Sunday, June 27, 2010
The 2010 Honda Civic styling is unchanged, though if you pop the hood on an Si model you’ll see the color of its plastic engine shroud is now black instead of silver. This eighth-generation Civic was introduced for model-year 2006, bringing to the small-car field an artsy sense of design inside and out. No rival has quite matched it for sophisticated good taste, and Honda kept the look contemporary with some “mid-cycle” updates for model-year 2009. These are evident on the 2010 Honda Civic and include slightly sharper definition to the grille and lower front bumper. Headlights and taillights transitioned to trendy clear turn signal lenses with amber bulbs, and several models got new alloy wheel designs. Although it doesn’t have the longest body in the class, no compact competitor has a longer wheelbase than the Honda Civic four-door sedan. This 106.3-inch span between front and rear axles defines the space available for the passenger compartment. In wheelbase and overall body length, Civic’s two-door coupe is about two inches shorter than the sedan. That’s in keeping with a jauntier demeanor that sacrifices rear-seat room to swoopy styling; the difference is driven home by a roofline a significant three inches lower than the sedan’s. Don’t expect the Civic to change much in size when the all-new model debuts for model-year 2011. What that ninth generation Civic will look like, however, is Honda’s closely guarded secret.
Ford’s recent strategy of car first, new engine later continues with the Flex. Introduced for 2009 with the corporate 3.5-liter V-6, we placed the Flex fourth out of six in a recent crossover comparison, where its prodigious poundage was hard to hustle with only 262 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque on tap.
Technology comes to the rescue for 2010, via twin turbochargers and direct fuel injection. Ford’s long-awaited EcoBoost engine program finally bears fruit in the form of a revised version of its 3.5-liter that gets a big-time power boost—to the tune of 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque—with no change in combined fuel economy. Ford estimates 22 highway mpg for the EcoBoost Flex, which matches that of current all-wheel-drive models. The engine will be an option over the naturally aspirated V-6 on all-wheel-drive SEL and Limited models. To handle the higher torque output, some internals have been upgraded, as has the six-speed automatic transmission.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Spy photographers just spotted Audis club sport racer the Audi R8 CS. With its big fixed rear wing, big round exhaust pipes, bigger diffuser and re-designed rear bumper (air outlets on the sides) it really sticks out compared to a “normal” R8 V10. Front bumper is also different with its small wings on both sides. Except for a power boost, we expect it to have lost some weight as well to make the CS package complete.
Named after the departure of a very large power rating of 747 horsepower, not behind a Boeing 747, Edizione Novitec Rosso 747 series marks the end of the Ferrari 430 model production cycle. Maranello super lightweight sports car is repaired by one of the world’s leading tuners Ferrari – Novitec Rosso, and clear. Under the hood of the new special Rosso Novitec Bi-747 engine compressor that...
The new Audi A5 combines a sporty and an unobtrusive design to a powerful, elegant and individual appearance. "A uniquely beautiful car and thus a real challenge for us," says Hans-Jürgen Abt. The managing director of Abt Sportsline raved about the new Coupe from Ingolstadt, but he emphasizes that "our designers and engineers were able to improve the outstanding base model even more". The character of the noble sportscar still maintains but after getting a special treatment in the Allgaeu it appears more dynamical. The body kit, especially tailor-made for the Abt AS5, is a spectacular package: a front skirt with a grid element which emphasizes the singel-frame grill and the fog lights, the slightly curved, laterally mounted body parts and the sleek gill-shaped air-inlets, as well as the well-proportioned rear. With the unobtrusive but striking rear spoiler and the rear skirt inset in diffuser optics, the design of the Abt AS5 is gracefully rounded off. The 4-pipe rear muffler is perfectly fitting and additionally recontoures the rear view. Needless to say that the car sounds as a real Abt car should.
Even when standing still, the Abt AS5 is a sensual car, which eagerly wants to be driven. And when it is allowed to go on the road, it shows how much sports spirit it has. First of all, the 3.0 TDI engine gets a significant "power treatment". The extremely powerful, self-igniting engine perfectly fits to the A5 and, in addition, offers moderate consumption values. By means of improved motor management, Abt turns the serial 240 hp (176 kW) into powerful 272 hp (200 kW). With an extra Abt turbo charger, the power even increases to 300 well feeded horses. Diesel and sportiness belong together since long. Certainly, Abt Sportsline will successively modify later developed A5 engines.
