Car Design News: March 2009

New York Auto Show Debut: All New Subaru Legacy Sedan

Subaru is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Legacy (Liberty) sedan with the unveiling of the all-new fifth-generation model next week at the New York Auto Show. Subaru is renowned for its love-or-loathe approach to designing cars, as seen in the frequent revisions to its Impreza line over the years, but the styling of the new Legacy is nowhere near as controversial though we�re sure it will leave opinions divided.

But some of the familiar stuff includes boxer engines and Subaru's symmetrical AWD. For the US market, which introduces the Legacy at dealer level soon after the show, three engines will be available. The first is a naturally-aspirated 2.5i. It produces 170hp (125kW) and 170 lb-ft (230Nm) of torque. Transmission options are a 6-speed manual and the new Subaru Lineartronic CVT. Up ahead is a 2.5GT turbo with 265hp (195kW) and 258 lb-ft (350Nm) of torque. Only the 6-speed manual is available on the GT. Subaru says this transmission is 25kg lighter than the previous one. Lastly the 3.6R with a 5-speed automatic replaces the old 3.0-litre. It makes 256hp (188kW) and 247 lb-ft (335Nm) maximum torque.

A distinctive wing-shape embellishment on the front grille shows the Subaru brand identity, and the front bumper designs accentuate flat horizontal surfaces. Embellished with solidly-designed headlamps, the front face of the Legacy is intended to be 'bold and powerful'. The cabin's dynamic design and a shorter deck give the vehicle what Subaru calls 'a sporty appeal', while the size and power of the vehicle are expressed in the rear-end design, which is rounded and capacious and framed by the combination lights.

The base Legacy engine is 2.5L unit, which is rated at 170hp (127kW) and 170lb-ft (230Nm) of torque, and this is followed by a 265hp (197kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) turbocharged version of the same engine for the Legacy 2.5GT. Filling out the range is the Legacy 3.6R model, which comes with a 256hp (191kW) and 247lb-ft (334Nm) of torque 3.6L engine.

Some of the interior features available are an electronic parking brake, a 10-way driver's seat and a new three-spoke steering wheel. Safety features installed include ABS with EBD, an electronic hill holder system and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC).
via:motorauthority

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Next Generation Porshe Boxster Spy Photos

Late last year Porsche unveiled its updated Boxster and Cayman range and there are still several other models based on the same Boxster/Cayman platform in the works. One of these is a high-performance RS model, recently seen testing at Germany�s Nurburgring, and another is a chopped 'Speedster' model.

However, development of the next-generation model is also well underway and images of a prototype for the car have once again surfaced. This time the prototype has been spotted on its way to Germany�s Nurburging circuit for some high-speed testing.

It's hard to tell if this is a subtly changed design or if, as with previously-spied 2011 Boxsters, this prototype wears the sheet metal of the current car to disguise its new lines. The mismatched taillights reveal that there's something different going under the surface. These clear-weather photos hint at revised bumper contours, but as with the previous shots of this car there's not much to go on.

A rumor alleging that Porsche insiders are talking about a lightweight, turbocharged four-cylinder platform for the next-gen Boxster recently began making the rounds.
via:motorauthority

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2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG sedan released official photos

Mercedes has taken the wraps off the new range-topping E-class: the E63 AMG.

Despite talk from within AMG about ending the horsepower war between German car makers, this new model has more power than the car it replaces � although at 11bhp, it�s a modest gain.

The standard car comes wearing 18-inch AMG alloys with size 255/40 front and 285/35 rear tyres. There is an optional 19-inch rim available. In terms of exterior cosmetics the big AMG gets LED daytime running lights, a more aggressive front spoiler, a rear diffuser and four tailpipes as per current AMG standard issue.

To improve handling, the E63 AMG has been fitted with a newly developed front axle with more negative camber, a 56mm wider track, new control arms, a tubular stabiliser and revised wheel bearings. The rear axle also has extra negative camber and a new subframe mounting for greater stability on the limit.

It is expected that the new E63 AMG sedan will go on sale in the UK in September. It is also expected that the public will get first live glimpse at the 2009 New York International Auto Show next week.

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N�rburgring: Audi RS3 Mule First Spy Photos

According to a recent report, Michael Dick, a member of Audi's board of management for technical development has stated that the company is considering building a new RS3 � and here�s the first pictures that prove the car is in fact rolling. We snapped a mule of Audi�s future pocket-rocket testing at the N�rburgring.

First unveiled in the upcoming TT-RS, the RS3's 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine utilises a turbo to force out 250kW (340hp) and 450Nm of torque through the quattro AWD system. Anticipating that the RS3's weight will be almost the same as the TT-RS, we think it's safe to use the TT-RS's performance specs as the standard of comparisson here. The 0 - 100km/h dash should be achieved in about 4.6 seconds and an optional unlimited top speed will be 280 km/h (173.98 mph). This kind of performance is approaching RS4 territory but at a considerably lower price.

The car spotted has S3 badges, but we can already see larger air intakes in the front bumper.

Power will very likely come from Audi�s 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine, that develops 340 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque.