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The Nissan Resonance Concept Car

Nissan showed off their exciting new Resonance concept car at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, Featuring what the company calls “V-Motion” styling, it features a grill that sweeps upwards and a windshield and A-pillars that are steeply raked rearward. The impression is a car in motion. Nissan says its designers were inspired “hypersonic space travel.” Team Nissan in New Hampshire explained to us that the Resonance is similar to the current Nissan Murano with proportions that imitate the mid-size crossover’s, with an oblong profile and short hood. High concept details of the Resonance concept include a panoramic glass roof, a tinted translucent acrylic grille, giant 22-inch wheels and boomerang-shaped lights.

Under the Resonance’s hood is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine driving a hybrid-electric drive system. It employs a single motor and dual clutches driving an all-wheel drivetrain. The transmission is Nissan’s next-generation Xtronic continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The electric motor is powered by a large lithium-ion battery pack which is recharged not only by the engine and but by the vehicle braking kinetic energy.

Inside the Resonance the “V-Motion” styling ethic continues. Even though this is a concept car, the futuristic interior aesthetic seems to appear production-feasible, not just for the show. The cockpit displays feature neat “layered” display panel graphics that reproduce a holographic setup without actual holographic technology. The gauges directly in front of the steering wheel are similar in color and look to the information and control center so the combination has an all-encompassing panoramic feel to it. Light-colored leather covers the seats and nearly every surface that isn’t already covered in metal or polished wood.

The Resonance may be a proxy for the styling of the 2015 Murano. Why not a separate Model? Well, the Murano has been one of Nissan’s more popular SUVs but not really one of its more practical cars. With the new seven-passenger Pathfinder now filling the role of people and gear hauler, it could very well be that the Resonance hints at Nissan’s planning for the future Murano, not a separate model. That may not a bad thing because in either a Resonance or Murano model, it should be a big hit in the showroom.

Pictures Courtesy: www.autoevolution.com, www.caranddriver.com

May 20, 2013

The History of Kia Motors

Kia was founded in 1944 as a producer of steel tubing and bicycle parts. The name Kia has roots in the Chinese language and means to “to rise and come out of Asia”. According to native Koreans, the name evokes a parable that may be roughly equivalent to the Greek mythological tale involving the Phoenix bird arising from the ashes of its predecessor.

By the early 1950s the company had expanded into the production of completed bicycles, the first Korean manufacturer to do so. By the late 1950s the company began to produce motorized scooters with the rollout of the model C100 (1958).

The 1960s saw a rapid expansion in Kia with a lineup that included motorcycles and three-wheeled cargo vehicles. The Kia brand was a frequent site on the streets of Korea and in many other parts of Asia. The next logical step after this was to enter the automotive market and the company started moving in this direction in the early 1970s. A key factor in this process was the construction of Kia’s Sohari manufacturing plant in 1973. According to Team Kia in New Hampshire this plant was Korea’s first fully integrated automotive production facility and it was where Korea’s first internal-combustion motor was tooled and built. A year later, Kia unveiled its first car – the Brisa.

After several years of manufacturing automobiles for other brands, Kia began manufacturing its own brand for US consumption in the early 1990s. The first US-destined car was the compact Sephia. It was rolled out to only to several Western states in order to test demand. It wasn’t until KIA started shipping its very popular Sportage SUV that Kia became a nationwide brand.

The next phase in Kia’s history was due to financial difficulties. After considerable discussion, Hyundai, South Korea’s other major automaker, acquired the company. Kia has been on a major upswing since its purchase by Hyundai, with improvements in build-quality, performance and overall refinement. Reliability, previously a weak point, has also improved greatly and consumer confidence followed along.

Today Kia is offers a broad lineup of well-built coupes, sedans and crossovers that stand out for their value, performance and sporty styling.

Images courtesy of www.automaistv.com.br , www.engineact.com

May 20, 2013

Yes, There were Turbine Cars!

There used to be a time when the coolest things were built in America and one of these things was the turbine-powered automobile. Unfortunately the turbine car never went into actual production but it was close. The company that tried was Chrysler.

We learned that the Chrysler turbine was the brainchild of chief engineer George Huebner from Sheboygan Chrysler. Huebner began studying the feasibility of turbine-powered vehicles at Chrysler in the mid-1940s. The turbine engine’s smoothness and durability seemed to be a viable, perhaps superior, alternative to the standard piston engine because it had few moving parts compared to a piston engine -just fan blades on a spinning shaft.

Huebner built a few ordinary-looking prototypes in the ’50s, but the pilot-program cars would be driven, and seen, by the public so Elwood P. Engel, a former Ford designer, crafted an all-new,futuristic body. The bodies were hand-built by Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin, Italy, and shipped to Detroit for final assembly.

