Friday, July 25th, 2008
The MINI Cooper S has been singled out for praise by What Car? and taken the Green Sports Car award in the What Car? Green Awards ceremony at the 2008 British International Motor Show, where the MINI range is currently showing on a MINIVERSITY-themed stand.
The award is recognition of MINI’s commitment to manufacturing frugal and fast premium small cars, with minimal cost to the environment.
The MINI Cooper S embodies all of those qualities and when pitched against the competition, it’s easy to see how What Car? made its decision.
The systems that make astonishing fuel consumption (45.6 mpg on combined cycle) and low CO2 emission (149 g/km) figures possible from a hot hatch are known as MINIMALISM technologies. MINIMALISM is MINI’s version of BMW’s EfficientDynamics and the range of systems includes:
• Auto Start/Stop
• Shift Point Display
• Brake Energy Regeneration
• Variable Valve Timing
• Lightweight materials
• Turbocharging
• Electro mechanical Power Assisted Steering
(more…)
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Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
Jaguar XK60
In 1948, Jaguar created what would become one of the most famous automotive names in the world, as the all-new and highly advanced XK engine made its debut in the revered XK120 sports car. Now, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of that iconic car, Jaguar is launching a very special series of the current XK for the UK market – the uniquely equipped and aptly named XK60, a car that pays homage to the legendary performance of its predecessors.
Much has changed in those 60 years, but the Jaguar ethos of beautiful, fast cars remains as true today as it did in 1948. The current XK range was the first of the modern breed of Jaguars to introduce the marque’s new design language as well as the technologically acclaimed advanced lightweight architecture.
Like every Jaguar to carry the XK badge, the XK60 is all about performance with style – plus a large helping of individuality. And as the XKR Portfolio and XKR-S Special Editions brought something extra to the supercharged XK models, XK60 offers its own spin on the naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 XK, in both coupé and convertible forms.
XK60s will be built from July 2008. The car offers a host of additional extras beyond the XK’s already impressive specification at no extra cost. For following another Jaguar tradition, every XK60 will be a hugely desirable car with an impressively accessible price tag.
The XK60 customer will benefit from dramatic 20-inch Senta alloy wheels, a sporty alloy gear knob and selector-gate surround, plus distinctive body enhancements: a new front spoiler and rear valance panel, chrome-finished side vents and bright upper and lower front grille meshes, special tailpipe finishers and appliqués on both sides of the car.
Sixty years on, the 2008 XK sits as far above the crowd as its namesake did in 1948. It has the same sporting DNA, the same stunning eye for proportion and detail, the same dynamic focus for the driver who loves driving. And where the original XK120 introduced an engine whose sophistication rewrote the production car rule-book in its day, the XK60 bristles with technical sophistication of its own.
Jaguar’s advanced all-aluminium construction makes the XK60 the lightest yet strongest car in its class; CATS Computer Active Technology Suspension underpins its perfect balance of control and agility with comfort and refinement; its six-speed automatic transmission is recognised as one of the world’s best; and like the ground-breaking XK120, the XK60 is powered by an acclaimed engine – in this case the 298PS 4.2-litre AJ-V8.
From launch, this all-alloy, four-camshaft, 32-valve gem had the best specific power and torque of any engine in its class, the lightest weight, the lightest valve gear (even with its variable inlet valve timing), and the stiffest structure. In other words, it was another outstanding engine at the heart of another outstanding XK.
So the 60th anniversary of the XK name is a milestone well worth celebrating, and the XK60 is a unique car to show that modern Jaguar still has the power to surprise and delight.
Jaguar XK60
Price: Coupe £60,995; Convertible £66,995
Engine: 4.2-litre naturally aspirated AJ-V8 engine with continuously variable valve timing
Top speed: 155mph (electronically limited)
0-60mph: Coupe 5.9 seconds; Convertible 6.0 seconds
Power and torque: 298PS (EEC) at 6000rpm; 303lb ft (411Nm) at 4100rpm
Transmission: Jaguar Sequential Shift 6-speed automatic transmission
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Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
Tesla Motors, manufacturer of the breakthrough 100% electric Tesla Roadster, opened its second company-owned sales and service facility in Menlo Park, California today. The store is located at 300 El Camino Real, just north of the Stanford Shopping Center, downtown Palo Alto, and Stanford University.
The 40,000 square foot facility replicates the unique Tesla brand experience of the Los Angeles store on a larger scale. In addition to showcasing the Tesla Roadster in an inviting environment, the showroom is in part a museum exhibition, with several car models originally used for aerodynamic and styling studies, as well as the bonded aluminum frame of the Tesla on display.
The customer lounge features large windows offering a view into the service area, where Roadsters are currently being completed for delivery to customers, with the installation of the powertrain and final testing and quality checks.
“Tesla manufactures an extraordinary and unique car that defies convention. We are doing the same with our distribution and servicing strategy. Tesla is building its own stores to provide a unique, branded experience for Tesla customers and provide the highest level of service for our unique powertrain” said Darryl Siry, SVP of Global Sales, Marketing & Service. “We will continue to build our store network in the US and in Europe, focusing initially on key markets for the Tesla Roadster and then expanding over time to cover broader distribution of the ‘Model S’ Sedan.”
The Tesla Store Menlo Park is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 6PM and Sunday 12PM to 5PM. Test drives are available by appointment only.
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