It was a successful year for Mercedes-Benz (ETR: DAI) in every way: Increasing sales, new models coming out and now, a few awards to go along and spice things up.

Mercedes-Benz has won three categories in the prestigious World Car Awards 2015. These were received by Christoph Horn, Head of Global Communication Passenger Cars Mercedes-Benz and Rob Moran, Director Mercedes-Benz USA Communications. They received the awards on behalf of the brand with the three pointed star at a ceremony held on the occasion of the New York International Auto Show.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class established itself as a viable choice in the midsize luxury sedan market, further emphasized with the “World Car of the Year 2015 Award”. The S-Class Coupé was voted “World Luxury Car 2015″, while the Mercedes-AMG GT sports car picked up the award for “World Performance Car 2015″.

This year, Mercedes-Benz was the only manufacturer to make it into the final round of the awards with five vehicles. This commanding performance is unprecedented in the 11-year history of the “World Car of the Year” awards and serves to reflect the tremendous popularity of the Stuttgart-based brand among their customers. The international jury for these prestigious awards is made up of 75 renowned automotive journalists who were tasked with picking their favorites in several automotive categories for the awards shown there.

Mercedes-Benz has found success and praise with the jury in previous years too: in 2014 the S-Class won the category “World Luxury Car”. In 2012 the S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY was the winner in the category “World Green Car”, while the same award was taken back in 2007 by the E 320 BlueTEC. The highly successful start for the Stuttgart based car maker by all means marks the period where Mercedes-Benz introduced several new models, changed its design philosophy to some extent, showcased great talent in plugging gaping holes in the particular model ranges, all resulting in increased sales numbers as well.

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The 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was named a 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Car Under $25,000 by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com.

The site in question is one of the highly regarded sources of information about car quality and impressions on world’s widest selection of vehicles. They offer pricing information for new and used cars. Also, they are the source of a wide range of guides, helping customers deal with nagging problems in purchasing a used vehicle as well. With this in mind, naming the The 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid a 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Car Under $25,000 by the same source, poses a great deal of praise for the Korean car maker, specially in the eco-friendly field of such vehicles.

The 2015 Hyundai Sonara Hybrid offers an industry-exclusive Hybrid Lifetime Battery Warranty, and a EPA-estimated 40 mpg highway rating. The car saw no increase in pricing, compared to the 2014 model. Practical, yet efficient, it is a rather interesting choice for families who want to keep their fuel bills as low as possible. But overall, the car offers the practicality needed in the segment as well.

“The Sonata Hybrid not only provides consumers value with class-leading technology and design, but also alleviates price pain at the pump,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America in a statement. “Hyundai is committed to be a leader in alternative fuel vehicles and to increase our green footprint across our lineup.”

The 2015 Sonata Hybrid features an electric motor coupled to the 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. The vehicle uses all-electric mode during optimal moments such as driving on a highway, while keeping the gasoline engine idle until circumstances are necessary for it to be included int he power delivery. This means that the car can save the additional power for acceleration and heavier climbs for example, while keeping the steady, comforting and event free highway runs on EV power alone, saving fuel in the process and providing improved efficiency and saving money for their owners.

“The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offers all the upscale feel and luxury features of the conventionally powered Sonata, but with the added benefits of a transparent hybrid drive system that delivers exceptional fuel economy,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director, KBB.com. “The fact that the model also offers an exceptionally long warranty is the cherry atop the sundae.”

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There are several high-profile companies developing high-performance and high-quality aftermarket products in the automotive world. Vorsteiner, being one of them, recently revamped its Flow Forged wheel line.

These wheels are highly coveted in the automotive world, as they bring the lightweight configuration with the less impacting price tag – a perfect choice for performance vehicle owners. The selection of possible applications, alongside the available finishes, make for a great deal of choices when it comes to these wheels overall.

