Japanese styling company Wald International has unveiled its Black Bison program to suit the Mercedes E-Class at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon.
Constructed from fibre-reinforced plastic, Wald’s aero package includes a front bumper featuring large intakes, a lip spoiler and flics with integrated LED daytime running lights. There’s also a pair of side skirts, a boot lid spoiler and rear diffuser section accommodating quadruple AMG-style tailpipes.
Further details and pricing to follow.
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Bayern-based BMW tuning specialist has announced details of its mono-kompressor program to suit the M5 and M6 E6X models.
G-Power’s new T1-724 supercharger replaces the two ASA T1-313 units previously used. Already developing 373 kW (500 hp) and 520 Nm on torque from that S85 5.0-litre V10 engine in factory guise, the entry level SK Plus system sees output jump to 447 kW (600 hp) and 560 Nm for €7,900.
Next is the SK I option, which includes an intercooler and increased boost. Starting from €9,500, this package yields 462 kW (620 hp) 600 Nm with an optional update to 477 kW (640 hp) and 620 Nm available.
Finally, the SK II program receives an additional performance exhaust system with racing catalysts. Priced from €14,500, output is increased to 522 kW (700 hp) and 670 Nm.
G-Power points out that it is only selling thirty of each of the packages at these special prices to mark thirty years in the business.
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Here’s a couple of videos via Pocket-lint and Auto Bild from the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show 2014, which look at the next-generation Audi TT cockpit.
The 12.3-inch TFT monitor offers brilliant graphics with a 3D impression allowing the driver to switch between the ‘classic’ view to monitor the speedometer and rev counter in the foreground, while the ‘infotainment’ mode reduces the size of the virtual instruments to provide a clearer display space for functions such as the navigation map.
Operated either via buttons on a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel or on the redesigned centre console, we really like the look of it, especially the smartphone-style text search function (MMI search).
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Volkswagen Motorsport has updated its championship-winning Polo R WRC for the 2014 season.
With manufacturers agreeing not to homologate any new World Rally Cars for the 2014 season, many details of the current car have been further developed. Still propelled by a turbocharged 1.6-litre TSI four-cylinder engine – limited to around 224 kW (300 hp) thanks to a regulatory air restrictor, the team has focused on optimising chassis components and new set-up variants for the drive train, while the software controlling the on-board electronics has been completely revised.
Impressively, Volkswagen won ten of the 13 rallies last season, finishing ten events with three cars and three with two. None suffered any engine damage; there was just one technical fault: a loose electrical connection.
“If you don’t go forwards in motorsport, you go backwards. When it comes to technical development, you simply cannot afford to let up for a single second. Although we won some laurels in 2013, we have certainly not rested on them. Every single member of the team cannot wait to find out where we stand compared to the strong competition we will face from Citroën and Ford, as well as our new opposition at Hyundai,” said Motorsport Director Jost Capito.
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Volkswagen has released renderings of a new Beetle Dune Concept ahead of its world debut in Detroit next week.
As with the original version, which was unveiled at the 2000 Los Angeles Auto Show, the rugged Beetle Dune Concept features a raised ride height and protective under-panelling along with blistered plastic arches and side mouldings.
Inside, the cabin features more practical, harder-wearing surfaces, while power is believed to come from the same 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine seen powering the Beetle GSR, which develops 155 kW (208 hp) and 280 Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed DSG transmission.
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Volkswagen has announced details of the Passat BlueMotion Concept ahead of its debut at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Utilizing the new 1.4-litre EA211 TSI engine, which produces 112 kW (150 hp) and 249 Nm of torque and was developed as a modular unit to suit the company’s MQB platform, the Concept is capable of returning an average consumption figure of 5.6l/100 km.
Its frugality is thanks to many factors, including the stop/start system, the coasting function, which decouples the engine from the DSG transmission as soon as the accelerator pedal is released – reducing mechanical drag to a minimum, and Active Cylinder Management (ACT). The world’s first four-cylinder powerplant to feature ACT, cylinders two and three shut down during light throttle pressure at city speeds.
Visually the cars wears Reef Blue Metallic paintwork, while the interior is upholstered in two-tone grey leather with blue piping, and carbon fibre trim inlays on the dashboard.
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