LED – Automobiles Review

Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Convertible

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The luxury pinnacle of the Continental GT family, the Continental GT Mulliner Convertible, will make its global debut at Cheval Blanc in St Tropez, as part of a European Summer Tour hosted by Bentley. The Continental GT Mulliner is the first member of the new Collections portfolio introduced by Bentley Mulliner.

Surpassing the industry-leading craftsmanship so synonymous with Bentley, Mulliner has raised the bar further to create the Continental GT Mulliner Convertible; the pinnacle of roof-down automotive luxury.

Grand Black walnut veneer is standard, while a new extensive range of 88 different piano-finished wood veneers is available through Bentley Mulliner Personal Commissioning. Customers can, therefore, specify a contemporary, colorized veneer finish that can be matched to the interior or exterior of the car. Burr walnut veneer is hand-sanded and polished to produce a perfectly smooth finish before painting to match the color of the customer’s choice. Once dry, the veneer is polished to achieve a mirror-like finish. For the new Continental GT Mulliner Convertible, eye-catching chrome details are overlaid into the piano veneer, including a Convertible silhouette in the passenger fascia and a B-motif in the door waist rails.

The new Continental GT Mulliner Convertible has been created to appeal to those customers wanting an even greater focus on beautiful details. Taking pride in position between the cut-crystal inspired, precision-made headlamps, Bentley Mulliner introduces a bold new Double Diamond front grille, which is further complemented by bespoke Mulliner-branded side vents that continue the unique silver-on-black diamond theme.

The new Double Diamond design was inspired by Bentley’s exclusive Diamond-in-Diamond interior quilting design concept, which adorns all four seats, the door casings, rear quarters and now for the first time furnishes the tonneau cover. The Diamond-in-Diamond interior quilting was tailored to include contrast stitching in two complementary colors to accentuate the thread against the quilting. It takes almost 400,000 stitches to deliver this quilting across the cabin of the car, with each diamond containing exactly 712 individual stitches – each one precisely aligned to point to the center of the diamond it creates. Developing the embroidery process to deliver this process alone took 18 months.

Furnishing the sleek and muscular profile of the Continental GT Mulliner Convertible, the all-new 22” 10-spoke painted & polished wheels have floating, self-leveling wheel badges that remain upright as the wheel rotates.

The ultimate handcrafted Continental GT Convertible interior offers eight custom-made three-color combinations. A new Mulliner-designed color split defines the eight colorways, including a third accent color to the interior in the form of a distinctive design line. The hand-stitched hides are embellished with unique Mulliner-branded embroidery.

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Bentley Mulliner combines traditional and modern coachbuilding techniques to introduce new contemporary and bespoke features.
An exquisitely tactile Diamond Milled Technical finish has been applied to the center console, through Bentley’s first use of a multi-machined panel process, extending the longest-standing partnership between a watch brand and an automotive manufacturer. The center console houses a new and exclusive Breitling for Mulliner clock with a new brushed metallic face and bejeweled hour marks. The clock bezel and air vent surrounds are finished in chrome to complete the stunning interior jewelry. The ornate and luxurious design of the Breitling for Mulliner clock face is also applied to the Driver Display Kombi, with the precision-rendered gauges of the LED-display driver’s instrument panel using the same brushed finished and Mulliner branding, linking the analog and digital harmoniously.

The new Continental GT Mulliner Convertible features mood lighting comprising of seven different themes, uplifted by illuminated Mulliner tread plates and LED welcome lamps that project the famous Bentley wings to the ground from the door mirrors.

The Continental GT Mulliner Convertible is available with the top of the range Naim for Bentley audio system. The state of the art setup features eighteen speakers and two Active Bass transducers driven by a 2,200‑watt, 20-channel amplifier and eight DSP sound modes with Active Bass.

Customers of the Continental GT Mulliner Convertible will receive their keys in a sumptuous, Mulliner-branded handcrafted presentation box, which matches the three-color interior configuration of the car. The two keys are provided in similarly color-matched leather cases with contrast stitching.

The Continental GT Mulliner Convertible will be available with Bentley’s V8 and W12 powertrains. When equipped with Bentley’s 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12, the Continental GT Mulliner Convertible accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds) and is capable of a top speed of 207 mph (333 km/h). The new-generation 4.0-liter, twin‑turbocharged V8 delivers a top speed of 198 mph (318 km/h) and 0‑60 mph in 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds).

