William Maley

Despite the diesel scandal that has engulfed Volkswagen, the fuel is still going strong in Europe. But that could be changing with stricter emission standards coming and regulators starting to keep a keen eye on automakers. Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson believes with these changes, many automakers will switch from diesel to hybrid vehicles. “It is a very attractive alternative to a diesel engine. It offers much lower CO2 levels but more or less the same performance in both horsepower and torque. On cost, I would say that within a couple of years we will see a crossover, the diesel getting more expensive and the [hybrid system] going down,” said Samuelsson. “Diesels will be more expensive, they will have much more advanced after-treatment with additional fluids that have to be filled not once a year, but probably every time you refuel the car.” Volvo has one hybrid system in the form of the T8 Twin-Engine found in the 90 Series (S90, V90, and XC90), and recently introduced the T5 Twin-Engine that will be used in the upcoming 40 Series. While fuel economy and emission figures still need to be worked on the T5, Car and Driver were told the T5 Twin-Engine would achieve fuel economy figures similar to a comparable diesel and 95 g/km of CO2. But that doesn't mean Volvo will not be building diesel vehicles in the near future. “I think that it’s very realistic that the percentage will go down. If it will go down to zero, I think we don’t need to speculate—let the future decide, let customers decide. We are flexible enough that we can make petrol and diesels on the same line, basically,” said Samuelsson. Source: Car and Driver View full article

Genesis is still in the process of building itself out, but they have revealed that there will be an electric vehicle from them in the future. "We will definitely go as Genesis brand down the road of alternative propulsions and it is very, very obvious that EV is definitely on the map," said Genesis Senior Vice President Manfred Fitzgerald at the Busan Auto Show in South Korea. "I think full electric cars will be the future in the auto industry." Fitzgerald didn't elaborate on what could the EV look like or a possible release date. But we do know that Hyundai is working on a 250 mile EV for 2020, possibly giving a base for a Genesis model. We also know that this EV won't be appearing till after 2020 thanks to a leaked roadmap showing off Genesis' planned lineup. There is no EV on the map, leading us to believe it will come down the road. Source: Reuters View full article

The Ford Focus RS is already a potent hot hatch with 350 rampaging horses coming from a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder and can hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. But Ford believes they can go faster. Australian outlet Motor reports that Ford is considering building an even quicker Focus RS. Sources at the blue oval say a hardcore version of the RS is being looked. Now, the 2.3L is operating close to its maximum output. So how does Ford plan on making the RS quicker? By adding lightness with stripping the interior down to the essentials, removing sound deading, and using lighter materials - polycarbonate windows, carbonfiber-reinforced plastic bodywork, and aluminum suspension parts. Motor speculates this will drop 100 kg (about 220 lbs) from the vehicle. Also on the table is a new front bumper and additional vents to improve cooling, a limited-slip differential for the front, and possibly a dual-clutch transmission. Before Ford makes a final decision on whether to go further or not with the RS, they'll be watching demand for the standard model. Source: Motor View full article

I think you just described every single enthusiast argument that I have witnessed.

