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.

Ford GTX1 production comes to an end

Gennadi Dedign Group has announced that the end draws nigh for the company's limited-run Ford GT roadster conversion, the GTX1. Over two years of production, the plan was to make 600 total cars available. 100 would be SEMA Edition replicas of the Valencia Orange show car shown above and in the attached gallery. The other 500 would be regular customer cars. According to Gennadi, only 100 cars or so have been ordered and completed, and whatever the number stands at when orders are officially ended on August 31, 2008 will be the final production run. The SEMA editions, in addition to the roof conversion, also received a host of additional upgrades including racing seats, adjustable shocks, Wilwood brakes, a power boost to 700 horses, a hidden rear bumper, and other some interior tweaks, too. Incidentally, we recently saw one of the finished customer cars (it sported the Tungsten paint job) in Greenwich, CT not long ago. With the roof in place, it can easily be mistaken for a "garden variety" GT -- which we would have done if not for the GTX1 labeling aft of the front wheel. Little did we know that it was one of a much smaller group than Gennadi probably anticipated building. If you've got a Ford GT and a hankering for an arier experience, you've got until August to let Gennadi have its way with it.

[Source: Gennadi Design Group]

Ford GTX1 production comes to an end

Gennadi Dedign Group has announced that the end draws nigh for the company's limited-run Ford GT roadster conversion, the GTX1. Over two years of production, the plan was to make 600 total cars available. 100 would be SEMA Edition replicas of the Valencia Orange show car shown above and in the attached gallery. The other 500 would be regular customer cars. According to Gennadi, only 100 cars or so have been ordered and completed, and whatever the number stands at when orders are officially ended on August 31, 2008 will be the final production run. The SEMA editions, in addition to the roof conversion, also received a host of additional upgrades including racing seats, adjustable shocks, Wilwood brakes, a power boost to 700 horses, a hidden rear bumper, and other some interior tweaks, too. Incidentally, we recently saw one of the finished customer cars (it sported the Tungsten paint job) in Greenwich, CT not long ago. With the roof in place, it can easily be mistaken for a "garden variety" GT -- which we would have done if not for the GTX1 labeling aft of the front wheel. Little did we know that it was one of a much smaller group than Gennadi probably anticipated building. If you've got a Ford GT and a hankering for an arier experience, you've got until August to let Gennadi have its way with it.

[Source: Gennadi Design Group]

LA Auto Show: Eye Candy

LA Auto Show: Eye Candy

New Chrysler Aspen

A new Aspen SUV is based on the full-size Dodge Durango and offers three-row seating and seven-passenger capability, with both rear- and all-wheel-drive variants available. Only one Limited trim level is available and standard equipment includes a new 303-horsepower, 4.7-liter V-8 with E85/flex-fuel capability and five-speed automatic transmission with Tow/Haul modes (4×4 models), 18-inch wheels, leather trim, and air conditioning.

The body-colour running boards and a reclining second-row seat are available for 2008. The standard audio system is now an AM/FM/CD player with an auxiliary jack; MyGig and DVD head units are available. Tire pressure monitors are standard, while a rearview camera is an option.

Available equipment includes a power rear liftgate, 20-inch wheels, a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, running boards, heated first- and second-row seats, DVD navigation system, Sirius satellite radio, rear-seat entertainment system, and dual-zone air conditioning. Full-row curtain airbags and stability control are available safety upgrades. The Aspen has a max tow rating of 8950 pounds when properly equipped. There are 68.4 cubic feet of luggage space with the third row folded.

New Chrysler Aspen

A new Aspen SUV is based on the full-size Dodge Durango and offers three-row seating and seven-passenger capability, with both rear- and all-wheel-drive variants available. Only one Limited trim level is available and standard equipment includes a new 303-horsepower, 4.7-liter V-8 with E85/flex-fuel capability and five-speed automatic transmission with Tow/Haul modes (4×4 models), 18-inch wheels, leather trim, and air conditioning.

The body-colour running boards and a reclining second-row seat are available for 2008. The standard audio system is now an AM/FM/CD player with an auxiliary jack; MyGig and DVD head units are available. Tire pressure monitors are standard, while a rearview camera is an option.

Available equipment includes a power rear liftgate, 20-inch wheels, a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, running boards, heated first- and second-row seats, DVD navigation system, Sirius satellite radio, rear-seat entertainment system, and dual-zone air conditioning. Full-row curtain airbags and stability control are available safety upgrades. The Aspen has a max tow rating of 8950 pounds when properly equipped. There are 68.4 cubic feet of luggage space with the third row folded.