KIA cee’d Three Door Revealed

Kia Motors Corporation has released the first preview image of its exciting new Kia three-door hatchback model which will make its World Premiere at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September.

The new model will be named Pro-cee’d. Based closely on the earlier ‘pro_cee’d’ concept shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, the new production model has been developed by Kia’s design team in Europe under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

“Longer, lower and lighter than its five-door sister car, the new Kia Pro-cee’d is going to be a great drive,” enthused Mr Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe. “Combining real style and genuine practicality, our new three-door cee’d is sure to delight existing Kia customers and attract a new group of European consumers who have not yet considered our brand.”

Manufactured in Slovakia, Pro-cee’d will be the third member of the Kia cee’d family, joining the popular cee’d five-door and the soon to be released cee’d SW models to make Kia an especially strong challenger for C-segment sales in Europe.

Production of the Pro-cee’d model range is scheduled to begin in November with first customer sales during the early months of 2008.

2007 Ruf CTR-3

Exactly 20 years after the original CTR, German tuning house RUF has announced the introduction of its third generation CTR3 coinciding with the launch of its new plant in Bahrain. The latest version will be one of the fastest Porsches on offer when it’s released.

RUF has utilized racing technologies first seen on its 911-based RT12 offering. Powering the CTR3 is a twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat six engine pumping out 700 bhp at 7,000 rpm with torque topping out at 657 lb-ft. To save weight its developers added several unique body panels made from lightweight carbon-fiber as well as a new lattice tubing spaceframe.

Drive is sent to the wheels via a six-speed sequential manual gearbox that allows the CTR3 to hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 235 mph. Braking is done through 15-inch discs and 6-piston calipers front and rear. When the original CTR was released in 1987, it out-performed many of the supercars of its era including cars like the Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Countach and even Porsche’s own 959. The CTR3 is set to do the same but won”t come cheap as pricing is expected to fall at just over $500,000.

Body
Body build in steel, aluminium and kevlar-carbon. Rollover protection in A-pillar and in birdcage. The birdcage forms a torsion resistant unit with the front chassis by joining to the sill beam and the A pillar.

Front structure steel, zinc dipped
Safety passenger compartment steel, zinc dipped
Engine and transmission frame space frame and birdcage
Front bonnet and doors aluminium
Body shell Kevlar-Carbon composite

Chassis
Front axle McPherson struts, anti-roll bar
Rear axle multilink rear axle, anti-roll bar
horizontal coil over shock absorbers
Steering Power assisted rack and pinion

Size and Dimensions
Length 4,445 mm / 175.0 in
Width 1,944 mm / 76.5 in
Height 1,200 mm / 47.2 in
Wheelbase 2,625 mm / 103.3 in
Front track 1,506 mm / 59.3 in
Rear track 1,585 mm / 62.4 in

Empty weight with 6 speed manual transmission
According to DIN 1,400 kg / 3,086.4 lbs
According to EG-standards 1,475 kg / 3,251.8 lbs

Performance
Top speed 375 kph / 235 mph
0-100 kph / 0 62 mph 3.2 sec

Price
Euro 380,000.00 (plus VAT)

Saab 9-3 Convertible, Now Available With Sand

The sand often times conjures memories of walks on the beach with the fresh sea air swirling in and out with the tide. With the availability of optional tan colored top, in place of the standard black or optional blue colors, Saab 9-3 customers are now able to reminisce year-round in this robust four-season convertible.

A Sand convertible top was only offered in 1993 and 1994 on the first generation convertible. After a 13-year hiatus, and many customer and dealer inquiries, the Swedish-born brand conceived by aircraft engineers, the option returns.

“Saab is a customer-focused brand,” said Yanlin Sun, Saab 9-3 Convertible marketing manager. “Our customers and dealers alike asked us to bring back the sand … so we did.”

Since launching its first convertible, Saab has played a major role in advancing the popularity of open-top cars as a practical, all-year-round means of transport. The 9-3 Convertible’s premium quality, sprightly performance, sporty styling and generous equipment levels attract those who long for cruising around in the open air.

The Saab 9-3 Convertible is offered in the 2.0T and Aero trim levels priced at $38,240 and $43,845 respectively. As with all Saab models, the 9-3 Convertible comes standard with no-charge scheduled maintenance, the GM 5-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty as well as a 4-year/50,000 mile Limited New-Car Warranty.

Mercedes-Benz CLK Sport Edition

With its sporty appearance and sumptuous level of appointments, the immediately available Sport Edition is a new highlight among the Coupés and Cabriolets of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class. 18-inch light-alloy wheels in an exclusive design, AMG styling features in the exterior and bi-xenon headlamps as standard give this special model a particularly distinctive appearance. The sporty, exclusive atmosphere of the interior is especially characterised by the grippy AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel, aluminium-look sports pedals and special velour floor mats.

