The new Volkswagen Touareg 2018 has arrived!

Volkswagen Touareg 2018. The new Volkswagen Touareg will be available at the beginning of the summer. More imposing, more luxurious, more powerful, more connected...! Volkswagen unveils the new Touareg! Here it is! Announced for weeks, the new Touareg is finally revealed. Volkswagen has just introduced it in China, a month before its arrival at the Beijing Motor Show (April 25-May 4, 2018). And from the outset, the differences with its predecessor are obvious. 

Based on the VW Group MLB modular platform (that of the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne), this third generation of the SUV grows by a few centimeters: +7,7 cm in length (4,88m) and +4,4 cm in width (1,98m). This growth obviously benefits the passengers but also the volume of chest. The latter wins 113 liters to go from 697 to 810 liters (rear seat not folded). 

More imposing, the new Touareghowever, is lighter than his predecessor. Thanks to a body made of aluminum (48%) and high-tech steels (52%), it loses indeed 106 kg on the scale.

A look of mover

On the design side, the mastodon is imposing with more pronounced edges, more muscular shoulders and especially a particularly massive chrome grille that incorporates new projectors with a new LED lighting system. At the rear, the bezel is more inclined and the lights, sharp, adopt an L-shaped light signature.

The Innovision Cockpit is full of sights

On board, Volkswagen continues to do gigantism with the Innovision Cockpit. Here we find 12-inch digital instrumentation and a large 15-inch (9.2-inch entry-level) touch screen. 

The interior of the Touareg is also customizable thanks to 30 mood lighting and three finishes: "Atmosphere", "Elegance" and "R-line". Warmer, "Atmosphere" gives pride to wood, "Elegance" pays more in modernity with metal and "R-Line" focuses on sportsmanship. Always on board, the seats can now be equipped with a pneumatic massage function and a sliding seat on 16 cm is also present.

New under the hoods

Radius engines, Volkswagen still offers two V6 3.0L TDI. But these are gaining power. Formerly posted at 204 and 262 hp, they climb respectively to 231 (500 Nm) and 286 hp (600 Nm). In the fall, the range will expand with the arrival of a V6 3.0L strong petrol of 340 hp (460 Nm). A plug-in hybrid version of 367 hp is also planned in Europe while other countries will benefit from a 421 hp 4.0L Turbodiesel V8. All these blocks will be associated with an 8-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive. Volkswagen also promises a towed weight of up to 3.5 tonnes.

A technophile SUV

Finally, the SUV embarks a whole slew of new technologies dedicated mainly to safety and comfort of driving. Standard or optional depending on the version, it can notably have a semi-autonomous driving system (active up to 60 km/h in traffic jams), the "Park Assist", the "Trailer Assist" maneuvers with trailer), a new night vision assistant called "Nightvision" (detection of people and animals in the dark by means of a thermal camera) and an intersection assistant (reacts to transverse traffic located in front of the Touareg). 

Pell-mix, Volkswagen also announces active full steering, new active roll control, a new air suspension system, a head-up display directly on the windshield ("Windshield Head-up-Display") as well as low beam and interactively controlled by camera ("IQ.Light - Matrix LED projectors"). The new and third generation of the Volkswagen Touareg is expected to be launched later this summer. Its prices should soon be communicated.

The Ford Gran Torino of Starsky and Hutch: true legend but false sports!

I have already told you so much about the "series" cars (and not the series of cars) that had marked me that the links concerning them are at the bottom of the page. But today, I want to talk about the missing link, the one that probably equal to the Magnum Ferrari has made us want to drive, and have a vehicle out of the ordinary. After The Dukes of Hazzard, K2000, Magnum, The Love of Risk, here is finally the long awaited: the Ford Gran Torino of Starsky and Hutch.

