2011 Fiat Bravo Hatch Receives Minor Updates

Fiat Bravo arrives with two potent motorizations – the national 1.8 16V E.torQ with mechanical transmission or Dualogic, and the imported 1.4 T-Jet with 6-gear transmission – and three finishing versions – Essence, Absolute and T-Jet – very well equipped.

Fiat Bravo, for example, can be equipped with up to seven airbags – two frontal, two front sides, two for the protection of occupants’ heads, besides one for protection of the driver’s knees. With Dual Drive® electric steering, it arrives with avant-garde technology like fog lights with cornering system, NAV™ Radio, Xenon headlights, front parking sensor, folding external rearview mirrors and a new Skydome sunroof.

The two available motorizations for the new Fiat Bravo offer excellent performance, fuel economy and low emission levels. Both are compact and modern.

The E.torQ 1.8 16V engine puts together high performance and economy, with excellent torque at low rotations. Driving only with gasoline, its power is 130 hp at 5,250 rpm; with ethanol, 132 hp at the same rotation. And the maximum torque of 18.4 kgfm with gasoline and 18.9 kgfm with ethanol, is reached at 4,500 rotations. But at 2,500 rpm, the engine already produces 93% of its torque.

It equips the Essence and Absolute versions of the new Fiat Bravo.

Now the 1.4 16V T-Jet engine equips the sportive version of the hatchback. This compact gasoline turbo engine produces no less than 152 hp of power and 21.1 kgfm of torque at 2,250 rpm.

Small engines with performance of large engine are a strong trend in Europe. Their advantage is that, when not required, they are so economical as any other motor of the same capacity. To obtain this formula, an especially developed turbo compressor is employed to overfeed the engine with lesser capacity.

The T-Jet engine comes coupled to a 6-gear mechanical Italian transmission.

Get to know below the hatchback versions:

* Essence 1.8 16V Flex with transmission mechanical
* Essence 1.8 16V Flex with transmission Dualogic
* Absolute 1.8 16V Flex with transmission mechanical
* Absolute 1.8 16V Flex with transmission Dualogic
* T-Jet 1.4 16V Turbo with transmission 6-gear mechanical


Fiat Bravo Essence. Very well equipped, all Bravo versions bring ISOFIX, universal hook for setting of child seat. The Essence version also includes standard items like double airbag, manual air conditioning, electric steering with “City” function, 16″ light alloy wheel, fog lights with cornering system, disc brakes in the four wheels, automatic pilot, CD radio with MP3, electric external rearview mirrors, Safe Lock, front and rear electric windows with one touch system and anti-crash, steering wheel with height and depth regulation, fuel tank cap with electric opening, driver’s seat with height regulation, visors with mirror and lighting, illuminated glove compartment and trunk, 1/3 and 2/3 bipartite rear seat, five headrests with height regulation, hood for engine and transmission, hooks for fixing of load in the trunk, key with remote control for windows, locks and trunk, among several others.

For both Essence versions, the list of optional equipment includes brakes with ABS, Dual Temp® automatic air conditioning, Hi-Fi sound with subwoofer, Blue&Me™ or Blue&Me™ NAV + leather upholstered steering wheel with radio controls, Skydome electric sunroof, electrochromic internal rearview mirror, twilight sensor, rain sensor, rear and front parking sensor, electric folding of external rearview mirrors, front armrest with refrigerated span, rear armrest, besides partially leather upholstered seats in black or brown. The Dualogic version offers, even, the transmission control on the steering wheel, or butterflies.

Fiat Bravo Absolute. The version has the same standard items of the Essence version plus: Dual Temp® automatic air conditioning, Blue&Me, ABS in the brakes, Night Design, rear parking sensor, leather upholstered steering wheel with radio controls, front armrest with refrigerated span, besides the passenger seat central armrest , 17″ light alloy wheels, knobs and linings under the chromate windows, rags on carpet with Absolute embroidered, more exclusive fabrics and finish details.

Fiat Bravo Absolute Dualogic. Besides all standard equipment of the Absolute version, this also has Dualogic® Automatic transmission and transmission control on the steering wheel.

The two Absolute versions offer, as optional equipment, Skydome electric sunroof, tire pressure sensor, Hi-Fi sound with subwoofer, Blue&Me™ NAV, NAV™ Radio, front parking sensors, external rearview mirrors with electric folding, electrochromic internal mirror, twilight and rain sensors and partially leather upholstered seats, plus the airbags: kneebag, sidebags and windowbags.