To ensure a perfect handling of the noble power package, Abt also makes use of its adjustable sports suspension, besides the serial Quattro engine. All the more, the Abt AS5 will be brought to a standstill by means of the Abt brake system with a disc diameter of 380 millimeters.
To perfectly round off the successful optics package, Abt Sportsline recommends the AR wheel, which is available for the A5 in the sizes from 18 to 20 inch, of course together with appropriate sport tyres. Wheels, body components and technical modifications build a whole unit: a wonderful Coupe at its best. Not more and not less.
Friday, June 18, 2010
was unveiled during a press conference at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, advancing momentum of KIA Motors’ global alternative fuel and powertrain research program, and its sub-brand coined “EcoDynamics,” to develop innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies. The most efficient Kia vehicles with significant fuel consumption and emission reductions developed under the EcoDynamics sub-brand will be identified with the EcoDynamics badge. Recently, the EcoDynamics sub-brand took a major step forward with the introduction of the Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) followed by the Forte LPI Hybrid, the gasoline Kia cee’d Hybrid and the twin-turbo DIESEL Kia Sorento Hybrid. Kia Ray features aerodynamic design, innovative technology and plug-in hybrid capabilities. Kia Ray utilizes roof top “cool-glazing” solar glass and a has a range of up to 746 miles.
The CL63 AMG, the lesser of two powerful large AMG-tuned Mercedes-Benz coupes, sits somewhere between excessive and grandiose on the scale of high-end cars. With 518 horsepower on tap at 6800 rpm, the nearly 4,500 pound two-door Mercedes-Benz is hardly sluggish, despite tipping the scales at about double what a subcompact weights. 465 pound-feet of torque from the 6.2 liter V8 and a 7-speed automatic transmission help ensure that the CL63 has ample power in any situation.
New for 2008, the CL63 upgrades the basic CL-Class, introduced for 2007, with the standard range of AMG tuned sporting cues, including a lowered sport suspension with active body control, a unique look inside and out, 20' wheels (versus 18' wheels otherwise), performance tires and a few additional standard features, like ventilated and massaging front seats.
Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG
Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG
Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG
Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG
Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG
Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG
Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG
Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG
Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG
Friday, June 11, 2010
With GM selling Saab to Koenigsegg, the future is quite uncertain. But the company confirms that a 2010 Saab 9-5 will show up in Frankfurt with a four-door body style or a wagon as your choices.
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Japanese Mazda Motor said it had in the last fiscal year, thanks to lower costs, managed to reduce net loss of 6.5 billion yen (69 million), with 71.5 billion in the previous fiscal year.
The fourth-largest Japanese manufacturer expects that in the new fiscal year, which ends in late March 2011, achieved net profits of five billion yen, reported The Associated Press.
Sales Mazdinih vehicles per year has dropped by 15 percent because of weaker demand in all major markets, except China, where he recorded sales growth of 46 percent.
The electronics in the control system let Honda offer what it calls the Eco Assist system, which tells the driver how economically she’s driving by changing the background color of the speedometer. Green means good, blue means you’re a lead-foot. There’s an ECON mode that enhances fuel economy further by resetting the control logic, so the car accelerates more slowly and backs off the gas engine quicker.
The dashboard EcoGuide accumulates data on driving patterns, so hypermiling drivers can analyze their history to improve driving strategies. Honda even shows up to five green leaves in the display—similar to graphics in the Ford Fusion Hybrid—to reward drivers who display the most economical behavior over time.
Squeezing more out of less, the Insight’s electric motor not only moves the car away from rest after the engine has shut down, it can also power the car by itself "when driving on a flat surface at steady speed in the low 30 mph range," according to Honda.
Honda has worked hard to keep weight down, so the Insight—at 14 feet, 4 inches long—weighs just 2,720 pounds despite the usual complement of airbags, consumer electronics, other “comfort and convenience features”—and that heavy battery pack. Overall, Honda claims the Insight’s IMA system is 19 percent smaller and 28 percent lighter than the previous generation used in the current Honda Civic Hybrid.
