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New Volvo XC60 rolls off production line in Sweden

Volvo’s XC60 has just started rolling off the production line at the company’s plant in Torslanda, Sweden. It was the T5 AWD Inscription (in Crystal White) that was the first variant to come off the line.

The new vehicle replaces the original XC60, which has been produced for nine years since its launch and has gone on to become the best-selling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe and allowing Volvo to sell nearly a million of them globally. Due to its popularity, the XC60 accounts for 30 per cent of Volvo’s sales worldwide.

“This is a proud day for everyone at the plant,” said Magnus Nilsson, vice president of the Torslanda plant. “We have worked hard in recent weeks and months to prepare Torslanda for this latest new Volvo model, and now we are ready to start delivering new XC60s to customers.”

Unlike its predecessor, the new vehicle is built on Volvo’s SPA (Scaleable Product Architecture) which already underpins three other models in the company’s current line up inclduing the 90 series cars. The SPA platform has improved overall efficiency and has had a positive effect on employment at Volvo, with thousands of new jobs being created in production, research and development, and other areas.

Like the rest of the line-up, The XC60 features cutting edge safety tech which include Steer Assist, City Safety, Oncoming Lane Mitigation which help avoid head-on collisions and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) that works with Steer Assist to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions.

Apart from that, there’s also Pilot Assist, which is available as an option. It’s a semi-autonomous driver-assistance system, that takes over the tasks of steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads at speeds of up to 130km/h.

Inside, the cabin features a CleanZone four-zone climate control system that removes harmful pollutants and particles that enters the cabin. The XC60 is available with a T8 Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid that delivers 407bhp and allows it to sprint to 100km/h from a standstil in just 5.3 seconds.

Volvo has also fitted an infotainment system that comes with connected services such as Sensus and Volvo on Call. It also offers smartphone integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Volvo XC60 will be made available in markets across the world gradually as the automaker aims to make 2017 another record-breaking year.

Citroen unveil C5 Aircross at Shanghai

Citroen unveiled its Sporty SUV, the C5 Aircross at the Shanghai Motorshow. The French automaker is starting to focus quite a bit of its attention on the SUV market with the introduction of the futuristic C-Aircross Concept and C3 Aircross.

For the C5 Aircross, Citroen is positioning it as a global vehicle that will take on the German and Japanese heavyweights that have dominated markets around the world. Unlike most contemporary designs, the C5 Aircross features sleek and elegant contours. The front fascia sports a thin and understated louvered grille design that extends from one side of the fender to the other. The Citroen badge has been integrated with the upper grille that also houses the thin two piece LED headlights.

From the sides, the car features a contemporary look, wide wheel arches and wide but sleek A and C-pillars that feature glass paneling, giving the vehicle a more airy look. At the rear, the look is reminiscent of the older VW Toureg. The elongated four panel LED tail lights’s lines flow with the contours of the rear bodywork. The entire design blends luxury and rugged outdoors ability into a simplified yet elegant package. The C5 Aircross features a 2,730 mm wheelbase and short overhangs that will help it tackle off road obstacles with better maneuverability and precision.

But inside is where things get interesting. Due to the vehicle’s construction and choice of materials, the cabin looks spacious and like the exterior, has an airy effect to it, thanks in part to the large panoramic roof. The dashboard features a horizontal layout to provide for a greater width, the seats are wide and feature comfortable materials which is also true for the wide centre console which has soft and elegant materials that provide a better sense of protection and comfort.

In the centre stack, there’s a 12.3-inch TFT digital cluster and a capacitive 8-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system that should feature an array of connectivity. The heated front seats have a massaging feature that will help occupants relax as they breath in the clean purified air expelled from the vehicle’s air quality treatment system.

Built on the EMP2 platform, this particular Citroen comes equipped with the Progressive Hydraulic Cushions suspension, which is said to provide exceptional levels of damping and ride comfort. Apart from that, it also comes with a slew of driving aids which include Active Safety Brake, Active Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with a Stop function, Grip Control and Hill Assist Descent Control.

Citroen’s C5 Aircross will the first vehicle in its line-up to also feature a PHEV plug-in hybrid variant, which will definitely be to the liking of the environmentally conscious folks. According to the automaker, the vehicle will be launched in China in October of this year followed by Europe at the end of 2018.

