Bentley appoints new design director ahead of SUV production

Bentley has named a new design director to take the German-owned British brand into the future with new models that include the controversial Bentley EXP 9F SUV.

Luc Donckerwolke will take over from Dirk van Braeckel, who shifts within the Volkswagen Group to take up a new post with Volkswagen Group design, currently directed by Walter de Silva.

Donckerwolke’s first priority is certain to be the Bentley SUV that polarised opinions at the 2012 Geneva motor show.

Donckerwolke comes to Bentley from his previous position as head of advanced design for the Volkswagen Group, but his career within the umbrella organisation goes back as far as 1992, when he joined the ranks at Audi as an exterior designer.

Moving to Skoda in 1994 and Lamborghini in 1998 – where he was appointed head of design in 2003 and was involved with designing the Murcielago (pictured below) and Gallardo – Donckerwolke became director of design at Seat in 2005.

De Silva said Donckerwolke would bring a wealth of design talent to Bentley.

“His extensive experience makes him the ideal person to take forward Bentley’s future design language, at a time when the company has significant plans for new models,” he said.

Van Braeckel oversaw the development of the new generations of Bentley Continental and Mulsanne, and the polarising Bentley EXP 9F SUV first seen in March at the 2012 Geneva motor show where he told CarAdvice: “I’m sure people will like it, [but] people will [also] find it controversial in certain areas. And that’s a reason why the vehicle has already been a success.”

Read More

Lamborghini Aventador LP900 by DMC

High-end German tuner DMC has applied its know-how to Sant’Agata Bolognese’s latest supercar to create the Lamborghini Aventador LP900.

The “Molto Veloce” styling and performance kit marries a more aggressive visual appearance for the Lamborghini Avenatador with a number of mechanical modifications that claim to raise the power output from the standard 700PS (514kW) to an almighty 900PS (660kW).

The redesigned front fascia includes a new spoiler sword and front splitter lip made entirely from carbonfibre that fit onto the stock bumper. The new side skirts act as diffusers and are said to improve the car’s aerodynamic stability.

DMC claims the new carbonfibre rear diffuser and added tunnel system further improve downforce at the rear axle, along with the rear wing spoiler.

On the performance side of things, DMC has replaced the combined overhead throttle valves with 12 unique single-intake throttle plates, one per cylinder. DMC-developed parts have also replaced other components, such as fuel pumps and fuel lines, injection nozzles and pressure modulators.

The LP900’s engine mapping has also been optimised, while an electronic load pressure control system and new wiring has been added.

The power gains are further supported by an all-new titanium exhaust system weighing just 3.45kg instead of the 34kg weight of the standard system.

DMC suggests you fly your Lamborghini Aventador LP700 to the company’s facilities in either Germany or Switzerland for the mechanical work.

DMC hasn’t released any details on the actual on-road performance gains, but the additional power should see the LP900 challenge the Bugatti Veyron, at least in terms of its 0-100km/h ability, which will dip from the production car’s 2.9-second benchmark.

Read More

2013 Honda CR-Z: fresh face for sporty hybrid

The fresh new face of the Honda CR-Z has been revealed online ahead of the updated sports hybrid’s international debut at the 2012 Paris motor show later this month.

The preview image confirms the 2013 Honda CR-Z scores a revamped front-end with a honeycomb pattern grille and beefier fog lamp housings.

Honda says the car’s revised cabin will benefit from aesthetic enhancements and added equipment.

Both the petrol engine and the electric motor in the upgraded Honda CR-Z will get performance tweaks that will see the car’s total powertrain output climb beyond its current 91kW/174Nm peaks.

The extra power and torque promise to improve acceleration without having a negative affect on the car’s all-important fuel consumption, which is currently rated at 4.7 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.

The full details of the 2013 Honda CR-Z will be revealed at its Paris unveiling on September 27.

Honda Australia’a Melissa Cross told CarAdvice the updated model is set to land in local showrooms in the first half of 2013.

