Automobiles Review – Page 606 – Car News, Car Reviews, Auto Shows, Car Photos, Car Videos

QUANT e-Sportlimousine To Make Official Debut In Geneva

NanoFLOWCELL AG is going to make a very special debut at the Geneva International Motor Show in a month. It is going to stage a world premiere of the QUANT e-Sportlimousine. The latter is the first research car equipped with nanoFLOWCELL drive.

What has been announced is that the vehicle has an overall length of 5.25 metres and will be a four-seater. It will also offer unique combination of innovative technology, outstanding design and an entirely new energy storage system, called the nanoFLOWCELL technology.

Back in 2009 Swedish supercar builder Koenigsegg joined NLV Solar AG to release the QUANT project. The model used Flow Accumulator Energy Storage (FAES), which was responsible for the 512 hp (376 kW) and 714 Nm (527 lb-ft) of torque, and had a range of 300-mile and a charging time of 15-20 minutes.

And although the intent of both companies was to start the production of the model, this didn’t happen even in 2010 when NanoFLOWCELL AG returned to the show without the Swedish automaker. Four years later we are to see the birth of this brand new project, which still carries the same name and has the same aim – to deliver innovative technologies and exceptional design. Stay tuned for more information, which is to be released near the official debut.

Source: NanoFLOWCELL AG

February 3, 2014

Nissan Unveils 2014 Qashqai and NV200 in UK

Nissan have lifted their game massively in the past decade with a string of releases that rivaled anything on the market. From 2003, the 350Z, Nissan Leaf and GT-R helped to cement Nissan as serious contenders in the auto world. And their latest two UK releases, the 2014 Qashqai and NV200, very much continue this run of good form.

2014 Qashqai

The first generation Qashqai proved to be a big success for Nissan upon release, mixing solid off-road ability with medium hatchback running costs. Nobody – not even Nissan – envisaged the sale of 100,000 Qashqais in their first year of production. Bit in fact the Qashqai went on to sell over twice it’s estimate in the first year, and those sales have not dwindled since. And although it’s taken Nissan over seven years to produce a follow-up, the 2014 Qashqai seems destined to outdo its popular predecessor. Easily the best all-rounder in the range, the 1.5 litre diesel has an outstanding fuel economy of 74.3 mpg and low enough CO2 emissions to qualify for free car tax in the UK, where it was released last month. The Qashqai doesn’t scrimp on performance either, with an acceleration of 62 miles per hour in just under 12 seconds. Not bad at all. Also available in the range are the 1.2 Acenta Premium and the top spec 4WD Qashqai.

Nissan NV200

As far as London is concerned its farewell to the Hackney carriage and welcome to the city’s new black cab: the Nissan NV200. Unveiled in the capital at the start of the year, the NV200 boasts a number of advantages over the traditional London cab, namely far lower running costs, easy wheelchair accessibility (which will give Allied Mobility a run for their money) and a much higher level of reliability that the bespoke Hackney carriage. Similar models are now in operation throughout the world – in New, Tokyo and Barcelona – and already proving massively popular. Whether that’ll be enough to convince the cabbies of England’s capital or not is another matter. But with an anticipated 40 mpg and far lower CO2 emissions than it’s predecessor, they may not have much say in the debate.

Innovation and Commitment to Quality

With the 2014 Qashqai, Nissan continues it good run of form in the UK with a pair of vehicles that highlight the company’s innovation and commitment to quality. Only time will tell what lies on the horizon for Nissan in 2015.

February 3, 2014

2014 Dodge Journey Crossroad Debut In Chicago

The Chicago Auto Show this year will see the coming of a new Dodge Journey Crossroad MY2014. 2013 has been, apparently, the best sales year for the Journey, so Dodge would rather continue the profitable trend. Let’s see what they have in store for us with this one then. First up; the oily bits.

As standard, the Journey comes with a 2.4-liter four-pot that produces 173 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque. The engine comes paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and delivers 26 mpg on the highway. It’s OK but uninspiring.

The optional 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, on the other hand, sounds like the one to go for. It has 283 hp in store and 260 lb-ft of torque. The accompanying transmission is a six-speed automatic. Thus, returns almost exactly the same amount of mpg as the 2.4-liter: 25 on the highway.

If you want the Journey to be all-wheel-driven, you’ll have to specify it on the options list. The system is pretty clever, engaging all the wheels only when grip starts running out. It also works on proper pavement between speeds of 25 and 65 mph – should help cornering. It’s all very cleverly engineered really: the AWD is managed by the electronic stability control (ESC) system which in turn also governs the electronically controlled coupling (ECC).

On the outside, the Journey sports a new front and rear fascia, chrome patterns on them and chrome roof rails, gloss black grille, fog lamp surrounds and tail light bezels. The 19-inch aluminum wheels also come in a Hyper Black five-spoke design.