Available in the extended Bentley Mulliner paint range of 88 colors, customers wishing to specify their Continental GT Mulliner Convertible in a bespoke shade can commission Bentley’s artisan paint specialists to color-match to any item or sample.

August 3, 2020

Common Electrical Problems in Jeeps

If your engine components go there is an easy decision on whether to fix it, replace it or trade in for a new vehicle. But when there is something small like an electrical problem, it always seems like those little ones can lead to larger problems, and are incredibly challenging to fix.

Faulty Instrument Lights. One problem any vehicle can face, not including Jeep models is a instrumental or gauges that aren’t lighting up properly. This could be a problem for a number of reasons, one you can’t see how fast your going, you can’t see your fuel gauge just to name a couple.

No blinker or hazards, or even blinkers that are blinking too fast. This is oddly a problem that does happen often with some LED lights. Sometimes just by adding LED lights could cause this problem, or more commonly you have lost a bulb recently. Nobody wants to be driving behind a Jeep that looks like they are having a rave whenever they turn.

Brake Light is staying lit, well after releasing the brake? The main cause for this is because the tab doesn’t release from the connector properly, which signifies the light as if the brake is still on. But it also could be something as natural as a corroded connector or broken wire.

The problems with electric components can be large of very small and granular. This is the challenge of owning any vehicle, and not a Jeep. But in order to maintain the longevity of your vehicle as recommended to us by a local car tech, is to simply have it maintenance on the regular. Just like visiting your doctor, have your check-ups done to catch the small things before they come big problems.

Source: Service Center of Pomoco Chrysler

September 24, 2014

2015 Volkswagen e-Golf – The Future

2015 Volkswagen e-Golf - Front Angle

Volkswagen US has presented 2015 e-Golf, which the first fully electric vehicle for the country. It is stated to go on sale in the fourth quarter of this year. The all-new model is a part of a structured powertrain strategy that will lead to the introduction of new and highly efficient drive systems, and is part of Volkswagen’s holistic approach to sustainability called Think Blue.

2015 e-Golf is available in four-door form only and is immediately recognizable by its unique aluminum-alloy wheels and LED headlights, the first VW to be equipped with the technology in the U.S.-market.

The powertrain includes a 115HP (85 kW) and 270Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque electric motor. 0-100 km/h in 10.0 seconds and a top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph). The high-performance 12,000-rpm motor and the single-speed EQ270 transmission form a compact unit; the EQ270 also incorporates an integrated differential and an electro-mechanical parking brake. The motor and transmission were developed in-house and are made at Volkswagen’s components plant in Kassel, Germany. The average range is between 70 and 90 miles (112 and 144 km) and the maximum is 115 miles (184 km).

The e-Golf features two technologies that allow the driver to control the vehicle’s energy use: three driving profiles designed to preserve energy (“Normal”, “Eco”, and “Eco+”); and three different levels of regenerative braking (“D1”, “D2”, and “D3”/”B”).

2015 Volkswagen e-Golf - Engine

Outside the e-Golf features energy-efficient LED headlights, C-shaped LED DRLs and redesigned front bumper. There are no tailpipes, which is an obvious clue that this is an EV. Other features include badging and blue highlights on the VW logo as well as aerodynamically optimized 16” alloy wheels with low rolling resistance 205 tires.

Inside, the e-Golf comes in SEL Premium trim including a touchscreen navigation system; VW Car-Net connected services; Keyless entry with push-button start; heatable front seats; a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel; Bluetooth technology; V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces; available SiriusXM® Satellite Radio; a rear-view camera; and Park Distance Control. The interior is also enhanced by blue elements, including the decorative seams on the steering wheel and shifter, plus the floor-mat edgings.

Source: Volkswagen

May 13, 2014

BMW i8 Goes Into Production

BMW will put the 2015 i8 in production and first deliveries are expected sometime in June, this year. The sports hybrid car is already exceeding the planned production volume during ramp-up. Furthermore, the specifications of BMW i8 are improved.

The drivetrain includes a 1.5 liter TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. The overall power is 362HP (266 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft), which is enough for acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) – electronically limited.