The Honda CR-Z remains a niche model for the Japanese manufacturer’s local division, with just 287 units sold across the country over the first eight months of 2012. The compact coupe, which launched in Australia in November 2011, ranges from $34,990 for the CR-Z Sport manual to $40,790 for the Luxury CVT.

Read More

Hyundai i30 three-door: sleek looks for new small hatch

The sporty new Hyundai i30 three-door hatch has been unveiled in Europe ahead of its international debut at the 2012 Paris motor show later this month.

The three-door variant becomes the third body style in the second-generation Hyundai i30 range, joining the five-door hatch and the larger i30 Tourer wagon - although like the wagon, the three door isn’t headed our way, at least in the foreseeable future.

Hyundai Australia director of marketing Oliver Mann told CarAdvice there are “currently no plans to bring the three-door i30 to Australia”.

Like the wagon, the i30 three-door is only being produced at the company’s Nosovice plant in the Czech Republic. Hyundai Australia sources the five-door i30 hatch from South Korea.

The i30 three-door brings its own distinctive styling to the table, sporting a more heavily raked beltline and tapered roofline that combine to create a window-line similar to that of the uniquely styled Veloster‘three-door coupe’.

The front bumper is lower to the ground to create a sportier stance, while the black grille and foglight clusters feature a circular mesh pattern. LED daytime running lights add extra appeal to the three-door’s more purposeful front-end.

Longer doors and unique 16-inch alloy wheels contribute to the more dynamic side profile, while horizontal lower reflectors in the rear bumper create the impression of a wider rear-end stance.

Hyundai Europe senior vice president and chief operating officer Allan Rushforth says the i30 three-door is intended to strengthen the brand’s presence in the ultra-competitive small-car segment.

“Its sporty looks − offering a fresh interpretation of [Hyundai’s] fluidic sculpture [design language] − will generate greater brand awareness and enhance consumer perceptions of Hyundai in Europe,” Rushforth said.

The Hyundai i30 three-door matches the five-door under the bonnet, with European models to be offered with a full range of four engines and five power outputs.

The three-door also mirrors the five-door’s ride and handling dynamics, with an identical suspension set-up and the integration of the selectable ‘Flex Steer’ system, which allows the driver to switch between three steering weight settings.

Earlier this year, the Hyundai Australia admitted it was looking closely at adding a sportier variant to its i30 range with a more powerful engine, suspension tweaks and more emotional styling.

Read More

Volkswagen Cross Caddy: compact MPV goes off-road

Volkswagen has released the first details and images of the new Volkswagen Cross Caddy ahead of its launch in Europe early in 2013.

The Cross Caddy will join other off-road-themed Volkswagen ‘Cross’ models in Europe including the Polo, Golf and Touran nameplates.

The beefed-up Caddy is based on the Volkswagen Caddy Edition 30 that launches at the Australian international motor show in Sydney next month.

Sporting a tougher look than the standard model, the Volkswagen Cross Caddy is armed with plastic protectors for the wheel arches, bumpers and side sills.

There are also front and rear metallic strips that add to the Cross Caddy’s cosmetic protection pack.

It’s a more an exercise in style than substance, although the Cross Caddy will also be available with Volkswagen’s 4Motion four-wheel drive system and a dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission for those determined to test it away from the bitumen.

Additional features include newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted glass and silver roof rails.

Inside there’s a two-tone green/grey front seat design, an adjustable central armrest and grey stitching for the leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever.

Volkswagen will launch the Cross Caddy in Europe in both five- and seven-seat configurations with a range of petrol and diesel engines along with natural gas and LPG versions.

Volkswagen Australia told CarAdvice it has no plans to sell the Cross Caddy down under.

Read More

Audi SQ5 exclusive concept to become limited edition reality

The Audi SQ5 TDI exclusive concept being readied for its unveiling at the 2012 Paris motor show in 10 days’ time will become a limited edition production model for the German car maker.

