2012 Astra GTC

The new Astra GTC’s design promises striking driving dynamics. T

hanks to its front suspension (HiPerStrut) Opel´s sharp compact coupé delivers driving precision.

At launch a range of gasoline and diesel engines with outputs between 88 kW/120 hp and 132 kW/180 hp is available.

A 3-door version dubbed Astra GTC has been introduced in July 2011. It will feature a HiPerStrut front suspension from the Opel Insignia OPC and Buick LaCrosse which will help aleviate torque steering.

The wheelbase is enhanced to accommodate wider low-profile tyres. Similarily to the Astra H GTC, a ‘panoramic windscreen’ option is available.

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The PHEV Ram 1500 pickups, delivered by Abdullah Bazzi, senior manager of the Chrysler Group’s advanced hybrid vehicle project, are part of a national demonstration fleet of 140 vehicles that will be used during the next three years to evaluate customer usage, drive cycles, charging, thermal management, fuel economy, emissions and impact on the region’s electric grid.

In addition to NV Energy, seven other partners across the United States are slated to receive vehicles for demonstration and testing purposes.

The Ram 1500 PHEV includes a liquid-cooled 12.9kWhr lithium ion battery pack and a 6.6 kilowatt (kW) on-board charger. Additional features include AC power generation of up to 6.6kW; directional charging; reverse power flow and full regenerative braking used to capture more energy.

For fuel economy improvements, the front axle of the four-wheel-drive automatic transmission can be disconnected when not needed.

The powertrain also includes a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine and a two-mode hybrid transmission. The 5.7-liter Hemi is equipped with a Fuel Saver technology that improves fuel efficiency at highway speeds by shutting down fuel delivery to up to four cylinders.

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2013 Passat Alltrack

Volkswagen is extending the model series with another specialist: the Passat Alltrack. This new version is offered in an estate car configuration, and it closes the gap between the conventional Passat Estate and SUVs such as the Tiguan.

The rationale here: many car drivers who use their car as a towing vehicle, or in light off-road situations, want a versatile, sporty and very roomy passenger car that has rugged qualities. Volkswagen developed the Passat Alltrack for this clientele.

In comparison with the familiar Passat Estate, the new model is defined by new bumpers in SUV style — with wheel well and side sill flares. Its greater off-road ramp angle, approach angle, departure angle and higher ground clearance all make the Passat Alltrack an excellent SUV alternative for driving on unpaved track. The Alltrack will debut in a world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show (03 to 11 December); market launch for the new versatile Alltrack begins in early 2012.

Two turbocharged direct injection petrol engines (TSI) with 118 kW / 160 PS and 155 kW / 210 PS and two turbodiesels (TDI) — also with direct injection — with 103 kW / 140 PS and 125 kW / 170 PS are available in the Passat Alltrack. The two most powerful Alltrack versions, the 170 PS TDI and the 210 PS TSI, have standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a dual clutch transmission (DSG).

For the Passat Alltrack with a 140 PS TDI, Volkswagen will offer all-wheel drive as an option. Just how efficiently the engines of the Passat Alltrack operate together with the intelligently controlled 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is illustrated by the two TDI engines: the 140 PS version has a low combined fuel consumption of 5.7 l/100 km (equivalent to 150 g/km CO2), while fuel consumption for the 170 PS version is 5.8 l/100 km (152 g/km CO2).

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Honda EV-STER Concept

Honda Motor Co., Ltd is exhibiting the world premiere of the EV-STER, the next-generation electric small sports concept model at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011.

The EV-STER is an electric rear-wheel-drive two-seater convertible sports car, combining a sports type model with electromotive mobility.

Also introduced were Honda’s unique concept models of motorcycle and automobile electric mobility: The MICRO COMMUTER CONCEPT, a four-wheel EV commuter, and the MOTOR COMPO, a two-wheel EV commuter, were created for mobility in a metropolitan area.

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Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec 1

Elements of the activity-focused attitude are expressed with exterior highlights that include a THULE Roof Rack with an S-Works mountain bike and Hyperlite wakeboard, splash guards, custom wheels, special exterior graphics, as well as concept Z-Spec ground effects, Z-Spec grille and Z-Spec spoiler. The personality carries over to the inside, with aluminum shifter knob, racing-style flat-bottom steering wheel, all-weather floor mats, rear cargo organizer, unique seat trim and a Z-Spec pedal kit.

FOX Racing boardshorts material is used as trim on the door and seat inserts, along with green stitching accents, for a totally unique look and feel.

From a performance standpoint, this Sonic breathes through a Borla exhaust system and stops more authoritatively with Brembo brakes. Under the hood is the production 1.4L turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission.

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Volkswagen eT!

Finally, these research activities led to a completely new vehicle concept for the delivery and logistics field: eT!

The eT! research vehicle could someday actually revolutionise the world of lightweight commercial vehicles. Completely reconceptualised, driven with zero emissions, thought through to the last detail and driving semi-automatically if necessary! Just how wide-ranging the significance of this research project could be for sustainability in the transportation field is underscored by the support for the eT! project by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

Variants of this lightweight transport vehicle could be implemented for all conceivable business uses. And these derived concepts are also the focus of research activities. Meanwhile, the eT! concept shown in a world premiere at the Design Centre of Potsdam was specially designed for delivery of mail shipments of all types. The research vehicle will now be integrated in a driving test study and further analysed.

