FORD FIESTA SPORTVAN

Making its public debut at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham and available as either a window van or panel van the Fiesta SportVan seems ideal for dual-use customers who require a van for both business and domestic purposes.

Like all Ford Fiestas, the SportVan combines driving quality with functionality and practicality. Powered by Ford's lively 1.6-litre 90PS 204Nm Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, it boasts the acclaimed Durashift 5-speed manual transmission, power-assisted steering and anti-lock brakes.

Fiesta SportVan comes in one of four colours: Colorado Red, Panther Black, Moondust Silver and Diamond White – all with a dark Pewter and ebony Gun Metal interior.

Externally, distinctive styling elements communicate the vehicle's on-road prowess. These include body-coloured front and rear sport bumpers, 16-inch 12-spoke alloy wheels with 195/45 R16 tyres, tapered body-side mouldings and a rear spoiler. The front end is distinguished by a high intake front grille, sports fog lamps and a rear spoiler.

The style continues inside, with sports front seats, a sports leather gear knob and leather-wrapped steering wheel with silver spokes. An available option pack includes air-conditioning, MP3 connectivity, a heated front windscreen, and electrically-operated and heated door mirrors.

"The small delivery van market is buoyant, thanks to a growing trend toward customers who require a stylish dual-use van for both domestic and business purposes." said Phil Collareno, Vehicle Line Director, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe.

"The new Fiesta SportVan has been developed to meet the needs of drivers who want more car-like performance, style and fun in combination with the practicality and durability of the Fiesta van."

The Fiesta SportVan will go on sale in markets across Europe towards the end of the year.

New Sports Pack for Aston Martin DB9 Coupe

From July, Aston Martin will offer the option of a factory fitted ‘Sports Pack’ specification for the DB9 Coupe, combining revised suspension characteristics with a new alloy wheel design to give subtly different driving dynamics.

The new five-spoke forged aluminium alloy wheels are lighter than the standard wheels, the springs and front anti-roll bar are modified and the ride height lowered.

Taking the DB9’s VH architecture as its foundation and retuning some of its key components, the DB9 Sports Pack offers an even more focussed driving experience, with improvements to both high-speed body control and steering response. That means a DB9 Coupe specifically for the enthusiastic driver with a high level of driving skill, who likes to drive quickly, safely and with precision.

The first key to the sharper dynamic balance is a significant reduction in ‘unsprung’ mass which indirectly allows the suspension to react more quickly to inputs such as bumps and cornering forces – resulting in improved grip, steering response, body control and ride quality.

With the DB9 Sports Pack, each five-spoke light alloy wheel gives an unsprung weight saving of more than 1kg, with a small but significant additional saving from the use of titanium wheel nuts. In total, that equates to more than five per cent reduction in unsprung weight on each corner of the car. The new, lighter 19-inch wheels are the same size as the standard wheel and use the same Bridgestone tyre.

The DB9 Sports Pack’s spring rates are increased by 68 per cent at the front of the car and 64 per cent at the rear. The front anti-roll bar is modified, and the dampers are revised to support the new spring and anti-roll bar characteristics. Together, the changes optimise body control and front-end grip without compromising ride quality or adding weight. The ride height is reduced by 6mm, lowering the car’s centre of gravity and further reducing body roll while leaving ample ground clearance and backed up by modified bump stops.

The composite undertray is also replaced, by a load-bearing aluminium panel that performs the same function in managing underbody airflow while adding further structural stiffness, to resist larger lateral loads fed into the front of the car by the uprated front springs and anti-roll bar.

The cumulative effect is significantly improved dynamic response, and especially steering feel - making the DB9 feel lighter, more positive on turn-in, more agile and more involving for the enthusiastic driver. Body control is especially enhanced during high speed manoeuvres, giving the DB9 a more neutral handling feel.

Aston Martin Sales & Marketing Director, Bill Donnelly, says: "This optional Sports Pack will offer driving enthusiasts the opportunity to tailor their DB9 Coupe to deliver an even more rewarding dynamic experience. The Sports Pack offers another addition to the Aston Martin range and provides customers with an even greater choice and the ability to further personalise their DB9."

