Purpose

I will try my best to provide detailed info on various cars and what is like to live with them, I have already produced a few for Jaguar-car-forums, I will do my best to be unbiased, but it will be hard for some cars. I will re-produce press releases and copy from other motoring news.
Showing posts with label upgrades. Show all posts
Showing posts with label upgrades. Show all posts

Wednesday, 7 September 2016

Volvo Cars has launched a new Polestar performance package to go on the new S90 and V90 luxury cars.

Polestar has launched the new generation of its performance package for the new Volvo S90 and V90. Known as Polestar Performance Optimisation, the package upgrades the entire drivetrain and further improves driving dynamics.
The S90 and V90 are the latest models launched on SPA, Volvo Cars’ new modular vehicle architecture that will underpin all new cars in Volvo’s 90 and 60 series. After bringing its new performance package to the XC90 last year, Polestar now launches the same upgrades for the other two models in Volvo’s top-of-the-line 90 range.

Rather than simply increasing engine performance, Polestar Performance Optimisation upgrades the entire drivetrain. By improving throttle and off-throttle response, gearshift speed and precision, as well as overall engine performance, the S90 and V90 become even more dynamic and fun to drive.
"We continue to enhance the performance of Volvo’s new, class-leading SPA vehicle architecture and Drive-E powertrains. The S90 and V90 already offer excellent driving dynamics, and we are delighted to raise the performance level even further with Polestar Performance Optimisation," said Niels Möller, COO of Polestar, the Volvo Cars performance brand.
The performance package has been developed in close cooperation with the engineers and racing drivers of Polestar Cyan Racing.
"It is exciting to take the technology we use in our race cars and apply that to Volvo’s road cars. We have created a balanced package that provides performance in all conditions, whether you are winning a race or driving actively on your favourite roads," said Thed Björk, who drives a Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 with Drive-E technology in the FIA World Touring Car Championship.
The first S90/V90 variant available for optimisation is the D5 PowerPulse diesel. The upgrade increases the engine's output from 235 hp and 480 Nm to 240 hp and 500 Nm. The upgrade costs £835.

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

BMW announces a whole host of updates, upgrades, new engines, more power, better kit and more for 2017.

  • New 340hp BMW M140i and BMW 240i M Performance models top BMW 1 and 2 Series ranges.
  • BMW 1 Series and BMW 2 Series now benefit from more powerful, efficient engines.
  • New BMW iPerformance range launched, including new 7 Series PHEV models with up to 29 miles all-electric range.
  • Superior connectivity for the six additional model ranges.
  • New equipment and personalisation options.
BMW is upgrading its product range for the 2017 model year with more efficient, stronger-performing new four- and six-cylinder engines for the BMW 1 and 2 Series, the introduction of a BMW iPerformance range of Plug-in-Hybrid models and improved connectivity systems for several model series.  


Debut of a new six-cylinder 340hp engine: Introducing the BMW M140i and M240i.

The pinnacle of the 2017 BMW 1 Series three-and five-door hatch ranges and the BMW 2 series Coupé and Convertible line-ups are the M Performance models. 

They are powered by a new 3.0-litre straight-six engine also employing TwinPower Turbo technology to develop a power increase of 14hp and torque increase of 50Nm delivering a maximum of 340hp and 500Nm of torque, ensuring instantaneous acceleration across almost the entire rev range.


Acceleration in the BMW M140i is achieved 0.3 seconds quicker than the previous model, the M135i and now has a zero to 62mph time of 4.6 seconds (automatic). 

The BMW M240i Coupé performs the same sprint in the same time with a reduction of 0.2 seconds from the previous M235i Coupé. 

The M240i Convertible goes from rest to 62mph in just 4.7 seconds yet at the same time there is a reduction of up to seven per cent in fuel consumption. 

Official figures for the BMW M140i hatchbacks and M240i Coupé are 36.2mpg (manual) or 39.8mpg (Sports Automatic), with respective CO2 figures of 179g/km and 163g/km. The M240i Convertible is capable of 34.0mpg in manual guise and 38.2mpg as an automatic, while their respective CO2 emissions are 189g/km and 169g/km.

Model
Price
from
OTR
Power
Hp
Torque
Nm
0 – 62mph SecondsTop Speed MphCombined MpgCO2 Emissions g/km
BMW M140i£31,8753405004.8 (4.6)155*36.2 (39.8)179 (163)
BMW M240i Coupé£35,0903405004.8 (4.6)155*36.2 (39.8)179 (163)
BMW M240i Convertible£38,5353405004.9 (4.7)155*34.0 (38.2)189 (169)
*Electronically-limited


This impressive demonstration of high performance mixed with parsimony is the result of painstaking attention to detail with every aspect of the powertrain. The compact size of the Twin Scroll turbocharger makes it extremely efficient, and it is linked to an indirect intercooler. 

