News & Events - AutoFest Leasing & Sales

NEWS & EVENTS INDEX

1. Next Generation Volvo V70 News
2. Volvo XC60 Concept News
3. Next Generation Audi TT News *Cabrio Revealed*
4. Chrysler reveals stunning Sebring Convertible
5. 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe Revealed!
6. Next Generation BMW M3 Revealed!
7. Porsche Panamera 4-Door Latest!
8. 2008 Porsche Cayenne News
9. Mercedes to launch 4-door convertible at Detroit show

Next Generation Volvo V70 News

Volvo had intended the V70 to usher gently into this world later today - but since a Dutch publication broke their embargo, we're piling on with these pics and this info on the new big wagon coming to Geneva.

Volvo says the new V70 is definitely not a sport wagon, the term so many European manufacturers now cherish for their station wagons. The new Volvo V70 is a real station wagon, with an emphasis on practicality.

Key in the V70's profile is safety gear. Volvo's Side Impact Protection System has been improved; the new model will also get Volvo's whiplash protection head restraints (WHIPS), adaptive cruise control and the Personal Car Communicator, a system that senses the heartbeat of the driver in order to detect signs of sleepiness.

The new V70 has the family looks of the S80 and at the rear it shows a resemblance to the new C30 compact hatchback. The luggage compartment has grown by nearly two cubic feet to 19 cubic feet, and the large hatch makes it easier to access the cargo area.

The V70 will get a new 3.0-liter turbo engine with 285 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Volvo's 3.2-liter in-line six with 238 hp and 236 lb-ft, and its 2.5-liter five-cylinder with 200 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, also will be available, as will two diesel versions.

Stability and traction control will be standard. The turbo model will get standard all-wheel drive. Options will include the Four C-suspension, which adjusts itself to the vehicle's speed.

Prices have not yet been announced, but we expect them by the end of the month as we prepare for the Geneva show.read more...

Volvo XC60 Concept News

Volvo says the new XC60 concept car coming to the 2007 Detroit auto show in January will presage a new crossover due to join its lineup in 2009.

The Swedish subsidiary of Ford offers that the XC60 is a companion piece to the C30 hatchback shown at various auto shows since last year, and going on sale in early 2007.

With the sporting intention of a coupe and the all-weather capability of an XC Volvo, the XC60 concept is a fairly good indication of how the production XC60 will look when it joins the company's lineup near the end of the decade.

Volvo calls the XC60 a "small premium utility vehicle," and predicts that while few vehicles are in the segment now (think Acura RDX and BMW X3), the segment will expand to at least 10 competitors, from Audi's Q5 to the anticipated Cadillac and Saab compact crossovers.

The XC60 is also the first conduit for Volvo's new "City Safety" system of occupant protection technology. The system will cut down on low-speed collisions by using automatic braking up to 18.6 mph. Volvo says if the potential accident happens at less than 9.3 miles per hour, the system could avert it entirely.

The XC60's styling is pitched at the same active-lifestyle crowd as the Acura and BMW offerings already in the niche. However, Volvo's interior is a sleeker thing entirely. The concept's cabin wears crisp white leather, with gun-slitted seats and a unique center console that's influenced in style and materials by the iPod.
read more...

Next Generation Audi TT News *Cabrio Revealed*

Audi has chopped the roof off its TT coupe, creating a second-generation TT roadster that’s set to go head to head with the BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Nissan 350Z convertible and Porsche Boxster when North American sales get under way early next year.

Mirroring the path taken with the impressive TT coupe, Ingolstadt’s new two-seater will be offered with the choice of either a 2.0-liter, 200-hp turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.2-liter, 250-hp V6 engine—the former coming with either standard front-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive, and the latter exclusively with four-wheel drive. Alongside a standard six-speed manual gearbox, both models get Audi’s six-speed S-tronic double-clutch unit as optional equipment.

Bucking the trend toward folding hardtop-style roofs, Audi has retained a fabric hood for its latest open-top model—both in the interests of achieving as low of a curb weight as possible and a low center of gravity. It has been cleverly engineered with what Audi describes as a Z-fold action that sees it sit flush with the bodywork in a similar fashion to that of the Porsche Boxster when stowed to preserve the car’s appearance and dispensing with the need for a tonneau cover. The multilayer arrangement, available in both black and dark gray, comes with automatic operation in the range-topping 3.2-liter V6 TT roadster. In this configuration it opens in just 12 seconds at the push of a button and can be operated at speeds of up to 30 mph.