Fiat Bravo T-Jet. The list of standard items includes all equipment present in the Absolute version, and even 6-gear transmission, ESP (stability control system) + Hill Holder, 17″ exclusive light alloy wheels, Overbooster button on the panel, darkened front headlights, double chromate exhaust, steering wheel, red painted brake calipers – for the first time in the Fiat series -, hand brake and leather upholstered level knob with red seams, pedal system and sportive footrest, spoiler, mini-skirts, besides diverse finish details that differentiate the sportive version from the new hatchback.

The customer can equip even his Fiat Bravo T-Jet with xenon headlights, tire pressure sensor, Skydome electric sunroof, NAV™ Radio, Blue&Me™ NAV, electrochromic internal mirror, twilight and rain sensors, Hi-Fi sound with subwoofer, 18″ light alloy wheels + tire 225/40, partially leather upholstered seats, plus the airbags: kneebag, sidebags and windowbags.

2011 Vauxhall Antara Facelift Prices Start Under £20k in the UK

Following the reveal of its Opel counterpart in mainland Europe, Vauxhall has released pricing and specifications on the UK market Antara facelift, which boasts a barely noticeable makeover and a refreshed engine lineup. Prices for the updated SUV now start from £19,995 for the 2.2 CDTi (163PS) Exclusiv front-wheel drive model, which according to Vauxhall, represents a saving of £2,835 over the outgoing base version.

On the outside, styling changes for the 2011 Antara include the updated front grille with the new Griffin logo, enhanced by fog lights finished with chrome bezels on SE models, new 19-inch alloy wheels and modified rear lights.

Inside, the new Antara's cabin features a revised centre console with extra storage and higher-quality materials, in addition to improved instrument graphics and better interior lighting.

The 2011 model's revised Euro-5 compliant engine line-up includes a newly-developed 2.2-liter CDTI turbodiesel in two states of tune with 163HP or 184HP. The 163HP version is available in front-wheel drive with a six-speed manual transmission only or all-wheel drive hooked up to either a manual or six-speed auto gearbox. The more potent 184HP variant also offers a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, and comes with all-wheel drive as standard. All transmissions have been revised to improve efficiency.

The Vauxhall Antara will not be offered in the UK with the revised 170HP 2.4-liter gasoline engine of its Opel sibling.

GM Europe's engineers have also re-worked the SUV's chassis with revised spring and damper settings.

Finally, Vauxhall has improved safety and comfort features with the addition of an electric parking brake, a Hill Assist System as well as a "shift-up" fuel economy indicator on all models.

"At less than £20k, the new Antara is set to be highly competitive in today's SUV market," said Peter Hope, Vauxhall's Marketing Director. "Its lower emissions, higher output diesel engines and refreshed design will offer renewed appeal to both retail and fleet customers."

Gibbs aquada Sports Cars Concept Real Amphibious Car

Gibbs aquada Sports Cars Concept Real Amphibious Car

Amphibious cars are not just the dreams of moviemakers, although an amphibious car was featured in the movie Pontiac Moon. The concept Gibbs aquada Sports Cars, now a very real version of an amphibious car has been released in the UK. The Gibbs aquada high-speed amphibian (HSA) is capable of speeds up to 100mph (160kmh) on land and 30mph (48kmh) over water, taking just six seconds to transform from road going sportscar to a jet powered marine vessel.

The Aquada, developed by Alan Gibbs, and marketed by Gibbs Technologies, represents state of the art amphibious car design. Since 1968, numerous prototype amphibious cars have been made, but none gained market traction. Advances in technology in numerous fields have helped Alan Gibbs' Aquada become perhaps the most commercially viable amphibious car since the Amphicar.

Gibbs aquada Sports Cars Concept Real Amphibious Car

Gibbs is marketing the Aquada as the 'ultimate leisure vehicle,” and it might be just that. It's as fast as a conventional car on macadam and it can pull a skier on water. The Gibbs aquada Sports Cars Concept Real Amphibious Car is sleek, and jet-propelled, recalling the Stalwart, but boasting 60 new patents for its design. Computer systems retract the Aquada's wheels in the water, eliminating their drag.

The Gibbs aquada Sports Cars Concept Real Amphibious Car is powered by a 175hp, V6 engine with 4 speed automatic transmission that's linked to the fully-enclosed jet propulsion system when on the water. Getting into the water is as simple as driving down a boatramp or entering directly from shore and once the push-button transformation has taken place, the accelerator becomes the throttle and the jet propulsion takes over.

