Skoda will bring at the Frankfurt Motor Show the station wagon version of the Superb model. 4,838 mm long, 1,817 mm wide, and 1,481 mm high - the new Skoda Combi continues a tradition of more than 80 years in producing "combined cars" (hence the name "Combi").
Initially the car will be offered with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, all with direct fuel injection and low consumption and emissions. Diesel line-up includes: 2.0 TDI PD DPF diesel engine that generates power of 140 hp, 2.0 TDI CR DPF with 170 hp. Petrol line-up includes: 1.4 litre four-cylinder TSI engine with 125 hp, 1.8 TSI, offering power of 160 hp and 3.6 FSI V6 with 260 hp. All the engines are mated to a six-gear manual transmission or the six-gear direct shift gearbox (DSG).
Like the Superb sedan, the station wagon version can be fitted with HHC (Hill Hold Control), ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) and also TSA (Trailer Stability Assist) for use with factory-fitted towing equipment. On the interior the car can be ordered with two different 2 DIN car radios with CD/MP3 players, a touchscreen Amundsen system enabling the driver to operate all functions intuitively, a top-of-the-range touchscreen Columbus navigation system, an Aux-In socket, an MDI (Mobile Device Interface) in the Jumbo Box between the front seats to connect external storage media, and a CD changer.
Press release after the jump.
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We recently received a 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring into the Top Speed test fleet. Starting at only $17,800 this Vivid Blue beauty is easily one of the most stylish Korean cars we have seen in a while. The Korean design team has hit a home run with the new car’s flowing curves and strong character lines that highlight the Elantra Touring’s broad stance and stretched wheelbase. We love the dual finish 17 inch rims and appreciate that Hyundai equipped our car with a B&M sport shifter to send the 138 HP and 136 lb-ft of torque from the 2.0 Liter DOHC CVVT ultra low emissions four cylinder engine to the front wheels. The Elantra Touring gets as much as 23 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway.
Our car came equipped with the $1,500 Premium Sports Package that not only included those rims we liked so much, but also a large power sunroof and heated seats. The audio system consisted of an AM/FM/XM radio complete with in dash CD player and auxiliary input for MP3 connectivity. Despite the car’s compact footprint, there is tons of storage space inside of the roomy interior; in fact it has the most interior volume of any five door model in its class, 125.5 cubic feet to be exact. The Elantra Touring represents a return to the compact five door segment for Hyundai and offers class leading standard safety technologies like Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist as well as the peace of mind that comes from having six standard airbags.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with the Elantra Touring, not only was it attractive but it was fun to drive as well. If the automaker from the free half of Korea can continue to build cars of this caliber and offer them at the same competitive price points, the rest of the manufacturers around the world will have to take an even closer look at Hyundai as their newest competitors.
Continued after the jump.
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If you’ve heard of the Twindoor system, chances are you’ve probably heard of Skoda. The Czech-based Volkswagen subsidiary is known for their innovative technology all while giving new meaning to the term ‘hybrid’ – and were not talking about fuel efficiency.
That being said, Skoda is set to unveil their latest creation, an estate version of their Superb sedan, the Superb Kombi at the Frankfurt Motor Show, along, of course, with about two dozen other vehicles of different classes.
But while the Superb Kombi is neither a sports car nor a luxury sedan, it does have one thing none of those other cars car come close to having: the Twindoor trunk/tailgate system.
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The Internet has become such a large market place for automobile sales that even General Motors has signed up to sell their new products on the mega online auction house, e-Bay. With the ability to reach customers thousands of miles away for one low price it is no surprise that even more second hand specialized vehicles are making their way onto the information superhighway with a for sale sign in the back window. So we were delighted to come across this modified M3 on “Germany’s biggest vehicle marketplace online,” mobile.de.
It is not very often that you see a modified avant, the dirty stigma associated with function vehicles went the way of the SUV a long time ago and yes, that is a full size squared off window frame above the BMW’s rear wheels. However that is just the tip of the iceberg, because aside from the radical deep dished RAD Forged wheels and massive Stoptech brakes there lies the heart of a beast inside because this is no ordinary tuner wagon, this is the Manhart Racing E91 BMW M3 TV10. Günter Manhart is a man who prides himself on going above and beyond the extraordinary to create something truly special and that is why everything from the suede headliner and carbon fiber trim, to the 5.0 Liter V10 under the hood it all looks like it could have come that way from the factory.
Now at about $168,500 the TV10 is no bargain, but considering that you will be able to go from 0 to 60 MPH in about 4.3 seconds on the way to your kid’s soccer tournament or hitting 207.5 MPH on the Autobahn when you take delivery might be worth it. Besides if you are that much of a BMW fanatic, a very clean M5 engine swap would something to brag about to your friends and it is a much more practical package than an M5 wagon.
Details after the jump.
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Hyundai has just announced pricing for the 2010 Elantra Touring. Set to go on sale in the third quarter of 2009, the 2010 Elentra Touring will be priced from $15,995 for a very well-equipped entry-level GLS model and will go up to $18,995 for the top-of-the line SE model.
Standard equipment on the 2010 model includes: air conditioning, power windows, heated mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry with alarm, four-way adjustable driver’s seat and plenty of storage compartments.
The optional Popular Equipment Package on the GLS adds roof rails, a telescopic steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, trip computer, eight-way driver’s seat with lumbar support, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, sliding sunvisors, seatback pockets, retractable cargo cover, fog lights, illuminated ignition and a premium cloth interior with cloth door panel inserts.