The Chrysler Turbine was not a one-off concept car. Between 1963 and 1964, Chrysler built 55 turbine cars and 50 of these were made available for testing by 203 families nationwide. Each family kept the car for three months and, as part of the deal, the drivers recorded impressions and mileage in logbooks.

However, the turbine automobile never went into production. The high cost was one reason. Back then you could buy a fully optioned V8-powered car for some $5000 or this “turbine car” that would have cost around $16,000. The two had about the same performance; the turbine car was rated at 130 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque, about the same as the standard V8 Model.

Despite no actual production models being made, between 1949 and 1981 Chrysler built seven different generations of turbine test vehicles. Unfortunately, the company’s shaky finances, the challenge of reducing the engine’s Nitrous Oxide emissions, the oil embargo of 1974 and the need to downsize cars for front-wheel drive, all hurt the Turbine’s chances.

Today, the Chrysler turbine is just a footnote in automotive history and just 3 cars survive. Needless to say they are very valuable collector cars.

Photos Courtesy of: www.dudeudeworld.com.au, www.popularmechanics.com and www.hemmings.com

May 20, 2013

Ford Sustainability Plan Making a Difference

In recent years, many companies have begun to show concern for the environment and sustainability by rolling out green initiatives. The Ford Motor Company has sponsored several such initiatives over the years. In 1999, Ford released its first annual Sustainability Report. Since then, the company has worked diligently in an attempt to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

In 2008, the company released a list of its strategies for sustainability, including such diverse approaches as using 100% recycled fabric for seating in the Ford Escape, adding 6-speed transmissions that are fuel-efficient, and introducing the 2008 Super Duty, which is the first clean diesel heavy-duty pickup truck. These initiatives also displayed concern for the environment, adding almost 200 acres of sustainable landscaping to its properties in Michigan. Ford also became the first two-time winner of the EPA’s Energy Star award, winning for 2006 and 2007 consecutively.

Ford’s Sustainability Reports have included projections and goals for reducing energy expenditures and carbon dioxide emissions. In its 10^th annual Sustainability Report, Ford anticipates reaching its goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 30%, compared to 2006, by the year 2020. In its 13^th annual Sustainability Report, Ford relayed its intentions to reduce energy used for manufacturing its vehicles by another 25%, per vehicle, by 2016.

Ford has already seen some success from these policies. From 2006-2011, electricity usage for per-vehicle production went down by around 800 kilowatt-hours—the upper end of electricity usage by average households in California and New York. The company also added a 500-kilowatt solar panel system to its Michigan Assembly Plant.

Additionally, Ford also has the goal of continuing to reduce landfill waste. From 2010 to 2011, Ford reduced this waste by 11.3%, with intentions to continue to reduce waste by 10% per vehicle. If Ford continues on its path to green innovation, everyone benefits: Ford, its loyal customers, and the environment. If you are looking to drive a vehicle from a company that believes in the importance in being ‘Green’, then just contact your local Ford showroom, such as the Ken Garff Ford Dealership of UT. They will be happy to set up a test drive, go over financing, and answer any questions you may have.

May 20, 2013

Calling George Jetson!

There used to be a time when the coolest things were built in America and one of these things was the Chrysler turbine-powered automobile. Built in 1963, it is probably not entirely coincidental that Hanna-Barbera’s animated TV show The Jetsons aired from 1962 to 1963.

From the viewpoint of engineers, however, the turbine engine’s smoothness and durability seemed to be a viable, perhaps better, alternative to the standard piston engine. It had few moving parts compared to a piston engine, just a bunch of fan blades on a spinning shaft with one spark plug and no cooling system.

Chrysler built a few ordinary-looking prototype turbine cars in the ’50s, but the pilot-program cars for the 1960s would be driven and seen, by the public so an all-new, futuristic body was developed. The bodies were hand-built by Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin, Italy, and shipped to Detroit for installation of the turbine engine.

Chrysler built 55 turbine cars between 1963 and 1964 and 50 of these were made available for testing by 203 families nationwide. Each family kept the car for three months and, as part of the deal, the drivers recorded impressions and mileage in logbooks. The folks in the service department at (serving DC) told us that Chrysler actually had a special team of mechanics on call who would fly out and fix the cars right away if anything went wrong.

Unfortunately, the turbine never went into production. The high cost was one reason. Back then you could buy a V8-powered Chrysler for some $5000 or this “jet-engine” car that would have cost around $16,000. Big difference in price. They also had about the same performance; the turbine car was rated at 130 hp about the same as a Chrysler’s 318-cubic-inch V8. Gas mileage was the same on the highway too, both would get some 19mpg.

May 20, 2013

Attention George Jetson, Your Car is Ready

Not long ago the coolest automobiles were built in America and a good example was the Chrysler turbine. It is probably not entirely coincidental that Hanna-Barbera’s seminal animated TV show, the Jetsons, aired from 1962 to 1963 and the Chrysler Turbine premiered in 1963. True, the Jetson’s animated car flew but having a jet-like turbine in a ground based car seemed like a step in that direction.

