Nissan Pulsar
Only one year has passed since Nissan revived its Datsun brand by introducing the GO hatchback, and the Japanese manufacturer has just confirmed its return to the compact car segment (C-segment in Europe) with a brand-new vehicle.
Dubbed Pulsar, a name previously used for a line of compact cars sold in Asia and Australia since 1978 (not to be confused with the Pulsar NX sports car marketed in the U.S. between 1983 and 1990), the new vehicle is a five-door hatchback aimed at models such as the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus.
Nissan’s recipe for the Pulsar is pretty much simple and includes an instantly recognizable design with styling cues borrowed from the Qashqai, small, turbocharged engine that deliver decent power and return attractive fuel economy, and a price tag that’s likely to put the hatchback below most of its competitors.
A big bet for the Japanese automaker in Europe, the Pulsar is basically insignificant to the U.S. market, with Nissan having no plans to ship it across the ocean. This might very well change depending on vehicle’s success in Europe, but we’re at least a couple of years away from a pertinent verdict. Either way, the Pulsar is a hatchback worth looking at, and that’s what we’re about to do after the jump.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Nissan Pulsar.
Nissan Pulsar originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 20 May 2014 12:00 EST.
read more
Honda FCEV Concept
| Posted on 11.11.2013 17:00 by Simona |
Today, Honda unveiled the first teaser image of a new FCEV Concept that it will unveil on November 20th at the Los Angeles Auto Show. According to the initial details, the concept hints at futuristic and aerodynamic design of a next-generation fuel-cell electric vehicle set for release in 2015 in the U.S and Japan, with a European release to follow later.
No other details were offered on this concept so far, but the first teaser image reveals a futuristic design language with a coupe-like profile and pronounced body lines. The concept also gets a large grille, a set of thin headlights, and a set of large and aero-friendly wheels.
“The Honda FCEV Concept demonstrates the company’s vision for the future of personal mobility and our commitment to developing advanced alternative fuel vehicles,” said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Company.
Click past the jump to read more about the current Honda FCX Clarity.
Honda FCEV Concept originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 November 2013 17:00 EST.
read more
Ford Focus RS by Wolf Racing
|
Posted on 03.8.2013 10:00 by |
Wolf Racing is no stranger to aftermarket programs for the Ford Focus ST. It’s done it before and now it’s doing it again.
This time, though, the Focus ST was treated to a wide range of modifications, highlighted by a performance kits that crams the word “sports” back into “sports hatchback.”
The first kit, appropriately dubbed Stage I, provides a significant boost to the Focus ST’s 2-liter EcoBoost engine, thanks to a new air filter and a remapped ECU. With these modifications, the Focus ST can pump out 285 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque from its tiny engine. This nets the ST a 0-to-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 6.5 seconds.
If you’re above sub-300-horsepower hatchbacks, then you can opt for the Stage II kit, which adds a turbocharger to the air filter/ECU combo of Stage I. In the end, there’s another notable output jump, this time up to 300 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of twist.
Last but not least is the Stage III kit, which includes everything found in Stages i and II, plus it slaps a new sports exhaust system under the Focus. Now that the Focus ST can properly exhale, it is capable of massacring pavement to the tune of 370 horsepower and 409 pound-feet of torque.
With all of that extra power comes the extra responsibility of dragging it to a halt and a new performance brake system is responsible for that. Additionally, Wolf Racing tosses in a coilover suspension that drops the Focus ST by 50 mm (1.96 inches) in the front and 40 mm (1.57 inches) in the rear.
It’s not like Wolf Racing to add that much pop to the Focus ST and just stop there. Nope, this program also includes a number of new styling components, including: headlight covers, roof spoiler lips, and new side skirt and rear skirt attachments.
Pricing for the Wolf Racing’s program for the Focus ST can be found after the jump
Volkswagen Golf Plug-In Hybrid
|
Posted on 02.26.2013 16:00 by |
VW has just revealed plans to unveil a plug-in-hybrid variant for the seventh-generation Golf next month at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The model will join the already packed Golf lineup that includes versions like GTI, GTD and the more powerful R.
Few details have been offered, but you should expect to see the same plug-in hybrid drivetrain recently shown in the Audi A3 e-tron. We are talking about the 1.4 TFSI engine with an output of 150 horsepower combined with an electric motor that generates a total of 75 kW (100 horsepower). The hybrid system will be combined with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and will sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds.
The future Golf hybrid will be delivering an all-electric range of 50 kilometers (31 miles) when driven to speeds up to 80 mph.
