New Citroën C4 Breaks Cover: First Official Pictures of Focus Fighter

Citroën just couldn't wait until this fall's Paris Salon to show us the all-new C4 five-door hatchback as the French automaker decided to release the first official photos of its C-segment model. As with the current C4, the new compact hatch will take on the likes of the VW Golf, Renault Megane, Ford Focus, Opel Astra and Toyota Auris.

If you're thinking it looks familiar in a conservative kind of way, you're probably right as the 2011 C4 is the five-door version of Citroën's near-production DS High Rider concept that was first shown at this year's Geneva Salon.

Even though the new C4 shares the same front end styling with the three-door DS High Rider, which is expected to enter production almost unchanged as the DS4 next year, the two variants differ in design from the A-Column and back.

For better or for worse, the new C4's design is more conservative (or, if you prefer, mainstream) than the current model.

Inside, there are no surprises as the C4's dashboard is shared with the DS High Rider that will essentially replace the current C4 Coupe. The design and styling is now more close to that of the larger C5.

There are plenty of notable changes over the outgoing C4 including the elimination of the fixed steering wheel hub as well as the centrally mounted LCD instrument panel while Citroën claims it will offer several personalization options.

Citroën's new compact model has grown in dimensions and now measures 4,330mm in length (+55mm), 1,790m in width (+17mm) and 1,490mm in height (+32mm). According to the French, the new model offers a boot capacity of 408 liters, or 82 liters more than the current C4.

The French automaker has not yet released details on the powertrain options, but aside from a similar mix of diesel and naturally aspirated / turbocharged petrol units found on the current C4, European buyers should also expect the first application of the PSA Citroen - Peugeot group's diesel-electric hybrid system.

The new C4 is expected to go on sale in most European countries after this fall's Paris Motor Show.

2011 Saleen S302 debuts this weekend

The first Saleen vehicle launched this year, following the successful launches of the 435S and S281 in 2009, is the 2011 Saleen S302, which will make its official debut this weekend at the Carlisle Ford Nationals. Based on the 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0, the S302 is available in both coupe and convertible body styles

The performance machine is based on Ford’s latest 5.0-liter Mustang GT but picks up a performance air filter and exhaust to liberate a total 425 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 395 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm. Drive is sent rearward via a six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential. Stopping power comes from 12.4 inch vented discs up front and smaller 11.8 inch discs out the back.

Exterior features include 20-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero high-performance tyres, a strong but elegant front grille and a simple integrated rear wing.

For its interior, the S302 has leather sport seats with Ultrasuede inserts, chevron-like Ultrasuede red tabs in the seatback bolsters, and it also offers unique treatments of the gauges, steering wheel, center console and shifter. Contrasting Saleen logos are seen in the door panels. The door sill plates also have Saleen logos that illuminate when the door is opened.

This speedy ride is equipped with safety features such as Advance Trac with Electronic Stability Control, dual-stage front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags, SOS post-crash alert system, SecuriLock passive anti-theft system, LATCH child seat system, remote keyless entry, and illuminated entry.





Press Release

Saleen Performance Vehicles is unveiling the latest product in its premiere line of high-performance cars, the 2011 Saleen S302. The debut will take place this weekend at the Carlisle Ford Nationals in Carlisle, PA. This is the first Saleen vehicle launched this year, following the successful launches of the 435S and S281 in 2009.

The Saleen S302 is based on the 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0 and builds on the Saleen tradition of offering limited-edition, high-performance vehicles for enthusiasts who are looking for an exhilarating driving experience, with refined drivability for real-world road conditions.

Available in both coupe and convertible body styles, the S302 boasts a premium level of design consideration, both exterior and interior, with performance to match.

"We've taken high performance vehicles to the next level with this S302 Saleen," said Michael Timarac, Brand Manager, Saleen Performance Vehicles. "The S302 is being built now and will be in dealerships in the coming weeks. I'm proud of this product and those who value performance vehicles will agree that the S302 is one of the best American exotic vehicles available on the market."

The S302's exterior design features carefully crafted sculptural detailing, with lines and forms that flow naturally and suggest suppleness, power and agility. It features an understated yet imposing grille and front fascia, and a refined treatment of the familiar Saleen extended rear fascia and trunk lid with a simple, elegant, integrated wing.

The S302's 5.0-liter V8 engine produces 425 hp and 395 lb.-ft. of torque, sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential with 3.73:1 final drive ratio.