Nothelle Tuning unveils new Audi A4 kits that improve style & dynamics

The latest Nothelle project is the A4, which the tuning company from Ratingen (Germany) provides with a more elegant and at the same time sportier appearance. And naturally nothelle also offers various performance improvements for the A4.

- Power output increased by up to 310 bhp

- Aerodynamic packages

- Quadruple exhaust and "NOVEDRA VII SPORT" 19-inch wheels

Sophisticated nothelle aerodynamic packages with sporty looks.

Nothelle tackles the external cosmetics with the aid of a comprehensive, in-house, sophisticated aerodynamic kits, which is mounted on the standard components without any additional body modifications.

It consists of a front spoiler (from EUR 490), side skirts, a rear apron attachment and a rear spoiler (one version each for the Saloon and the Avant), as well as optional fender extensions, which can also be fitted onto the standard wings with any body modifications.

The rear of the A4 gets an even sportier upgrade when you order the nothelle diffusor. This is available either in the body colour or in sophisticated genuine carbon fibre.

The nothelle rear silencer with its quad-tailpipe looks (from EUR 620), made entirely of durable stainless steel, promises a sporty sound as well as a touch more power. Its oval, chrome-plated 4 tailpipes give the rear end of the A4 a significant boost. A pretty backside is no less enchanting, after all!

Sports suspension and matching footwear

nothelle also provides matching footwear for the A4, with the company's own NOVEDRA VII SPORT wheels in 8.5 x 19" format. The one-piece wheel is impressive for its striking and extremely exclusive design, as well as its multi-piece looks (from EUR 550). Nnothelle offers it in three versions.

The basic version is the "NOVEDRA VII SPORT", painted in Shiny Silver. The fine surface finish of the "brilliance edition" is achieved by means of an extremely elaborate ball polishing process with high-gloss intensification. Because tastes vary, nothelle also offers the "black edition" as a third version. The alloy wheel is also available complete with an ultra high-performance 235/35-19 tyre from nothelle's technology partner, KUMHO.

Naturally nothelle also takes care to ensure that all the extra power does not throw the A4 off the road. That's why the Ratingen tuning company offers sport suspension systems. Either in the form of a comfort-oriented set of sports springs, as a complete suspension system or as a high-end solution using individually height-adjustable coilovers.

Performance upgrades for diesel and petrol engines

Nothelle gives the diesels a boost by means of chip-tuning or its N TRONIC BOX. The latter represents the intelligent power box for diesel engines, and is a supplementary control unit that will deliver a significant but not excessive performance boost when installed.

Similar performance figures are delivered by the chip-tuning version, LEADERCHIP©, designed for the discerning driver with a desire for more controlled power. The vehicle releases its entire potential and yet at the same time remains supreme and respectable in its running characteristics. The engine offers significantly improved torque and increased power output with well-balanced figures. It is the diplomat among the tuning chips, with unfettered superiority.

As a third alternative nothelle offers the BULLCHIP©, the power upgrade for the driver with sporting ambitions. Full-blooded power delivery, breathtaking torque and fabulous acceleration are its characteristic features. That makes it the muscle man among the tuning chips.

All performance upgrades are of course also available for vehicles with a diesel particle filter.

2.0TFSI Nothelle Style

Of all the A4's petrol engines, the 2-litre TFSI is just asking for some muscle-toning. nothelle turns it into the highlight of its range. In the case of the turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine, the conversion delivers a leap in power output up to a magnificent 310 horsepower! That makes it possible for the A4 to reach a top speed of 280 km/h (175 mph). Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 5.5 seconds will have many a 911-owner booking his Porsche in for a performance check at the first workshop he comes across.

As a rule nothelle can offer performance upgrades for all engines. In all its development work the tuning firm naturally pays greatest attention to ensuring compliance with all applicable emissions standards. And all with TÜV approval and under warranty.