2012 MINI Cooper London Edition【Video】

England long jump champion and London 2012 hopeful J.J. Jegede today succeeded in his attempt to jump over the roofs of three cars at the launch of the MINI London 2012 Edition Models.

Built to celebrate the 2012 Olympic Games, the London Edition is available in three colors (Chilli Red, White Silver and Lightning Blue) and features a Union Jack hood stripe, a white roof (with the 2012 Olympic logo) and exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the car gets even London-ier with a full London skyline etched on the dashboard. The black 'lounge leather' seats feature white piping and red and blue stitching. The patriotic seats are completed with London 2012 logo and Union Jack-piped headrests. The hand brake, gear stick gaiter and floor mats also get colored stitching.

Prices start at £17,800 for the MINI Cooper and rise to £20,860 for the MINI Cooper SD. The order book is now open with deliveries planned for March 2012.






Press Release

MINI LONDON 2012 EDITION HITS THE STARTING BLOCKS

MINI, official partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB, has unveiled its new London 2012 special, limited edition models to celebrate the monumental London 2012 Olympic Games.

There will be just 2,012 of these special edition models built, which are available in Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD trims and come in the Union Jack themed colours; Chilli Red, White Silver or Lightning Blue. All models boast white mirror caps and a white roof featuring the iconic London 2012 Olympic graphic.

The exterior also features a distinctive Union Jack single sport stripe which runs over the bonnet, roof and rear tailgate of the car. The side scuttles also bear the London 2012 Olympic graphic. To finish off the dynamic look, the MINI London 2012 edition features unique grey 17-inch conical spoke alloy wheels - unavailable on any other MINI model.

Inside, the most striking feature is the London skyline, beautifully etched across the width of the piano-black dashboard. Silhouetting some of London's most iconic landmarks, including Tower Bridge, Battersea Power Station and the London Eye, the dashboard also displays the words "London 1 of 2012".

The London 2012 inspiration continues with red and blue stitching twined with white piping on both the front and rear Black ‘Lounge Leather' upholstery. The headrests complement the theme with Union Jack piping and a London 2012 logo is stitched on the inner edge of both front seats. Coloured stitching also features on the hand brake, gear stick gaiter and floor mats which also have piping.

All London 2012 special edition models come packed with a bundle of extra options like Lounge Leather sports seats, DAB radio, air conditioning, cruise control and chrome interior touches. MINIMALISM technology* also comes as standard; helping to make the 99g/km CO2 emitting Cooper D models exempt from London Congestion Charging.

As well as fuel sipping mpg figures and low CO2 emissions - MINI is one of the top five low CO2 car manufacturers** - drivers can enjoy the brand's trademark go-kart handling and charismatic personality in a truly patriotic driving experience.

To bag one of these must-have street accessories of 2012, the new MINI London 2012 Edition pre-sale list opens at today, with the new models hitting UK roads from March 2012. On the Road Prices for the MINI London 2012 Editions models are:

MINI Cooper Hatch £17,800
MINI Cooper D Hatch £19,080
MINI Cooper S Hatch £20,125
MINI Cooper SD Hatch £20,860

2012 Skoda Citigo

Skoda has releases details for Citigo city car, which will debut first as a
three-door hatch with a five-door variant following later in 2012. The car
goes on sale this year in its domestic Czech market while sales in the rest
of Europe will begin next summer (2012).

From the outside, styling of the Skoda is very clean, conservative yet
modern enough to fit in with the current Volkswagen/Skoda crop. The design
also seems to step away from the sometimes awkward design cues,
particularly in the front end, of other Skoda models.

The Citigo is powered by a three-cylinder 1.0 liter engine with either 60PS
(44 kW) or 75PS (55 kW). Both versions make 95Nm of torque and are mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Performance figures for the 929 kg vehicle are a 159 kph top speed and a
13.9 seconds 0-100 kph time for the 60 PS variant and a 170 kph top speed
and 0-100 kph time of 12.7 seconds for the 75 PS version. Both models wear
14-inch wheels wrapped with 165/70 profile rubbers.

The Citigo will measure just 3.56 metres long, 1.65 metres wide and 1.48
metres high. It has a wheelbase of 2.4 meters and offers 251 litres of boot
space, which can be extended to 951 litres by folding down the rear seats.