This series is a miracle: a white band on a red body, two antithetical cops (the blond / the brown, the big / the small, the philosopher / the blood, the leather / the sweater in wool etc) and hop, one gets a cult series. With guest star Michael Glaser (brown), and David Soul (blond), and the Ford Gran Torino (red and white). Add to that Huggy the good tips of the big days, lots of chases and action, a touch of humor and you get one of the greatest hits of Aaron Spelling, who later gave us another kind series, Beverly Hills (among others).

The Gran Torino has probably become legendary thanks to Starsky and Hutch. The highlight will be pressed years later by Clint Eastwood and his excellent film soberly titled Gran Torino. However, at the release of the version that concerns us, in 1974, the Gran Torino is only a distant memory of the Muscle Cars. I let you go take a look at Wikipedia to realize that we are far from the sports car with this box there. But whatever!

With the Gran Torino we enter the world of cinema and TV series. No need for a fantastic engine to make it a fantastic car. At the time, the Ford Motor Company had a brilliant idea: create a specific department, which would be called today "product placement", to flood the world of free movies and teloche. Free advertising that is perfectly suited to rapacious (or supposedly) Californian producers. At this time no special effects needed to make a car cult. No need for accelerated images as in K2000, just a little paint.

The brilliant idea comes from Georges Barris, the creator of the Batmobile. Rather than creating an extraordinary car that would not fit with the series, it will realize a specific paint immediately recognizable even today. Not many know that this is a Ford Gran Torino, but seeing it, all know that it is the car of Starsky and Hutch: it is the miracle of the white band on a red background.

But this magic would not work if the series stayed on the traditional codes of then. Playing on this quirky image, on this zebra car, Aaron Spelling takes us with Starsky and Hutch in a new dimension: a Los Angeles a sleazy hair like we had never seen, a lot of action, panting chases and especially, above all, a lot of humor a little quirky. The Glaser / Soul duo works perfectly, and the red and white Gran Torino joins them to form a trio stripper.

Of course, the versions of this Gran Torino seen in the serials are skillfully prepared, far from the original V8 too windy for action scenes. In all and for all, ten copies will be used for the two seasons of the series, two for close-ups, the others for action. At least two will be destroyed during filming, and two will be resold after the last season to an individual who is now pampering them.

There is also a special series, launched by Ford to ride the success of the series: 1000 copies to satisfy the fans of the time. Today, there are plethora of replicas all more or less faithful. I do not think I would like to have one today, but one thing is certain: at the time it was my favorite car... Like what you can turn an ugly duckling into a star.

The Keanu Reeves Motorcycle 2018

The American actor protagonist of Speed ​​and Matrix brings the motorbikes produced by his Arch Motorcycle Company to the Milan Motor Show, founded together with the customizer Gerard Hollinger. The Hollywood star is co-founder and partner of an exclusive motorcycle manufacturer in Southern California. But the celebrity entree does not need it, because the motorcycles speak for themselves.

A few days before the start of EICMA in last year, scheduled from November 7th to 12th, the hundreds of thousands of visitors who are about to crowd the pavilions of the Rho / Milan Fair will not be surprised. At the 75th edition of EICMA, an exceptional guest star is expected to arrive directly from the big screen: Keanu Reeves, who has just confirmed his presence at the Milan International Exposition, in two ways: as a genuine enthusiast of the two wheels and to present, in world preview, 3 new models of ARCH Motorcycle Company, the company he founded together with Gard Hollinger, well-known customer and long-time riders. 

KEANU, AUTHENTIC PASSION FOR MOTORCYCLES

We do not now discover the great passion of the protagonist of films like Matrix , Speed and Point Break , just to mention some of the most famous titles among the many that he has interpreted, for the world of motorcycles, engines and chrome. The company produces tailor-made motorcycles in the most famous California metropolis: Los Angeles. The first model, launched in 2015, was the KRGT-1. In November, the company took part for the first time at the International Cycle and Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan and presented, on the prestigious EICMA international stage, three new models. 

