Peugeot presents its idea of crossover, the 3008

When Peugeot presented the Prologue, we have warned our readers it would be named (or numbered) 3008. Today this car has been officially presented by the French automaker, but it does not bring AWD, as everyone expected. This feature has been postponed for 2011, when the company will present the 3008 equipped with its HYbrid4 system.



While the car does not present this feature, it will be only a front-wheel drive car, very similar to a minivan, but if Peugeot calls it a crossover just because it can have 18-inch alloy wheels, we shall put no obstacles to it. Only some irony...

When the 2011 3008 arrives, it will present an electric engine to power the rear wheels. Possibly the same one used by Prologue HYbrid4. It would be a 37 bhp (27 kW) powerplant, combined to the 2-litre HDi engine that generates 163 bhp (120 kW). Since the car would be able to be powered by the electric engine only, fuel consumption can be as low as 24.4 km/l, while emissions would not be higher than 109 g/km of CO2.

3008 is, as its name denounces, built over the 308 platform. It is 4.37 m long, 1.84 m wide and 1.64 m tall, with a wheelbase of 2.61 m. Its weight goes from 1,399 kg (for the 1.6-litre petrol unit) to 1,539 kg (for the 2-litre turbodiesel HDI with a six-speed automatic transmission). Its tyres can go from 215/60 R16 to 235/45 R18, depending on the version and trim level the buyer may choose.

As for the engines, there are petrol and diesel options, two for the first fuel and three to the second one. The petrol units are a 1.6-litre able to produce 120 bhp (88 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 160 Nm at 4,250 rpm and another 1.6-litre, turbocharged, that reaches 150 bhp (110 kW) at 5,800 rpm and 240 Nm at 1,400 rpm.

The diesel units are a 1.6-litre that generates 110 bhp (80 kW) at 4,000 rpm and 240 Nm at 1,750 rpm and a 2-litre that has two different outputs: 150 bhp (110 kw) at 3,750 rpm and 163 bhp (120 kW) at 3,750 rpm. Torque is the same for both option of the 2-litre: 340 Nm at 2,000 rpm.

The luggage compartment holds 432 l with the rear seats up and up to 1,241 l with the seats down. Besides that, the compartment can be divided in two different spaces, while the backdoor can be opened in two stages: only its superior part or both it and the inferior part.

Another interesting feature 3008 presents is its head-up display, which projects into a polycarbonate blade information such as speed and a distance alert, to avoid crashes. 3008 also offers a hill departure assistance, common in vehicles with electric parking brakes.



















Source: Peugeot

Volkswagen BlueSport, a candidate to bring the 914 back

Volkswagen was said to be preparing a roadster for Detroit. This car would be the vehicle over which both VW and Porsche would make the 914 get back to life. Part of the rumours have been confirmed with the presentation of BlueSport. The other part, the one about the return of 914, will only be revealed by oncoming times.



Whatever the future reserves for BlueSport, this 3.99 m long roadster uses a four-cylindre 2-litre 180 bhp TDI engine able to make it accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 s and to reach a top speed of 226 km/h. It is also 1.26 m tall, 1.75 m wide and has a wheelbase of 2.43 m. The engine is in a mid-rear position, just behind the two seats of the car. BlueSport is a rear-wheel drive car and its power is transmitted to the rear wheels though a six-speed DSG gearbox, or dual-clutch manual automated transmission, if you prefer.

Since the car is diesel powered, its fuel consumption is as low as 23.3 km/l. Volkswagen may not confirm its intention of bringing back the 914, but its press release states that BlueConcept represents the "comeback of the compact roadster". Enough said.





















Source: Volkswagen

LEAKED! - Meet the Sportback Concept, futurelly known as A7

Audi probably planned to surprise its audience at Detroit Auto Show this year with a secret concept, but, as it almost always happens to secrets in the automotive world, they can't be kept for too long. This is what has succeeded to the so called Sportback Concept, a car that we will very soon be used to name as A7.



The concept is (and the future A7 will be) built over the A6 platform. This is a modular architecture called LBK, which allows changes in lenght, width and height, according to what Audi wants the car to offer its customers. It is a concept Fiat has already used for Stilo. Bravo uses the same platform, but with the changes the Italian carmaker thought that were necessary for the new hatchback.

Considering the Sportback Concept will be presented this year, we can expect the A7 to be presented in no longer than two years. Fans of the concept will be able to buy Audi's four-door coupe by 2011 or sooner (so we hope).






Source: Fourtitude via Autoblog

Jaguar XF-R will show its claws at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show

Few cars must have been photographed so often when they were being developed as the beautiful sedan below. This is Jaguar's answer for BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG and Audi RS6, and the answer comes in a subtle, but powerful way, as we should expect from any feline. The new XF-R will be officially presented at the 2009 edition of Detroit Auto Show and promises to be a real head-turner when it hits the streets.



Besides the great looks, the car is powered by a new-generation AJ-V8 engine, a 5-litre powerplant that counts on the help of a Roots-type twin vortex system (TVS) supercharger to be even stronger. With it, XF-R has 510 bhp from 6,000 rpm to 6,500 rpm and 625 Nm from 2,500 rpm to 5,500 rpm. 0 to 100 km/h is a task accomplished in 4.9 s and the top speed could surpass 300 km/hm, but it is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

Since a powerful engine is not the only thing that matters in a car that is good to drive, Jaguar has made improvements to its Active Differential Control and to Adaptive Dynamics, a system that controls the car suspension. Both work together in order to give the car better grip and handling in all situations. Brakes have also been improved, and must be a nice vision through the 20-inch alloy wheels.

We could describe the minimum and very adequate changes that have been made to the appearance of the car, but we prefer to leave it up to you in the pictures below. Have a nice time exploring the official photos of this gorgeous cat.






















Source: Moto.pl via CarScoop

Hennessey creates a mix of Camaro and ZR1 with HPE700

Hennessey has presented a Chevrolet Camaro most fans would like to see mass produced. It has called the car HPE700. As this beast's name suggests, the new car is a Camaro on the outside, but it has 715 bhp (526 kW) and 810 Nm of torque under the hood thanks to an upgraded LS9 engine, used by Corvette ZR1.



Besides the powerful engine, Hennessey has also made changes to the car suspension and brakes. Optionally, this special Camaro can be equipped with the same 15-inch carbon brakes that are fitted to ZR1. HPE700 also presents HRE lightweight wheels with Michelin PS2 tyres.

Considering the high speeds this vehicle can reach, Hennessey has created an aerodynamics package that improves downforce at high speed. Called Cam-Aero, it has most of its itens made of carbon fibre, for resistance and low weight, such as the rear lip spoiler, side rocker panels and front splitter. The company will also offer HPE700 buyers a 1-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park, in order to make sure they will take the most of their new toy without hurting themselves. Just as ZR1, HPE700 proudly allows its engine to be seen through its transparent hood.

With a base price of US$ 109,500, this limited series Camaro (Hennessey does not inform how limited it is) will be available in selected Chevrolet dealers in the USA and directly at Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE), in Texas. The first one, anyway, will go to the house of the proud bid winner at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson auction.

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Source: Hennessey Performance Engineering via AutoBlog