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Many years ago, gaming was just all about the graphics – sound took a back seat, but it seems as though things have taken a turn for the better these days, what with modern technology having taken leaps and bounds forward over the past few years. Razer, a company that is famous for its range of gaming peripherals, has rolled out yet another device for the masses who are aligned to the Xbox 360 in the form of the Razer Chimaera 5.1 Wireless Gaming Headset.

This is the latest model which will be able to let you hear all the explosions and gunfire in Halo, not to mention being thrilled by the high octane release of nitro in Need for Speed, or grooving beats on DJ Hero. Surely, the Razer Chimaera is able to kick Xbox gaming immersion into overdrive.


According to Robert “RazerGuy” Krakoff, President Razer USA, “Putting on this headset may cause serious jaw-dropping aural intensity. With the Razer Chimaera 5.1, we’re giving every gamer the opportunity to experience surround sound in complete wireless freedom. We drew from our expertise in PC gaming audio and worked with Dolby to develop a headset that lets you hear everything with absolute clarity to pinpoint enemy locations, prevent backstabs, and just take your gaming enjoyment further. I recommend using it with the Razer Onza controller for serious Xbox ownage.”

There are 5.1 and Stereo editions of the Razer Chimaera, and it is nice to know that both of them are wireless for an added level of freedom for you to hear the destruction of your opponents anywhere. The 5.1 edition is capable of running for up to 8 hours without missing a beat, while the stereo edition will obviously last longer on the scene per charge at 12 hours.

Extra large circumaural ear cups ensure that your Xbox gaming marathons will be able to last the distance without having your ears feel cramped and uncomfortable, and if you find that the unit is starting to run out of juice, all you need to do is hang the headset onto the base station which also doubles up as the audio processing unit, and you’re good to go.

If you happen to have a trio of teammates with you, you are able to locally connect a quartet of Razer base stations for a crystal clear, lag-free, and dedicated voice channel which will certainly go a long way in improving team communication. The Razer Chimaera 5.1 Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox 360 will retail for $199.99/€199.99 as it hits the world this April.

Read the Press Release.

According to foreign news, New Zealand's second largest city of Christchurch (Christchurch) earthquake death toll has risen to 145 and another 200 people missing. John Key said New Zealand Prime Minister, which may be the country's largest disaster.
26 New Zealand police said there have been found 145 bodies of the victims, while the death toll will likely increase further.
New Zealand Prime Minister John? Based on condolences to the victims and families of missing persons, said after the disaster may be the most tragic events in history of New Zealand.
John? Base that, with the golden rescue time has passed, people's fear is increasing, but hope remains. He also announced that tomorow the day of the week in the earthquake, will hold a memorial ceremony for victims of silence.
Prior to local government, said the earthquake hit 25 it started to rain and cooling, may affect the rescue work, but promised not to stop the search and rescue.
After the earthquake, rescue teams have multi-national search and rescue to disaster areas. New Zealand authorities at a press conference, including China, to thank the rescue team.
Local time on February 22, Christchurch Richter 6.3 earthquake. Chinese rescue team is arriving in the area on April 25 and launched rescue operations. They said that at present the best prime-time relief has been missed though, they will make every effort, with New Zealand and other countries, local rescue workers together to save the lives of people in disaster areas.


Are sad to hear! 145 dead
Want to cherish their dwelling without an earthquake

If you’ve tried the tips above, but are still struggling with sleep problems, you may have a sleep disorder that requires professional treatment. Consider scheduling a visit with a sleep doctor if, despite your best efforts at self–help, you are still troubled by any of the following symptoms:

It’s normal to wake briefly during the night. In fact, a good sleeper won’t even remember it. But if you’re waking up during the night and having trouble falling back asleep, the following tips may help.