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Audi A1 SAMURAI BLUE

Audi has unveiled a unique A1 at the Tokyo Motor Show: Glistening in the colors of the Japanese national soccer team, the Audi A1 SAMURAI BLUE shows Audi’s respect for the Japanese national soccer team. Audi plans to sell the SAMURAI BLUE as a one-off model and donate a part of the profit for a charity.

“Blue Samurai” is the nickname for Japan’s national soccer team. Blue and white are the colors of the soccer jerseys for both men and women. The Japanese men are the reigning Asian champions, while the women have been even more successful in the world soccer arena: this year they won the championship title in the World Soccer Cup held in Germany.

Blue and white are also the colors of the Audi A1 SAMURAI BLUE, accentuated by the red of the Japanese flag. The 18-inch wheels with their exclusive polygonal design are likewise painted red. The interior equipment is black, with contrasting stitching in blue and corresponding colorful accents for the air vent nozzles, inlays, center console and floor mats. With its powerful 1.4 TFSI engine and 90 kW (122 hp), the A1 SAMURAI BLUE has strong acceleration and high speed, while the sports suspension with 225 millimeter wide, 18-inch wheels give the car the agility of a top league soccer star.

An Audi A1 Limited Edition is also planned to sell in 2012, with its design based on the SAMURAI BLUE.

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With the third generation, the Panda has reached full maturity, making a further qualitative leap in terms of comfort, technology and safety equipment, and making its appearance with a new, modern and harmonious look. But without giving up that “roguish” and ready-for-anything soul that has always distinguished it.

Indeed, it is precisely its vocation of structural and constructive simplicity that now allows it to further evolve without ever losing its true nature of revolutionary car. Suffice it to say that it was the first car of its segment to bear the prestigious title of “Car of the Year 2004″. It was the first compact (less than 4 metres in length) to feature a diesel engine (1986) and it was the first to offer both four-wheel drive (1983) and a range of eco-friendly engines designed to limit fuel consumption (the Panda Elettra was introduced in 1990, one of the first electric cars). It was the first 4×4 city car to reach Everest’s high-tech base camp at an altitude of 5,200 metres (2004).

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Offered with five doors only and with roominess worthy of a higher segment, the new Panda proves that it is a real super-compact. Its smaller exterior dimensions in relation to its interior volume are an invaluable feature for a car principally intended to be used in urban areas.

The renewed 69 HP 1.2 Fire completes the range of petrol engines available at the launch.
The engineering excellence of the new Panda continues with the 75 HP 1.3 Multijet II with Start&Stop supplied as standard. Belonging to the second generation of the MultiJet family, the engine is equipped with faster injectors capable of multiple injections in rapid sequence. Specifically, the system can now perform a main modulated injection of fuel in several distinct phases and anticipate the ones that follow. The servo valve with balanced plunger of the MultiJet II system enables it to manage up to 8 injections per cycle, offering greater speed, flexibility and precision in the various phases of operation.

These features make the new Panda a “big” car that, moreover, has a very high product value thanks to the combination of high contents and reduced running costs.

Jaguar XKR-S Convertible

The XKR-S Convertible is the most powerful and fastest open-topped GT Jaguar has ever built.

Supercharged AJ-V8 GENIII petrol engine produces 550PS (405kW) and 502lb/ft (680Nm) but just 292g/km of CO2.

Top speed 186mph (300km/h) and 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds).

Performance Active exhaust enables higher power and torque and gives the XKR-S its own distinctive soundtrack.

Lightweight aluminium architecture provides high torsional rigidity, making the XKR-S Convertible the stiffest car in its class.

Revised front and rear suspension means increased agility, precision and control without sacrificing comfort.

Uprated Adaptive Dynamics system allows the enthusiastic driver to safely exploit the exhilarating handling.

Styling changes informed by Computational Fluid Dynamics to reduce lift and maximise aerodynamic stability.

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New front bumper design with wider, lower air intake, carbon fibre splitter and twin side nacelles.

New sills smooth the horizontal airflow and emphasise the 10mm reduction in ride height.

Unique rear wing with carbon fibre insert and apron ensure balanced aerodynamics front and rear.

Convertible roof opens and stows in just 18 seconds.

Flagship interior features 16-way adjustable Performance seats trimmed in carbon leather.

Ford Flex 2013

A facelifted Flex has been presented at the 2011 LA Auto Show. It has undergone many cosmetic changes.

The Ford Flex is a full-size crossover manufactured by Ford Motor Company.

The Ford Flex is powered by two different V-6 engines.

The Flex’s 3.5 L (213 cu in) V6 engine produces 262 hp (195 kW) and 248 lb·ft (336 N·m), and is paired with the 6-speed 6F automatic transmission.

A direct-injected twin-turbocharged EcoBoost version is available for the 2010 model.

The EcoBoost produces 355 hp (265 kW) and 350 lb·ft (470 N·m) of torque. According to Ford, the turbochargers in the engine are designed to last 150,000 miles or 10 years.

AWD is required with the EcoBoost engine option. Towing capacity is 4,500 lb (2,000 kg). The all-wheel drive system is capable of transferring up to 100% of torque to the front or rear axle as needed.

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