Bugatti Veyron GS Qatar Motor Show

Bugatti Veyron GS Qatar Motor Show

Bugatti Veyron GS Qatar Motor Show 01

Bugatti Veyron GS Qatar Motor Show 02

Bugatti Veyron GS Qatar Motor Show 03

Bugatti Veyron GS Qatar Motor Show 0

Bugatti Veyron GS Qatar Motor Show 05

Bugatti Veyron GS Qatar Motor Show 06

Bugatti Veyron GS Qatar Motor Show 07

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Bugatti Veyron GS Qatar Motor Show 09 Bugatti’s Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport made an appearance at the most recent Qatar Motor Show, along with a range of other luxury vehicles. The motor show, which ran from January 26-29, pooled together car manufacturers, luxury car brands, car parts and accessories makers, car rentals and leasing, as well as members of the technical press, trade associations, and the media. Bugatti showcased the highly sophisticated Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, set to be assembled at the company’s French headquarters in the next few years.

With its elegant exterior styling, first-rate automotive features, and the unprecedented driving experience it offers, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is expected to be the fastest, most luxurious open-top vehicle to hit the market.

Beyond your average open-top vehicle

Bugatti’s Pilote Officiel, Pierre-Henri Raphanel, has already taken the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport for a test drive. He says that he was “excited” to take the car out on the road and when he did, he wasn’t disappointed. And it wasn’t only because the Veyron GS is an open-top luxury vehicle – even with the roof in place, anyone accustomed to driving is bound to feel the intense yet smooth difference, particularly after second gear shifts. Raphanel states that the experience was highly intense; he can literally feel the sensation from his fingertips down to his spine.

2011 Bentley Continental GT 4.0-liter V-8

2011 Bentley Continental GT

According to the guys at Autocar, the upcoming 4.0-liter V-8 will be offered in two flavors: a single turbo variant with 415 horsepower and a twin-turbocharged version with 555 horsepower on tap. In comparison, the current twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12 engine in the latest 2011 Bentley Continental GT only produces 567 horsepower despite having a 2.0-liter displacement advantage.

Bentley reportedly has a specific output target of at least 100 horsepower per liter for its engine lineup, but the abundant levels of torque one expects from the brand should also be present. This latter element will be one of the key differences between the Bentley and Audi versions of the engine.

Additionally, Bentley has on multiple occasions stressed its commitment to deliver a powertrain lineup that achieves a 40 percent improvement in CO2 emissions, and in keeping with this commitment the engine should also be flex-fuel capable.

Compact cars debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show

Fuel prices may have eased, but the economy remains sluggish. Never fear: A fresh batch of peppy economy cars is heading to showrooms in the near future. Here are four all-new offerings that debuted last week at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

JAE C. HONG/APThe 2011 Chevrolet Cruze debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009.
CHEVROLET CRUZE

On sale fall 2010 The Korean-designed compact Cruze will replace the aging Cobalt for 2011. Powering the sedan is a 138-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter four mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Chevy says the turbo engine returns 40 mpg in highway driving.

As a follow-up, Chevrolet will release the subcompact Spark in 2011. Also designed in Korea by GM-Daewoo, the four-door, four-cylinder Chevrolet Spark will be the brand’s smallest U.S. car, measuring 143 inches long, three inches shorter than the diminutive Mini Cooper.

GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GETTYThe new Ford Fiesta is displayed during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Dec. 2, 2009.
FORD FIESTA

On sale March 2010 Ford of Europe’s sporty five-door hatchback or four-door sedan comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that pumps out 119 horsepower. Ford says the subcompact Fiesta returns 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway when paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission. A five-speed manual also is available.

Like the forthcoming Mazda 2 and Chevrolet Spark, the Ford Fiesta is designed to battle the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit. The subcompact features electronic stability control, side and head-protecting air bags, keyless entry, push-button start and leather trim.

DAVID McNEW/GETTY IMAGESThe new Hyundai Tucson is displayed during press preview days at the 2009 LA Auto Show on Dec. 3, 2009.
HYUNDAI TUCSON

On sale December 2009 Crossover SUVs, such as the car-based Hyundai Tucson, are finding favor with buyers downsizing from larger, truck-based SUVs. Because they’re based on cars, they return better fuel economy. Consider the Tucson, just 173 inches long. It gets 31 mpg on the highway from its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

Designed in Germany, the Tucson offers two features that assist in low-traction situations: "Downhill Brake Control" and "Hillstart Assist Control." Options include a panoramic sunroof, touch-screen navigation and a Bluetooth hands-free phone.

GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GETTYThe Mazda 2 is displayed during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Dec. 2, 2009.
MAZDA 2

On sale summer 2010 Known for its models with "zoom zoom," Mazda is adding a dose of fuel efficiency in the form of the Mazda 2, which has been sold in Japan, Australia and Europe since 2007. The company says it will be the most fuel-efficient Mazda when it goes on sale, but didn’t disclose fuel economy or performance ratings.

Powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine through a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, the Mazda 2 shares its platform with the Ford Fiesta. It was named 2008 World Car of the Year at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.

2010 Nissan GT-R Updates Confirmed, Spec-M Hints Revealed

The Spec-V’s rear diffuser will feature, along with new side intakes, suspension improvements, and the option to include a NISMO data-logging tool for analysing and sharing driving data.

Mizuno said that marginally stiffer front spring and damper rates, along with stiffer bushing for the rear torsion control arms will make up the majority of the minor suspension upgrades.

The rear diffuser of the Spec-V will migrate to the regular GT-R, joining new vents aft of the rear wheels, for improved airflow and brake cooling.

Basic engine tweaks include improved compatibility with the Euro 5 emissions regulations, and an ECU modification to provide improved low temperature, low speed tractability while the transmission fluid is still cold.

Audi Electric Car R*

Before today it was widely accepted that Audi would be launching an electric powered R8 at Frankfurt this week. Tomorrow, in fact.

These leaked images, which first surfaced a few hours ago, all but confirm the the rumours of the car we know will be called the e-Tron. For now, we don’t know much else, other than we won’t have long to wait for details to be confirmed by Audi.

[Source: Autocar]

2010 Toyota Land Cruiser

Before the official launch of the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser at the Frankfurt Motor Show, here are more details about the vehicle. Available exclusively in the UK, the vehicle has five doors and seven seats and will only have the option of one diesel engine – the 171bhp 3.0-litre D-4D, which will be mated to a five-speed auto’ ‘bo

Toyota claims that its new Land Cruiser is the most economic and most environmentally friendly in its class with recorded fuel economy of 34.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 214g/km. While the body-on-frame construction is from the old model, its rigidity has been increased by 11%. To improve ride comfort, insulating frame-to-body mounts have been added to absorb engine, drivetrain and road noise.
A new electronic kinetic dynamic suspension system, which adjusts the front and rear anti-roll bars for optimized on and off-road performance, will be offered for higher spec models. The top-of-the-line LC5 model gets Toyota’s adaptive variable suspension system (AVS) with roll posture control, which offers a choice of three damper settings.

Working with the AVS is an electronically controlled rear air suspension system that provides an auto-leveling function and switchable height control. The vehicle has a new multi-terrain select system, which automatically controls power and braking to optimize performance for different types of off-road surfaces. The driver receives more information from his immediate surroundings with the help of a multi-terrain monitor that feeds real time images from around the vehicle from a network of four cameras.

2010 Porsche Panamera at 24 mpg on highway

The new Panamera is unlike the other sports cars on Porsche’s lineup that are known for being quite fuel-efficient. It’s not exactly a gas-guzzler either and certainly won’t be taxed as such, according to Porsche Cars North America spokesman Gary Fong.

The large four-door Panamera has an impressive size and power and comes standard with 400 horsepower. Fong tabs fuel economy for the 4.8-liter, 400-horsepower Panamera S and 4S models at an impressive 16-mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Fong adds that the 500 pony Panamera Turbo will still have a 15/23 rating. On the other hand, Maserati’s rival Quattroporte GT S achieves 12 mpg/18 highway, and its power is lower by 66hp. Fuel economy numbers for the Panamera are really not that shabby though. It beats even some sport coupes in the $100,000+ range. While the car isn’t lightweight, it has these fuel economy numbers due to its dual clutch transmission and the inclusion of start/stop technology. By the way, be reminded that these figures came from Porsche. We’ll have to wait for the Environmental Protection Agency’s own numbers.