As you may know, the Audi S5 Coupé uses the 3.0L Supercharged V6 TFSI engine producing 329 horsepower in its standard configuration for this vehicle. It is a further development of the highly popular engine. This powerplant is already found in the S5 Cabriolet and Sportback, which is also shared with the 2010 Audi S4 3.0 TFSI quattro sedan and avant. This engine is a development of the same powerplant done for the Audi S5 Coupé, where Audi left out the naturally aspirated V8 powerplant previously installed. This is done to accommodate strict emission regulations, but also combat the high fuel consumption of that particular engine as well.

The other major change (compared to the V6 TFSI engine found in the Sedan and Avant) under the bonnet is the introduction of stop-start technology for better fuel efficiency. According to the official info from Audi, owners can expect to achieve an average fuel economy of 8.9 litres/100 km (compared to the current 12.6 litres/100 km in the V8 coupe and 10.7 litres/100 km in the Cabriolet).

The Audi S5 we have in front of us has been equipped with a set of Vorsteiner V-FF 104 wheels. This is a limited run wheel lineup, dedicated to fulfill the needs of high-performance builds like this one here. These wheels are sized 20×10 front and rear respectively. They come with a Mercury Silver finish. The five-spoke design is clean, works wonders for the exterior of the Audi S5, but it also produces a rather impressive performance upgrade, thanks to their lightweight construction and design.

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Earlier this month we reported on Porsche (ETR: PAH3) delivering an impressive amount of vehicle in the first three months of this year a few days earlier.

Now, the German car maker is providing us with an insight into their record breaking year in terms of deliveries, revenue, and profit in the 2014 fiscal year. Porsche delivered 189,849 vehicles during the 2014 year advancing further than compared to their previous time frames, adding to the company’s success overall. The deliveries were up by 17% compared to previous year if we are exact, a rather impressive showcase for the car maker.

With the deliveries projecting record breaking numbers, revenue rose by one-fifth to $18.1 billion (€17.2 billion). The operating profit grew by just over 5% to $2.8 billion (€2.7 billion). Porsche currently hires 22,401 employees, yet another new peak for the car company as well. In the previous year, the figure was 19,456 employees, showing an annual increase of 15%.

At the annual press conference of Porsche in Stuttgart on Friday, Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Executive Board, stressed that the sports car manufacturer has reached essential objectives of the “Strategy 2018″ ahead of schedule.

“Porsche has developed very successfully and is now better positioned than ever”, said Müller. “A crucial cornerstone for this success is the Macan. By the end of the year, we had delivered our new five-door sports car nearly 45,000 times.”

With the Macan, Porsche has also won over many new customers: worldwide, three out of four Macan customers have opted for a vehicle of the Porsche brand for the first time.

The Porsche chairman took special pride in the success of the plug-in hybrid models. Müller referred not only to the 918 Spyder super sports car, but also to the fact that Porsche Porsche was the only brand in the world that could offer its customers three plug-in models in the premium segment. With that in mind, it’s rather important to emphasize that the Porsche 918 Spyder super sports car was sold out in 2014 and no more orders can be placed for that model. The three plug-in hybrid models are the 918 Spyder, Cayenne S E-Hybrid, and the Panamera S E-Hybrid.

Lutz Meschke, Member of the Executive Board Finance and IT at Porsche AG, emphasized in Stuttgart that the excellent performance of Porsche is also reflected in the financial situation of the company.

“In 2014, we were able to completely reduce our net debt while simultaneously financing our growth – two years before the originally envisaged target date,” he said.

In tangible terms, the net liquidity of the automotive business area – i.e. the gross liquidity less financial liabilities and excluding the financial services business in each case – improved from negative 899 million euros as of December 31, 2013 to positive 195 million euros as of December 31, 2014.

Müller and Meschke were optimistic in terms of the current fiscal year.

“We assume that sales and deliveries in the ongoing year will continue to rise”, stated the Chief Financial Officer.