The fuel consumption is sensational – 2.1 l / 100 km (134.5 mpg UK or 112 mpg US with CO2 emissions of 49 g/km. What is more, the 2015 i8 can go up to 37 km (23 miles) only on electricity with zero emissions.

The curb weight of the vehicle is extremely low, too considering the electric motor and the battery pack – 1,485 kg and a drag coefficient (Cd) for a sports car of 0.26.

Last, but not least are the optional BMW laser headlights scheduled for autumn 2014. The model will become the world’s first production car to offer this innovative lighting technology. BMW laser headlights are around 30 % more energy-efficient than the BMW i8’s standard LED headlights and provide considerably more powerful road illumination, with a range of up to 600 metres. Highly concentrated beams of light from high-performance laser diodes act on a fluorescent phosphor material inside the headlight, which projects a sharply focused beam of light onto the road. The laser headlights produce a light similar to natural daylight and are therefore always easy on the eye.

Source: BMW

March 11, 2014

2013 Nissan Altima – $21 500

2013 Nissan Altima Sedan Nissan has released full details for the 2013 Altima mid-size sedan. This is the 5^th generation of Altima, which is the second best-selling car in the United States, previous year.

The engine range includes a 2.5-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder with 185HP (136 kW), which returns up to 38mpg. There is also a powerful 3.5 liter V6 with 274HP (201 kW) capable of doing 30 mpg on the highway.

2013 Nissan Altima is offered in four 2.5-liter engine equipped models, 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SV and 2.5 SL, along with three 3.5-liter V6 equipped models, 3.5 S, 3.5 SV and 3.5 SL.

The standard equipment of 2.5 S includes a 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, Advanced Drive-Assist^TM Display, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, Nissan Intelligent Key®, six speakers, auto on/off headlights, in-cabin microfilter, Tire Pressure Monitoring System with individual tire pressure readouts. The 3.5 S adds 18” wheels and tires, plus paddle shifters with manual mode.

The Altime SV has Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control, Remote Engine Start System, leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum-alloy wheels, RearView Monitor, NissanConnectSM with Pandora® radio capability, SiriusXM^TM Satellite Radio, 5.0” color audio display, USB port with iPod® connectivity and Hands-Free Messaging Assistant.

The top-of-range SL includes leather upholstery, BOSE Premium Audio System with 9 speakers (including woofers), 8-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, heated outside mirrors, LED taillights, LED outside mirror turn signals, premium interior trim, power sliding moonroof, auto dimming rearview mirror, and HomeLink® Universal Transceiver.

Just three options packages are available: a Convenience Package (2.5 SV), Navigation Package (SV) and Technology Package (SL) – along with the optional Remote Start and Rear Spoiler.

2013 Nissan Altima is priced from just $21 500 for the entry level and the range-topping 3.5 SL CVT trim level will start at $30 080.

See the full press release below.

Source: Nissan

April 6, 2012

Toyota Prius+ for a Versatile Summer

This summer a new example of Toyota‘s hybrid know-how is coming to town…or Europe. It’s the Prius+ – Europe’s first full hybrid seven-seat MPV. Two trim levels will be available, the base T4 and T Spirit.

One can imagine for example, that in the UK, the sub-100 g/km of CO2 T4 version will be hugely popular as this will be the only MPV out on the streets with zero road tax and it can go in and out of London without paying a congestion charge. The T Spirit, which is kind of more equipped (17-inch wheels, 8, instead of 6, JBL speakrs, leather seats) spews out 101 g/km. Official figures for the fuel economy equal to 68.9mpg for the T4 and 64.2mpg for the T Spirit.

A pack of li-ion batteries lays within the center console so that no passenger or luggage space is compromised. Five separate folding rear seats are provided and with all of these in place there is 200 litres of luggage space. Remove the third row and you get 505 liters.

Both of the models get various goodies such as rear-view camera, Smart Entry and Start, climate control, electric windows and heated folding mirrors, panoramic roof with aoutmatic shade, rain sensing wipers, LED daytime running lights and more.

Quite a bundle considering the projected starting price of $41,578 for the T4. The T Spirit stands at $46,814 and it does not sound like a bargain.

Source: Toyota

April 5, 2012

JE Design Porsche Panamera 970

JE Design have been working on a Porsche recently and this is the end result – the JE Design Panamera 970. Judging by the pictures, we can’t decide whether they have made an ugly car even uglier or not. We do know however, that the power is up and when thundering down the road, bystanders do not pay attention to small details like aesthetics, right?