• Stay out of your head. The key to getting back to sleep is continuing to cue your body for sleep, so remain in bed in a relaxed position. Hard as it may be, try not to stress over the fact that you’re awake or your inability to fall asleep again, because that very stress and anxiety encourages your body to stay awake. A good way to stay out of your head is to focus on the feelings and sensations in your body.
• Make relaxation your goal, not sleep. If you are finding it hard to fall back asleep, try a relaxation technique such as visualization, deep breathing, or meditation, which can be done without even getting out of bed. Remind yourself that although they’re not a replacement for sleep, rest and relaxation still help rejuvenate your body.
• Do a quiet, non-stimulating activity. If you’ve been awake for more than 15 minutes, try getting out of bed and doing a quiet, non-stimulating activity, such as reading a book. Keep the lights dim so as not to cue your body clock that it’s time to wake up. Also avoid screens of any kind—computers, TV, cell phones, Kindles, iPads—as the type of light they emit is stimulating to the brain. A light snack or herbal tea might help relax you, but be careful not to eat so much that your body begins to expect a meal at that time of the day.
• Postpone worrying and brainstorming. If you wake during the night feeling anxious about something, make a brief note of it on paper and postpone worrying about it until the next day when you are fresh and it will be easier to resolve. Similarly, if a brainstorm or great idea is keeping you awake, make a note of it on paper and fall back to sleep knowing you’ll be much more productive and creative after a good night’s rest.

Other Sleep Better Tips:
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Do you find yourself unable to sleep or waking up night after night? Residual stress, worry, and anger from your day can make it very difficult to sleep well. When you wake up or can’t get to sleep, take note of what seems to be the recurring theme. That will help you figure out what you need to do to get your stress and anger under control during the day:
If you can’t stop yourself from worrying, especially about things outside your control, you need to learn how to manage your thoughts. For example, you can learn to evaluate your worries to see if they’re truly realistic and learn to replace irrational fears with more productive thoughts. Even counting sheep is more productive than worrying at bedtime

If the stress of managing work, family, or school is keeping you awake, you need help with stress management. By learning how to manage your time effectively, handle stress in a productive way, and maintain a calm, positive outlook, you’ll be able to sleep better at night.

 

Relaxation techniques for better sleep

Relaxation is beneficial for everyone, but especially for those struggling with sleep. Practicing relaxation techniques before bed is a great way to wind down, calm the mind, and prepare for sleep. Some simple relaxation techniques include:

• Deep breathing. Close your eyes—and try taking deep, slow breaths—making each breath even deeper than the last.
• Progressive muscle relaxation. Starting at your toes, tense all the muscles as tightly as you can, then completely relax. Work your way up from your feet to the top of your head.
• Visualizing a peaceful, restful place. Close your eyes and imagine a place or activity that is calming and peaceful for you. Concentrate on how relaxed this place or activity makes you feel.

Other Sleep Better Tips:
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Your daytime eating and exercise habits play a role in how well you sleep. It’s particularly important to watch what you put in your body in the hours leading up to your bedtime.

• Stay away from big meals at night. Try to make dinnertime earlier in the evening, and avoid heavy, rich foods within two hours of bed. Fatty foods take a lot of work for your stomach to digest and may keep you up. Also be cautious when it comes to spicy or acidic foods in the evening, as they can cause stomach trouble and heartburn.
• Avoid alcohol before bed. Many people think that a nightcap before bed will help them sleep. While it may make you fall asleep faster, alcohol reduces your sleep quality, waking you up later in the night. To avoid this effect, so stay away from alcohol in the hours before bed.
• Cut down on caffeine. You might be surprised to know that caffeine can cause sleep problems up to ten to twelve hours after drinking it! Consider eliminating caffeine after lunch or cutting back your overall intake.
• Avoid drinking too many liquids in the evening. Drinking lots of water, juice, tea, or other fluids may result in frequent bathroom trips throughout the night. Caffeinated drinks, which act as diuretics, only make things worse.
• Quit smoking. Smoking causes sleep troubles in numerous ways. Nicotine is a stimulant, which disrupts sleep. Additionally, smokers actually experience nicotine withdrawal as the night progresses, making it hard to sleep.

Eat a light snack before bedtime

A light snack before bed can help promote sleep. When you pair tryptophan–containing foods with carbohydrates, it helps calms the brain and allows you to sleep better. For even better sleep, try adding extra calcium to your dinner or nighttime snack. Experiment with your food habits to determine your optimum evening meals and snacks. For a relaxing bedtime snack, try:
You’ll also sleep more deeply if you exercise regularly. You don’t have to be a star athlete to reap the benefits—as little as twenty to thirty minutes of daily activity helps. And you don’t need to do all thirty minutes in one session. You can break it up into five minutes here, ten minutes there, and still get the benefits. Try a brisk walk, a bicycle ride, or even gardening or housework.

Be sure to schedule your exercise in the morning or early afternoon. Exercising too late in the day actually stimulates the body, raising its temperature. That’s the opposite of what you want near bedtime, because a cooler body temperature promotes sleep. Don’t feel glued to the couch in the evening, though. Relaxing exercises such as yoga or gentle stretching shouldn’t hurt.


