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Sunday, October 31, 2010
2010 Mercedes-Benz Sports Cars SLS AMG E-Cell Concept
Exclusive BMW’s Green Sports Car
“It’s the sports car of the future, the way BMW imagines it.” That’s how Adrian van Hooydonk, director of BMW’s group design, describes the “BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics” two-door concept vehicle to be unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show. Think of it as a showcase of the many fuel-efficient technologies that BMW has in various stages of development. Some of the technologies already appear in production vehicles, while the feasibility of rolling out other systems stretch the future to the point of never.
BMW’s overarching goal was to combine breath-taking speed and groundbreaking efficiency. In the BMW Vision, that boils down to 4.8-second 0-to-60 miles per hour acceleration and 63 mile to the gallon.
First, BMW engineers use the rear-axle to combine a turbo-charged small diesel engine and the mildest forms of hybrid technology. That kind of combo comes standard in BMW 1-series cars in Europe. The Vision's setup is a little more similar to the BMW 320d, also to debut in Frankfurt, which uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel to deliver 162 horsepower, while promising more than 57 miles to the gallon. The BMW Vision takes it a step further by downsizing the engine to a 1.5-liter three-cylinder diesel engine mated with the more robust hybrid system found in the pricey BMW ActiveHybrid7, expected in the US early next year.
Not satisfied with 162 horsepower, BMW adds a second motor to drive the front wheels exclusively by electricity. When both motors and the diesel engine are called into service, the overall system can put out 356 horsepower. The BMW Vision is lightweight and aerodynamic. The design features an aluminum chassis and suspension, and an outer skin made mostly of polycarbonate glass. The car’s slippery design boasts a drag coefficient of 0.22—beating out the Toyota Prius’s 0.25.
To mitigate the fuel efficiency penalty paid for power, the BMW Vision utilizes plug-in hybrid technology. This is where the Vision becomes more of a fantasy. The combination of diesel and hybrid technologies is widely viewed as cost prohibitive. Adding enough battery power to allow the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics to travel for 30 miles of all-electric drive, as BMW is promising, would send costs through the roof.
BMW also indicates that the Vision only needs a 187-pound 10.8 kWh battery to achieve the 30-mile all-electric goal. To pull that off, the Vision, according to BMW, will discharge the battery pack's capacity by 80 percent, which is likely to significantly reduce the longevity of the battery. (The Chevy Volt will use about 50 percent of its capacity to help ensure a lifetime of use.)
Nine Custom 2011 Ford Mustang at SEMA
FORD MUSTANG LEGACY AT SEMA CONTINUES WITH POWERFUL, STYLISH VERSIONS OF THE 2011 PONY CAR
- Ford Mustang is sure to please at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas Nov. 2-5, where nine Mustangs will show off their performance and style
- A Mustang GT by Ford Vehicle Personalization uses a white and coral theme along with several Ford Custom Accessories items painted in liquid silver to give this car a look all its own. Other Mustangs show off themes such as breast cancer awareness and street warrior
- Along with customized versions of Mustang, the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 will give visitors to the Ford stand a look at the reinvented legendary road race machine from the late 1960s
Ford Motor Company is tapping the 2010 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas to showcase nine customized versions of Mustang, displaying the vehicles alongside the new Mustang Boss 302.
“The 2011 model year sets a new standard for Mustang, with everything from bringing back the revered 5.0-liter V8 Mustang GT to the all-aluminum 3.7-liter engine in the Mustang V6 with 305 horsepower and 31 mpg. And it doesn’t stop for 2012, with the Mustang Boss 302 reveal and the track-ready Laguna Seca version,” said Jim Owens, Mustang brand manager. “SEMA is a great way for Ford to not only show customers what’s new for Mustang, but what they can do to make it their own Mustang.”
While the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 is sure to impress visitors at the Ford stand, a variety of Mustangs on display also will give consumers an idea of the endless possibilities for making it a one-of-a-kind pony car.
“People understand Mustang and they fall in love with the emotion of the car, but at the same time they want to bring a little of their individuality to the table,” said Melvin Betancourt, Ford design manager. “So if you’re a Mustang enthusiast looking to set your Mustang apart from others, SEMA is like going into a toy store full of inspirational imagery. At the end of the day you have a Mustang that reflects the personality of the customer’s vision.”
This Mustang GT has a look all its own
A Mustang GT by Ford Vehicle Personalization shows what can be fashioned using Ford Custom Accessories items and some serious creativity. The exterior of the car is coated in a custom white tri-coat color developed by Sherwin-Williams. The paint has coral undertones, a color used throughout the car.
“This theme is a perfect fit for Mustang – it really shows off the design features inside and out that set it apart from the rest,” said Mark Conforzi, Ford Vehicle Personalization chief designer. “This Mustang works so well because it will let the customer’s imagination run wild with just how much they can do to their car.”
Ford Custom Accessories items are used to give consumers a sense of what can be done with Mustang, and include a rear pedestal spoiler, rear quarter window louvers, side scoops and a billet grille – all covered in a concept liquid silver finish. The look is rounded out with 18-inch machined liquid silver wheels, similar to the ones standard on the California Special Mustang. To check out the accessories used, visit www.fordaccessoriesstore.com.
