All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Hybrid

Refreshed Toyota Yaris Cross

In 2021, Toyota launched a subcompact crossover SUV, the Yaris Cross, which over time became one of the most popular vehicles in Europe. Now a refreshed edition of this model has arrived, which will now only be available with a hybrid powertrain.

The design of the Yaris Cross has not changed much, and the new thing is that customers can now choose new body colors, Urban Khaki and Juniper Blue. Toyota engineers have done everything this time to reduce noise and vibration. A dynamic engine mount was added to the left side of the engine, a resonator was installed on the intake pipe, the internal muffler was changed from a single-layer to a three-layer construction, another layer of felt was added to the upper hood muffler, and thicker glass.

Inside, the new patterned upholstery stitching and decorative lines on the dashboard and doors match the green body color. Also, Platinum Pearl White and Silver Metallic bi-tone colors are available as exclusive options. There are also screens that are among the largest in the class in terms of size, so they are available in 7 or 12.3-inch diagonals for the driver’s instruments and 9 or 10.5 inches for the multimedia touchscreen, depending on the equipment package. The 12.3-inch screen displays dials, information and graphics, and the driver can customize the display to suit their mood or type of journey with four style options: Smart, Casual, Sporty and Tough.

The biggest change is the Hybrid 130 option powered by a 1.5-L engine with 116 hp (85 kW) or 130 hp (96 kW). It sits on a set of exclusive new 18-inch dark grey/machined five-spoke alloy wheels.

Source: Toyota

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Refreshed Toyota Yaris Cross
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2025 Audi RS4 Avant Edition 25 Years

In 1999, Audi introduced the RS4 Avant as the successor to the Porsche / Quattro GmbH joint venture-developed Audi RS2 Avant. 25 years later, the Ingolstadt-based company unveiled a limited edition of this model, the Audi RS4 Avant Edition 25 Years.

The special edition is finished in Imola Yellow, and customers can also choose Nardo Gray or Mythos Black. It is equipped with a stiffer suspension thanks to which it is 10 mm lower than the standard RS4 Avant, and an RS sports exhaust system with matte black oval tailpipes. There are also 20-inch forged wheels borrowed from the RS4 Avant Competition, wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires. The car also comes with a second set of exclusive 20-inch matte black wheels with P Zero Trofeo RS semi-slick tires.

Under the bonnet is a 2.9-L twin-turbo V6 engine with 470 hp (350 kW) and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. Thanks to 20 hp more, the special edition is 0.4 seconds faster than the standard model, and 0.2 seconds faster than the RS4 Avant Competition. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).

Audi will produce only 250 examples of the RS4 Avant Edition 25 Years, and each car will cost 142,905 euros.

Source: Audi

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BMW Skytop is going into production after all

A few days ago, BMW presented the Skytop concept car at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, which was then said not to enter production. However, it seems that BMW has changed its mind overnight, so we could see this car on the roads in the near future. According to Adrian van Hooydonk, head of design at BMW Group, the Bavarian company could produce 25 examples of this car in the next two years.

The Skytop concept was inspired by the 503 and Z8 models, and shares the platform with the current generation BMW M8 Competition. “The concept BMW Skytop perfectly fit into the philosophy and environment of the famous Italian exhibition, and the designers and engineers made an effort to create a car that brings with it an optimal combination of dynamics and elegance,” said the first man of the BMW design department, Adrian van Hooydonk.

In terms of design, the car is truly unique and exotic. Despite the proportions of a grand tourer, the open-top two-seater concept with a V8 engine offers a combination of dynamic driving and elegance at the highest level. Under the bonnet will be a 4.4-L twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which also powers the M8, with 626 hp () and (750 Nm) of torque. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Although it was announced that BMW could produce 20-25 copies of the Skytop concept, Domagoj Dukec, head of BMW’s design, went even further saying that the idea of ​​producing a thousand copies is more attractive.

This is not the first time that BMW has openly considered production of the concept. Last year, the Z4-based BMW Touring Coupe Concept teased similar specs, but the project never went into production.

Source: BMW

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BMW Skytop is going into production after all