Tonight in Ingolstadt, Audi revealed the new 2017 A5 and S5 coupes. You might look and wonder what's different about the new model compared to old - it looks the same. We can't fault you for thinking that. The only real change that most people will be able to pick out is the slightly wider grille up front. Audi has improved the overall aerodynamics with a class-leading 0.25 drag coefficient. At least the interior does reveal some significant changes. Much like the A4, the A5 gets a new dash design with minimal clutter and an 8.3-inch screen. Audi's 12.3-inch virtual cockpit system is available. The A5 will also be the first Audi model to feature the automaker's connect SIM, a SIM card that permanently installed in the vehicle to an provide LTE data connection. For Europe, the A5 will be offered with two gas and three diesel engines. Power ranges from 190 to 286 horsepower. There will be the choice of either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic, along with front or quattro all-wheel drive. The S5 features a new 3.0L supercharged V6 with 354 horsepower, up 21 horsepower from the previous model. An eight-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive comes standard. Despite a longer wheelbase and wider tracks, Audi says the new A5 is about 132.5 pounds lighter than the outgoing model. Audi is planning to launch the A5 coupe later this year in Europe, with the U.S. following sometime after. Expect to see the convertible and sportback later on. Source: Audi Press Release is on Page 2 Sporty elegance – the new Audi A5 and S5 Coupé World premiere: New design highlight from Ingolstadt Powerful six-cylinder engines for more driving pleasure and efficiency High tech interior with Audi virtual cockpit and Audi connect Audi revolutionized its mid-size class in 2007 with the A5. The Ingolstadt-based carmaker created a work of art that took fans around the world by storm. Nine years later marks the launch of the second generation – with a new, honed look and high tech everywhere. The new generation of the A5 Coupé* is athletic, sporty and elegant. Its design goes hand in hand with sophisticated aerodynamics. Under the skin the A5 impresses with an all-new chassis, powerful engines, and innovative infotainment features and driver assistance systems. How do you make a design masterpiece even more beautiful? Audi designers have been pondering this question for years. The results are impressive: The new Audi A5 Coupé* sports a fresh, modern and honed look. It is nevertheless true to its DNA with the sporty and elegant character being passed down to the new version. The best example is the now three-dimensional wave-shaped shoulder line that already characterized the previous model. The precisely sweeping line with pronounced bulges over the wheel arches emphasizes all four wheels – a cue to the quattro all-wheel drive. The perfectly balanced proportions with a long engine hood, the stretched wheelbase and short overhangs underscore the sportiness of the new A5 Coupé. The sculpted Singleframe grille is significantly flatter and wider than in the previous model. The LED rear lights and optional LED or Matrix LED headlights with dynamic turn signals make high-end technology visible even after dark. Engines The new Audi A5 Coupé* will launch in Germany with five engines: two TFSI and three TDI units. Their power output has increased considerably and is now between 140 kW (190 hp) and 210 kW (286 hp). Compared with the previous model, they offer up to 17 percent more performance while consuming as much as 22 percent less fuel. All the engines combine high efficiency with sporty power development and smooth running – especially the two 3.0 TDI six-cylinder engines. With its newly developed 3.0 TFSI, the Audi S5 Coupé* is now in a league of its own. The turbo V6 exhibits highly efficient, sports car-like performance. From its 2,995 cc of displacement, the boosted six-cylinder engine produces 260 kW (354 hp) of power, which is 15 kW (21 hp) more than the engine in the previous model. Drivetrain The new Audi A5 Coupé* comes with a drivetrain solution tailor-made for each engine variant. The manual six-speed gearbox and the seven-speed S tronic are used with the four-cylinder engines as well as the 160 kW (218 hp) 3.0 TDI with front- or all-wheel drive. The eight-speed tiptronic is reserved for the top diesel with 210 kW (286 hp) and the S5 engine*. Both engines come standard with quattro all-wheel drive. Audi also offers the optional rear-axle sport differential for even more dynamic driving and precision. The new quattro with ultra technology is also available for the first time. At the moment it can be combined with the four-cylinder TFSI and TDI engines with manual transmission. Optimized for efficiency, the drive system does not exhibit any perceptible differences to permanent systems in terms of traction and driving dynamics. Chassis The all-new chassis is among the strengths of the Audi A5 Coupé*. It offers the driver optimal comfort combined with a high degree of agility. The A5 thus handles narrow, winding mountain roads and long trips on the Autobahn with equal aplomb. Audi offers a suspension with damper control as an option. This is integrated into the dynamic handling system known as Audi drive select, which enables the driver to modify the basic characteristic in multiple steps. The electromechanical power steering is also a new development from Audi. It adapts according to the vehicle’s current speed and provides highly precise road feedback. Optionally available is the dynamic steering, which varies its gear ratio depending on the speed and steering angle. Body The Audi A5 Coupé* is significantly more efficient than its predecessor. This is due in large part to a reduction in weight as well as sophisticated aerodynamics. The engineers were able to trim the curb weight by as much as 60 kilograms (132.3 lb). The body is the lightest in the competitive field thanks to an intelligent mix of materials and lightweight design. With a drag coefficient of 0.25, the A5 Coupé is also the segment leader with respect to