The interior of the Mustang features a concept design that uses white and black Ultrafabrics material on a variety of surfaces, with inserts that resemble carbon fiber. The white material is highlighted on the seats, door inserts, steering wheel and dash appliqué. Coral accents also set the mood inside, where they are used on the steering wheel, gauge cluster, shifter knob and air vents. Interior styling also includes coral accent lighting for a unique touch.
Other Mustang project vehicles showcased at this year’s SEMA show include:
2011 Ford Mustang by Team Baurtwell
West Coast meets East Coast with this Mustang by Team Baurtwell and celebrity customizer Funkmaster Flex, designed for rapper and actor Snoop Dogg. The exterior features Team Baurtwell custom smoked taillights, Funkmaster Flex logos and a 3dCarbon body kit, and is complemented by NC Forged three-piece billet wheels. Chassis upgrades include Steeda lowering kit, sway bars and springs, while Baer brakes provide the stopping power.
2011 Ford Mustang by MRT
Working off a Mustang GT, MRT delivers a tough street warrior theme with carbon effects throughout the interior and engine compartment, a custom color scheme and several performance modifications. A chassis upgrade, performance handling package, upgraded Baer brakes and a new MRT stainless steel exhaust all come together to deliver a performance driving experience for customers.
2011 Ford Mustang by Creations n’ Chrome
Creations n’ Chrome is teaming up with the American Cancer Society to raise awareness for breast cancer with its Mustang GT convertible covered in pink chrome. This GT goes from ordinary to extraordinary with a Vortech supercharger, HRE performance wheels and Wilwood brakes. A 3dCarbon styling kit completes the look.
2011 Ford Mustang by Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords
This powerful 5.0-liter Mustang has been given an extra boost of power with a Ford Racing Performance Parts supercharger kit and exhaust system from Kooks Custom headers. The Mustang also receives a custom paint job, Roush fascia and Cervini’s Auto Designs hood. Brakes, seats and suspension are upgraded with American Muscle parts.
2011 Ford Mustang by Mobsteel
This Mustang offers plenty of upgrades to fill the needs of any Mustang enthusiast. An STS
Turbo patented remote mount turbo system, Air Runner suspension and Magnaflow cat-back exhaust all push the V6 Mustang into a new level of performance. Fifteen-inch Baer brakes, Savini forged wheels and Pirelli tires round out the extensive modifications.
2011 Ford Mustang by Raceskinz
The team at Raceskinz took a Mustang with a 5.0-liter and started work inside, where they used a rear seat-delete package complete with new Raceskinz bucket seats. A ProCharger intercooled supercharger, Magnaflow cat-back exhaust and Baer brake system deliver on performance. Raceskinz carbon fiber accessories throughout add an extra touch of customization.
2011 Ford Mustang by Street Scene Equipment
With plenty of stylish detail, this Mustang by Street Scene Equipment combines style, performance and luxury all in one package. The exterior is highlighted by a Street Scene chin spoiler, main grille, lower valance grille and rear wing and valance. The interior offers Katzkin leather and Polk audio amps and speakers for a more pleasurable ride. MINT 20-inch wheels and Yokahama tires put the finishing touches on this pony car.
2011 Ford Mustang by Tjin Edition
This Tjin Edition Mustang GT sports a custom DuPont paint job and will be outfitted with a Webasto sunroof, Unique Fabrication metal wing, Ignited LED headlights and fog lights and StreetGlow lighting. The suspension is modified with a full digital air suspension kit from Air Lift and an Eibach antiroll kit and trailer arms.
TECHART Porsche Panamera GrandGT
The TECHART GrandGT based on the Porsche Panamera – World Premiere in Zürich
Based on the Porsche Panamera, the TECHART GrandGT combines all of the features, for which TECHART is known, into one program – exceptional sportiness in combination with unique comfort. The masculine and extravagant level of the Panamera individualization will celebrate its world premiere at the Auto Zurich Car Show from November 11 to 14, 2010.
Exceptional Character – Visible and Invisible
Original TECHART programs have always stood for highest quality. This fundamental principle has been incorporated in TECHART’s new exterior package for the Panamera without any compromises. The consistent and intelligent use of selected high-tech materials and a unique style of design ensure that the TECHART GrandGT leverages its exceptional character.
Hidden Qualities: The Material
GT – uniquely sporty, which is embodied by the program not only in design. The GrandGT internalizes it as well. The exterior package consists of a fiber-reinforced composite based on carbon, glass-fiber-reinforced plastic and polyurethane RIM components. These materials are primarily used in motor sports and are distinguished by their extraordinary product characteristics. The exterior components of the TECHART GrandGT program are remarkable, among other things, thanks to an impressive dimensional stability, great strength and low intrinsic weight.
