VW’s E-Bugster Concept

The ‘E’ of the name signifies the vehicle’s electric power, and the ‘Bug’ part of the name should need no explanation.

Revealed at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the two-seat VW E-Bugster Concept continues the latest Beetle’s sporty theme. An electric motor provides 85 kWh of power, which can propel it from 0 to 60 mph in 10.9 seconds, and yet offer a range of at least 110 miles from the 28.3 kWh lithium-ion batteries. Even in a country as large as America, that’s sufficient for the majority of commuters’ needs, while if the E-Bugster needs a top-up, a fast-charging function allows complete recharging in just 35 minutes.

The quick charging is possible thanks to a new Combined Charging System that was developed in co-operation with Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche, Ford and General Motors/Opel. This allows charging via single-phase AC sources (for example a 120-Volt US or 230-Volt European domestic outlet) or via ultra-fast DC sources at specific charging stations. To succeed, this will require the development of a uniform industry standard for sockets and plugs and for the charge controller, so that all charging types can be handled.

Of course, the Volkswagen E-Bugster doesn’t charge only when plugged in: as soon as the driver’s foot leaves the accelerator pedal kinetic energy is transformed into electricity and stored in the battery. Applying the brakes increases the intensity of regeneration, a function that is indicated to the driver in the instrument panel. Other instruments include driving range and battery state indicators, and a meter that shows how much energy the driver is requesting via the accelerator pedal.

Starting the Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept is pure theatre: upon pressing the Start button the interior is bathed in white light, then blue light. It starts with a light pulse in the instrument cluster, from where the light emanates in a millimetre-wide strip, coursing into the doors and around the air nozzles.

Inside, the two-seat interior reflects the E-Bugster’s blend of high-tech and sportiness, with sports seats nestling either side of a continuous centre console, plus aluminum door handles and seat belt guides.

The E-Bugster is the same length as a standard Beetle but 30 mm wider, while the new roof lowers the height by around 90 mm to 1,400 mm. This helps to give the Volkswagen E-Bugster its more dynamic and sporty look. The low, swept-back windscreen ensures maximum visibility, as does the wide rear screen, which shows that speedster-style vehicles need not be impractical.

Test Drive Review:

The VW brand has 46 different models but no two-seater cabriolet – the E-Bugster is a clear indication that a Beetle-based speedster is just around the corner (with gas and diesel power instead of electric). Based on our short drive, the styling and build-quality are already up to scratch, and since 90 per cent of its parts are shared with the standard Beetle, it should be competitively priced, too.

We should expect this concept car on the lot and available in a few years!

Cowell Volkswagen

Richmond Auto Mall, 

Richmond,  BC 

V6V 1W8

(800) 252-6352

 

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Jaguar Movies

The car in a movie has often been the star of the film.  Over the years Jaguar automobiles have shown up in many memorable movies.  Here are eight movies and their ‘Jag’ connection….

Austin Powers

1961 Jaguar E-Type

Play Misty For Me

1957 Jaguar XK150

 Harold and Maude

1971 Jaguar XK-E

The Blues Brothers

1974 Jaguar XK-E

Shaun of the Dead

1986 XJ12

 

Die Another Day

2002 Jaguar KXR

 

Silver Streak

1967 Jaguar XK-E

 

Doomsday

Jaguar Mk. II

Do you have any Jaguar movies to add to this list?

Jaguar Richmond
5660 Parkwood Way,Richmond,
BC. V6V 2M4

604-273-6068

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Tire Talk

We usually become proactive in tire maintenance as the season changes.  And the season will change sooner than we probably expect.  Here is some ‘tire talk’ for you to prepare for that moment of ‘change’.

How long do tires last?

Tires manufactured today are more durable than ever before. They are made of steel, rubber and fabric woven together. Over 1 billion tires are produced every year.  It is important to be aware of how long you use tires before you make the replacement. The life expectancy of a tire greatly depends on its maintenance, environmental conditions and the driving style of the driver.

40 years ago, the average life expectancy of a tire was not more than two years!  Today it is best to change your tires after every 6 years at least.  After tires hit a life span of 6 years, they should be discarded. This is because rubber loses its elasticity and resistance properties over that period.