Performance upgrades for both, the Panamera Diesel and Panamera Turbo are available. The former is rather subtle but the one for the petrol restores the balance. The 3.0-liter, 250 horsepower diesel gets an ECU tweak that translates into an additional package of ponies (50 more) and some more torque (from 550 Nm to 650 Nm). That newfound power sheds .2 seconds off the 0 to 60 time which now stands at 6.5 seconds. On the flip side, the 4.8 bi-turbo petrol Panamera already has a dramatically more powerful engine – 500 horsepower in total to be exact. Add the ECU upgrade to that and you get 600. Torque is up from 700 to 850 Nm and the result is a 3.8 second 60 mph sprint. It all sounds like engine abuse but actually the packages are TUV certified and the owners get a one-year warranty with the option to extend it even further.

To match the performance, some aerodynamic OEM bits and pieces have been bolted on the outside. A new front bumper now channels more airflow into the intercooler and has some rather ostentatious LED daytime running lights. The sideskirts have a strange hollow design that culminates in rear air inlets. At the back, a rear spoiler is there to stay while the rear bumper has an integrated diffuser and an air outlet. All fits perfectly with the standard exhaust system but probably it wouldn’t hurt anyone to go with the JE Design cat-back exhaust system that has controllable valves on the petrol Panamera. Each of the four oval pipes at the back end are 100 mm in diameter.

The standard “Porsche Active Suspension Management” system tells the dampers how to behave has been preserved, but now an air-suspension from JE Design hunkers down the Panamera even lower. From 20 to 30 mm lower to be more precise. At the very least. with that lowered stance, the “Pandora” 9 and 10,5 x 22 wheels fill the wheel arches even more impressively. Tires, front and back – 265/295 wide and 30/25 thin, complete the overall JE Design feel.

JE Panamera 970 — JE Design Panamera 970

Source: JE Design

March 2, 2012

2013 Cadillac XTS Lighting – Luxury and Inspiration

The all-new 2013 Cadillac XTS luxury sedan boasts more than 20 separate light sources that “greet” the driver in a carefully choreographed sequence when the key fob is pressed. It includes embedded in the door handles, Cadillac-signature vertical LEDs in the headlights and taillights and ambient lighting in and around. The lighting provides convenience and helps provide additional security to drivers in parking lots at night. The interior also boasts cooler blue lights for the car’s controls and instrumentation, while warmer lights highlight passenger areas.

“The new LED offerings now provide a new palette of color to bring more dramatic lighting effects that have never been available before. We sketched each phase of the process to carefully choreograph how every important area inside and outside of the vehicle would come up and fade back down, similar to a production crew lighting a theater stage.” said Christos Roustemis, Cadillac interior designer.

“In cars, just as in architecture, lighting defines how we feel about a space. It is both artistry and user experience. For me, the beauty is in the blends, how you layer the affects, mix the light sources, and how you package it into the final product.” said Rosemarie Allaire, a California-based architectural lighting designer.

The 2013 XTS lighting choreography is timed to the fraction of a second by the car’s central control system. It is cued by various triggers, such as the key fob, the doors and ignition switch.

2013 Cadillac XTS Lighting

Source: GM

February 29, 2012

Kia with an All-new K9 Flagship Sedan in Korea

Kia promised a flagship sedan and they gave a flagship sedan… to Korea. These are the first images of the K9, which is set to go on sale some time this year. And yes, it will be actually called the K9 in Korea while the naming of the batch of cars that are going to go on sale overseas is yet to be done. Euorope won’t get any of that action though.

The K9 will be the first ever RWD Kia sedan and is said to be the ultimate in 2012 design, performance and technology. At the domestic market, the “K” range consists of K5 (widely known as the Optima) and K7 (Cadenza – not seen in Europe again).

One would be surprised for how many thing can the “K” in the range stand for – Kia, obviously, but also Korea and Kratos, apparently – it means dominion, rule and power (from Greek). Some also call it the “Kinetic” which is rather self explanatory.

So then, many names to live up to. Hopefully, the K9 holds something more than a mere “high-tech luxury sedan image”. So far we know that it has a “tiger-nose-radiator grille” and LED headlights at the front, simple lines throughout the body and LED again formations at the back, complemented by some chrome and some mufflers embedded in the rear bumper.

