-37 days to unveil the new Fiat 500X

The upcoming French Mondial de l'Auto will allow to disclose the new Fiat 500X, the new jewel of the lucky 500 family.

The twin of the new Jeep Renegade - since they share the underpinnings, the hardware and also the same plant of Melfi in central Italy - would be available with 2 and all-wheel drive and would come with the very good MultiJet diesels and the TwinAir petrol engines.
More details will follow. Stay tuned.

GENEVA 2014 MINI CLUBMAN CONCEPT

After the arrival of BMW's Mini 3rd generation, here comes the future of the Clubman version. 
Awesome!

26 cm. longer the current version, the next Clubman will be available beginning 2015 with its rear split doors and its surrounding shoulder chrome line called "Waistline Finisher". 

The "Waistline Finisher"

In the new cabin, the huge central console displays 3 toggles programmables with particular functions according to driver's preference:designers have really reworked classic operating elements that are part of Mini for 55 years.

 

copywright @ ccm

The European challenge: the brand new Cadillac ATS

Cadillac has just presented its all-new, lightweight, rear-wheel-drive compact luxury sports sedan intended to challenge the world’s best premium cars with particular attention to the European brands.

Available with a V-6 cylinder and two four-cylinders, perfect for the European markets, it has been also tested on Germany’s Nürburgring to underline its proximity to our tastes and needs.

The new ATS will be availble with 'CUE', the eight-inch LCD multi-touch sensitive screen, integrated into the top of the central instrument panel . CUE’s home page resembles a smart phone’s screen by using large icons to execute commands.

In addition to CUE, the ATS is offered with other technologies, including:

- Bluetooth phone connectivity with voice recognition

- USB, auxiliary and SD memory card ports

- Satellite Radio

- Keyless access and keyless push-button start

- Reconfigurable 5.7-inch instrument panel cluster display

- Full-color reconfigurable heads-up display.

Concerning the safety side, the ATS employs advanced technologies including radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors – to help prevent crashes. Cadillac’s advanced crash-avoidance systems will act without the driver, such as automatic braking, which will activate based on information indicating potential hazards.

Among the most sophisticated of the features is Front and Rear Automatic Brakes. This relies on short-range radar technology and ultrasonic sensors to help the driver prevent front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.

Optional advanced safety features include:

- Full Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control

- Intelligent Brake Assist

- Forward Collision Alert

- Brake Pre-Fill Automatic Collision Preparation

- Lane Departure Warning

- Side Blind Zone Alert

- Rear Vision Camera With Dynamic Guidelines

- Adaptive Forward Lighting

- Hill Hold/Start Assist (Standard, manual transmission)

Available in Europe soon but probably not for the UK market (right hand driving transformation issues).

copywright @ ccm

the urban revolution

It's a revolution. Indeed. Paris has just launched its public service plan with electric vehicles and this will be soon followed in other a large European metropolis. A revolutionary way of living and an innovation in urban travel that will transform our experience of cities.
The system is quite simple: choose your forfeit (1 day @ 10€, 1 week @ 15€, 1 year @ 12€/month), get your card, digit your PIN code, take your vehicle, use it as you need (5€ to 8€ per 1/2 hour according to the chosen forfeit), park it where you want to among the 250 stations available.

copyright @ ccm

the old limo of the new premier

After Mr. Berlusconi's razzle-dazzle, Italy will rediscover a period of sobriety, international reputation and - finally - love for Italian cars.
After having seen ministers, deputies and showgirls being driven in Audi, BMW and Mercedes, Prime Minister Mario Monti decided to pull out Lancia Themas and Fiat Cromas but also some Alfa Romeos that are out of production since 2 or 3 years.

News from LA > the Jaguar XKR-S Convertible World Debut

It's beautiful. it's gorgeous.It's stunning. It's the new Jaguar XKR-S cabriolet that will be unveiled in a few days at the Los Angeles Autoshow opened last Friday 18th.

courtesy: speedfans.fr

The XKR-S Convertible will be the most powerful and fastest open-topped GT Jaguar has ever built thanks to its Supercharged V8 petrol engine able to push up to 300km/h with reaching 100km/h in 4.4 seconds.

Performance Active exhaust enables higher power and torque will give the XKR-S its own distinctive soundtrack.

The convertible roof opens and stows in just 18 seconds.

Awaiting it in our garages, let's enjoy the official video

copyright @ CCM

tribute to an unique orange/white MB 280S

Spotted near the Louvre in Paris, this MB 280S matriculated in Belgium (and proudly showing a Belgium flag on both side) was built between 1969 and 1971 to replaced the 250S with improved performances. It mounts frontally a 6-cylinder-inline engine, provided of two carboretors, able to produce 140 HP and a top speed of 185 km/h (180 on automatic version). 0-100 achievable in 12.5 seconds.

Designed by French Paul Bracq, the same man who designed the first French high speed train TGV - Train Grand Vitesse.

Belonging to the W108 family, you can find more details on the Mercedes W108 group website www.w108.org dedicated to all Mercedes Benz S Class from the mid 60’s to the early 70’s.

But if you want to see it in action, you can find a black 280S driven along the train path by James Bond in 1983 Octopussy film in pursuit of a train

courtesy MGM