Category: Car Makes

Car Makes

  • 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Debuts in Seoul

    Hyundai has took the wraps off of its 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid in Seoul and it looks dazzling! It comes with a sleek exterior design and a refined petrol electric powertrain.

    The model in question is packed with a four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine which generates 156 HP (115 kW) and 139 lb-ft (189 Nm). It is teamed with an electric motor that produces an additional 52 HP (38 kW) and 151 lb-ft (205 Nm) of torque. If we compare these figures to those of the already existing Sonata Hybrid, the new model turns out to be more efficient since the fuel consumption has been reduced by 0.5 liters/100 km to 5.5 liters/100 km.

    2015 Sonata Hybrid is developed with an exclusive grille pattern, a low drag rear diffuser and benefits from 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels. It also takes advantage of the automaker’s new six-speed automatic gearbox that is comprised of a lighter torsion damper, an electric oil pump and a new engine clutch. The torque converter has been removed. Additionally, the second-generation Sonata Hybrid receives an increased lithium-ion battery pack capacity by 13.3 percent and now it reaches 1.62 kWh. It has been placed under the trunk which adds up to the cargo capacity by 10.5 per cent. As a result, it is now about 380 liters.

    More information about the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, including its pricing, will be revealed soon. Stay tuned!

    Source: Hyundai

  • 2015 Hyundai Genesis: A True Winner

    Appealing exterior, impressive interior, superb driving quality and dynamics, reliability, safety and style. What more can a person want from a car?! Affordable price I guess might be a suitable answer, but when we have top-notch characteristics, sometimes the cash does not matter that much. The 2015 Hyundai Genesis seems to have adopted all of the virtues mentioned above and have multiplied them by two.

    In order to appreciate and recognize the model’s excellencies, AutoGuide.com has announced it to be the 2015 AutoGuide.com Car of the Year for its value, quality and design. Commenting on the prestigious award, Luke Vandezande, AutoGuide.com managing editor points out that; “The Genesis impressed us with high-quality interior materials, refined driving dynamics and dramatic exterior styling that elevates the Hyundai brand as a whole.” After that he goes on and adds that it is “more than a great car, the 2015 Genesis is a great luxury car.”

    The 2015 Genesis represents a daring step into the future progress of Hyundai. The car arrives with two engine versions: a 311 HP 3.8 liter V6 and a 420 HP 5.0 liter V8. Moreover, there is an advanced HTRAC AWD system which is available for the very first time on a Hyundai passenger vehicle.

    Furthermore, the driver is offered the chance to ride on an entirely refined platform, bearing stronger and more stable attributes than before. The all-new Hyundai Genesis features Rear Cross-traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Blind-Spot Detection and Smart Cruise Control system which complement the top-class nature of the luxury car.

    The initial pricing starts at $38,000.

    Source: Hyundai

  • New Guinness World Record: Raminator is the Fastest Monster Truck [VIDEO]

    Ram Truck Brand is America’s fastest growing truck company which broke the speed record for monster trucks. This record was set at Circuit of the America’s in Austin, Texas. The vehicle involved is the Raminator. This is a monster truck that is sponsored by the Ram Truck brand and that has now received the accolade “Fastest Speed for a Monster Truck”.

    The vehicle has hit the record speed of 99.10 miles per hour. The person behind the wheel of this “monster” is Mark Hall and he has secured the Guinness World Records title by simply breaking the previous record of 96.8 mph.

    Raminator has also received several other accolades. It has been named “Truck of the Year” by Monster Truck Racing Association (MTRA) for the eight time in a row. What is more, the driver Mark Hall has been dubbed by the same organization “Driver of the Year”.

    This actually happens for ninth time since 1996. At last, the MTRA has named the Crew Chief Tim Hall “Mechanic of the Year” five times since 2006. Circuit of The Americas is where the record was achieved. It is a multi-purpose facility and 3.4 mile race track which is situated on 1000-acre site in southeast Austin.

    Ram-sponsored monster truck lineup features the 2014 Monster Truck Nationals Champion Raminator and Rammunition. This year Mopar also introduced Mopar Muscle vehicle. However, the line-up of monster trucks are owned and operated by the Hall Brothers Racing Team.

    Watch how the Raminator sets the new Guinness World Record for being the fastest monster truck in the video below.

    Source:  Ram Truck Brand

  • Mazda Launches 2015 Mazda6 and 2015 Mazda CX-5

    Two award-winning Mazda models, 2015 Mazda6 and 2015 Mazda CX-5, have got improved and now they come with more powertrain options, more developed technologies and systems, and, finally, a reworked interior.

