Best iPhone application: The new Audi RS 3 (Test drive)
Just in time for the exhibition debut of the AudiRS 3 Sportback at the Geneva Motor Show, a new app will arrive on March 3rd that allows all iPhone owners to take the new Audi model for a test drive.
With the free racing game for the iPhone called Asphalt AudiRS 3, players can choose between two tracks (Bahamas and Tokyo), both of which feature thrilling graphics.
The iPhone app, which is available from the Apple App Store, was designed in partnership with Gameloft. Gameloft is the world’s biggest developer and publisher of video games for mobile devices. The sixth edition of the Asphalt racing game series, which has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, has been available since December 2010.
Winning in the Asphalt AudiRS 3 game involves more than just driving over the finish line: with skilled driving maneuvers players can beat their competitors or explore hidden short cuts. “This is a way for our customers to get to know the new AudiRS 3 Sportback even before the official market launch,” said Lothar Korn, Head of Marketing Communications at Audi.
In the game, the youngest member of the AudiRS family can be controlled using the touch-screen or via tilt control, which the iPhone allows to be used as the steering wheel. Customized configuration of the car is also possible.
For people who want more than just virtual driving fun, there’s a link that leads to Audi’s mobile website as well as to a page with an overview of all Audi apps (www.audi.de/apps). From there, iPhone owners can download numerous other Audi apps.
In the Asphalt AudiRS 3 Contest players can climb their way to the top of a worldwide online list. In this international competition, the player with the fastest time after three rounds on the Bahamas track will win an Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro with the S line sports and exterior package, quattro drive, leather trim, xenon plus headlights and a BOSE sound system. The contest runs from March 3 to 16.
Starting March 3, the Asphalt AudiRS 3 iPhone racing game will be available worldwide at no cost from the Apple App Store in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese and Korean versions. After installing the program players can use all of the content of the app with an active Internet connection.
The game is designed for the iPhone, but also functions on an iPad and iPod touch.
The contest is being offered in Germany, Australia, Belgium, China, France, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada (except for Quebec), Mexico, the Netherlands, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, Spain, South Korea and the United States (including the District of Columbia). Participants must be of full legal age and possess a valid driver’s license.
Source: Audi USA
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In the 1950s in United States of America, California – someone invented a retractable fifth wheel to aid in parking – please see the video below and admire this genius.
The Opel Ampera is set to establish an entirely new segment in the European automotive market. Scheduled to enter the market later this year, the five-door, four-seat Ampera is designed to provide all the benefits of an electric vehicle while eliminating range anxiety.
The production version of the Ampera will make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show (March 3 – 13). Around 1,000 people across Europe have reserved an Ampera to date, with half of those being corporate customers.
The Ampera has already been chosen as the winner of numerous awards by media and the public. The revolutionary technical concept convinced the readers of Auto Zeitung, who awarded it the “Auto Trophy 2010” in the electric vehicle category. The Ampera was named runner up for the “Green Steering Wheel 2010”, a special category of the “Golden Steering Wheel”, by readers and the jury of Bild and Bild am Sonntag. And the respected jury of Auto Test magazine awarded it the “e-car award 2010” in the category “Innovation/Technical Concept of the Year”. The Ampera’s user-friendliness had already won the “Green Technology Award” from the British magazine What Car? and the “Innovation Trophy” from L’Automobile Magazine in France in 2009.
“Unlike a conventional electric vehicle, the Opel Ampera can be the only car you need to own,” says Alain Visser, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Opel. “The Ampera delivers it all: revolutionary propulsion, progressive styling, excellent safety, high quality and user-friendly functions, all combined with superb driving dynamics.”
Innovative technology for total cost from 42,900 euros
In contrast to other manufacturers, Opel offers the Ampera for a uniform price of 42,900 euros (RRP incl. VAT) throughout Europe. Because trim levels will differ from market to market, prices in each country may vary. Opel’s pricing scheme eliminates confusion by listing the total cost of the car and battery.
The production version of the Opel Ampera does not deviate from the targets set during the development phase. With its unique electric propulsion system providing lively acceleration, high levels of refinement and all the benefits of an electrically-powered vehicle, the five-door Ampera seats four passengers and offers ample trunk space.
Its striking design remains very close to that of the early concept cars. The Ampera carries the DNA of Opel’s new design language – a prominent grille, bold Opel badge and daring boomerang headlamps. Every element of the Ampera was designed and analyzed for efficiency, making the Ampera one of the most aerodynamic and energy-efficient vehicles on the market. Inside, the Ampera is packed with the content fitting for a ground-breaking vehicle, from Bose speakers to touch-screen monitors.
ePioneers and Katie Melua eagerly await start of sales
The Ampera is already electrifying a group of ePioneers across Europe. Around 400 pioneers have joined the www.opel-ampera.com community as potential customers. They receive exclusive information and services, they will be the first to take the Ampera for a test drive and enjoy a host of other benefits.
While the ePioneers are waiting for sales of the Ampera to start, they are sharing their opinions about the future of the automobile. More and more drivers are convinced that the future of man’s mobility is with electric vehicles. Thomas A. from Ebersbach, Germany is sure that “e-mobility is coming. The Ampera concept can manage it, because most excuses have to do with range.” The engineer Hans-Ulrich H. from Lindau, Germany is convinced that “electricity from renewable energy sources will define the world tomorrow.” A Greenpeace supporter is of the opinion that the Ampera is the logical complement to green electricity and the final link in closing the “ecological circuit”. And Ralph G. from Matlock, UK says, “Even though the development of alternative fuels still has a long way to go, it looks like the Ampera is the first practical step in the right direction.”
A lot of people and ePioneers agree with Opel brand ambassador Katie Melua, who is travelling in an Ampera on her European tour starting in March: “I like the way environmental protection and sustainability are realized in the Ampera, and the way this green car embodies emotion and a zest for life,” said the British singer in London.
Suitable for every kind of journey
The revolutionary Opel Ampera will be the first emission-free, electrically driven car in Europe suitable for everyday driving. Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Ampera eliminates range anxiety. It gives drivers the confidence and peace of mind that a depleted battery will not strand them.
The battery is recharged in about four hours at 230V by plugging the vehicle‘s on-board charge system into a standard household outlet. Because the battery can be recharged conveniently, without the need for special charging equipment, most Amperas are likely to be driven in battery mode all the time. Independent research shows that around 80 percent of Europeans drive less than 60 kilometers per day, so the Ampera easily meets their requirements. For the first 40 – 80 kilometers (depending on terrain, driving style, and temperature), power is supplied by the electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. While driving on electricity delivered by the battery, the Ampera moves free of gas and tailpipe-emissions. If a longer trip is required, the gasoline-fueled engine can seamlessly extend the total driving range to more than 500 kilometers on a full tank. This full-performance, range-extending technology makes the Ampera the first electric car with the everyday convenience of a conventional automobile.
Four Drive Modes from Hold-charge to Sports for efficiency and driving fun
The extremely quiet 111 kW/150 hp electric motor delivers 370 Newton meters torque from a standstill. It accelerates the Ampera from zero to 100 km/h in around nine seconds and enables a maximum speed of 161 km/h.
Via a “Drive Mode” button in the center stack, the driver can choose Normal, Sport, Mountain or City modes. These modes optimize energy management according to the prevailing driving and road conditions.
The Normal mode is the default setting for the Ampera and is expected to be used most of the time to provide maximum efficiency. When the energy level of the battery drops below its state-of-charge operating window, the Ampera enters extended-range operation, during which the gasoline engine automatically runs to sustain the charge and enable extended-range travel. The battery’s state-of-charge is sustained by regenerative braking, allowing the gasoline generator to rest during long downhill stretches.
The Sport mode automatically reconfigures the accelerator pedal to provide a quicker response. While Sport mode doesn’t provide a higher power output, it does provide a more sensitive reaction to driver inputs.
The Mountain mode automatically adjusts the system to provide necessary power in mountainous environments, when the performance of conventional electric vehicles could be compromised. Mountain mode enables the range-extender to switch on, before the battery reaches its minimum state-of-charge. Drivers should select this mode after a full charge or 10 to 15 minutes before entering mountainous terrain to enable full vehicle capability up sustained grades.
The Hold-charge mode adapts battery management to the demands of modern commuter travel. Selecting Hold-charge mode engages the range-extender immediately, saving the energy currently stored in the battery. When Hold-charge mode is switched off, the range-extender stops and the Ampera is then able to use the energy saved in the battery for pure electric driving, for example in urban areas or restricted zones.
Source: Opel
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Filmed at the Port of Los Angeles, expect non-stop motor sport eye-candy as Block hits the all-new course in a custom tuned, high performance, and brand-new Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Lightweight construction with continuity: Audi milestones Lightweight construction has long been a driving force at Audi. Development work on the ASF body began back in the early 1980s. Audi has been building cars with aluminum bodies since 1994 – with a high degree of continuity, in contrast to its competitors.
Audi Sport quattro (1984) The Sport quattro is a brand icon. Beginning in 1984, Audi built 214 units by hand in order to homologize its new competition car for the Rally World Championship. The five-cylinder turbo, which displaced just 2.1 liters, produced 225 kW (306 hp) in the street version, making it one of a small group of extreme sports cars at the time.
The Sport quattro had a wheelbase that was 32 centimeters (1.05 ft) shorter than that of the model on which it was based, the Ur-quattro (original quattro). 4.16 meters (13.65 ft) long, it weighed just 1,300 kilograms (2,866.01 lb) thanks to extreme lightweight construction. Only the bodyshell and the doors of the “Shorty,” the latter taken from the Audi 80, were made of steel sheet. The rear hatch was made of a polyester material.
Most of the body components – the front and rear fenders, the front skirt, the hood, the outer shells of the B- and C-pillars, the roof and the rear skirt – were made of a material developed specifically for the project. This was a resin laminate into which multiple woven elements of aramid and glass fiber were embedded. Audi developed many new technologies for working with this material, from presses to high-pressure water cutting to joining with screws, rivets and adhesive.
The aramid composite material achieved nearly the same torsional rigidity as conventional steel sheet, but was almost three times lighter. The weight of the body was reduced by 64.2 kilograms (141.54 lb). The hood was additionally reinforced with carbon fiber in the area cutout for the intercooler. It cost DM 3,500 as an individual part.
The Audi A8 (1994) Lightweight construction took on the rank of a strategic project at Audi in 1982. The objective meant reinventing the self-supporting body with a new material and a geometry specifically tailored to it.
The development work was extensive and resulted in 40 patents and patent applications in addition to broad-based fundamental expertise. In 1985, Audi presented the body of an Audi 100 made of aluminum but still using a traditional monocoque design. The concept sports cars from 1991, the Audi Avus quattro and the Audi quattro Spyder, also had skins of the light metal but underneath were still supporting frames.
The new technology was ready for series production in 1993, however. A shining silver showcar with an unpainted body of polished aluminum was on display at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The predecessor to the A8 bore the designation ASF, the abbreviation for Audi Space Frame.
The production model that debuted the following year was the world’s first large-volume production car with a self-supporting aluminum body. The superstructure of the A8 weighed just 249 kilograms (548.95 lb) and featured the same construction that is still used today. Panels accounted for most of its 336 individual components, followed by the sections and castings. Assembly was performed roughly 75 percent by hand.
The Audi A2 (2000) The Audi A2 was the second AudiASF model. Just 3.83 meters (12.57 ft) long, it boasted agile performance and amazing efficiency. The base model of the small van weighed only 895 kilograms (1,973.14 lb). The A2 1.2 TDI, the world’s first five-door three-liter car, weighed just 825 kilograms (1,818.81 lb). Its average fuel consumption of 2.99 liters/100 km (78.67 US mpg) remains unsurpassed today.
The key factor in this was the aluminum body, which tipped the scales at just 156 kilograms (343.92 lb). Designed for higher volumes than the A8, it used important refinements and new developments in the areas of tools, casting and joining processes. The number of individual parts was reduced to 238. The B-pillar, for instance, comprised a single large casting. The B-pillar of the luxury sedan was still assembled from eight components.
Aluminum panels also accounted for the greatest share of semi-finished components in the A2, followed by sections and castings. The underbody frame was made up of straight extruded sections that were joined directly together by means of MIG welding (MIG = metal inert gas), eliminating the nodes required in the A8. Three joining processes, including state-of-the-art laser welding, sufficed for assembly. The degree of automation reached roughly 85 percent.
The Audi TT (2006) The second generation of the TT features a groundbreaking Audi innovation – hybrid aluminum and steel construction. The front end, the floor and the superstructure of the compact sports car are made of aluminum, with deep drawn steel being used for the doors and the trunk lid. The rear section of the floor assembly, the tail panel and the bulkhead of the Roadster are made of high-strength steel. This material mix provides for an optimal distribution of axle loads and thus for dynamic handling.
The ASF body of the TT Coupé weighs in at 206 kilograms (454.15 lb); that of the TT Roadster at 251 kilograms (553.36 lb). Compared to the previous model with its steel body, the curb weight decreased by 20 to 90 kilograms (44.09 to 198.42 lb) depending on the model. Audi reversed the weight spiral. The material mix is dominated by aluminum, which accounts for 68 percent of the Coupé’s weight and 58 percent of the Roadster’s. In the TT Coupé, the aluminum fraction comprises 63 kilograms (138.89 lb) of panels, 45 kilograms (99.21 lb) of castings and 32 kilograms (70.55 lb) of extruded sections.
The ASF body of the Audi TT is the ideal solution for a sports car. Compared to the preceding model, static torsional rigidity increased by 50 percent in the Coupé and 100 percent in the Roadster. This lays the foundation for precise, dynamic handling, while also being responsible for the high vibrational comfort and superior crash safety. In 2006 Audi won the Euro Car Body Award, the world’s most important prize for innovative car body design, for the ASF body of the TT.
The Audi R8 (2007) The ASF body of the R8 set new standards. The body is unmatched in the high-performance sports car segment in terms of lightweight quality – the relationship between size, weight and rigidity.
Weighing 210 kilograms (462.97 lb), the superstructure of the R8 Coupé makes extensive use of extruded sections, which account for 70 percent of the total. Vacuum-cast nodes account for 8 percent, and aluminum panels make up the remaining 22 percent. A magnesium engine frame provides added rigidity in the upper section of the rear end. Custom tailored blanks reinforce the center tunnel. The individual panels vary in thickness depending on where they are used.
Plastic is used for the R8’s front fenders and the sill liners. The hood of the Coupé is made of composite materials; the side blades are optionally available in carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP).
In the R8 Spyder (body weight: 216 kilograms (476.20 lb)), profiles dominate the mix even more clearly than in the Coupé, accounting for 75 percent. The structure of the open high-performance sports car integrates the rear side walls and the cover of the storage compartment for the top as load-bearing CFRP components.
Audi reduced the weight of the exclusive, top-of-the-line R8 GT by 100 kilograms (220.46 lb) to 1,525 kilograms (3,362.05 lb). Made of CFRP, the rear trunk lid, the back bumper and the side blades account for 13.3 kilograms (29.32 lb) of this; the thin aluminum cover over the luggage compartment is good for an addition 2.6 kilograms (5.73 lb). Glazings of thinner glass or polycarbonate shave off nine kilograms (19.84 lb).
In the passenger compartment, lightweight carpeting and a seat frame of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic reduce the weight by 7.9 and 31.5 kilograms (17.42 and 69.45 lb), respectively.
The Audi A8 (2010) The third generation of the A8 once again features great advancements in the ASF principle. The material mix of the body, comprised of 251 individual parts, includes 13 different grades of aluminum. The superstructure also integrates ultra-high-strength B-pillars of hot-shaped steel – a groundbreaking step. The body of the sedan with the standard wheelbase weighs just 231 kilograms (509.27 lb); 10 kilograms (22.05 lb) more in the A8 L.
Besides the steel B-pillars, which account for 8 percent of the weight, aluminum castings and panels each account for 35 percent and extruded sections for 22 percent. The combined weight of the 25 castings, most of which are made of advanced alloys, is three kilograms (6.61 lb) less than with the previous model. Most of them are manufactured using the very high-precision vacuum casting process.
Audi has increased the strength of the higher-strength body components by as much as 25 percent, thereby reducing both material thickness and weight by up to 20 percent. The fusion alloy for the aluminum panels alone saves 6.5 kilograms (14.33 lb) of weight. Fifteen fusion panels are used for the load-bearing parts of the structure. The Euro Car Body Award that Audi received in late 2010 documents the innovation density of the A8 body.
The Audi A6 (2011) The bodies of the new Audi A6 and the A7 Sportback are also best-in-class. A hybrid steel-aluminum construction, they weigh roughly 15 percent less than a comparable all-steel body. They are made up of more than 20 percent aluminum, making them roughly 30 kilograms (66.14 lb) lighter than that of the previous A6 model.
The hybrid concept, in which the aluminum components are largely concentrated in the front end, improves the axle load distribution. Most importantly, though, it provides the basis for systematic lightweight construction. Depending on the version, the A6 weighs as much as 80 kilograms (176.37 lb) less than its predecessor. Audi has reversed the weight spiral yet again.
The crossbar in the engine compartment and the cross-members behind the front and rear bumpers are aluminum sections. The front strut domes are aluminum castings. The integral subframe behind the instrument panel, the rear shelf, the bulkhead to the trunk, the cross-member in the trunk, the front fenders, the doors, the hood and the trunk lid are made of aluminum panels. A new pretreatment process ensures that the steel and aluminum components can be painted in exactly the same way.
The passenger compartment of both the A6 and the A7 Sportback includes components made of hot-shaped steel. They can be found in the transition from the front section of the car to the passenger cell, in the A-pillars and the roof arch, as reinforcements for the center tunnel and the side sills, at the transition of the side sills to the rear section of the car, as cross-bracings in the floor panel and as B-pillars. In many zones, such as the bulkhead cross-connection, Audi uses tailored blanks. These are sheets of different thicknesses that have been rolled in some cases to different thicknesses.
In some areas, the steel components in the body already follow the ASF principle. The A6 and the A7 Sportback represent the gradual transition from the monocoque design to the new Multimaterial Space Frame (see separate section).
Experience lightweight construction – test cars at Tech Day The customer benefits directly from Audi’s lightweight construction – it makes the cars more efficient and more dynamic. These strengths can be experienced first hand in drives on the test track and on public highways at Tech Day.
Test 1: Audi A6 comparison Two Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro models – the outgoing model and the new successor model in a comparison test. Thanks to the systematic lightweight construction concept, the new sedan weighs up to 80 kilograms (176.37 lb) less than the predecessor model. The difference is clearly noticeable while driving. The new A6 seems a decisive tick sportier, more spontaneous and more agile in all criteria.
Test 2: Test drive with weight-optimized Audi TT An Audi TTS Coupé model with a range of weight-optimizing measured acts as a technology platform which is already geared toward the next generation of the model series. The 2.0 TFSI produces 200 kW (272 hp) as standard and delivers its power to the quattro drivetrain via a six-speed S tronic transmission.
With its hybrid body, the production model of the TTS is already unusually light with a curb weight of only 1,470 kilograms (3,240.80 lb). In the prototype, add-on parts of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular the special lightweight seats and other individual components, save another 80 kilograms (220.46 lb), an effect that is most noticeable in the increased lateral dynamics.
Special features can also be found in the passenger compartment. The driving modes of the S tronic on the prototype are selected using buttons. The rings of the scales in the instrument cluster are illuminated in white in D mode, red in the sporty S mode.
Test 3: Driving experience with the technology of the Audi quattro concept showcar An especially attractive technology platform can be experienced in the form of an Audi A5.
The lightweight 2.5 TFSI 5-cylinder turbocharged engine with 300 kW (408 hp), familiar from the quattro concept showcar, accelerates the test vehicle. The body of the is hand-built from aluminum components according to the ASF principle. Add-on parts such as the hood and the rear hatch are made of a carbon fiber composite material. Lightweight sport seats are installed up front. This one-off model weighs just 1,400 kilograms (3,086.47 lb).
Its power-to-weight ratio is 3.4 kilograms (8.16 lb) per hp, better than even that of the Audi RS 5, whose 4.2-liter V8 produces 331 kW (450 hp). The technology platform’s performance is awesome, when accelerating, when braking and especially when cornering.
The Audi quattro concept, of which a 1:4 scale model will be on display at Tech Day, is the ideal successor to the Audi Sport quattro from 1984. This is true for the compact length of 4.28 meters (14.04 ft), for the powerplant – a five-cylinder turbo with 300 kW (408 hp) – and for the low weight of around 1,300 kilograms (2,866.01 lb). Each hp only has to move 3.2 kilograms (7.05 lb) of weight, leading to exhilarating performance.
The quattro concept catapults from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 3.9 seconds.
Unlike the 1980s classic, the Audi quattro concept has a body of aluminum. This is assembled in typical ASF fashion from extruded sections, pressure diecast components and aluminum panels.
The bodyshell weighs only 159 kilograms (350.53 lb), around 40 percent less than a comparable body made of steel sheet. The hood, the rear hatch and the moveable spoiler are made of a carbon fiber-reinforced composite.
SOURCE Audi of America
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Focus Electric Test Rides at Auto Show Provide Ford Engineers with Valuable Data
The “Living Electric” display at the 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) wasn##Q##t just an opportunity for visitors to ride in an electric vehicle – it also was a time for Ford engineers to learn more about the all-new Focus Electric.
“This was a win-win situation. While customers were able to learn about how an electric vehicle works and rides, we could pull up data and find out more about the Focus Electric they were in at the very same time,” said Shawn Lightner, Ford global electrified products program manager. “We thought this would be a perfect opportunity to discover even more about how the cars perform using the data acquisition technology employed on other development vehicles.”
An onboard data acquisition system was connected to the car computer, where critical information of what was happening while the vehicle was running or charging could be transmitted. Ford engineers were then able to go online and pull up data via a website to monitor information about the vehicle, while customers were riding in it.
“The Ford engineering team was able to capture and gain insight on how the batteries were performing from charging to depletion, the range the Focus Electric was getting per charge, as well as data on how the car was doing overall,” explained Lightner.
At the Living Electric display on the Ford stand, more than 10,000 NAIAS visitors took a ride in a Focus Electric on an elevated track 20 feet high, 208 feet in length and 71 feet in diameter. Hands-on technology displays, digital tutorials and conversations with experts also helped people learn how different types of electrified vehicles will fit various lifestyles.
The all-new Focus Electric – Ford##Q##s first-ever all-electric passenger car – is a zero-emissions, gasoline-free version of the company##Q##s popular global Focus model. Focus Electric is designed to offer enough range to cover the majority of daily driving habits of Americans. A full recharge is expected to take three to four hours at home with the 240-volt charge station.
Focus Electric introduces new features and technologies – including a unique version of the MyFord Touch™ driver connect system especially for electric vehicles, a new value charging feature powered by Microsoft and a smartphone app called MyFord Mobile that helps plug-in owners control their vehicles remotely.
Electrification is an important piece of Ford##Q##s overall product sustainability strategy. Ford##Q##s aggressive strategy includes the launch of five new electrified vehicles in North America by 2012 and Europe by 2013. In addition to Focus Electric, Ford launched the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van in 2010 and will introduce C-MAX Hybrid, a second next-generation lithium-ion battery hybrid and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid in 2012.
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
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Chrysler Group LLC Unveils 16 New and Improved Vehicles at the St. Louis Auto Show
The Chrysler Group display at the America##Q##s Center has been completely transformed with 16 all-new and/or redesigned products from the company##Q##s Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram Truck brands arriving for the first time at the 2011 St. Louis Auto Show.
“Over the past two years, the product and design teams at Chrysler Group have been working diligently to update our line-up and today the final products are arriving at the St. Louis Auto Show and in dealerships across the greater St. Louis area,” said Jeff Kommor, director of Chrysler Midwest Business Center.
This year auto show goers will have a chance to interact and experience the new designs, interior refinements and improved efficiency of vehicles like the award winning 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango, both finalists for the 2011 North American Truck of the Year.
Fresh from its North American International Auto Show debut, the all-new Chrysler 300 and new Jeep Compass will be seen for the first time outside Detroit.
“St. Louis is an important market for Chrysler Group and we sincerely hope that customers will take the time to experience all of our great new products at the show. I am confident that they will be impressed with how far we##Q##ve come and the amazing value we have to offer,” said Kommor.
by NAIAS
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Audi is the automobile industry’s worldwide pioneer in lightweight construction. Created nearly three decades ago, the Audi Sport quattro had a body in which aramid fiber-reinforced plastic replaced many sheet metal components.
The first Audi A8 featuring the Audi Space Frame (ASF) rolled off the assembly line in 1994. Since then, the brand has continuously produced lightweight cars with aluminum bodies, periodically setting new highlights along the way.
Today Audi is reversing the weight spiral with its production models. Depending on the engine, the TT weighs as much as 90 kilograms (144.84 lb) less than its predecessor; the new A6 up to 80 kilograms (128.75 lb) less. The Audi R8 GT high-performance sports car tips the scales at just 1,525 kilograms (2,454.25 lb), and that includes its quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.
The test cars that Audi is making available for Tech Day allow these strengths to be experienced first hand in direct comparisons between models with different weights.
One particularly intriguing vehicle is the weight-optimized Audi A5 with its fascinating five-cylinder engine. It is a technology platform for the showcar, the Audi quattro concept.
Source: Audi USA (Audi News)
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The Russians have imagination and talent. This is the conclusion I drew admiring the pictures below. Step by step is shown how they built a new car in a garage starting from a very old car.
And I do not think you can do something like this But you can admire the new car.
You have to appreciate his talent. The design of this car is a futuristic one. The car contains evidence of modern technology and the future design and classical combined.
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata continues to establish itself as the new standard for midsize sedans as it was named the inaugural recipient of the “Family Vehicle of the Year” award by the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).
The Sonata beat out top competitors, including the 2010 Audi A3 TDI, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 2011 Honda Odyssey, 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2011 Kia Optima, 2010 Kia Sorento, 2011 Kia Sportage, and the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi.
“A family car is an important purchase as it needs to serve families reliably and at a reasonable price. MAMA members pooled their collective knowledge and experience to pick the best family vehicle from a strong group of recent releases, and the Hyundai Sonata came out on top,” said award coordinator Kirk Bell.
MAMA is a group of automotive journalists that created the award to help consumers make informed decisions about which car is the best choice for their family. To qualify for the MAMA “Family Vehicle of the Year,” vehicles must have four doors, start at less than $50,000, appear at either the MAMA spring or fall rally, and be new or significantly updated since the summer of 2010. During the MAMA rallies, a total of 75 automotive journalists voted for his or her top choices for the award, and the Sonata was the clear winner.
“The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a game-changing midsize sedan with a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine lineup and fluidic sculpture design,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America.
“The MAMA ##Q##Family Vehicle of the Year##Q## award demonstrates its appeal to families due to its advanced safety technology, large interior and cargo space, plus numerous high-tech options.”
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata features some of the most advanced technological options, such as a navigation system with voice activation and an interactive touch screen as well as XM NavTraffic(r) and XM Data Services, integrated Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a HomeLink transceiver.
With many safety features, including Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, and Anti-lock Braking System, Sonata was also the first midsize car to receive a five-star crash test rating under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration##Q##s new, more stringent 2011 system and an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick honor, placing it in a safety position unsurpassed in the industry.
The U.S. Army booth at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show will highlight two hybrid powered combat vehicles that offer both fuel economy and stealth.
The Quantum Technologies Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle (CERV) and the Future Tactical Truck System (FTTS) represent the Army initiative to provide next generation Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and high performance light duty off-road hybrid trucks.
The CERV’s target mission, according to Quantum, “would be related to special operations-type missions involving reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting, search and rescue and assist with field rescue operations.”
Features of the CERV include the 2nd generation advanced all-wheel-drive diesel hybrid electrical power-train that produces 5,000 foot-pounds of torque. With hybrid technology, designers say the vehicle reduces fuel consumption by 25 percent thus reducing the number of resupply vehicles needed during military operations.
It has the capacity to carry three soldiers with gear, boasts a 600-mile driving range utilizing the external fuel tanks, incorporates a polycarbonate windshield and includes an onboard electrical winch capable of pulling 10,000 lbs. The CERV has a top speed of 80 miles-an-hour, can climb up to 60 percent grades, has the capacity to forge water up to 21 inches deep, has a turning capacity of 30 feet and has a maximum towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs.
The FTTS was designed, according to engineers, to replace the existing wheeled vehicle fleet that proved unable to keep up with current combat operational tempo due to its cumbersome logistical footprint, poor C-130 deployability and poor fuel economy.
Foremost in the design of the FTTS was fuel efficiency, since experts determined that 70 percent of the battlefield logistics involves providing fuel. Fuel can cost run from $30 per gallon when delivered by truck and up to $400 a gallon when delivered by helicopters. The FTTS’s hybrid electric power-train doubles the driving range of existing vehicles from 300 to 600 miles. The new trucks would also decrease the number of vehicles required to move cargo, equipment and personnel. Fewer trucks also translates to fewer mechanics needed and fewer tools required since the advanced software and sensors of the FTTS greatly enhances its reliability.
Chrysler Group LLC today announced the new 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible will make its worldwide auto show debut at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, starting with the media days on February 9th. Consumers can check out the new convertible February 11 – 20 at McCormick Place, the home of the 103rd edition of the Chicago Auto Show.
Redesigned, re-engineered, re-packaged and re-priced for 2011, the Chrysler 200 Convertible offers consumers an open-air driving experience featuring elegant craftsmanship inside and out, a fun, yet refined driving experience, innovative technology, every available safety feature as standard equipment and a revised model lineup featuring an extraordinary level of standard content. The 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible is an exciting alternative for customers who want the benefits of a coupe and the true open-air freedom of a convertible, all at a remarkable value.
