Car Makes – Page 853 – Automobiles Review

2012 EDAG Light Car – Sharing concept car

The engineering service provider EDAG is going to present a world debut of the outstanding Concept vehcile, called EDAG Light Car – Sharing at this years Geneva Auto Show. This is a concept car made especially to fit instantly to the booming leasing business. More importantly the car is electrically driven and has been constructed strictly for use as a leasing car. According to the manufacturers it answers all the needs of the customer: it is simple and easy to use as a local publuc transport. To be more precise, these requirenents, led to the non-featuring of storage surfaces nor fancy door trims in the new EDAG Light Car – Sharing Concept Car. And even more, to make it simpler, aside from the accelerator, brake and steering wheel, the only other control the customer will find is a lever to work the indicators. There is just one display element which gives basic information abut the speed, state of charge, range and navigation.

Moreover, the car created by the EDAG is designed with two side doors and twin rear doors. However it keeps room for 6 passengers. Thank to the car’s height of 1.90 m the passangers can get in and out easily. Additionally, there are also folding seats included. They provide maximum transport capacity. The materials used in the interior are are easy to clean, and as they are modular-based, so therefore also easy to exchange.

2012 EDAG Light Car - Sharing concept — 2012 EDAG Light Car – Sharing concept

There is also a unique technologies included in this leasing concept vehicle. For example, there shouldn’t be any worry about bumping the car when parking, bacause the sensitive spots are fitted with “Technogel” pads, and these can withstand minor collisions. Of course, light plays a prominent role as a communication instrument in this car: the LEDs integrated in the pads and “Plexiglass truLED” give a continual, visible indication of the status of the car. Furthermore, while parking the car or opening the doors, a laser integrated in the mirror starts projecting a safety zone onto the asphalt, ensuring that passengers can get in and out in safety. Another interesting and innovative feature is that the rear window can be marketed as advertising space by the fleet owner, but only when the car is not being driven. With this exceptional concept car – EDAG Light Car – Sharing, the EDAG Group shows extremely high competence and eagernessin finding new ideas and developing innovative vehicle concepts.

Source: EDAG

January 26, 2012

2012 Mazda Biante GRANZ Special Edition

More news from Mazda Motor Corporation today. It has just announced the launch of the special edition of its mid-sized tall ‘high-roof’ Mazda Biante minivan, named Mazda Biante GRANZ. This special edition of the brand goes on sale from today at dealerships in Japan.

Mazda Biante GRANZ is based on the high model grade Mazda Biante 20S. It also comes with Mazda’s unique idling stop system (i-stop), Mazda’s signature wing in the front, and it is also part of the company’s new design theme, called “KODO – Soul of Motion”. Furthermore the exterior of the new vehicle also includes an exclusive front bumper as well as a large chrome grille. Speaking about the interior, it features a decoration panel for the instrument panel that is used for Biante’s top-of-the-range 23S model grade. Moreover, a new special body color – Aluminum Metallic, has been added to the body color lineup of Brilliant Black and Chrystal White Pearl Mica. The Mazda Biante 20S model grade front-wheel-drive (FWD) version now includes the popular Clean Air Package as standard equipment at a more affordable price.

The main features of the special editions Mazda Biante GRANZ and GRANZ-C include the Clean Air Package (standard equipment for the 20S). However this comes as an option for the Biante GRANZ and it is not available for GRANZ-C. The main features of the GRANZ and the GRANZ-C include exclusive front bumper (front lower grille) and chrome top bar & upper grille; exclusive rear finisher trim (silver); LED rear combination light bezel (silver & black); muffler cutter; chrome trim, which includes front bumper, side sills, lower rear bumper; decoration panel for the instrument panel (Black interior: hairline); scuff plates for the front. Mazda also offers special equipment for the GRANZ which consists of 215/50R17 91V tires and 17-inch alloy wheels, and special equipment for the GRANZ-C, which includes halogen headlights (with low beam manual leveling function), 205/60R16 92H tires and 16-inch steel wheels with full-wheel cap, keyless entry system (with answer-back function and automatic rear liftgate) and one Mazda retractable key (and normal key).

Source: Mazda

January 26, 2012

Mazda CX-5 with New-Generation SKYACTIV-D Diesel Engine

Mazda Motor Corporation has just started the production of the all-new Mazda CX-5. However the model will include a new-generation SKYACTIV-D 2.2-litre, super clean diesel engine. The manufacturing will take place at the Ujina Plant near Mazda’s headquarters in Hiroshima. This vehicle is the first Mazda model, which adopts SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY. The latter is included throughout the vehicle, in the powertrain, body and chassis. At the same time the CX-5 will also fully embrace Mazda’s new design theme, called “KODO – Soul of Motion.” Mazda will start introducing the new CX-5 firstly in Japan in the spring of this year, followed by Europe and other markets around the world.