In manual form, as standard on the turbocharged 2.0-liter four, it is opened via a single central catch on the windscreen header rail. To counter the loss of rigidity brought on by the TT roadster’s open-top design, Audi has stiffened the car’s aluminum space frame over that of the TT coupe, with beefed-up aluminum side sills and added strengthening within the A-pillars in the form of a thickened steel tube mounted within the windscreen frame. Overall, torsional rigidity is claimed to more than double that of the first-generation TT roadster, suggesting the new car will be a much better drive.

The TT roadster has grown appreciably over its predecessor, adding more than five inches in length at 164.5 inches, more than three inches in width at 72.5 inches and nearly a half-inch in height to 53.5 inches. A 1.8-inch stretch in the wheelbase takes it up to 97.1 inches to help liberate added interior space and greater luggage capacity.

Despite the larger dimensions, the car’s curb weight has increased by just 33 pounds at 2849 pounds—the result of Audi’s decision to base the new TT around an aluminum space frame rather than a conventional steel floorpan. This makes it 77 pounds heavier than its respective coupe sibling. That said, the second-generation TT’s straight-line performance has suffered only slightly in the transformation from coupe to roadster: The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder’s 0-to-62-mph time dropping from 6.4 seconds to 6.5 seconds, with the naturally aspirated 3.2-liter V6’s time going from 5.7 seconds to 5.9 seconds. Top speeds are put at 147 mph and an electronically limited 155 mph, respectively.

To counter any doubt about high-speed stability, the TT roadster receives the same automatic spoiler arrangement as that used on the TT coupe. It deploys at speeds above 75 mph to provide added downforce at the rear.read more...

Chrysler reveals stunning Sebring Convertible

CHRYSLER REVEALS STUNNING SEBRING CABRIO AT LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW

Chrysler Group has today revealed the new Chrysler Sebring Cabrio that will be launched in the UK at the end of 2007.

All UK models will feature a retractable hard roof that folds into three sections and stows in less than 30 seconds. Standard roof system features include remote control operation from the key fob, standard powered tonneau cover and automatic latching.

Right hand drive models will be available with a 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine with six-speed automatic gearbox offering 189 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. A 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine with six-speed manual will also be available with140 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque.

Peter Lambert, Managing Director of Chrysler Group, said: “Over the last decade the Sebring has been America’s favourite convertible and this latest model is ideal for European markets with a folding hard roof and choice of petrol and diesel engines.

“The new Sebring is a stunning four seat two-door Cabrio that will offer outstanding value for money compared to competitors like the Saab 9-3 and Audi A4 in the UK. The Cabrio offers more than enough room for four adults plus exceptional cargo space. It is three inches longer than the Sebring saloon and there is luggage space for four golf bags with the roof up and two golf bags when the roof is retracted.”read more...

2008 Nissan Altima Coupe Revealed!

Next-Generation Nissan Altima Coupe Brings Style, Emotion and Sophistication to Mid-Size Coupe Market

New Altima Coupe Debuts at Los Angeles Auto Show; Offers Upscale Styling, Sporty Performance, Driver-Oriented Interior and High Quality

The Nissan Altima is a car on the move. With its next generation design for the 2007 model year, Nissan’s best-selling vehicle in the United States is poised for even greater success as it establishes segment leadership in style, design, performance and innovation. The next-generation Altima is also expanding its model offerings with a new Altima Hybrid, set to go on sale in select markets in January 2007, and a dramatically styled new Altima Coupe, which will go on sale as a 2008 model in summer 2007.

The Altima Coupe, which made its debut in the shadows of Hollywood at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, fills a desire among target customers for a more personal expression of style, individuality and fashionable appearance. The Altima Coupe’s unique exterior design is intended to stand out in a crowd of sedan-based two-door models with magnetic, perfectly proportioned styling with a shorter wheelbase, shorter overall length and lower height than the Altima Sedan.

“Rather than just eliminating two doors from the Altima Sedan, we gave the Altima Coupe its own style, its own dimensions and its own interpretation of Nissan’s exhilarating driving pleasure,” said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division.

Though the new Altima Coupe shares much with the latest edition of the Altima Sedan, which went on sale in early November 2006, the Coupe’s smaller dimensions, driver-oriented cockpit and unique styling give it an extensive amount of separation from the Altima Sedan.

Dimensionally, the Altima Coupe rides on a 105.3-inch wheelbase, a full 4.0 inches shorter than the Sedan. Overall length is 182.5 inches – 7.1 inches less than the Sedan. The Coupe also has a lower profile – at 55.3 inches it is 2.5 inches shorter than the Sedan. In terms of major body panels, the two cars share only a common hood, with all other panels, grille, headlights and rear combination lights unique to the Altima Coupe.

