April 11th, 2010
Shteph
This will preety much translate into: you buy an Infiniti and on your engine will be written “Mercedes-Benz”. And it’s not a joke! Because of the alliance of Daimler AG and Renault-Nissan, Infiniti’s G series will be getting a Mercedes-Benz engine. This means that Romanian Dacia could get Nissan or Mercedes engines? Cool! (Dacia is owned by Renault).
The G series, which represents Infiniti’s highest-volume line, will use a Mercedes inline four-cylinder from Daimler to improve fuel economy and curb emissions, according to Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. Ghosn didn’t say when production of the engine will begin or at what extent this engine will replace Japanese-made four-cylinder and V-6 engines used in the G sedan and coupe. In some C-class cars in Europe, Mercedes uses a 1.8-liter four-liter engine. Presently, Mercedes uses nothing smaller than a V-6 in its North American products but it has mentioned that it might bring a smaller engine soon. Mercedes-Benz wants to start producing the C class in Alabama in 2014. At a conference call, Ghosn told reporters that data show there is actually little cross-shopping between Mercedes’ and Infiniti’s US customers. The development of this Mercedes engine is a small part of a diverse product-sharing and technology- sharing plan to be accomplished within five years. The 3 carmakers in this tie-up said that their involvement was egged on by impending stricter fuel-economy demands and the potential for cost savings to comply to them.
April 11th, 2010
Shteph
Launched in 2005, Honda Ridgeline was supposed to be a strong competitor to light duty truck in North America. It is indeed good looking, versatile and has plenty of cool features, but it seems it hasn’t exactly touched a string in American buyers’ hearts. Though it was the first truck to incorporate an independent rear suspension, a unibody design and a tailgate that opened both like a car door and a traditional fold down pick-up style tailgate, it has sold only 16,464 units, far below the 50,000 + units Honda hoped to sell.
So Honda decided to cut it off of their line-up for 2012. Dunno if this is the best decision to take. Maybe Honda should have investigated the reasons for which Ridgeline hasn’t met the sales expectaction and refresh the model if there is a design or performance problem. Thogh I doubt Hondas may have performance issues…
April 11th, 2010
Shteph
This red beast is derived from Ferrari’s 599XX race car and it represents the most outrageous version of the two-seater 599, being actually a toned-down racing car that’s been homologated for road use, hence why it has been given the classic Gran Turismo Omologata moniker.
By no coincidence, just 599 units wil be built, each powered by an uprated version of the Enzo-derived 6.0-litre V12 engine. Power is up from 612bhp to 661bhp, while weight goes down from 1,690kg to 1,605kg, allowing the GTO to sprint from 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds – 0.3 seconds faster than before – and hit a top speed in excess of 208mph. Absolute madness! Read the rest of this entry »
April 10th, 2010
Shteph
Audi A6 will make its debut early next year as a 2012 model. Building on technologies first developed in the TT platform, the next-generation 2012 Audi A6 is expected to use the lightweight ASF II spaceframe technology as its base.
Audi has developed the Aluminum and Steel Spaceframe (ASF II) technology to provide a platform that weighs half as much as steel, but is one and a half times as rigid. ASF technology allows the chassis to be built from a conglomeration of bonded subframe members, modular nose and tail structures and a passenger cell made of aluminum with steel and foam reinforcements.
Pioneered in the TT, the ASF architecture is expected to become the standard method of construction for all future Audis, making the A6 the first of the new generation. A variation of this is used in the new A8, although the big Audi sedan uses almost full aluminum construction.
A6 is also expected in a large range of engines: 2.8 and 4.2 V10 and 2.6 and 3.0 diesels V6. Front-wheel drive will probably remain standard, but all-wheel drive quattro variants will be available.
April 10th, 2010
Shteph
Auto Mobil International in Lepzig will be the place where VW will reveal 2011 Touran 7-seater MPV, which has suffered its second facelift since its debut in 2003. The styling is inspried by Polo, Golf and Touareg models, as follows:
At the front, the Touran gets VW’s latest corporate grille along with new headlamp and bumper designs. The rear section of the Touran was also restyled featuring two-piece tail lamps that extend from the wing into the tailgate, while VW’s designers also modified the MPV’s profile by adding an upwards kink on the rear window section.
