GENEVA - The new Audi RS 5 Coupe quattro gets its first outing at the best show of the year.

BITURBO V6 TFSI POWERS NEW LIGHTER, FASTER AUDI PERFORMANCE BENCHMARK

• All-new 2.9 TFSI with 450PS and 600Nm of torque from 1,900 – 5,000rpm
• 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds –more than half a second quicker than its predecessor
• The first Audi Sport model to introduce the new design idiom
• Virtual cockpit with RS-specific displays available
• Standard 155mph top speed can be increased up to 174mph
• Combined 32.5mpg - a 17 percent improvement - and 197g/km of CO2 
• quattro all-wheel drive, wheel selective torque control and Audi drive select as standard
• Overall weight reduction of up to 60kg
• Optional carbon fibre roof and fully milled wheels
• RS sport exhaust system and sport differential also available
• State-of-the-art driver assistance, safety and connectivity systems
• Ordering anticipated to open in May with first deliveries due in summer

Reaffirming its status as the indisputable head of the A5 pack and a cornerstone of the Audi Sport stable, the all-new RS 5 Coupé makes its world debut at the 87th annual Geneva Motor Show this week, delivering phenomenal pace from its brand new V6 biturbo TFSI, a lighter overall weight and a healthy hike in torque. 

The very latest in Vorsprung durch Technik is also comes to the fore, from the cutting-edge driver assistance and connectivity systems to the even more comprehensive specification as standard. 

Ordering for the 450PS, sub-four second gran turismo is expected to open from May this year, ahead of first examples reaching UK roads this summer.

“The new Audi RS 5 Coupé is the gran turismo among the RS models from Audi Sport. The high-performance Coupé combines elegant aesthetics with high everyday usability.

The car’s V6 biturbo has been developed from the ground up and provides significantly more performance coupled with higher efficiency,” said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH, in describing the new model.

The RS 5 Coupé is also the first car to bear the new Audi  RS design idiom that will be introduced to the Audi Sport range. The designers drew inspiration for the RS 5 Coupé from the distinctive racing details of the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO. Massive air inlets with the honeycomb structure typical of RS models characterise the front end of the new Audi RS 5 Coupé. The Singleframe radiator grille is much wider and flatter than in the base model. Next to the headlights are additional lateral air intakes and outlets; tinted bezels differentiate the optional Matrix LED headlights. quattro blisters on the flanks emphasise the pronounced bulges over the wheel arches, which have been widened by 15 millimetres.

Appropriately purposeful accents are provided by the RS-specific diffuser insert, the oval tailpipes of the RS exhaust system and surface-mounted spoiler lip. The RS 5 Coupé rolls as standard on 19-inch wheels, with 20-inch wheels available as an option. Gloss black, carbon and matt aluminium packages provide even more customisation options. With a length of 4,723 millimetres, the new Audi RS 5 Coupé is 74 millimetres longer than the previous model.

Packing a mighty punch, the car’s all-new 2.9 TFSI biturbo engine produces 450PS and delivers 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque, with a charismatic soundtrack that is reminiscent of the V6 TFSI housed in the original B5 RS 4. Developed from the ground up, it offers sharp increases in power and efficiency as well as an incomparably full-bodied RS sound. It produces 450PS and peak torque of 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) – up 170 Nm (125.4 lb-ft) from the previous model – is available across a wide band from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. The top model in the A5 family sprints from 0 to 62mph in 3.9 seconds and with the optional dynamic package reaches a top speed of 174mph.

Two turbochargers are positioned centrally between the cylinder banks of the 2.9 TFSI unit. The ingested air flows to the respective turbocharger and into the combustion chambers through a dual-branch system for spontaneous response.

The B-cycle combustion process with central direct injection represents a new level of efficiency among the RS models. The shortened compression stroke used here enables an engine process with a significantly higher geometric compression ratio. Combined with a power stroke that, while normal, is longer relative to the compression stroke, this allows for more efficient combustion and increased engine efficiency.

According to the NEDC, the V6 biturbo is capable of up to 32.5mpg combined, corresponding to 197 grams CO₂per km – an efficiency gain of 17 percent over the previous model. Another factor in the greater efficiency of the new RS 5 Coupé is its significantly lower weight. It tips the scales at 1,655 kilograms, 60 kilograms less than before. A carbon roof with a visible fibre structure is available as an option.