Press release after the jump.
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Wagons have gotten a bad rap recently, it’s almost like an automaker would rather call their utilitarian model a sport hatch before uttering that five letter word that reminds us of family road trips and faux wood paneling; it is almost worse than the truck/SUV controvery. Well the American essence of automotive luxury, Cadillac, has a few tricks up their sleeve that will hopefully help to change the nation’s attitude about practical transportation, with a high performance, V-Series twist.
Cadillac has announced that before putting the highly anticipated CTS Coupe into production next May that they will release the CTS-V sport wagon. Now they did manage to squeeze the word sport into the name, but with a 6.2 Liter LSA supercharged V8 under the hood generating an estimated 550 HP and 550 lb-ft of torque, General Motors has all the right in the world.
The all new Cadillac CTS-V sport wagon will compete head to head with world class performance touring models like the BMW M5 Touring and the turbocharged Audi RS6 Avant.
Even if the German automaker has just launched the new Mercedes Benz E-Class, and it is a big hit in the new car market. Since appearing in showrooms this past spring, the luxury automaker has moved 40,000 of the redesigned four door full size sedan. Starting this fall, Mercedes will be adding another variant of the popular new E-Class into the marketplace, and this time it will be an avant, meaning that we should see something at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.
Like the sedan, the new wagon will be offered with a range of four, six and eight cylinder power plants producing anywhere from an economical 136 HP to a very menacing 525 HP. When the leaves change colors the Mercedes lineup will include a few diesel powered versions like the E 250 CDI making 204 HP and 368 lb-ft of torque, the E 220 CDI pumping out 170 HP and the E 200 CDI that makes up the lower end of the power range. The most powerful of the alternatively fueled versions will be the E 350 CDI with a maximum output of 231 HP. The gas burning lineup consists of the E 200 CGI with 184 HP, the E 250 CGI cranking out 292 HP; both equipped with the newly developed 1.8 Liter four cylinder engine while the range topping E500 will send 388 to the ground.
Press release after the jump.
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The German variant of General Motors, Opel, has already released a green version of their popular four door Insignia model wearing the ecoFLEX badge, but that was it. Well now there is good news for fans of environmentally friendly wagons and estates, because Opel has just announced that their ecoFLEX Insignia will soon be available as a Sports Tourer.
The green five door is powered by a 2.0 Liter CDTI engine with the Clean Tech System producing 160 HP and an impressive 280 lb-ft of torque. The fuel efficient diesel burning drive train is complimented by a six speed manual transmission, complete with a higher final drive to allow highway cruising at lower engine speeds. The result is a Sports Tourer that can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 9.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 133.5 MPH, if those numbers don’t seem too impressive, than consider the vehicle’s fuel mileage of 44 MPG.
If only drivers here in the U.S. could learn to appreciate different things like sports wagons and diesel burning power plants. If we hadn’t attached such a lasting stigma to either of those two items then maybe we could enjoy a spirited ride in an ecoFLEX Insignia Sports Tourer, try getting that kind of performance and economy from a gasoline powered vehicle.
Press release after the jump.
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Top Speed recently received Toyota’s latest response to a multi-people mover, the Venza. This MPV is perfect for any consumer who needs the space and practicality of a minivan, but wants the attitude and style traditionally associated with a fun to drive vehicle. Overall it looks like a chopped and stretched Lexus RX SUV. Starting off, our Barcelona Red Venza came with options like leather, wood grain, high intensity discharge headlamps, AM/FM/MP3 radio as well as a DVD entertainment system.
One of the first things that you will notice when you get behind the wheel of most modern Toyota’s is the dual LCD displays on the dash. There is the traditional large screen incorporated into the center stack as well as a smaller 3.5 inch display that shows the settings for the dual zone climate control, fuel economy and a few other helpful facts for the driver. Meanwhile the larger LCD displays everything from audio settings to navigation.
The Venza offers seating for 5 and has more than enough cup holders to allow a few passengers to enjoy multiple beverages. There are also plenty of rather large storage compartments that conveniently let you stow away your goods. The Venza shines when it comes to cargo capacity, offering over 30 cubic feet of available space behind the rear seats and over 70 cubic feet when they are laid flat; there is even a 110 Volt outlet and audio/video inputs so you can play some video games while camped out in back of the Toyota.
Continued after the jump.
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Over 50 years after it hit the streets of America, this 1955 Chevrolet Nomad Wagon looks like it just rolled out of the plant two weeks ago. That’s what happens when people go to great lengths in preserving priceless vehicles like this one. Not only do they look better than most cars out on the streets these days, but the ride is equally – if not better – than its contemporaries.
This ’55 Nomad has been around for half a century yet is still considered by many as one of the finely restored Nomads in existence. Even before it was restored, the car was deemed as spotless: no scratches, no benders, and no rust. Such was the care for this car that only a few reproduction items were ever used on it, meaning that most of its parts – including the original 265ci V8 and power glide transmission – remain intact and, better yet, fully operational. The car’s underside remains coated with the same brown/red oxide primer it has had since 1955 with no undercoating and the rear cargo area still has its original linoleum – which if you know your cars, has been obsolete for the longest time.
One of the few things done to this car was repainting it with its original Gypsy Red and Polo White colors, and even after doing so, you’d be remiss to think that it actually had a paint job. This Nomad is as near to flawless as any other restored car you can ever find in the world today.
Continued after the jump.
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