Volkswagens New Midsize Coupe Concept Shown in Beijing
Volkswagen showcased its four-door coupe concept at the Beijing Motor Show – the New Midsize Coupe (NMC) concept which hints at a sleeker new Jetta possibly coming from the company soon.
Engine specifications
The New Midsize Coupe Concept is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI engine producing 162 kW of power which is transferred to the wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. This enables the coupe to do the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 244 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.4 litres / 100 km.
Sporty looks inside and out
The concept benefits from a sleek profile with a drag coefficient of 0.29, as well as 20-inch wheels shod in low profile tyres and a body covered in Dragon Red paint. There is also a new LED headlight design which is integrated as part of the grille. The taillights feature aluminium accents and below these is an integrated rear diffuser that houses square-shaped exhaust tips.
In addition, the New Midsize Coupe offers enough cabin space for five people and a cargo capacity of 500 litres. The inner surfaces of the seats are designed in a bright “Silk” colour, while the outer areas form a contrast in the dark “Ebony Black”. The controls, including the multifunction sports steering wheel and the infotainment system have been adapted from the current Golf.
No details have been provided as yet about a potential production version.
Volkswagen New Midsize Coupe Concept gallery
Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV Unveiled
Mercedes-Benz has officially revealed the Concept Coupe SUV which previews an upcoming sixth model in its future SUV line-up.
Elegant styling features
A clear rival for the BMW X6, the Mercedes-Benz’s Concept Coupe SUV is described as being as ‘sensual as a coupe visionary as an SUV.’ It features muscular wings, large wheel arches, massive 22-inch wheels, high beltline and generous ground clearance.
The four-door, all-wheel drive coupe additionally has a height of just 1.75 metres, a length of almost five metres, and an imposing width of a good two metres thanks to its broad shoulders and flared wheel arches.
The Concept Coupe SUV is also emphasised by the design of the rear end with elements of the design line first presented with the S-Class Coupe, which the company says will be prominent in future models.
The upright sports grille with single louvre is framed by three-dimensional designed all-LED Multibeam headlights which were fitted along with a permanent 4MATIC all-wheel drive system working with a nine-speed automatic transmission with torque convertor lock-up.
Engine specifications
Under the hood is a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbocharged engine producing 245 kW at 5 500 rpm and 480 Nm of torque available between 1 400 and 4 000 rpm. The concept uses a double wishbone front combined with a multi-link rear setup and benefits from air suspension with selective damping and an Active Curve System active roll stabilisation.
The production version of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV is expected to be unveiled at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, in Detroit next year.
Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV gallery
Haval Coupe Concept Unveiled
Haval is the luxury arm of Chinese car maker Great Wall Motors and the firm ruffled some feathers with the impressive Coupe Concept at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show.
Despite the Chinese origin, Haval is designing and making products which effortlessly rub shoulders with its European counterparts. It’s a sharp looking and modern SUV, and despite its coupe designation, it has four doors. You’re probably wondering where you’ve seen this style and shape before, and you’re not wrong if you thought of the BMW X6.
Pierre Leclercq is a Belgian-born car designer who used to work for BMW. By work, I mean he was design chief of BMW’s M division. His creations include the BMW X5 facelift, BMW X6, BMW 3-Series GT as well as many products from BMW’s M Division. He joined GWM in September 2013 and got to work on an SUV concept. It was that concept which has finally seen the light of day at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show.
It’s a sleek design and an indication of where Haval is going in terms of look and style of future products. This concept is said to preview the upcoming Haval Sport and is powered by a plug-in hybrid engine. Haval is keeping mum on performance figures, but did claim 2.2l/100km from the all-wheel drive vehicle.
Haval Coupe Concept Gallery
Audi A3 is 2014 World Car of The Year
The Audi A3 has been named as the 2014 World Car of the Year. The win gives Audi a second overall victory in the ten year history of the competition after the Audi A6 claimed the title back in 2005. The A3 went up against 23 other vehicles and came out on top.
The Audi A3 is now in its third generation and we at Cars.co.za rate it very highly. You can check out our review of the Audi A3. 1.4 TFSI Sportback here. The Audi A3 was also a finalist in the South African Car of the Year competition. Sadly it didn’t claim local honours as the Porsche Cayman S lifted the trophy.
Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, said:
“The Audi A6 was the first ever winner of this award and we are delighted that the Audi A3 has repeated that achievement by being voted 2014 World Car of the Year. The Audi A3 showcases Audi’s technical competence in all aspects of carmaking, not least in the areas of lightweight technology, drivetrain, mobile infotainment and driver assistance systems. This major award win is an achievement that the whole company can celebrate”.
