Mercedes-Benz Citan – first German Renault

Mercedes-Benz Citan is the answer of German manufacturer of urban commercial vehicle market. In terms of appearance, the small Citan is part of the Mercedes new design, which in future will be transmitted to other commercial vehicles of the mark.

Prospective customers can choose between three models of the body, depending on individual needs: Compact, Long and Extra Long. In terms of safety, the German manufacturer does not disappoint when it comes to commercial vehicles. Mercedes Citan comes standard with ESP, ABS, VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), TCS and ASR (Acceleration Skid Control). Inside the cabin we find harder and more resistant materials, specific to this segment. Ergonomics was a key priority for the German manufacturer, stating that Citan is the most comfortable car in its segment.

In the small van from Stuttgart are three diesel engines with power ranging from 75 hp to 110 hp and gasoline engine that produces 115 hp. The latter model is standard with Start&Stop system, available on the diesel versions but as an option. Mercedes-Benz Citan will be officially presented to Hanover in September this year.

Porsche takes the Nardo circuit
German manufacturer has recently announced that it will take starting from the May the test center in Nardo, Italy. Here will be tested not only manufacturer models in Stuttgart, but all Volkswagen cars.

Nardo test center is less than 20 km from the Italian city of that name in the province of Lecce. The circuit is known for oval track with a length of 12.5 km and 16 m wide that can reach speeds exceeding 320 km/h. Koenigsegg CCR holds the Nardo speed record, reaching a speed of 388 km/h.

Besides the oval track, the Nardo test center offers a 6.2 km circuit that Porsche will use to improve its handling models. German manufacturer took the test drive from Nardo Prototipo SpA  owned by Gian Mario Rossignolo, known for his unsuccessful attempts to revive the brand De Tomaso.

Porsche will start investment to bring the Italian circuit at German standards starting next month. In addition to developing new models, the Stuttgart manufacturer will provide prospective customers or partners can rent their own test circuit.

Creator of the first Porsche 911 was found dead, Thursday of unknown causes in Austria. The creator of first Porsche 911, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, was found dead Thursday, April 5, in Salzburg, Austria, at the age of 76 years.  Causes of death are unknown yet. German designer was born on December 11, in 1935 in Stuttgart, his parents being Dorothea and Ferry Porsche. His grandfather was even Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of company.

In 1957, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche or “Butzi”, as it was called by family, has enrolled at the School of Design, but only after a year he was expelled. Thus, in 1958, he joined Porsche and drew a successor to the 356.

After four years, took over leadership of the design department. In 1963 he completed Porsche 901 project, but because Peugeot had rights on “0″ particle, he had to change its name to 911.

Ford – PSA partnership will exclude large diesels

After more than 20 million diesel engines built together for 12 years, Ford and PSA ceases to work for manufacturing units larger than 2.0 liters.

In the past 12 years Ford and PSA have collaborated in developing diesel engines for which were made nearly 20 million engines. Recently, the two companies have announced that from now on won’t build anymore 2.0 liter diesel engines or higher, while the two builders are going to take different paths.

This decision does not apply to power units with a displacement between 1.4 and 1.6 liters, representing 70% of thrusters built in the 12 years of partnership. The first vehicles that will benefit from this change will be commercial vehicles that will be built after 2015.

French officials argue that this decision has no relation to the recent alliance between PSA and GM. U.S. group recently bought seven percent stake in French company and will build a common platform where will be manufactured several models of the two groups.

The Germans officially presented the name of Cayenne’s younger brother, with the first draft and the first teaser, dedicated to the compact SUV. Porsche Cajun is history. The future compact SUV will not be named by the Germans as they said for a year. Germans from Porsche official release the name of their future compact SUV: Macan.

It will take place in the range just below the Porsche Cayenne, built on the platform of the Audi Q5. Totally different name for the product of Stuttgart has its origins in the Indonesian language, meaning “tiger”. It is clear identification of the basic characteristics of new cat cars: flexibility, agility and power.