    On the one hand, the 2015 Mazda6 wagon powered by SKYACTIV-D 2.2 clean diesel engine can be purchased with Mazda’s new-generation all-wheel drive (AWD) system which has been previously used on the CX-5. It includes the world’s first front wheel slip warning detection system and also adopts a specially developed low -viscosity oil, having the goal to increase fuel economy.

    On the other hand the 2015 CX-5 is equipped with SKYACTIV-G 2.5 petrol engine along with i- ELOOP, Mazda’s brake energy regeneration system, and Drive Selection. The latter offers a choice of different drive modes for more responsiveness when required.

    These models are pioneers as they feature the company’s innovative Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH), which represent a high-beam system with four separately controllable blocks of LEDs for each headlamp. ALH includes High Beam Control (HBC) and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS). Moreover, it provides with widened low beam coverage and automatic levelling. In order to avoid dazzling other drivers, the system disables the high-beam block shining only in the direction of the opposite vehicle and allows the remaining LEDs to be working for better night-time visibility.

    Other features that are available for the new Mazda models are:

    • Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) which adds Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) that sends alerts to the driver when there is an approaching vehicles while reversing.
    •  Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) that provides steering torque assistance while contributing to the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS).
    • Driver Attention Alerts (DAA) which scans the driver’s condition and offers a break if it finds a change in behavior.
    •  Smart City Brake Support Forward/Reverse (SCBS F/R) that adds reverse gear functionality to the already existing SCBS system.
    • Smart Brake Support (SBS) and Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC).

    The interior changes are reflected in the ultimately comfortable heads-up cabin and “the new-generation human-machine interface.”

    Source: Mazda

  • 2015 Porsche 919 Hybrid is Here!

    2015 Porsche 919 Hybrid is the second generation of Porsche’s Le Mans prototype and more importantly – it is already here. By “here” I mean that it has just rolled-out at company’s test track in Weissach. The driver behind the wheel was Marc Lieb from Germany. With this introduction, the Porsche team could end the 2014 motorsport season with successful debut in the WEC as planned.

    The technical director of LMP1, Alexander Hitzinger, said that this roll-out of the race car is not only much anticipated but also a milestone achieved by the Stuttgart based company. The target of the specialists at the team developing the race car is to make the Porsche 919 Hybrid for the 2015 season right before Christmas. Mission achieved.

    In addition, he also confirmed that the car was almost optimized on every level and compared to its predecessor it has been significantly developed. The 2014 version of the vehicle features a drivetrain which consists of a single-turbo V4 2.0-liter direct-injection gasoline engine working with a front axle-mounted electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack.

    The powerplant revs up to 9,000 rpm and sends the power to the rear wheels. At the same time the electric motor provides momentum for the front wheels. There are also a brake energy recovery and a thermal energy recovery system included in the exhaust. This means an 8 megajoule per lap energy recovery boost function.

    The first meaningful test with the new race car is scheduled to take place from January 18 to 22 in Abu Dhabi.

    Note: The photos included in the article depict the 2014 Porsche 919 Hybrid. 

    Source: Porsche 

  • Elvis Presley’s Cadillac Seville on Display

    The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is getting slightly rock’n’rolled for the authentic 1977 Cadillac Seville purchased by Elvis Presley himself is going on display. The burgundy-and-silver-colored beauty is presented in its original condition. Even the installed CB radio used by the King of Rock & Roll in order to communicate with the kitchen at Graceland and to the guard house outside Graceland is still there!

    Cadillac Seville V8 Automatic was manufactured by General Motors while the body was custom built by Fisher for Cadillac. The engine was able to produce a power output of 180 hp (130 kW) with gas mileage of 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Some of the car’s features include electronic windows and mirrors and a grey interior with wood grain highlights on the dashboard, doors and steering wheel.

    This is the last car that Elvis purchased and it is said to be the vehicle driven before his death. What is more, it is thought that the singer bought more than 200 Cadillacs in his entire life not just for his personal use but also for family, friends and even strangers. After his death the 1977 Seville was given to his girlfriend Ginger Alden by Elvis’ father.

    In 1994 the Cadillac was auctioned in Las Vegas and was sold for $101,500 to a private collector. After that, it was presented for sale again in August when Graceland organized its first auction. Other items included in the Graceland auction were Presley’s first-known signature on a Tupelo, Mississippi, school library card; a 1969 handwritten set list and jewelry.



    Source: Beaulieu 

  • Can Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet be More Exclusive? VILNER Answers with new Project!

    Porsche 911 is a synonym that stands for the ultimate sports car. The engineers of the brand from Stuttgart have polished this 911 diamond into even more glamorous and exclusive “creature”. However, the specialists at the Bulgarian studio Vilner, know that one can always do and expect more. And they have proven it once again with their latest project on 911 (997) Turbo Convertible, thus showing that there can be more exclusivity to a 911Turbo Cabrio.