Impressive Appearance: The Design
The TECHART GrandGT favors a spectacular performance. The TECHART-typical exterior design catches the eye of onlookers immediately. The powerful front bumper with integrated splitter and large ventilation intakes, for an improved supply of fresh air to the intercooler and an optimum cooling of the brake system, flawlessly underlines the dynamic contours. TECHART-typical: the sporty four-seater’s suitability for everyday use. The multifunctional daytime running lights that are integrated in the front bumper give the Panamera not only a distinctive appearance. It combines daytime running lights, position lights, parking lights and turn signals as LED system unit in a common housing and integrates seamlessly in the design of the Panamera’s front. An additional design highlight is the TECHART Aero engine hood that is constructed of high-quality carbon fibers, with integrated air outlets for an optimized regulation of the heat balance in the engine compartment and which impressively completes the GrandGT program for the Panamera’s front end.
Powerful side skirts and flared fenders increase the width of the Panamera by 21mm on each side of the front axle compared to the standard vehicle and 42mm on each side of the rear axle, resulting in a wider track and thus improved cornering abilities. Typical TECHART: attention to detail. Headlight trims or trim slats for the side air outlets made of high-quality polyurethane RIM set elegant highlights on the side of the vehicle in individual colour combinations and emphasize the dynamic appearance of the GrandGT.
The design of the rear end incorporates the front’s design and emphasizes the unique character of the GrandGT – sporty, confident and masculine. In combination with the TECHART roof spoiler, the much larger rear spoiler compared to the first Panamera Program, results in even less lift at the rear axle and greater driving stability and active safety – even at high speed. An additional GrandGT design feature: the distinctive rear apron with integrated air openings and matching diffuser. The oval dual tail pipes of TECHART’s sporty exhaust system, which are fully integrated in the vehicle’s rear end, optimally complete the exterior tuning package. As an alternative, a sporty exhaust system with valve control can be selected – for audible more sportiness.
Exceptional Sportiness: The Performance
Taking a look under the Aero-engine hood, the GrandGT is still impressive. The TECHART Engine styling package consisting of carbon fiber cylinder-head covers with an embossed TECHART logotype as well as accentuating highlights in flash red is demonstrating the power of the car already in standstill. The TECHART powerkit TA 070/T1 boosts the power output oft the 4.8 l twin-turbo engine from 368 kW to 426 kW. The generated torque increases from 700 Nm to powerful 830 Nm. Pushing the standard sport button the Panamera has a significant increase of performance and driving dynamics. The TECHART engine management TECHTRONIC comes up with a number of impressive product features. The intelligent electronic power management convinces with quick and easy installation as well as maintaining the electronic engine protection features and the vehicle diagnostics and servicing. Like every factory-new TECHART product, the high quality standard of the TECHART powerkit is backed by a two-year limited warranty. Furthermore TECHART grants an additional warranty on damages at engine or gearbox if caused by the TECHART powerkit.
Consistent design and inimitable style – this also applies to the original TECHART wheels. No matter which of the three wheel designs the customer will choose, besides attractive standard colour variants, all TECHART wheels are available in individually matched custom colours. For the TECHART GrandGT Program the TECHART Formula light alloy wheels are available in 20- and 21-inch, the TECHART Formula II design in 22-inch and the TECHART Formula III forged light alloy wheels in 21- and 22-inch.
Unique Comfort – The Interior
The passion for perfection and the use of high-quality materials form the focal point of interior individualization of the TECHART GrandGT based on the Porsche Panamera. TECHART interiors are distinguished by exceptional quality. Ranging from setting fine accents such as decorative stitching in custom colour or parts in fine wood trim through to unique interior packages refined in all details, care and precision in the workmanship provided by the TECHART in-house manufactory are unique.
TECHART guarantees a great ride at all four seats thanks to the wide variety of entertainment options available for the Panamera. For instance, TECHART offers, among other things, an entertainment package with two 7-inch screens that are seamlessly integrated in the design of the front seat backrests, incorporated in a high-quality leather screen console matching the colour of the vehicle’s interior, for entertainment in the rear passenger compartment of the four-seater. A highlight for the Panamera: the TECHART center console unit for adding a 12V outlet and integrated cupholder to the storage compartment located in the rear passenger compartment. Exclusively available for the Panamera: TECHART rear fold-away tables. Thanks to rugged mechanisms and high-quality materials, the fold-away tables can be used, on the one hand, as a mobile work space for when on the road and as a personal area for relaxing when on long trips.
Premiere in Zurich and Essen
The TECHART GrandGT Program as well as the new TECHART MAGNUM will be presented in November. From the 11. to the 14. November 201 the Auto Zurich Car Show will be the location of the world premiere. The Germany premiere of both individualization programs will be the Essen Motor Show from the 27. November to the 5. December 2010.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
2010 Volkswagen Passat facelifted
2010 Volkswagen Passat facelifted
The facelift resulted in every external body panel being changed, except for the roof and glasshouse, with the most prominent change being to the grille and headights, which mirror the style first shown on the Mk3 Scirocco. The height and width dimensions are unchanged from the B6 Passat, while length increases by 4 mm. New features include a fatigue detections system and an automatic “city emergency braking” system.
It should arrive at dealerships in mid-November 2010.
The interior featured minor detail changes from the B6, although the basic dashboard design remain unchanged.
A long-wheelbase version of the Passat will be built in China by FAW-VW in 2011.
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Volkswagen Passat
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