AN ARTISAN COMPANY 

ARCH created over 200 unique in-house pieces, which were used to compose the KRGT-1, their first production model. The designer and builder Gard Hollinger supervises an expert staff of expert craftsmen who manually assemble each unit to meet the client's ergonomic and aesthetic preferences. Arch Motorcycle collaborated with Suter Industries to distribute these new models, including the current KRGT-1 internationally in Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Lichtenstein. 

THE THREE NEWS

The KRGT-1 2018 makes its debut at EICMA, which is the most recent and refined version of the first KRGT-1 of 2015, a cruiser that can be driven aggressively but at the same time comfortable over long distances. At its side is the KRGT-1S, the first motorcycle of the oscillating arm ARCH Motorcycle, an evolution of the KRGT-1. This model is sporty, from the most aggressive driving position while maintaining its performance cruiser formula. CNC machined aluminum and the extensive use of carbon fiber characterize this stylish race-inspired motorcycle. Finally the ARCH METHOD143: equipped with a Mono-Cell carbon fiber frame, this concept will be limited to 23 units. The concept of layering design and the elegance of the bodywork craftsmanship include leather, carbon fiber and CNC machined aluminum.

Arch KRGT-1

The first Arch KRGT-1 was presented to the company in 2015. It was designed as a tailor-made, high-performance cruiser that can handle both aggressive and relaxed, tourist driving style. The latest revision for 2018 places special emphasis on ergonomic improvements. In addition, the fork (now Öhlins FGRT) and the brakes (now available with ABS!) Were changed. In addition, the Arch meets the Euro4 requirements.

In it pulsates a 124 V2 engine. I beg your pardon? Yes, 124 cui (cubic inches), that is 2032 cc. A steel frame and a CNC milled rear frame made of light metal keep all components in place. The 5-spoke wheels were manufactured by the carbon specialist BST. Footpegs can be ordered in the middle or pre-routed. In fact, Arch has taken up the cause to customize each KRGT-1 individually for their customers. Prices?

Arch 1S

The Arch 1S is the first motorcycle from the manufactory, which leads its rear wheel with a one-arm swingarm. It is based on the KRGT-1, but is influenced by motorsport and therefore offers a more aggressive driver's attitude without leaving the Powercruiser base altogether. The Arch 1S is the first motorcycle from the manufactory, which leads its rear wheel with a one-arm swingarm. It is based on the KRGT-1, but is influenced by motorsport and therefore offers a more aggressive driver's attitude without leaving the Powercruiser base altogether.

CNC machined aluminum and generously used carbon flow in the lines of this elegant and equally sporty motorcycle. Engine and frame are largely identical to the KRGT-1, but the 1S 7-spoke wheels made of carbon, which were also manufactured by BST. ABS is available, Euro4 meets it. From when and how much money they will have to have, Arch wants to announce soon.

Arch Method 143

Forward thinking and development art are two of the pillars on which Arch Motorcycle rests. Among other things, this resulted in the carbon monocoque of the Arch Method 143, of which exactly 23 copies are to be produced. The design concept and the high quality craftsmanship includes components made of leather, carbon and CNC machined aluminum.

The Arch Method 143 owes its model name to the 143 cui, so 2.343 cc V2 engine. The single-arm swingarm was CNC milled at Suter, the Öhlins fork was redesigned to meet the special requirements of the Arch 143. The design and construction of the titanium / carbon exhaust system are based on MotoGP racing motorcycles. The wheels of the Arch 143 are made of carbon, were designed by Arch and manufactured by BST. Arch is still silent about production start and pricing.

VOLVO V60 2018: The Wagon Station Is Not Dead

Volvo is developing its range of high-speed SUVs, but do not forget its flagship models. The Swedish manufacturer presented this Wednesday the new V60. Design, technical specifications, engine, price. Discover this premium estate in detail and in pictures.

