Motor Authority - blog Tag: Spain

In an unusually high-tech concept, Mitsubishi is promoting its new Colt with a sort of Internet scavenger hunt. The first user to find and download all the parts of the car, scattered around various BitTorrent sites, will win a free car.

There are 30 parts in total, and the process is centered on the timing of the Barcelona Motor Show, starting May 8. The contest does appear to be limited to Spain, however, so be prepared to travel if you win from another location.

It's definitely a novel concept and an interesting way to get a younger audience interested in the car. Once those techies are hooked, however, Mitsubishi will have to follow... In an unusually high-tech concept, Mitsubishi is promoting its new Colt with a sort of Internet scavenger hunt. The first user to find and download all the parts of the car, scattered around various BitTorrent sites, will win a free car. There are 30 parts in total, and the process is centered on the timing of the Barcelona Motor Show, starting May 8. The contest does appear to be limited to Spain, however, so be prepared to travel if you win from another location. It's definitely a novel concept and an interesting way to get a younger audience interested in the car. Once those techies are hooked, however, Mitsubishi will have to follow through with a properly gadget-friendly vehicle. The little Colt hatch is definitely forward-looking with its diminutive size and 45mpg (5.2L/100km) combined-cycle efficiency rating, but the Internet hardcore that will be seeking this prize out may find its rather Spartan selection of electronics lacking. On the other hand, people that use BitTorrent are definitely fans of free fun, so the Colt could be just what they're after. At any rate, it's a surprisingly fresh idea in the world of car promotion. If you want that Colt, however, you'd better get started - the search is already underway, with 44% of the parts found. Next up is a speedometer. Via: TorrentFreak2009 Mitsubishi Colt officially revealedMitsubishi's 'Download a Colt for Free' game trailer Read More

Fans of video gaming might associate the letters GTA with a long-running series of mayhem and madness - and more than a little automotive hoonage. But in this case it's the name of a Spanish motorsports company that runs a pair of cars in the Formula 3 championship. Racing is a great way to build a reputation, but to reach a global audience a production car is the only way to go. In that case, we will be hearing a lot more about GTA Motor as the company has just launched a brand new supercar called the Spano.

Production will be limited to 99 units, although after the initial run a handful of special edition models are expected to be... Fans of video gaming might associate the letters GTA with a long-running series of mayhem and madness - and more than a little automotive hoonage. But in this case it's the name of a Spanish motorsports company that runs a pair of cars in the Formula 3 championship. Racing is a great way to build a reputation, but to reach a global audience a production car is the only way to go. In that case, we will be hearing a lot more about GTA Motor as the company has just launched a brand new supercar called the Spano. Production will be limited to 99 units, although after the initial run a handful of special edition models are expected to be launched. The experience in motorsport has been a key ingredient for the development of the car, and this can be seen in its chassis, which has been created by combining Kevlar and carbon-fiber with a mix of titanium thrown in as well. The engine, on the other hand, is totally unique. It's a V10 unit mounted in a longitudinal rear position, sending 780hp (582kW) and 679lb-ft (920Nm) of torque to the rear wheels via a seven-speed sequential-manual gearbox. Other race car derived technologies include the geometry of the car’s double wishbone suspension configuration and adjustable shock absorbers. The tires are also similar to the units used in racing - in this case a specially developed Pirelli PZero unit which measures 255mm on 19in wheels at the front and 335mm on 20in wheels at the rear. Braking hardware consists of 380mm carbon-ceramic discs with six-piston calipers from AP Racing. Initial testing has shown that the new supercar will be able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in less than three seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 350km/h, but we’ll have to wait until the first independent tests come out until we can determine if the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini should be feeling a little threatened.GTA Supercar ConceptGTA Spano supercar Read More

Following the debut of the updated Leon hatchback at last month’s Geneva Motor Show come the first images and details for updated versions of the sportier Ibiza FR and Leon Cupra models, both of which will be making their debut next month at the Barcelona Motor Show.

The new FR version of the Ibiza introduces several new features compared with the previous model, which all combine to provide a more intense driving experience. First of all, the new car is equipped with an efficient 150hp (112kW) twin charger 1.4L TSI engine but it also picks up a revised seven-speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel shift paddles.