Press Release

A small ŠKODA for city traffic - "City Clever"

9/27/2011

With its seventh model line, ŠKODA is entering the small vehicle segment. The ŠKODA Citigo will be launched on the Czech market in late 2011. Market launches in Europe scheduled for the beginning of summer 2012.

ŠKODA is continuing its product offensive by introducing its seventh model line. With the Citigo, at 3.56m long, the Mladá Boleslav automaker is entering the A00 segment. The Citigo will debut on the domestic Czech market this year. Other European countries will follow at the beginning of summer 2012. The Citigo offers maximum utilisation of space and seats for four passengers. The Citigo will be launched as a three-door, with a five-door version to come in 2012.

"The Citigo is one of the pillars of our growth strategy. It paves the way for our brand to enter a very promising segment," said ŠKODA Board Chairman Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. "The new product fully meets the corporate philosophy of the ŠKODA Brand expressed through the "Simply Clever" slogan. Despite its small size, it offers ample interior space, but is surprisingly agile, and attractive in terms of trims and technologies used.

Although the Citigo is a small car, it is a typical ŠKODA-and as such fits perfectly with our plans."The designers managed to give the car a distinct look that declares at first glance: this is the new ŠKODA. The finned grille set in a chrome-plated frame and precisely shaped headlamps give the car the typical ŠKODA look. The designers have done a fantastic job on the rest of the car's body. With a length of 3.56 metres, width of 1.65 metres and height of 1.48 metres, the Citigo is one of the smallest vehicles in its segment. The volume of the luggage compartment is 251 litres. It can be extended to 951 litres by folding down the rear seats.

The key target groups are young drivers, young families looking to get themselves a second or even third car, and also "best agers." They are customers who are rather cost-sensitive and have a rational approach to cars on the one hand but high demands for quality, practicality, design and safety on the other. ŠKODA did not have much to offer such groups of customers in the small car segment. Prof. Vahland: "We can see that the demand for small cars with low fuel consumption, at a favourable price and with reasonable operating costs is growing.

ŠKODA's new small vehicle is a reaction to this trend. We are entering new ground and the Citigo will attract a lot of customers mainly in our European markets."The Citigo places great emphasis on safety. For the first time in a ŠKODA vehicle, the designers have used a Head-Thorax side airbag to protect the heads of both the driver and the front seat passenger and together with other elements it forms an exemplary safety packet in its class. In addition, active safety is significantly enhanced by the new "City Safe Drive" brake assistant. The system is automatically activated at speeds below 30 km/h and a laser sensor identifies a danger of collision. Along with the Volkswagen up!, the Citigo is currently the only car in the small vehicle segment to offer the emergency braking functionality.

Two new, three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engines will be available after the Citigo's launch: both have a volume of 1.0 litre and their power outputs are 44 kW/60 HP and 55 kW/75 HP. In the economical Green Tec version average consumption is 4.2l/100km and 4.3l/100km respectively. Emissions are 97g and 99g CO2/km respectively. Fuel consumption and emissions are 4.5l/100km and 105g CO2 per km for the 44kW engine. The engine with a power output of 55kW consumes 4.7l/100km and emits 108g of CO2 per km.

Toyota Pixis Space Launches in Japan

Toyota has Launches the new Pixis Space in Japan. Supplied by Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., the car is the result of a partnership the two automakers signed last year.

Minicars are defined under Japanese regulations as having maximum length of 3.4 meters, width of 1.48 meters, height of 2 meters and engine displacement of less than 660 cc.

Equipped with Toyota's eco-IDLE2 – a fuel-saving stop-start system – select versions of the Pixis Space return a class-leading fuel economy rating of 25.5 kilometers per liter (60 mpg U.S.) on Japan's generous 10-15 test cycle.

Minivehicles, with engine displacements of up to 660cc, are unique to Japan and made up about 35 per cent of total vehicle sales last year. They are especially popular in rural areas as a second or third family car.

On the Japanese market, the Pixis Space is priced from JPY1.12 million ($14,700), though it can go all the way up to JPY1.611 million ($21,145).




Press Release

TMC Launches 'Pixis Space' Minivehicle in Japan
-Vehicle First of Minivehicles to be Supplied by Daihatsu on OEM Basis-

Toyota City, Japan, September 26, 2011-Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan today launched the "Pixis1 Space", the first passenger minivehicle to be launched under the Toyota brand. The vehicle will be sold through more than 200 Toyota dealerships nationwide.