Factor Affecting the Life of Tires

• Climatic Conditions – If you stay near the beach or if it rains a lot in your area, the chances are the moisture in the air will ruin the rubber faster.
• Road Conditions – A bumpy ride can also reduce your tire’s life
• Exposure to Sun – Simply put, the more the exposure to the sun, the sooner the tire ages.
• Other Factors – Avoid exceeding the total limit of weight allowed for your tires to carry.
• Quality of Maintenance – How long you can use tires depends a lot on how you took care of it in the first place. When the tires are neglected or the wheel alignment is not correct, it will accelerate the aging process.

How to Extend Your Tire’s Life

Tire life can be enhanced by several strategies that will help protect them from premature rotting.

1 – Check your tires for proper inflation pressures on a monthly basis. Buy and use a good digital tire gauge even though your tires may be equipped with tire pressure monitors. Do not use the maximum pounds per square inch (PSI) noted on the tire’s sidewall as the measure for proper inflation; the recommended PSI for your vehicle’s tires is on the driver’s side door jamb or in the owner’s manual for your car. Under – or over – inflation of your tires inhibits the effectiveness of stabilizing additives found in most tires.

Under Inflated Tire Wear

2 – Park your car in a garage or car port to decrease the tires’ exposure to the elements.  Protection from excessive heat and UV rays will help protect your tires from premature rot.

3 – Apply a tire conditioner that is formulated to protect tires from UV rays and/or ozone. Household cleansers and petrochemical or silicone containing tire cleaning products can actually remove much of the tire’s protective waxes.

4 – Drive the car regularly and at moderate speeds. Car tires that sit, unmoving, for long periods of time do not flex. Therefore, the stabilizing additives do not distribute as designed.

5 – Buy new tires that were manufactured no more than two years prior. Dates are on one side of each tire, and use numbers that coincide with week and year of manufacture. For example, 1209 means it was made in the twelfth week of 2009. Ask for tires that have UV stabilizers and ozone shielding additives.

Outside edges: tires that are worn on the outside edges have been under inflated. There is excessive contact with the outer edges of the tire and the road surface as the vehicle travels down the road.

Center of tire: tires that are worn in the center have been over inflated. There is excessive contact with the center of the tire and the road surface. Always use a tire gauge when inflating tires.

One of the edges: when the tire is worn on one side but not the other the camber angle is off either negative or positive. (Positive camber: is when the top of the tire leans away from the vehicle. Negative camber is when the top of the tire leans in towards the vehicle. This can also be caused by bent or damaged front end parts: tie rods, ball joints, etc.)

Tire is feathered: when the tire is feathered across the tread the tie rods are worn or the vehicle needs to be aligned. The ball studs get loose in their sockets allowing the tires to toe in/out as the vehicle travels down the road. Toe in is when the fronts of the tires are closer together than the rears and toe out is when the fronts of the tires are further apart than the rears.

Tire is scalloped: when the tire is scalloped or cupped across the tread it is usually caused by bad shocks or struts. This can also be caused by out of balance tires.  Bounce the front end to see if it oscillates and test drive the vehicle to see if it floats and leans excessively around corners. Bad struts are the number one cause of cupped tires. Tire wear can indicate a worn steering or suspension component, an over or under inflated tire, or a misaligned vehicle. Visual inspection of vehicle tires is an important step in the preliminary inspection process.

Rotate Your Tires!

Tire rotation can be beneficial in several ways. When done at the recommended times, it can preserve balanced handling and traction and even out tire wear. Tire rotation can even provide performance advantages.

Many tire mileage warranties require tire rotation to keep the warranty valid. When should tires be rotated? We recommend that tires be rotated every 6,000 to 10,000 km even if they don’t show signs of wear.  Consider tire rotation with oil change intervals while the vehicle is off the ground.

Tire rotation helps even out tire wear by allowing each tire to serve in as many of the vehicle’s wheel positions as possible. Remember, tire rotation can’t correct wear problems due to worn mechanical parts or incorrect inflation pressures.