To go further into details, the special Mazda’s SKYACTIV-D 2.2 diesel engine is the world’s first diesel engine to comply with global exhaust gas regulations, including Japan’s Post New Long-Term Regulations and Europe’s Euro6, without the need for an expensive nitrogen oxide (NOx) aftertreatment system. The system precisely controls the fuel injection and improves the exhaust valve’s opening and closing mechanism. Moreover the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine has achieved remarkable success in resolving longstanding issues encountered in low compression ratio engines. For example – poor start capability and lower combustion stability when the engine is cold, now is no more a problem. Hence, all these improvements lead to the achievement of the world’s lowestcompression ratio of 14.0:1 for a diesel engine in the class of mass production vehicles. In addition, Mazda has achieved an exclusive emissions performance combined with excellent fuel economy and ample torque equal to a 4-liter V8 gasoline engine.

To sum up, now Mazda will offer the customers of the eco-car market the unique opportunity to drive a fresh, fun-to-drive Mazda CX-5 with the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine – an option that also combines outstanding environmental performance and pioneers a new era of diesel power.

Source: Mazda

January 26, 2012

2012 Mercedes-Benz B 180 certified with less CO2 emissions

The new Mercedes Benz B 180 has just received the Environmental Certificate, because ir produces 16 percent less CO2 emissions than the prvious one. The high level of environmental compatibility however can be seen even beyond the reductions in fuel consumption. To be more precise Mercedes-Benz analyses the environmental compatibility of its models according to their entire life cycle. This cycle embraces not only the production of the vehicle but also includes their long years of service and eventually adds the recycling at the end of their lives. But this wasn’t the only vehicle produced by the luxury brand, which has received the forespoken certificate. Additionally nine other model series were awarded with the Environmental Certificate.

But let us revew the entire life cycle of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. Starting with the production, through service of over 160,000 kilometres and ending with the recycling – the new model B 180 causes 16 percent less CO₂ emissions than its predecessor. The primary energy consumption over the vehicle’s entire life cycle is cut by 14 percent, of couse this is in comparison to the precious version of the car. For instance, the fuel consumption of the B 180 BlueEFFICIENCY petrol model with dual clutch transmission ranges from 5.9 to 6.2 l/100 km. To make it clearer the last version of the B 180 had a fuel consumption of 7.3 to 7.5 l/100 km. Therefore this means that there is substantial reduction in fuel consumption of up to 19 percent! These savings are due to an intelligent package of measures, namely – the BlueEFFICIENCY technologies. They include optimisation measures in the area of the powertrain, energy management, aerodynamics, tyres optimised for minimum rolling resistance, weight reduction through lightweight construction and driver information to encourage an energy-saving style of driving.

Moreover the new B-Class already meets the recycling rate of 95 percent by weight. To be more precise the B-Class includes 75 components representing a total weight of 39 kilograms which can be produced with the partial use of high-quality recycled plastics, thus resulting in 13 percent increase in the weight of approved recycled components. For example, the typical areas of use are wheel arch linings, cable ducts and underbody panels, which consist for the most part of polypropylene. In addition to that there is also an increased emphasis on closed automobile materials cycles. For instance, a recyclate is used for the front wheel arch linings, which is produced from refabricated vehicle components such as starter battery housings, bumper panels from the Mercedes-Benz Recycling System (MeRSy) and production waste from cockpit units. Furthermore, 21 components in the B-Class weight 20 kilograms. They
are produced using natural materials, which marks an increase of 29 percent. And to go further into detaisl these natural materials consist primarily of coconut and wood fibres and honeycomb cardboard in combination with various polymer materials. Next, the modular body-in-white concept is a sign that the B-Class is constructed to accommodate versions with an alternative drive. For example, the appropriate interfaces in the body shell enable the main floor panel to be modified and a step to be
produced for the “ENERGY SPACE” on the versions with alternative drive. At last the underfloor compartment covers part of the area under the rear bench seat, thus offering space for alternative energy accumulators.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

January 26, 2012

Skoda MissionL Concept Targets Qatar Motor Show

SKODA-MissionL-concept-thumg Last year, Skoda have delivered 879,200 vehicles to budget oriented, sensible customers. That’s 15% more in comparison with 2010 sales. Today Skoda are planing to keep up that pace by expanding to the East. The Qatar Motor Show will see the Skoda MissionL concept for the first time outside European land.

