Skoda Launches Sportier-Looking Rapid StylePLUS Special Edition

Skoda fans may not get to see the Rapid Sport Concept produced, but at least they can now console themselves with a new version of the Rapid. The Rapid StylePLUS is a special edition model that adopts a sportier look thanks to standard black design elements on the body and rear spoiler, two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels and a new decorative trim on the inside.

Based on the “Ambition” trim level, the new special edition adds a series of design, comfort and functional elements. Styling enhancements include a black gloss boot-lid spoiler, black gloss covers on the exterior rear-view mirrors and the bars on the front bumper and side doors. The new Rapid also comes with dedicated two-tone 17-inch “Ray” alloy wheels (black and silver) and is offered with five body colors: Candy White, Sprint Yellow, Corrida Red, Rally Green and Denim Blue.

Although not yet shown by Skoda, the Satin Black interior includes sporty seat fittings with distinctively-shaped seats, stainless steel pedal covers and non-slip rubber surfaces. The dashboard comes with Piano Black inserts, while the steering wheel, gear stick and handbrake lever are covered in leather.

Equipment-wise, the Rapid StylePLUS is available with new xenon headlights and front fog lights with cornering light function. The sportier look isn’t backed by more powerful engines, as the special edition is offered with the same engines as the standard model. There are six units to choose from, including a 1.2 MPI with 74 hp, two 1.2 TSIs with 84 hp or 103 hp, a 1.4 TSI with 121 hp and two diesels – the 1.6 TDI with 88 hp and the 1.6 TDI with 103 hp. 

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2014 Toyota Land Cruiser Facelift: 82 Photos, Video and All the Official Info

In production since 1951, the Land Cruiser is the longest running nameplate in Toyota's history and one of the most popular and capable (upper-class) 4x4s in the market. Following the release of the refreshed and slightly more luxurious North American cousin of the Land Cruiser Prado, the2014 Lexus GX, on Friday, it’s time for Toyota to do the same for its model.

The facelifted, standard wheelbase Land Cruiser, which in some markets carries the Prado moniker to tell it apart from the longer and bigger Land Cruiser 200 (or V8 in other regions), debuts with a number of exterior and interior styling revisions, plus safety and technology upgrades, while keeping the same range of 4.0-liter petrol and 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engines.

The biggest and most noticeable change is the redesigned front end with new teardrop-style headlight clusters that may be equipped with either halogen or new LED headlamps, the latter incorporating LED daytime running lights, a wider grille with big chrome fangs, and re-worked hood and bumper designs.

Toyota says that the new front end increased the length of both the 3-door and 5-door models by 20mm (0.79 inches) to 4,335 mm (170.7-inches) and 4,780 mm (188.2-inches) respectively, without changing the 4x4's 32 degree off-road approach angle and minimum turning circle. Both the 25 degree departure and 22 degree ramp breakover angles also remain identical to those of the outgoing model.

Moving on to the rear, there are new tail lamp clusters with clear and red lens and a more prominent license plate garnish. A new selection of 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels (the latter also available in steel), along with a four new body colors named Attitude Black Mica, Bronze Mica Metallic, Dark Green Mica and Dark Blue Mica, complete the exterior revisions.

Beneath the metal skin, Toyota says the facelifted Land Cruiser (Prado) gains a new center console upper panel, a new off- and on-road driving control switch panel, a new Optitron meter design with a 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information display on the instrument binnacle, enhanced dashboard and door trim and ornamentation, improved second and third row seat designs with new fabrics, and new interior color schemes (Black and Ivory).

In regards to the seats, the forward folding angle of the second row seats has been increased from 33.8 degrees to 46 degrees to improve ease of entry and exit for third row seat users, while seat heating is now available for the outside second row seats as well.

Added safety upgrades across the range include a trailer sway control and emergency brake signal.

Sales of the updated Land Cruiser Prado will begin later in the fall, with the world premiere to likely take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

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Facelifted 2014 Skoda Yeti Comes in City and Outdoor Flavors

Skoda’s highly acclaimed Yeti crossover has just been given a modest overhaul, though by the looks of it, it’s sufficient in order for it to be appealing in its respective market sector, which, as we all know, is hugely competitive.

Skoda has added a dash of modernity to the Yeti’s image with a restyled front, slightly improved interior and new tail lights at the back, while for the first time, the compact model will be offered in two flavors, a more conventional looking 'City' edition, and a more rugged 'Outdoor' version with black protective moldings on the bumpers and side skirts.

This is by no means an extensive revamp, but since there was nothing really wrong with it, that’s not a bad thing. The most noticeable new addition are the completely redesigned headlights, which do away with the awkward shape of the current mode’s clusters, replacing them with clean, modern ones, in line with the rest of the range. At the rear, there are new lights, which retain the same shape as the non-facelifted model, yet offer more modern graphics and design and a reworked tailgate.

Inside, aside from the new model steering wheel, the Yeti becomes the first Skoda to be fitted with a rear-view camera, while it also gains a new double-sided floor covering in the boot.

The engine lineup comprises four diesel and three petrols, ranging in output from the 104hp (105PS) 1.2-liter TSI to the 168hp (170PS) 2.0-liter TDI. All-wheel drive and a six or seven-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG) are offered as an option on select models. For the first time, the front-wheel drive Yeti 1.6-liter (104hp/105PS) TDI 77 kW is now offered with an automatic seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Skoda will host the world premiere of the Yeti at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Brabus Brings the Thunder to Mercedes' ML63 and GL63 AMG SUVs

Do you really need to have more than 500-horses under the hood of luxury, family orientated SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz ML or its longer sibling, the GL? The answer is no, but that's the wrong thing to ask buyers of these type of vehicles as they would rather prefer the question, 'Is it cool to have more than 500 ponies on tap?'

If you agree with the above, then read on to learn what famed Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus has prepared for the latest ML 63 AMG and GL 63 AMG, which in factory guise, come with a twin-turbo V8 churning out up to 550hp (557PS) and 760Nm (560 lb-ft) of peak torque.

The package is named the "Brabus B63S - 700 Widestar" and it begins with the engine bay where the V8's output is boosted to 690hp (700PS) and peak torque to an electronically limited 960 Nm (708 lb-ft) to protect the drivetrain from…exploding.

The result is a 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration figure of 4.4 seconds for the ML 63 and 4.6 seconds for the heavier GL 63 AMG, with both SUVs sporting an electronically limited top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) to protect the tires.

Talking about the rubber, the Brabus package includes 22- or optionally 23-inch alloy wheels, the latter wrapped in high-performance tires in size 315/25 ZR 23 for the ML and 305/30 ZR 23 for the GL. There's also a special control module for the AIRMATIC air suspension that lowers the ride height of the high-performance SUVs.

Visually, the two Brabus-prepped models obtain a wide-body kit comprising fender flares that add 60mm (2.4 inches) to the width of the ML and 80mm (3.1 inches) to the GL, new front and rear bumpers, an assortment of spoilers, new exhaust tips and a raft of available upgrades for the interior trim and upholstery.

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