The Pixis Space has been designed to meet the diversifying needs of car-buyers in Japan. The vehicle features sophisticated square styling, employs functions and equipment suited to daily driving and has high environmental performance.

Coming in two distinct variations-the simply styled "L" and "X" models and the strong-presence "Custom X", "Custom G" and "Custom RS" models-the Pixis Space's unique design and eight available body colors create variety that enables buyers to better select a vehicle suiting their tastes. The vehicle's carefully crafted and color-accented front seats convey sophistication, contributing overall to its comfortable interior. Moreover, the adoption of the eco-IDLE2 system-a new idling-stop function-in the X and Custom G models, achieves class-leading3 fuel efficiency of 25.5 km/l in the 10-15 test cycle outlined by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

The Pixis Space represents the first vehicle supplied by Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. (Daihatsu) to TMC under a minivehicle OEM agreement reached in September 2010.

Vehicle Outline

Wide variety to match personal tastes

Two distinct style variations and eight available body colors allow selection that matches personal taste.

L and X
With a square form characterized by bold surfaces and excellent driving visibility, the L and X models also deliver an unassuming cabin space, with simple horizontal accents. A warm gray interior gives a welcoming, modern impression.

Custom X, Custom G, Custom RS
The vertical two-lamp, high-intensity discharge headlight configuration and front aerodynamic bumpers contribute to the imposing front view of the Custom grade models, while the side stone guards play into a side silhouette distinguished by a low center of gravity. The inside is characterized by black undertones and an illuminated instrument panel with switch-controlled graduated lighting, combining to deliver a cool, subdued interior.

Spacious cabin area ensures comfort for all occupants

A long, 2,490 mm wheelbase provides the Pixis Space with a 2,000 mm cabin length. Combined with ample height and a broad width, there is plenty of room for four adults while still ensuring sufficient luggage space.

Designed for everyday use, the vehicle features front seats reminiscent of a sofa that are the result of careful attention to fabric selection and fine needlework.

Superior environmental performance

All models adopt a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with both available engines, the 660 cc KF engine with Dynamic Variable Valve Timing (DVVT)4 and the 660 cc KF engine with an intercooler-equipped turbo, thus giving the vehicle a smooth ride and high fuel efficiency.

The front-wheel-drive X and Custom G models are equipped with eco-IDLE, a new idling-stop function, and get 25.5 km/l (equivalent to 91g/km of CO2 emissions) in the 10-15 test cycle outlined by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

All models (excluding the Custom RS) surpass the Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards5 by 25%. Combined with certification for emission levels 75% lower than 2005 standards under the MLIT approval system for low-emission vehicles, these models qualify for a 75% reduction in the Japanese automobile acquisition tax and automobile weight tax, in accordance with the Japanese government's taxation system for environment-friendly vehicles.

Range Rover Evoque readies for Dakar with BMW power

The Land Rover Evoque is headed to participate in the next running of the Dakar Rally with a few necessary modifications. The British Excite Rally Raid Team is planning to take to the sands of South America with three cars shelled in the body of an Evoque.

Made by RaBe Race Cars, the purpose-built vehicles feature a tubular chassis, a Range Rover Evoque body and a BMW-sourced 3.0-liter diesel engine with 275 hp (205 kW / 271 PS) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque. Other highlights include a ZF transmission, a Reiger coil-over suspension and 16-inch wheels with BF Goodrich desert racing tires.

Each machine will be built by RaBe Race Cars, which has a long history of churning out Dakar-ready hardware for other teams. All three Evoque bruisers will be campaigned by a fully British crew that includes names like Martin Rowe, Andrew Coley and John Hardy. The 2012 Dakar Rally Raid kicks off on January 1, 2012.





Press Release

BRITAIN'S ALL-PROFESSIONAL DAKAR RALLY TEAM IS BACK ON TRACK(S)...

The Excite Rallye Raid Team has announced its driver and equipment line up for 2012 and also for the 2013 Dakar Rally: the team will be running 3 vehicles specially commissioned from RaBe Race Cars, driven by Martin Rowe, John Hardy and Andrew Coley. (Driver biographies are detailed below in Editor's notes).

Poole-based Excite Rallye Raid is the only professional, all-British Dakar Rally team to beentering the gruelling Dakar Rally in 2013.

