Tuning chic

If Cooper S seems to you too flat, the version specially prepared by John Cooper Works should give you satisfaction. To the program, a sportsmanship aggravated in an exclusive dress and performances in increase.

Funny Mini!

The Mini lends itself so well to the customization that the official assistant of the brand, John Cooper Works, made his glory. Little just like AMG for Mercedes. And the new grinding does not make exception for the rule. More radical at the level of the aesthetics with its fine wheel rims, its profiled stockings of box, its colorful red tint, its double central exit of escape and its big projectors anti-fog in front, it also makes the difference under the hood, where 4 roll gasoline 1.6 of Cooper S pass from 175 to 210 hp, for a couple of 260 Nm between 1850 and 5600 tr / min. Result, 0 in 100 kph is brings down in 6.8 seconds.

Not given…

It limps mechanics to 6 connections was also revised, as well as the escape and the braking system. This special kit is directly borrowed from the model of competition… Of what to take advantage even better of the frame and the extremely agile behavior of the Mini? Doubtless … Proposed from 27.700 €, this Cooper JCW will be also available in version Clubman for 1.800 € more.

A city-dweller of its time
Presented during the last Show of Geneva, the concept ” Black Mouth ” or rather Bocanegra, had everything of the prophet announcing the arrival of the new generation of Seat Ibiza. And it was not necessary for a long time so that the fate comes true …

A model hinge

As usual, Seat offers the superiority of its models to the public Iberian. And this year, it is Ibiza which meets itself under the lights of projectors. Ibiza which closes a cycle at the manufacturer of Martorell. That begun with the truth - forgery monospace Altea, and be pursued with Leòn and Toledo.   Models rather dynamic which carried Walter de’ Silva’s stylistic claw, conscript since in the other responsibilities within the group VW. If it immortalizes a certain continuity, by exchanging the too flat lines of the 3rd generation for a welcome nervousness, stigmatized by the famous and almost caricatural ” dynamic line ” extending during sides up to back wheels, new Ibiza also marks the beginning of a new age.

Follow the arrow!

It is indeed about the first Seat thought by the new strong man of the design Seat: … Belgian Luc Donckerwolke. It is especially in front that the renegade of Lamborghini affixed his leg, with a new facial said signature “Arrow Design” because of his radiator grill in the form of point of arrow.   More conventional, the back is clearly inspired by Leòn, whereas the set, notably of ¾ defer, is not without evoking a certain … Hyundai i30! As his main competitors were brought out before her, new Ibiza also distinguishes himself from his predecessor by sharply increased dimensions. Better, with 4,05 m (+ 8 cms), the Iberian becomes even general-purpose the longest of moment.

More modern…

This growth benefits logically the internal development, from the point of view of the back habitability (even if the footing progresses only of 7 mm), but especially of the capacity of load, announced in 292 liters (+ 25 l). Inside, the trans-générationnel ditch is also obvious. Better finished, the new console of edge borrows of sportsmanship to envy seems not to have nothing certain models of the superior segment.  A feeling to be confirmed of display device. But the deepest evolution remains invisible in the eye: Ibiza indeed inaugurates a quite new platform (that of future VW polo), announced stiffer without sacrificing the comfort for all that. To the program also, a whole drum kit of electronic railings (ESP, EBD, EBA).

The ecology for crédo
But following the example of certain models ( Mazda2), these improvements do not prevent Ibiza from losing weight, 25 kg to be precise. A bigger and lighter car thus, but also less polluting. As long to save the planet that the purse. To do it, Seat opts for a fashionable technique: that of the mechanical status-quo.  3 Diesel held for the launch (1.4 TDI 80 hp, 1.9 TDI of 90 and 105 hp) throw back less than 120 g / km CO2, whereas 3 gasoline (1.2 70 hp, 1.4 85 hp and 1.6 105 hp) do not exceed 160 g / km. For the sportsmanship and a (possible) surcharge, it will thus be necessary to wait for the sports FR and Cupra versions. Ultimate detail, if this Ibiza 5 doors advocates the versatility in spite of its aggressive lines, the version 3 doors to come should rather privilege the sportsmanship.

Geneva they are the car manufacturers but also the designers. Among them Fioravanti, a big name of the Italian automobile design which celebrates this year its 20 years.

We know it little and nevertheless we owe him many Ferrari, Lancia and the other Alfa Romeo. And it is exactly the concept-bus Alfa Romeo which Fioravanti exposed on its stand of the show of Geneva. Attention, the concept exposed Alfa Romeo Vola is not a novelty. Fioravanti had presented it for the first time in Geneva, but in 2001. And if the designer exposes it again in 2008, it is to celebrate 20 years of his brand. This year, in Geneva, its true novelty is the concept Hidra. A concept which we could summarize in a monospace-coupe. If if, it is possible.

But let us return to the one who interests us, Alfa Romeo Vola. There also it is about a coupe, but about a coupe sport. Not very big with his 4,16 m of length, 1,81 m of width and 1,28 m of height, it retractable distinguish itself especially by its glass roof.  Here the roof does not withdraw to find place in the safe, no, here the roof revolves and comes to settle on the back safe not while preventing it from opening. This technique says to you anything? Normal, it is the one that Ferrari held three years later for its 575 Super-America.

An ingenious system which allows not to lose a placein the safe, not to modify the distribution of the masses as the roof is in place or removed, and which it more has the merit to be very light. It also acts as net anti-bustle!

Inside, the cokpit is separated in two in a very different way. Fioravanti compared even with the time both places in two canoes! The style is simple but elegant and, cut sport obliges, speeds take place in the steering wheel.

No driving “truth” under the hood, it is not because a concept, but Fioravanti takes advantage of this edition 2008 of the show of Geneva to call back that Stole it can receive with very few modifications the current engines of the range Alfa Romeo. A word to the wise is enough …

To note, with regard to the version of 2001, Stole it 2008 raise a back part seen again at the level of the hinge of the rotary roof. The set is so hidden and sharply more aesthetic.