Sports Science

Archive for the ‘Astra Sport’ Category

Automakers are following a common pattern and the said pattern is forcibly created by the shift of market to small and fuel-efficient cars. As obvious as it is, the demand for trucks is waning. As a fact, analysts are saying that they are descending on the auto industry’s center stage to make way for crossovers and compact cars. This is the very reason why automakers are unveiling more and more compacts and crossovers.

Auto shows mirror what auto enthusiasts want to purchase. They are the barometers that gauge the desires customers. Those vehicles that occupy the center stage are likely to be the hot-sellers. In 2006, mileage was given significant attention. This year, auto shows give emphasis on crossovers, compacts and number of full-size trucks from General Motors Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp.

“Small cars are still in the picture this year, but the people who decide what vehicles will be introduced at which auto show have to plan years in advance,” said George Pipas, sales analyst with Ford Motor Co. “No one product totally dominates the landscape in North America like it does in Europe where all those small, high-mileage cars are seen running around,” he said. “It was serendipity that minis were introduced last year, the same year gas prices topped $3 a gallon, and that the lack of attention to minis at the Los Angeles, Detroit and Chicago auto shows this year is based on lower gas prices.”

“If your car gets 20 m.p.g. and you buy one that gets 22 m.p.g., you still feel you’ve conserved fuel because you’re driving a more fuel-efficient car than you had,” said Joe Phillippi, principal with AutoTrends. “This is what happens when gas goes below $2 a gallon, and it doesn’t take long to pay more attention to high performance than high mileage,” Phillippi added. “Most people would rather drive something a little bigger, fancier and costlier, even if a little thirstier.”

Another Toyota pride is the 2008 Highlander sport utility, which will go on sale this summer. The hybrid version of the vehicle will be available in fall. Both versions boast increased horsepower and performance.

The Alliance of Automotive Manufacturers, a trade group for the major automakers, has created a display of alternative-fuel machines in North Hall of McCormick Place to elucidate enthusiasts how fuel cells and hybrids work. Hybrids are not static. In fact, Chevy earlier unleashed the Volt, which boasts advanced parts accessories and driving performance. The vehicle does not draw attention because of the efficiency of Stillen Cold Air Intake, but because of the sum of all its auto parts. Volt boasts 40 miles driving on batteries alone before a 6.5-hour recharge or switching to a 3-cylinder gas engine to generate power for an extra 600 miles. Saturn Astra, a two- and four-door hatchback that serves as replacement for the Ion, also embraces the industry’s spotlight.

Diversity is the byword for 2007 auto shows. “Product diversity is what makes auto shows exciting,” said Ford’s Pipas. “No one size fits all.” At Ford, the Freestyle crossover and Taurus (previously Five Hundred) sedan stand alongside the Mercury Sable (formerly Montego) with the arrival of a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 260 horsepower. This move is in response to the clamor for more auto power.

Speaking of power, Pontiac also unravels its midsize, rear-wheel-drive G8 sedan that is set to arrive early next year with a 3.6-liter V-6 or 6-liter V-8 and 6-speed automatic or manual transmissions. The V-8 delivers active fuel management to power cut 4 cylinders and save fuel. Dodge, on the other hand, is introducing its redesigned Dakota. Volkswagen brand will also set forth the high-performance R32 derived from the Rabbit platform, with a 3.2-liter, 250-h.p. V-6 and AWD.

Nonetheless, despite diversity of vehicles, crossover sport-utility vehicles represent the fastest-growing segment of the industry. According to WardsAuto.com, “Crossover utility vehicles, or CUVs, are expected to leapfrog over four vehicle segments to become the highest-volume sector in North America by 2009.”

I’m sure most people who have even a vague interest in Cars must have heard of the Vauxhall VXR8 also known as the Monaro this is Vauxhall’s insane muscle car that defiantly fly’s in the face of current motoring trends. Well I’ve discovered there is an entire VXR family a sort of family from hell if you like. Vauxhall’s slightly understated corporate statement goes something like “VXR takes the experience, knowledge and passion gained from racing and crystallises it into a range of high performance road cars”

Well they’re not kidding! A few minutes spent online led me to a high octane fuelled world where I became entranced by a staggering array of performance figures that left me in awe and amazement, well almost.

You see Vauxhall didn’t stop at the VXR8 oh no they have created a range that means everyone can experience blistering performance right across the spectrum from the ubiquitous hot hatch to the family saloon and even the MPV all receive an injection of pure adrenaline.

Young men with the money to afford the insurance will be rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of the Corsa VXR which is the smallest model to get the VXR treatment.