Based on the Audi SQ5 TDI - Audi’s top Q5 variant and also the company’s first S model SUV and its first diesel-powered car – the Audi SQ5 exclusive will be produced in a limited 50-car production run giving owners legitimate rarity to match the car’s title.

The SQ5 exclusive matches the base car’s performance figures of 230kW and 650Nm from the shared 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel engine, meaning 0-100km/h comes up in 5.1 seconds, top speed is electronically governed at 250km/h and fuel consumption reaches a combined
mark of 7.2 litres per 100km.

What sets the Audi SQ5 exclusive apart is its details: finished in a bespoke Aral Blue colour that contrasts against the signature S-model aluminium-look exterior mirrors, black Fine Nappa leather with ‘snow white’ stitching features throughout the interior including on the sports steering wheel, gear selector, centre armrest and instrument binnacle cover.

The theme continues for the seats, with woven leather centre sections an exclusive touch for the model and the first time Audi has used woven leather on a production vehicle.

‘Snow white’ Alcantara is used for the car’s headliner, sunroof blind and door trim inserts while the door trims and the entry sills wear Audi exclusive badges. Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and four exhaust pipes out the back complete the limited edition package.

The Audi SQ5 TDI exclusive is to start production in early 2013 before going on sale in Europe only, although Audi Australia has confirmed the Audi SQ5 TDI will be sold locally in the first half of next year, with pricing and specifications to be announced closer to its launch. A premium over the current $75,000 range-topping Audi Q5 30 TDI Quattro will be par for the course.

Read More

Smart Forstars concept previews future design of Daimler city cars

The Smart Forstars concept can be a mobile cinema but it’s also a ‘coming soon’ preview of future models from the Daimler-backed city car brand.

Smart says the car’s “silhouette offers a look at the company’s future design idiom”, confirming the concept offers a glimpse of what we can expect from the third-generation Fortwo and the return of the Forfour.

Daimler is currently developing both models in conjunction with Renault-Nissan as part of an engine- and platform-sharing arrangement. The likes of the Renault Twingo will be built off the same rear-wheel-drive platform, with the cars using three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

The Forstars name is a “tongue in cheek reference” to the concept’s glass roof, which allows for a spot of star-gazing. It’s matched by a glass tailgate that lifts up to reveal a cargo area larger than that found in the current Fortwo.

The Smart Forstars concept is a further design development of the Forus concept show at the 2012 Detroit motor show.

It is a two-seater still, but noticeably longer than the current Fortwo at 3550mm, and with a 2470mm wheelbase that’s 603mm longer. It retains a wheel-at-each-corner stance, with those wheelarches filled by huge 21-inch tyres.

There’s a cheekiness to the styling that includes a ‘smiling’ face complete with ‘eyebrows’ above the headlights.

There are LED daytime running lights, and the tail-lights open – with the right tail-light concealing a charging socket for the 60kW/135Nm magneto-electric motor that powers the car.

The zero-emissions drivetrain is from the Brabus Fortwo electric car that can propel the Smart Forstars to a top speed of 129km/h.

Unlike the exterior, the shiny red and white interior – complete with bejewelled gearlever, foot pedals and instrument dials – looks pure concept.

There are hammock-style leather front seats, a U-shaped steering wheel and a rear-view camara is replaced by a windscreen-mounted smartphone with integrated video camera.

Smartphones come into play again with the “open air cinema” feature, where a media player is operated by iPhone Bluetooth to play movies onto a white wall via the projector that’s integrated into the bonnet.

Speakers for the sound system are embedded into vent openings behind the doors.

In addition to sharing some visual cues with the Forus, the Smart Forstars concept also features a lower tailgate section that opens electrically to reveal a retractable floor with a 900mm-long cargo space.

Click on the Photos tab for more images of the Smart Forstars.

The 2012 Paris motor show starts on Thursday 27th September.

Read More