In fact, Excite Rallye Raid Team is the first professional, all-British team to ever set itssights on the Dakar Rally.

The team combines world class drivers with an experienced management, marketing and support crew, working with the tough and reliable RaBe Race Cars vehicle to fly the flag for Great Britain in the spirit of all the great British explorers and adventurers from history.

Business Manager David Jones says: "We've been working on this project for a long time; we haven't disappeared, but we have had to change our approach due to the economic climate everyone is working in. We looked at the level of media coverage for rally raid events, and recognised that if we wanted to secure the necessary backing, we first needed to secure the coverage, across all forms of media - and with some really unique ideas, we're confident we've now done that.

We were approached by a manufacturer, RaBe Race Cars, whose staff have been around the sport for a long time. They've been monitoring our progress for a couple of years and on seeing our professional approach, they asked if we could work together. We have goals that we would like to achieve which we can each assist the other with, so we have now set our sights a bit higher. Of course, this fits perfectly with our other goal of achieving the right level of financial backing."

Mike Jones of RaBe Race Cars says: "RaBe Race Cars has years of off-road motorsport experience at every level, from club to International works teams. In fact we have a family motorsport tree that is celebrating its 100th Anniversary of continuous motorsport involvement in 2012. The last 15 years have been devoted to Desert racing and achieving not just a finish but top honours at Dakar. Little known outside of the bivouac of Dakar, we have built cars for many other teams who race under their own colours and logos.

The partnership with the Excite Rally Raid Team is part of our desire to push our skills to the top of our sport.

The road to developing a serious car has been as tough as the race itself. After 4 years of testing and development, we now have a car that can stand up against any of its peers. The five prototypes have already competed at three different Dakars, achieving a mechanical finish reliability rate of 100%. With this reliability and the knowledge gained from testing in Morocco, we will be able to focus on the fine tuning of the D4_WN5 production version to leap into the world rally raid spotlight. This is a very serious Dakar car, and we are very pleased to combine our skills with the Excite Rally Raid Team for a serious attempt at Dakar.

The Excite rally team bring all the extra pieces together to help us move forward and have a serious all-British attempt at a podium finish and ultimately a world championship crown. We very much like the skills that the Excite team are bringing from a wide range of other motorsports and all the key members of the combined effort bring something very unique to the wider team. The 2012 season will be a great year for the Excite rally team and UK motorsport fans will see a lot more of a massive global sport that they all know and love.... the Dakar Rally."

Team Principal and Driver John Hardy says: "This is the best chance an independent manufacturer team has had to perform at the top level in a long time. We hope that we may be able to work towards a very good result on the Dakar in 2013 and then, next time around, why not shoot for overall honours?! We have always intended, and still intend, to give it our very best shot!"

The Excite team's preparations and training programme are ongoing at the present time and the next significant target is to participate in several off-road rallies in 2012 to help with the car's development and to build up time in the new vehicle before taking on the Dakar Rally in 2013.

Excite Rallye Raid is currently in partnership talks with several global brands, but the team would love to be backed by a British sponsor to round off the all-British package.

All in all, it's a very exciting time for Team Excite!

Notes:

The Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally is internationally recognised as the world's most challenging motorsport event, followed by millions globally on TV and throughout the media.

On the event, hundreds of competitors cover in excess of 9,000 km in 14 days over some of the most hostile environmental conditions found anywhere in the world.

Many of the leading vehicle manufacturers enter the event as it is a unique opportunity to market their products to a global audience. Equally, a large number of entries come from private, entrepreneurial teams who are driven to compete in this prestigious event.

Driver profiles: Martin Rowe, Andrew Coley and John Hardy

Martin Rowe
Ex British, Chinese and World Rally Championship winning driver, Martin Rowe, brings a wealth of success and experience only comparable to a few other ‘works' FIA Off Road Championship/Dakar teams. Martin's list of achievements is impressive, with works drives for Peugeot, Renault, Ford and Porsche. Plus testing and development roles within both the Ford and Subaru works teams just add to his profile.