The company also wants to safeguard the profitability through continuous productivity and process improvements as well as through stringent cost management. It remains to be seen how the market will react in 2015. as the other manufacturers are joining the plug-in hybrid premium model competition – this will be specially evident by the entry of some rather efficient, albeit performance oriented models from the other German car manufacturers as well.

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While many will consider the Chevrolet Camaro a remnant of the past, the highly successful modern day muscle car is destroying that backward thinking all over the place. Equipped with either a V6 or V8 engine, this daring muscle car looks and resembles a perfect intro into a lifestyle many cherish. The Camaro (NYSE: GM) , in its fifth generation, has been a darling of the automotive world.

Its parent company, Chevrolet, was been founded in 1911 in Detroit. It is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. The Camaro, albeit a big part of its success, still is only a small part of it in general. This generation of the Chevrolet Camaro went on sale in August 2009. Camaro sales passed Mustang in 2010, to become America’s best-selling performance car – a title Camaro has retained for five consecutive years. In the process, the Camaro has helped build the Chevrolet family – with 63% of retail buyers new to GM.

“The fifth-generation Camaro has clearly resonated with both long-time Camaro fans, and first time performance-car buyers,” said Todd Christensen, Camaro marketing manager, in a press release. “That sets the bar high for the next chapter of the car’s history.”

Remarkably, the Camaro continues to gain momentum, even as the fifth-generation Camaro nears the end of production this year. In 2014, Camaro total sales increased 7.1% for its second-best year of sales since its introduction. What will its successor bring, still remains to be seen. But as the car industry takes a turn to the green and eco-friendly motoring, the Chevrolet Camaro may well be on its path to glory, still touting a pure bred muscle car V8 engine – with some possible hybrid technology employed.

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After the announcement a few weeks earlier, Bugatti has released the the Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse “La Finale” — The final Bugatti Veyron to be produced — at the Geneva Motor Show.

Few words that best put the notion of the importance of this vehicle into anyone introduced to the automotive world. On the other hand, this also means that the technologically advanced vehicle will soon (probably naturally) see a successor. A car that we, as anybody else interested in highly developed technical things that go fast, will definitely be eagerly awaiting.

“The Bugatti Veyron has shown that our engineers are capable of achieving a previously unimagined level of technical excellence, thereby opening up whole new dimensions in the automotive sector,” said Wolfgang Dürheimer, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S, in a press release. “The Veyron is justifiably at the head of the field.”

“As the most powerful and fastest production supercar in the world, the Veyron is a true benchmark,” continued Dürheimer. “With a world record speed of 431.072 km/h, it has become an icon of longitudinal dynamics.”

When announced, the Bugatti Veyron stunned the world. It represented one of the greatest technical and engineering challenges ever overcome in the automotive history. At the time, Bugatti developers were faced with four key specifications: the car had to transfer more than 1,000 horsepower onto the road, achieve a top speed in excess of 400 km/h, accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds and – the biggest challenge of all – still be suitable for ‘driving to the opera’ in comfort and style. The perfect gentleman’s supercar, if we might add there. Generally, the car was a huge success – even though the company lost money on each sold unit. Nontheless, it was a perfect opportunity to bring back a brand that was once notable for luxury, speed and attraction.

The last Bugatti Veyron marks the end of an era by all means. The future model will probably see some sort of a hybrid coming up. With the timeframe for the release of its successor still a bit blurry, we can only guess on the matter for the time being. On the other hand, we will be able to admire this piece of technological marvel for years to come, thanks to many owners who decided to put their money into owning one of the world’s best fashion and technology statements, providing us petrolheads with something to cherish entirely.

“Alongside the certainty of owning the world’s fastest production sports car with a high degree of individual exclusivity, Bugatti customers appreciate that, by purchasing a Veyron, they become part of the history of an automobile brand that is steeped in tradition,” said the Bugatti President. “Many vehicles therefore find their way into private collections and are purchased as an investment by automotive connoisseurs.”

