Volkswagen C Coupe GTE concept

The Germans at Volkswagen introduced the C Coupe GTE concept at the Shanghai Auto Show, a plug-in hybrid prototype that will very likely transform into a production model anytime soon. Speaking of the powertrain, the VW C Coupe GTE concept has a four-cylinder petrol engine as well as an electric motor.
It promises an average fuel economy of 2,3 liters/100 km with pretty decent performance figures, namely 245 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque.

Volkswagen C Coupe GTE concept

An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to the wheels for a 0-100 km/h sprint in 8,6 seconds and a top speed of 232 km/h. The exterior styling has some futuristic touches but there aren’t too many things that can’t be put on a production model.

Volkswagen C Coupe GTE concept

If you are concerned about the electric range, the VW C Coupe GTE concept can run for 50 kilometers with zero emissions. Measuring 5 meters long and 1,9 meters wide, the German concept is well suited for markets like China. It remains to be seen if and when Volkswagen will decide to reveal the production variant of this concept.

Volkswagen C Coupe GTE concept

Stay tuned for more coverage from this year’s edition of the Shanghai Auto Show.

Volkswagen C Coupe GTE concept

Volkswagen C Coupe GTE concept

Infiniti Q70L Bespoke Edition

Infiniti is playing hard at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show already launching three models, the Q60 Concept, the Q80 Inspiration as well as the long-expected Infiniti Q70L Bespoke Edition. The later one is the one that really caught my eye.
The Infiniti Q70L is based of course on the already famous and luxurious model Q70, looking here at a stretched wheelbase, especially designed for the Chinese market. And stretched means a 5.9-inch longer wheelbase, to make room for children or other stuff that Chinese passengers love to through in.

Infiniti Q70L Bespoke Edition

Apart from the longer wheelbase, the Infiniti Q70L Bespoke Edition is also set to be as luxurious as its famous sibling the Q70, coming inside with the “cossetting space” and quilted white leather cabin. The four individual seats are highly previewed as coming with “three-dimensional textures.”

Infiniti Q70L Bespoke Edition

The Chinese luxury auto market is fast growing and the appetite for long, stretched and meticulously built cars and cabins is reaching ridiculous levels, in my opinion. I mean, why would you have a luxurious cabin fully tweaked with high-end materials and so on, when you have to pick up your kids from school after six hours of playing in the courtyard, performing different activities and going home with their socks and snickers full of dirt!? More details soon! Until then watch the video highlighting the interior of the Q70L Bespoke Edition!

Audi reveals the Prologue Allroad concept

We all know what Allroad means to Audi. We talk about a more rugged appearance, a higher ride and other minor tweaks to make the car better on other surfaces than normal roads. At the concept’s heart sits a 4.0-liter TFSI engine as well as an electric motor.

Audi Prologue Allroad concept

With a massive total output of 734 horsepower and 900 Nm of torque, the German prototype sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3,5 seconds.

Audi Prologue Allroad concept

Even so, thanks to the hybrid powertrain, it returns no more than 98 mpg US or 2,4 liters/100 km. All this power goes to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox while the 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery offers a zero-emission driving range of 54 kilometers. It remains to be seen how and when this concept will transform into a production model.

Audi Prologue Allroad concept

At this point, we assume that the Audi Prologue Allroad concept previews the upcoming Audi A6 allroad model.

Audi Prologue Allroad concept

Audi Prologue Allroad concept

2016 Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro Launched

Audi has unveiled a plug-in hybrid version of 2016 Audi Q7, the 2016 Audi Q7 e-tron, at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show, the model coming with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine. This would be a second plug-in hybrid version revealed, after the carmaker has unveiled a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 unit, at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
This would be launched as a 2016 year model and would be first available in China, Japan as well as Singapore, and later on in the United States. The 2016 Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro is backed by an electric motor, mounted between the eight-speed automatic transmission and the engine. The plug-in hybrid SUV will also have a four-wheel drive layout.

2016 Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro

The overall power stands at 367 horsepower and impressive 700 Nm of torque, just enough to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, at a topping of 225 km/h. But other than the power and good performance, the 2016 Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro is also fuel-efficient, coming with 94.1 mpge on conventional power, while in the electric mode, the SUV comes with a 53 km range mile.

The range mile is obtainable thanks to the 17.3 kWh lithium-ion battery, which can be recharged on the go, thanks to the brake energy regeneration or the engine itself. But how does it work? Well, the electric motor acts like a generator, slowing down the SUV and charging the battery at the same time. No pricing details yet revealed, but we should expect fresh news soon!

2016 Ford Taurus

It seems that Ford decided to shorten the wait and unveil the new Taurus sedan. The American model will debut in world premiere at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show, but we get the opportunity to see it closer today.
Designed for the Asian markets, the new Ford Taurus is a premium sedan that comes with stylish LED headlights and taillights, a hexagonal front grille, chrome inserts and 19-inch alloy wheels.

2016 Ford Taurus

A panoramic sunroof offers a nice view while high quality materials and finishes are available inside. The new Ford Taurus will be built at the company’s Changan Ford Hangzhou Plant, a facility which can output 250,000 units per year.

2016 Ford Taurus

With local production, Ford should save enough resources so the new model has all the ingredients to be a success. In terms of power, the American company will opt for a 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine.

2016 Ford Taurus

The power output of the V6 unit is currently unknown but the company claims that it will offer plenty of power. That’s something to be expected from a premium sedan which most likely will come with a premium price tag too. Keep an eye on our blog for more details on the 2016 Ford Taurus, as the company will reveal them.

2016 Ford Taurus

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Edition

Porsche decided to unveil a special edition of the 911 Targa 4S at the AutoRAI show. The automotive event takes places in Amsterdam but the special model will be available in the whole Europe.
Starting at €223,230 and built in a limited run of 15 units, the Porsche 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Edition comes with several styling and performance tweaks. There’s also a manual model that is €6,000 more expensive than the PDK version mentioned above.

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Edition

On the styling front, Porsche offers new 20-inch Fuchs alloy wheels, smoked headlights, special Gulf Blue exterior finish, LED taillights and glossy black inserts. Power tweaks include a new kit that adds 30 hp for a total output of 430 hp as well as ceramic composite brakes.

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Edition

The new set of brakes will improve safety even though the power bump is not that big. Enter the cabin and you will find sport seats with black leather, a revised center console and a premium Burmester surround audio system. Last but not least, new illuminated door sills will greet you when entering the car.

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Edition

In conclusion, if you like this special model and got a quarter of a million euros to spend, be quick and book one of the 15 units.

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Edition

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Edition

2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI

The recently launched 2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI, has already reached to shores of Australia, where the cheapest version is available for customers from 27,490 AUD. I am talking here about the 6-speed version, while the 7-speed DSG will cost more, around 29,990 AUD.
As expected, the 2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI will come with a lot of important performance features under the hood, being fitted witl a 1.8-liter four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit, capable of developing 141 kW and 320 Nm of torque, hooked to the 6-speed manual transmission.

2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI

On the other hand, in the 7-speed DSG, the model is producing 141 kW and 250 Nm of torque. With the both transmissions, the 2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI is capable of reaching 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. But the later one is more fuel efficient, with 5.7 liters/100 km, as opposed to the 6-manual transmission, with 6.1 liters/100 km.

2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI

Apart from the good performance figures, the 2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI is also fully tweaked inside, especially with a lot of safety systems, like the hill start assist, alarm system, the multi collision brake, Bluetooth connectivity, the Composition Media infotainment with the 6.5-inch color touch, black headliner and a few more.