From the viewpoint of engineers, the turbine engine’s smoothness and durability seemed to be a better alternative to the standard piston engine. It had few moving parts compared to piston engines, just a bunch of fan blades on a spinning shaft with one spark plug and no cooling system. It was a car manufacturers dream.

Chrysler built a few ordinary-looking prototype turbine cars in the ’50s, but for the pilot-program cars (1960s) an all-new, futuristic body was developed. The bodies were hand-built by the Italian company Carrozzeria Ghia and were shipped to Detroit for installation of the Chrysler-built turbine engine.

Chrysler built a total of 55 turbine cars between and 50 of these were made available for testing by 203 American families. Each family kept the car for three months and, as part of the deal, they recorded impressions and details in logbooks. The service guys at Earnhardt Dodge, told us that Chrysler actually had a elite team of mechanics on call who would fly out and fix the cars right away if anything went wrong.

Unfortunately, Chrysler’s Jetson-like turbine car never went into production. The high cost was one reason. Back in the early 60s you could buy a perfectly fine, reliable V8-powered car for some $5000 or this “jet-engine” car that would have cost around $16,000. Big difference in price! They also had about the same performance; the turbine car was rated at 130 hp about the same as a Chrysler’s 318-cubic-inch V8. Gas mileage was the same on the highway, both would get some 19mpg. The major difference seemed to be mainlyprice.

May 20, 2013

Vorsteiner Teases McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C is one of the iconic supercars in the automotive world today. In fact, it was a global phenomenon when it first was released on the market. It is simply impossible to even think about of adding more to this exotic machine.

Despite this fact, there are some tuning brands which accept the challenge to enhance the aggressive stance of this McLaren model and among them proudly stand Vorsteiner. The tuners have just released two teaser images of their future project.

Unfortunately, no additional information has been released so far in terms of what the enhancements in the MP4-12C will be. From what we can see, the supersports car will undoubtedly include aggressive new kit with a redesigned front and rear bumper featuring large air channeling attributes. A set of diffuser side skirts also looks to be present as well as some sort of carbon fiber add on spoiler.

The emblematic Mclaren MP4-12C is powered by a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine that generates 625 hp (460 kW) and it is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The model accelerates effortlessly from standstill to 100 km/h in only 3.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 329 km/h (204 mph). In terms of efficiency, the MP4-12C achieves average 11.7 L/100km and delivers CO2 emissions of 279 g/km.

Source: SR Auto Group

May 18, 2013

Kahn Land Rover Defender XS 90 Chelsea Wide Track Edition

Kahn Land Rover Defender XS 90 Chelsea Wide Track Edition is the latest creation of the luxury tuning specialists at A. Kahn Design. The model is in special Fuji White/ Matt Pearl Grey color and is equipped with XS 90 2.2 TDCI engine.

One of the key factors in the development of this emblematic Land Rover model was the astonishing styling package. The latter brings the exceptional design language of the tuning company to a new level by commanding curvatures and firm body elements in order to ensure the vehicle is mannered for daily driving.

This means that the vehicle provides exceptional resilience and style thanks to the lightweight design and sophisticated aerodynamics of this styling package. The visual stance of the model is dominated by front and rear wide wings with integrated vents and bolt apertures.

In addition, there are also the following features that enhance the overall look of the Defender: highly coveted 1948 Defend Alloy Wheels in Satin Black (8×16 fitted with 235x85x16” tyres), xenon crosshair headlights, bonnet vents with mesh, front grille replacement including headlight surrounds, front bumper with bumper lighting, front bumper sump guard, front and rear wing mesh inserts, side vents with mesh, exhaust shields, mud flaps, Kahn oval tailgate badge and Chelsea Truck Company spare wheel cover. Of course, there is also included emblematic for the tuners privacy glass and Kahn twin cross hair exhaust system.

The interior of the vehicle features the iconic ‘bespoke touch’ of the British designer. In this particular case, the Defender is equipped with front sports GTB racing seats and rear folding seats, instrument binnacle in grey alcantara with red and silver stitching, centre dashboard in leather & alcantara with Harris Tweed Inserts and two tone contrast stitching, tron ring lighting, door panel inserts and trims in black quilted leather & grey alcantara with silver stitching, Churchill time clock facia insert in red, billet machined leather steering wheel, hard wearing front and rear cabin floor lights, Kahn fire extinguisher, Kahn speedo & rev counter facia in red and vented foot pedals in machined aluminium.