When it came to equipping the 450 Veyron sports cars, Bugatti did everything to fulfil customers’ wishes. For example, the body finish featuring clear-lacquered exposed carbon fibre was particularly popular. Bugatti currently supplies this finish in eight colours – more than any other manufacturer and in a quality that no other company can achieve. In addition, the French luxury brand offers over 100 different colours for the painted finishes on the carbon fibre bodies. The vehicles also feature a wide range of luxurious materials that were uncommon in the automotive field, such as porcelain, crystal, special types of leather and wood, gold and platinum. Each Bugatti configured by a customer is unique. Including options, the average price of the vehicles recently sold is $2.43 million (€2.3 million).

It goes without saying that Bugatti is already working on the sequel to its recent success story, with development of its next model well underway. “With the next Bugatti model, we are aiming to consolidate and expand the market-leading position we have established with the Veyron,” the Bugatti President explained. “Our challenge is to make the best even better.”

We can only hope it doesn’t mean SUV’s, people carriers and other, somewhat silly ways and paths taken by other high-performance premium manufacturers – ensuring that Bugatti sticks with making statements. Not just cars alltogether.

The post The Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse ‘La Finale’ Showcased To The Public appeared first on VR World.

A new report says that Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA)  will cut jobs in China.

The highly touted technology company that produces one of the world’s most popular electric cars is about to lose 180 employees in the Middle Kingdom. Tesla currently has 600 employees in China, where the stated number of jobs to be cut is a rather high 30% of the employee numbers posted in China overall.

According to various sources, Tesla Motors aims to restructure and tighten its position in that particular market with this move. The goal is to provide a boost in sales. But overall, the market will be the deciding factor in China for the American company. Tesla Motors makes nice sales in its respective niche overall. We can say that Tesla is the leader when it comes to electric car sales, but this may come to an end in the future years as well. Globally, they saw some other heavier competitors like BMW (ETR: BMW), Cadillac  (NYSE: GM) and others joining in the fight for electric vehicle supremacy. This is naturally providing the car maker with plenty to worry in the forthcoming months as well.

Earlier this year, Tesla China has already seen turnover in its leadership. First, its President Veronica Wu left in December, while its vice president of communications, June Jin, resigned last month. This would be worry some for some bigger companies, let alone a rather small one (by comparison to other big car makers). Tesla Motors is in a rather difficult day in age with sales numbers growing slow on certain markets, specially China as one of the biggest sources of income for several larger car manufacturers.

China is a difficult country for Tesla (and other car makers) overall. The local car production companies are subsidized by the government, there is no clear charging infrastructure set in place, and overall, the cars Tesla Motors imports to China cost more. This is all due to local import taxes, added and set to protect the domestic car industry.

One of the solutions would be to produce the car on site or in the country itself, providing Tesla Motors with the same leveled playing field as the other Chinese manufacturers. While the future seems bleak for Tesla in China for now, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the car maker over there. The overall effort the Chinese government is inputting in making the country pollution free and depending less on gasoline consumption and import, might well be the beacon of light for the car maker going forward in the future.

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The well-known tire company Goodyear Tire (NASDAQ: GT) unveiled a very interesting prototype at the Geneva Motor Show.

The concept behind this prototype — which is far from going into production — could radically change the way we view car tires and car travel in the future. This concept, named “BHO3” – offers the possibility of charging the batteries of electric cars by transforming the heat generated by the rolling tire into electrical energy. This means, that under certain conditions, the car’s tires could actually charge the batteries of the vehicle. While the whole technology is rather new, the concept sounds profoundly promising all together.

The role of the car tires has always been to provide the safety and performance by adding better traction. Tires also allow for a smoother ride and take the hard hits of variable driving conditions the cars may encounter. In a nutshell they are the contact surface that the car has with the road. On the other hand, the technology of the tires remained stagnant in a lot of ways. Now, with Goodyear releasing its concept tires, dedicated to charging electric vehicles, we might see a big shift of focus for this often neglected part of the automotive culture entirely.