The biturbo’s power flows through a dynamically-tuned, eight-speed tiptronic with optimised shift times to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The drive forces are distributed asymmetrically to the axles (40:60) to guarantee dynamic handling with optimal traction and the greatest possible safety. Audi Sport also offers a rear sport differential.

An updated five-link construction is used on the front axle. At the rear, a five-link suspension replaces the trapezoidal-link suspension used on the previous model, benefiting the deft driving characteristics and agility. It also improves comfort significantly. With the standard RS sport suspension, the new Audi RS 5 Coupé sits much lower than the production model.

Audi Sport also offers the RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), ceramic brakes and dynamic steering with RS-specific tuning. Drivers can make their personal driving experience more individual, dynamic or comfortable using the standard Audi drive select system.

Bathed in black, the interior of the new Audi RS 5 Coupé is extremely upscale and lavishly appointed. Details such as RS sport seats with optional diamond stitching in Fine Nappa leather and the flat-bottomed RS multifunction sport steering wheel underscore the character of the high-performance coupe in the interior as well. RS logos adorn the seats, steering wheel, door sill trims and the selector lever.

Special RS displays in the Audi virtual cockpit provide information on tyre pressure, torque and g-forces. A shift light prompts the driver to upshift upon reaching the rev limit. The RS design package uses red as a vibrant contrasting colour. Package highlights are the steering wheel, selector lever and knee pads in Alcantara plus seat belts contoured in red and floor mats with the RS emblem. Audi Sport offers Sonoma green metallic as an exclusive paint finish for the RS 5 Coupé.

A comprehensive range of infotainment choices is sure to keep everyone on board entertained. The optional MMI navigation plus with MMI touch includes the hardware module Audi connect, which connects the new RS 5 Coupé to the internet via LTE. Thanks to the Audi connect SIM, which is permanently installed in the car, the flat rate data package for the connect services including Europe-wide roaming is free of charge for three years. Passengers can go online with their mobile devices via the Wi-Fi hotspot option. The Audi smartphone interface uses Apple Car Play and Android Auto to make selected apps available in a separate MMI menu. Control is easy and intuitive, thanks to natural language voice control, free text search and the multifunction steering wheel.

The touchpad in the centre console is used to zoom, scroll and enter characters. Further high-end technologies, such as the head-up display and as many as 30 driver assistance systems enhance safety, comfort and efficiency. The intelligent interplay between these systems represents another step on the road to piloted driving.

Over 13,000 units of the first-generation Audi RS 5 Coupé have been delivered to customers since 2010.

GENEVA - The all New Hyundai i30 Tourer gets it's World Premiere this week.

• New Tourer body style will be the next member in the i30 family, following launch of five-door
• Timeless design of i30 is enhanced by versatile and elegant form of wagon
• The New Generation i30 Tourer will celebrate its world premiere at Geneva International Motor Show 2017 during the Hyundai press conference (8:15 am CET, 7 March 2017)

This year’s Geneva International Motor Show is the stage for the unveiling of the New Generation Hyundai i30 Tourer. The new member of the i30 family maintains the timeless design of its five-door sibling, adding elegance and versatility in its body style.

“Designed, developed, tested and manufactured in Europe, the New Generation Hyundai i30 is Hyundai Motor’s DNA car in Europe,” says Thomas A. Schmid, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor Europe. 

“The i30 is more than just a model – it is a family of cars, consisting of four body types with unique characters united by a coherent, timeless design. With the new i30 Tourer we are now introducing the next body type, offering elegance and versatility for everyone.”

“The New Generation i30 Tourer speaks the language of the i30 family in terms of design, and it carries the new Hyundai family identity – the Cascading Grille,” explains Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Design Centre Europe. “The tapering roofline and the dynamic proportions give the Tourer an almost coupé-like silhouette. The sleek and dynamic profile is further emphasised by a rich chrome frame surrounding the side windows.”

In combination with the full-LED headlamps and the vertical LED daytime running lights, the New Generation i30 Tourer has a strong visual presence.

High versatility with one of the biggest boots in the segment

The i30 Tourer’s sleek design does not compromise boot space: with 602 litres of space (VDA 211) and 1,650 litres (VDA 214) with the seats folded, it has one of the biggest boots in the segment. Versatility is further enhanced by the additional storage space beneath the boot floor with several compartments.