And minimalism can produce maximal results. The Honda Insight is rated at 40 miles per gallon on the city cycle, and 43 mpg on the highway, for a combined mileage of 41 miles per gallon.
New Honda Hybrids Owners of 11,300 Porscheovih Panamera received or will receive calls for additional service visit to remove the lack of which could lead to failure of seat belts.
U Porscheovom saopštenju se navodi da do otkazivanja spojnih tačaka sigurnosnih pojaseva na prednjim sedištima u sudaru može doći ukoliko su ta sedišta u krajnjem prednjem položaju. In Porscheovom statement says that a failure connecting point seat belts in front seats in the collision may occur if the seat in the front end position. U Porscheu kažu da taj nedostatak nije doveo do nesreća sa povredama. The Porsche said that the shortage has not led to accidents with injuries.
Servisni zahvat traje 15-ak minuta i sastoji se od dodavanja još jednog spojnog mesta na prednjim pojasevima. Service procedure lasts 15 minutes and consists of adding one more spojnog seats in the front belts.
Servisni zahvat traje 15-ak minuta i sastoji se od dodavanja još jednog spojnog mesta na prednjim pojasevima. Service procedure lasts 15 minutes and consists of adding one more spojnog seats in the front belts.
Hurst Performance Vehicles je ovaj specijalni Mustang predstavio tokom Ford Racing Mustang Challenge trke na Virginia International Raceway-u, a na kraju će završiti na aukciji čiji je prihod namenjen za dobrotvorne svrhe. Hurst Performance Vehicles this special Mustang introduced in the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race at Virginia International Raceway in, and finally will end the auction whose income is used for charitable purposes.
Kako bilo, Hurst Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Pace Car, zahvaljujući Ford Racing kompresoru, Ford Racing izduvnom sistemu od nerđajućeg čelika i K&N filteru, sada razvija 550KS i 734 Nm obrtnog momenta. However, Hurst Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Pace Car, thanks to Ford Racing supercharger, Ford Racing exhaust system of stainless steel and K & N filter, is now developing 550KS and 734 Nm of torque.
U paketu su takođe i Ford Racing ogibljenje, jači kočioni sistem, Hurst petokraki aluminijumski točkovi od 20 inča sa gumama BF Goodrich, crno-zlatna kombinacija boja za karoseriju, Hurst AIR-SPEED zadnji spojler, Hurst kožni enterijer, Hurst patosnice, posebne oznake... The package is also a Ford Racing Suspension, more powerful braking system, five-pointed Hurst alloy wheels with 20 inch BF Goodrich tires, black and gold color combination for the body, Hurst AIR-SPEED rear spoilers, Hurst leather interior, Hurst floor mats, special markings. ..
U paketu su takođe i Ford Racing ogibljenje, jači kočioni sistem, Hurst petokraki aluminijumski točkovi od 20 inča sa gumama BF Goodrich, crno-zlatna kombinacija boja za karoseriju, Hurst AIR-SPEED zadnji spojler, Hurst kožni enterijer, Hurst patosnice, posebne oznake... The package is also a Ford Racing Suspension, more powerful braking system, five-pointed Hurst alloy wheels with 20 inch BF Goodrich tires, black and gold color combination for the body, Hurst AIR-SPEED rear spoilers, Hurst leather interior, Hurst floor mats, special markings. ..
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The first of a new generation of cars, the Chevy Volt will be an electric car with a gasoline engine onboard to help recharge its batteries. GM claims it offers the environmental benefits of an electric car without the limited range -- but the media hasn’t been able to test most of the company’s claims. The Chevy Volt could be revolutionary -- if it works. Chevrolet calls the Volt an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or “an electric car that can create its own electricity.” It isn’t a hybrid, nor is it a purely electric car. Instead, the Chevy Volt is an electric car with a gasoline-powered generator that can kick in to recharge its batteries when they are low. Owners will be able to charge their Volt from a wall outlet at home, and Chevy claims that the Volt should be able to travel up to 40 miles on electric power alone. That’s more than most Americans drive in a single day, meaning that many Volt owners would not use any gasoline in a typical day. But, since the Volt can recharge itself while driving, it shouldn’t have the limited range of an electric car.
