible is distinguished by typical GTI features. Exterior GTI trademarks include the red-framed radiator grille with honeycomb structure and GTI signature, the front GTI bumper, a new rear diffuser, chrome tailpipes, LED rear lights, side sill extensions and standard 17-inch ‘Denver’ alloy wheels. Inside, the convertible is identified as a GTI by its sport seats upholstered in classic ‘Jacky’ tartan fabric.


Soft top of the GTI. The soft top of the Golf Cabriolet, with a basic construction already designed for high speeds, was adopted 1:1 for the GTI. Its standard electro-hydraulic drive opens the top in just 9.0 seconds. It can also be operated while driving at speeds of up to 30 km/h.



Safety in the GTI: Providing an optimal level of all-round protection in the new Golf GTI Cabriolet are: a roll-over protection system that rapidly deploys in fractions of a second; a reinforced windscreen frame; and numerous other structural modifications (underbody, side parts, sills, rear bulkhead, doors). Front and side head/thorax airbags, a knee airbag on the driver’s side and ESP complete the safety package. In addition, the convertible’s standard equipment includes an electronic transverse differential lock (XDS), which further improves vehicle dynamics and safety when accelerating through bends.


Everyday practicality of the GTI: When the new Golf GTI Cabriolet’s roof is closed, conditions are exceptionally quiet inside. What remains is the sonorous sound of the turbocharged engine. In addition, the Golf GTI Cabriolet offers one of the most spacious interiors in its class and – thanks to the soft top – a 250 litre boot which is fully usable even when the top is down. In addition, the split rear bench backrest can be folded, which significantly increases cargo capacity. This high degree of everyday utility was always a great strength of the GTI – sporting appeal without compromising practicality. And this is also true of the first convertible in GTI history!


VIDEO : 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet


Images : 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Source : VOLKSWAGEN]

2012 DTM : Paffett wins home race at Brands Hatch

2012 DTM R.3 Brands Hatch winner : Gary Paffett (GBR) #11-THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé

Fawkham. At the moment, he is the man to beat in the DTM: with his DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé, Briton Gary Paffett dominantly won the third round of the year at Brands Hatch (GB). At this season’s first round of the most popular international touring car series outside of Germany, the 31-year old scored a lights-to-flag win in his home race. “This was a great race, everything was perfect. Although my start wasn’t that good, I remained in front and was able to bring victory home without any problems. It would be great when things go on like this”, said Paffett, who already won the season opener at Hockenheim and now has 19 DTM race wins to his tally.


Bruno Spengler was also overjoyed having crossed the finish line after 97 laps to finish second with his BMW M3 DTM. The Canadian looked set to drive an undisputed second place home until ten laps before the end. Then, a front splitter broke on his car and the 28-year old had to defend his place from Mike Rockenfeller, who was behind him with the Audi A5 DTM. “I had a good race and tried to overtake Gary, but he didn’t make any mistakes. After the front splitter was broken, I lost downforce and I had to be careful. That enabled Rockenfeller to put me under pressure. Fortunately, it still was enough for me”, said Spengler. With 43 points, he is closest behind points’ leader Paffett, who is leading tzhe drivers’ standings with 68 points. Mattias Ekström (Audi) is third with 35 points.

With his Audi A5 DTM, Mike Rockenfeller made up one position at the start. The 28-year old German successfully defended his position against the attacks from reigning DTM champion Martin Tomczyk (Audi) and managed to score a podium finish by coming home third. Rockenfeller commented after the race: “The result is very important for Audi and gives a boost to the entire team. At the end, I still tried to get past Bruno, but I didn’t want to risk everything, because the points for third place were very important to me.”

Swede Mattias Ekström (Audi) finished fifth behind Tomczyk. Christian Vietoris dropped back from second to ninth after a poor start. The Mercedes-Benz driver fought back and took the chequered flag in sixth place. Spaniard Miguel Molina (Audi), Briton Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz) and the two Audi drivers Edoardo Mortara (IT) and Filipe Albuquerque (PT) rounded out the top ten.

In total, 27,000 fans attended the racing weekend in Kent County in the south-east of Great Britain. The next round takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, June 3rd.

Norbert Haug, head of motorsport Mercedes-Benz: “Now that was a really thrilling race and I am really delighted with this victory. It would be great when we can continue this series. Gary split up the race the way he needed it. Nevertheless, it wasn’t a walk in the park, because one has to remain incredibly focussed. After his poor start, Christian Vietoris has made up positions and finished sixth. That is something you first have to achieve at a track like this.”

Jens Marquardt, BMW motorsport director: “Bruno had a great start and moved up into second place. He put pressure on and was able to keep this up. After his front splitter was broken, we had problems with the aerodynamics of the vehicle. But Bruno did a great job in bringing his second place home. That was a very strong performance! The second podium after three races already is not what we had expected beforehand.”

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, head of motorsport Audi: “Today, we have made the best out of our possibilities. Especially Mike Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina were very quick in the race. The podium reflects the current situation in the DTM: all three manufacturers are competing at an identical level. It is a matter of tenths, hundredths and thousandths. Rocky’s third place gives the entire team an additional boost. Mattias Ekström has moved up to third place in the standings.”


2012 DTM - Round 3 Brands Hatch - Race result


Images : 2012 DTM - Round 3 Brands Hatch


  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Source : DTM-Official]