Just for the record, when we say concept we do actually mean an almost-ready-production-car. The MissionL goes on sale in late 2012 and it is designed to fill in the gap between the Fabia and Octavia (a sort of a small family saloon segment). Skoda say that the design features on the MissionL act as a definitive of the company’s future approach on aesthetics. For starters, this concept is among the first proud wearers of the new Skoda badge. The outside lines of the saloon are more simple yet sharper which gives an overall athletic feel. The grille is framed in chrome while consisting of vertical plate fins that attribute to the depth of the whole front end. Daytime running lights and blinkers are mere luminescent bands positioned at the edges of the main headlights as fog lights frame the lower grille. The party piece however, is the tinted yet transparent glass roof that spans over the whole cabin. The interior is a feast of sensibility, neatness and efficiency seasoned with a bit of luxury thanks to the bichrome wheel, control panel and seat covers.

Skoda has already started its offense on the market with the launch of the Citigo in the Czech Republic and the introduction of the Rapid in India and feedback seems positive. The company’s plan within the near 5 years is to get those annual sales up to 1,5 million. In addition to the MissionL, ŠKODA is displaying Fabia, Octavia, Yeti and Superb at the Qatar Motor Show, all models are available in the local market.

Source: Skoda

January 26, 2012

Audi R8 Grand-AM debut at Daytona 24h

Double the excitement as Audi will be making a debut of the R8 GRAND-AM customer sport race car on the 50th running of the Daytona 24 Hours. Two teams, APR Motorsport and Oryx Racing will have the privilege to race their own LMP Audis in the GT class of the endurance race which kicks off on the 26th of January.

“We are proud to be part of the action for the first time at the event’s special anniversary,” said Werner Frowein, Managing Director of Quattro GmbH, which has developed the Audi R8 GRAND-AM. After the debut, the R8 is set to take part in the other 12 challenges of the GRAND-AM series. Let us remind ourselves that back in 2008, Audi was represented in the United States for a whole season with a factory commitment featuring the Audi R10 TDI LMP1 sports car and proceeded to win the title in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). Now the APR Motorsport and Oryx Racing customer teams are going to take part of their own commitment.

APR has a reputation of playing with Audis as it is known as one of the most active tuners of the car make. They are based in Opelika, Alabama and headed by Jeff Mishtawy. Hopes fall on a lineup of 5 drivers: The Americans Ian Baas and Dr. Jim Norman, Nelson Canache from Venezuela, Dion von Moltke plus the legendary (former now) Audi factory driver Emanuele Pirro from Italy. The other team, Oryx Racing, is headed by Humaid Al Masaood (UAE) as he also plays the role of a driver. Hist two other team mates are Saeed Al Mehairi and Steven Kane (UK)

“We’re entering a new car in a series that’s new to us. It was important to us to be involved in the project right from the beginning and help continue to develop this fascinating customer racing car from Audi to become as competitive as possible.” comments an enthusiastic Al Masaood. Despite the fact that the team is from UAE, they also have a base in the US, West College Corner near Indianapolis.

The “Rolex 24 at Daytona” ranks as one of the finest international motorsport events. Attenders are in for a treat as a champions party with numerous racing legends, an exhibition of historic overall-winning cars, a carnival complete with a Ferris Wheel, a 5-kilometre run on the track for all sports enthusiasts on Saturday before the race, autograph sessions and pit walks are just some of the attractions featured on the last weekend of January. The GRAND-AM Audi will be competing against approximately 30 more contenders which fall into the category of GT LMP1 vehicles. After a qualifying session on Thursday the race will start on Saturday (January 28) and end on Sunday (January 29) at 15:30, local time (21:30 Central European time).

Source: Audi

January 26, 2012

Qatar Motor Show Sees Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen-Passat-shadow Volkswagen brought the Middle East some German engineering by presenting the VW Passat at the Qatar Motor Show. Although, widely popular in Europe and North America, the Passat made its debut on Middle Eastern soil.

“The Passat is an important component of our model strategy in the Middle East region where classic saloons define the street scene. That is because the Passat delivers top levels of safety and comfort and offers more space for rear passengers due to its long wheelbase,” explained Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Head of Development and member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand.