The letter combination CLK has denoted excitement and driving pleasure for many years. The new “Sport Edition” special model now makes the Coupés and Cabriolets of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class even more desirable. Both externally and in the interior, the Sport Edition further upgrades the CLK models and makes them even more attractive and dynamic.

The exciting design of the CLK-Class is accentuated by muscular AMG styling features for an even more dynamic appearance. These include a front apron with more pronounced contours, as well as the rear apron and side skirts which typify AMG models. Large, 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a new, six twin-spoke design (front 225/40 R 18, rear 255/35 R18) further enhance the sporty appearance and contribute to driving pleasure. The same applies to the perforated front brake discs. The brake callipers of Sport Edition models bear the lettering “Mercedes-Benz”.

The special CLK Sport Edition models are equipped with bi-xenon headlamps including dynamic beam control, cornering lights with an integral foglamp function and a headlamp washer system as standard. The Active Light System is also available as optional equipment. A large, chrome-plated exhaust tailpipe and a special rear silencer provide a sonorous, sporty exhaust note.

Sporty, masculine features

The new Sport Edition is based on the already sporty configuration of the luxurious AVANTGARDE design and equipment line. In models equipped with an automatic transmission, an AMG sports steering wheel with upper sections of perforated leather and steering wheel shift paddles ensures an even more sporty touch. Depending on the engine variant, a further technical highlight is available in the form of the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, the world’s only car transmission of this kind. Its seven gears can be shifted either automatically, via a manual shift programme or by means of steering wheel shift paddles as in the motor racing world. Moreover, 7G-TRONIC Sport reduces gearshift times by up to 30 percent.

The sporty atmosphere of the interior is accentuated by black upholstery in a combination of high-quality ARTICO man-made leather and fabric. A black leather interior is also available on request. Other sporty touches include a sports pedal cluster with an aluminium look and non-slip studs, as well as velour floor mats with silver-coloured edging.

The special models of the Mercedes-Benz CLK Sport Edition are available as Coupés and Cabriolets, with a choice of six powerful engine variants which are among the most economical in their class.

This attractive enhancement package provides a further individualisation option, and is only available for AVANTGARDE variants of the CLK models. The cost of this sporty equipment package is 3 332 Euro (incl. VAT).

HAMANN Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is the perfect vehicle in the Maranello sports car stable for the gentleman driver. The Gran Turismo is already a very noble means of travel as standard equipment, however particularly optically it can still stand some flashier details. Therefore a modification of the body stood at the top of the HAMANN engineers’ to-do list. But the refiners from Laupheim didn’t neglect sound and handling either.

Form and function assume a strong symbiosis through the HAMANN aerodynamic components. The sports car designed by Pininfarina acquired a front spoiler from the noble tuner from Laupheim to provide optimal downforce on the front axle, which also improved the optics of the largest Ferrari even further. The pair of side sills for the flank of the 612 impart an impression of lowered suspension. The rear spoiler helps to ensure optimal downforce on the rear axle, while clearly bringing a more sporting look to the rear view without disturbing the basic design. HAMANN achieves an even bigger modification to the rear view through a new rear end component with integrated diffuser, which also ensures more downforce.

As customary with HAMANN, the aerodynamic components are available in fiberglass and carbon-Kevlar.

HAMANN addresses the subject of wheels with its self-developed design “Edition Race”. The appearance of the three-part, ultra-light, forged rim with cross-spoke design and black rim-star is characterized by the nine main spokes, which each branch out to form two more. Besides the exciting design, the titanium screwing is particularly pleasing to the eye. The cherry on the cake of the noble optics is the highly polished rim flange. Naturally HAMANN also offers the wheel as a complete wheel set.
Typical wheel and tire combinations:
front 9.0 J x 20″ / rear 12.5 J x 20″ - 245/35 ZR 20 / 335/30 ZR20
front 9.0 J x 21″ / rear 12.0 J x 21″ - 245/30 ZR 21 / 345/25 ZR21

With the aid of a chassis spring assembly, HAMANN lowers the center of gravity even further which even in a vehicle of this caliber still brings noticeable improvement to the handling.

Incontestably the sound of a Ferrari 12-cylinder is something completely special. The sport mufflers are made from in V2A stainless steel and are offered by HAMANN for left and right, each of which has double exhaust pipes (Ø 90mm).

When ordering the sport mufflers, the 540 HP symphony sounds twice as potent as before. This also means that the twelve cylinders can breathe out more easily.

Naturally HAMANN also dedicates itself to the interior. Traveling should be made as pleasant as possible for the passengers. For example, an exclusive foot mat set in black in the Ferrari’s cockpit makes it appear more homey. Of course HAMANN can also modify any 612 Scaglietti to the individual tastes of the customer, e.g. with lavish leather fittings in different colors or extensive multimedia configurations involving a DVD player, TV or PlayStation.