“The coming out of the stylish new 200 Convertible at the Chicago Auto Show completes the brand transformation in conjunction with the largest consumer auto show in the country,” said Olivier Francois, CEO — Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The 200 Convertible is the fourth new vehicle introduced in the last three months coming on the heels of the debuts of the new 2011 Chrysler 200 sedan and 2011 Town & Country minivan in Los Angeles and the introduction of the all-new flagship Chrysler 300 in Detroit. Starting in Chicago, the entire Chrysler product lineup is new for 2011.”
With a stylish new exterior design, refined ride and handling characteristics complements of an upgraded suspension, an efficient new powertrain, safety features that are all standard on every model, and a beautifully crafted all-new interior, the 200 Convertible stands alone in the segment for customers who crave the wind in their hair and sun on their face but still want to comfortably seat four adults. The new 200 Convertible is available with the choice of two power automatically latching tops, a body-color-painted steel retractable hard top, or a cloth soft top, both of which can drop with the press of a button on the key fob.
The all-new interior for 2011 allows customers to step into a level of craftsmanship, content and comfort that is world-class. Innovative features including an available media center with voice command that is easy to use and offers SIRIUS Satellite Radio, a 30 gigabyte HDD/CD/DVD/MP3 radio with SIRIUS Travel Link, which provides real-time information, keeping driver and passengers connected and making the drive something to look forward to.
Virtually every part of the suspension on the new 200 Convertible has been retuned or redesigned for 2011, including 22 of 28 suspension bushings, providing drivers a fun, confident, handling performance in all driving situations, whether it’s commuting to work or a weekend adventure on scenic roads.
A new and improved powertrain lineup also contributes to the new 200 Convertible’s driving experience. The 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible is available with the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine which provides an exhilarating driving experience that offers customers the best of both worlds – outstanding V-6 horsepower and exceptional fuel economy. The 200 convertible also is available with the proven 2.4-liter I4 World Gas Engine. Both engines are mated to a six-speed transmission.
With a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $27,195 (including $750 destination) the 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible will be available in three different configurations in the United States – the Chrysler 200 Convertible Touring model, 200 Convertible Limited model and the 200 Convertible S (late availability) model. All are packed with style, safety, innovative features and a dynamic, open-air driving experience at a surprising value.
Source: Chicago Auto Show
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Audi social media discusses the 2011 TTRS with Audi Product Manager Mark Fruechtnicht. Watch as questions submitted via Facebook and Twitter are answered in front of the TTRS on display at the Chicago Auto Show.
The economy is rough, but that##Q##s not stopping McLaren from rolling out a new high-end, carbon fiber consumer sports car, the MP4-12C. Please see the performance & road test review for the latest McLaren supercar:
McLaren MP4-12C OFFICIAL PERFORMANCE Road test Through a combination of carbon fibre expertise, innovative Formula 1-inspired technologies and development programmes, and a desire to launch a range of ##Q##pure McLaren##Q## road cars, the groundbreaking new McLaren MP4-12C has redefined high-performance sports car benchmarks
McLaren MP4-12C PROTOTYPE Road test McLaren Automotive and Jenson Button present the new McLaren MP4-12C for test driving to international media in January 2011
The new car market in the US experienced a gradual recovery in 2010 according to the latest figures supplied by the world’s leading provider of automotive intelligence, JATO Dynamics.
Overall, 1.17 million more new cars and trucks were bought in the US in 2010, than in 2009, with 11.6 million in total sales. This 11.2% growth was helped by a significant improvement in domestic brands with Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, GMC and Chrysler experiencing increases, 21.6%, 17.4%, 14.7%, 34%, 11.5%, respectively.
Toyota appears to have halted the dramatic decline it experienced in 2009 when sales fell by 18.2%. While total sales were down by 0.5% it managed to retain the number one spot for cars sold in 2010.
Toyota appears to have halted the dramatic decline it experienced in 2009 when sales fell by 18.2%. While total sales were down by 0.5% it managed to retain the number one spot for cars sold in 2010.
Dave Mitchell, Head of Business Intelligence, JATO Dynamics, said: “The gradual economic recovery is good news for the US car industry and although imported brands still dominate as vehicles of choice for small and mid-range cars, domestic brands have seen an increase in sales for both cars and trucks towards the end of 2010.”
The top five models for 2010 were imported brands from Toyota, Honda and Nissan, and the year’s best selling car was the Toyota Camry, even though its sales fell by 8.1% vs. 2009. The sales of the second best selling car, the Honda Accord, increased by 7.4% and ended 2010 with 311,381 units sold.
Despite a strong sales performance in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in Q4 2010, annual figures show that overall sales in the region declined last year, according to the latest figures from the world’s leading provider of automotive intelligence, JATO Dynamics.
A total of 880,043 units were sold in CEE in 2010 compared to 925,770 in 2009, a decline of 4.9%. This is in contrast to a positive final quarter of 2010 for the region that saw sales increase by 9.3% and all of the top ten brands, apart from Fiat, experienced growth.
A number of markets experienced double-digit sales falls in 2010 with Hungary (-27.9%), Romania (-18.3%) and Slovakia (-22.6%) amongst the worst affected. In terms of growth, Latvia experienced the most positive 2010, with a sales increase of 18.6%.