    Despite the expectations of a total transformation, the car hasn’t received any exterior enhancements. And we think it does not need them, because the interior is so abundant and splendid.

    The red-black design theme of the original interior has also been preserved, but it now has received a brand new stance thanks to the combination of red nappa leather and black Alcantara used for the seats. Their headrests are embossed with Porsche’s emblem.

    Vilner managed to imbue some extra exclusivity with several attractive design solutions.

    First, the steering wheel received new ergonomic shape. Then it also got rich amount of handmade carbon fiber. The same material was used for a substitution of the plastic parts of the seat belts sockets. The gearshift lever also received a carbon therapy, just like the decorative elements around it and the door handles.

    Unexpected but very exciting is the fact that Vilner has improved the 6-cylinder turbo boxer engine. They did this with the help of the German specialists at RaceChip. The result is 17% more horsepower.  In numbers, this means 561 hp (413 kW) or in other words – additional 81 hp to the serial 480 hp (353 kW).

  • Skoda Teases Once Again 2015 Superb

    Are you interested into seeing more from the third generation Skoda Superb? Because we have three more photos showing more details of the car. After we reviewed the released spy shots, which preview an expressive design, now it is time to make some space for the official teasers and sketch. All in all, the pictures speak of an appearance which is influenced by the VisionC concept.

    They also display that the vehicle is in sedan form but featuring a coupe-like profile. At the front of the Superb we see the iconic for Skoda radiator grille and the unmistakable headlights. Probably they will be highlighted by LED daytime running lights.

    There is not much to say, because the information is scarce, but the third-gen model will be built on Volkswagen’s MQB technology. Furthermore, Skoda is also promising that the car will offer the best values in terms of comfort, infotainment and connectivity, safety, fuel-efficiency, consumption and performance.

    Rumors say that 2015 Superb will shed 75 kg off and it is likely to be powered by the with 1.4-liter petrol engine. The will produce around 125 horsepower (92 kW).

    We can say that Superb has been entirely redesigned. More importantly, it has recently completed the final test series in Southern Europe. The premiere of the new Superb will happen on 15th of February next year in Prague. The market launch in Europe is scheduled for the summer months, while the first deliveries – for the autumn.

    Source: Skoda 

  • KTM X-Bow GT4 Teased With 320 HP

    Austrian automaker KTM has released a new image and additional information of its futuristic GT4 X-BOW race car. The vehicle is a product of the collaborative work between KTM and Reiter Engineering GmbH. It is developed for racing in the SRO GT4 European Championship and Pirelli World Challenge GT-S.

    Underneath the skin of this red automotive monster, there is a 2.0-litre TFSI engine from the Volkswagen Group which will pump out approximately 320 HP (235 kW). This power unit will be mated to a sequential six-speed transmission delivered from Holinger and will be further complemented by paddle shifters. In addition, the new KTM racing car features ABS system as well.

    KTM’s first X-BOW weighs less than 800kg and has a 177-kW-model of the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. If it can sprint to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, I am convinced that the new KTM’s X-BOW will present even more striking performance results.

    From the unveiled picture we can see the aggressive body-look of the KTM X-Bow GT4. It features a glass cockpit with curvy lines stretching to the highly impressive rear wing with matching bold front spoiler. The GT4 X-BOW is said to depict some of the most recently created racing technologies combined with significant safety applications.

    In relation to this, Hans Reiter, the owner of Reiter Engineering, states that: “When you reflect on what the customer is being offered here in terms of the most modern racing technology, together with a very impressive safety concept, then you can really speak about it being exceptionally good value for money.”

    The price of the bespoke GT4 racer is yet to be announced.

    Source: KTM

  • Watch West Coast Customs “Remix” the Toyota Sienna [VIDEO]

    West Coast Customs released a video of their future project, where they transform a Toyota Sienna entirely. In fact, if you been following them or this year’s SEMA show, the car on the verge is the music-powered Sienna:Remix. For this project, the tuners have collaborated with SiriusXM. The episode and the entire transformation were aired yesterday, on 14th of December, on FOX Sports 2.

    The founder and CEO Ryan Friedlinghaus and his crew were shown in the building process of the ultimate personalized Sienna. The design of the vehicle aimed at highlighting at the unexpected ways drivers are energized by music every day.

    The “remixed” Sienna includes fully functional DJ booth inside it as well as a 360-degree A/V column that can rise out of the roof. The latter includes two 40-inch LCD monitors, four subwoofers,16 speakers and two LED bars. The audio system also received five amplifiers and two 32-band equalizers.