Furthermore, the... Following the debut of the updated Leon hatchback at last month’s Geneva Motor Show come the first images and details for updated versions of the sportier Ibiza FR and Leon Cupra models, both of which will be making their debut next month at the Barcelona Motor Show. The new FR version of the Ibiza introduces several new features compared with the previous model, which all combine to provide a more intense driving experience. First of all, the new car is equipped with an efficient 150hp (112kW) twin charger 1.4L TSI engine but it also picks up a revised seven-speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel shift paddles. Furthermore, the addition of the XDS electronic stability system provides greater driving comfort and safety. XDS works together with ESP and improves performance when traction is lost by braking the wheel that loses grip. Changes to the updated Cupra include enhancement to its styling and interior package. Power comes from the familiar 240hp (179kW) 2.0L TSI engine, which is enough to accelerate the FWD hatch from 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds and see it reach a top speed of 247km/h. Distinguishing the performance pair from the rest of the fleet are newly designed head and tail-lamps, new bumpers that lend a more aggressive appearance, silver door handles and unique alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 18in. While Seat is yet to confirm the news, there are reports claiming the Spanish carmaker is also planning a new high-performance Ibiza hatch based on last year’s Bocanegra concept car to be presented next month. Check out our previous story for more details.2009 Seat Ibiza FR2009 Seat Leon Cupra Read More

Australian Red Bull Formula 1 driver Mark Webber was still limping from a broken leg suffered just after the end of last season, but teammate Sebastian Vettel was hale and hardy for the launch of the 2009 Red Bull RB5 Formula 1 car today in Jerez, Spain.

Powered by the Renault RS27 engine, the car is the work of legendary engineer Adrian Newey, Red Bull's Chief Technical Officer. "It’s a long time since we’ve had such a big rule change so today is so something of a nervous moment, because it provides the opportunity to come up with something different, but there is always the possibility that other teams have thought of... Australian Red Bull Formula 1 driver Mark Webber was still limping from a broken leg suffered just after the end of last season, but teammate Sebastian Vettel was hale and hardy for the launch of the 2009 Red Bull RB5 Formula 1 car today in Jerez, Spain. Powered by the Renault RS27 engine, the car is the work of legendary engineer Adrian Newey, Red Bull's Chief Technical Officer. "It’s a long time since we’ve had such a big rule change so today is so something of a nervous moment, because it provides the opportunity to come up with something different, but there is always the possibility that other teams have thought of something you haven’t," said Newey. The new racer completed just 14 laps before problems with the gearbox ended the session. The team also showed some reluctance to reveal the rear of the car. Last week's tussle between the Toyota and Williams teams and some of the league's other competitors over the legality of a rear diffuser could have a role to play in it, though the FIA's current stance is that the diffusers are legal. Note that the rear of the car isn't revealed in any of the official photos either, though the sleeker front-end and shiny slick tires to highlight some of the key rules changes for the 2009 season. The KERS system has presented its own difficulties as well, though not always in the obvious fashion; weight distribution has become harder to work with as a result of the KERS system's inclusion. "The weight distribution has been a challenge, particularly in dealing with KERS," said Newey. "On the one hand, it’s clear that with the return to slick tyres, you need to get a bit more weight on to the front axle, while on the other hand, KERS is putting more weight on the rear. This means you have very little scope to move ballast around."Red Bull Racing RB5 Read More

Seat has unveiled an electrically-driven prototype based on its Leon hatchback, which the company plans to trial in an urban environment together with the Spanish government. The technology behind the new prototype is Volkswagen Group’s Twin Drive plug-in hybrid powertrain, which was first displayed in a Mark V Golf hatch and then again in the new Mark VI model.

The prototype receives its name from its twin powerplant design, which features an electric motor designed for city driving and an internal combustion engine for longer trips. Likewise, certain elements such as the gearbox, brakes, heating and cooling systems, and a... Seat has unveiled an electrically-driven prototype based on its Leon hatchback, which the company plans to trial in an urban environment together with the Spanish government. The technology behind the new prototype is Volkswagen Group’s Twin Drive plug-in hybrid powertrain, which was first displayed in a Mark V Golf hatch and then again in the new Mark VI model. The prototype receives its name from its twin powerplant design, which features an electric motor designed for city driving and an internal combustion engine for longer trips. Likewise, certain elements such as the gearbox, brakes, heating and cooling systems, and a substantial part of the electronics have also been modified. The electric motor is powered by a group of lithium-ion batteries located at the rear of the vehicle, providing sustainable power of 35kW and a restricted top speed of 100km/h. On electric power alone the vehicle can travel a total distance of 50km. After that its internal combustion engine, a highly efficient turbodiesel unit, kicks in. The idea is that the electric motor will be used exclusively for short urban trips and the internal combustion engine for longer journeys and highway travel. VW is also conducting its own trial of the Twin Drive system together with the German government. The company will trial a fleet of 20 Twin Drive Golfs later this year under a new scheme investigating the future of personal mobility. To ensure the cars are true zero-emissions vehicles, the electrical energy required to charge the batteries under the trial will be generated from renewable resources such as wind and hydro power. Both companies expect to have the first production models ready for public sale around 2014.2008 Volkswagen Twin Drive ConceptVolkswagen Golf Mark VI TwinDriveSeat Leon Twin Drive Ecomotive plug-in hybrid Read More