Chevrolet Volt Production
Chevrolet Volt Production
Chevrolet Volt Production
Chevrolet Volt Production
2011 Chevrolet Volt Production Talk about extreme performance glossed with flamboyance, and one word surely pops in everyone’s mind: Lamborghini.
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., or Lamborghini for short, is an automotive manufacturer based in Sant'Agata Bolognese, a small commune in central Italy. It was founded by the manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, and has changed ownership many times since then. After a series of disappointments, Lamborghini finally produced the Espada, the first truly popular model from the company which sold 1200 copies for ten years.
Today, Lamborghini cars always make perfect rivals for any race track finish line. The Lamborghini Murciélago LP640, with its gloss primer grey paint, upgraded V12 engine, and optional transparent engine cover, garnered oohs and aahs when it made its debut in the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Running a speed of 211 mph and counting a total bhp of 613.
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., or Lamborghini for short, is an automotive manufacturer based in Sant'Agata Bolognese, a small commune in central Italy. It was founded by the manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, and has changed ownership many times since then. After a series of disappointments, Lamborghini finally produced the Espada, the first truly popular model from the company which sold 1200 copies for ten years.
Today, Lamborghini cars always make perfect rivals for any race track finish line. The Lamborghini Murciélago LP640, with its gloss primer grey paint, upgraded V12 engine, and optional transparent engine cover, garnered oohs and aahs when it made its debut in the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Running a speed of 211 mph and counting a total bhp of 613.
Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid concept was unveiled during a press conference at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, advancing momentum of Kia Motors’ global alternative fuel and powertrain research program, and its sub-brand coined “EcoDynamics,” to develop innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies. The most efficient Kia vehicles with significant fuel consumption and emission reductions developed under the EcoDynamics sub-brand will be identified with the EcoDynamics badge. Recently, the EcoDynamics sub-brand took a major step forward with the introduction of the Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) followed by the Forte LPI Hybrid, the gasoline Kia cee’d Hybrid and the twin-turbo diesel Kia Sorento Hybrid. Kia Ray features aerodynamic design, innovative technology and plug-in hybrid capabilities. Kia Ray utilizes roof top “cool-glazing” solar glass and a has a range of up to 746 miles.
Auto Trend Kia Ray Concept Sketch Cars Auto Trend Kia Ray Concept Sketch CarsAuto Trend Kia Ray Concept Sketch CarsToyota has again been hit by an embarassing fault in a new model, with all Australian dealers being ordered to stop selling the new V6-powered RAV4 compact 4WD.
The RAV4 V6 launched only a fortnight ago to join the four-cylinder model launched in early 2006. A problem relating to the engine follows shortly after Toyota Australia's Aurion TRD resumed sales in October after an investigation into an engine failure.
Toyota Australia spokesperson Mike Breen says the RAV4's 3.5-litre V6, which is shared with the Aurion, Kluger, and Tarago, is not operating "as smoothly as would be expected", and there appears to be an issue with the engine's electronic managment control system.
The problem was detected in a couple of company demonstration models and the decision was made to stop customer deliveries as a "precautionary measure". "There has been no customer feedback," says Breen.
Breen says the problem does not constitute a recall. "It is not safety related so it isn't a product recall."
The latest problem has come only days after one of the Japanese group's directors admitted the company's response to vehicle quality problems "was not perfect".
Toyota, which has grown to be the world's largest carmaker mainly on the strength of product reliability, issued the freeze order on the RAV4 V6 following concerns about the car's drivability. Details of the exact fault were not available last night, but a Toyota spokesman said it was not a safety-related issue.
It is the latest in a string of quality-related problems to hit the Japanese giant this year, both in Australia and overseas, and reflects the problems that come with growing rapidly year after year.
Toyota directors were so concerned about deterioration in quality levels two years ago they formed the Customer First committee to address the problem, executive vice-president Mitsuo Kinoshita, told The Age last week in Tokyo.
"Quality is our first priority. Unfortunately, two years ago, vehicle [problems] increased so much at that time we decided to establish the CF committee," said Kinoshita. "We have been doing that for two years and, as a result, the quality is getting better and the recall level is comparatively decreasing."
