Motoring News
Today, 28 September 2013Small-cap week, September 28
African Minerals burns short sellers; CVS lifts dividend; Revolymer shares dip; and Globo boosted as data storage software adopted
read moreVolkswagen plans new twin-turbo VR6 engine
Volkswagen develops new twin-turbo VR6 engine from Design Vision GTI concept, develops up to 450bhp
Volkswagen is pushing ahead with a new direct-injection V6 petrol engine, sources have revealed.Development of the new unit, a replacement for the discontinued VR6, is being overseen by VW’s new head of engine development, Fritz Eichler, the man behind the current generation of AMG powerplants. It continues with a swept volume of 3.0 litres and 15deg cylinder bank angle.The new engine will have forced induction. VW insiders hint at a twin-turbo set-up, as previewed in the Design Vision GTI concept.The concept’s transverse twin-turbo 3.0 V6 produced 496bhp and 413lb ft. Production versions are described as being less heavily tuned, with between 340bhp and 450bhp. The new VR6 is set to be used in a number of new VWs, including replacements for the Passat and Passat CC and the production version of the CrossBlue, driven in prototype form here.
read moreDriving the Silk Trail - Range Rover Hybrid picture special
Three Range Rover Hybrids are half way through an attempt to conquer the 'Silk Trail', driving from the UK to Mumbai; here's their journey so far...
They've covered 4300 miles and crossed 11 countries, but there's still a long way to go for these Range Rover Hybrids on the famous Silk Trail.The cars originally left Land Rover's West Midlands HQ at the end of last month, having been set the challenge of following the 2000-year-old trading route to Mumbai, India, a distance of 9950 miles.Land Rover sees the mammoth endurance drive as the final development test drive for its new Range Rover Hybrid. In total, the journey is expected to take seven weeks and see the team travel through 14 countries.The route is treacherous, however, and has already seen the team conquer rough terrain, mountains and temperatures of up to 43 degrees.Now in the fourth week of the journey, the team reports that the only things to have slowed them down so far are some lengthy border crossings, and a puncture.Indeed, the Range Rover Hybrids, powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine in conjunction with an electric motor, have scarcely missed a beat. The cars have a peak power output of 335bhp and 516lb ft of torque, allowing the team to make swift progress
read more
Subscribe to this Motoring News feed!