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If you make a consistent effort to relax and unwind before bed, you will sleep easier and more deeply. A peaceful bedtime routine sends a powerful signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down and let go of the day’s stresses.

Turn off your television

Many people use the television to fall asleep or relax at the end of the day. You may even have a television in your bedroom. However, television actually stimulates the mind, rather than relaxing it. Part of this is due to content. Late night news and prime time shows frequently have disturbing, violent material. Even non–violent programming can have commercials that are jarring and loud.
However, even the most relaxing program or movie can interfere with the body’s clock due to the continuous flickering light coming from the TV or computer screen. Television is also noisy, which can disturb sleep if the set is accidentally left on.
You may be so used to falling asleep to the TV that you have trouble without it for the first few nights. If you find you miss the noise, try soft music or a fan. If your favorite show is on late at night, record it for viewing earlier in the day.

Reserve your bed for sleeping

If you associate your bed with events like work or errands, it will be harder to wind down at night. Use your bed only for sleep and sex. That way, when you go to bed, your body gets a powerful cue: it’s time to nod off.

Relaxing bedtime rituals to try

• Read a light, entertaining book or magazine
• Take a warm bath
• Listen to soft music
• Enjoy a light snack

• Do some easy stretches
• Wind down with a favorite hobby
• Listen to books on tape
• Make simple preparations for the next day 

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It’s not just the number of hours in bed that counts—it’s the quality of those hours of sleep. If you’re giving yourself plenty of time for sleep, but you’re still having trouble waking up in the morning or staying alert all day, you may need to make some changes to your sleep environment. The quality of your bedroom environment makes a huge difference in how well you sleep.

Keep noise down

People differ in their sensitivity to noise, but as a general rule, you’ll sleep better when your bedroom is quiet. Even if you’ve learned to sleep through certain noises, such as the wail of sirens or the roar of a passing airplane, sleep studies show that these sounds still disrupt sleep.
If you can’t avoid or eliminate noise from barking dogs, loud neighbors, city traffic, or other people in your household, try masking it with a fan, recordings of soothing sounds, or white noise. White noise can be particularly effective in blocking out other sounds and helping you sleep. You can buy a special sound machine or generate your own white noise by setting your radio between stations. Earplugs may also help.

Keep your room dark and cool

When it’s time to sleep, make sure that your environment is dark. Even dim lights—especially those from TV or computer screens—can confuse the body clock. Heavy curtains or shades can help block light from windows, or you can try an eye mask to cover your eyes.
The temperature of your bedroom also affects sleep. Most people sleep best in a slightly cool room (around 65° F or 18° C) with adequate ventilation. A bedroom that is too hot or too cold can interfere with quality sleep.

Make sure your bed is comfortable

Is your bed big enough? You should have enough room to stretch and turn comfortably. Make sure there is also enough room for your bedmate.

Your mattress and bedding are also important. If you often wake up with a sore back or an aching neck, you may need to invest in a new mattress or a try a different pillow.  Experiment with different levels of mattress firmness, foam or egg crate toppers, and pillows that provide more support.


Other Sleep Better Tips:
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Getting back in sync with your body’s natural sleep–wake cycle—your circadian rhythm—is one of the most important strategies for achieving good sleep. If you keep a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, you will feel much more refreshed and energized than if you sleep the same number of hours at different times. This holds true even if you alter your sleep schedule by only an hour or two. Consistency is important.

• Set a regular bedtime. Go to bed at the same time every night. Choose a time when you normally feel tired, so that you don’t toss and turn. Try not to break this routine on weekends when it may be tempting to stay up late. If you want to change your bedtime, help your body adjust by making the change in small daily increments, such as 15 minutes earlier or later each day.
• Wake up at the same time every day. If you’re getting enough sleep, you should wake up naturally without an alarm. If you need an alarm clock to wake up on time, you may need to set an earlier bedtime. As with your bedtime, try to maintain your regular wake–time even on weekends.
• Nap to make up for lost sleep. If you need to make up for a few lost hours, opt for a daytime nap rather than sleeping late. This strategy allows you to pay off your sleep debt without disturbing your natural sleep–wake rhythm, which often backfires in insomnia and throws you off for days.
• Be smart about napping. While taking a nap can be a great way to recharge, especially for older adults, it can make insomnia worse. If insomnia is a problem for you, consider eliminating napping. If you must nap, do it in the early afternoon, and limit it to thirty minutes.
• Fight after–dinner drowsiness. If you find yourself getting sleepy way before your bedtime, get off the couch and do something mildly stimulating to avoid falling asleep, such as washing the dishes, calling a friend, or getting clothes ready for the next day. If you give in to the drowsiness, you may wake up later in the night and have trouble getting back to sleep.