Completing the revisions are a set of new alloy wheels and chrome-edged rubbing strips running down the side of the vehicle as well as new exterior mirrors. Read the rest of this entry »
April 10th, 2010
Shteph
The fact that Chevy has to recall milions of cars will not stop GM from going on with the business. So, they anounced prices for Silverado, which is on recall list for brake issue.
The updated 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD pickup truck range will start at $27,965, which excludes a $995 destination charge, while an upgrade to the 397 HP and 765 lb-ft of torque Duramax diesel engine and Allison transmission combination will cost buyers an extra $8,395 for a total of $37,355, which is the same amount as the 2010MY.
The refreshed Silverado HD will be offered in work truck, LT and LTZ trim levels, with production set to start in May. First deliveries are expected in early June, 2010.
April 9th, 2010
Shteph
This year’s “World Mobility Forum” exhibition in Stuttgart, Germany (April 15-18) will be the ocasion on which Jaguar will show off its XJ “Limo Green” hybrid study that was teased for the first time last September.
Making use of Chevy Volt-like hybrid power train, the 2011 XJ-based Limo Green comes with a range extending gasoline engine that was developed in conjunction with Lotus, MIRA and Caparo. The vehicle uses an electric motor producing 145kW and 295 lb-ft of torque for propulsion. A lithium battery pack offers about 30 miles or close to 50 kilometers driving range with a full charge. Once the battery is depleted, a Lotus-developed 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline unit kicks-in to produce enough energy to power it for another 970 kilometers.
The XJ Limo Green prototype is said to return a combined fuel economy of 5.0lt/100 km with CO2 emissions of juts 120 g/km.
Even though the study is billed as a one-off concept, it is believed that Jaguar will use the technology on its future production models.
April 9th, 2010
Shteph
Seems like VW-AG group has found the key to success, namely to good sales results: besides good performance cars, they give you a lot of high-tech stuff as standard for your car and DO NOT charge you for their entire value, but just for a sum that you won’t even notice when paying for the car.
For the first time VW’s CC can accommodate five adults thanks to the addition of an extra space situated between the rear seats, while up front satellite navigation is fitted as standard along with a touchscreen Bluetooth device. Standard equipment also includes 2Zone electronic climate control, a leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, 17-inch ‘Phoenix’ alloy wheels and six airbags. Read the rest of this entry »
April 9th, 2010
Shteph
After all this year’s recallings over break issues or unintended acceleration issues, for not just one carmaker, GM, having its name put on the list, planned to equip many GM models with brake-override systems, which will slow vehicles in the event of sudden acceleration.
GM’s problem, however, is related to break issues, not unintended acceleration, which affects GM trucks and SUVs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating possible brake-line failures in a number of Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, after receiving 110 complaints about “loss of braking effectiveness” in the Chevy Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, and Tahoe, as well as the GMC Sierra and Yukon. Preliminary reports indicate that corrosion of the brake-lines could be the cause of the problem. So far, the issue seems limited to vehicles from the 1999 to 2003 model years, six million of which still roam the roads. An additional 189,000 heavy-duty pickups are also included as part of the investigation. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags:
Avalanche,
break issue,
Chevy Silverado,
GM SUVs,
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GMC Sierra,
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Tahoe,
Yukon
April 8th, 2010
Shteph
Refined style, agile driving fun and elaborate technology – the Audi A3, the A3 Sportback, the A3 Cabriolet and the S3 are the sporty models in the compact segment. Audi now displays its premium character even more explicitly through new attentive details on both the exterior and the interior.
The sporty elegance of the A3 models is already perfectly expressed in their design; their harmonious styling now acquires a host of new, exclusive touches. The single-frame grille element and the trims on the B-posts are painted in high-gloss black, the lower air inlets have chrome struts, the exterior mirrors are aerodynamically optimized and there are chrome strips in the door handles (except on the S3). At the rear, all A3 versions have a new diffuser insert with eye-catching separating edge, and the rear lights are tinted on the three-door version. Read the rest of this entry »
April 8th, 2010
Shteph
The Q7 is the large Audi for the sporty individualist – the high-performance SUV for sport, leisure, family and business. Now Audi has made it even more powerful and efficient, with a choice of three new V6 engines and an 8-speed tiptronic transmission.