aerodynamics. Interior The interior benefits from the increased dimensions and longer wheelbase. Space for driver and passengers is more generous. The horizontal architecture of the instrument panel and the continuous air vent strip create a wide sense of space. As is typical for Audi, interior build quality is uncompromisingly high. High-quality materials in a wide range of colors provide for a particularly pleasant ambiance and underscore the premium character of the mid-sized model. Optional ambient lighting highlights the interior with a choice of 30 adjustable shades. The new A5 Coupé* also redefines the class benchmark for aeroacoustics. The acoustic comfort is almost that of a luxury class model. The luggage compartment offers a volume of 465 liters (16.4 cu ft), 10 liters (0.4 cu ft) more than with the previous model. The rear seat has a 40:20:40 split and can be easily folded forward using levers in the luggage compartment. Audi also offers the two-door coupé with optional gesture control for opening the luggage compartment lid via a foot motion. The optional trailer hitch is electrically released at the press of a button. Display and controls The A5 Coupé* is now available for the first time with the optional Audi virtual cockpit, a 12.3-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1,440 x 540 pixels. Together with the MMI navigation plus including 8.3-inch monitor on the center console, it forms the central information unit. The focal point of the MMI terminal is the round rotary pushbutton. Its surface is home to the touch-sensitive touchpad. The touchpad is used to input characters and also for multifinger gestures, enabling the driver to zoom in on the map, for example. The whole MMI control logic is similar to that of a smartphone, including the intelligent free text search function. The new, more natural voice control system can recognize input made using everyday language, such as: “I would like to call Peter.” Infotainment and Audi connect Customers choosing MMI navigation plus automatically also get the hardware module Audi connect and the new Audi connect SIM, a SIM card permanently installed in the car. The new Audi A5 Coupé* uses this to connect to the Internet via the ultrafast LTE network. Use of the versatile Audi connect services is free of charge of three years, both in Germany and in most European countries. The respective national provider is selected automatically as needed. Independent of the integrated Audi connect services, customers can also purchase optional data packages for individual Internet use using the Wi-Fi hotspot. This allows all passengers to surf the Web and send/receive email with up to eight mobile devices at attractive rates. The A5 can also be equipped with the optional Audi connect safety & service package. This includes such functions as an automatic emergency call in the event of an accident, online roadside assistance and Audi service request as well as remote functions that can be used with the MMI connect app on a smartphone, smartwatch or – in conjunction with the fourth generation Apple TV – from a television. Examples include locking and unlocking the car, checking where the car is parked and calling up the vehicle status. With the Audi smartphone interface, Apple Car Play and Android Auto bring the familiar smartphone environment to the car, if desired. The optional Audi phone box with wireless charging in the center armrest uses near-field coupling to link smartphones wirelessly to the vehicle’s antenna and enables inductive charging according to the Qi standard. For very discerning hi-fi fans, the Bang & Olufsen sound system with its innovative 3D sound is available as an option. Driver assistance systems An intelligent combination of different technologies enhances the safety, comfort and efficiency of the new Audi A5 Coupé*. At the same time, Audi is also taking the next step toward piloted driving. The broad choice of innovative driver assistance systems sets standards in the segment. Compared with the previous model, nearly all of the systems are either completely new or have been extensively updated. The predictive efficiency assistant helps the driver save fuel, Audi active lane assist helps keep the car on track in the driving lane, and the Stop&Go adaptive cruise control including traffic jam assist offers the driver relief in slow-moving traffic. New and important safety features include the park assist, cross traffic assist rear, exit warning, collision avoidance assist and turn assist as well as the Audi pre sense systems. Camera-based recognition of traffic signs rounds out the lineup. The new Audi A5 Coupé will launch in Germany and additional European countries in fall 2016. Compared with the previous model, the list of standard equipment is even more generous. Among the features included are xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights, LED interior lights, the Audi MMI radio plus with 7-inch MMI color display, Bluetooth and USB charging function, the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel (including shift paddles in models with automatic transmission), height-adjustable belt feeds, the Audi drive select dynamic handling system and Audi pre sense city. New trim lines provide numerous customization opportunities, for both the interior and the exterior. Besides the base model, there are also the sport and design lines. The S line sport package and the Audi design selection are available for sophisticated customization, particularly for the interior. Audi offers the S line exterior package for a particularly dynamic appearance. The Audi S5 Coupé From 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.7 seconds. The new Audi S5 Coupé* combines dramatic elegance with the performance of a sports car. Its newly developed, turbocharged V6 engine produces 260 kW (354 hp) and consumes just 7.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (32.2 US mpg). The sharper S exterior design and the S-specific details in the interior underscore the dynamic character of the Audi two-door sports coupé. View full article