It comes with a 1.6 litre 4 cylinder Turbo-charged engine that produces 192 PS and 230NM of torque which increases for five seconds to over 260NM when you apply the turbo over boost. This adds up to a 0-60mph time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. Unlike hot hatches of yesteryear advances in braking means that this will actually stop when you apply the brakes thanks to large diameter disc brakes front and rear you get nice blue calipers as well so no need to get your spray paint out lads.

The Corsa has lowered sports suspension and switchable Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) including Traction Control for those who like to show their road skills without assistance. 17″ Alloy wheels come as standard with ultra-low profile tyres and optional 18″ V spoke Alloys with even lower profile tyres can be had to increase your small but imposing presence round town or more likely in shopping mall car parks after hours.

Next on the list is the Astra which Vauxhall claim to be their hottest hatch ever and then some! The 2.0 litre 4 cylinder Ecotec comes with an updated Turbocharger producing 240 PS and 320NM of torque which propels you from 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and gives a top speed of 152mph. The Astra comes with a centrally mounted trapezoidal tuned sports exhaust, close ratio six-speed gearbox and large diameter disc brakes finished off with 18″ or 19″ Alloys.

The Vectra has always been a favourite with fleet buyers but not sure if they would let you loose in one of these. The VXR gets a 2.8 litre 24valve V6 engine with a twin scroll Turbocharger no less. Those in the know will tell you that this is normally reserved for rally cars and such like, what it means is 280PS and 355MN of torque. 0-60 comes in 6.1 seconds and top speed is a restricted 155mph.

You’d think Vauxhall would leave it here but even the Meriva and Zafira have received the VXR treatment. These are the popular MPV models which have been given the potential to make you the fastest Mum or Dad on the school run, not sure if the kids will appreciate Recaro sports seats no doubt they will be busy getting food all over them. It is always handy to know that by the time you have loaded up all their clobber and then gone back home to get the conveniently forgotten sports kit you will still arrive at the school gates before you left!

Well I couldn’t finish without giving the VXR8 a mention, Vauxhall have made some recent “tweaks” to the performance and although they have published an eye watering 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds they have kept the top speed a bit quiet needless to say it is very fast. They have been up front about the CO2 emissions though, something like 365 g/km oops! Never mind it’s still a great car.

The 2007 Chicago Auto Show will takes place on February 9 to 18 at the recently renovated McCormick Place in downtown Chicago. Official bulletins from the show floor will be released once the restricted preview for the media begins on Wednesday, February 7.

Twenty different vehicles are scheduled to be unveiled at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. The vehicles that are to debut at the said auto show will be production cars and not concepts. Nevertheless, most of the concept cars that have been previously presented at the recent auto shows like the 2007 Detroit Auto Show and 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show respectively will also be included.

It is expected that about a million visitors will take part during the 10 days duration of the show. The McCormick Place, the venue of the auto show measures 1.3 million square feet enough to provide the participating automakers with ample display room for their model lines. Jeep’s now famous indoor test track will also feature a slippery winter hill climb. The show is also promoting attendance by staging the world’s largest game of “Simon says” on Friday, February 9, in an effort to get an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Another highlight of the show is the introduction of some interesting vehicles which includes:

2007 BMW Alpina B7: BMW’s introduction of the Alpina nameplate to the U.S. begins with this supercharged special edition of the BMW 7 Series sedan.

2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS: This is the special, lightweight version of the high-performance GT3, a limited-production homologation special for Porsche’s 911 racing car.

Nissan: Some bodywork revisions for Nissan’s big trucks — including the Titan pickup, Armada sport-utility and Pathfinder sport-utility — will be revealed.

2008 Saturn Astra: The Astra is the newest Saturn, a replacement for the slow-selling Ion. A derivative of the Opel Astra, this German-designed hatchback continues Saturn’s move toward adopting a new European-style identity.

2008 Scion xB and 2008 Scion xD: Scion has announced the introduction of its replacements for the innovative xB box-on-wheels and the frequently overlooked xA hatchback sedan.

2008 Pontiac G8: General Motors have reworked the Holden platform from Australia and we expect a full-size, rear-wheel-drive car for the Pontiac lineup.

2008 Volkswagen R32: Sold here from 2003-’05, the all-wheel-drive version of the GTI returns with an autobahn-tuned chassis and a luxurious interior. And since it’s built by Volkswagen, buyers are guaranteed that it is equipped with only the best quality auto parts like its Volkswagen control arm.

For interested individuals who want to get an early look at the show floor, the Chicago Auto Show hosts and evening gala on Thursday, February 8. Tickets for “First Look for Charity” cost $200 plus tuxedo rentals can also be arranged. Due to the large number of visitors expected at the auto show, parking at McCormick Place may prove to be an issue. Visitors are advised to park at either King Drive Lot A or the lot at the Hyatt Hotel.