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CAR

Both reports confirm what we’ve heard before: Volkswagen will limit the cylinder count to four, but that’s where the similarities end. Autoweek’s sources say that engine choices will be limited to either a 170-hp 1.4-liter Twincharger TSI gasoline engine or a new 125-hp 1.6-liter TDI sending power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. CAR pegs displacement of the gasoline engines at between 1.2- and 1.4-liters, with output ranging from 105 to 160 hp. A 1.2-liter TDI producing 75 hp is also being bandied around.

According to Autoweek, the mid-engine coupe will come to market in 2011, while CAR contends production won’t begin until 2013. Additionally, CAR reports that VW won’t use an aluminum architecture due to cost constraints, meaning that the Modular Sports Car (MSC) will come in at around 2,660 pounds (300kg heavier than the Elise). On the other hand, Autoweek is saying that the concept will tip the scales below 2,200 pounds by tapping Audi for its expertise with aluminum and opening the door to a four-ringed variant with a choice of a 211-hp 2.0-liter TFSI or a 204-hp twin-turbo’d 2.0-liter TDI. Not to mention the possibility of a Porsche 914 successor.

A strut-based suspension will be employed instead of a Golf-derived multi-link arrangement, while parts cribbed from the rest of the VW line – ranging from steering components and brakes to electronics and transmissions – will be used to keep manufacturing costs in check. Autoweek is also reporting that both a coupe and roadster will be offered, which strikes us as totally unnecessary as VW would be better served offering a removable hard-top similar to that on the MSC’s target, the Lotus Elise.

[Sources: CAR and Autoweek]

IF you’re in Europe and hoping to get your name on a list for a Toyota iQ, now’s the time. Toyota has opened up the order banks for the cleverly packaged microcar prior to its January availability date, while also giving up the goods on available specs, options, and pricing. The iQ comes in only two trim levels, iQ and iQ2, and pricing starts at £9,495 for the manual, and £10,495 for the multidrive CVT transmission. All iQ models come with 15-inch alloys, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, air conditioning and six speaker audio system with auxiliary socket. Checking the box for the iQ2 adds another £1,000, but for the money you receive high-gloss wheels, fog lamps, auto headlights and rain sensing wipers, smart entry and start system and climate control.

The iQ is pretty damn small, but Toyota is stuffing the tiny coupe with plenty of standard safety features, including ABS, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control and nine airbags, including the world’s first rear window airbag. Toyota also offers five different option packages including leather seats, navigation, and iSport, iUrban and iStyle packages. The iQ may be small, but after looking at the specs, it looks like Toyota went out of its way to give you just about any option you can dream up for a bargain basement price. You just can’t get one if you live in the US, at least not yet. Hit the jump to view Toyota’s detailed press release.

PRESS RELEASE:

TOYOTA ANNOUNCES PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR NEW iQ

* New Toyota iQ available to order now, with customer deliveries from January
* On-the-road prices from £9,495 for iQ 1.0 VVT-i manual
* Two trim levels – iQ and iQ2
* iQ equipped with 15-inch alloys, heated electrically adjustable door mirrors, air conditioning and six speaker audio system with auxiliary socket
* iQ2 fitted with high-gloss alloys, front fog lamps, automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers, smart entry and start system and climate control
* Standard safety features include ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Vehicle Stability Control with steering assist (VSC+) and Traction Control (TRC)
* Nine airbags as standard, including world-first rear window airbag
* Bespoke accessory packs available for equipment upgrades and personalisation
* Metallic paint free on orders taken before 1 March 2009
* 1.0-litre VVT-i engine with manual transmission set to return 65.7mpg and 99g/km (provisional), exempt from road tax

Order books are open for Toyota’s revolutionary new iQ, with first deliveries to customers in January. An instant icon for modern urban motoring, iQ matches its advanced engineering and design with highly desirable equipment specifications: it’s proof that thinking small no longer means thinking modest.

With carbon dioxide emissions starting at a road tax-free 99g/km and combined cycle fuel economy of 65.7mpg for the 1.0-litre VVT-i with manual transmission, iQ is more than a match for many of its eco-themed rivals. And it returns these remarkable figures without having to sacrifice style, creature comforts and ride quality.

Its ground breaking design makes it the ideal compact machine for around-town driving, but with all the stability and handling dynamics of a larger car to keep it on the pace on the open highway. It can turn on a sixpence and slot easily into parking spaces that are forbidden territory to its rivals, yet the interior is spacious and flexible.

At launch the iQ range offers a revised version of Toyota’s award-winning* 1.0-litre three-cylinder VVT-i engine with a choice of five-speed manual transmission or Multidrive, the latest development of Toyota’s continuously variable transmission. On-the-road prices start at £9,495.

(* 2008 Engine of the Year, sub-1.0-litre class)

iQ SPECIFICATIONS
It may be one of the smallest cars on the market, but iQ demands no “make-do” compromises when it comes to equipment specifications.

iQ is available in two grades, iQ and iQ2, both of which come with the kind of standard specification that reads like a larger, premium model and is almost unheard of in the city car segment.

