Wednesday, June 3, 2009

The new SEAT Exeo ST will be available in the dealership network - 90+ images included

New SEAT Exeo ST
  • New family style body for those seeking greater space and practicality
  • New BOSE sound system and new WIV variable maintenance system
  • Available in five engine choices – three petrol and two common rail Diesel
MARTORELL : June 2, 2009 - The Spanish brand’s sporty SEAT Exeo sedan range has been extended with the arrival on the market of the estate ST version, a tremendously functional car that combines luxury, comfort and spaciousness with the traditional sporty philosophy that characterises all SEAT models.


The new Exeo ST goes one step further in terms of practicality and interior functionality. With its family size body styling and new rear hatch, load capacity has been greatly increased and loading itself is much easier. Furthermore, with the launch of the ST, the Exeo range has even more equipment, and new systems that improve on-board safety and comfort, strengthening the position of SEAT’s new model within the B segment of mid-sized sedans.

One of the main novelties added to the equipment line-up of the Exeo range is the BOSE sound system with 10 precision speakers that guarantee unbeatable acoustics within the passenger compartment to round off an attractive offer that includes several infotainment systems. Another outstanding element found on the Exeo is the WIV variable maintenance system, which considerably lengthens the time between service appointments and informs the driver on the distance remaining before the next visit.

The new Exeo ST looks very similar to the four-door sedan version. The only differences lay in the length of the body, which is 4.666 metres long, and the boot volume, of 442 litres, with increased load capacity when the rear seats are folded. Other elements that identify the new family version are the roof rails, which are handy for transporting bulkier items.

The new SEAT Exeo ST will initially be available with three petrol engines – the 102 hp 1.6, 150 hp 1.8 and 200 hp 2.0 TSI, and two Diesel choices – the 143 and 170 hp 2.0 units (the 120 hp version will be ready in September) equipped with DPF particulate filter and common rail technology. They are all mated to a six-speed manual gearbox that fully complies with EU5 emissions legislation coming into effect in 2011.

Extensive equipment line-up

The SEAT Exeo ST is available in three trim levels – Reference, Style and Sport.

Right from the entry-level Reference version, the range is available with 7 airbags as standard, with the option of including two rear chest airbags. Other standard equipment on Reference includes dual zone climate control, ABS + TCS, ESP with EBA emergency braking, passenger airbag disconnection, driver seatbelt warning, WIV variable maintenance system, optimised headrests, efficient gear shift indicator (except with the 102 hp 1.6 engine), 205/55 tyres on 16 inch steel rims, trip computer, front and rear power windows, electric heated door mirrors, roof rails, body colour side mouldings, sport suspension, foglights, remote controlled central locking, storage drawers beneath the front seats, roll-up parcel shelf, split folding rear seat, glove compartment light, front and rear reading lights, MP3 CD radio with aux-in, four speakers and Isofix anchoring points on the passenger and rear window seats with Top Tether, among others.

The Style versions build on Reference equipment with the following elements: height adjustable passenger seat, front seats with lumbar support, cruise control, lighting package, smoker’s package, chrome roof rails, park position door mirrors, chrome roof rails, rear parking sensor, rain sensing wipers, automatic lights on, anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, acoustic protection windscreen, windscreen with green anti-glare stripe, Coming Home, front /rear armrest with compartment + 2 cupholders, chrome window frames + glossy B/C pillars + aluminium inserts on interior door sills, cooler in glove compartment, leather steering wheel and gearknob, rope net cargo area separator, steering wheel controls, 4 additional speakers, volumetric alarm with tilt sensor, low tyre pressure warning and 205/55 tyres on 16” alloy rims.

The Sport trim builds on the entry-level version equipment with dark glass, sport seats, height adjustable passenger seat, front seats with lumbar support, cruise control, front /rear armrest with compartment + 2 cupholders, smoker’s package, leather steering wheel and gearknob, steering wheel controls, 4 additional speakers, volumetric alarm with tilt sensor, sporty door moulding, low tyre pressure warning and 225/45 tyres on 17” alloy rims.

Complete list of optional equipment

The SEAT Exeo ST features a long list of optional equipment that significantly increases onboard comfort and safety.

The new car comes with such interesting options as the special Convenience (on Reference), Style Plus (on Style) and Sport Plus (on Sport) packages. The first one features multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth, manual driver and passenger seat height adjustment and front central armrest, while the second includes 17 inch light alloy rims, interior wood inserts, dual xenon headlights + AFS, headlight washers, daytime driving lights with assistant, Coming Home and Bluetooth.