The new M Performance models also feature electric wastegate control, a close-coupled catalytic converter, an on-demand cooling pump and map-controlled oil pump, electronic power steering, Auto Stop Start and Brake Energy Regeneration.

The six-speed manual transmission includes an engagement control function which blips the throttle on downshifts for increased smoothness and sportiness. 

The optional eight-speed Sport Automatic gearbox now has a wider spread of ratios to enhance efficiency and is capable of multiple downshifts for greater responsiveness. 

It incorporates Launch Control with a predictive shift strategy, all linked to the navigation system so that the car can extract every last fraction of performance when accelerating from standstill. 

A rev-linked vibration damper enhances smoothness and improves the rich sounds the driver hears, further aided by an acoustic shield beneath the bonnet.

OTR prices for the BMW M140i starts at £31,875, the BMW M240i Coupé costs £35,090 and the Convertible is listed at £38,535.

BMW 1 Series and BMW 2 Series now benefit from more efficient engines.
With the arrival of the 2017 model year BMW 1 Series Sports Hatch and 2 Series Coupé and Convertible, BMW completes the introduction of the highly efficient new Baukasten 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine to all variants in both ranges.

The 2.0-litre engines employ BMW TwinPower Turbo technology incorporating a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct fuel injection and VALVETRONIC and Double VANOS valve control. 

They are available in 20i, 25i and 30i guises, delivering between 6hp and 7hp more than the units they supersede at 184hp, 224hp and 252hp respectively. The introduction of Baukasten engines sees the 20i upgraded to twin exhaust tailpipes.

Model
Price
from
OTR
Power
Hp
Torque
Nm
0 – 62mph SecondsTop Speed MphCombined MpgCO2 Emissions g/km
BMW 120i£23,980184290 (270)7.1143 (140)47.1 (48.7)138 (133)
BMW 125i£28,6102243106.115147.9134
BMW 220i£26,865184290 (270)7.1 (7.2)146 (143)47.1 (48.7)138 (133)
BMW 230i£29,7102523505.8 (5.6)15544.1 (47.9)147 (134)


Acceleration times with the new engines are trimmed and fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions also fall in many models, in some cases by up to 17g/km, with advantages for Benefit-in-Kind taxation and Vehicle Excise Duty.

An eight-speed Sport Automatic transmission becomes standard for the 125i, while on the BMW 2 Series Coupé and Convertible a 230i takes the place of the former 228i.

Prices start at £23,980 OTR for the new BMW 1 Series, £26,865 OTR for the BMW 2 Series Coupé and £29,830 OTR for the Convertible. 

New BMW iPerformance range launched including new 7 Series PHEV models with up to 29 miles all-electric range.
At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show BMW announced a new iPerformance range of electrified fuel-saving, emissions-reducing models. 

They will take technologies developed for BMW i and introduce them into mainstream models, in much the same way as BMW's M Performance employ the design and engineering expertise of BMW M. 

Three of these plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models – the BMW 225xe Active Tourer, BMW 330e saloon and BMW X5 xDrive40e – are already on sale. They are now to be joined by the BMW 740e and 740Le xDrive saloons, all to be sold under the new iPerformance banner.

Externally, iPerformance cars are identifiable only by eDrive badges on the C-pillars, the charging point flap on the nearside front wing and, in some cases, i badges on the front wings. Customers can, however, specify iPerformance exterior styling at no additional cost. This consists of blue slats on the BMW kidney grille and blue alloy wheel hubs. Internally, iPerformance models have eDrive menus in the black panel display and, in most cases, eDrive designation on the door sills.

All iPerformance models benefit from the advanced electronic motors, high-performance lithium-ion batteries and intelligent energy management systems developed by BMW for the all-electric i3 and plug-in hybrid i8.

In the BMW 740e and BMW 740Le xDrive the combination of a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo petrol engine and a synchronised electric motor produces a combined 326hp, with spontaneous delivery and exemplary efficiency. 

They are capable of covering up to 29 miles on electric power alone – sufficient for the majority of urban commutes – while CO2 emissions are between 49 and 56g/km and fuel consumption is from 134.5 to 113mpg.

OTR prices for the BMW 740e and 740Le xDrive start from £68,330 and £74,880 and are available in the Exclusive or M Sport trim.

Superior connectivity for additional six model ranges.
Six additional model ranges now benefit from the latest iDrive interface and enhanced connectivity services. 