Source: A. Kahn Design

May 18, 2013

2014 Subaru Forester First Vehicle To Ace IIHS Safety Test [VIDEO]

2014 Subaru Forester has just received a Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) award from IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). In fact, this is the first vehicle to ace every aspect of the front crash test and is the only (from 13 other vehicles) to earn an overall rating of good in the test.

Being entirely redesigned and reengineered the new Forester proved that it now can deliver improved protection for people in cases of frontal crashes. This award is first for the model so far and the brand expects to achieve more success in the future.

2014 Forester is equipped with 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged BOXER engine which produces 250 horsepower (184 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.) of maximum torque. As an option, the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder BOXER is at hand, delivering 170 hp (125 kW) and 235 Nm (174 lb.-ft.) of peak torque. Both units are matched to a six-speed manual transmission as a standard or can be coupled with the available Lineartronic continuously variable transmissions (CVT).

In addition Subaru is the only manufacturer with 2013 IIHS Top Safety Pick for all models and the only company with IIHS Top Safety Picks for all models for four years in a row. As a matter of fact, 2014 Forester is the third Subaru to receive the TSP+ award. Right next to it stand the 2013 Subaru Legacy and the Subaru Outback.

In general, the conducted crash test proved that safety is one of brand’s major principles. The Forester is the most award winning small SUV in America and with this award Subaru have another designation for this venerable vehicle.

httpv://youtu.be/wmCZZ_Ef3Js

Video Source: YouTube

Source: Subaru

May 18, 2013

Chrysler Showing Current SRT Lineup In An Exciting Tour

For the third year in a row the SRT Tour will present the latest high performance vehicles from Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology. The brand will unleash four SRT vehicles on a cross-country journey.

The SRT Tour will be three month long and will showcase the current SRT lineup. The featured vehicles are Dodge Challenger SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Chrysler 300 SRT8, and the new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. In addition, there will be a special “guest” appearance by 2013 SRT Viper which will give to the public a glance of its supercar attributes.

More precisely, the Street and Racing Technology brand utilizes an excellent product development formula. The latter includes five proven hallmarks: inspiring powertrains, outstanding ride, handling and capability, unsurpassed braking system, aggressive and functional exteriors and race-inspired and high-performance interiors.

After the success of the last two SRT Tours, the people in the team look forward to this year’s experience. In fact, they say that are excited to travel the country and share their entire SRT lineup with the thousands of high-performance fans. They promise to everyone who are going to be present at the event to showcase the power, performance, luxury and security features offered in the SRT vehicles.

SRT Tour stops in May include locations such as Laguna Seca, Riverside in California, Cars and Coffee in Irvine, and Bill Luke Dodge in Phoenix, Arizona. A mix of unique, upscale locations will fill out the remainder of the 2013 SRT Tour events, with visits to elite car enthusiast events and premier racing facilities.

Source: Chrysler

May 18, 2013

2013 Audi RS 4 Avant – 450HP and 430Nm

Audi has presented the new 2013 RS4 Avant, which is powered by a naturally aspirated V8 FSI. The family touring car managed to win “Most Popular High Performance Car” award in 2013 Honest John Awards.

“While crossovers and family hatchbacks may seem the obviously popular markets, performance and sports cars take a big share of views on honestjohn.co.uk – usually the more powerful the better.”, said Dan Harrison, Editor of honestjohn.co.uk.

“And it’s easy to see why the thunderously quick Audi RS 4 Avant has proved so popular. A Big V8 engine, 450hp and quattro all-wheel-drive along with estate car practicality make it unique. That combination certainly appeals to our users who clearly love it.”, he added.

The 4.2 liter V8 FSI delivers 450HP (331 kW) and 430Nm (319 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 280 km/h (174 mph). The 2013 Audi RS4 Avant is now available to order with pricing starting from £55,525 OTR.

Source: Audi

May 17, 2013

2013 Suzuki SX4 2.0 DDiS 4WD – 53.3 mpg UK

2013 Suzuki SX4 Crossover is the Best Real MPG Perforamnce according to honestjohn.co.uk. The SX4 range was voted by owners as the car that came closest to achieving the EC combined figure in everyday driving, recording an average score of 97.1 %.

The combined fuel consumption for the 1.6 petrol 2WD is 45.6 mpg and the 2.0 DDiS 4WD model is 53.3mpg.

The engine range includes a 1.6 petrol engine with either two or four wheel drive or with the 2.0 DDiS engine as four wheel drive. The 1.6 SZ3 two wheel drive model is priced at £10,495, which represents a customer saving of £2,100.

“Fuel consumption has become a very contentious issue and the feedback we get from owners via Real MPG is incredibly valuable. Since launching in 2011 we’ve had submissions covering pretty much every make of car so for owners to report that the Suzuki SX4 range comes so close to matching its claimed fuel economy is a real achievement.”, said Dan Harrison, editor of honestjohn.co.uk.

Source: Suzuki

May 17, 2013

Category: Auto News