The version showed there was actually the North American make (slightly bigger than the European sister car). Power comes from the 125 kW/170 PS five-cylinder petrol engine that bares an essence of German sensibility and efficiency. Even the base model is bundled with neat luxuries that bring comfort to both driver and passengers – a 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen, CD-radio, Bluetooth telephone system, electric windows, air conditioning, heat insulating glass and cruise control. Safety standard equipment also make a handful with ABS/ESP, brake assist and six airbags.

Other notable appearances include the Amarok with a faster, more economical 8-speed autobox and the 228 kW/310 PS Touareg Magic Morning – a road going version (despite the still present safety cage) of the original Race Touareg 3 that has been to the Dakar Racing.

Source: Volkswagen

January 26, 2012

ABT 2012 Audi A4

ABT Sportsline has announced the new tuning package for 2012 Audi A4. The name of the project is AS4 and it includes both styling and performance modifications.

There are performance packages for the 2.0 liter TFSI, the 3.0 liter TFSI and the 3.0 liter TDI engines.

The 2.0 liter TFSI is boosted to 275PS (202 kW) from 211PS (155 kW), while the mighty 3.0 liter TFSI boasts 435PS (320 kW), instead of 333PS (245 kW). The economic diesel – 3.0 TDI has 282PS (207 kW) from the factory’s 245PS (180 kW).

The exterior package includes front spoiler, a pair of side skirts, fender inserts, rear bumper insert and rear spoiler. All components are made from high quality materials. There are also axle back exhaust and designer light alloy wheels in 19” and 20”, which can be fitted with a set of sports tyres.

There is no doubt that the new AS4 is a real eye-catcher! Check out the high-resolution images in the gallery.

ABT AS4:

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGYEngine:               2.0 TFSI, 1.984 ccm capacity
Performance tuning:           ABT POWER
Performance:               275 HP/202 kW (standard: 211 HP/155 kW)

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGYEngine:               3.0 TDI, 2.967 ccm capacity
Performance tuning:           ABT POWER
Performance:               282 HP/207 kW (standard: 245 HP/180 kW)

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGYEngine:               3.0 TFSI, 2.995 ccm capacity
Performance tuning:           ABT POWER
Performance:               435 HP/320 kW (standard: 333 HP/245 kW)

ABT AERODYNAMICSABT front spoiler
ABT side skirts
ABT fender inserts
ABT rear bumper insert
ABT rear spoiler

ABT EXHAUST TECHNOLOGYABT axle back exhaust

ABT WHEEL TECHNOLOGYABT designer light alloy wheels in 19 and 20 inch
Available also as complete set of wheels with sports tyres

Source: ABT

January 25, 2012

2011 Ford C-MAX Price – £17 445

The 2011 C-MAX is now available from just £17 445. The compact MPV will also come with a new ultra-efficient 1.0-litre 125PS Ford EcoBoost petrol engine, which combines impressive performance with outstanding fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

2011 Ford C-MAX and its 7-seat Grand C-MAX sibling picked up their first BusinessCar award.

“Ford has deservedly taken both MPV awards thanks to a pair of products that successfully combine practicality and efficiency with a sense of style not previously available in a sector aimed squarely at family transport.”, commented BusinessCar editor Paul Barker.
“Both the Ford C-MAX and S-MAX offer good running costs as well as great handling and are deserved winners of this award, decided by the readers of BusinessCar – the very people using these products for their business and their company drivers.”, he added.

The 7-seat Ford Grand C-MAX accounts for 40% of overall C-MAX volumes in the UK. Twin rear sliding doors reveal an innovative walk-through seating concept, where the second row middle seat folds under the outer seat to enable easy access to the third row.

Source: Ford

January 25, 2012

2012 Nissan Note Price – £11 200

Nissan is going to attract more buyers for Note in the UK by offering further upgrades for 2012. The supermini-MPV is very successful with over 100 000 units sold.

During 2012, the Note will benefit from better equipment and style. The popular Acenta model will now feature two-tone 16” alloy wheels, chrome-effect door mirror covers and front fog light surrounds. There is also new seat fabric with blue stitching, climate control, automatic headlights and rain-sensitive wipers all now come as standard.

The best-selling N-TEC model also comes with increased equipment – rear parking sensors, darkened rear privacy glass and the touch screen Connect SAT NAV system.

The Connect includes CD/radio, iPod gateway, Aux-in, USB connection and Bluetooth phone connection.

The 2012 Note Visia is priced at £11 200. The new Acenta at £13 000 and the new N-TEC+ a further £500.