“These concept tires re-imagine the role that tires may play in the future,” said Joe Zekoski, Goodyear’s senior vice president and Chief Technical Officer, in a statement. “We envision a future in which our products become more integrated with the vehicle and the consumer, more environmentally friendly and more versatile.”

These tires would generate electricity through the action of materials in the tires themselves, reacting to the driving surfaces it encounters. The energy is created by heat when it flexes as it rolls during normal driving conditions, creating energy that can be transformed from one state to another, providing electricity. The materials used would optimize the tire’s electricity generation capabilities as well as its rolling resistance.

While Goodyear hasn’t released that much information about this potential groundbreaking technology, it is easy to see how such a solution would benefit would be range anxious drivers and help their electric vehicles achieve better range as well. Take a look at the video we’ve added below to find out more about this revolutionary tire concept. We’re sure some high-profile car manufacturers will take a rather compelling interest in this technology as well.

Now the question is, can Goodyear make this 3D rendering a reality? Only time will tell.

The post Goodyear’s Concept Tires Could Charge Electric Vehicles In The Future appeared first on VR World.

The development of aftermarket car parts is an art form. Whenever high-quality craftsmanship becomes part of a conversation, I always instantly think of the aftermarket car industry. Like so many other parts of the business we encounter, there are certainly companies that provide a subpar product. On the other hand, the aftermarket car industry is filled with companies who’s dedication, persistence and attention to details make them unique in a way. Vorsteiner is part of that group.

As you may know, the current generation BMW M4 has been out there for some time now. It is powered by a 3.0 liter TwinPower turbo inline-six engine developing 425 horsepower. This gives the high-performance coupe enough performance to accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in just 3.9 seconds for the automatic transmission version of the car. Top speed for this vehicle is 183mph (250km/h) that is electronically limited.

Plenty of pundits will cringe at the mere idea of modifying such a vehicle. BMW did make a rather pretty and aggressive vehicle, all with performance in mind. On the other hand, the need to customize performance cars like these is always something we need to count upon. Making the BMW M4 wider, that’s a completely other game alltogether.

Vorsteiner has painstakingly developed the GTRS4 aero program for the M4. From the computer design phase to the clay modelling, this set of parts was really thoroughly tested and modified, all to create an aero program that fits perfectly on this vehicle. Complete aero kit is made out of carbon fiber, it consists of a front spoiler, front bumpers, side skirts, rear quarter panels and a rear diffuser, all joined by custom made forged three-piece wheels, finished in Sakhir Orange. Grab a few moments to go through the media gallery, there are some rather interesting details of this widebody kit shown there.

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Volkswagen’s (ETR: VOW) Sport Coupé Concept GTE got its first debut at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show, heralding a new and progressive Volkswagen design language.

“Evolution and revolution come together in the Sport Coupé Concept GTE. This concept is based on Volkswagen design DNA, which has been visibly sharpened even more. It shows how the highest-volume brand of our Group is shaping the immediate future,”Walter de Silva, Head of Design of Volkswagen AG,” Walter de Silva, Head of Design of Volkswagen said in a press release.

It is the next step in VW’s evolution of hybrid high-performance models, coming with a distinctive design language. Part of its push to make a statement in the automotive world, the recently showcased concept provides us with a glimpse of the German car maker’s future. It also shows us in what direction may we expect the four-door coupe models will head for as well.

Dr Heinz-Jakob Neusser, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Development, elaborates:

“This breathtakingly dynamic coupé is unlike any other to appear in this class. The design of the Sport Coupé Concept GTE is an impressive alternative to the classic sedans of the B and C segments—it has the style of a sport coupé that is enriched by the functionality of a large hatchback and the interior space of a sedan.” Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design of the Volkswagen Brand, adds: “The Sport Coupé Concept GTE is another milestone of expressive design. With this concept car, Volkswagen is not only showing a new model’s design, but also initial glimpses of a new design era.”