The interior features new, leather sport seats with Ultrasuede inserts, highlighted by chevron-like Ultrasuede red tabs in the seatback bolsters, and unique treatments of the gauges, steering wheel, center console and shifter. There also are contrasting Saleen logos in the door panels, and Saleen logos in the door sill plates that illuminate when the door is opened.

Additional exterior highlights include unique, 20-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero high-performance tires, and Saleen S302 fender badging.

About Saleen Performance Vehicles

Saleen Performance Vehicles is a manufacturer of limited-edition, high-performance cars and trucks, headquartered in Troy, Michigan. Saleen vehicles embody sophistication in engineering, styling and performance, resulting in a dynamic driving experience that is both exhilarating and refined. For more information, please visit the Saleen Performance Vehicles website at www.saleen.com.

CAN AM SPYDER Raffi Ahmad

Engine

Manufacturer................................BRP-Rotax

Type.............................................. 990 V-Twin

Displacement...............................60.90 in3 (998cc)

Bore.............................................. 3.82 in (97 mm)

Stroke...........................................2 .68 in (68 mm)

Cylinder........................................2

Valves per cylinder.......................DOHC 4

Max output...................................106 hp @ 8500 rpm

(79 kW @ 8500 rpm)

Max torque...................................77 lb-ft @ 6250 rpm

(104.3 Nm @ 6250 rpm)

Compression ratio........................10.8:1

Ignition type.................................Electronic ignition with

dual output coil

Lubrication....................................5W4 0 BRP synthetic oil

Exhaust system.............................2-into-1 with catalytic converter

Cooling.........................................Li quid cooled

Injection........................................M ulti-point EFI with 57 mm

diameter throttle bodies

Drive Train

Gear box......................................Sequentia l Manual 5-Speed (SM5)

with transmission-based reverse

Optional gear box........................Sequential Electronic 5-Speed (SE5)

with transmission-based reverse

Final drive.....................................28/79 ratio final drive with

Carbon-reinforced drive belt

Clutch...........................................W et, multi-plate, manual or electronic

operation through a hydraulic piston

Electric Equipment

Magneto.......................................500 Watt

Starter........................................... Electric

Battery..........................................D ry Cell, 12V, 21 Amp

Geometry

Front suspension..........................Double A-Arm with anti-roll bar

Front suspension travel................5.67 in (144 mm) with adjustable cam

Rear suspension...........................Swing-arm with monoshock

Rear suspension travel.................5.71 in (145 mm) with adjustable cam

Chassis type.................................SST Spyder

(Surrounding Spar Technology)

Steering........................................DP S (Dynamic Power Steering)

Tires & Wheels

Front tire.......................................KR21 165/65R14

Front nominal pressure................13-17 psi (89-117 kPa)

Rear tire........................................KR21 225/50R15

Rear nominal pressure..................26-30 psi (179-207 kPa)

Wheel size, front...........................Aluminum 14x5 (355x127)

Wheel size, rear............................Aluminum 15x7 (381x178)

Brakes

Type..........................................Foot-actuated, fully integrated

hydraulic 3-wheel braking system

Front braking system................4 piston calipers with 10.2 in x 0.25 in

(260 mm x 6 mm) discs

Rear braking system.................Single-piston caliper with 10.2 in x 0.25 in

(260 mm x 6 mm) disc

EBD..........................................Elect ronic Brake Distribution

ABS...........................................Anti-lock Braking System

Parking brake...........................Mechanical, foot actuated to the

rear caliper

Safety & Security

VSS...........................................Vehi cle Stability System

ABS...........................................Anti-lock Braking System

TCS...........................................Trac tion Control System

SCS...........................................Stab ility Control System with

Roll-Over Mitigation

DPS...........................................Dyna mic Power Steering

DESS.........................................Digit ally Encoded Security System

Vehicle Dimensions & Weights

Dry vehicle weight....................697 lbs (316 kg)

Front storage capacity.............2,685 in3 (44 l)

Front max load capacity...........30 lbs (15.9 kg)

Total vehicle load allowed........440 lbs (200 kg)

Fuel capacity............................6.6 US gal (25 l)

Oil capacity..............................1.19 US gal (4.5 l)

Coolant capacity......................0.85 US gal (3.2 l)

GVWR.......................................1,188 lbs (540 kg)

Ground clearance.....................4.5 in (115 mm)

Vehicle overall height...............45.1 in (1,145 mm)

Vehicle overall length...............105 in (2,667 mm)