The overall length of the Tourer is 4,585 mm (5-door version: 4,340 mm), the height is 1,465 mm (1,475 mm with roof rack). The overall width of 1,795 mm and wheelbase of 2,650 mm are the same as the five-door version.

Best-in-class standard safety package

Hyundai Motor democratises technology by offering latest active safety and connectivity features for the New Generation i30 Tourer. The i30 offers best-in-class standard active safety with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Assist and Lane Keeping Assist System always on board.

Using camera sensors, the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) fitted in the i30 operates in three stages. Initially warning the driver visually and acoustically, it controls the brake according to the collision danger stage, and applies maximum braking force to avoid a collision or minimise damage when a collision is unavoidable. The optional pedestrian recognition uses a front radar and avoids or mitigates the consequence of an impact with a pedestrian.

Driver Attention Alert (DAA) is a driver protection feature which helps monitor driving patterns in order to detect fatigued driving and prevent potential accidents.

Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC) keeps a constant speed and distance from the vehicle ahead by automatically accelerating and braking up to 180 km/h. If the traffic comes to a halt, the system applies the brake until the car comes to a standstill and accelerates to the desired speed as soon as the road is clear.

The Blind Spot Detector (BSD) with Lane Change Assist monitors the rear corners and, if another vehicle is detected, a visual alert appears on the exterior mirrors.

The Rear-Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system reduces the risk of collision with approaching traffic when reversing out of narrow areas with low visibility by alerting the driver visually and acoustically.

The Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) alerts the driver of unsafe movements at over 60 km/h by sensing the car’s position. It warns the driver before inducing corrective steering to guide the driver back to a safe position.

The Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF) identifies road speed signs and displays the speed limit in real time. The information is shown both in the navigation system display as well as in the TFT cluster.

A High Beam Assist (HBA) detects both oncoming vehicles and vehicles in the same lane ahead at night and changes to low-beam as appropriate, reducing blinding effects on other drivers. Whenever there are no vehicles detected HBA automatically re-activates the high beams, maximising the driver’s range of vision.

Smart and connected

The i30 Tourer offers customers a spacious and elegant interior with a horizontal layout and free floating screen for the infotainment system. 

The eight-inch touch screen of the new generation navigation system offers state-of-the-art connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and LIVE Services. 

A wireless charging system for smartphones with the Qi standard is available as well. As an alternative, customers can choose between different audio options, including the audio system with a five-inch capacitive LCD touch screen with integrated dynamic rear-view camera, Bluetooth connectivity and My Music functionality.

Dynamic and efficient powertrains

The powertrain line-up of the i30 Tourer consists of downsized turbocharged engines to enhance efficiency and responsiveness (preliminary fuel consumption in l/100 km for the Hyundai i30 Tourer range: combined 5.8 – 3.6 l/100km, CO₂ Emissions 135– 95 g/km*). 

Customers can choose from two petrol engines and one 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine with 110PS. The Tourer is available with Hyundai’s all-new turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, the 1.4 T-GDI delivers maximum power of 140 PS and the new three-cylinder 1.0 T-GDI that delivers maximum power of 120 PS.

Driving dynamics

The engineers of Hyundai Motor Europe’s Technical Centre in Germany enhanced the driving dynamics of the New Generation i30 in a rigorous testing programme throughout Europe and on the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife. 

The highly rigid and light body with 53 % Advanced High Strength Steel provides the basis for good ride and handling characteristics, and the fact that it is combined with 10 % more direct steering and a newly developed chassis means the driver can enjoy dynamic driving together with high levels of comfort.

Made in Europe

Designed in Hyundai Motor Europe’s Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, produced in Nošovice, Czech Republic, and tested on the Nürburgring, the third generation i30 family is built on the infrastructure that Hyundai Motor has developed over the last 25 years in Europe. 

It aims to continue the success of the two previous generations of i30, which have sold more than 800,000 cars in Europe since 2008.

*Official combined cycle test –All values are tentative and not homologated yet, hence subject to changes.

jaguar up in February and Land ROver again, Down, seems like the F-Pace is taking sales from Land Rover.