Regardless of your sleep problem, a consistent sleep routine and improved sleep habits will translate into better sleep over the long term. You can address many common sleep problems through lifestyle changes and improved sleep hygiene. For example, you may find that when you start exercising regularly, your sleep is much more refreshing. The key is to experiment. Use your sleep diary as a jumping off point.

Try the following simple changes to your daytime and pre-bedtime routine:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule, going to sleep and getting up at the same time each day (including the weekends)
• Set aside enough time for sleep (most people need at least 8 hours each night in order to feel good and be productive)
• Make sure your bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet.
• Turn off your TV, smartphone, and computer a few hours before your bedtime. The type of light their screens emit are activating to your brain and interfere with your body’s internal clock.

If you’re one of those people that suffers from unusual sleep patterns and you want to get your body back in to check you might be able to do it with this acupuncture sleeping gadget, the Dreamate Sleep Inducer.

To find out more about the Sleep Inducer, you can read it  here.

If you're one of those people who have problem in waking up in the morning refresh, you may need another sleeping gadget the Sleep Tracker.

To know more about the Sleep Tracker, you can read it here.

Here's another gadget that helps to monitor whether you are sleeping correctly.  It's the Zeo Personal Sleep Coach.

To know more about the Zeo Personal Sleep Coach, click here.

It was my second visit to SNEC, and this time I had waited relatively shorter to be seen by Dr. Lim Li.  I had waited only an hour plus. After my orb scan, a consultant had attended to me first.  She had assured me that for my case, it's relatively mild and should not be affecting me too much except for the poor vision.  After that, Dr. Lim Li came and said the same thing.  She told me that Keratoconus would usually stops developing when the patient becomes 40, and she wouldn't worry so much about me as I'm already 36.  Only 4 more years to go.  The orb scan scan shows that my corneal had become thinner by 5 nm.  It should be quite save for me not to take any actions at all.

Hmph.  That's quite different from Dr. Anna Tan, another Eye Specialist with NUH Eye Surgery Clinic.  She told me that I should be wearing the hard lenses to see if it could slow down the progression of the keratoconus, and I ought to be thinking if I wanted to do the Cross-linking procedures.

Anyway, since Dr. Lim Li was the expert in Keratoconus and Cross-linking, I decided to heed her advice.  Will be seeing her in 18 months, and in the meantime, I'd canceled my appointment with NUH Eye Surgery Center.

Wish me good luck!

Ps:  Anyone any idea if Keratoconus really stops progressing after 40 years of age?  Or any comments on SNEC, NUH Eye Surgery Center, Dr. Lim Li, and Dr. Anna Tan?  Do feel free to drop a comment below.  Thanks.

Styling/Image
The Fox is a VW launched in the South American market back in 2003. It's been reworked for European showrooms, with a four-car line-up; 54bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder and 74bhp 1.4-litre four-pot engines are offered in standard or better-equipped Urban trim. There is just a single three-door bodystyle, but even this appears dated. The Fox is bland and plain compared to the cute Lupo it replaces.

Interior/Practicality
Don’t expect to find a miniature Golf cabin inside. Both the design and quality are from Volkswagens of old. Fit and finish is fine, yet it’s hard not to feel a bit short changed by the aging design and hard plastics. We’ve got no complaints with the practicality, though. Fold the rear seats and the Fox’s luggage area is huge.

Engine/Performance
Both 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engines are available to Fox buyers. The 1.4-litre engine, which is manufactured in Brazil, is a version of the unit seen in the Polo, so refinement is reasonable. And with a decent slug of torque, the Fox is quick in-gear. However, to make the most of the VW’s bargain prices, opt for the cheaper and characterful sounding 1.2.

Driving experience
The Fox is a comfortable city car. With a ride that’s soft rather than sporty, it’s more than capable of tackling speed bumps. The four-cylinder engine is relatively quiet, helping to make the Fox a good long-distance cruiser. Head down a more challenging road and the soggy handling won’t inspire handling, but the steering is reasonably well weighted. Decent brakes and a slick gearbox make the VW easy to drive.