Gibbs aquada Sports Cars Concept Real Amphibious Car

The Gibbs aquada Sports Cars Concept Real Amphibious Car is designed to meet European road and marine safety standards and is fully-legal for both water and land use in the UK according to the Gibbs Technologies site. To meet its lofty speed goals, the Aquada uses a carefully shaped outer body supported inside by a metal space frame. In this is conceptually similar to integrating a NASCAR racer's rollcage into a load-distributing unibody structure as used in a typical sedan.

Propulsion in the ten Aquada prototypes currently testing in Michigan is from a 2.5-liter 160-horsepower engine. Gibb's press materials are careful not to specify precisely which engine this may be, but we assume a turbocharged four cylinder would provide the necessary combination of power and weight (a 175-horsepower V6 is used in the euro-spec Aquada).

Gibbs aquada Sports Cars Concept Real Amphibious Car

A take-off from the transmission powers a carefully designed water jet for marine propulsion; Gibbs says the compact jet produces nearly a ton of thrust at half the size and a quarter of the expected weight. It's enough for the Aquada to have set a 32.8 mph record speed run, and sufficiently reliable for Sir Richard Branson to break the amphibian speed record across the English Channel by four hours. More prosaically, Gibbs demonstration video shows the Aquada pulling a water skier.

While we have not piloted an Aquada, it's clear that its driver-center, three-across seating, no doors and Bimini top will have practical considerations, or at least provide numerous conversation starters. On land we'd assume the Aquada would deliver more than acceptable road handling and middling performance given the moderate power and 3,225 lbs. weight.

Gibbs aquada Sports Cars Concept Real Amphibious Car

"Our plans for North America are ambitious, aggressive and achievable," Gibbs has said, stating, "Aquada could generate annual sales volumes of 100,000 or more within five years." Perhaps we should get our driving gloves and water skis ready now.

Energo Racer Sport Cars Concept By Paul Hanna

Energo Racer Sport Cars Concept By Paul Hanna

Energo Racer – One more interesting feature is that the car can be molded to be powered by different alternative fuels or power sources such as hydrogen, solar and electric power.

Energo Racer Sport Cars Concept By Paul Hanna

Inspired by the nature, mainly marine animals and the way their efficient bodies cut through the water, designer Paul Hanna has come up with a vehicle concept cars named the “Energo Racer” to take the rider on a wonder ride.

Energo Racer Sport Cars Concept By Paul Hanna, is 22 feet long and 8 feet wide, the racer can be molded to run on a number of alternative fuels or power sources, including hydrogen, solar and electric, with ease.

Energo Racer Sport Cars Concept By Paul Hanna

Energo Racer Sport Cars Concept By Paul Hanna, featuring an aerodynamic body to minimize air resistance, the futuristic vehicle removes the engine for a free flowing form to set new records in speed.

Energo Racer Sport Cars Concept By Paul Hanna

2011 Fast Car Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

Dodge's muscle car, Dodge Challenger SRT8, receives a boost in horsepower and torque with an introduction of the 392-cu inch HEMI V8 powertrain. The Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 delivers more performance and better handling with .93g of lateral acceleration on the skid pad – the most of any production Challenger till date.

Dodge performance loyalists asked for more power off the line, and the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 answers the call with 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s 90 lb.-ft. more torque at 2,900 rpm compared with the previous 6.1-liter V-8 engine. To kick off 2011-model year production, Dodge will build 1,492 Inaugural Edition models of the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, all with exclusive content.


On the outside, Dodge is offering unique customization for those first 1,492 owners. Two colors and new full-body stripe combinations include Deep Water Blue with standard Stone White stripes or Bright White Clear Coat with standard Viper Blue stripes. All Inaugural Edition models will ride on standard 20-inch SRT-exclusive wheels that feature a polished face and satin black painted pockets.

Unique “392 HEMI” badges flank both fenders touting the historically significant V-8 engine. Mopar quad exhaust tips deliver the performance exhaust note while adding a serious muscle car styling cue. A larger front splitter and integrated front fender spats give this Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 better overall high-speed aerodynamics and balance.