	Feb	% increase YOY	Jan – Feb	% increase YOY
Jaguar Land Rover	40,978	9%	88,671	6%
Jaguar	12,203	81%	26,152	78%
Land Rover	28,775	(6%)	62,519	(9%)

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK's leading manufacturer of premium luxury vehicles today reported its best ever February retail sales of 40,978 vehicles, up 9% on February 2016, thanks to strong sales performances in China and North America. 

The company sold 88,671 vehicles in the first two months of 2016, 6% up on the same period in the prior year.

Retail sales for the month of February were up year-on-year across many key regions: 40% in China, 16% in North America and 14% in the UK. Europe and other Overseas markets were down 2% and 7% respectively year-on-year.

Commenting on the performance, Andy Goss, Jaguar Land Rover Group Sales Operations Director said:  “I am delighted to see another historic month of sales, thanks in large part to impressive performances in China and North America as well as continued customer demand for the Jaguar F-PACE and Discovery Sport.

“The all-new Land Rover Discovery went on sale in February and the already strong demand makes us optimistic that it will more than outweigh sales of the previous model.”

Jaguar had its best February performance, delivering 12,203 vehicles, up 81% on the previous year, due to continued solid sales of the XE (3,309 vehicles) and the all-new F-PACE (5,323 vehicles). China recorded outstanding year-on-year growth of 118%.

Land Rover retailed 28,775 vehicles in the month, down 6% year-on-year. Best-sellers for the month were the Discovery Sport, retailing 8,357 vehicles, the Range Rover Evoque, retailing 7,806 vehicles and the Range Rover, with retails of 4,790 in the month. Sales have now begun for the all-new Discovery and this month Land Rover launched a new addition to the Range Rover family, the Velar.

The new Honda Civic Type R gets its Public reveal at Geneva this week.

• Engineered to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot hatch segment
• Optimised and refined 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO with an output of 320 PS and 400Nm of torque
• New Type R further refines sporty dynamics of new Civic hatchback heightening driving performance
• Sales to begin summer 2017
• To be built in Swindon, UK, for markets worldwide, including Japan and USA

Honda has revealed the all-new Civic Type R at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, ahead of the model’s European launch in the summer. The new car builds on Honda’s heritage in developing high-performance hatchbacks, and represents the segment’s ultimate expression of dynamic purity.

Sharing the same fundamentals as the new Civic hatchback, the new Type R has been engineered from the ground up to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot-hatch segment – both on road and on the race track.

Revised 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO engine and 6-speed manual transmission

The 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO ‘heart’ of the multi-award-winning previous generation Type R has been optimised and refined and now produces 320 PS with peak torque of 400 Nm. Throttle response and driveability have improved thanks to optimised engine control settings.

The smooth and precise six-speed manual transmission is further improved by a rev match control system, ensuring no compromise in the Type R’s intimate, rewarding connection with the driver.

A stiffer chassis and revised suspension

The new Type R takes the lighter, more rigid body shell of the new Civic hatchback and adds further use of adhesive in key areas. Compared to the previous Type R, torsional rigidity is further improved by 38%.

The front Macpherson strut suspension of the standard hatchback is revised with new geometry to minimise torque steer and maximise sporty handling. At the rear, the new independent multi-link system of the standard car is improved with the use of unique high rigidity suspension arms.

Enhanced driving modes

An enhanced selection of driving modes give the car greater usability compared to the previous Type R. A new ‘Comfort’ setting sits alongside agile ‘Sport’ and track-focused ‘+R’ modes. Each selection tailors the adaptive dampers, steering force, gear shift feeling and throttle response of the car on demand.

Refined aerodynamics for high-speed stability

The all-new Type R has a more comprehensive aerodynamic package than the previous model, including a smoother underbody, front air curtain, a lightweight rear wing and vortex generators at the trailing edge of the roof line. The muscular, aggressive body has a best-in-class balance between lift and drag, contributing to greater high speed stability.

Produced in Europe, exported to major markets worldwide

Production of the new Civic Type R is anticipated to start in summer 2017 at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) in Swindon – the global manufacturing hub for the 10th generation Civic hatchback.

The Type R will be exported across Europe and to other markets around the world, including Japan and the US. Its arrival in North America will mark the first time that any Honda-badged Type R has been officially sold there.