The geeky looking guys in lab coats don’t really evoke the kind of petrol head dream the acronym AMG represents, but after all this is a video about AMG technological innovation and high performance engines - not the gorgeous cars the powertrains end up in at the end of their production lifecycle.

The AMG technical video takes us through the new AMG 5.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 which has recently been released on the new Mercedes SLK AMG. The engine not only uses the naturally aspirated technology but has been modified on all fronts to provide better performance but also fuel economy. The video gives us the low-down on the camshaft, valve and fuel injection functions and everything else.

The video also gives us an insight into the cylinder control of this engine, revealing just why it’s so efficient and easy on the fuel for a performance unit. If we needed convincing that AMG is at the top of its game, we certainly don’t anymore and it’s only through this kind of research and development that we’ll be able to drive top performance, fuel-powered cars into the future.

0 comments

Here in Europe we’re lucky enough to know that manuals have a stronghold on our market, and learning how to do a hill start is still an essential part of any driver’s knowledge. But in the US there is a battle on to save the manual transmission and Mini has got the boxing gloves on, offering a discount on its manual options.

The Mini Cooper, Clubman and Convertible models will all be offered with a $500 discount when purchasing the manual option, which is great news for any in the market for a new Mini. Whether you need an extra incentive to buy manual or not, it’s always nice to know you’ve got one.

Autoblog suggests that the manual transmission, otherwise known as an “essential piece of driver involvement”, will soon be extinct in the future, but here in Europe we hope to hang out with our gears for a bit longer yet. And if Mini were to whip 500 euros off manual models here… well, we’d probably be seeing even more of them on our streets.

0 comments

The Bentley Continental GT is said to be testing a new four-litre V8 Bentley engine which should be into production by 2012. The new Bentley engine lineup will have both a single-turbo unit with about 415 hp and a twin-turbo powerplant with 555 hp. Spy shots originally appearing were thought to be the Bentley Continental Speed version, but according to Autocar that now isn’t the case, although the model pictured possibly equips the twin-turbo unit.

The Bentley Continental family is supposed to get a better driving feel with the new engine and a sportier character. Matching the new engines will probably be a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission like the Audi S-Tronic. The Continental platform has been redeveloped to house the new gearbox, and the new V8 engine will also be shared across other VAG brands, possibly going into the bonnet of the new Audi S6.

The Audi S6 will get the single-turbo version and the RS6 the twin-turbo unit. The S6 looks set to debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, where the new Bentley Continental GTC will also turn up - but without its new V8 engine. It will more likely get a 2012 launch date at either Detroit or Geneva.

0 comments

The Peugeot e-HDI vehicle range has expanded to include the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 models, and the Peugeot Partner Tepee. The models are all equipped with start&stop technology with super-quick switch-on time and no engine vibrations. Peugeot claims fuel consumption is reduced by up to 15 percent on the urban circuit with this kind of technology, as the engine will actually switch itself off at speeds less than 20 km/hr for the manual, or 8 km/hr for the automatic.

After the e-HDI system debuted on the 308 and 508, we now get the MPV 3008 and 5008 models with this option. They are equipped with the 1.6-litre e-HDI engine setup with 112 hp, capable of between 122 and 127 g/km of CO2 emissions. The Peugeot Partner Tepee uses the 92 hp version with automatic shift and about 125 g/km of emissions. A 90-hp version of the Partner will also be available with either automatic or manual transmission.

The e-HDI models come with an “Eco” gauge which measures the time the engine actually stays off during a trip, and which controls the stand-by system at low speeds. It seems the French have decided that the ecological field is one which they can play in early and we’ll be seeing more eco and electrical options roll out in the future across the range.

0 comments

Aston Martin will start designing its much-needed new generation of 2015-2016 sports cars after it has secured financing to fund the development. The current VH platform which underpins the Aston Martin DB9, Vantage and Rapide sports cars has been in use since 2003, and the English sports car manufacturer will finally be able to start designing and engineering the next generation, with the process likely to start in 2012.

Global investors have subscribed to a 304 million pound bond which will be fundamental to ensuring Aston Martin’s financial future and enabling the development of its models. It will be an expensive operation for the company which will pay an interest rate of 9.25 percent per year.

While Aston is expected to develop and all-new platform, the VH platform will be reworked so that it can be used when new pedestrian impact safety rules start in 2012. The DB9, Vantage and Rapide will also get facelifts as we wait for new Aston Martin models. According to reports from Autocar, Aston Martin is looking for partners to help engineer the new platform, including Mercedes-Benz and its SLS alloy platform.