With the success of the SUV XC 90, XC 60 and now XC 40, Volvo could have made the choice to leave behind its old iconic station wagons and sedans. It is not so. The manufacturer of Gothenburg has just unveiled the all-new V60, a mid-size premium break. Clearly, Volvo does not forget its glorious past and presents this V60 2018 in its natural and historic environment, an alley of family homes in Stockholm. "The family break driver has been our customer base for generations," said Håkan Samuelsson, president of Volvo Cars.

We do not change a winning method. Thus, the new Volvo V60 station is based on the SPA platform (technological base grouping the chassis and some mechanical components) of the group, like its seniors like the SUV XC60 and the various models of the range 90. Formerly austere, Volvo puts a point of honor to look after the design since two generations of vehicles. Here again, great efforts have been made. The Volvo V60 "has superb proportions and a strong identity, with no concessions on practical assets and versatility," says Robin Page, in charge of the brand's design. It's up to you to judge with the video at the end of the article.

VOLVO V60 engines

Promised thing, thing due. Volvo announced the upcoming electrification of all its models in 2017. The V60 will therefore be available in two versions with plug-in hybrid engines by the end of the year. Under the hood, you will find the new T6 Twin Engine AWD petrol with a combined power (engine block thermal and electric) of 340 hp or T8 Twin Engine AWD gasoline developing 390 hp. For the nostalgic of more conventional engines, a petrol will also be in the catalog end of 2018 and two diesel, from the launch.

Jaguar I-Pace Electric SUV Unveils and Announces Pricing

Faithful to the homonymous concept, I-Pace takes advantage of its presentation to open its order books. The first Jaguar SUV therefore reveals its prices, expensive, as well as all its characteristics: power, performance and autonomy.

Jaguar I-Pace Electric SUV

If there is one thing that can not be reproached to the I-Pace series, presented in Geneva, it's good to have gone too far from the homonym concept, discovered late 2016. Despite optics and a grille typical of the current style of the brand, this first 100% electric Jaguar is therefore different from its thermal sisters. There is indeed a clear break between the very inclined rear window and the rest of the tailgate, while the small front cover is amply dug. Impossible to confuse this SUV of 4.68m of length with the recent E-Pace, shorter of 28cm, nor with the F-Pace, more bulky of 5 cm hardly. Especially as its height is limited to 1.57m, with a ground clearance of only 14cm.

400 hp and 480 km of range announced

The main singularity of this I-Pace, however, will be technical, since it will receive no mechanical gasoline, diesel or even hybrid. Instead, Jaguar's newborn opts for two electric motors, one in front and the other behind. It has four-wheel drive in series, 400 hp and 696 Nm, which would allow it to jump from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8s. Spread 50/50 between the two axles, the weight exceeds 2.2 tons, despite the use of an aluminum structure. A logical overweight since the battery used claims the enormous capacity of 90 kWh, which would allow a range of 480 km on the recent WLTP certification cycle. Even if Jaguar announces that it is possible to recover 80% in 40 minutes on an expensive charger 100 kW, to refuel on a catch "classic" risk of the blow to be interminable.

The interior is reminiscent of the recent Range Rover Velar with its two screens juxtaposed, but it differs in particular by its double arch at the bottom of the center console. © Jaguar

As for the price, it inevitably suffers: with rates ranging from €78,380 for the basic finishing S and € 102,570 for the First Edition launch edition, not including the bonus of €6,000, this I- Pace is definitely more expensive than an F-Pace, available from 44 410€. But the comparison with the version S V6 3.0 380 bhp of the latter, billed 83 508 €, is already more favorable, and the Model X Tesla starts even higher, 86 050 €.

With its 5.04 m long, the American is however much larger than its British competitor. But while waiting for the future Audi e-Tron quattro and Mercedes EQ C, even the electric X3, it is indeed the most direct competitor of this I-Pace. Especially since Jaguar promises a livability worthy of larger model and a generous trunk volume of 656 dm3 on the models with conventional suspension (638 dm3 with the optional air suspension). Credit image: jaguar.com