Standard features to appeal to the occupants inside include a 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, power front seat and a front passenger fold-flat seat with hidden storage bin under the seat cushion. There are also power heated and foldaway mirrors, seven air bags, illuminated cup holders, Keyless

Enter ‘n Go with push-button start and steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. It’s pretty spacious too. Fold flat the second- and third-row seats and you create 67.6 cu. ft. of cargo space – best in class, apparently.

Source: Dodge

January 31, 2014

Nissan Launch New Micra Limited Edition

Nissan-New-Micra-Limited-Edition-medium Nissan is launching a new special edition of the New Micra. It’s called the…errhm… Limited Edition. How imaginative!

Just a few things to point out. On the outside, the Limited Edition distinguishes itself with a contrasting roof color scheme that overextends to the mirror caps and side sills. A total of three color combinations will be available: Pacific Blue exterior with said contrasting elements in White; Shiraz Red with Black elements, and Alabaster White with a Red elements. Although you wouldn’t guess from the pictures, there’s also a chrome exhaust finisher.

Inside, the Limited Edition the air vents echo the color of the roof (and by extension the color of the mirror caps and side sills). The lower part of the gearshift column and the floor mats also bare the same coloring.

Because this special edition of the New Micra is based on the Acenta trim, you get 15-inch alloy wheels as standard, air-conditioning, cruise control, a roof spoiler and many more.

Nissan-New-Micra-Limited-Edition-medium-2

Nissan-New-Micra-Limited-Edition-medium-3

Source: Nissan

January 31, 2014

2014 Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDI Ultra Black Edition

Audi has announced 2014 A6 Avant 2.0 TDI Ultra Black Edition. It delivers better fuel efficiency, more power and nicer standard equipment.

The 2.0 TDI engine is tuned to 190HP (140 kW) and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph). It is able to return 51.1 mpg US / 61.4 mpg UK or just 5.0 liters / 100 km with CO2 emissions of 119 g/km.

The standard equipment includes S-line bodykit, DAB radio and an electric tailgate.

2014 Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDI Ultra Black Edition is priced from £37,010.

Source: Audi

January 31, 2014

2014 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG PETRONAS Green Edition

Mercedes-Benz has presented the PETRONAS Green Edition A45 AMG, which will be available exclusive for Japan.

The limited edition model was built to celebrate the oil company’s involvement with Mercedes-Benz’s Formula 1 team. The PETRONAS Green Edition is based on the Edition 1 model and comes with an AMG aerodynamics package and a Cirrus White exterior paint with green graphics and carbon fiber mirrors caps. There are also black multi-spoke 19” alloy wheels with green accents.

The interior also boasts some green details on the steering wheel, seats, door sill plates, paddle shifters, gear shifter and on the air vents.

2014 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG PETRONAS Green Edition will be limited to just 30 units.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwTIrzm8YxA

Source: Mercedes-Benz

January 31, 2014

Toyota FCHV Handling The Polar Vortex

2014-Toyota-FCHV-cold-testing-shadow The Toyota FCV in the flesh. Well, not really. But it’s a report from the Toyota testing fleet on how things are going in everyday situations. Today, we get to see how the cars have handled the polar vortex: a weather phenomenon that has crippled most of the East Coast, but has also provided the ideal test ground for mechanical endurance.

Proton Onsite – a firm which operates a total of ten Toyota FCHV-adv fuel cell vehicles – claims that even single digit temperatures don’t affect the efficiency of the drivetrains:

“We had another snow storm Tuesday night and this morning the temperature was 3 degrees”, says Mark Schiller, Proton vice president of business development. “I went out to my Toyota FCHV-adv and brushed off a foot of snow before starting the car right up. No problem.”

When compared to a purely electric vehicle, the fuel cell car has the upper ground in terms of real-life application: an almost zero effect over the performance even in the harshest environments. Schiller claims to still get around 300 miles on a single tank

Apparently, over the last decade, the Toyota fuel cell fleet has logged millions of miles in some of the most extreme climates on the planet. From Yellowknife, Canada (temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius) to the Death Valley (severe heat), Toyota have tried them all.

There’s still a lot of testing to do, but in 2015 when FCHVs hit the road, it will all be worth it.

Source: Toyota

January 31, 2014

Toyota TRD Pro Lineup Is Coming [VIDEO]

“Let’s conquer the great outdoors. A new TRD Pro lineup is coming Feb. 6”. Under this announcement, Toyota has released the first teaser image of the upcoming lineup at its official Facebook page. In addition, we have found a mysterious TV commercial which also gives a sneak preview of the future models. Of course, you can view the video and the image below.

Although there isn’t an official statement whether the car will be premiered at Chicago Auto Show, we are almost sure that the concurrence of the announced date and the first day of the show are not accidental.

Going back to the video, it shows that the brand is actually going to introduce modified versions of the Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner. However, there is no other information available. What we can conclude from the photo and the commercial is that the TRD Pro brings will be equipped with black wheels fitted with off-road tyres, redesigned grille with black accents and TRD Pro badging. We are almost pretty sure that there will be also some off-road styling and performance packages.

httpv://youtu.be/Bo8ZCPoln0U

Video Source: YouTube

Source: Toyota via Toyota Official Facebook Page

January 31, 2014

Volkswagen Beetle Marks 65 Years In The United States

Volkswagen is celebrating this month a very special anniversary. Exactly 65 years ago the iconic Beetle arrived for the first time in the United States. In January 1949 Volkswagen Type 1, or Beetle, was shipped to New York City by the Dutch businessman Ben Pon, Sr.

