Guangzhou Displays its CUV Electrified Wares at 2013 Detroit Show

Guangzhou Displays its CUV, Electrified Wares at 2013 Detroit Show For the last several years at least one Chinese automaker has dared to show off its wares at the NAIAS, inevitably drawing, er, “constructive criticism” from the charitable among the journalist corps; jeers and cheap shots from the rest of us. Changfeng Motor was first in 2007, and since then BYD, Chamco, Geely, and Brilliance have all braved Detroit in January. This year it’s Guangzhou’s turn. GAC has had joint ventures with Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, and Fiat. Its Trumpchi sedan is based on Alfa Romeo 166 sedan underpinnings, as is its GS5 crossover. The China-market savvy among you may recognize it as the production version of the 2009 concept X-power (is anyone that China savvy?). The GS5 launched in March 2012 and was heralded by the local press as one of the best-looking crossovers currently made in China. Hmmm. Powered by a choice of naturally aspirated or turbocharged 2.0-liter engines in China, the price ranges from $20,000-37,000 in its home market.

Guangzhou Displays its CUV, Electrified Wares at 2013 Detroit Show

Guangzhou Displays its CUV, Electrified Wares at 2013 Detroit Show

 Guangzhou Displays its CUV, Electrified Wares at 2013 Detroit Show

Guangzhou Displays its CUV, Electrified Wares at 2013 Detroit Show

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From the show floor: The gathered press was informed that the GAC Group’s presence in Detroit “signals the company’s transition to a global company,” but no specific expansion plans were divulged. California’s AC Propulsion Inc. helped develop some of the electric motors in the Trumchi 4WD Hybrid and and GS5 BEV, both of which are homologated for pending sale in China.

Guangzhou Displays its CUV, Electrified Wares at 2013 Detroit Show

We all know that China has lots of lithium and rare-earth metals – materials necessary to make batteries and electric motors – so here in Detroit, Guangzhou’s cars are all electrified. First up is an all-wheel-drive hybrid version of the Trumpchi sedan, which sandwiches a 20-hp/34-lb-ft starter/generator motor between the 1.8-liter (142-hp/123-lb-ft) four-cylinder engine and transmission up front. At the rear, there’s a second 34-hp/123-lb-ft permanent magnet motor on the rear axle. The transmission is a single-clutch automated-manual transmission that relies upon thrust from the rear motor to fill in the usual torque-sag that occurs when such transmission opens the clutch to change gears for twin-clutch levels of smoothness. Fuel economy from the heavier all-wheel-drive hybrid is said to improve by 30 percent, while acceleration to 62 mph is trimmed by 2 seconds to 10.9 seconds. A 1.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack handles the catch-and-release duties for regenerated and acceleration-boosting energy.
The GS5 on display features a full battery-electric drivetrain energized by a 35-kWh lithium-ion battery pack driving an induction motor with peak output ratings of 201 hp and 162 lb-ft (continuous ratings are 67 and 55). 0-62-mph acceleration takes just 8.5 seconds, it can climb a 30-percent grade, top speed is 104 mph, and the range is quoted as 100 miles at a constant 62 mph (figure way less on the EPA cycle).
The E-Jet concept arrives wearing vaguely Infiniti-inspired styling that may rank as the least peculiar of any Chinese concept or production car yet to grace the NAIAS. Based on Guangzhou’s new compact architecture, it promises to be China’s Volt, providing extended-range electric propulsion. A 13-kWh lithium-ion battery feeds a 127-hp/168-lb-ft (peak) electric motor that can hustle the E-Jet to 30 mph in 4.5 seconds, en route to a 100-mph top speed. Pure EV range is quoted at a (hard-to-imagine) 60 miles. When the battery is depleted, a 1.0-liter 60-hp/60-lb-ft I-4 engine drives a 40-hp generator that keeps the electrons flowing.
Guangzhou’s NAIAS display in the concourse area outside the main show floor may have been marred by an amateurish looping video, but its three reasonable vehicles have set a high bar for whatever Chinese brand follows in 2014.

Volkswagen Golf GTD Has 280 LB FT Debuts at Geneva Motor Show

Volkswagen Golf GTD Has 280 LB-FT, Debuts at Geneva Motor Show The new Volkswagen Golf GTD is more powerful than the last-generation GTD Motor Trend tested, and now more than ever, we wonder whether the GTD will ever reach U.S. showrooms. The sporty diesel hatchback with GTI style debuts at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, but Volkswagen has just shared some details about the enticing hatch.