ZAP-X Crossover Electric Car

ZAP has announced with Lotus Engineering the development of the new ZAP-X Crossover, incorporating distinct technological advancements that will result in one of the most advanced electric cars ever developed.

ZAP and Lotus are utilizing the award-winning APX lightweight aluminum architecture design to achieve unprecedented levels of performance and utility for electric cars.

The drive system alone is enough to excite driving fanatics, featuring an innovative all-wheel drive option with revolutionary electric motors inside each of the wheels, potentially delivering 644 horsepower and speeds up to 155mph.

An advanced battery system will enable the car to travel a range up to 350 miles between charges, with a rapid charge technology that can recharge the batteries in as little as 10 minutes.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

Mercedes-Benz will in future also market its SLR McLaren super sports car in the form of a roadster with a top. In common with Formula 1 vehicles of today, it, too, will be made of carbon fibre, a material that will endow the vehicle with a very high degree of safety as well as extreme torsional stiffness at the same high level as the coupé version.

This gives rise, in combination with the racing-type chassis, to outstanding ride characteristics. The maximum speed of the new high-performance sports car, which is powered by an AMG V8 compressor engine delivering 460 kW/626 hp, is 332 km/h (207 mph), therefore at the same high level as the coupé.

Although, thanks to its fully retractable top, the Roadster offers undiluted open-air driving pleasure in the highest performance class, its occupants in no way lose out in terms of comfort or the vehicle’s suitability for everyday use. Consequently, the new Roadster opens up a new dimension in refinement for open-top super sports cars.

Like the coupé version, the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster once again unites the legend of the successful SLR racing models from the 1950s with the innovative technology of modern Formula 1 vehicles from the Vodafone-McLaren-Mercedes team. Typical stylistic elements, such as the arrow-shaped tip of the Formula 1 Silver Arrow, establish a visual link with the racing cars. The SLR legend of the 50s lives on stylistically in the distinctive lateral louvers, side pipes behind the front wheels and the wide-opening gullwing doors.

The new Roadster benefits technically from the many years of experience of Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 partner McLaren. Apart from two aluminium engine frames, its body is made entirely of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials, making the vehicle an exception among high-performance sports cars. Especially for the Roadster, complex carbon-fibre technology has been intelligently further developed for the monocoque chassis.

The result is low weight, exemplary energy absorption and, therefore, extremely high occupant safety as well as a degree of torsional stiffness hitherto unattained in open-top vehicles. This leads to outstanding ride characteristics of the kind otherwise found only in closed-top super sports cars.

The puristic top is suitable for high speeds

The exceptional qualities of the Roadster are attributable also to the fully retractable top, which blends harmoniously into the flowing lines of the SLR McLaren. Its newly developed roof material, which is available in three different colours, not only guarantees complete suitability for everyday use in all weathers, but also endows the high-performance sports car with characteristics that are exceptionally unusual in a roadster. For example, at 332 km/h (207 mph), the maximum speed is at the high level of the coupé version. Conversation is still possible at well over 200 km/h (124 mph) on open-air journeys thanks to the favourable aeroacoustics.

The roof opens and closes semi-automatically in less than ten seconds, thereby combining the desire for convenience with the puristic character of the roadster. To open, the roof merely needs to be unlocked from the windscreen frame and be briefly raised, after which it folds away electrically. Since an aluminium cover is integrated into its front section, the roof elegantly closes off the top when retracted.

Sophisticated aerodynamics and racing-type chassis

In the wind tunnel, the Roadster has been optimised for high speeds with regard to handling, aeroacoustics and aerodynamics. It likewise employs the aerodynamic concept already known from the coupé version, featuring an airbrake integrated into the access lid and a diffusor in the rear bumper to provide increased downforce on the rear axle.

The open two-seater is equipped with a racing-type chassis featuring high-performance carbon-ceramic brake discs, thereby setting extremely high standards. Its front-mid-engine provides for optimum weight distribution. With 460 kW/626 hp and a maximum torque of 780 Nm, the AMG V8 compressor engine, which is coupled to an AMG Speedshift R five-speed automatic transmission, accelerates the Roadster from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds.

Unique safety and exclusive fittings

A high degree of safety is ensured by unique carbon-fibre crash elements, steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed roll-over bars. The comprehensive specification also features adaptive airbags, knee and side airbags as well as seat belt tensioners and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

The exclusive standard equipment includes semi-aniline-leather-upholstered carbon-fibre bucket seats which can be individually adapted to the driver and front passenger by means of differently sized seat pads; dual-zone automatic air-conditioning; a high-quality BOSE premium sound system; a multifunction sport steering wheel with gear-change paddles, and a navigation system with integral radio and CD player.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR Roadster, like the coupé, is produced at McLaren’s Formula 1 factory in Woking, England, in accordance with stringent Mercedes-Benz quality criteria and will be available as from September 2007.