To most people, a typical small commercial van is little more than an empty box on wheels. But does it have to be? Why can’t it be some different, something innovative and smart? Why can’t a commercial van also be a mobile office? Or combine workspace and living quarters? Or, for example, a mobile lab for a marine biologist/photographer? Why not? (more…)
Author: autoview
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Nissan NV200 Concept Brings “Human Touch” And Personalization To The Small Commercial Van Segment
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Nissan NV2500 Concept Makes World Debut – Previews Nissan’s Entry Into U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market
The NV2500 Concept provides an original take on Commercial Vehicle (CV) design, as well as providing a preview of Nissan’s entry into the CV market in North America. The Nissan NV2500 Concept offers fresh design and fresh thinking – including a 3-Zone interior and flexible utility and storage solutions. Its “wall-less” mobile office/workspace design includes a computer workstation, fold-down conference table, numerous storage compartments, cargo/tool tie-down racks, nearly six feet of interior height and an awning-style side panel that opens to create a standing outside workshop table. All elements of the interior are designed to be multi-functional and highly durable, able to stand up to the rigours of heavy use at a construction site or other real world locations. (more…)
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Toyota Presents The New Avensis: Built In Britain
The all-new, third generation Toyota Avensis delivers more style, higher performance, improved fuel economy and lower emissions. Toyota’s flagship model in Europe, built exclusively at its Burnaston factory in the UK, benefits from athletic, contemporary styling, superb build quality and advanced engineering. (more…)
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More for less – Hyundai reveals i20 prices
anuary sales might have started early on the high street, but anyone buying a small car could well wonder what’s happened to small prices. The cost of hatchbacks has crept so far upwards that a mid-range supermini now typically costs more than five-figures.But Hyundai i20 buyers are set to be pleasantly surprised. Despite having exceptional levels of space, quality and safety – plus dynamics which can take on and beat the best from Europe and Japan – the little Hyundai is still priced at least £1,000 lower than mainstream rivals. (more…)
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Antonov secures customers for 6-speed automatic transmission in China
The Board of Antonov is pleased to announce that it has secured its first confirmed customer in China for its new TX6 six-speed automatic transmission system.Following the recent demonstration of its technology in Chong Qing, PR China, Antonov has now received formal interest from Lifan Motors in relation to installing the transmission in its mid-sized sedans from late 2010. (more…)
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Alfa 159 Limited Edition Is Loaded With Extra Gadgets
To celebrate the launch of the Alfa 159 Limited Edition, the Italian sporting marque is giving motorists the chance to win ready-to-race James Bond Quantum of Solace Scalextric sets featuring the Aston Martin DBS and the Alfa 159. (more…) -
Honda Insight Hybrid to Make World Debut at the Detroit Motor Show
Honda has today given the first glimpse of the American specification, production version of the all-new 2010 Insight hybrid will make its world debut in January 2009 at the Detroit Motor Show.This first image of the US version of Honda’s latest production hybrid shows how the Insight Concept, first shown at Paris in October 2008, will be transferred into an aerodynamically inspired, athletic looking road car. The new five-passenger, five-door Insight is powered by a lighter, more compact version of Honda’s IMA hybrid system and will go on sale in the spring. (more…)
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Rear-View Camera Makes Holden Sportwagon an Even Smarter Choice
GM Holden has introduced a rear-view camera option for all Sportwagon models, continuing to reinforce the popular Sportwagon as the smart new choice for families. A first for a locally built Holden, the significant safety feature helps eliminate blind spots when reversing and works in conjunction with rear park assist which is standard across the Sportwagon range. (more…)
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2010 Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet
Dynamic and wonderful to look at, the new A5 Cabriolet is a real Audi, and an especially exciting one at that. The four-seater with the fabric top combines a sporty character with the fascination of open-top driving, refined comfort, and great everyday utility. Seven powerful engines, an agile suspension and a wide range of high-end options make the new Audi model the most attractive mid-range convertible. The top-of-the-line model of Audi’s new family of convertibles is the S5 Cabriolet. The engine of the S5 Cabriolet is the newly developed, supercharged three-liter V6 with gasoline direct injection. Prices start at EUR 37,300 for the 1.8 TFSI with 118 kW (160 hp) and six-speed manual transmission. Delivery of the first A5 Cabriolet models will begin in the second quarter of 2009. (more…) -
Craig, Clooney and Grohl on the waiting list for the new Lotus EVORA
The new Lotus Evora is everything a sports car should be; sculptural, stylish and fast; considerably faster than the famous Elise and more refined at speed than the track-focused Exige. Lotus promises its trademark exemplar performance credentials and suggests the Evora will achieve a maximum speed of 160 mph and a 0-60 time at less than 5 seconds! (more…) -
Lotus Carlton Voted Favourite Vauxhall Of All Time
The 176mph Lotus Carlton super-saloon has been voted the UK’s favourite Vauxhall in a poll of 630 owners ran by the website vauxhalldriverscentre.The results – which also included votes for the favourite Vauxhall from the last five years – were gathered over a single month and put the Lotus Carlton in first place ahead of the Calibra and Cavalier.
The Lotus Carlton was a technical tour de force for Vauxhall and garnered immense press respect for its power, performance and dynamics. Officially, the fastest four-door production car in the world when it was launched in 1989, the Lotus Carlton’s twin-turbocharged, 377bhp engine powered the car from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds and all the way to 176mph.
Favourite model from the last five years was the current VXR8’s wild predecessor, the Monaro, which entered UK showrooms in 2004. Branded ‘…a true rear-wheel drive muscle car for enthusiasts’, the Monaro combined a fiercely competitive price with plenty of standard kit and a 5.7-litre V8 engine. A year later, a VXR version received the 6.0-litre engine from the Corvette, making it the fastest car Vauxhall had ever produced. The VXR8 and Astra Sports Hatch came in second and third respectively.
Running second overall to the Lotus Carlton as favourite Vauxhall of all-time was the Calibra, with its class-leading Cd figure of just 0.26. Based on the Cavalier’s chassis, the Calibra wowed buyers and media alike at the Frankfurt Show in 1989 with its swooping lines and four-seater capability. Four-wheel drive and turbocharging enhanced the package in later years, with a total of 40,000-plus cars being sold in its six-year production run.
The Vauxhall Drivers’ Centre website was created exclusively for Vauxhall owners, adding value to their ownership experience with on-line technical support, special offers, event information and an enhanced level of general information about the Vauxhall brand.
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Toyota iQ: Smallest And Safest
It is a common assumption that the smaller the car, the more vulnerable driver and passengers are in an accident. The new Toyota iQ – the world’s smallest four-seat production model – is proof this need not be the case, providing an unprecedented level of active and passive safety protection for an A-segment model. (more…)