Apart from the pressures of having to rapidly increase production, Mr Kinoshita said a major source of problems was the increasing use of electronics and, in particular, integrated circuit boards, in cars.
Toyota sales have been growing by between 500,000 and 800,000 vehicles a year, which means the company has had to build at least two factories a year to keep pace.
"Finding skilled people is one of the biggest challenges for us," Mr Kinoshita said. "We now employ 300,000 people around the world. That has doubled in the last 10 years."
Mr Kinoshita said Toyota had been forced to create its own "university", the Toyota Institute, where managers from around the world are taught "The Toyota Way" of building cars.
In addition, the group has established its Global Production Centre, where production group leaders learn how to teach their team members.
"We took many countermeasures to produce more skilled workers. Of course, it is not perfect..."
The freeze on RAV4 V6 sales comes only a month after Toyota Australia was forced to halt sales of its locally developed supercharged V6 Aurion TRD sedan after the engine in one of the early models failed. That was traced to some over-enthusiastic driving by a dealer.
Earlier in the year, Toyota was forced to halt sales of the newly released Corolla range after it was found an incorrectly fitted stay allowed the steering columns to slump to their lowest position.
Toyota's usually rock-solid reputation for reliablity has also had a set-back in the United States after an influential consumer magazine said the company's cars could no longer be automatically recommended.
The RAV4 V6 launched only a fortnight ago to join the four-cylinder model launched in early 2006. A problem relating to the engine follows shortly after Toyota Australia's Aurion TRD resumed sales in October after an investigation into an engine failure.
Toyota Australia spokesperson Mike Breen says the RAV4's 3.5-litre V6, which is shared with the Aurion, Kluger, and Tarago, is not operating "as smoothly as would be expected", and there appears to be an issue with the engine's electronic managment control system.
The problem was detected in a couple of company demonstration models and the decision was made to stop customer deliveries as a "precautionary measure". "There has been no customer feedback," says Breen.
Breen says the problem does not constitute a recall. "It is not safety related so it isn't a product recall."
The latest problem has come only days after one of the Japanese group's directors admitted the company's response to vehicle quality problems "was not perfect".
Toyota, which has grown to be the world's largest carmaker mainly on the strength of product reliability, issued the freeze order on the RAV4 V6 following concerns about the car's drivability. Details of the exact fault were not available last night, but a Toyota spokesman said it was not a safety-related issue.
It is the latest in a string of quality-related problems to hit the Japanese giant this year, both in Australia and overseas, and reflects the problems that come with growing rapidly year after year.
Toyota directors were so concerned about deterioration in quality levels two years ago they formed the Customer First committee to address the problem, executive vice-president Mitsuo Kinoshita, told The Age last week in Tokyo.
"Quality is our first priority. Unfortunately, two years ago, vehicle [problems] increased so much at that time we decided to establish the CF committee," said Kinoshita. "We have been doing that for two years and, as a result, the quality is getting better and the recall level is comparatively decreasing."
Apart from the pressures of having to rapidly increase production, Mr Kinoshita said a major source of problems was the increasing use of electronics and, in particular, integrated circuit boards, in cars.
Toyota sales have been growing by between 500,000 and 800,000 vehicles a year, which means the company has had to build at least two factories a year to keep pace.
"Finding skilled people is one of the biggest challenges for us," Mr Kinoshita said. "We now employ 300,000 people around the world. That has doubled in the last 10 years."
Mr Kinoshita said Toyota had been forced to create its own "university", the Toyota Institute, where managers from around the world are taught "The Toyota Way" of building cars.
In addition, the group has established its Global Production Centre, where production group leaders learn how to teach their team members.
"We took many countermeasures to produce more skilled workers. Of course, it is not perfect..."
The freeze on RAV4 V6 sales comes only a month after Toyota Australia was forced to halt sales of its locally developed supercharged V6 Aurion TRD sedan after the engine in one of the early models failed. That was traced to some over-enthusiastic driving by a dealer.
Earlier in the year, Toyota was forced to halt sales of the newly released Corolla range after it was found an incorrectly fitted stay allowed the steering columns to slump to their lowest position.
Toyota's usually rock-solid reputation for reliablity has also had a set-back in the United States after an influential consumer magazine said the company's cars could no longer be automatically recommended.
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