Originally introduced on the BMW 7 Series and added to the BMW 6 Series, X3 and X5 in March/April 2016, it will now be available on the BMW 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, X5 and X6 ranges. Incorporated into the BMW Professional media system, the latest iDrive interface and enhanced connectivity provides a simpler menu navigation requiring fewer clicks to move between key sections such as map view, messages, entertainment and media and an increase in RAM to improve performance. 

This new system also allows the wireless integration of selected third party applications from a compatible mobile device.

In addition to the already standard Bluetooth connectivity this can be further enhanced by opting for the new Enhanced Bluetooth which alongside the upgraded BMW Professional Navigation system now includes Wireless Charging, WiFi Hotspot preparation and an additional USB socket. 

The new Enhanced Bluetooth with Wireless Charging is offered as standard on all BMW 6 Series and 7 Series models as well as the M3, M4, X5M and X6M.

Accessing a library of over 30 million tracks available to stream at any time as part of BMW Online Entertainment is now even easier thanks to the new Connected Music feature. This introduces the additional option, when listening to the radio, of recognising the track, artist or album. 

The listener can then search for and stream other music by that artist or music of the same genre.

New equipment and personalisation options.

BMW pioneered the idea of the personalised car, and now takes it a step further with the 2017 model year versions.

Black Dakota leather upholstery with blue contrast stitching becomes an option on all BMW 3 and 4 Series M Sport models, and Venetian Beige Dakota leather upholstery contrasting with the black interior carpets for an elegant appearance is offered on the BMW 3 and 4 Series cars. 

For the BMW X5 and X6, the tilting monitors with the optional DVD and MP3 rear seat entertainment system have been increased in size from 9.2 to 10.2 inches, with higher resolution, while the DVD player is now compatible with BluRay and features an HDMI input to connect external devices.

An M Sport version of the BMW 225xe Active Tourer Plug-in-Hybrid has been introduced at £34,405 OTR before Government Plug-in Car grant. There are revised colour options for several models.

A BMW Individual leather steering wheel becomes standard on all BMW 3 and 4 Series Luxury models; there is a new Exclusive trim level available for the 7 Series models, while Executive Lounge seating and Executive Lounge package is available on long-wheelbase versions. In addition to this, the 7 Series Executive package has been renamed the Premium package which now includes Climate Comfort laminated windows and windscreen.

Finally, there is a new M Sport Plus package available on various models including the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, the X5 and the BMW X6. 

This package includes the Harman/kardon Loudspeaker system and sun protection glass across all three models, 20-inch light alloy M Double-spoke style 303M on the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and 20-inch light alloy M Double-spoke style 469M on the BMW X5 and BMW X6. The pack also includes Head-up Display and a Speed-limit display for both the BMW X5 and BMW X6.

Friday, 19 February 2016

Upgrade from five to seven seats for free on Nissan X-Trail & N-Connecta grade and lower entry-level price on Pulsar.

  • Upgrade from five to seven seats for free on Nissan X-Trail with special customer offer until end of March
  • N-Connecta grade and lower entry-level price in latest line-up changes for Nissan Pulsar
NISSAN X-TRAIL 7-SEAT UPGRADE OFFER
Until the end of March (31st), buyers of Nissan’s adventurous X-Trail crossover can upgrade from five to seven seats free of charge – a saving of £900. The deal is available to both Private and Business buyers and applies to all grades and engines of X-Trail, including 2WD and 4WD models.

Buyers can choose from the powerful yet frugal dCi 130 diesel or the recently added 1.6-litre DIG-T 163 petrol engines – both delivering an optimum balance of fuel economy with excellent refinement at all speeds. Class-leading interior space and equipment levels complete the desirable package.
Priced from £21,995 OTR, the Nissan X-Trail is currently available from just £109 a month with 2 years 0% APR on PCP, minimum 25% deposit, including free servicing.
NISSAN PULSAR LINE-UP CHANGES
Following the addition of N-Connecta to Juke and Qashqai, Nissan’s Pulsar is the latest model to carry the new trim grade.
The N-Connecta grade on Pulsar will be a direct replacement for the existing n-tec model, which will close to ordering once supply runs out.
Making Pulsar ownership even more accessible, a new entry-level price for the Visia DIG-T 115 Manual is now just £13,995, representing a £2,000 customer saving versus the previous price.
Current retail offers on the Nissan Pulsar include the Visia DIG-T 115 Manual from just £99 a month and 0% APR on PCP with minimum 25% deposit.
The Pulsar range is also now available with grade-specific optional extras, which add a greater level of choice and premium personalisation to the Pulsar range. In line with the launch of these option packs, the Pulsar line up has been revised to offer the best value to customers.