The same year, the car attracted buyers, marking the first time that Volkswagen vehicles were sold in the U.S. The Beetle became later a cultural milestone for the entire generation. For 65 years, the brand managed not only to sell Beetle’s around the country but also to offer eleven different models with great success. As a matter of fact, in 2013 the German company sold 407,704 vehicles in the U.S. alone.

Back in the days, Americans were drawn to the affordability and practicality of the car. They also were so charmed by its unique design, size, and fuel efficiency. 1977 marked the last Type 1, which was rolled off the production line, and the next new Beetle was introduced more than a decade later – in 1998. The vehicle paid styling homage to its predecessor. However, it featured water cooled engine and was mounted at the front.

A redesigned third-generation Beetle entered the North American market in 2011 and offered powerful and fuel-efficient engines, better handling, as well as more technology and safety features.

A week ago Volkswagen announced the pricing of 2014 Beetle, which now comes equipped with 1.8T engine that substitutes the 5-cylinder 2.5 liter one. 1.8T is direct-injected ad produces 170 hp (127 kW) and 249 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque at 2,750 rpm. The powertrain is matched with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Source: Volkswagen

January 31, 2014

Subaru Teases 2015 Legacy Ahead Of Chicago Debut

2015 Subaru Legacy Concept was introduced in November last year during the Los Angelis Auto Show. The model was designed with to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Legacy model and also offered a glimpse of what the future models in the line-up would look like.

Almost four months later, Subaru is putting into practice its promise and releasing the first teaser image of the new 2015 Legacy production sedan. The vehicle is set to debut on 6th of February at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show.

What we can conclude from the image is that the new Legacy will offers a sleeker, more coupe-like profile next to the faster windshield rake angle and narrower A-pillars. This contributes towards the sporty and modern appearance of the model.

Subaru stated that the Legacy will be a mid-size sports sedan that will deliver improved driveability and functionality while achieving a design required for a flagship model with a quality feel. It will sport a design infused with functionality in terms of roominess and visibility and will embody the design direction proposed by the Legacy Concept.

The Japanese brand didn’t reveal much in addition to this, so we have to wait until the official premiere. Whether the production sedan will look like the concept model will become clear in less than a week. Till then you can take a sneak peak of what the concept looks like:

Source: Subaru

January 31, 2014

Renault Tease Concept Car Ahead Of Delhi Auto Expo [VIDEO]

Renault-Concept-Teaser-shadow Renault-Concept-Teaser-medium Ladies and gentlemen, this is how you tease a product without defacto showing it. No, this is not a CGI student’s course project, but it’s not the real thing either. It’s supposed to be, however, an up-and-coming Renault concept car.

The New Delhi Motorshow kicks off in one week’s time and whatever this turns out to be is supposed to represent the “brand’s ambitions for new markets”. Are we being forced to assume that if this thing gets into production, it will rival the Tata Nano in such respects as affordability, simplicity and compactness?

Well, the concept (or what we see of it) sure doesn’t look simple. And what’s with the nano quadrotor thing (the correct term for these demonic mecha-wasps)? It’s a concept, though, so we shouldn’t act so shocked that they want to wow us.

What we did manage to pick up from the 22-second clip, is that those wheels have sort of borrowed the design of the wheels on the Renault Frendzy. These ones seem a lot smaller though. That’s why our money is on a funky city car.

For the rest we’ll just have to wait and see.

httpv://youtu.be/mPN3lPQxfyU

Video Source: Renault via YouTube

January 30, 2014

A Glimpse At The Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme

Vauxhall-Astra-VXR-Extreme-Concept-shadow It’s always exciting to talk about something that’s supposed to be the -iest of its kind. That’s why when we saw the “Radical Vauxhall Concept Heralds Fastest Production Astra” title, we flinched a bit. Still not resistant enough to sensationalist headings then

But Vauxhall are indeed up to something. Here’s the first picture ever (sorry) of the Astra VXR Extreme…concept. It’s essentially a “sibling” to the current 280 PS and 400 Nm Astra VXR. We are not good at taking hints. Does that mean no more than that power or no less than that? We do know for a fact, however, that the Extreme will be on a strict carbon fiber diet. Even though its interior spots an integrated safety structure and racing seats and six-point safety belts, the Extreme will be completely road-legal. However, with the Astra Cup race car playing the role of a biological mother, it will feel most at home on closed grounds. Anyone up for making some history at the local track day circuit in the fastest production Astra ever?! (Darn it, we did it again, didn’t we?)

The full reveal is expected at the 2014 Geneva expo. More to come in the coming month.

Source: Vauxhall

January 30, 2014

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