According to officials of the mark, Macan will combine features of a sports car with the benefits of an SUV. It will be produced at the plant in Leipzig since 2013 and is part of the strategy for 2018, the Germans seek to broaden the range of models. The new facility will be built where Macan required an investment of 500 million and create 1,000 new jobs. With the machine name, Porsche unveiled the first official draft of it.

Although it is known that many details of the drawings are abandoned in series, there are few details about you will see, certainly in reality. Except silhouette could suffer a relative “softening”, front and rear lights inspired by the concept 918 Spyder, protruding bezel and very flared wheel arches will define the design of Macan. And yet you think would have been more appropriate name for the new Cajun Porsche SUV?

2012 will be a very interesting and exciting year. We have news on all fronts, in all segments. It is difficult to decide now which is the most important release of the year as Romanians tastes in cars do not discuss and change from year to year, from generation to generation. Expect the new 3 Series, however, to stir, to finally bury the new 1 Series sales or look like all Romanians in Dacia Lodgy flock simply because it is a MPV.

Here, below we have the dates of launch of new models will be made ​​official in the Romanian market in 2012.

Alfa Romeo
Alfa Giulietta TCT official arrives in Romania next spring.

Audi
Audi has more news for next year. In mid-February will come here the new A4 facelift. In March the new A1 Sportback and RS5 facelift. In April S6, S7 and S8 plus hybrids of A6 and A8. In June we will see the new A6 Allroad and in September the new A3. Finally, facelift Q5 arrives in October.

BMW
3 Series official arrives in February, as well as bestiality M5. In the second quarter receive 5 Series ActiveHybrid M6 Convertible 6 Series Gran Coupeşi addition X6 and X1 facelift facelift in summer, 7-Series facelift, M6 Coupe, the new 3-door 1 Series 3 Series ActiveHybrid and the second half of the year.

Chevrolet
The only novelty that will be launched next year in Romania is Malibu. The new Chevrolet Malibu will be sold for the first time in Europe and the United States of America is the eighth generation. Malibu is the longest model in the history of mid-size car, with a life of 35 years, over six decades and eight generations. In Romania, the Chevrolet Malibu comes in the third quarter of 2012.

Citroen
In March arrives and Jumpy Berlingo C1 facelift facelift and come here in April. Also in April will be released and C4 Aircross DS5 will be released in June.

Dacia
Much-awaited Lodgy van will arrive in Romania after the official presentation in Geneva in March.

FIAT
The new Panda arrives in May and Freemont will be officially launched in January despite already can be ordered. The new Grande Punto and it arrives in April.

Ford
In the first half you can buy in Romania’s Focus 1 liter EcoBoost engine equipped with a liter, the new Ranger pick-up or improved Transit. Production of B-Max will also start in the first half but the car will reach its customers in Q3 2012.

Hyundai
I40 arrives in showrooms in January, the new i30 and i20 facelift in March to June. The new Santa Fe comes to us in August.

Honda
Honda Civic 5D arrives in the spring of 2012, namely in March, followed shortly and sedan (May). The new CRV will arrive in autumn, probably October.

Infiniti
FX’s facelift arrives in Romania in April. Do not expect radical changes.

Jaguar
One new Jaguar will arrive in Romania next year and unfortunately is only Ultimate Edition XJ. Summer arrives in Romania.

Jeep
Great news are announced for next year but in the spirit of the American classic, the range will be changed slightly for 2012. In Romania, these models arriving in autumn.

KIA
Kia have three news in Romania 2012. New Optima arrives in March or September. But no one knows its final name.

Land Rover
Because until next autumn will see the new Range Rover probably in Paris, in Romania early in April will arrive here a special edition available for the TDV8 engine Supercharged and probably called Westminster. Expect an English-style luxurious interior.

Maserati
Two facelifts are scheduled for next year. As summer arrives in Romania and the GranTurismo’s facelift in the autumn of his GranCabrio.