The Altima Coupe, as part of the fourth-generation Altima design, utilizes Nissan’s all-new, highly acclaimed “D” platform with increased body rigidity and a redesigned suspension. This new platform was developed with the objective of making Altima one of the best performing large front-wheel drive vehicles available globally.

The new Altima Coupe is offered with a choice of two engines and two transmissions. The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 is the “next generation” version of the 12-time Ward’s “10 Best Engines” award-winning VQ-series V6. For use in the Altima Coupe, it is rated at 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and offers strong acceleration and refined sound quality. The V6 features reduced friction, improved cylinder head cooling and new twin knock sensors.

Also available with the new Altima Coupe is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve QR25 inline 4-cylinder, producing 175 horsepower (170 hp CAL) and 180 lb-ft of torque (175 lb-ft CAL). This engine has been refined from the previous version, with a larger, equal-length intake manifold, increased compression ratio and reduced friction characteristics. It features a silent chain drive and a balancer system (with balancer changed to a center-mounted location for better NVH) that effectively negates vibrations without taking up much space – combining ideal packaging and smoothness.

Both the 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter 4-cylinder models are available with Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmissions.

The V6 CVT features a “Sport” mode controller with a high-speed central processing unit and Adaptive Shift Controller with adaptive logic for faster shifting in both normal and manual modes. The adaptive logic feature delivers the best shift pattern based on the driving environment and driver’s perceived intentions.

Also contributing to the Altima Coupe’s sporty performance feel are a standard twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering system and 4-wheel disc brakes with standard 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).

Altima Coupe models with the 4-cylinder engine are equipped with 16-inch wheels and tires, while V6-equipped Altima Coupes come with unique-design 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 215/55R17 tires.

The Altima Coupe’s performance feeling is also enhanced by a driver-centered interior. Though sharing much of the design and features with the new Altima Sedan, the Coupe includes unique sport-style front seats with more side support, in-board release lever and front kangaroo pouches. All Altima Coupes also utilize a parking brake hand lever (versus foot release for Altima Sedans with CVT). The Coupe also includes a 60/40 split and flat fold-down rear seat.

Like the Altima Sedan, the Altima Coupe’s instrument panel features a Fine Vision gauge display for enhanced readability and the L-shaped flow of the instrument panel to the center console adds to the driver-oriented cockpit feel.

The center console includes a double front cup holder, among the many convenient cup and bottle areas and storage compartments.

The list of impressive passenger amenities includes standard Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and available Bose®-developed audio system with nine speakers, Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, satellite radio and dual-zone automatic temperature control.

The new Altima Coupe also comes equipped with a number of standard safety features, including Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones and Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), which includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags. Also standard are front seat side-impact supplemental air bags for chest protection and roof-mounted curtain side-impact air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection.

Other standard equipment includes front seat Active Head Restraints, the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).

Available technology features include a RearView Monitor, which utilizes a small camera to help show the view behind the vehicle when in reverse gear, and Nissan Navigation System with a 6.5-inch color monitor.

“Along with the Altima Coupe’s extensive list of available features and amenities, it offers one more thing to discerning coupe buyers – the reassurance of Nissan durability, quality and reliability,” said Bosley.

Altima Coupe becomes the seventh Nissan Altima model, joining the 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 S with SL Package, 3.5 SE, 3.5 SL and Altima Hybrid (Hybrid Electric Vehicle).

“The Altima name and outstanding reputation adds great credibility to the new Altima Coupe – and the Coupe makes the Altima brand stronger by appealing to a new segment of buyers,” said Bosley. “And like the Altima Sedan, the new Coupe will be a tremendous value when it goes on sale next summer. If you’re looking for style, performance and affordability, the new Altima Coupe delivers.”read more...

Next Generation BMW M3 Revealed!

Spotted crisscrossing Death Valley, California, in 120-degree heat, the M3 prototypes in our exclusive spy video have ditched their heavy camouflage in favor of a few well-placed pieces of tape. Up front, you can now clearly see the more aggressive airdam and power dome hood. We're pretty sure the M3's trademark quarter-panel vents are hiding under the taped-on covers, too. Bulging fender flares are another M3 specialty, along with the set of quad pipes out back.

Although current M3s use a similar exhaust setup, it's partly for show given the six-cylinder engine. That won't be the case for the next-generation M3, as it's expected to use a small-displacement V8 for the first time. And given the RS4's healthy 420-horsepower V8, you can bet the M3 will have at least 400 horses of its own, if not more, to stay competitive. We have yet to confirm whether BMW's SMG transmission will be the sole gearbox, but after the customer demand for a true manual in the M5 sedan we wouldn't be surprised to see the M3 give you the choice right out of the gate.

All the speculation will be over in a couple of months as the 2008 BMW M3 will make its official debut at the Paris auto show in late September. read more...

