Volkswagen will soon put on the market the CrossPolo Urban White, special version of the German compact, featuring a white pearlescent paint, gloss black mirror shells and 17-inch alloy wheels. The interior includes many details in “Silver One” paint on the dashboard and chrome trim on the steering wheel; the sports seats are dressed in cloth and Alcantara, with silver contrast stitching. The car offers a range of four petrol and three diesel engines, mated to a five or six-speed manual transmission or a dual-clutch seven-speed DSG. The model will go on sale in Germany later this year, with a price starting from Euro 18,975.

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The new generation of the Ford Mustang is expected to surface in 2015, and here is a new rendering which has recently surfaced on the internet that some ‘insider’ from the US claims to be pretty close to what the final design of the model will be. The new Mustang is likely to become a global model, meaning it is being designed to meet the tastes of both American and European customers, but it will also retain several elements recalling the previous generations of this popular muscle car. However, according to website Inside Line, at the moment the Blue Oval isn’t really considering the idea of exporting it abroad.

The style of the new model will probably be more aggressive too, with a sleeker and lighter body that should draw some inspiration from what we have seen with the Evos concept. The Detroit-based manufacturer has already confirmed that the overall design and proportions of the model will remain the same (hence the long boot and short tail) whereas the technical contents will be enhanced with the adoption of a lighter frame as well as a fully independent suspension systems, both of which will improve its driving accuracy.

As for the engine range, rumor has it that a brand new supercharged 4-cylinder engine will replace the current V6, ensuring the same kind of performance with much better fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures. Almost needless to say, a classic and powerful V8 will also be part of the game. The definitive version of the next Mustang is likely to make its debut at the 2014 New York Auto Show.

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Cadillac had started the development of a new modular platform, with rear-wheel drive, that will be used for the production of large vehicles ranging from E to F-segments. According to Car and Driver, General Motors would like to introduce a new Cadillac flagship with an exclusive dedicated architecture: the Omega platform. The saloon is scheduled for 2015 and will be offered in standard and long wheelbase versions.

The standard engine will be a 3.5-litre V6 with output of 310 hp, also available in supercharged variant along with a V8 engine and a hybrid solution. The current four-speed automatic transmission will be replaced by an all-new and most efficient eight-speed gearbox. The Omega structure could also serve as the basis to build a spectacular four-door convertible anticipated by the Cadillac Ciel.

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Toyota is expected to launch a convertible version of the GT 86 between late 2013 and early 2014. To further support the news, Car and Driver has published an article where an official source has finally confirmed recent rumours about Toyota GT 86 Convertible.

The Cabrio version of the GT 86 will probably mount the same 2.0-litre boxer naturally aspirated D4-S developed with Subaru. The power output of 200 hp and 205 Nm is transmitted to the rear wheels via a manual or automatic transmission, both with 6-speed. The power delivered is not of the highest, but the lightness of the car makes it exciting to drive and responsive in every situation, both on the track and on the road.

The GT 86 coupe with manual transmission, sprints from standstill to 100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds achieving a top speed of 226 km/h, while the six-speed automatic model covers the 0-100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, with a maximum speed of 210 km/h.

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Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin CEO, has officially confirmed the arrival of a new model by summer. The car will be marking the centenary of the British carmaker. “This will be an entirely new model – stated Bez - We have to do something remarkable to mark our centenary. It won’t be a DB9 with a Centenary Edition badge and it won’t be a limited edition like the One-77 supercar. This will be a mainstream Aston.”

Dr Bez did not release any further details but, after spy shots of a DB9-based mule started circulating, there is reason to believe that is the highly anticipated model. The sports car, while remaining faithful to Aston stylistic tradition, will be a completely original unit, intended to influence the design of the entire range of the brand.

The prototypes of the new English GT, still heavily camouflaged, suggests a more aggressive front fascia, with a ventilated hood and a sharper rear, featuring LED tail-lights. The engine specifications are still kept secret, but the unit could be the glorious 6.0-litre V12 with output of over 500 hp.

Continue reading: Aston Martin Centenary: will a new DB9 be the cherry on the birthday cake?

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Here is a bunch of new official pictures starring the Rimac Concept One, a new Croatian sportscar that was introduced to the world at the latest Frankfurt Motor Show. This interesting car is powered by a uses a pretty unique powertrain that is made of four different sub-systems, each consisting of an electric motor, inverter and reduction gearbox. What sets this powertrain apart from the other offerings of the electric realm is its outstanding output, rated at 1,088 hp with 3,800 Nm of peak torque.