Tire talk with your dealership is a good idea.  It’s a safe idea.  And it’s a performance idea.

——

The Cowell Auto Group has been in business for over 40 years and is a leader in Automotive Sales and Service – owning four dealerships in the Richmond Auto Mall: Audi of Richmond, Jaguar Richmond, Land Rover of Richmond and Cowell Volkswagen.

Cowell Auto Group

Cowell Volkswagen

Audi of Richmond

Jaguar Richmond

Land Rover of Richmond

Cowell Auto Group
Richmond Auto Mall
13611 Smallwood Place,

Richmond, BC V6V 1W8
Toll-free: 1 800 252 6352

Audi Road Trip!

Summer is practically over, so if you haven’t already, it’s time for a summer adventure! You’ve read through a million tourism websites and have decided where you want to go.  Now you need to think about the vehicle that will take you on that adventure, after all, if the car breaks down, all your careful planning could go out the window.

Have a technician look at your vehicle  before any long distance trip:

• MOST IMPORTANT – Change your oil and filter regularly, not just when you’re going through a road trip checklist.  It’s a quick, inexpensive process that can literally add years and thousands of miles to the efficient service life of your engine.
• Check tire pressure regularly (preferably before driving, while they’re cold). Go by the manufacturer’s recommended settings in the owner’s manual or door sticker.  Have the wheels aligned for better handling, tire wear and safety.

Check your spare tire and make sure your car jack and all parts are in the vehicle.

Put together an emergency kit.  At the very least you should have:

• bottled water, granola  bars or other non-perishable food
• flashlight and batteries (not just your lighter or your smart phone app!),
• basic first aid kit (one you put together yourself, or a pre-made kit from the pharmacy)

Bring a spare set of car keys.  Locking the only set of keys in the car can take the fun out of any holiday, fast.

Be sure you have valid proof of insurance in the car with you. And if your policy doesn’t include roadside assistance, consider adding it through your carrier or through a motor club like CAA.

Now that the not so much fun stuff is taken care of, you can head out onto the open road, knowing you’re ready to face whatever your adventure has to throw your way!

Audi of Richmond
Richmond Auto Mall
5680 Parkwood Place
Richmond BC
T 604 279 9663

Hours of Operation
Sales
Mon-Thr 9:00am-8:00pm
Fri-Sat 9:00am-6:00pm
Sun 11:00am-5:00pm
Parts/Service
Mon-Sat 7:30am-6:00pm

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10 Fastest Cars For 2013

According to Daniel Bukszpan at CNBC, car enthusiasts are already looking ahead to next year. They want to know one thing: how fast does this thing go?

Here is a list of the 10 fastest cars of 2013. It was provided by Karl Brauer of TotalCarScore. He says, “Entry into the ‘200 Miles Per Hour Club’ doesn’t come easy, or cheap.”  This list does not include cars made in extremely small numbers, so if a car company has fewer than 20 dealers worldwide or sells fewer than 20 models a year worldwide, it isn’t included.

10. Ferrari 458 Italia (Top Speed: 201 mph, Engine: 562 HP 4.5L V 8)

9. Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera (Top Speed: 202 mph, Engine: 562 HP 5.2L V 10 )

Tied at 6th – Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (Top Speed: 205 mph, Engine: 638 HP 6.2L V 8 – Supercharged)

Tied at 6th – Bentley Continental GT Speed (Top Speed: 205 mph, Engine: 616 HP 6.0L W 12 – Twin Turbocharged)

Tied at 6th – McLaren MP4-12C (Top Speed: 205 mph, Engine: 616 HP 3.8L V 8 – Twin Turbocharged)

5. SRT Viper (Top Speed: 206 mph (estimate), Engine: 640 HP 8.4L V 10 )

4. Ferrari FF (Top Speed: 208 mph, Engine: 651 HP 6.3L V 12 )

3. Ferrari F12 Berlinetta (Top Speed: 211 mph, Engine: 730 HP 6.3L V 12 )

2. Lamborghini Aventador LP700 (Top Speed: 217 mph, Engine: 700 HP 6.5L V 12 )

1. Bugatti Veyron Super Sport (Top Speed: 268 mph, Engine: 1,200 HP 8.0L W 16 – Quad Turbocharged) $2.4 million

“Sweet!”