The entry-level iQ rides on 15-inch alloy wheels and projects a clean, contemporary appearance with colour-keyed door mirrors and bumpers and heated electrically adjustable door mirrors with integrated indicator lamps.

Air conditioning keeps things cool inside, while the six-speaker sound system provides a radio, CD player and MP3/WMA file playing from disc. There is also an auxiliary socket for connection to personal MP3 players. Electric windows, remote central locking, dark tinted privacy glass in the rear window and leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob are also all included, together with a tonneau cover for the rear luggage space.

Upgrading to iQ2 brings even more sophisticated features. The alloys gain a high-gloss finish, fog lights are neatly integrated into the lower front bumper section and there are bi-halogen headlights with a smoke-tinted finish to their glass covers. The door mirrors are electronically retractable – handy for those ultra-tight parking spots iQ drivers will be making the most of.

Climate control air conditioning, smart entry and push-button start, automatic headlights and wipers and an auto-dimming rear view mirror raise the quality bar even higher.

360-degree safety
iQ rebuts the assumption that small cars are less safe than larger ones with an exceptional array of active and passive safety provisions included as standard on all models.

Building on the inherent crash protection provided by iQ’s multi-load path construction, which effectively absorbs and disperses impact forces away from the cabin, the car benefits from ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). The quality of braking performance is matched by the secure handling afforded by Vehicle Stability Control (VSC+) with Traction Control (TRC).

Should the worst happen, occupants have 360-degree protection from an array of nine airbags strategically positioned around the cabin. These include front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger; curtain shield airbags to guard the head and upper body of all four occupants; a driver’s knee airbag; and an airbag built into the front of the passenger seat cushion.

In addition, iQ benefits from the world’s first rear window airbag, giving extra head protection to back seat passengers in a rear-end impact.

iQ equipment specification highlights

ACCESSORIES AND OPTIONS
iQ owners looking for an upgrade will be able to add extra touches to their vehicle from a range of three bespoke accessory packs.

* iStyle: exterior styling elements, including chrome side sills, rear chrome garnish and aluminium scuff plates.
* iSports: sports styling features, including rear roof spoiler, rear skirt and chrome exhaust pipe finisher.
* iUrban: comprises rear parking sensors, reversible velour/rubber boot liner and carpet mats.

With such a high standard specification on iQ and iQ2, there are just two extra-cost options: leather seat upholstery and a fully integrated satellite navigation system with Bluetooth and iPod integration.

ACCESSORIES AND OPTIONS
iQ owners looking for an upgrade will be able to add extra touches to their vehicle from a range of three bespoke accessory packs.

* iStyle: exterior styling elements, including chrome side sills, rear chrome garnish and aluminium scuff plates.
* iSports: sports styling features, including rear roof spoiler, rear skirt and chrome exhaust pipe finisher.
* iUrban: comprises rear parking sensors, reversible velour/rubber boot liner and carpet mats.

With such a high standard specification on iQ and iQ2, there are just two extra-cost options: leather seat upholstery and a fully integrated satellite navigation system with Bluetooth and iPod integration.

From launch, iQ will be offered exclusively in three metallic paint options (White Pearl, Black and Deep Amethyst) which will be free of charge for orders taken before 1 March 2009.

Word has it there is an eight-month waiting list for the Audi R8 in the car’s home market of Germany. Here in the good ol’ U.S. of A., the 50 units we get per month are not nearly enough for all of the interested buyers. Well, with V10, convertible and possibly diesel versions in the works, we can’t imagine that demand will subside anytime soon. You might think that Audi would be smart to amp up production to handle the high demand, especially with those new versions coming soon, but that isn’t gonna happen according to Audi. Seems they can only make 27 R8s a month day and no more. That should keep the R8 variations very scarce and very dear.

For those lucky enough to have the coinage and a place in line, there is more news. Car and Driver talked to Michael Dick, Audi’s member of the board of management for technical development, who told them the company expects to sell around 80% with V10 flavor. That version goes on sale next year, with drop-tops following soon after in Europe. Yanks will have to wait another year with 2011 models showing up in ‘10.

Other tidbits gleaned from the interview: Pricing hasn’t been set, the diesel might be Euro-only if it even makes it to production, and a little brother R4 was never in the cards with the TT-RS and possible Audi R3 version of the VW roadster filling out the dance card well enough. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that there are enough V10s available so we can get one in our garage at least.

[Source: Car and Driver]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/10/audi-r8-v10-and-spyder-versions-to-be-scarce-and-dear/

For as clean and green and Earth-loving as the Europeans are, they sure do some dirty things… like throw a sooty-exhaust-belching racing semi around hairpin turns with loads of opposite lock – up an impossibly green mountain – just for a hillclimb. But hey, trucks and racing aren’t illegal yet, so we say flog ‘em while ya got ‘em. Check out the video of Markus Boesiger, 2007’s Truck Racing Champion, and his dashing diesel after the jump.

[Source: StreetFire]

Race truck pushing it on hillclimb