vLane Blog

Articles Matching “Europe”

• Video: Lada Canada stunt team

  Banovsky on October 21, 2009

  We're just as surprised as you are. Sure Russian manufacturer Lada sold cars in Canada, but we don't remember any stunt driving demonstrations!

  

  Yes, they removed the wheels…

  This short video is pretty tame by modern standards — and I'm sure the vehicles were "strengthened" in many key areas — but really…stunts with cars are always awesome!

  Without further adieu, click through for the video!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Classic, Video, WTF, Europe, LOL, stunts, Lada

• Videos: Why you should love the European Hill Climb Championship

  Banovsky on October 19, 2009

  A few spare hours here and there will uncover some amazing things. I knew the European Hill Climb Championship existed, but haven't seen it on TV or in person. What to do? YouTube.

  

  Let's catch some air, shall we?

  Thanks to hillclimbfans.com for capturing these great videos. Without further adieu, click through for a few videos of this amazing form of motorsports.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Event, Video, Feature, Europe, motorsport, Original

• Europe still gets all the fun: Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

  Banovsky on September 21, 2009

  "OK," you ask, "why is this car cool while the Aston Martin Cygnet concept isn't?"

  

  The 2010 Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

  Well, this performance-orientated Abarth 695 'Tributo Ferrari' will go on sale, and FIAT has made some substantial modifications to ensure it lives up to the prancing horse badge.

  First, the special edition model is fitted with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine tuned to develop "over 180 horsepower". The four-cylinder unit is coupled to an electromechanical gearbox with race-inspired paddle gearshift that drives the front-wheels.

  Add in some performance tires, 17-inch alloy wheels, a more powerful braking system with Brembo callipers, and a sportier suspension set up with new shock absorbers. Oh, and for annoying the neighbours it comes with a "Record Monza" dual mode exhaust that is designed to improve engine performance "and deliver a more sonorous note over 3,000 rpm." Finishing touches include Xenon headlights, Scuderia Red paint, carbon fibre accents, lighter sport seats, leather-clad interior, and various aluminum trim pieces.

  We want. How much are Italian villas going for these days?

  Click for more photos!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Hatchback, Europe, Sports car, Ferrari, Fiat, Performance, 2010

• Swede dreams: 2010 Saab 9-5

  Banovsky on August 30, 2009

  We've profiled both Saab's bad times and good times here at vLane. But one thing holds true: we love it when Saab produces a "real" Saab, completely fresh in thinking and approach. The new 9-5 looks like one of those cars.

  

  The 2010 Saab 9-5 Sedan

  I mean, just look at it. It's clearly more aircraft-inspired than past models, especially with the "wrap-around" windshield look. Underneath, it shares its platform with a few GM cars, albeit with a modified wheelbase. Power comes from turbocharged motors, either 4-or-6-cylinder, 200 horsepower up to 300 hp.

  The interior is amazing, too. A heads-up display, integrated navigation system, adaptive headlights, and adaptive cruise control ensure that it lives up to the expectations of drivers around the world.

  All versions are available with 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions — and — in front or all-wheel-drive. Look for the latest "big" Saab in showrooms next summer.

  

  Click for more photos!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under News, Europe, Saab, Sedan, 2010, Design, AWD, 9-5

• Overseas awesome: 2010 Peugeot RCZ

  Banovsky on August 30, 2009

  Whoa, right? From the chrome-trimmed double-bubble top to the gaping "mouth" front air intakes, this 2010 Peugeot RCZ makes us jealous of Europeans.

  

  The 2010 Peugeot RCZ Coupe

  Powered by a range in engines — both gasoline and diesel — and ranging from 1.6-litres to 2.0-litres, you wouldn't think the front-drive-only RCZ would be much of a driver's car. But you'd be wrong. The most powerful motor, a 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder (with twin-scroll turbo) pumps out an astonishing 200 horsepower, blasting the car to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds.

  Oh, and did we mention that the least efficient RCZ will do 33 mpg? The diesel will do a Prius-eating 46 mpg…

  

  Click for more photos!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Future, News, Europe, Coupe, Photos, 2010, Peugeot, RCZ

• The oh-so-hot Mini Cooper Coupe Concept

  Banovsky on August 26, 2009

  Usually I like practical things. Like wagons. But in this case, since Mini decided to ditch the rear seats, practicality isn't a quality the (*cough* production-ready) Cooper Coupe has to embody.

  

  The 2009 Mini Coupe Concept

  Even by ditching the upright hatchback, the looks are love-it-or-leave it, admittedly. I love it. People are giving the rear spoiler some hate, saying it looks "tacked-on"…but it actually follows and is integrated into the roofline. Pretty swank. Also swank are the interior appointments, subtly altered from normal Minis.

  Will they build it? I hope so. It'd give budget sports cars like the Mazda Miata, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and lower trims of the Audi TT a run for their money.

  

  Click for more photos and the official release!

  Read full article | Comments (3) | Filed under Future, News, Europe, Sports car, Concept, Coupe, MINI, Photos, 2010, MINI

• 2011 Maserati GranCabrio

  Banovsky on August 24, 2009

  …Is pure sex. Just look at it! Apparently to be marketed late next year and on-sale in early 2011, the GranCabrio completes the Maserati range, joining the Quattroporte sedan and GranTurismo coupe.

  

  The 2011 Maserati GranCabrio

  Want more information? The GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7 litre V8, 323 kW engine and is the convertible with "the longest wheelbase on the market." Forget the folding hard top: the GranCabrio's roof is strictly canvas-made, "emphasizing the link with the Maserati tradition."

  

  Click for more photos and the official release!

  Read full article | Comments (3) | Filed under Maserati, Future, News, Europe, Sports car, Convertible, 2011, GranCabrio, GranTurismo

• 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

  Banovsky on August 19, 2009

  This is Porsche's latest road-going track weapon, the 2010 911 GT3 RS. It's nuttier than peanut butter, with every aspect of the car honed for the track. After all, this vehicle is what Porsche homologates (IE, produces for eligibility) to compete in races across the world.

  

  The 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS: Funky graphics so…erm…funky that you'll always want to be speeding.

  
  

  Here are some details:

  • 3.8-litre flat-6 engine
  • 0-60 in under 4 seconds
  • 450 horsepower (15 more than the 911 GT3)
  • Low-ratio, six-speed gearbox
  • Wider front and rear compared with a normal 911
  • 19-inch alloy wheels
  • Modified engine and stability control electronics
  • Carbon fibre rear spoiler, lightweight titanium exhaust and lithium-ion battery save weight
  • On sale in early 2010

  Click through for more photos of this monster…but what's with the lipstick?

  Read full article | Comments (2) | Filed under Future, News, Europe, Sports car, Coupe, Motorsport, Porsche, Photos, 2010, 911, Germany, 911, GT3 RS

• 2010 Audi A5 Sportback

  Banovsky on July 17, 2009

  Ah, the Germans. After Mercedes did the "sedan coupe" CLS, BMW did the "SUV-coupe" X6, and soon-to-debut 5-Series GT , we guess Audi felt left out, so added two doors and a hatchback to the A5 to create the A5 "Sportback."

  

  The 2010 Audi A5 Sportback

  Even if you like the styling, don't get too excited, as Audi hasn't confirmed the car will be sold in the US. Power comes from engines found in the A4/A5 lineup, including Audi's ubiquitous 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder, a 3.2-litre V6, and in the future, the supercharged V6 now fitted to the S4 and S5 models.

  Click through for more angles of this striking design.

  But it's still not a coupe.

  Read full article | Comments (4) | Filed under News, Audi, Europe, Sedan, Crossover, Coupe, 2010, Germany, A5 Sportback, A5

• Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Experimental Safety Vehicle

  Banovsky on July 13, 2009

  Readers: take a long, hard look at this car, because it's the future of motoring. With a hybrid powertrain and safety gizmos like — get this — airbags in the seatbelts (!), Mercedes-Benz has pulled out all the stops for this experimental safety concept.

  

  Pay no attention to all the decals and rice-boy rims…

  Because the release is incredibly long and dry, here are the main features of this concept:

  • PRE-SAFE Structure: Inflatable metal structures save weight and increase the stability of structural components. When at rest, the metal section is in a folded state to save space. If its protective effect is required, a gas generator builds up an internal pressure of 10 to 20 bar within fractions of a second, causing the sec-tion to unfold for significantly more stability.
  • Braking Bag: This auxiliary brake accommodated in the vehicle floor is a new type of PRE-SAFE® component. If the sensor system concludes that an impact is unavoidable, the Braking Bag is deployed shortly before the crash and stabilises the car on the road surface by means of a friction coating. The vehicle's vertical acceleration increases the friction, and helps to decelerate the vehicle before the impact occurs.
  • Interactive Vehicle Communication: The ESF 2009 is able to communicate di-rectly with other vehicles, or via relay stations. Using "ad hoc" networks and WLAN radio technology, it is e.g. able to receive and transmit warnings of bad weather or obstacles in the road.
  • PRE-SAFE Pulse: This further development of PRE-SAFE® is able to reduce the forces acting on the torsos of the occupants during a lateral collision by around one third. It does this by moving them towards the centre of the vehicle by up to 50 millimetres as a precautionary measure. As an active re-straint system, it uses the air chambers in the side bolsters of the seat backrests.
  • Spotlight lighting function: This partial LED main beam specifically illuminates potential hazards. If the infrared camera of Night View Assist PLUS e.g. detects deer at the roadside or pedestrians on the road, these can be briefly il-luminated beyond the normal area covered by the main beams, as if by a spot-light.

  Read on for photos and videos of this very safe Merc in action

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Future, Green, Mileage, News, WTF, Europe, Sedan, Concept, Misc, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Safety, Hybrid, Car seat, 2009