You will immediately notice the VW’s current design philosophy implemented with this concept. While the front grille and headlights have been connected in design cues on many models by different car makers lately, the whole sleek profile of this vehicle is seldom seen in production form. On the other hand, the large rear boot opening, similar to five-door sedans of the past does provide a healthy dose of utility and practicality. The larger wheels added to the concept will probably be lost in entry-level trim levels of the probable production model. On the contrary, we believe that the frameless doors, particularly sleek door handles and the elongated hood will find its way into the production model sketches later on. Overall, the German car maker is providing yet another alternative to the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW when the four-door coupes are in question.

The Sport Coupé Concept GTE is powered by a plug-in hybrid drive system that is both economical and sporty. The current concept car uses a turbocharged 3.0-litre TSI V6 direct-injection engine that produces 295 horsepower (220 kW) and maximum torque of 369 pound feet. The electrical components consist of a lithium-ion battery that’s housed in the center tunnel and two electric motors. The 54-hp (40 kW0 front motor is integrated in the 6-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission and the rear electric motor develops 114 hp (85 kW). The total available system power is 374 hp (279 kW).

If necessary, the system’s power can be distributed to all four wheels thanks to the rear electric motor and an “electric driveshaft”. In the sporty GTE mode, the 155 mph coupé accelerates from zero to 62 mph in just 5.0 seconds. Despite this dynamic performance, the concept car has an EC combined fuel consumption of 118 mpg. In addition, the Sport Coupé Concept GTE can be driven all-electrically, with zero emissions, for a distance of at least 32 miles. The total driving range on one tank of gasoline is more than 745 miles.

There are several driving modes to choose from: hybrid, e-mode, GTE, battery charge and battery hold, and finally, the electric drive all-wheel drive system can be engaged, fully utilizing the power available for the driver.

The interior design is probably the most appealing part of this vehicle. It showcases an abundance of options, but keeps it clean at the same time. Current Volkswagen owners may recognize several design features, but also have the interior design grow to them in matter of seconds as well. The elongated front face of the car’s dashboard provides us with an onlook to current VW Passat. The four-seater option allows all the space and interior comfort to be used. Generally, the technological aspect mix well with business like personality of the concept, providing both the driver and their passengers plenty of comfort. We’ll just have to see how much of this concept’s design cues and solutions makes it to the production version.

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Bugatti Veyron, a vehicle with a production run of 450, is coming to its end.

A technology showcase, no compromises approach and above all, a brand statement, this car had it all. It is powered by a 16 cylinders engine, delivering 1,200 PS, a maximum torque of 1,500 Nm, 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and a world record speed of 431.072 km/h. Volkswagen did lose money on each sold car, but that’s irrelevant to this vehicle’s heritage and appeal overall. If every company out there made a statement like this, car technology would progress much, much faster. It is however, a sad feeling that many car nuts will experience once they know the Veyron will not be produced anymore.

“In the Veyron, Bugatti has created an automobile icon and established itself as the world’s most exclusive supercar brand,” said Wolfgang Dürheimer, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S, in a statement. “So far no other carmaker has managed to successfully market a product that stands for unique top-class technical performance and pure luxury in a comparable price/volume range. An unprecedented chapter in automobile history has reached its climax.”

The development of the Bugatti Veyron represented one of the greatest technical challenges ever in the automotive industry. The Bugatti developers were given four goals in the specifications for the supercar: it should transfer more than 1,000 PS onto the road, drive faster than 400 km/h, accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds and – the biggest challenge – in this configuration still be suitable for driving ‘to the opera’ in comfort and style. The Veyron 16.4 was presented in 2005 – the rest is history and a major success story. The open-top version, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, followed in 2008. In 2010, the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport with increased power was launched and was then joined by the roadster version, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, in 2012.

“The Veyron is unique in many respects even ten years after its launch,” said Dürheimer.