Full details on the new Volkswagen Golf Plug-In Hybrid will be unveiled during its official debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
Volkswagen Golf Plug-In Hybrid originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 26 February 2013 16:00 EST.
read more
Audi A3 e-tron
|
Posted on 02.21.2013 09:00 by |
Audi is preparing to make a big step into the electrification of the drivetrain, with the unveiling of a very cool A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The model can be driven in in three different modes: combustion engine, electric drive or in hybrid mode.
The new A3 e-tron combines a 1.4 TFSI engine with an output of 150 horsepower, with an electric motor that generates a total of 75 kW (100 horsepower). With a total output of 204 horsepower and a peak torque of 258 pound-feet, the A3 e-tron will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.6 seconds and will be capable to hit a top speed of 137 mph.
In electric mode the A3 e-tron has a driving range of 50 kilometers (31 miles) and can hit a top speed of 80 mph. In plug-in version it delivers a fuel economy of 156.81 US mpg and emits only 35 grams of C)2 per km (56.33 grams per mile). The hybrid drivetrain is combined with a six-speed e-S tronic, which transfers the power to the front wheels.
More details will likely be revealed at the Geneva Auto show, and we’ll update you as soon as Audi releases these details.
Audi A3 e-tron originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 21 February 2013 09:00 EST.
read more
MS Design will Unveil Ford Focus ST Competition Kit in Geneva
|
Posted on 02.5.2013 11:00 by |
Austrian tuner, MS Design, has prepared a nice surprise for the upcoming 2013 Geneva Motor Show: a new styling package for the Ford Focus ST. Unfortunately, the new kit brings no engine upgrades, but the exterior upgrades transform it into a very cool hatchback.
The new competition kit starts with an aerodynamic package that includes a new front spoiler, new side skirts, a rear diffuser and a roof spoiler. The car sits on a set of 20-inch wheels painted in the same color as the exterior. The example Focus ST that MS Design has shown us is painted white with black racing stripes.
The final improvement is the addition of a new sport chassis that significantly improves the Focus ST’s response for the right cornering during full speed.
Full details on this tuner kit will be unveiled during its official debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned for more details.
Hyundai Veloster JP Edition
|
Posted on 11.1.2012 15:00 by |
Hyundai has certainly tossed plenty of examples into the ring at the 2012 SEMA show and it has just unveiled another concept car. This new custom car sits on the base of a 2013 Hyundai Veloster, but Hyundai brought in famed car tuner, John Pangilinan, to help tweak it just a little bit.
The majority of the work done to this Veloster was to the body, interior, and sound system, which is pretty standard for SEMA. However, this is not to say that John P. and Hyundai just left the Veloster bone stock in the performance realm. This compact 4-door hatchback (three man doors and one hatch) received just enough engine modification to make it stand out and a tiny bit of suspension work to sure of the often-complained-about handling of the otherwise sporty Veloster.
At SEMA, the Veloster is up against the best of the best, however, so let’s have a look to see how Hyundai did with this project.
Click past the jump to read all about the Veloster JP Edition.
Hyundai Veloster JP Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 1 November 2012 15:00 EST.
read more
TopSpeed Rendering: 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI
|
Posted on 09.26.2012 17:00 by |
This year’s Paris Auto Show will feature the seventh generation Volkswagen Golf, but we’ve long known what that will look like, so we’re eagerly waiting for its GTI version to be let out. Unfortunately, the Paris Auto Show will only bring us a concept version of the GTI, so we created rendering for the production version in an attempt to help us all get a better idea as to what it will look like. Let’s face it, the concept version always comes out looking stellar with a ton of technological goodies and the production model is always less appealing.
Rumors suggest that the production version Golf GTI will be powered by an updated version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that will deliver about 260 HP. With the extra 60 HP, the next GTI will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds and will be capable of hitting a top speed of 153mph.
The official debut of the Volkswagen Golf VII GTI will be made at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
Audi A3 Sportback
|
Posted on 09.20.2012 15:00 by |
The 2012 Geneva Motor Show gave way to the new generation Audi A3, and Audi is following up that release with the debut of the five-door Sportback version at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. The new model will go on sale in February 2013, with prices in Germany starting from 22,500, or $29,144 at the current rates.
When compared to the standard three-door version, the new Sportback is 73 mm longer and has a 35 mm longer wheelbase. It is also 58 mm longer compared to the outgoing A3 Sportback. This allows the new Sportback an additional 380 liters of boot space, or about 15 liters more than the three-door model.
At its launch, the Audi A3 Sportback will be offered with a choice of one TDI and two TFSI engines, with two diesel engines and one gasoline unit arriving at a later date. All engines will be offered with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox, as well as an optional S tronic transmission.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Audi A3 Sportback.
Audi A3 Sportback originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 September 2012 15:00 EST.
read more
icarzone 