Costs
Getting a VW badge on your bonnet doesn’t get any cheaper than this. Rival city cars offer more kit for the money, but few can match the Fox’s carrying capacity in the sub £7,500 category. Avoid costly options to make the most of the Volkswagen’s value.

Environment/Safety
The Fox’s size means it carries more weight than your average city car and needs larger engines as a result. Fuel economy is relatively poor, resulting in high CO2 emissions. A four star EuroNCAP rating looks good on paper, but the small VW was marked down by testers for its poor side impact protection.

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Press release

The next generation of the CrossPolo is ready for new adventures. The clever compact in rugged all-terrain look is celebrating its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. After the Polo base version presented in 2009 and the Polo BlueMotion (debut in 2010) with its superior and possibly record-breaking fuel efficiency, as well as the Polo GTI now also debuting in Geneva, the CrossPolo completes the series as a fourth model. With its refreshingly cheeky design, unique world of colours and features, and a higher ride height (15 millimetre gain), the five-door is very appealing as one of the most unconventional vehicles in its class.

This all-rounder is powered by extremely fuel-efficient engines with a power range from 51 kW / 70 PS to 77 kW / 105 PS. Buyers can choose from three petrol and three common rail TDI engines. Three of the six engines can be ordered with a 7-speed DSG, like the one used on vehicles such as the Polo GTI.

Fun and Cross: From special edition to production model

The new CrossPolo continues in the tradition of its successful predecessors: the Polo Fun and the first generation CrossPolo derived from it. Originally, a production run of only 5,000 units was planned for the special edition Polo Fun, but great demand exploded all forecasts. The consequence: the step was taken from special edition to production model and to the Cross version.

Exterior: Tough qualities and lifestyle character

The rugged-sporty character of the CrossPolo – always produced as a five-door – are reflected in many of its details. Especially striking: the individually styled front apron – in anthracite colour - with integrated front fog lights and large air inlet at the centre. It gets a black honeycomb insert bordered by fine chrome trim. Towards its lower edge, the bumper finishes with a section in light silver with the visual appearance of underbody protection. Taken from classic Polo styling are the upper radiator grille with its chrome inlay and the VW logo integrated here; the same applies to the dual headlights with standard daytime running lights.

The side profile of the CrossPolo also shows very tough qualities. Here sporty black wheelarch extensions and coordinated body sills set the styling. The latter continue visually into the lower door area. In off-road driving and in the jungle of metropolitan parking spaces, these rugged plastic guards protect the car from damage. Fitting the character of the CrossPolo are the 17-inch alloy wheels (“Budapest” style) in 5-spoke design with size 215/40 tyres.

Another unmistakable characteristic of the CrossPolo: the silver anodized roof rails. They are a traditional feature on this model, and are certainly not just decorative. They can be used to mount roof boxes and carrier systems with a weight of up to 75 kilograms. Colour coordinated with the roof railing, like on the previous model: the door mirrors that are always painted in silver. At the rear, the CrossPolo continues the rugged all-terrain look in the bumper, whose lower section is also designed in a black, rugged plastic. At its centre, a separate section painted in silver catches the eye that is styled to look like a diffuser.

Six exterior colours accentuate the powerful style of the CrossPolo; offered exclusively on the new Volkswagen are the colours “Magma Orange“ and “Terra Beige Metallic”. Across the board, the upper areas of the bumpers and handles (door, tailgate) are painted in body colour, while the cover trim of the B and C pillars and the window frames are treated in a high-gloss black.

Interior: Exciting and versatile

The high-end interior of the CrossPolo is a fitting match for the all-terrain look of the exterior. Here it is primarily the two-tone fabrics of the sport seats, the rear bench and the door trim that create a friendly and youthful ambiance. Up to four different colour trims are available, depending on the exterior colour. While the outer areas of the seats are always in anthracite, customers can choose from the colours “Hot Orange”, “Orange”, “Latte Macchiato” and “Grey” for the inner seat panels and middle sections of the door trim panels. On seat contact surfaces for the back and legs the fabrics (“Dimension” pattern) all have a black webbed structure, making them more durable. The “CrossPolo” signature is embroidered into the backrests of the front seats.