Audi has a decent track record when it comes to the various categories of Car of the Year competition. Other awards which Audi has won include:
2005 Audi A6 World Car of the Year 2007 Audi RS 4 World Performance Car Audi TT World Car Design of the Year 2008 Audi R8 World Performance Car Audi R8 World Car Design of the Year 2010 Audi R8 V10 World Performance Car
Volkswagen Golf R 400 Concept Bows Down In Beijing
Volkswagen has revealed the Golf R 400 concept at the Beijing Motor Show.
R 400 turbocharged engine
As mentioned previously, the Volkswagen Golf R 400 is equipped with a four-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The modified turbocharger has a higher maximum boost pressure along with a reinforced crankcase. These changes result in an increased output of 73 kW and 70 Nm, totalling the output to 294 kW and 450 Nm.
The car further uses an all-wheel drive 4MOTION system coupled with an automatic 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG), which can also be shifted manually as an alternative via the gear shift lever or steering wheel paddles. This setup enables the concept to travel from 0-100 km/h in only 3.9 seconds, which is much quicker than the Golf R. Top speed has also increased from 250 km/h to 280 km/h.
Customised design features
The Volkswagen Golf R 400 concept features a wide range of design changes including a wider body (increased by 20mm on both sides) to accommodate the new flared wheel arches which feature 19-inch alloy wheels shod in 235/35 R19 tyres while on the front there’s a carbon fibre splitter.
The rear is distinguished by a carbon fibre wing spoiler, a deeper bumper infused with carbon fibre elements, and a carbon fibre diffuser housing two large round tail pipes. The car additionally comes with racy yellow accents and an LED brake light bar in the rear spoiler.
Inside, Volkswagen has fitted motorsport shell seats featuring built-in head restraints and belt openings while the four individual seat have been wrapped around in cross-quilted Alcantara & carbon leather with Lemon Yellow contrasting stitching. The centre console accents, cockpit surround and trim around the air nozzles are designed in glossy black piano finish, while carbon leather is used in the “R” design of the three-spoke sport leather steering wheel.
Apparently Volkswagen’s head of research and development has confirmed plans to build a production version of the Golf R 400 concept on a limited basis as a flagship for the company’s performance car division. We will keep you updated on any developments regarding this story.
Volkswagen Golf R 400 concept gallery
Subaru Outback (2015) Shown Off In New York
The next-generation Subaru Outback was one of the final reveals of the 2014 New York Auto Show and it almost went amiss.
It’s business as usual for the Subaru Outback and it continues to offer the most spacious interior, a capable chassis and impressive fuel consumption. The all-new 2015 Outback focuses on off-pavement control, ride control, interior refinement, on-road agility and also features new safety technology.
There’s three specification / trim lines available and there’s also a number of powerplants available ranging from a 2.5-litre flat-four motor to a range-topping 3.6-litre six-cylinder with almost 200 kW! Hopefully there’s going to be a diesel engine too. All Outback models now come standard with the decent Lineartronic CVT gearbox, which also has paddles behind the steering wheel. It’s this transmission which is credited for the new Subaru Outback impressive and improved fuel economy.
Given the fact that the outgoing model won Towcar of The Year Award, I’d be surprised if we don’t see the new Subaru Outback arriving on South African shores in the near future. At the time of publishing, Subaru Southern Africa was busy investigating trim options for our market.
Subaru Outback (2015) Gallery
Subaru Outback 2015 Video
Audi TT Offroad Concept Officially Revealed In Beijing
Audi has officially unveiled the TT Offroad concept in Beijing a combination of a sporty coupe with the practicality of a compact SUV.
The plug-in hybrid drive
The four-door model has a four-cylinder 2.0-litre TFSI engine with 215 kW and 380 Nm which work together with two electric motors that deliver an added 85 kW and 270 Nm to generate a combined output of 300 kW and 650 Nm.
The TT Offroad concept can reach 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at just 1.9 litres / 100 km with CO2 emissions of 45 g/km.
Audi says the vehicle has a balanced 54:46 weight distribution between the front and rear axles as well as a low centre of gravity. The battery stores up to 12 kWh of energy which enables the car to travel in electric mode for up to 50 km, while as a hybrid it will do up to 880 km.
Exterior features
The Audi TT Offroad concept is also based on Volkswagens versatile modular transverse matrix (MQB). The body of the car is based on the ASF (Audi Space Frame) principle and features a hybrid concept with both steel and aluminium components.