    With this “Swagger Wagon”, West Coast Customs and SiriusXM have undoubtedly shown how families using this Toyota model can transform parenting into adventure. In fact, this is an adventure that features a soundtrack.

    If you have missed the TV episode, there is good news for you. The vehicle is going to tour across the United States and will have stops at cultural and music festivals, auto shows and sports events.

    httpv://youtu.be/GIxtsO-FUYg

    Video Source: YouTube 

    Source: Toyota

  • Mercedes-Benz Finally Announces Pricing for Maybach S-Class

    Since we were first presented the 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, we were definitely awaiting eagerly the pricing of this luxury vehicle of the highest of class. It stands atop of the Mercedes-Benz model range, because it has numerous exclusive details which highlight its “ambition” to lead. These include not only luxury-enhancing features, but also all of the technological benefits of the S-Class. We have to wait a little longer for model’s market launch, which is scheduled for 15th of February. However, with the announced price, the models are now available to order.

    The new Maybach is 5453 mm long and sits over a wheelbase of 3365 mm. It is also 20 cm larger in both dimensions than the long wheelbase S-Class Saloon. The big difference between the S-Class and the Maybach is to be found at the rear, where one can experience the real sense of spaciousness.

    Inside, the saloon is the quietest in the world for rear-seat passengers. What is more – it has been extended by 200 mm, which benefits those sitting in the back. There is also more headroom. Unique and innovative safety features are also included in the rear of the car. Such are the seat belt buckle extender, beltbag and seat cushion airbag.

    Mercedes have introduced for the first time the voice amplification system.

    Absolutely new for Mercedes-Benz is the introduction of voice amplification system. As a chauffeur-driven vehicle, this innovative function makes it easier to communicate with the rear passengers from the front. It comprises of two microphones, which can be also utilized to pick up speech for the hands-free telephone system. The signals are then amplified but at the same time constantly adjusted for the speaker’s volume.

    The superb car, and precisely its top-of-the-range trim, S 600, is driven by the exceptional V12 biturbo engine. It has a displacement of 5980 cc and produces no less than 530 horsepower (390 kW) and a torque of 830 Nm (613 lb-ft) available at 1900 rpm.

    The S 500 gets the V8 biturbo engine with an output of 455 hp (335 kW) from a displacement of 4663 cc. This model also produces a maximum torque of 700 Nm (517 lb-ft) that is available from 1800 rpm. Here, the combined fuel consumption is estimated at 8.9 litres of petrol per 100 km, while the CO2 fumes are measured at 207 g/km.

    2016 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class has a starting price of 134,053 euros.

    Mercedes-Maybach S 500 S 600
    Number of cylinders/arrangement 8/V 12/V
    Displacement (cc) 4663 5980
    Rated output (kW/hp at rpm) 335/455 at 5250-5500 390/530 at 4900-5300
    Rated torque (Nm at rpm) 700 at 1800-3500 830 at 1900-4000
    Fuel consumption (combined)
    from (l/100 km)
    8.9 S 11.7 SP
    Combined CO2 emissions from (g/km) 207 274
    Efficiency class C F
    Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 5.0 5.0
    Top speed (km/h) 250 250
    Price (in euros; incl. 19% VAT) 134,053.50 187,841.50

    Source: Mercedes-Benz 

  • The New Toyota Aygo Enhanced by Eibach

    The all-new Toyota Aygo receives some tiny improvements which have a major impact on the car. The Eibach Pro-Kit and Pro-Spacer stand for dynamism, a lot of action and more confident look attributed to the car. All Eibach Suspension Components are available through authorized dealer. They also come with a high-quality corrosion protection and are TÜV-certified.

    With the installation of the Eibach Pro-Kit Performance Springs, cruising around the city transforms into a fun and more pleasurable driving experience. What is more, they give the Toyota Aygo a refreshed look. Due to the lowering of the center of gravity, the 3.46m short body exhibits a certain dynamic appeal. Precisely, the Pro-Kit is part of the Eibach B12 Pro-Kit and it contributes to the refinement of the car by offering:

    • exceptional-performance handling;
    • lower center of gravity by lowering the vehicle up to 40 mm (depending on car model)
    • innovative spring design and sufficient ride quality.

    The Eibach Pro-Spacer Wheel Spacers focus on the Aygo’s X-front and outline the self-confidence of the model from all angles. Pro-Spacer, is created from high-tensile-strength aluminum alloy and adds up to the outstanding handling and appearance of the Toyota Aygo. It also offers:

    • exact fitment by implementing minimal production tolerances which results in excellent wheel balance;
    • all applications tested in rigid durability- and fatigue tests;
    • high-grade corrosion protection through a special coating process (salt spray test according to DIN 50021);
    • considerable weight advantage compared to wheel spacers made from steel;

    Source: Eibach