Throughout the cockpit materials are friendly to the touch. Take the steering wheel: It has a fine perforated leather cover; the steering wheel spokes are produced from a brushed chrome application. The seams of the steering wheel cover and the leather-trimmed parking brake handle are given the colour of the interior trim. The CrossPolo’s high level of quality is highlighted by the instrument panel, finished in “Slush” technology with its soft surface texture that is pleasant to the touch.

The CrossPolo has an ample array of standard equipment. In the interior, specific standard features include height-adjustable sport seats, an asymmetrically split rear bench and backrest, pockets on the backs of the front seats and sliding drawers under them, leather-trimmed steering wheel, centre armrest in front (with storage compartment), pedal caps in aluminium look and chrome on various switches and components. The latter include the door handles, surrounds for the window lift switches and air vents. Also standard: electric adjustable and heated door mirrors, electric window lifts all around, illuminated make-up mirrors in the sun visors, multi-function display (MFA) including tyre pressure monitoring (tyre pressure monitoring system, TPMS) and central locking with RF remote control.

Estate car qualities: Cargo space increases up to 952 litres

The new CrossPolo also shows off its versatile talents when it comes to space and efficient space utilisation. As mentioned, the rear bench can be folded with a standard 60:40 split. When it is completely folded, the car’s cargo capacity increases from 280 to 952 litres. The dual cargo floor - adjustable to two height levels - creates a continuously level loading surface. Four tie-down eyes simplify secure fastening of the cargo to be transported, while two hooks in the side trim panels keep bags from tipping over.

Engine variety: Three petrol, three diesel and one 7-speed DSG

The six engines of the CrossPolo have power levels between 51 kW / 70 PS and 77 kW / 105 PS. The entry level among the petrol engines is represented by the 70-PS version with a 1.2 litre displacement. Following at the next level is a 1.4-litre engine with 63 kW / 85 PS. The top petrol engine is the new 1.2 TSI with the mentioned 105 PS. This turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine accelerates the CrossPolo to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds, reaches a respectable top speed of 188 km/h, yet has a combined fuel consumption of just 5.5 litres of fuel (equivalent to 128 g/km CO2). The highlight here: The Volkswagen not only attains these values in conjunction with the standard 6-speed gearbox, but also with the optional 7-speed DSG, an automatic. Also deliverable as an optional DSG version is the CrossPolo with 85 PS.

Among the quietest engines of their kind are the three common rail, direct-injection turbodiesels (TDI) fitted with a particulate filter. All engines have 1.6 litre displacement and are available at the power levels 55 kW / 75 PS, 66 kW / 90 PS and 77 kW / 105 PS. All three variants need just 4.3 litres of diesel per 100 km in combined mode and emit just 113 grams CO2 per kilometre. The 90-PS version can also be combined with the direct shift gearbox as an option; in this case, combined fuel consumption is 4.6 l/100 km. All CrossPolo engines meet the limits of the Euro-5 emissions standard.

Advance sales for the new Volkswagen are beginning in march. In Germany, the CrossPolo will already arrive at Volkswagen dealers and first customers at the end of May. Right afterwards, the market launch will continue across Europe and in Japan.

The Volkswagen Concept A, which was displayed at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, was designed to provide a hint at the styling of an all-new SUV which Volkswagen was developing. The Concept A preceded the Tiguan concept, which eventually became the production Tiguan model.

Introduced as a four door coupe with off road capabilities, the Concept A's production successor is aimed at the likes of Toyota's RAV4 and the Honda CR-V.


Powered by the same 1.4 litre, 148 bhp, Twin Charger (one turbocharger and one supercharger) engine found in the European Golf GT, coupled to a permanent all-wheel drive transmission, the Concept A previews the production model's posssible powertrain.


Like all concept cars, the Concept A will undergo changes to make it more palletable to the masses, and VW accountants. Although Volkswagen says the bold front styling and taught lines will remain. However, the distinctive sloping roofline will be swapped in favour of a more traditional design, and the rear hinged back doors will be replaced with more conventional units.

The official King Kong crew member is now available as an attractive special edition

58 centimetres wading depth, 3.5 tonnes max. trailer weight. The new Touareg Kong is a powerful helper and the ideal crew vehicle at the filming of the new "King Kong" film. This extraordinary Touareg also offers elegant and sporty design, outstanding ride comfort, and the latest technology.

The mighty, colour-coded widened sills, 19-inch "Avignon" alloy wheels in Sterling Silver finish with 275/45 R 19 tyres, the silver-coloured front and rear underbody guards, the exterior mirror housings also in silver-look, and the characteristic chrome surround of the front bumper air intake all contribute to the Touareg Kong's exclusive and eye-catching appearance.

