Showing posts with label New Cars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Cars. Show all posts

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Facelifted Renaultsport Clio 200 & Clio 200 Cup

Along with the rest of the Clio range, Renault also launched the revised the RS (Renaultsport) model in Geneva. Highlights include a more powerful 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that now delivers 200-horsepower, chassis modifications and of course, the cosmetic upgrades.

Like the rest of the range, the hot Clio gets a new fascia featuring Renaultsport's new styling identity cues such as the blacked out centre section of the front bumper, front splitter, and a subtly restyled rear end with new tail lights and a different rear diffuser.

The Clio Renaultsport 200 is powered by an upgraded version of the outgoing model's normally-aspirated 2.0 16V engine. Peak power has been increased by 3hp to 200HP at 7,100rpm and now produces its maximum torque of 215Nm at 5,400rpm (compared with 5,500rpm for Clio Renaultsport 197). The first, second and third gear ratios have all been shortened for punchier acceleration. The new Clio Renaultsport 200 accelerates from standstill to 100km/h or 62 mph in 6.9 seconds while top speed increases by 2mph to 141mph (227km/h).

Another benefit of powertrain upgrades is the fact that its fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been slightly reduced to 34.5mpg UK in the combined cycle and 195g/km.

Renaultsport engineers also widened the front and rear tracks by 48mm and 50mm respectively while the wheelbase is extended by 10mm to 2,585mm for greater stability. Furthermore, the rear suspension features a stiffened programmed deflection torsion beam.

The new Clio Renaultsport is available in two guises, the basic 200 and the more hardcore 200 Cup which has a stiffer chassis and is 36kg lighter than the standard version.


Friday, March 6, 2009

Geneva Show: Mazda CX-7 Facelift with new 173HP 2.2-liter Diesel Engine

Making its European debut in Geneva, Mazda's facelifted CX-7 crossover enters 2009 with a mild styling makeover in and out but more importantly, it offers the option of a diesel engine for the very first time. On the outside, the 2009 CX-7 gains a larger grille with a more prominent badge, a new design for the front fog lamp bezels, a chrome bar on the tailgate handle, while a larger rear roof spoiler and newly designed 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels complete the changes.

Moving to the interior, the facelift CX-7 features a new steering wheel with integrated control switches, revised meters on the instrument panel, new materials and trim while the vehicle's unique double-roof instrument panel is modified as well.

Whereas the North American market CX-7 gained a new entry-level 160HP 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, for Europe, Mazda wisely chose to equip the crossover with a new 2.2-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine that joins the 260HP 2.3-litre DISI turbo petrol engine.

Matted to a six-speed manual gearbox, the next-generation MZR-CD 2.2-litre inline four-cylinder turbocharged diesel delivers a maximum power output of 173-horsepower at 3,500 rpm of 400 Nm of torque from 2,000 rpm.

With the new turbo diesel under the bonnet, the revised CX-7 can sprint from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.3 seconds and go on to reach a top speed of 200 km/. That's compared to 8.0 seconds and 209 km/h respectively for the 2.3 petrol variant, but the CX-7 Diesel does return 31.3mpg US (7.5lt / 100 km) in the combined cycle, an improvement of around 9mpg US over the gasoline model.

Ferrari Debuts 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE Sport Package in Geneva

As well as introducing the track-focused 599XX with 700HP, Ferrari also revealed a new Handling GTE (Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione) package for the 599 GTB Fiorano in Geneva. Designed to deliver even sportier, more dynamic driving, the package includes a modified set-up with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar as well as new calibration settings for the magnetorheological shock absorbers while the V12 coupe's ride height has also been lowered.

The package also includes specifically optimized tires featuring a compound that offers even better grip while other modifications concern the revised F1 gearbox that offers faster shift times, a new engine software strategy that improves accelerator response and a new exhaust silencer.

From a styling point of view, the HGTE package adds a series of sporty exterior and interior features. On the outside, there are 20-inch split-rim alloys in a matte silver finish while the rear diffuser is painted in matte black. The cabin is distinguished by the new two-tone leather / alcantara seats and the carbon-fibre trim.


New Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic - Live Photos from Geneva

The debate is still on here at Carscoop whether or not the GranTurismo is hotter than the brunette model that accompanied the show car, but while we try to come to a conclusion let us see the latest Maserati in detail. For the first time, the Italian automaker is offering an automatic transmission (6-speed) on the sportiest variant of the GranTurismo, the S, which comes with a 4.7-liter V8 making 440HP at 7000 rpm and 490Nm of torque at 4750 rpm.

Like the stick-shift GranTurismo S, the Automatic features some discreet stylistic changes which distinguish it from the 4.2-liter V8 model such as the new under-door mini-skirts featuring a prominent shape and new 20-inch wheel rims.