Weighing in at 1,650 kg, the car should be able to hit the 100 km/h mark (62 mph) from standstill in just 2.8 seconds, reaching a quite impressive top speed of 305 km/h (roughly 190 mph). In spite of these impressive performance figures though, the Concept One boasts a pretty good autonomy of about 600 km (372 miles). Only 88 units of this car will be produced, each one coming with an equally impressive 740,000 Euros price tag attached to it.

View the full Rimac Concept One photo gallery

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Honda’s engineers have developed a system that should prevent traffic congestion problems in cities. The technology is based on the impact of acceleration and deceleration of a single vehicle on the whole traffic. Still in the developing stage, the Honda Congestion Prevention Technology will be tested on Italian and Indonesian roads starting from May, in order to assess its functionality.

Honda’s new system will allow cars to communicate with each other and will send important information to the driver on how to maintain a suitable pace, in order to not create queues. Some studies have proven that traffic jams are mainly caused by sudden braking followed by accelerations; this driving pattern eventually decreases the space between cars, gradually slowing traffic.

The traffic prevention system is connected to an on-board terminal in the car, which is further connected to a cloud server that transmits traffic conditions to the driver. The signals are elaborated and then displayed on the dashboard, with a colour-coded pattern. Honda engineers have demonstrated that the system helped increasing the average traveling speed in traffic, by approximately 23%, improving fuel efficiency by 8%.

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Utah State University Research Foundation’s Energy Dynamics Laboratory (EDL) is working to develop a new high-power, high efficiency wireless power transfer system for electric cars. This system will be able to rapidly recharge the batteries of electric vehicles in motion, thus solving many problems of today’s electric cars.

The system works by transferring power from a special pad built under the ground to a receiver attached under the car, wirelessly. The next step for the American researchers will be to recharge vehicles while in motion. Jeff Muhs, director of EDL said: “Future versions of the system architecture have the unique potential to be embedded under pavement and transfer power wirelessly to vehicles at speeds of 75 mph or more and provide enough power to completely eliminate the range anxiety of electric vehicles”.

EDL plans to make the first demonstration of wireless power transfer system by the end of 2013. This new technology will also be reducing cars’ battery size by up to 80%, making electric vehicles much lighter and solving many of the problems related to charging. The development of this technology will take another few years to be completed, but it “will eventually enable the safe and efficient electrification of highways – states Muhs - end our dependence on foreign oil, and enable a new era of enhanced mobility.”

Via| greentechmedia

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Renault has accidentally revealed the first two official teasers dedicated to the next generation of the Clio (the fourth.) The two snapshots were allegedly taken from some internal documents presented at Renault’s general shareholder meeting in Paris on Friday, April 27. The images show the front and the rear quarters view of the new French B-segment’s outline. The car has been created by Laurens van den Acker, who has given us a glimpse of Renault’s new design strategy with the electric Zoe. The new Renault Clio will be unveiled in October at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

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Nissan is also at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show to present the NV200 Taxi, which was premiered at the New York International Auto Show a few weeks ago. Just to put it into the right perspective, let us remind you that the Japanese carmaker has been selected to be the new NYC official taxi supplier starting next year, and therefore that plenty of these vehicles will be haunting the Big Apple for the following 10 years, so you better get used to it.

The NV200 comes with a low-emission 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine and has been designed to accommodate up to 4 passenger (not including the cab-driver) and their luggage. Among its most remarkable features there are the sliding doors, sunroof, a two-zone air-con (one for each row of seats), 6-way adjustable seats, USB and 12V recharging ports, integrated sat-nav, front and rear-seat occupant curtain airbags and the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.

Each day, 600,000 New Yorkers hop in the back of the 13,000 taxis that are spread across the city, covering about 500 million miles every year. Impressive figures, no wonder they wanted to upgrade the whole thing, and this is the vehicle actually in charge of making New York ‘greener’ and more sustainable: “The Nissan NV 200 will be the safest, most comfortable and most convenient taxi the City has ever had - said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg - New York City cabs have always been iconic, and now they will set a new standard. The 600,000 passengers who use taxis to get around every day deserve the cutting-edge technology and top-of-the-line safety features that this model delivers.” Check out the specs of this model right after the jump.

Continue reading: Nissan NV200 Taxi @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show

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