Source: Kia

February 29, 2012

Subaru BRZ in the UK

Subaru-BRZ-thumb In the UK, the Subaru BRZ will be equipped with a generous array of standard features. The company is pleased to know that on the island interest is brewing. The sole example of that is the fact that people there are preordering already, without even knowing the spec prices.

It is clear now however, that the top of the line BRZ‘s will come with 17-inch alloy wheels, a torque-sensing LSD, front, side, curtain and knee airbags, MP3 connectivity, dual-zone climate control and LED daytime running lights. The driver-focussed BRZ will also come with Subaru’s VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) that can be adapted to work with either a six-speed short-shift manual or a paddle-operated automatic transmission.

A lower-spec car will also become available later this year followed by an even more modest, stripped out version dedicated to those who would like to customize it in their own likes. It will also be ideal for track-day enthusiasts.

Six eye-catching colors will be available for the BRZ – Subaru’s trademark WR Blue Mica, Sterling Silver, Satin White, Crystal Black Silica, Dark Grey Metallic and San Remo Red.

The car is notable for its tremendous low gravity center courtesy to the 200PS 2.0-litre Boxer engine that sits well under the hood. Power-to-weight ratio is said to be 164PS per tonne which makes it powerful indeed but with the lightweight materials used in making it, the BRZ will also handle brilliantly.

Here is a quick list of the top-of-the line UK spec:

17-inch alloy wheels	USB and iPod connectivity
Torque-sensing LSD (Limited Slip Differential)	HID headlamps
VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and ABS	Front fog lamps
Front, side, curtain and knee airbags	LED daytime running lights
Cruise control system	Body-coloured, electric-folding, head door mirrors
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system	Leather seats
Radio CD player with six-speaker system	Heated front seats
Key-less entry with Push Button Start system	Leather steering wheel and gear knob

Source: Subaru

February 23, 2012

Afzal Kahn and Audi Q7

Afzal Kahn has always maintained that combining technical perfection with aesthetic brilliance is his true calling. Recently, in the arsenal of his arguments, he has added yet another example – the Kahn Q7 wide track.

A voluminous amount of exterior parts have been added to form the vision of Afzal Kahn – the front fenders are now with huge vents complemented by flaring wheel arches on both ends. The front bumper is also new with, again, more vents on it and gunmetal gray detailing. Sill plates in stainless steel complete the sides while a distinctive rear wing juts out from the top, back end. Things that feel a little bit excessive are the daytime running LED lights which sort of flood the headlights and also the liquid gold calipers. It’s a good thing that the provided Kahn RSX 22” wheels, with their complex spoke patterns, are not too reveling. As a rounding feature, Kahn design have also thrown in a stainless steel exhaust system with neat tailpipes hidden discreetly behind the new rear bumper.

The interior has also been restyled with strong contrasting accents – The dials the seats are wrapped in black quilted perforated nappa leather red stitched and with a red line across them. The rev counter and the speedo are both respectively colored in red and cream as if the dashboard is suffering from heterochromia. However, this is the place where usually the Kahn people offer unlimited versatility. A customer is free to choose from the widest spectrum of colors imaginable for both the exterior and interior.

Power will come from the standard Audi 3.0-liter TDI which sends 233 bhp trough an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The price for this model here is $96 995

Source: Kahn design

February 23, 2012

Maserati GranTurismo Sport Premiere at Geneva

Maserati plan to make a premiere of their new GranTurismo Sport at the 82^nd Geneva Motor Show this year. It will be a replacement for the current GranTurismo S. The thing is, the company wants us to think it’s new but what we actually have here is a restyled interior, a new bumper and a revisited engine.

Supposedly the new front bumper “optimizes” airflow even further by scooping larger amounts of air to cool the brakes and engine. The front lights employ a new style and house DRL LED lights to keep up with the competition while the taillights are a but faded. Interior changes have also been made – redesigned seats and a sporty steering wheel. We just hope that by sporty they mean less buttons and controls and more.. well.. steering wheel.

Most probably the most meaningful update is that of the 4.7l V8 which now develops 10 more (460 bhp) horsepower. It’s not groundbreaking but one can never have enough, right?

Source: Maserati

February 22, 2012

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