To round off the picture it has sporty oval tailpipe trim, silver-coloured roof bars and the elegant chrome package, consisting of chrome strips on the radiator grille, side windows, and sills, high-gloss black roof pillar trim, and a chrome-finish step on the rear bumper. Naturally each Touareg Kong has a "King Kong" badge on the B-pillar identifying it as an official crew member.

The Touareg also reveals an individual character in its interior: leather seats, "Engine Spin" design garnish trim, and a 4-spoke steering wheel give the interior a sporty and elegant feel. The Rear Seat Entertainment from Volkswagen Individual is also a special treat, not just for cinema fans. The rear passengers can enjoy real cinema flair on the move with wireless headphones and a 7-inch screen integrated into the headliner.

Two cupholders in the central armrest and darkened rear windows underline the special atmosphere. The fully-automatic "Climatronic" air conditioning system with 2-zone temperature control, the parking distance warning system (front and rear distance warning with audible and visual signals), and fog lights complete the Touareg Kong's generous equipment specification.

Alongside the specific "Kong" features, customers can adapt their vehicles to their individual needs with other optional equipment from the Touareg programme: for example they can add a reversing camera for safe manoeuvring, variable anti-roll bars for greater traction and comfort off tarred roads, or bi-xenon headlights with bend light for an optimum view in all conditions.

In the jungle – be it the urban kind or the wilderness – not only the standard compass in the roof console can help out; the engines available for the Touareg Kong have ample power reserves for all types of road. Two petrol engines are on offer in the form of the 3.2 litre V6 and the 4.2 litre V8. The V6 delivers 241 PS / 177 kW and has a maximum torque of 310 Nm. The V8 reaches 310 PS / 228 kW and 410 Nm.

There is also a generous range of diesels for the Touareg Kong. The customer can choose between three TDI® engines with the latest direct injection, starting with the 2.5 litre in-line five cylinder engine producing 174 PS / 128 kW power and 400 Nm torque. The equally refined and economical 225 PS / 165 kW V6 TDI delivers 500 Nm and covers the mid-range. The top-of-the-line diesel is the V10 TDI, which is capable of an impressive 313 PS / 230 kW and 750 Nm torque and is a peerlessly smooth power source in the Touareg Kong too.

The new Touareg Kong is available in four paint finishes with prices starting at 48 225 euros. The price saving on the "Kong" equipment package is up to 4 200 Euro.

The dream of every high-performance tuner is access to the best, most durable, precise components; intelligent and adaptable control systems; and progressive, appealing styling.

It's the dream of every high-performance tuner to transform that excellence into the extraordinary, to create exhilarating answers to the question, "What if...?"

Volkswagen shares this drive to push the dynamic and aesthetic boundaries of its vehicles. The vast network of engineers and designers within VW's worldwide reach never need to be urged to challenge conventional wisdom, and this philosophy is reflected not only in the unique character of VW's production vehicles, it's also fully displayed in a stunning ultra-high-performance Touareg R GT built for SEMA 2005 in combination with HPA Motorsports.

The Touareg R GT is not just flights of fancy branding. The badging on this one-off tells a story of advanced platforms enriched with strategic applications of factory and aftermarket expertise.

The Touareg R GT is nothing less than the pure essence of a high-performance luxury SUV. What was formerly a 2005 model with a V6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission is now a 500-horsepower road-carver that doubles as a luxurious limousine. Like the other R GT models on display at SEMA, the Touareg has an HPA-built twin-turbocharged V6 under the hood, special chassis enhancements, a KW Variant 3-way coilover suspension, and a high-performance braking system supplied by Brembo.

The Touareg's revised lines give it the look of a well-bred urban cruiser. A Volkswagen Individual body kit, gleaming silver paint, and 10 x 22-inch custom-built, forged-aluminum, mono-block Avus wheels mounted with Michelin ultra-high-performance Diamaris tires lend it a commanding visual presence that matches the powertrain's dominating performance.

Front sport bucket seats, an integrated single roll hoop, and the safety systems required for a weekend at the track are complemented by the luxury of black leather upholstery with gray suede centers, a Bugatti spun-aluminum trim kit by Volkswagen Individual, a black Apple iPod module, and rear PSP system.

Street and track performance has not yet been measured, but with its 500 horsepower and massive torque, the Touareg R GT will certainly be an extreme expression of "Fun to Drive.".