In addition to its unequalled technical and dynamic characteristics, the Veyron features a timeless design. The supercar is the modern interpretation of Bugatti’s brand values “Art, Forme, Technique” and its striking lines and details continue the design DNA of the French luxury brand without compromise. Confirms Dürheimer: “The Veyron is not just a masterpiece of modern automobile design, it is more an automotive piece of art.”

“Besides the certainty of owning the world’s fastest production super sports car with a high degree of individual exclusivity, Bugatti customers appreciate that, upon purchasing a Veyron, they become part of the history of an automobile brand that is steeped in tradition,” says the Bugatti president. “Many of the cars find their place in private collections and are purchased by automobile connoisseurs as investments.”

Including options, the average price of the vehicles sold recently amounted to $2.3 million Euros.

In a fitting farewell to this engineering masterpiece, the Bugatti Veyron will have a proper farewell. Showcased at the Geneva Motor Show, the last Veyron will be accompanied by the Veyron with chassis number 1 that left the Atelier in Molsheim ten years ago. A customer from the Middle East has secured number 450, the Grand Sport Vitesse “La Finale”, for himself. If there ever was a particular model to save for next generations entirely, this does have a collector’s item of particular value.

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City traffic has become so bad these days that it has become impractical to drive a big SUV with boat-like handling characteristics. It’s much easier to zip around town in a subcompact or small hatchback, after all. The fact that fuel prices falling to record lows due to the drop in oil prices is just icing on the cake, especially if your daily commute to work involves inching through parking lot-like traffic jams.

For Hyundai, its small cars are the top sellers in Asian markets like India and the Philippines, where the Korean company’s Eon and i10 lines are common sights on the street. Even as the more formidable Starex, Sta. Fe, Tucson, Elantra and Accent are also popular, nothing beats a low price tag, especially in emerging markets.

But even then, small does not necessarily mean cheap. Our review model for this automotive feature is the 2015 Hyundai Grand i10, a subcompact hatchback directly competing with the Suzuki/Maruti Swift, and recent market entrants, the new Mitsubishi Mirage and Toyota Wigo. Price-wise, however, the Grand i10 is a bit on the steep side, which means the choice might come between this subcompact hatch or a bigger — although lower trim — subcompact sedan. Even Hyundai’s own Accent has a lower starting price than the top-spec Grand i10.

Hyundai often attaches the “Grand” moniker to significantly-upgraded models, and for the i10, this marks the car’s second generation, first launched in late 2013. The Grand i10 is 100 mm longer than its predecessor, and the top-spec variant also offers features and amenities that one might find more at home on more expensive and larger vehicles, such as safety and electronics packages.

Specifications

Our review model is the top-of-the-line L variant, powered by a 1.2 liter Kappa motor delivering a maximum power of 87 ps @ 6,000 RPM and torque of 12.2 nm @ 4,000 RPM, with 0-100 Kph acceleration rated at 15 seconds. Motor-driven power steering makes turning light, with a tight turning radius. LxWxH is 3,765 mm x 1,660 mm x 1,505 mm, with a wheelbase of 2,425 mm. Cargo space is measured at 1,202 liters.

The Grand i10’s Kappa motor comes in a mostly aluminum construction to minimize weight, resulting in the car’s having a curb weight of 941 to 998 Kg. In the Philippine market, the Grand i10’s starting price is PhP 538,000 (US$ 12,155) for the base model, climbing up to PhP 688,000 (US$ 15,544) for the top-spec model. The difference comes mainly in the following:

• 1.2 L vs. 1.0 L displacement
• Alloy wheels vs. Steel with full wheelcap
• Electrically-actuated folding side mirrors
• Rear parking assist (Camera- and radar-assistance)

Note that Hyundai actually had to reprice the Grand i10, perhaps to better compete against the 3-cylinder Toyota Wigo and Mitsubishi Mirage, which have taken over Manila streets of late.

Design, comfort and amenities

The Hyundai Grand i10 has more than the usual small-car amenities that you would wonder why these don’t already come standard even on bigger cars. The touchscreen LCD makes navigating the entertainment system a breeze. Shift to Reverse and you get a rear-view camera. You even get push-to-start ignition.