Career highlights:
1991 Manx Stage Rally Champion
1992 British 1.6 Peugeot Challenge Champion
1994 British Gp N Champion
1998 British Rally Champion
2001 British Formula Rally Champion
2002 6th World Production cup
2003 World Production Cup Champion
2004 Driver coaching/various testing roles
2005 Drove in 4 rounds of the China Rally Championship winning 2 rounds with Team KST Ralliart China.
2006 Chinese Rally Champions with Team KST Ralliart China.
Represented Porsche Cars GB in the Transsyberia Rallye.
2011 / 2012 / 2013 Representing Excite Rallye Raid.

Andrew Coley
A National champion rally driver, Andrew has experience on tar, gravel, snow, ice and sand dunes! Andrew has over ten years' experience in the motorsport industry, providing TV Commentary and presenting on major international channels / motorsport events including Eurosport (Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), The Race of Champions, Asian Le Mans Series and FiA European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) and Rally Raid amongst others) and Superleague Formula. He has hosted and presented at events on behalf of several major vehicle manufacturers and has acted as Sponsor Host for the SEAT team in the British Touring Car Championship. In addition, he has provided specialised vehicle product training for the car industry and worked on industry DVDs.

Career highlights
1998 Started rallying, participating in 3 events, with 3 mechanical retirements! (He knew nothing about cars but learnt fast!).
1999 Won SE region tar championship 1600 class.
2000 Selected by the UK MSA to be one of 20 young drivers on the ‘Fit to be Champion' scheme (the first MSA elite scheme) and also entered the Roger Clark Award.
2001 Roger Clark Award manager Richard Stoodley secured Andrew a drive with 22 Motorsport (meeting John Hardy on the same team) in the ANCRO National Championship. Andrew finished 2nd in class A7 at the end of his first year in forests.
2002 - 2004 testing for 22 Motorsport, working as a motorsport instructor.
2005 Andrew was selected from 200 European entries to represent the UK in the final 10, for the Dakar Challenge, a competition run by Eurosport, NISMO and BFGoodrich to win a drive on the Dakar Rally. The Semi finals were held at Clermont Ferrand in France, Michelin's test venue. Made the final 5, knocking out JWRC regulars, despite not competing for several years. Final was in Morocco, where Andrew finished a very close 2nd to the Ford WRC team's test driver. Stayed in Morocco for a week to complete NISMO's Dakar training programme and was appointed reserve driver for Dakar 2006.
2007 Andrew could resist the draw of rallying no more, bought a 206 Cup Car, returned to the forests and entered 2 events to get back up to speed.
2008 Entered the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship and won class A6 after a season long battle with a Super1600 car.
2009 Change of career from motorsport instruction to motorsport commentary and TV / event presenting. Currently commentating on IRC Rally and Superleague Formula. Andrew has featured on ESPN, Eurosport, Motors and Bloomberg as a commentator. He has also appeared on BBC3, GMTV, Channel 5, Sky Sports and Eurosport during his rally career.
2011 / 2012 / 2013 Representing Excite Rallye Raid.

John Hardy
With over 20 years' British National Rally Championship experience behind him, John Hardy will provide reliable and highly important support to both Martin and Andrew, while being equally competitive. John has also spent many years working as a rally driving instructor, helping many British Championship drivers with car setup and driver training.

Career Highlights
1988 John took part in his first Rally as a co-driver at Festival Rally Exeter, aged 16.
1989 1st National event as co-driver in the Mazda Winter Rally.
1991 Started driving Auto cross and Rally.
1993 1st National Rally as a Driver.
1994 ACSMC Rounds - John achieved a number of top 3 finishes in class.
1999 Testing in EVO 6 for K sport and ACSMC Events.
2000 Landed a drive with K-Sport on Rallye Sunseeker in a Evo 6. This was John's first rally in 4wd turbo car. John's co-driver was a journalist. John was placed 19th overall.
2001 Drove for 22 Motorsport in a Seat Cupra Sport, with Andrew Coley as team mate.
2003 British National Rally Championship competitor. Came 3rd in class in the championship. Worked at a rally school.
2004 Competed in several National rallies and worked at the rally school at Castle Combe.
2005 Drove the 2CR FM rally car with a DJ as co-driver.
2006 Started thinking about doing the Dakar and established Excite team, recruiting a solid core of drivers, co-drivers, motorsport mechanics and support staff.
2009 Worked with TV guys on Rallye Sunseeker.
2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 Representing Excite Rallye Raid.