Volkswagen Golf GTD Has 280 LB-FT, Debuts at Geneva Motor Show

Volkswagen Golf GTD Has 280 LB-FT, Debuts at Geneva Motor Show

 Volkswagen Golf GTD Has 280 LB-FT, Debuts at Geneva Motor Show

Volkswagen Golf GTD Has 280 LB-FT, Debuts at Geneva Motor Show

Volkswagen Golf GTD Has 280 LB-FT, Debuts at Geneva Motor Show

Launching in Germany in June, the new Volkswagen Golf GTD is powered by a 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4 with 181 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, compared to the 2012 model’s 168 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and the 2013 Volkswagen GTI’s 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. Volkswagen conservatively predicts a 0-62 mph time of 7.5 seconds with a 143-mph top speed. We’ve tested a GTI with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission completing a 0-60 mph sprint in 6.1 seconds, while the 2012 GTD we tested (with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission) hit 60 mph in 7.0 seconds. With diesels, however, you don’t always get the full performance picture simply with 0-60/62 mph times. The new GTD’s 280 lb-ft of torque is available at 1750 rpm; peak torque of 207 lb-ft in the 2013 GTI comes at 1800 rpm.
Europe and the U.S. have different fuel economy standards, but if the Volkswagen GTD ever reaches U.S. dealerships, expect fuel economy not far from the 2013 Volkswagen Golf TDI’s 30/42 mpg city/highway but far above the 2013 GTI’s 21-24/31-33 mpg. The new GTD gets slightly better mileage with a six-speed manual instead of the available six-speed dual-clutch transmission, and Volkswagen says a base model weighs 3036 pounds – the 2012 GTD we tested weighed in at 3170 pounds.
If the new GTD performs at all like the 2012 model we drove, the diesel-powered Volkswagen should be worth the slight premium over a GTI: “The GTD was very enjoyable and felt GTI-like in turns, with precise, weighted steering and little to no under- and oversteer,” we wrote in the review.
Visually, the new Volkswagen GTD stands out with aggressive lower front and rear fascias, smoked LED taillights, 17-inch wheels, a roof spoiler, and a lowered suspension. The car will be offered in Tornado Red, Black, and Pure White. Inside, the base GTD offers the tartan patterned seats like those we’ve come to love on the GTI, as well as a sport steering wheel, stainless-steel pedals, a GTD shifter grip, and park assist.
The Volkswagen GTD — based on the new, seventh-generation Golf — will carry a price of 29,350 euros in Germany, compared to the outgoing GTI’s 27,700-euro price. If the GTD ever comes to the U.S., it might be priced just a bit above the GTI, which for the 2013 model year, has a $24,790 base price.
The Volkswagen GTD has been around since 1982, and a U.S.-spec model in calendar-year 2014 could be just the car to raise the profile of Volkswagen’s other diesel cars in the U.S. What would you pay for a Volkswagen Golf GTD if it was approved for sale in the U.S.?
Source: Volkswagen

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Mazda MX 5 Super25 Three Mazda CX 5 Concepts Debut at 2012 SEMA Show

Mazda MX-5 Super25, Three Mazda CX-5 Concepts Debut at 2012 SEMA Show If you thought the Mazda MX-5 Super20 from last year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association wasn’t enough, fret not – the automaker has created the MX-5 Super25 for this year’s show, along with a trio of CX-5 concepts.

Mazda MX-5 Super25, Three Mazda CX-5 Concepts Debut at 2012 SEMA Show

Mazda MX-5 Super25, Three Mazda CX-5 Concepts Debut at 2012 SEMA Show

Mazda MX-5 Super25, Three Mazda CX-5 Concepts Debut at 2012 SEMA Show

Mazda MX-5 Super25, Three Mazda CX-5 Concepts Debut at 2012 SEMA Show

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Mazda MX-5 Super25, Three Mazda CX-5 Concepts Debut at 2012 SEMA Show

Mazda says that “the MX-5 Super25 dives deeper into the spirit of Mazda’s motorsports DNA and goes beyond the Super20? concept that was shown at last year’s SEMA show. So what makes the Super25 just so super? While Mazda has yet to detail what motivates the Super25, it guarantees us that the new roadster was designed with endurance racing in mind, and has eschewed the turbocharger of the car’s predecessor. The Super25 pays homage to Mazda’s 1991 win of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race by wearing the number 55 and with a paint scheme from Mazda Motorsports Development – super red gloss with brilliant white accents and black mica lower fascias. Similar to the Super20 from last year, the Super25 has a fixed hard top and awesome-looking black wheels – here, a set of 17-inch Volk Racing T37s wrapped in 225/45ZR17 rubber. Most notable is the unique four-lamp lighting pod mounted front and center on the nose of the Super25; it contains two PIAA 40 Series halogen lamps flanked on either side by 510 Super White Driving halogen lamps, which should provide plenty of light in all racing conditions. Inside, charcoal ultra-suede and tomato red inserts bedeck the Sparco Evo competition racing seat and Sparco R323 racing wheel and racing harness.
Elsewhere on Mazda’s SEMA stand are three unique CX-5 models: the Dempsey, Urban, and 180. The CX-5 Dempsey was designed by – you guessed it – Mazda Motorsports driver and Hollywood actor Patrick Dempsey. The car combines his passions for driving and cycling. Both the exterior and interior have been done in a combination of matte black and glossy gray with red accenting, coordinating with the Specialized Bicycle road racer that is attached to the hitch at the rear of the car. More importantly, the Dempsey-designed CX-5 throws out the 2.0-liter Skyactiv I-4 for a European-spec 2.2-liter Skyactiv turbodiesel I-4 that’s good for 173 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Also wearing a matte paint job is the CX-5 Urban. This concept crossover’s paint has a geometric pattern that reflects light at different angles to highlight the CX-5s design, according to Mazda. Matte black 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 295/30R20 all-season tires add to the shadowy look of the Urban.
Unlike the introverted CX-5 Urban, the CX-5 180 has been designed for people who want to do it all, from the surf to the slopes. A topographical map of southern California is emblazoned on the body of the bright-blue crossover, and a snowboard/surf board rack sits atop the roof. 20-inch black chrome alloy wheels wrapped in all-season rubber add a dash of panache to this go-anywhere, do-anything CX-5. Aqua leather and bright white trim brighten the otherwise-dark interior.