0 comments

Fiat is no slouch when it comes to engine technology and in recent talks between Sergio Marchionne and Suzuki management, the two companies have come to an agreement over a Fiat-Suzuki partnership. The deal sees Suzuki use the Fiat 1.6 Multijet engine from 2013 on a new project. No announcements have been made as to exactly which vehicle will use the four-cylinder diesel, but it is expected to be an all-new model which will be built in Hungary.

The deal follows previous arrangements in which Suzuki purchased 2.0-litre diesel engines from Fiat Powertrain Technologies for the Suzuki SX4 compact SUV. The Japanese company also produces 1.3-litre Fiat engines under licence in India, but is now looking to Fiat to produce the next generation two-litre diesel.

No news has been released regarding the future of the Fiat Sedici compact SUV, which is based on the SX4 and is manufactured by Suzuki in Hungary. In the Fiat-Chrysler product plan, the Sedici is to be replaced with a small SUV in collaboration with Jeep, but Suzuki has a contract to build it until 2013, after which no Sedici replacement as such is planned. In any case, 2013 marks the year when Sedici production will cease and announcements will possibly be made on the Fiat-Jeep SUV.

Source | Automotive News

0 comments

The new Opel Astra EcoFLEX has reduced CO2 emissions at just 99 g/km. The new EcoFLEX model replaces the previous four-cylinder, 1.3-litre diesel with 95 hp, and has managed 17 percent reduced fuel consumption despite an increase to 130 hp and 300 Nm of torque. The new 1.7 CDTI registers an average fuel use of 3.7 l/100 km thanks to brake energy regeneration, start&stop fuel saving, and tweaks to the six-speed manual transmission.

The Astra ecoFLEX also has a few aerodynamic upgrades and low-resistance ContiEcoContact 5 tyres. The suspension has also been lowered by 12mm. The 1.7 CDTI has a new electronics and injection system, with reduced compression ratios and a new variable turbocompressor. Overall, further changes to temperature and valve management make this a far more efficient engine, without compromising performance.

0 comments

The BMW M3 CRT or Carbon Racing Technology model is being released. It’s based on the M3 sedan and is a four-door variant of the M3 GTS Coupé. The driving force behind the model is BMW’s increasingly extensive use of lightweight materials, and the M3 CRT comes in at 45 kg less than the standard sedan, for a total of 1,580 kg.

The bonnet, roof and seats all use CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic), which will also appear on BMW’s future ‘i’ electric models to counteract the weight of the battery packs to be used. The M3 CRT also gets a new titanium exhaust. The model is available only in Frozen Polar Silver tint, and has a black grille and exterior trim around the air intakes, and some red highlights around the aerodynamic features.

On the inside the black and red combination continues with red leather seats and rear separated sports seats which replace the classic bench seat. That makes the M3 CRT a four-seater car. The engine is a 4.4-litre V8 with 450 hp, M-DCT seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a sprint time to 100 of 4.4 seconds. Top speed is 290 km/hr. A new coilover suspension has been fitted and we also get stability control and DSC traction control. Only 67 M3 CRT cars will be made at a price of about 130,000 euros.

Continue reading: BMW M3 CRT pics and details

0 comments

Great news for BMW M fans who want to row their own gears - according to reports the US market BMW M5 will come with a six-speed manual gearbox, which would follow in the footsteps of the previous M5 E60. After agonising negotiations, it was offered in the US with a manual, and it seems that purist drivers in America still want that driving experience.

The manual option hasn’t been ruled out since the new BMW M5 F10 was revealed a couple of days ago, but officially the new VB twinturbo with 560 hp comes with an M DCT dual-clutch transmission. A manual M5 prototype has been spotted in Los Angeles, fuelling the rumours that this will definitely happen, and while the technology wouldn’t provide the same fuel savings, that’s probably not a priority for purist M customers.

Source | AutoEvolution

0 comments

The Audi A6 Avant will be the first Volkswagen group vehicle to get the new 3.0-litre TDI twinturbo engine. It’s the next generation of the previous single-turbo unit which was offered in two powersteps of 204 and 245 hp. The new Audi diesel will get variable turbo technology and updates to the aspiration system for the V6.

It could reach about 313 hp and 650 Nm of torque, meaning that the A6 and A7 models will be able to reach 100 km/hr in about 5.3 seconds. This should further satisfy European tastes right now for more powerful diesel engines, but also more fuel efficient as this unit is expected to achieve about 6.4 litres of fuel consumption per 100 km. CO2 emissions are estimated at 169 g/km.

The unit could prove to be quite a range topper for Audi, as it plans to offer the new three-litre diesel with all-wheel drive, eight-speed transmission and start&stop technology. With fuel prices as they are at the moment in Europe, it’s no longer particularly convenient to purchase a petrol-fuelled car and with these more powerful diesels, consumers have at least got a different card to play.

Source | Audiblog

0 comments