Mazda
Mazda has two news for Romania in 2012. CX-5 will be released in the spring and BT-50 in the second half of the year.

Mercedes-Benz
The new SL arrives here in March. G GLK facelift facelift in June and July. In September, welcomed the new A and in September CLS Shooting Break. In November we will see the launch of the new GL.

Mitsubishi
In September the new Outlander will be released in December new class global small car, Colt’s successor. Do not know the final name will be marketed this new model in Romania.

Nissan
Nissan does not bring any new model next year, only special editions and the new 1.6 dCi engine also modified in various models of the range. Not yet know the final details of entry

Opel
Opel Astra GTC  will lunch, Tourer and Opel Zafira Combo in January-February.
At the Geneva Motor Show Opel will present mini-SUV Opel Astra OPC. Mid reaches showrooms amps.

Peugeot
French brand has a lot of news in the program for next year. 107 facelift arrives in Q1, 208, 3008 HYbrid4, 4008, 508 RXH, Partner and Expert facelift facelift coming in quarter 2 and RCZ HYbrid4 Sedan facelift and 508 in quarter 4.

Porsche
GTS Panamera arrives in Romania in April and the new convertible’s 911 Carrera and S versions arrive in February.

Renault
In spring arrives Twingo Gordini RS and wait and line. Also we’ll see and Megane RS Trophy final to spring. Energy will begin and the new engine of French manufacturer.

Toyota
In February and March receive facelift facelift RAV4′s for Aygo, Avensis and Prius. Also in March V8 will receive a facelift but also significant changes. Prius hybrid plug-in hybrid Yaris arrives in June and September.

Volkswagen
The new Beetle will be launched in January and up! in March. Also when they come and the new Passat CC Alltrack. In June comes up! the five-door and the new Golf, the seventh generation will be unveiled in December. Amarok single cabin comes from VW commercial vehicles in the spring.

Volvo
The new Volvo compact, A3 and 1 Series competitor, named variant V40 series arrives in Romania next summer.

Here we have the next generation Porsche Boxster, which will be inaugurated in Geneva in 2012 – yet, in Detroit in 2012, was privileged convertible version of his older brother, Porsche 911 convertible. Like its predecessors, the new Porsche Boxster roadster is a compact two-seater with rear-wheel drive and six-cylinder boxer engine. In terms of appearance, the new Boxster shows a more refined sportiness and the front is close enough to the image of 911. However, more elongated headlights fail to clearly differentiate the 911 Boxster. At the rear, the Boxster’s rear lights are very elegant and voluptuous curves and huge air intakes on the sides make the car look very sexy, not just for Porsche enthusiasts.

The new Boxster is easier than the previous generation, and the wheelbase and track widths are increased (however, no information about size, yet). Obviously, the systems are upgraded machine, performance is better, and consumption is up to 15% less.

Roadster interior is generous for two occupants, and ergonomics and design of the dashboard are inspired by the Carrera GT. And powered roof is completely redesigned, with a better-looking cover under which the folds.
The new generation is offered in two engine versions: Boxster (2.7 liters and 265 hp) and Boxster S (3.4 liters and 315 hp). Standard gearbox is offered a 6-speed manual and optional automatic gearbox can choose 7-speed PDK dual-clutch. As performance, Boxster boasts 5.4 seconds to 100 km / h and reaches Boxster S percent in just 4.7 seconds.

For true enthusiasts, the new Boxster can be equipped with a Sport Chrono package upgrade (providing assistance for the first time a dynamic shifting) and a differential mechanical limited slip rear axle, specially designed for PVT system (Porsche Torque Vectoring).
The basic price for the new Porsche Boxster in Europe will be around 49,000 euros, with 1,300 more than the previous generation, while the Boxster S will require extra 10,000 euros. In Romania, the new Boxster will be commissioned in April, with prices starting at 44,149 euros without VAT (Boxster version) and 53 538 euro without VAT (Boxster S version).