Engines: a new range
Even more power, even higher efficiency: Audi has revised the engine lineup for the Q7. The two gasoline engines, both V6 units but with different power outputs, are new, and so is the second-generation V6 TDI. A mighty V8 diesel completes the range. All the engines for the Q7 combine two technologies: forced induction and direct fuel injection. A high-performance recuperation system that recovers energy during braking is also a standard item with all six- and eight-cylinder engines.
The new 3.0 TFSI gasoline engine embodies Audi’s downsizing strategy: replacing engine displacement with supercharging. Within the 90-degree angle formed by its cylinder blocks there is an engine-driven supercharger that compresses the intake air. Two charge-air intercoolers prevent the air temperature from rising, so that the engine draws in more oxygen for the combustion process. Vigorous thrust and spontaneous throttle response make the 3.0 TFSI engine, with its sonorous note, an ideal source of power for the large high-performance SUV from Audi.
More details after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
April 8th, 2010
Shteph
MTM drops the “quattro” and goes RWD! Dropping a supercharged 4.2 FSI engine putting out 560hp in the rears and you have a 0-100 in 4sec. They’ve also dropped the rear pipes and throttle valves on the exhaust system. If you’re already driving around in an R8 but have now grown bored, MTM offers this to current owners.
The questions are legitimate and short: A Street-legal Audi R8 with rear wheel drive? And with a 560 HP supercharged engine? The answer is also short. Yes it exists! At MTM! The snow is hardly gone from Germany’s streets that the noble tuner from Wettstetten is announcing their latest project: the MTM R8 GT3-2, with the last digit standing for the number of powered wheels. The car that has 560 supercharged HP, accelerates from 0 to 100 under 4 seconds and goes easily beyond the 300 km/h barrier is no “Quattro” but a modified R8 with rear wheel drive from the Audi refiner MTM. This new concept promises a complete new driving experience behind the Audi steering wheel and pure driving pleasure, which comes up with a lot of technical details and finesse and creates a perfect and exceptional sportscar. Read the rest of this entry »
April 7th, 2010
Shteph
Check out the new promo video below of the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera. The new Lambo, as you may have guessed if you’re familiar with Lamborghini nomenclature, is a lightweight and more powerful version of the Lambo LP 560-4 – the most recent iteration in the Gallardo lineup.
The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera is the lightest model the supercar maker has ever produced, weighing in at only 2954 lbs through the extensive use of carbon fiber. Zero to 62 mph is promised in only 3.4 seconds, and will top out a decidedly-supercar-like 202 mph. Read the rest of this entry »
April 7th, 2010
Shteph
Another day, another Camaro variant. In addition to the Synergy Green Special Edition Camaro and (very cool) Transformers Camaro, we’ve been treated to an incredible number of third-party Camaro deviations. Now, Chevy just added one more to the list of limited edition models.
The 2010 Chevy Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car Replica Limited Edition you see above is based on the 2010 Camaro 2SS with RS appearance package, but with a few special adaditions. The base car comes with the excellent 6.2-liter V8 engine, although instead of 426 hp, it only produces 400 hp due to the wimpy automatic transmission that comes standard in this edition. That’s a dealbreaker! If you still want this special edition, you can expect the beautiful Inferno Orange paint finish with matching engine cover and front grill, white pearl decal rally stripes, 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, different floor mats, and the 2010 Indianapolis 500 logo decal on the doors, embroidered on driver and passenger headrests, and logo badges on front fenders. Read the rest of this entry »
April 7th, 2010
Shteph
The subcompact Mazda 2 will go on sale in the U.S. this summer, and Mazda finally has released some specifications for the car at the New York Auto Show, after showing the car in Los Angeles last year, but providing no technical specifications.
The diminutive Mazda 2 is a distant cousin to the 2011 Ford Fiesta subcompact in that much of the platform is the same since both cars had their gestation while Ford still had Mazda in their corporate family. But you would be hard-pressed to find much else of substance shared between the two cars. Read the rest of this entry »
