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[extract] Sometimes, a product is so good that it is destined to make it to production. An example is Bengawan Solo cake shop, which started off in a little home kitchen in a HDB flat and the pastries are now mass produced in a factory at Woodlands. Coming back to the world of automobile, the Lexus LF-LC concept, like Bengawan Solo pastries, might eventually make it to a production line. This is due to the overwhelming popularity that the dramatic concept received. It was honored with the

[extract] Singapore has our

[extract] The Czech automaker, part of the VW Group, has unveiled its new company logo along with the Skoda VisionD Concept and a new corporate design paradigm on the eve of the Geneva auto show. The Skoda VisionD Concept and the new corporate design is a preview to the future direction that Skoda wants to take with its design language and types of vehicle it wants to build. The concept features a long wheelbase with short overhangs, clearly aiming for practicality and generous cabin space. The rear brake lamp resembles the

[extract] 10 years ago, the sedan range of German automaker Audi was simply the A4, A6 and A8. In recent years, it has expanded to include the A5 sportback and A7. If that is not enough, Audi will unveil the A3 sedan concept at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The sketch above refers. The concept model measures 4.44 meters (length) by 1.84 meters (width) by 1.39 meters (height). The length of the concept car is approximately that of an A4 two generations ago. This brings the question - Is there a need to grow the A4 so much (current generation stands at 4.7m in length) that a smaller sedan needs to be built to satisfy the market that it vacated? This is a waste of company

BRABUS has revealed its exclusive tuning program for the second generation Mercedes CLS-Class. Making its world debut at the Geneva Motorshow, the wind tunnel tested kit features a front spoiler mounted to the OE front bumper, restyled air vent with fitted LED daytime running and sport fenders with side gills. The rear end gets a spoiler and a custom fitted lower rear bumper apron to accommodate the four tailpipes of the BRABUS sport exhaust system. The rear update is rounded out with a centrally mounted reflector. Suspension tuning is available at several levels from a set of height lowering sport spring (by 30mm) to a complete suspension upgrade with adjustable dampers all around. CLS models equipped with the semi-active AIRMATIC air suspension system can be lowered by some 35 millimeters with the BRABUS suspension module. BRABUS Monoblock wheels are available in sizes ranging from 8.5Jx17 to 10.5Jx20 in six different designs. Moving on to the performance upgrades, the CLS 250 CDI BlueEfficiency model equipped with BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D4 performance kit delivers an additional 31 bhp with a peak torque of 560 Nm. For the CLS 350 CDI BlueEfficiency, BRABUS offers the ECO PowerXtra D6S plug-and-play auxiliary control unit which can be installed in less than 45 minutes. In 'Eco' mode, only peak torque is increased from 620Nm to 690Nm between 1600 to 2400 rpm while maximum power output remains unchanged. In 'Sport' mode, power output is increased to 309bhp @ 3600rpm, in addition to the increased torque. In this setting, the CLS 350 CDI performs the century sprint in just 5.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show will mark the return of the Cabriolet nameplate to the Golf range after an almost decade-long hiatus. Based on the underpinnings of the latest generation Golf hatchback, the two-door four-seater features a soft top with an electro-hydraulic drive that can be raised or lowered in only 9.5 seconds. The process can also be performed during driving at speeds of up to 30 km/h. The exterior styling is similar to the three-door Golf Mk6 but the Cabriolet features lower profile roof line and a more slanted front windscreen frame. The Golf Cabriolet measures 4,215 mm in length, 1,424 mm in height and 1,779 mm in width, making it 208mm shorter than the Eos hardtop convertible. However, the two models share a 2,578 mm wheelbase, resulting in the same interior space for all four passengers. According to Volkswagen, with the roof down, the Cabriolet offers 250 litres of boot space. In Europe, the convertible version of the Golf will be available with a choice of six turbocharged direct-injection engines whose power outputs range from 105HP to 210HP. These include four petrols (1.2-litre TSI 105HP, 1.4-litre TSI 122HP, 1.4-liter TSI 160HP and 2.0-liter TSI 210HP), and two diesels (1.6-liter TDI 105HP and 2.0-liter TDI 140HP). The most fuel efficient version is the 1.6 TDI, benefiting from BlueMotion Technology. It consumes only 4.4 litres of fuel per 100 km. [center[ [/center]

German manufacturer Audi has initiated the plans to end production of the current RS6 model, the most powerful creature on the battlefield, at the end of the third quarter of 2010. The model will undoubtedly make its market return in a couple of years since the next-generation Audi A6 is scheduled to debut sometime early next year, most likely at the Geneva Motor Show. The next RS6 will follow shortly. Available as an estate and saloon, the current generation Audi RS6 is powered by an all-aluminum alloy 4,991 cc V10 engine that uses twin-turbocharging and FSI direct fuel injection that delivers 579 hp between 6,250 rpm and 6,700 rpm and a maximum torque of 650 Nm between 1,500 rpm and 6,250 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and to 200 km/h in 12.7 seconds. The car entered production in April 2008 and instantly hit the showroom floors.

Those waiting for a high performance variant of the sexy A5 will have to wait no more. The RS5 is set to make its debut at the Geneva Motorshow in about 2 weeks' time but images from its brochure have already made their way onto the web. Information from the brochure reveals three types of seating and four wheel design choices. Audi's 7-speed dual clutch S-tronic transmission seems to be the only choice available as there was no mention of a manual option. Availability of a flat-bottom steering wheel is also not stated in the brochure. The RS5 Coupe makes use of a revised version of the firm's 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine found in the previous RS4 and the current R8 Coupe. In the RS5, the tweaked V8 engine delivers a maximum output of 450 hp at 8,250 rpm and 430Nm of peak torque between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. This helps to propel the coupe from 0 to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds and achieving an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Before we see the RS5 in flesh, let's savor the seductive images of this super car

Along with the Bluemotion and GTI Polo models, Volkswagen will also be staging the latest generation CrossPolo, which is a beefed up version of the Polo. It sports black plastic molding around the wheel arches, across the sills and bottom of each door, as well as on the front and rear bumpers. The front bumper gets a honeycomb treatment for the lower air intake and light silver trim at the bottom suggests the presence of underbody protection. Also included are the CrossPolo's trademark silver anodized roof rails and handsome 17-inch two-tone wheels. The CrossPolo may not have extensive external dimensions but is able to swallow about 37 cubic feet of cargo with its rear seat down. Volkswagen offers no less than six engines to haul all that stuff. There are three gas-powered engines that include a 1.2L (70ps) and 1.4L (85ps) four-cylinder units, as well as a range toping 1.2 TSI engine (105ps) that features direct injection and turbocharging. The TSI powered CrossPolo completes the century sprint in 9.9 sec and consumes just 5.5L of petrol per 100km with either the 6 speed manual gearbox or the famed 7 speed DSG. There are also three diesel engines available. The dashboard layout is identical to the standard Polo but I find the stiched "Cross Polo" words on the front seats a nice touch.