Bentley Mulsanne bringing new luxury features to Geneva

The Bentley Mulsanne will benefit from a number of new luxury features when the enhanced flagship sedan debuts at the Geneva motor show in March.

The Mulsanne�??s new Comfort Specification package adds headrests with manually adjustable wings (similar to those on an aeroplane), new footrests, loose cushions trimmed with the same tanned leather as the seats and filled with fine duck down, and a new rear-door armrest storage compartment designed for mobiles, Bluetooth headphones and other personal items.

Further enhancing luxury is the availability of rear compartment privacy curtains, which integrate into the rear doors and rear windscreen surround and can be extended or stowed at the touch of a button.

For more tech-savvy passengers, Bentley is offering a new Entertainment Specification package, which brings rear picnic tables with integrated iPads and wireless keyboards, as well as two eight-inch LCD screens linked to the Mulsanne�??s �??Naim for Bentley�?? audio system in the back of the front headrests.

Connectivity is also enhanced, with Bentley introducing an upgraded Wi-Fi router with a high-speed Universal Mobile Telecommunications System phone module and SIM card reader, providing a rolling hotspot for internet access for up to eight devices simultaneously.

The Bentley Mulsanne�??s colour palette has been expanded with three new exterior tones �?" Dark Cashmere, Portofino and Damson �?" and three additional leather colours �?" Brunel, Saffron and Damson �?" while a matching handmade six-piece Schedoni luggage set can now also be ordered for added personalisation.

The Bentley Mulsanne is priced from $662,857 in Australia.

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BMW and Toyota confirm details of sports car, hydrogen partnership

BMW and Toyota have revealed more details of the partnership that will see the two global automotive giants collaborate on a pair of new sports cars and technology for a range of next-generation hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles.

Having signed a memorandum of understanding in July, BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) have now signed binding agreements aimed at a long-term collaboration between the two companies.

The first task for the Euro-Japanese partnership is the development of a feasibility study defining a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports car, which is scheduled to be completed before the end of this year.

Toyota�??s version will sit above the 86 coupe in its line-up, potentially resurrecting the Supra badge, although there is less clarity about the positioning of BMW�??s version. The companies have revealed little about the sports cars other than that they will �??combine each other�??s technology at a high level to maximise customer satisfaction�?�.

BMW and Toyota�??s efforts on hydrogen technology will extend to the development and construction of a fuel cell stack and system, as well as a hydrogen tank, electric motor and battery, with the duo targeting completion by 2020.

The partnership will also focus on the development of lightweight components such as reinforced composites for use in vehicles bodies, as well as a research program into the development of lithium-air batteries, which will have energy density greatly exceeding that of current lithium-ion batteries.

BMW Group chairman Norbert Reithofer described the collaboration as an �??important building block in keeping both companies on a successful course in the future�?�.

�??TMC and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of future sustainable mobility,�?� Reithofer said.

�??In light of the technological changes ahead, the entire automotive industry faces tremendous challenges, which we also regard as an opportunity.�?�

TMC president Akio Toyoda said the two companies were committed to working hard together to produce even better cars in the future.

�??It is just over a year since we signed our collaborative MoU, and with each day as our relationship strengthens, we feel acutely that we are making steadfast progress,�?� Toyoda said.

�??Now, we are entering the phase that promises the fruit.�?�

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LOTUS F1 TEAM E21 UNVEILED AT ENSTONE

2013 Lotus E21

The Lotus F1 Team E21 has been unleashed from the team’s Enstone base in Oxfordshire, England. Revealed to team partners on site, streamed live on YouTube and broadcast live on Sky Sports News in the UK, the E21 will contest the 2013 FIA Formula 1 World Championship with drivers Kimi Räikkönen (E21 n°7) and Romain Grosjean (E20 n°8).

With only limited changes to the technical and sporting regulations from 2012, the E21 continues the design themes seen in its race-winning predecessor, the E20. However, it is pushing last year’s concepts even further as well as incorporating some innovative technical solutions. The new car also features a slightly tweaked livery, incorporating an extra touch or red.

Joining the team as Third Driver is reigning GP2 series champion Davide Valsecchi, whilst Nicolas Prost will perform Development Driver duties. Jérôme D’Ambrosio will continue with the team as Reserve Driver.

Eric Boullier, Team Principal: "I think it is fair to say that great things are possible from the team and the E21. The leap we made from 2011 to 2012 showed what we are capable of. Add to this the continuity and potential of our driver line-up and we have a very powerful cocktail for the season ahead. Our ambitious plan to turn ourselves into one of the top teams in Formula 1 is coming to fruition and now we need to harness this with strong and regular podium results."

James Allison, Technical Director: "The E20 proved itself to be an effective racing car – particularly towards the end of last season – so there is an element of expectation from the E21 and plenty to build upon. We have continued with our design themes and tried to create a more efficient and faster racing car based on all the lessons we learnt last year. How successful we have been in this task will only be discovered when we take to the track at the winter tests and – more significantly – at Grands Prix."

Kimi Räikkönen, Race Driver: "Of course, I’ve not driven the E21 yet so it’s difficult to say what could or could not be possible for the year ahead. We know we had a good car last season, but everyone is working hard to make the best package. I will be working with the team to help get the car as strong as we can, then in Melbourne we’ll have our first taste of results. It’s a long season from there. 2012 was a good start; let’s see what we can do in 2013."

Romain Grosjean, Race Driver: "I can clearly say I want to score a lot of points for the team – everybody knows that – but I think it would be wrong for me to say I want to finish in a particular position in the championship. I really want to jump out of the car as many times as possible thinking that I did a good job. Knowing that everything I could do, I did, and feeling proud of my race or session. I hope to feel that way as many times as possible this year."

Images : 2013 LOTUS E21


[Source : LOTUS]

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NISSAN JUKE NISMO - MANUFACTURED IN THE UK

Nissan Juke Nismo - manufactured in Sunderland Plant

Production of the new Nissan Juke Nismo at the company's state-of-the-art factory in Sunderland, UK, is now well underway.

The highly experienced engineering and manufacturing teams have integrated the first of the new Nismo models into the existing production line. Thanks to Nissan's advanced assembly operation, it's a seamless process with no special day-to-day provisions or delays.

The bold design features of Juke Nismo have required some modifications at the plant, for production of the unique front and rear bumpers plus other elements of the new, more aerodynamic body. The car, which is available in Storm White, also makes use of the Sunderland plant's state-of-the-art paint facility.

Since its launch in 2010, more than 330,000 Jukes have been built at the factory, where Nissan also manufactures the Note, Qashqai and Qashqai+2.

Last year the plant set a new production record of 510,000 units, up from the previous best of 480,000 in 2011. The 2010 benchmark of 420,000 was the first time in history that any UK car production facility had made more than 400,000 passenger vehicles in a year.

When the plant opened in 1986, employees assembled 12.5 cars per hour. The figure is now an astonishing 118 per hour, 60 on Line 1 and 58 on Line 2. Around 80 per cent of production is exported, mainly to mainland Europe but to a total of 97 international markets.

The Juke Nismo is the first of a range that will take Nissan's wealth of global motorsport success and move it from the race track to the road. The Juke Nismo features a more aerodynamic body kit, driver-focused interior upgrades and a more powerful turbocharged engine. Stiffer suspension and modified steering means an enhanced dynamic experience, with sportier handling and improved traction.

Images: Nissan Juke NISMO Production


[Source : NEWSPRESS]

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