Jaguar unveils all wheel drive XJ in New York

Last month, Jaguar launched it's new 2013 model year XJ and XF luxury sedans with the All Wheel Drive™ and fuel efficient V6 engines at New York City’s Highline Park.

The Jaguar AWD is an active torque-management system which uses a performance-oriented rear-drive bias which can shift power to the front wheels to either pre-empt or counter wheel slip. This allows enhancing traction while retaining the sporty agility and steering feel of the rear-wheel drive versions.

The AWD system is paired with a new supercharged 340 horsepower 3-liter V6 engine, with eight-speed automatic transmission and featuring Stop/Start technology.

Jaguar Land Rover engineers spent 18 months testing the new all-wheel drive system in a variety of conditions, including the frozen lakes at their development facility in northern Sweden.

Read More

Volvo V40 and 5 other car safety test results

Euro NCAP has just released the test results of six new models, namely, the Audi A3, Ford B-MAX, Isuzu D-Max, Kia Cee’d, Renault Clio and Volvo V40. Here are the results in brief:

Audi A3 1.4 'Attraction', LHD:
The new Audi receives five stars. Although the passenger airbag can be disabled with an optionally fitted switch to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position, there was no clear warning provided unlike in the other cars.

Ford B-MAX 1.5 diesel 'Trend', LHD: The mini MPV has received a commendable five stars. Instead of B-pillars, the car incorporates a structure into the doors to form a central post when the doors are shut. It also comes with the Active City Stop, an AEB system previously rewarded under Euro NCAP Advanced, which helps the driver achieve maximum braking effectiveness in an emergency situation.

Isuzu D-Max Crew Cab, 2.5 diesel, RHD: Received four star rating. This is an improvement on the previous model tested in 2008. The Isuzu received a score of 83% for adult occupant protection and improved protection for child occupants against a tougher 2012 regime. Though pedestrian safety has improved (51%) it still did not yet reach the 60% threshold required for five stars.

Kia Cee’d 1.4MPI LX, LHD:Receives 5 stars.

Renault Clio 1.0 base grade, LHD: Receives five stars.

Volvo V40: With five stars Volvo's new car is Euro NCAP’s all time top scorer in its segment.

It incorporates the World-first Pedestrian Airbag technology, fitted as standard on the entire V40 range. In case of a crash with a pedestrian, sensors detect the impact, release the bonnet and deploy the airbag in a split second.

Read More