The Qatar Motor Show gave Volkswagen the opportunity to present two impressive Touareg concepts - the Touareg Gold Edition Study and the Race Touareg 3 Qatar

The Touareg R-Line package includes new features that compliment the sporty look of the Touareg: there is a textured diffuser in matte black, oval exhaust tips, a redesigned front apron, body colored side sills, a rear roof spoiler, chrome door trim parts, and, of course, the R-Line badge on the side panels. The entire exterior look is finished by a new set of 20-inch light-alloy wheels in the "Mallory" design, combined with sportier chassis tuning.

For the interior, the R-Line package adds a leather multifunction steering wheel with decorative inserts in "black shiny", stainless steel pedals, a leather selector lever, sports seats, and some aluminum inlays across the dashboard.

---- Specifications ----

Price
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Production
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Engine
Diesel V10

Weight
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Aspiration
turbocharged

Torque
627 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

HP
345 hp

HP/Weight
--

HP/Liter
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1/4 mile
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0-62 mph
6.7 seconds

Top Speed
146 mph

(from Volkswagen Press Release) Impressive power: The V10 TDI of the Touareg R50 develops 350 PS of power and 850 Newton-meter of torqueWOLFSBURG, Germany - In a world premiere, Volkswagen will be presenting the Touareg R50 on October 11 at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. Its power of 258 kW / 350 PS (at 3,500 rpm) positions the new Touareg version among the most powerful SUVs in the world. The Touareg R50 can be ordered in Germany at prices starting at 88,260 Euro; it will be introduced to the market this November.

The engine characteristic of the Touareg R50 is marked by a torque level nearly unattainable by the competition: The V10 TDI of the Touareg R50 develops its enormous power of 850 Newton-meter at a low 2,000 rpm. The turbo diesel was derived from the well-known ten cylinder with 230 kW / 313 PS. Adjustments to its turbo charging and modified engine management enabled a 28 kW / 37 PS increase in power and a considerable 100 Newton-meter increase in maximum torque. Under these new parameters, the SUV accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds (production car: 7.4 seconds); its top speed is 235 km/h. In relation to engine power and vehicle size, the fuel consumption of the production ten-cylinder diesel equipped with a particulate filter is a moderate 9.6 liters per 100 km (highway) and 12.6 liters per 100 km (overall). Despite big gains in power and torque, its DIN fuel consumption values have remained constant compared to the Touareg V10 TDI.

In keeping with the performance potential of the R50, Volkswagen Individual designed new exterior and interior features according to the R philosophy. From the outside, the new Touareg R50 is easy to recognize with its 21-inch Omanyt type alloy wheels and size 295 tires, blue painted brake calipers, discrete wheel well flares, side skirts and distinctive bumpers (Sport Design Package), as well as a modified radiator grille (in a matte finish chrome).

Offered exclusively on the Touareg R50 is the car color "Biscay blue". Blue hues of this type have been typical of the high-powered R models since the first Golf R32 was introduced in the year 2002. Offered as optional car colors on the Touareg R50 are "Campanella white", "Reflex silver", "Black Magic" and "Atacam gray".

The cars extensive features also include an air suspension sport chassis: The so-called "Driving dynamics package with adaptive roll compensation" and chassis lowered by twenty millimeter supplements the "Sport" mode of the manually or automatically controlled air suspension by achieving a stiffer spring rate.

On the inside, the SUVs features include a sport seating system in anthracite-colored nappa leather with R50 logo integrated in the headrests. The logo was also integrated in the stainless steel tread plates. Also in keeping with the sporty character of the Touareg is the light-colored "engine spin" decor of the interior a metallic structure similar to that previously used on race cars as well as metal worked caps for the accelerator and brake pedals. A R50 logo also decorates the gearshift lever of the six-speed automatic transmission (Tiptronic). Standard features the Touareg R50 also include a winter package (including seat heating for the rear seats), the Premium Memory Package (including electrically adjustable seats, steering column and seatbelt height), net partition behind the rear seats and a ski sack.Wolfsburg, 08 October 2007 - In a world premiere, Volkswagen will be presenting the Touareg R50 on October 11 at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. Its power of 258 kW / 350 PS (at 3,500 rpm) positions the new Touareg version among the most powerful SUVs in the world. The Touareg R50 can be ordered in Germany at prices starting at 88,260 Euro; it will be introduced to the market this November.