The Car
RaBe Race Cars D4 WN5 - Built for T3 world championship
Engine: BMW diesel N57 3.0 ltr 275 Hp 650Nm with FIA restrictor.
Transmission: ZF 6 speed / two speed transfer case.
Dampers: 8 x Reiger coil overs.
Wheels: Compomotive Atacama RallyRaid wheel 16".
Tyres: BF Goodrich desert race G series.
Fuel Tank: 260 Litre.
Length: 3.8 m.
Width: 2.0 m.
Height: 1.9 m.
Wheel Base: 2.8 m.
Weight: 1900 Kg.

Kicherer Mercedes ML63 AMG Carbon

Kicherer unveiled their new tuning program for the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG.

The German aftermarket developer used the Carbon Series designation. The car is covered in carbon fiber foil and has been given smoked taillights and dark tinted windows. The unit features 23-inch alloy rims, which have a five-spoke design.

The tuner has also played on the tech field,gifting the 6.2-liter V8 with an ECU remap and a stainless steel sport exhaust system.

Kicherer also fits an aero body kit, then covers the exterior in matte foil.

Inside, the cabin is elegantly appointed with carbon-leather, Alcantara upholstery.




Press Release

KICHERER ML63 "Carbon Series"

In addition to the black carbon foil, KICHERER gifts the ML63 AMG with a performance increase to 540 HP (397 kW), with a new maximum torque at a full 640 Nm. In addition to exciting acceleration values, this power also provides for a maximum speed far in excess of 250 km/h.

Additionally, a specially developed stainless steel sports exhaust system and a KICHERER PowerConverter were installed. With a carbon edition exterior package, the ML63 appears uni-coloured: All cover elements have been refined in the most exclusive foil currently available.

Gigantic 23 inch wheels rotate in the wheel cases of the luxurious sports SUV; combined with the electronic chassis adjustment, they achieve a much more sportive alignment, transferring the 540 HP power perfectly to the asphalt surface as well. For the passenger space, KICHERER offers a fine interior set in carbon-leather and alcantara.

Frankfurt Motor Show: Jaguar C-X16 concept【Video】

Jaguar is set to unveil its C-X16 coupe at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Powered by a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 putting out 376 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, the C-X16 concept takes Jaguar's great heritage of supercharging into the next century with the addition of a "Push to Pass" hybrid system controlled through a steering wheel-mounted button.

It is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission which has an integrated electric motor that contributes an additional boost of 95 PS (70 kW / 94 hp) and 173 lb-ft (235 Nm) of torque.

This enables the svelte coupe to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).




>


Press Release

Jaguar Opens Frankfurt Motor Show With The C-X16 Concept Car

Excitement on the eve of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show gained momentum as the Jaguar C-X16 production concept car made its public debut at the Palais Thurn und Taxis, Frankfurt.

Tracing the Jaguar sporting lineage through the years, 50 stunning heritage vehicles drove through the city of Frankfurt including XK120's, C types, D types and E-types. Starting at the Villa Kennedy in the early afternoon, the convoy passed key locations in Frankfurt and finished at the Palais Thurn und Taxis at 16:00 where Jaguar's vision of future sports cars made its debut to the world's media.

Driving a D-type, Frank Klaas, Global Head of Communications for Jaguar Land Rover commented "What better way to start the motor show than by driving such a selection of beautiful sporting vehicles through Frankfurt, culminating with the global debut of the future of Jaguar sports cars - the C-X16."

2012 Porsche 911 officially launched at Frankfurt

Porsche has unveiled the 2012 911 (991) at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Arguably the biggest bit of news regarding the 2012 911 is its seven-speed manual transmission, available with both the 3.4-liter and 3.8-liter flat-six engines. That, combined with start/stop technology means the new 911 will be more efficient than ever, though its impressive output numbers (300 horsepower for the 3.4-liter mill, 400 hp for the 3.8) mean it'll still be an excellent enthusiast machine out on the road. Porsche claims 0-60 times of 4.4 seconds for the base Carrera and 4.1 seconds for the Carrera S.










Press Release

World premiere at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show
The new Porsche 911 Carrera: Tradition meets modernity


Stuttgart. At 48, the Porsche 911 Carrera is younger than ever: The completely redesigned generation of the sports car icon is stepping into the limelight with its flat, stretched silhouette, exciting contours and precisely designed details, yet from the very first glance it remains unmistakably a 911. True to the 911 tradition, the distinctive Porsche design language with its tendons and muscles exudes power and elegance.

