The Volvo 262 Coupé turns 40: Designed in Sweden and built in Italy for the US market

The Volvo 262 Coupé was introduced in the fall of 1974, and in March 1977 saw the most unexpected version of this same model on the occasion of the Geneva Motor Show, a two-door coupé and sports court focused on the US market with the Nickname of "Volvo Coupé" and without doubt its number of sales was much greater than what was expected at first. The so-called Volvo 262 Coupé did not leave anyone indifferent with its daring design, despite costing more than double the basic model to the 200 Series of the Swedish brand.

Some say that one of the models that directly inspired this coupé was the Lincoln Continental Mark IV, an American classic with the shared that luxurious and somewhat spartan appearance along with interiors that for the time were a real luxury. This model was mainly focused on the American market as a result of the disappearance of the Volvo 1800ES, which was of vital importance in this market and left an empty place for the 262C.

With the disappearance of the 1800ES, Volvo CEO Pehr G Gyllenhammar saw this as a problem since it was very important that such a model existed in the largest export market of the Swedish company and therefore it was decided to introduce a new Model defined as luxury coupe, before another sports car. Volvo chief designer Jan Wilsgaard made sketches to shape the 262, but no clay model was ever built, instead Volvo used the Volvo 164 that had previously been used to test new interiors.

In this way Sergio Coggiola in Turin would be in charge of transforming this four-door saloon into a two-door coupé with a more dynamic and sporty design. And at the time of carrying out the production of the same was chosen the legendary Bertone, therefore the Italian house "Carozzeria Bertone" would be the one in charge to carry out the manufacture of this model. Its interior was really luxurious for the time, clad vinyl roof and comfortable leather seats, another of the keys of its design was its pillar C that was slightly inclined.

In total, 6,622 units of the 262 Coupé were manufactured between 1977 and 1981, although initially a much smaller number had been thought, demand expectations had become too low. When the last units were sold there in 1981 they were already considered as a collectible vehicle, and it would not be until 1985 when they would present their successor, the Volvo 780 - the latest luxury coupe of the Bertone factory.

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The Mercedes-AMG GT continues to unveil secrets: Now its high-tech headlamps

Like it or not, the Porsche Panamera is one of the most successful models of the firm in Stuttgart and, after the launch of the new Panamera Sport Tourism, the rest of manufacturers will not be left with their hands crossed. The first to officially face Porsche at the next Geneva Motor Show in 2017 will be none other than a German, specifically Mercedes-Benz with its amazing prototype Mercedes-AMG GT four-door.

In terms of design, everything seems to have the same features as the two-seater GT but with a slightly longer body to accommodate up to four occupants and become a fierce rival for the Panamera. In this first sketch, they emphasize their big wheels of intricate design, their powerful rear diffuser with a central exhaust outlet, their provocative air intakes and their high-tech headlights that the brand shows us as a GIF. Although for now is only a prototype, we will definitely see it in production in the medium term.

Regarding the technical data, these are a mystery for now, but in the video we are shown a button that hints that the power train will be electric in the prototype. Even so, it would not be preposterous to see in the bowels of the production model the powerful block V8 of 4.0 liters with 612 CV of power and 850 Nm of pair associated to the transmission of double clutch and seven speeds of the mark, without prejudice of a variant Plug-in hybrid. Taking into account that the Swiss date will start tomorrow, we have very little left to know what are the plans of Mercedes-AMG for the GT range.

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BMW M Performance has transformed the BMW 5 Series Touring: It is now a family worthy of circuit

At the beginning of February we knew the new BMW 5 Series Touring, a family that has arrived to face the almighty SUV market and demonstrate that it has reached a level worthy of the best of its premium segment. As you know, M Performance offers an infinite catalog of customization possibilities to get a vehicle practically a la carte, as we saw some months ago with the new BMW 5 Series that incorporates this package.

Whether for everyday use or for long trips, the 5 Series Touring stands out for its comfort, versatility and a very high technological level, as well as an optimized engine.

Now it receives a fully sporting character thanks to the M Performance options, as a result of multiple accessories that guarantee an increase of the agility and dynamism of the vehicle, as well as a more athletic and imposing aspect. In addition we can improve the performance of your mechanics by equipping one of the BMW M Performance power kits, which according to the Bavarian brand will not affect consumption or emissions.

Since the release for sale of this version offers an improvement of power and sound in the variant with gasoline engine of 6 cylinders -BMW 540i xDrive Touring- of about 34 hp to reach up to 365 hp and 500 Nm. This improvement also optimizes the engine's response and the power of traction, now accompanied by a more prominent and sporty sound thanks to the adapted muffler system.

In all the models the respective sport silencer of stainless steel besides adding a characteristic sound guarantees a visual effect more attractive for the outside. And depending on the type of engine and equipment selected, will be conformed with round or trapezoidal transoms in chrome or carbon fiber. As for the suspension, we also find all kinds of elements to improve the behavior of the vehicle and driving on twisty roads, thanks in part to offering greater precision and better braking.

The BMW M Performance sports braking system available for the BMW 5 Series Touring offers a high level of thermal resistance, thus ensuring a constant deceleration effect. This has been achieved thanks to fixed-gauge drilled and vented brakes and 4 aluminum pistons on the front axle, as well as floating caliper brakes and a single piston on the rear axle.

Both the driving and the aesthetics of the BMW 5 Series Touring have been considerably improved, but we can also add all types of aerodynamic elements available within the wide range of BMW M Performance Parts equipment.

We can find new parts for the front bumper in carbon fiber, as well as inserts in the rear diffuser. We can also add other visual details in the form of BMW M Performance mirrors in carbon fiber, a black grille, black bars, side stickers with the inscription M Performance and different logos.

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Official, this is the new Kia Niro PHEV

The second variant of the Kia Niro is almost ready for commercialization. The South Korean firm takes advantage of the Geneva Motor Show to show in partnership the hybrid version PHEV that manages to increase the autonomy 100% electric and of step presumir of a very adjusted consumption.

The technology used in the Niro PHEV is similar to the view in the Ioniq, combining the 1.6 GDI block of 105 hp with another electric 60.5 hp to achieve a combined maximum power of 141 hp. The battery that feeds the electric increases the capacity up to 8.9 kWh and therefore the autonomy rises up to 55 km but will depend on the type of conduction performed.

The new Niro PHEV is capable of reaching 100 km / h from standing in 10.8 seconds, being 0.7 seconds faster than the simple hybrid. The chosen transmission is the double clutch with six speeds (6DCT) that achieves a much more pleasant operation than the usual automatic of type CVT.

The appearance of the Niro PHEV hardly changes compared to the model already known and only receives details to differentiate it as the grille with satin frame, blue-colored appliqués in the bumpers or the new alloy wheels of 16 or 18 inches developed to increase the efficiency. In the interior only the instrumentation has specific information whereas the seats can have leather upholstery with blue stitching.

Both standard and optional equipment are kept to a good standard. Depending on the chosen finish may have LED lights, sunroof, navigation system and infotainment with 7 or 8-inch screen, start button, keyless access, automatic climate control, emergency braking system, traffic signal reader, etc. The commercialization of the new Niro PHEV will begin in the third quarter of the year.

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