——

The Cowell Auto Group has been in business for over 40 years and is a leader in Automotive Sales and Service – owning four dealerships in the Richmond Auto Mall: Audi of Richmond, Jaguar Richmond, Land Rover of Richmond and Cowell Volkswagen.

Cowell Auto Group

Cowell Volkswagen

Audi of Richmond

Jaguar Richmond

Land Rover of Richmond

Cowell Auto Group
Richmond Auto Mall
13611 Smallwood Place,

Richmond, BC V6V 1W8
Toll-free: 1 800 252 6352

iPhone Apps for your Car

There are thousands of apps available to iPhone users. You can get lost trying to find ones that are useful to you, it can be very time-consuming. Not to worry, we’ve done some digging and have found 5 usefully car apps to possibly make life a little less stressful, and maybe even, a little more fun.

1. GasBuddy (Free)
   GasBuddy is pretty simple yet very effective. It locates the cheapest place to fill up in a short radius. While a few gas stations don’t appear on the screen, prices are usually 100% accurate. This app lives up to its name; plus it doesn’t cost you a penny. 83 Ratings = 5 Stars
2. Honk ($0.99)
   Parking tickets are a thing of the past with Honk, which helps you keep an eye on your parking meter. In addition to a programmable alarm (2, 5 or 10 minutes remaining), Honk can refresh your memory if you forgot where you left your car. This precious app will ensure that your future downtown stints don’t leave a sour taste in your month. 11 Ratings = 4.5 Stars
3. Dynolicious ($12.99) 
   How does all that tuning translate on the road? Using the iPhone’s built-in accelerometer, Dynolicious calculates your vehicle’s 0-100km/h acceleration, quarter mile time, horsepower total, lateral Gs, and other performance metrics. All you have to do is to create a profile for your car and voilà! 26 Ratings = 4.5 Stars
4. Car Minder Plus ($2.99)
   Your car will love you with this app. Manage all your car maintenance needs, log repairs, track fuel economy, and look up when a service is due. Manage multiple cars, and get the most out of each of them.  57 Ratings = 4.5 Stars
5. Garmin/Navigon/TomTom (0$ to $59.99) 
   There is something for everyone, with prices ranging from 0$ to nearly $60. And believe me, it’s a significant upgrade over Google Maps. You can find various points of interest, plan long trips with multiple stops, and get clear turn-by-turn directions. We are in road trip season after all.

Did we miss any? Let us know if you use a car app that you feel should be added to this list.

– – – – – – –

The Cowell Auto Group has been in business for over 40 years and is a leader in Automotive Sales and Service – owning four dealerships in the Richmond Auto Mall: Audi of Richmond, Jaguar Richmond, Land Rover of Richmond and Cowell Volkswagen.

Cowell Auto Group

Cowell Volkswagen

Audi of Richmond

Jaguar Richmond

Land Rover of Richmond

Cowell Auto Group
Richmond Auto Mall
13611 Smallwood Place,

Richmond, BC V6V 1W8
Toll-free: 1 800 252 6352

2013 Land Rovers – Top Secret?

It’s intriguing to Google Land Rover 2013 and get search results with headings that say “2013 Land Rover Range Rover Spy Shots”, “2013 Range Rover spied with less disguise”, “Spied: 2013 Range Rover” and many more. 

So let’s take a look at what all the secrecy is about….

CARANDDRIVER post…..

“Even for a vehicle with such historically long lifecycles, the Land Rover Range Rover is overdue for a full updating. You may remember that the current truck was designed under BMW ownership, updated by Ford, and recently got new engines and an interior under Tata rule. One generation, three parent companies. Three consecutive British prime ministers have no doubt ridden in them, too. Fortunately, as these spy photos—and those we previously captured—suggest, an all-new Rover family is just around the bend.”

CARANDDRIVER

MOTORAUTHORITY posts…..