The crossover measures 4.39 metres long, 1.85 metres wide and has a wheelbase of 2.63 metre, resembling the current Audi Q3, It is however 8 cm shorter, giving it a sportier appearance. It has also received massive 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped around in 255/40 tyres.
Interior features
The interior of the Audi TT Offroad concept offers space for four people on slim sport seats with integrated head restraints. Theres also a customisable 12.3-inch TFT display which produces high-quality 3D graphics to the driver. A large number of functions can be controlled through the multifunction steering wheel or the MMI terminal on the centre tunnel console.
Other technology includes three Audi Smart Displays, which serve as mobile infotainment systems both in and out of the car. In the boot there’s a custom box with a 1:8 scale RC car along with space for tools and battery. For more cargo room, the individual rear seats can be folded almost flat to enable a wide load area.
The Audi TT Offroad concept provides a glimpse of how we might imagine a new model in the future TT family, said Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development. It combines the sporty genes of the TT with the strengths of a compact Audi SUV. Its plug-in hybrid drive with the option of inductive charging is a major step toward the mobility of the future. We chose to present the Audi TT Offroad concept in China, our second domestic market, because it represents the urban mobility of tomorrow: It is sustainable, dynamic, intelligent and connected.
Audi TT Offroad Concept gallery
Weekly News Wrap 17/04/2014
Have you missed any of the news from the 2014 New York Auto Show? Check out our reviews too.
Announced as the most powerful convertible ever produced by Chevrolet, the Z06 features an all-new LT4 6.2l supercharged V8 engine, expected to deliver at least 466 kW and 861 Nm of torque.
Last year, Ford announced the revival of the Escort nameplate with a new concept which was showcased at the Shanghai Auto show. And now the company plans to introduce a production version of the Ford Escort at this months Beijing Motor Show in China.
Audi South Africa has celebrated the production of 500 000 TT compact sports cars with a limited edition model called the Audi TTS Competition.
2015 Nissan Murano Crossover Revealed
Nissan has given an early preview to its all-new 2015 Nissan Murano Crossover which is scheduled to debut at the 2014 New York International Auto Show.
Citroen DS 6WR To Be Introduced In China
Ready to make its public debut at the Beijing Auto Show, Citroen has released details and an official image of its DS 6WR crossover which is said to have been inspired by the Wild Rubis concept shown in Shanghai last year.
All-new Subaru WRX Available in SA Soon (Video)
Subaru South Africa will launch the premium all-new WRX in two new derivatives towards the end of May 2014, previewing what is a new era of sports vehicle manufacture for the Subaru brand. 2015 Ford Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition Revealed
Ford is marking the 50th anniversary of the Mustang with a special limited edition version of the original pony car which will be available in either Wimbledon White or Kona Blue.
2015 MINI Countryman Officially Revealed
The 2015 MINI Countryman has officially been unveiled, sporting a number of updates to ensure the continued success of the premium compact model.
Renault Sandero (2014) Reviewed
The second generation Renault Sandero has been on sale since the middle of March 2014 and after attending the launch in Johannesburg, we get our hands on one for a week-long evaluation.
Rallycross-spec 2015 WRX STI Previewed in New York
Subaru has revealed its new contender for the Global Rally Cross (GRC) the Rallycross-spec 2015 WRX STI which made its world premiere at the New York Auto Show this week.
2014 New York Auto Show
Check out some of the hottest cars shown off at the 2014 New York Auto Show
2014 New York Auto Show Gallery
Follow all the latest news from the 2014 New York Auto show, by clicking on the tag2014 New York Auto Show news, and view the gallery below.
Rallycross-spec 2015 WRX STI Previewed in New York
Subaru has revealed its new contender for the Global Rally Cross (GRC) – the Rallycross-spec 2015 WRX STI which made its world premiere at the New York Auto Show this week.
The car is the result of a joint project between Subaru Rally Team USA, RedBull Global Rallycross and NBC and was created to promote 2014 RedBull GRC season that begins May 18.
The Rallycross-spec 2015 WRX STI comes with a custom wide body kit wide body kit, a carbon fibre rear wing, rally car-style roof scoop and mirrors, along with Method Race Wheels mounted on RedBull GRCs new Yokohama spec race tyres.
Subaru says that behind the wheel of the full-race version will be Bucky Lasek and Sverre Isachsen. The company also mentioned that a stage rally version is in the works and will be unveiled later this year with Travis Pastrana and David Higgins as pilots for the Subaru Rally Team USA in the Rally America Championship.