The race-inspired interior of the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Inaugural Edition features standard Smooth Pearl White leather-trimmed seats and dual blue stripes accented by unique blue stitching. Each of the front seats features an embroidered “392″ just below the headrest. An exclusive, serialized “Inaugural Edition 392 HEMI” dash plaque, showing the sequential build number from 1 to 1,492, rounds out the exclusive interior content.

2011 Brabus Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Widestar

The new Brabus Widestar wide version represents a custom-tailored designer suit for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. In addition to the extravagant high-tech carbon-fiber body program for the gullwing the tuner also offers ultralight forged wheels, an electronically adjustable Ride Control smooth-ride suspension, a titanium high-performance exhaust system with electronically controlled sound management and custom Brabus interiors.

To give the SLS an even more muscular appearance the Brabus designers have developed custom-tailored Brabus Widestar components for the rear axle. Like all other body components they are made from extremely light yet very strong carbon fibers identical to the ones used in Formula 1 racing. The add-on parts for the rear fenders and the rear fascia create an even more spectacular look and make room for special wheels that widen the rear track by 20 millimeters for even further improved driving dynamics.

The suspension engineers developed custom-tailored versions of the ultralight Brabus Monoblock F Platinum Edition forged wheels in sizes 9.5Jx20 in front and 11Jx21 on the rear axle for the wide version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. These wheels are available with a brushed-design or ceramics-polished surface and can also be painted in any desired color. The staggered wheels with 20- and 21-inch diameters on front and rear axles further emphasize the wedge-shaped look of the sports car.



Despite the wheels’ bigger size they deliver a weight reduction of up to 12 percent compared to the SLS production wheels. The reduced unsprung weight further results in even more agile handling. Brabus technology partners Pirelli and Yokohama supply the optimal high-performance tires in sizes 275/30 ZR 20 and 295/25 ZR 21.

The ride-height lowering by up to 30 millimeters (1.2 inches) also plays an important role in the striking appearance of the Brabus-modified SLS. The Brabus suspension is height-adjustable and was developed in cooperation with technology partner Bilstein. At the push of a button its integrated Ride Control function also offers a smoother ride than the production car. From the cockpit the driver can at any time – even while driving – switch between damper settings that offer a more comfortable or a sportier ride than the production car.


The Brabus high-performance exhaust system with four slanted exhaust tips with diameters of 84 millimeters (3.3 inches) is somewhat atypical for traditional tuning. Its sound management, controlled by the driver and activated by a pneumatic flap, includes a ‘coming home’ setting that is quieter than the production exhaust. In ’sport’ mode the 6.3-liter eight-cylinder engine produces an even more powerful exhaust note than with the production exhaust. The Brabus exhaust system is manufactured from extremely lightweight titanium and weighs 12 kilograms (26 lbs.) or 40 percent less than the production exhaust. Another welcome by-product of this exhaust is an increase in power output by 10 hp / 7.4 kW.

2011 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 Elegant and Sport Car

The chassis has been fitted with a high-strength steel rollcage and Recaro competition seats. A suede-trimmed steering wheel with a quick release mechanism is also fitted as standard. The Vantage GT4′s safety features are completed with a Sabelt sixpoint safety harness with a push-button release and Lifeline Zero 360 gas extinguisher system.

The V8 Vantage road car’s suspension has required only minor adjustments for optimal track performance. These include larger diameter front and rear anti-roll bars and adjustable ride height aluminium dampers, as well as single rate, flat ground springs with separate helper springs. The front subframe is modified for extra camber and castor. Cast magnesium front and rear wheels are standard fit with high performance Yokohama A048-R tyres. The brakes are uprated with Pagid RS 29 race pads.

As further endorsement of the standard V8 Vantage underframe, the active safety systems are directly carried over to the Vantage GT4, including: dynamic stability control, traction control, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution, providing reassurance and enhanced control in slippery conditions.

What better approach to highway exam a vehicle than to drive it over 3,000 km in a single week. Not most drive which most kilometres in a month (some don’t even do it in the year. In fact many supercars tend to get driven about 5,000 km a year at best. So, afterwards, how does Aston Martin’s 2011 model DB9 hoop a drive as prolonged as a one we had programmed?

It’s satisfactory to indicate out that prior to this sold 2011 Aston Martin DB9 evaluation car was handed over, it had only outlaid the tiresome day at Phillip Island competition course. It literally drove from a lane to a dealership, had its tyres altered as well as got the rinse. No oil change, no mechanical servicing. I was simply handed a keys to begin a prolonged tour from Melbourne to Brisbane around Sydney.