Vehicle overall width................59.3 in (1,506 mm)

Seat (top) height.......................29 in (737 mm)

Wheel base..............................68 in (1,727 mm)

Wheel track, front.....................51.5 in (1,308 mm)

Type of gas...............................Unleaded, 87 octane minimum

Features & Main Options

Color choices...........................Full Moon

Millennium Yellow

Roadster Red

Instrumentation........................Dual analog and LCD w/speedometer,

tachometer, electric fuel gauge,

daily trip (A & B) meters, engine

temperature, ambient temperature

and gear position indicator. Information

displayed in either metric or US Standards

Main options............................Fog lights, xenon lights,

mono seat cover, racing exhaust pipe,

travel bags, cargo liner, passenger

backrest, low and high windshields

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Yabba Dabba Doo Porsche 911 GT3 RS: Pedal-Powered Sports Machine Made from Cardboard and Aluminum Foil

This here is the Ferdinand 911 GT3 RS - without doubt, the most technologically advanced and at the same time environmentally-friendly and fuel efficient Porsche model ever to see the light of day.

It uses a high tech chassis bonded together with a special adhesive tape coated in polyethylene while the body is finger-made from exotic lightweight materials such as thin sheets of paperboard covered in a space-age aluminum foil that serves various purposes.

In this case, power is provided by a left-to-mid-mounted human-boxer unit capable of delivering a yawn-inspiring 1 fhp (foot horsepower) when fully fed, relaxed and emotionally happy.

Unfortunately, being green comes at a price that some Porsche-philes may not be willing to pay: the Ferdinard 911 GT3 RS is also the slowest Porsche ever to set foot on earth.

Nevertheless, we suggest you watch the frisky journalist / powerplant with the awesome hood-piece taking the conceptual Porsche for a snail-spin around the Salzburgring circuit in the video below.

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Audi's Über Cool Soccer Table Enters Production, on Sale for €12,900 / US$15,900

Remember that awesome -conceptual then- soccer table from Audi's design team that we showed you back in the summer of 2008? Well, almost two years later and Audi has taken the decision to produce the soccer table in a limited series of hand-made models.

Featuring typical Audi design traits and materials such the aluminum casing, the soccer table is said to meet "the high standards demanded in professional tournaments." Only 20 of these football tables will be built initially by Leonhart, a Bavarian company that has specialized in table soccer games since 1949.

Each [hand-made] game table is priced at a hefty €12,900, which comes to around US$15,900 at the current exchange rates.

Here's what Audi's Design boss and the Chairman of the Bavarian Table Soccer Association had to say about Ingolstadt's creation:

Wolfgang Egger, Head of Audi Group Design:

"It's a attractive task to transfer our cars' design language to other day-to-day articles, and the results are often surprising! The Audi Design soccer table features large-area, flowing surfaces and sharp, clearly defined lines. The brushed aluminum frame creates an exciting contrast to the white body. Our design team looks forward to displaying one of these tables at our Concept Design studio in Munich."

Thomas Przesdzink, German table soccer champion and Chairman of the Bavarian Table Soccer Association:

"It looks just great. That tells us nothing about how it performs, but here too I was pleasantly surprised: this is a very good table. From a sporting point of view, it could certainly be used for an official tournament series."

Seat Announces Sporty Looking Ibiza SC Sport Limited Edition

Seat has announced the availability of a new special edition version of its three-door Ibiza SC (Sports Coupe) for the German market. The Ibiza SC Sport Limited comes in a Lamborghini-like "Lumina Orange" finish and only with the not-so sporty 105HP 1.6-liter petrol engine. The production run will be limited to 300 cars.

The specialness of the car comes from an extra equipment package that adds value via numerous features.

On the outside, the Ibiza SC Sport Limited is distinguished by the 17-inch alloy wheels finished in black and shod in beefier sport tires, an aerodynamic kit with a new front bumper, side skirts, roof spoiler and a unique rear bumper housing faux air vents on both corners, a diffuser and two tail pipes mounted centrally.

In addition, the car's rooftop and exterior mirrors are finished in black.

The two-tone color theme is continued inside as the air-vent rings, gearbox knob, door panel trims as well as the seams on the thick-rimmed steering wheel and sport seats are all finished in orange. The aluminum pedal set and additional standard features such as rain sensors and park assist system complete the package.

The new Ibiza SC Sport Limited is priced at €20,620 or at today's exchange rates, about US$25,500 (including taxes).