The engine range includes a 1.4 liter and a 1.6 liter petrol and 1.5 liter dCi power units. The Pure Drive badged 1.5dCi emits a CO2 level of just 110g/km with a combined economy figure of 67.3mpg.

Source: Nissan

January 25, 2012

Vauxhall 18-way adjustable ultimate hot seats

Vauxhall will introduce their most powerful Astra VXR at the Geneva Motor Show with front seats that are substantially lighter thanks to cutting-edge technology. The hot seats have a lower seating position and enhanced side support to cater for increased cornering loads.

The special technology includes an injection moulded sheet in the seat shells, which reduces their weight by 45% compared with a conventional shell. The sheet is filled with a composite material made from polyamide and fibreglass, and its strength and agility means that it only needs to be 2-3 mm deep, and therefore a lot lighter.

Bringing driver and front passenger lower to the Astra VXR’s centre of gravity, the new seats are mounted 17 mm lower than in the Astra GTC, and 40 mm lower than in the Astra Hatch. In addition, the new seats can be adjusted up to 18 ways, depending upon specification:

•   Entire seat backwards and forwards (2)
•   Entire seat upwards and downwards (2)
•   Seat backrest forwards and backwards (2)
•   Seat cushion angle adjustment (2)
•   Seat cushion length adjustment (2)
•   Four-way lumbar support adjustment (4)
•   Adjustable side bolster support in back (2)
•   Adjustable side bolster support in seat cushion (2)

Pneumatically adjustable cushions, found in the seats’ flanks, add further levels of adjustability at the push of a button, and provide ‘tailor-made’ seating comfort and security normally reserved for competition drivers.

The new 2012 Vauxhall Astra VXR will come with extremely powerful engine with 280PS and 400Nm. It will also feature LSD on front wheels and Brembo brake system.

Vauxhall 18-way adjustable ultimate hot seats

Source: Vauxhall

January 25, 2012

2012 Kia Rio 3-door – Price £9 995

Kia has announced the new 3-door version of Rio. It will hit the UK market with a £600 saving, compared to equivalent five door models.

The engine range includes two petrol and two diesel power units. The 1.1 CRDi delivers 75PS (55 kW) and 170Nm (125 lb-ft) at 1500RPM. It boasts CO2 emissions of 99g/km or below and fuel economy of at least 74.3mpg. Nice!

EcoDynamics technologies, such as Intelligent Stop & Go, will be a standard feature with all new Rio diesels, including the 1.4-litre models. The 1.4 CRDi is a four-cylinder diesel engine delivers 90PS (66 kW) and 220Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque. Economy and emissions figures are 70.6mpg combined and just 105 g/km of CO2.

The petrol variants are 1.25 litre Kappa engine with 84PS (61 kW), 121Nm (89 lb-ft) and a 1.4 litre Gamma engine with 108PS (80 kW) and 137Nm (101 lb-ft). All petrol manual versions of the new Rio comfortably exceed 50mpg, with CO2 emissions below 130g/km.

Rio 3-door is offered in four trim grades – badged 1, 1 Air, 2 and 3 – as the five door version.

The standard equipment includes daytime running lights, body-coloured bumpers, door handles and door mirrors, speed-variable front wipers, headlamp levelling, front electric windows, 15-inch steel wheels, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, two-way steering column adjustment on the petrol model (height-adjustable only on the entry level diesel), a tachometer and trip computer, split folding rear seats, a boot light, a 12-volt power socket and an MP3-compatible RDS radio and CD player with USB and AUX ports. Bluetooth is also standard on the petrol entry model, and on all versions with other trim grades.

The 1 Air grade is for buyers who want the comfort of air conditioning without upgrading to level 2.

The 2 is distinguished by 16” alloy wheels, front fog lights and a chrome radiator grille surround. Inside, there is premium black cloth upholstery, a cooling glovebox, electrically adjustable heated and folding door mirrors with side repeaters, leather trim on the steering wheel and gearshift and a centre console armrest.

The luxurious level 3 specification adds 17” alloys with low-profile tyres, LED daytime running and rear combination lamps, automatic air conditioning with auto de-fog, rain sensing wipers, cruise control, automatic projection-type headlights, heated front seats and six speakers instead of four.

The safety is granted by electronic stability control (ESC), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), emergency brake assist (EBA) in addition to emergency stop signalling (ESS). The new Rio also includes the helpful feature of Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

2012 Kia Rio 3-door is priced from £9 995 OTR.

Source: Kia

January 25, 2012

Category: Car Makes