“A brand new generation of the luxurious Range Rover SUV is in the works and on track for debut later this year.  The new Range Rover has been spied for more than a year in prototype form but now, thanks to our latest renderings, we can finally look past all the heavy camouflage gear and get a glimpse of the vehicle that will be appearing in showrooms towards the end of the year as a 2013 model.”

MOTORAUTHORITY

LEFTLANE posts…..

“Our spy photographers have just sent us the best images yet of the next-generation Range Rover luxury SUV, which is expected migrate even further upscale when it launches next year as a 2013 model.  The images reveal that the new Range Rover won’t deviate from the traditional, boxy SUV shape of the successful current model. The difference instead will be in the details, with changes like a slightly more up swept belt-line and a more steeply raked rear window giving the big truck a more athletic look.”

LEFTLANENEWS

WORLDCARFANS posts….

“Our spies have managed to snap new pictures of the 2013 Range Rover.  Minimally disguised, the prototype has an evolutionary design that incorporates a number of styling elements from the Range Rover Evoque. Notable highlights include a three bar grille, a clamshell hood and LED-infused headlights. The model also appears slightly larger than its predecessor, so expect additional rear legroom and added cargo capacity. Engine options will likely carryover, so expect the usual petrol and diesel choices. There could also be a plug-in hybrid variant with some technology from the Range e concept.”

WORLDCARFANS

Here are some photo’s of the 2013…Land Rover Range Rover Sport without all the intrigue. 

Why don’t you drop by Land Rover of Richmond  and find out what is happening in the world of Land Rover!

Land Rover of Richmond
5660 Parkwood Way, Richmond,
BC, V6V 2M4

604-273-6068

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The Audi A7 Is A Beautiful Automobile

The Audi A7 marked Audi’s return to the executive hatchback market since the 1970 three-door Audi 100 Coupe and the 1977 Audi 100 Avant.  It debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, but was launched in the USA at last years New York International Auto Show as a 2012 model.

“When automakers begin development on a new model, there are typically three or more competing design proposals, one of which is then chosen to make it into metal. This standard operating procedure was discarded with the Audi A7 Sportback, says Audi boss Rupert Stadler: “Everything was right in the first place.” Indeed, this large hatchback could be the most beautiful of all Audis. Long, wide, and low, it’s styled with smooth and supremely clean lines. ” (caranddriver.com)  The interior feels more like a cockpit than a driver’s seat thanks to a high center console and an array of clear and crisp instrumentation.

We know it’s beautiful… now here are the specifications: (click here for more)

• Powertrain: 3.0L supercharged, DOHC V6, dual intercoolers, FSI direct injection and variable valve timing
• Horsepower/torque: 310 hp @5500-6500 rpm / 325 lb-ft @ 2900-4500 rpm
• Length/weight: 195.6 in. / 4210 lbs
• Wheelbase: 114.7 in.
• 0-60 mph: 5.4 seconds
• EPA fuel economy: 18 city / 28 hwy / 22 combined
• Cargo capacity: 24.5 cubic feet

It’s beautiful on the outside, elegant and enjoyable on the inside, and Esquire Magazine named it “The 2011 Esquire Car of the Year” while Automobile Magazine named it the “2012 Automobile of the Year“.  You can experience this fantastic specimen of a car with the ‘Audi A7 Experience‘ app for your iPad… or you can visit us at Audi of Richmond and take one out for a test drive!

Audi of Richmond
Richmond Auto Mall
5680 Parkwood Place
Richmond BC
T 604 279 9663

Hours of Operation
Sales
Mon-Thr 9:00am-8:00pm
Fri-Sat 9:00am-6:00pm
Sun 11:00am-5:00pm
Parts/Service
Mon-Sat 7:30am-6:00pm

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Jaguar Heritage Racing

Sir Stirling Moss, the racing knight, was reunited with his Reims-winning C-type Jaguar.

The first event at which Jaguar Heritage Racing was present this year was the 2012 Mille Miglia retrospective in May. This year’s running of the Mille Miglia has particular significance for Jaguar as it marked 60 years since Sir Stirling Moss and Norman Dewis (then Jaguar’s chief development driver) took the start in the first disc-brake equipped C-type. Later that same year Sir Stirling Moss recorded the first win for a disc-braked car when he drove another C-type to victory at Reims, paving the way for the wide-scale use of the technology that we all take for granted today.