Jaguar provides sneak peak of XF Sportsbrake

Jaguar picked a rather peculiar venue to give the general public a sneak peak at the upcoming XF Sportbrake. Images of the car were revealed at Wimbledon’s Center Court. In less than 70 days till the Wimbledon 2017 tennis championship, Jaguar used the court as the canvas to showcase its large-scale outline of its latest addition to the model line-up.

Regarding the reveal, Jaguar’s Director of Design, Ian Callum, said, “With XF Sportbrake we’ve created a silhouette which sweeps towards the rear, almost into the distance, and really gives the car a sense of speed and sportiness. It will bring new levels of practicality to the range without sacrificing the dynamic design and agile handling our customers expect.”

Besides the reveal, Jaguar is also the official car partner of Wimbledon 2017, which takes place from July 3rd to July 16th.

When launched later this year, the XF Sportbrake will join the XF sports sedan in the automaker’s line up as it diversifies the model line-up to accomodate the needs and wants of its ever growing customer base.

Aston Martin release video showcasing 28 of its most important cars

Aston Martin has published an interesting video showcasing some of the best vehicles of the company’s history to commemorate the transfer of ownership of three super hangers to the sportscar maker in St. Athan, South Wales. At this very location, Aston Martin has opened its second manufacturing plant to deal with its expansion plans.

The Aston Martin Vulcan was the first model to come out of the new site in St. Athan, where production is expected to ramp up to accommodate more vehicle models. This move will allow the redevelopment of its primary manufacturing site into a state-of-the-art facility.

In the video, Aston Martin showcases 28 special cars from its 104-year histroy by allowing some of its better known drivers indulge in some boyish shenanigans with £65 million worth of cars. The drivers include Aston Martin Racing’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) drivers, Darren Turner and Nicki Thiim and Aston Martin’s Chief Engineer, Matt Becker.

Instead of boring you with more details, take a look at the video and bask in beauty and soundsfrom the likes of the A3, DBR1, One-77, A number of Vantages, Rapide S and the Vulcan.

BMW launches 740Le xDrive in Malaysia

BMW has launched a new variant of its ever popular 7-Series model, called the 740Le xDrive. The new vehicle has a sophisticated hybrid propulsion system, intelligent all-wheel-drive technology and a luxurious interior suited for top level execs. The car is part of BMW’s i line of vehicles and is touted as the most advanced modern luxury limousine in Malaysia by the Munich based automaker.

Unveiling the All-New BMW 740Le xDrive, Mr. Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “Since its introduction early last year, the BMW 7 Series has already redefined the idea of driving luxury in the premium automotive world, even taking home the much coveted World Luxury Car of the Year 2016. The All-New BMW 7 Series Hybrid with eDrive Technology will only set the benchmark even higher, offering to our customers the most cutting edge BMW eDrive technology which we have developed through our expertise with BMW i.”

There are subtle hints that can help you tell the 740Le xDrive apart from other variants, it has eDrive badges on the C-Pillars and BMW i logos on the front side panels. Based on the same wheelbase as its predecessor, the new car is the largest 7-Series in the company’s history and features tech that rival that of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Under the bonnet is BMW’s TwinPower Turbo 2.0-litre inline four engine which produces 258bhp and 400Nm of torque. The turbocharger has been integrated into the cast-steel exhaust manifold for a more compact and efficient package, which coupled with high precision injection, double-VANOS and advanced Valvetronic technology offer decent performance figures.

Mated to the engine is an 8-speed Steptronic trasnmission, which aids in getting the 7-Series to its top speed of 250km/h. Working with the petrol engine is a synchronous motor that develops 113bhp and 250Nm of torque. Juice to the electric motor comes courtesy of a 9.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged using any electrical outlet. But, through the use of BMW’s Wawllbox Connect charger, the battery can be fully charged in under 5 hours.

The car has a combined output of 326bhp and 500Nm of torque which allows it to accomplish the 0-100km/h sprint in just 5.3 seconds, which is impressive for a car of its size. But this Bimmer’s party piece is the eDrive system that governs the propulsion system, activating or disengaging either petrol engine electric motor as and when required. When the Auto mode is selected, the engine and motor work together to deliver performance and fuel economy.

