New Cars - Skoda reveals new Octavia vRS & Scout

Skoda has today released the first official images of its facelifted Octavia vRS and Octavia Scout.

Following the launch of the new Octavia late last year, the vRS and Scout have now also been updated to bring them into line with the current range and family face of Škoda.

The facelifted vRS has a redesigned front grille featuring the vRS logo and bold headlamps, which for the first time can be fitted with xenon headlights combined with the adaptive front lighting system.

The car has two more completely new features: front fog lamps with optional cornering function and LED lamps for daytime lighting. The rear lights have also been redesigned to look more attractive and new 18-inch Neptune alloy wheels are available.

Other changes to the vRS include a new metallic paint, Anthracite, and a lowered (now 127mm) sports-tuned chassis. The car is also lighter – the petrol version by 20kg and the diesel by 15kg. With reduced air resistance the maximum speed of the vRS is now higher and the car’s responsiveness and acceleration have also been improved.

The vRS is available with a choice of two powerplants, a 2.0-litre TFSI 150kW (petrol) or a 2.0-litre TDI 126kW (diesel) engine both of which are available with a six-speed manual twin-clutch DSG transmission.

The new Scout has a redesigned front grille, bold headlamps and body-coloured side mouldings. The front fog lights can be fitted with the optional cornering function and the large front bumper emphasises the car’s rugged appearance. A new metallic paint, Rosso Brunello, is also available across the Octavia range.

With 179mm ground clearance and efficient chassis protection, the Octavia Scout can also handle itself off-road. The all-wheel drive system features the fourth-generation Haldex clutch, which can transfer as much as 86 per cent of the torque to a single wheel.

The Scout is available with two engine choice, a 1.8-litre TSI 119kW (petrol) and 2.0-litre TDI 104kW (diesel) combined with a six-speed mechanical transmission.

Renault Clio S

Renault Clio S – Click above for high-res image gallery

Every so often, Renault impresses and teases us with the launch of a new hot hatch. Impresses because they're widely rated as some of the most dynamically competent micro-machines on the road today. Teases because, well...they don't offer them in North America. So all we can do is admire from abroad such offerings as the Twingo 133 Cup, Clio 200 and Megane R26.R, to name just a few.

The range is set to expand both upwards (with the likes of the new Gordini line-up) and downwards (with the adoption of the GT range), but every once in a while, Renault fakes us out with something that when it comes down to it, really only looks the part. The World Series editions were one recent example, and now the French automaker has launched the Clio S for the British market.

Sure, the Clio S looks the part. It's got 16-inch wheels, a spoiler on the trailing edge of its roof, a front lip spoiler below the grille and racing stripes galore, all done up in contrasting white. But the Clio S lacks the go to back up the show. Engines are limited to 75- and 100-horsepower fours and an 86-hp diesel. Not exactly Renaultsport figures, but then neither are their prices, ranging from £11,209 to £13,458 all-in (that's around $18k-22k USD, not accounting for the UK market's inflated pricing). So for the moment, we can rest easy this time around, neither impressed nor enticed. Details in the release after the jump and photos in the gallery below.

Renault Clio S

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Concept car Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt GTstreet Model 997

Design Interior Cockpit Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt

The cockpit of the TechArt GTstreet also differs distinctly from the stock 911 Turbo. Among the differences is an exclusive leather interior with color-contrasted stitching and sporty CarboBlack highlights. The coupe is further equipped with an ergonomically shaped TechArt sport steering wheel, aluminum foot pedals, foot rest and shifter, as well as with illuminated door sills sporting the TechArt logo.

Cool Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt in the Front

German TechArt studio will present in Geneva its latest tire-burner based on the current Porsche 911 Turbo 997 series super-coupe. While most tuners focus their efforts on eye-popping exterior enhancements, TechArt’s engineers have centered their attention

Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt with based on Design

With its 2001 TechArt GTstreet, based on the Porsche 911 Turbo of the 996 model series, TechArt created one of the fastest and most powerful street-legal sports cars of its time. The next evolutionary stage of this fascinating concept celebrates its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2007. The new TechArt GTstreet, based on the 911 Turbo of the latest 997 series, starts at $320,000. Like the predecessor the new GTstreet edition centers on a powerful engine. The 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat engine is modified by the TechArt engine specialists and now develops 630 bhp at 6,800 rpm, up from standard 480 bhp. Peak torque increases to 605 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm.

Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt on Back Body

The TechArt GTstreet rear fascia with integrated carbon-fiber diffuser contributes to the strong downforce generated on the rear axle. It also provides the perfect backdrop for the quad exhaust of the TechArt high-performance exhaust system. TechArt Automobildesign offers a number of versions of its popular Formula wheel in sizes 8.5Jx20 in front and 12Jx20 on the rear axle. GTstreet buyers can choose from several color combinations and between the one-piece Formula and the multi-piece Formula II designs. The Formula II wheel features an exchangeable wheel lip. For optimal tires TechArt chose ContiSportContact 3 high-performance tires in sizes 245/30 ZR20 and 325/25 ZR20. The large 20-inch wheels also provide the necessary space for the especially powerful and durable TechArt high-performance brake system. It features six-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 390-millimeter discs on the front axle. The rear axle is fitted with 365-millimeter discs and four-piston fixed calipers. The TechArt GTstreet comes with a TechArt VarioPlus coil-over suspension that is based on the electronically adjustable PASM damping system of the 911 Turbo. This chassis allows individual ride-height lowering by up to 25 millimeters and push-button selection of two different damper settings, “Normal” or “Sport.” However, the dampers are not limited to these presets. Sporty driving automatically results in firmer damper settings in both modes, thus combining excellent ride comfort during normal driving with agile and responsive handling during fast cornering.

Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt in Beside

The body kit for the TechArt GTstreet was created in the wind tunnel, and offers an optimal symbiosis of aerodynamic down force, minimized drag and striking design. The front fascia of the GTstreet with retractable carbon-fiber splitter produces down force on the front axle and provides radiator, oil coolers and brakes with more cooling air, thanks to its large, striking air inlets. The auxiliary headlamp units with daytime running lights and fog lamps improve active safety. They also give the car even more passing clout. The TechArt GTstreet fender flares on the front axle add 10 mm to the two-door’s width and give it an even more dynamic appearance. But that’s not all: The air outlets behind the front wheel houses optimize brake venting. The larger air ducts in the rear sidewalls provide engine and inter coolers with a larger supply of cooling air. For an optimal transition between front and rear fenders the TechArt designers have developed rocker panels that complement the new contours. TechArt mirror and headlamp moldings provide the finishing touches. The TechArt roof spoiler extends the roof line and optimizes airflow to the adjustable rear airfoil of the GTstreet.

2010 Lexus RX 450h

2010 Lexus RX 450h - Click above for high-res image gallery

With a slew of sensors and CPUs, the 2010 Lexus RX450h can pretty much drive itself. Want to go somewhere? Sit down in the driver's seat, use the Remote Touch device (a.k.a. "mouse") to tell the crossover where you want to go, and follow the easy-as-store-bought-pie instructions to your destination. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on how badly you want to feel like you're in control of your commute. For those concerned about fuel economy and comfort, the almost-autonomous nature of the RX450h is nice, but certainly doesn't offer a tremendous amount of ability to control how much fuel you burn moving down the street. As it turns out, this is a feature, not a bug. Find out why after the jump.

2010 Lexus RX 450h

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2010 Devon GTX

2010 Devon GTX - Click above for high-res image gallery

This is a depressing way to start the new year. According to a "source close to the project" speaking with Automobile, plans to produce the Devon GTX have been cancelled due to the Dodge Viper discontinuation.

As a refresher, the 650-hp, Viper-based coupe was unveiled last year in Pebble Beach and was due to go into limited production this year in Southern California. We even had the chance to go for a spin the GTX late last year after one of the prototypes set a lap record at Laguna Seca. Devon hoped to thrust America back on the main supercar stage with the bespoke coupe, but without a source for the chassis and 8.4-liter engine, those plans have apparently been dashed. We're hoping to get more details directly from Devon, so stay tuned for an update.

UPDATE: We've just heard back from company founder, Scott Devon, and the rumors are unfortunately true – the Devon GTX is dead. However, Devon Motorworks will live on, focusing instead on apparel and an upcoming motorcycle project. So what will happen to the one-time Laguna Seca lap-record-holding Devon GTX? One of the two prototypes will be put on display at the company's flagship store opening in Beverly Hills this April. The other might see track duty in the hands of development driver Justin Bell. Here's the official response from Devon:

The Viper platform being discontinued and the inability to amortize tooling costs are the key reasons. But we have two beautiful prototypes and might still race the Laguna Seca car with Justin Bell in GT2. However, our Devon brand plans have expanded to include jeans, leather jackets, watches, scents, and eyewear. Our Beverly Hills flagship store will open this April. We also have a line of motorcycles being made by legendary builder Shinya Kimura. And the black and chrome GTX will be in the store as a display piece of automotive art. I wish we could have gone into production but have no regrets and feel we achieved a significant contribution in auto design along with the Laguna Seca record.

Devon GTX

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2010 Devon GTX

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Chevrolet Volt Mobile Smartphone App

Chevrolet Volt Mobile Smartphone App – Click above for high-res image gallery

When the Chevy Volt goes on sale late this year, General Motors intends to leverage its popular OnStar technology to help drivers maximize their electric driving time and minimize their use of liquid fuel. To do that, GM created an OnStar/EV lab last year at its Detroit headquarters. Engineers there have been working on how they can utilize available communications technology to save fuel, and the first public result is a new mobile phone application that is being announced at this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

When the production version of the Volt was unveiled in 2008, many called the interior very Apple-like because of its smooth white plastic center stack with capacitive touch controls. Thankfully, for those of us who have not fallen prey to the allure of the iPhone, the new mobile phone app is being developed to work on other touch screen phones including the Motorola Droid and Blackberry Storm. Read on after the jump to learn more about what OnStar has created.

Chevrolet Volt Mobile Smartphone App

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Toyota Etios Concept

Toyota Etios Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

It doesn't take a MENSA member to understand that small, inexpensive and reliable transportation is a big thing in India. On one side, you've got the diminutive Tata Nano. On the other, Honda's New Small Concept. And right in the middle is this: the Toyota Etios concept.

Due to be available in both four- and five-door variants, the Indian-market Etios is yet another inexpensive, easy to maintain runabout for India's burgeoning middle class. Amenities are minimal and so are the engine choices –a 1.2-liter in the hatch and a 1.5-liter in the sedan. But basic transport is each models reason for being, and when the Etios goes on sale in India later this year with a price well below $10,000. Toyota expects to sell around 70,000 units annually and plans to export the Etios in markets outside of India in the near future. But don't expect the either model to arrive in the States anytime soon. Hit the jump for the press release and thanks to Indianautosblog for the pics.

Toyota Etios Concept

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