It’s hard to think of a racing driver quite so loved, yet in spite of his uncanny abilities (15 grand prix victories between 1951 and 1961); Moss never won a Formula One world championship. Basic decency saw him lose out to Mike Hawthorn in the 1958 Championship. Hawthorn had (at Moss’s suggestion) bump-started his car against the direction of race traffic and Moss defended him in a subsequent stewards’ enquiry. Moss won the race, but in retaining his second place, Hawthorn won the grand prize.

Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons wasn’t one to waste money on motor racing, but even he admitted that the C-type was a good investment. “My proudest moment,” he said later, “was in 1951, when my Jaguar first won the Le Mans 24-hour race.”

Basically a tubular frame carrying a breathed-upon XK120 straight-six clothed in Malcolm Sayer’s diaphanous coachwork, the C-type is simply one of the most beautiful racing cars, ever. On its original drums brakes, however, it had only one good stop a lap. There was a solution, however.

“Norman Dewis and I did the testing for Dunlop on disc brakes,” says Moss, “and the breakthrough when they were sorted was unreal. This pea-coloured one was the car that I won at Reims in [in May 1952] and it was the first race victory for a disc-braked car. It revolutionised braking, I can really tell you.”

The “pea-coloured one” chassis XKC 005 is still on its original MDU 212 registration and worth many millions. It’s clearly been fed on racing food and is in fantastic condition, with the cockpit patina just as Moss would have stepped out of it and immaculate coachwork.

Moss doesn’t do banzai laps any more. Why should he? He clambers behind the wheel of old Jag. “This is a beautiful car,” he says, surveying the cockpit. We exit the pits, the brassy exhaust note bathing the crews readying for the next race. Moss gives a running commentary of braking points and apexes, clearly relishing the drive more as he starts his second lap. It might not be fast, but his double declutching is perfection, the braking smooth and his first application of steering never needs a second adjustment. I don’t suppose you forget things like that.

The Jaguar Heritage Racing programme is operated and managed by JD Classics, based in Maldon,Essex. JD Classics will prepare both the C- and D-type Jaguars which will take to the track, and have responsibility for all race-day activities.  Jaguar Heritage Racing will ensure that Jaguar is as well represented in historic motorsport today as it was when those same models competed in period is one we were only too happy to accept.

Jaguar Richmond
5660 Parkwood Way,Richmond,
BC. V6V 2M4

604-273-6068

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Volkswagen & BASF Announce “The Science Award for Electrochemistry”

It’s not often companies turn to the collective efforts of the public in order to help advance key technologies needed for the cars of the future. But that is exactly what Volkswagen and chemical company BASF are doing with the introduction of “Science Award for Electrochemistry”.

One of the main concerns of current battery technology, along with alternatively powered vehicles in general, stems from reliability. Because electric vehicles EVs typically cost more than their gasoline counterparts, the need for continued innovation and refinement for existing battery technology is of utmost important to automakers like VW.  Energy storage devices currently do not have the service capacity needed to keep customers satisfied in terms of energy supply and mobility.

Volkswagen and its luxury brand Audi are on the verge of adding an array of new hybrid, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric cars to its respective automotive lineups, including the upcoming Jetta Hybrid, the Audi A6, and A8. The German automaker also plans on rolling out the highly anticipated battery electric Audi R8 e-tron, which will see a limited release this year, as well as the XL1 plug-in hybrid which is set to launch sometime next year, though specifics regarding availability and pricing are unavailable.

(For those interested in the award, you must be working as an individual; be less than 40 years old; and the application needs an excellent thesis or research contribution in chemistry, physics or engineering; a recommendation by a supervising professor or equivalent; and employees, of course, are not entitled to apply.)

The application period ends on August 3.   The future is near for Volkswagen customers.

Cowell Volkswagen

Richmond Auto Mall, 

Richmond,  BC 

V6V 1W8

(800) 252-6352

 

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