The engine is only cranked over once the car’s speed exceeds 80km/h which should help conserve quite a bit of fuel. when Max is selected, the vehicle can be driven in electric only mode, allowing the petrol engine to be shut off completely but awakened when the accelerator pedal is pressed to the floor.

The car’s suspension and driving behaviour can be altered through the use of the Driving Experience Control with five different modes which are Adaptive, Eco, Pro Comport and Sport. But what takes things to the next level is the xDrive all-wheel-drive system that operates proactively and varies power delivery between front and rear axles depending on the requirement at any given time.

Inside, BMW has fitted the Ambient Light design which includes the Welcome Light Carpet feature that illuminates the cabin and provides a sense of occasion for the occupants. The lighting system has three different colours to choose from and the car also comes with panoramic Sky Lounge glass roof which comprise of over 15,000 lighting elements.

Passengers at the rear are able to change the vehicle and entertainment systems through the use of the BMW Touch Command control located in the rear console. There is also a removable 7-inch tablet that allow passengers to change the comfort and entertainment (16-speaker Harman Kadron Surround Sound System) settings by tapping the appropriate commands.

On the safety side, the car comes with front and side airbags, head/curtain airbags for the front and rear seats, a knee airbag for the driver, ISOFIX child seat mountings in the rear, and the Active Protection System – along with other features.

The All-New BMW 740Le xDrive is available in Black Sapphire, Imperial Blue, Mineral White, and Sophisto Grey. Inside, the upholstery is lined with exclusive Nappa leather while the interior trim is finished in Poplar Grain Grey fine-wood.

The new 740Le xDrive is priced at RM853,800 but after factoring in the government incentive for hybrid vehicles, the price is comes down to a more reasonable RM598,800. BMW is offering the car with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. Head on over to the manufacturer’s local website to learn more.

Hyundai Santa Fe makes history by crossing Antarctica

A standard Hyundai Santa Fe has made history by becoming the first passenger vehicle to travel across the continent of Antartica from Union Camp to McMurdo, then turn around and head back. The vehicle was driven by Patrick Bergel who is the grandson of polar explorer, Sir Enest Shackleton. The point of the trip was to commemorate Shackleton’s heroic Trans-Antarctic expedition of 1914-1916.

The grueling expedition has been turned into a short film by the Korean automaker and will be televised for the first time at the Hospital Club in London on 25th April 2017. The modest Patrick Bergel, was reluctant to compare his trip across Antarctica to that made by his grandfather about 100 years ago. But he did mention that it was quite an accomplishment to be the first to make the trip in a wheeled vehicle.

Regarding this feat, Patrick Bergel said, “The journey was incredible and the car was a pleasure to drive. Sometimes it felt less like driving and more like sailing across the snow. It was a proper expedition with a challenge to accomplish that nobody else had done before. It was about endurance not speed – we only averaged only 27km/h.

During the 30-day exhibition, the Santa Fe had to deal with almost 5,800km of icy terrain in treacherous conditions. Besides having to bear the sub-zero temperatures, the vehicle had to make it its own path by driving on the floating ice caps – something that no other wheeled vehicle has done before.

Scott Noh, Head of Overseas Marketing Group, Hyundai Motor Company said, “We were aware of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s story and as a Company felt a resonance with his courage and pioneering spirit. Our film celebrates this spirit and through Patrick, his Great Grandson, completes his dream to cross Antarctica – just a hundred years later. We hope that it showcases Hyundai as brand that that is more than just a means of transportation.”

Despite the unforgiving terrain, the Santa Fe that was used for the trip wasn’t that far off from the 2.2-litre one you can buy from your local Hyundai dealership. The only changes that were made were the fitment of much larger tyres, increasing the fuel tank capacity and converting the vehicles to run on Jet A-1 fuel, which is the only available fuel on the continent.

In order to fit the massive tyres, the Santa Fe’s body had to be raised with new sub-frames, suspension and gears which were fitted inside the wheel hubs to deal with higher forces and to allow the vehicle to turn more slowly to run at the required speeds.

Many were skeptical with the idea of the Santa Fe completing the journey then returning to the starting point, but Bergel and well prepared Santa Fe proved the them wrong and as a result have made it into the record books.