The 100 millimetre (~ 3.9 inches) longer wheelbase and reduced height combined with the up to 20-inch wheels underpin the athletic appearance. At the same time, the typical sports car compact exterior dimensions were retained. Seen from the front, the eye is drawn to the 911's trademark wide-arched wings. They emphasise the wider front track, so that the new 911 Carrera models sit even more solidly on the road. The remodelled exterior mirrors are accommodated on the upper edge of the door and not as before on the mirror triangle. Not only is this aerodynamically advantageous, it also emphasises the new design line and visual impression of width.

The all-new, lightweight body is an intelligent aluminium-steel construction. It is responsible for a significant proportion of the weight reduction of up to 45 kilograms. Combined with significantly greater rigidity. Aerodynamic optimisation - including a wider, variably extending rear spoiler - enabled the new 911 Carrera's lift to be reduced yet further while retaining a very good Cd value.

To complement the modern exterior design, the Porsche designers created an interior, the architecture of which takes its cue from the Porsche Carrera GT. The driver is now even more closely integrated with the cockpit thanks to the centre console rising up to the front with the high-mounted shift lever or gear selector located especially close to the steering wheel in typical motorsport fashion. Classic Porsche elements are also to be found inside, as they are on the outside: the instrument cluster with five round instruments - one of them a high resolution multifunction screen, the central rev counter and the ignition lock to the left of the steering wheel.

Setting the standard in its class, as it has for generations, the new 911 Carrera and Carrera S raise the performance and efficiency bar yet another notch. All versions get by with significantly less than ten litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (28 mpg imp.). Fuel consumption and emissions are up to 16 per cent lower compared with its predecessor. Among other things, this is achieved by systems and functions such as auto start/stop, thermal management, electrical system recuperation, the world's first seven-speed manual transmission and - in conjunction with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) - sailing as it is called. The new electro-mechanical power steering offers not only Porsche's typical precision and feedback but also helps to increase efficiency and reduce fuel-consumption.

For example, the 911 Carrera with the new 350 hp (~ 257 kW) 3.4-litre boxer engine and optional PDK consumes a mere 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres (~ 34 mpg imp.) based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) - 1.6 l/100 km (~ 6 mpg imp.) less than its predecessor. Also, at 194 g/km CO2, it is the first Porsche sports car to make it below the 200 g/km mark. With the 911 Carrera S as well, with its 3.8-litre boxer engine and what is now 400 hp (~ 294 kW), fuel consumption when paired with the optional PDK is reduced by 14 per cent or 1.5 l/100 km (~ 5 mpg imp.) to 8.7 l/100 km (~ 32 mpg imp.) despite 15 hp (~ 11 kW) more power. That equates to CO2 emissions of 205 g/km.

At the same time there are performance improvements in both models. The 911 Carrera S with PDK manages to accelerate from nought to 100 km/h (~ 62 mph) in 4.3 seconds. Pressing the Sport Plus button on the optional Sport Chrono package cuts that to 4.1 seconds. The 911 Carrera with PDK needs only 4.6 seconds (Sport Plus 4.4 seconds) to sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h (~ 62 mph).

The new 911 doesn't just offer better longitudinal dynamics, however, but top performance at an unprecedented level in terms of transverse dynamics as well. In addition to the longer wheelbase, the greater agility, precision and driving stability are based, among other things, on the wider front track, the new rear axle and new electro-mechanical power steering. Depending on the model, there are other standard or optional active control systems available as well that further enhance the driving dynamics. That is especially true for the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilisation system, available for the first time on the 911 Carrera S. For example, the system reduces lateral inclination when cornering, the tyres always being in the optimal position relative to the road surface and able to transmit higher lateral forces. Maximum cornering speeds are increased; even faster lap times on racing circuits are possible.

It has therefore been possible in the new model to extend yet further the span of apparently contradictory attributes such as performance and efficiency, sportiness and everyday practicality that has always typified the Porsche 911. That makes the 911 Carrera more of a 911 than ever. The new Porsche 911 Carrera celebrates its world premiere at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. The launch of the new 911 models gets under way on 3 December 2011, the new cars can be orderd from September 1st. Prices in Germany are 88,038 euro for the 911 Carrera and 102,436 euro for the 911 Carrera S, including 19 per cent VAT and market-specific equipment.