Month: July 2011

Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion receives e-car award

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Thanks to 11,000 readers of the German motoring magazine, Auto Test, has handed Volkswagen’s Golf blue-e-motion a 2011 e-car award, beating the A1 e-tron into second place in the Concept Car category.

There’s currently a fleet of 80 prototype Golf Blue-e-Motions being tested around Berlin, with production planned for late 2013, shortly after the baby up! model.

The Golf blue-e-motion is silently driven by an electric motor that delivers a high maximum torque (199 lbs.-ft.) from a stop. The electricity for powering the electric motor is stored in a lithium-ion battery with an energy capacity of 26.5 kilowatt-hours.

[Source: Volkswagen Germany]

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AMG Driving Academy: ESP

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Nick Kunewalder, professional driver and AMG Driving Academy instructor, covers the three ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) advanced traction control’s settings: On, Sport, and Off, and demonstrates how each one can affect your lap time.

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MINI Cooper S Project One by CoverEFX

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Erftstadt styling specialist, CoverEFX, has decided to use BMW’s original version of the Cooper S, the R53 model, for its latest project. Known best for its ability to wrap anything on wheels, CoverEFX has coated the MINI’s main body in a metallic Teflon Grey vinyl coating, while the roof and wings are picked out in metallic Electro Red.

Components such as the wheel arch extensions, sills, and lower bumper lips have all been finished in high gloss black, while the new 17-inch Strada alloys were painted to match, but also feature a pinstripe on the wheel lip in red. The black theme is carried through to both the front and rear light lenses.

The 1.6L supercharged engine has been tweaked to produce a much healthier 240 hp. This is achievable thanks to a smaller ‘charger pulley and reworked management system.

If you want the same treatment applied to your Cooper S, be prepared to part with € 8,000.

[Source: CoverEFX]

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Mercedes-Benz reveals Viano Vision Pearl concept

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Mercedes-Benz has taken its popular Viano van and lavished a luxurious maritime theme upon it to create the Viano Vision Pearl showcar.

The Viano Vision Pearl will make its début in Frankfurt this September and was created as a concept to show that a van can be much more than a vehicle for lugging building equipment and bodies around in. With onboard W-LAN connectivity, full white/grey leather upholstery, wooden flooring and brushed aluminium trim, it’s more like an S-Class on the inside. And, if that’s not enough, a 1320 watt “BeoSound Viano” Bang & Olufsen sound system – complete with 18 integrated speakers – has also been fitted for good measure.

Externally, the Viano Vision Pearl is finished in matte finish “magno pearl grey” paintwork and features a sportier front end with integrated LED daytime running lights.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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Volkswagen bringing BlueMotion to EcoVelocity

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Volkswagen will be encouraging motorists to ‘Think Blue’ at the EcoVelocity show next month, with a selection of its super-frugal vehicles, offering visitors the chance to sample anything from a baby Polo BlueMotion right up to the beefy Touareg Hybrid.