The Sport Plus package is a cut above with 18 inch light alloy rims, dual xenon headlights + AFS, daytime driving lights, Bluetooth and electrical package 1, which features park position door mirrors, rear parking sensor, rain sensing wipers, automatic lights on, anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, acoustic protection windscreen, green anti-glare windscreen stripe and Coming Home.

Besides the above-mentioned electrical package 1 (available as standard on Style and as an option on Reference and Sport), the electrical package 3 is available on Style and Sport and includes front parking sensor, air quality sensor, and colour instrument panel screen.

The storage package is also available on the Exeo ST on all three trim levels, featuring an elastic retainer on the right side of the boot, as well as a ski bag. An interior lighting package is also available (standard on Style and optional on Sport), which includes light on the front armrest, lights in the front and rear ashtrays, front and rear door footlighting, door handle lights, and dome lights when the doors are opened.

The alloy rim choices on Reference include 16” Dante, 17” Modena and 18” Fénix, 17” alloy Modena and 18” alloy Fenix rims on Style and 18” alloy Fenix rims on Sport.

Images : New SEAT EXEO ST


[Source : SEAT]

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport production begins

2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

CANNES, June 2, 2009 - Last year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California was the setting for the very first public presentation of the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport. The response was extremely positive and now production of this roadster -- limited to 150 units -- is to begin at Molsheim. At the same time, the media and customers are taking their first test drives.


The new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport confronted the marque renowned for impeccable automotive solutions, aesthetics and driving dynamics with a whole new set of challenges. In response to customer demand, significant modifications have been made to the vehicle's complex structure so as to enable opentop driving, thereby adding a new dimension to this high-performance sports car. Incorporating a host of new and innovative safety and equipment features, it is the world's fastest and most exciting roadster. It is immediately recognizable as a result of its slightly higher windscreen, stylized daytime running lights, and lightweight, transparent polycarbonate roof.

The main challenge in developing the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport with its removable roof resulted from the unique structure of the fixed-roof Bugatti Veyron. An optimum combination of rigidity and lightweight engineering ensures the monocoque passenger cell of the original model is extremely strong, while weighing an absolute minimum . As the roof is an integral part of the vehicle's structure, removing it meant the load paths had to be completely redesigned to maintain the vehicle's rigidity and crash safety, and to offer additional protection from side impacts and rolling.

As a result, the monocoque structure has been reinforced around the side skirts and the transmission tunnel. The B-pillars have been cross-stiffened using a carbon fibre support, and a central carbon plate has been positioned beneath the transmission tunnel to ensure the vehicle suffers from less torsional flexing than any other roadster.

The doors of the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport are made of carbon fibre, and house an integrated longitudinal beam. In the event of an accident, this transfers the load from the A to the B-pillar, thereby dissipating impact energy. Furthermore, the two redesigned air intakes for the 16-cylinder mid-engine now feature 10-centimetre wide carbon-fibre elements to offer protection in the event of a roll.

Along with moisture-resistant, backstitched leather, a range of new equipment features has been added to the interior, including a reversing camera with 2.7-inch monitor integrated in the rear-view-mirror, and the "Puccini" sound system with digital signal processor.

When the roof is closed, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport can reach 407 km/h, while speeds of up to 360 km/h are possible with the roof off. Should it rain, an innovative soft-top roof, like an umbrella, stored in the luggage compartment, can be opened up at any time. With this soft top in place, the car can travel at up to 160 km/h.

More than just an open Veyron

"When I had the chance to test-drive the new Grand Sport for the first time myself, I was filled with excitement", said Pierre Henri Raphanel, Bugatti's Pilot official, "as soon I shifted into second gear, I knew this was a completely different car. I could immediately feel the difference. Even with the roof still on, in the tips of my fingers and at the base of my spine everything was more present, more intimate. More precise with less understeer, almost as if you had taken away some filters from the suspension and the steering." The former Le Mans winner has probably driven more kilometres in a Veyron than anyone else, presenting the car to numerous customers and the press. Taking off the roof "the excitement comes directly from the engine -- giving you the feeling that you had a horsepower factory just thirty centimetres behind your head, trying to suck you up and swallow you," he raves.

Assembled by hand at the company's headquarters in Molsheim, Alsace, the Grand Sport will be delivered from July 2009 onwards at a price of 1.4 million euros (excluding taxes and transportation). Just 150 units will be made, with the first 50 of these going exclusively to registered Bugatti customers. So far 30 Grand Sports have been ordered. The Chassis Number one auctioned at the Pebble Beach Auction by Gooding and Company last summer and sold for 3.19 million Dollar. The additional revenues of 900.000 Dollar were donated by Bugatti to the Pebble Beach Company Foundation Charity.

Images : 2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport






Images : Official Test Drive










Images : First Official Released







[Source : BUGATTI]