Porsche Panamera 4-Door Latest!

A prototype for Porsche’s upcoming all new four-door coupe “Panamera” is currently being tested for the first time at Nürburgring as well as in the south of Spain.

The new model will be released in spring 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show allowing Porsche enough time for a meticulous development of its fourth model range before market introduction.

Panamera is set to meet the competition of four-door coupes like the Mercedes CLS, which is on the market and of which 24,000 cars have been sold already. Simultaneously, Volkswagen is developing a four-door Passat Coupe, and Aston Martin premièred a four-door coupe concept named Rapide at the last Detroit Motor Show, which caught a lot of attention and is likely to go into production.

Porsche’s Panamera is going to be assembled in Leipzig, Germany thus creating 600 new jobs. The body will come from the Volkswagen plant in Hannover and the engines will come from Porsche’s home base in Stuttgart. Plans are to produce 20,000 units per year from 2009 on.

Initially the front-engined “family” Porsche will come on the market with an 8 cylinder 350hp engine and/or with a biturbo engine delivering 560hp. A lesser costly version will be powered by a 3.5 litre 300 HP fuel engine which is already being used in the Cayenne, four-wheel-drive is standard equipment. The top-of-the line Panamera gets the 10 cylinder 700hp engine coming from the Porsche GT. Seen in the attached photos this engine is currently being tested by Porsche under the body of a BMW 5-Series station wagon.

Furthermore Porsche and Volkswagen are developing a Hybrid version of the Panamera using a 6 cylinder fuel engine combined with a 60 kW electric engine.read more...

2008 Porsche Cayenne News

Porsche's newCayenne will go on sale next year with updated styling, a more powerful range of engines, and an advanced roll stability control system.

Porsche released these pictures and details of the Cayenne, saying that the new Cayenne is more distinctive now, four years after its debut. The front end gets narrower headlamps and projector-beam headlights on the Cayenne and Cayenne S models (Turbos get xenon dynamic-cornering headlamps). New air intakes and an egg-crate grille blend into more pronounced fenders.

All Cayenne engines for the 2008 mode year offer direct injection. The new 3.6-liter V-6 found in the base car has 290 bhp, an increase of 40. Porsche promises 0-62 mph times of 8.1 seconds, a second quicker than before, and a top speed of 141 mph, up 8 mph from the previous V-6 Cayenne.

The Cayenne S, meanwhile, gets a new 4.8-liter V-8 with Variocam Plus valve control and puts out 385 bhp, up 45 from the previous V-8. The 0-60 mph run now takes 6.6 seconds, faster by 0.2 seconds, and the S will reach a top speed of 157 mph, up from 150 mph.

The Cayenne Turbo adds twin turbos to the V-8 engine for 500 bhp, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 171 mph - down a half-second and up 6 mph from the previous Turbo.

All Cayenne models get stability control, with roll stability control programmed in as an option. Stability and traction control are standard, along with anti-lock brakes. And European Turbo models get a sort of LoJack system, based on GPS, that will not allow the car to start unless an electronic card is present.

Pricing ranges from $43,400 for the Cayenne, to $57,900 for the S, to $93,700 for the Turbo.read more...

Mercedes to launch 4-door convertible at Detroit show

If two doors are good, can four doors be better?

Next month, Mercedes-Benz will take the wraps off a four-door convertible based on the S class, says an industry source with knowledge of the project. The mammoth, V-12-powered convertible concept is expected to debut at the Detroit auto show.

An industry source familiar with the car says production is planned.

How big is the market for such a convertible? Erich Merkle, director of forecasting for IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids, Mich., says global volume probably would be 4,000 to 5,000 units.

The convertible would carry a lofty price tag, possibly $10,000 to $15,000 above the V-12-powered S-class sedan, Merkle said. The V-12 sedan's sticker with transportation and gas-guzzler tax already tops $140,000.

"A four-door (convertible) is a bit of an oddity," Merkle said. "But then again, for a Mercedes-Benz buyer with more dollars than sense, maybe an oddity might be something they find appealing."

This would not be the first attempt to market a modern-day four-door convertible. ASC Inc. tried in 2005 with the Helios convertible concept, which was based on the Chrysler 300C sedan. The concept was unveiled at the Detroit auto show and featured a power-operated cloth top.

The Chrysler group studied that vehicle for over a year, eventually deciding not to produce it. Key factors in the decision were market appeal and structural concern, Joe Eberhardt, then Chrysler's executive vice president of global sales, marketing and service, said at the time. The four-door convertible had been expected to carry a $5,000 to $7,000 premium above the 300C sedan.

Mercedes-Benz produced a four-door convertible into the 1950s. read more...