Inside the cabin, space is what you would expect from a subcompact hatch — it will surely feel a bit claustrophobic if you’re more used to bigger sedans or SUVs. However, the ride is comfortable enough, with adequate NVH insulation and a supple suspension. Comparing the Grand i10 with the Honda Jazz, which we reviewed a few months back, I can say that the Grand i10 is surprisingly more comfortable.

I’m not too fond of the resistive nature of the 7-inch touchscreen, however, as it is sometimes inaccurate and would require repeated presses to register a touch. With the popularity of capacitive displays even on cheap tablets today, I wonder why Hyundai has to settle with a resistive screen. The lack of audio controls on the steering wheel can also be concerning, especially since Hyundai has already put in this level of kit on the Grand i10.

Unlike the Honda Jazz, the Grand i10’s seating design is more conventional, with the fuel tank situated right below the rear passenger bench. The rear backrest folds in full (no split), but it doesn’t fold flat. This can be quite limiting in terms of carrying big cargo like boxes or furniture. Legroom is comparable to most subcompact sedans — it’s evident that Hyundai put in the extra length into extending the rear passenger space.

Audio quality is acceptable, and you can plug in your phone or USB thumbdrive for MP3 playback. The car’s head unit also supports Bluetooth audio, enabling music playback from your smartphone and handsfree communication while driving.

The Grand i10 also comes standard with a navigation system. While apps like Waze and Google Maps are already formidable alternatives to a car-bound GPS navigation system, it’s good to know that Hyundai has incorporated a feature once reserved for more premium models (even the Nissan Altima that VR World reviewed in November did not have this feature).

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Entering the small city electric model market, Chevrolet (NYSE: GM) has pledged to put its Chevrolet Bolt concept into production.

Confirmed by Chevrolet yesterday, the next-generation pure electric vehicle, based on the Bolt EV concept will enter production somewhere in 2017-2018 according to various sources. While the exact production date hasn’t been established yet, some of our sources tell us that’s what we can expect.

The Chevrolet Bolt is planned to enter production and be built at General Motors’ Orion Assembly facility near Detroit. The fully electric city car will be Chevrolet’s answer to the BMW i3 in a way, specially if design, pricing and other amenities are taken into account. One cannot help but notice the resemblance in styling, specially as the concept car goes.

“The message from consumers about the Bolt EV concept was clear and unequivocal: Build it,” said GM North America President Alan Batey. “We are moving quickly because of its potential to completely shake up the status quo for electric vehicles.”

Leveraging the industry-leading battery technology found in the Chevrolet Volt and Spark EV, the Bolt EV concept was developed as a game-changing, long-range pure electric for all 50 states, designed to offer more than a GM-estimated 200 miles of range at a target price of around $30,000. The pricing includes the $7,500 state tax incentive, providing the Bolt with a reasonably set price tag altogether.

The progressively styled concept vehicle features selectable driving modes for preferred driving styles, such as daily commuting, and it was designed to support DC fast charging. With our experience, this should mean the Chevrolet Bolt can be charged in as little as 30 minutes on some charging stations, providing the owners with a great alternative to some more expensive models in that model size entirely.

“We’re proud that Chevrolet has decided to produce the Bolt EV here in Michigan at the Orion Assembly facility,” Govenor Rick Snyder of Michigan said. . “Michigan unquestionably remains the global automotive leader. Chevrolet is tapping a skilled workforce that includes some of the most talented and hard-working people in the world for this cutting-edge vehicle. Chevrolet is an important part of our state’s automotive history, and Michigan-made products like the Bolt EV point to a bright future as well.”

There hasn’t been a set in stone production start date yet. With the introduction of some newer battery technologies and various incentives the countries all over world are providing, the appeal of such a vehicle as the Chevrolet Bolt becomes pretty clear.

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