“The strong performance of these markets in Q4 can be largely attributed to consumers purchasing ahead of expected local taxation changes to be effected in 2011, for example the implementation of new CO2 related taxation, abolition of taxation relief from the next year, and the promotional efforts of the importers, although these improvements must be viewed in the context of very low sales in Q4 2009,” said Evangelos Hadjistavrou, Regional General Manager, JATO Dynamics.
Follow your dream route with Samsung GALAXY smartphone! GALAXY Ace, GALAXY Fit, GALAXY Gio and GALAXY mini are ready to satisfy various lifestyles, car routes and drive sensations…
The long-wheelbase high-security version of the A8 meets the strictest guidelines in force for civilian vehicles, with a host of special security features available in addition to its heavy armoring.
At sales launch Audi will offer the W12 engine, with another unit to follow in 2012. Both engines combine superior power with high efficiency.
At 5.27 meters (17.29 ft) in length, the Audi A8 L Security is a large, representative luxury sedan, hardly distinguishable to the eye from the production version. The LED headlights, which use light-emitting diodes for all functions, lend a striking expression to its front. They are part of the standard package in the A8 L Security W12.
When developing the basic design for the A8 model line, Audi engineers already had the high-security version in mind from the very outset. The result is a totally integrated concept far superior to any retrofit solution currently available on the market. All of the major components were analyzed with regard to their deformation properties, giving the A8 L Security an excellent crash performance that is also mindful of the other party involved.
The armored sedan’s custom security modifications are performed by hand in a small, well-guarded workshop – on a production floor with specially secured doors, where the use of cellular phones is strictly prohibited. The basis for the high-security car is a previously modified aluminum production body constructed at the Neckarsulm plant as per the Audi Space Frame (ASF) principle. Specially trained technicians put in roughly 450 hours of work to incorporate the security features – in the uncompromisingly high quality Audi is known for. When this stage of the process is complete, the car returns to the factory for final assembly.
The A8 L Security has been officially certified by a German-government ballistics testing facility in Munich for compliance with the class VR 7 ballistic protection standard (tested as per BRV 2009 guidelines). The abbreviation BRV stands for Bullet Resistant Vehicles. The car’s resistance to explosions was tested as per ERV 2010 guidelines (ERV = Explosion Resistant Vehicles). Class VR 7 ballistic protection imposes the strictest standards on civilian high-security sedans. The sheet metal and glazing in the passenger cell must withstand firing with NATO hard-core ammunition. In certain areas, the armoring on the Audi A8 L Security even complies with the criteria for class VR 9 and VR 10.
Integrated as a unitized component of the body, the high-security sedan’s safety cell features a convergence of extremely tough, resistant materials – hot-formed armored steel, aramide fabric, ceramics, special alloyed aluminum and multilayer glass. Overlapping protective materials at the joints provide the utmost level of security throughout the occupant cell. The interior armoring weighs approximately 720 kilograms (1,587.33 lb).
The aluminum side sills have solid steel sections built in. These provide increased protection against explosive weapons – an area that has seen a marked stiffening of requirements in recent years. Made of an innovative aluminum alloy, the car’s armored floor serves the same purpose. The Audi A8 L Security is capable of withstanding an attack with a military hand grenade.
Even an explosive charge defined from the test program does not pose a lethal threat to passengers, as demonstrated by measurements taken during testing on dummies.
The side windows, windshield and rear window are all made of special glass with a polycarbonate coating in the inside to prevent spalling. Optional electromechanical window openers operate the side windows, allowing them to be lowered nearly all the way.
The excess weight of the windows amounts to just over 300 kilograms (661.39 lb). A closing assist feature comes standard for the doors – which weigh an additional 360 kilograms (793.66 lb) altogether. A door-stop function holds each door open in any desired position.
A key area in the A8 L Security is the “communication box” in the luggage compartment. In addition to the control units for the vehicle and communications electronics, it holds the optional components that further enhance the passengers’ safety, along with the additional battery. The heavily armored communication box is novel in another way: It has comparatively light ceramic doors, and its frames are made of aluminum. Customers can also request special protection for the battery and the fuel tank.
A standard two-way communication system allows passengers in the A8 L Security to communicate with the outside world when the windows are closed. The system makes use of a speaker in the single-frame grille as well as microphones for the cabin and exterior.
Despite the high level of security it offers, the A8 L Security is a relatively light armored car. As is always the case in an Audi, the lightweight design plays a central role here. Outfitted with the W12 engine, the A8 L Security is the lightest vehicle among its peers.
Welcome to my blog for auto news and news about cars. Let##Q##s try together to build a beginner##Q##s driver guide. I will try to present the car as a start, how to change gears, when changing the gears and how to drive efficient.
Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a land vehicle, such as a car, truck or bus.
Driving in traffic is more than just knowing how to operate the mechanisms which control the vehicle; it requires knowing how to apply the rules of the road (which govern safe and efficient sharing with other users). An effective driver also has an intuitive understanding of the basics of vehicle handling and can drive responsibly.
Car drivers are almost universally required to take lessons with an approved instructor and pass a driving test before being granted a license. Almost all countries allow all adults with good vision to apply to take a driving test and, if successful, to drive on public roads.
Right-hand versus left-hand traffic drive
1. Left-hand traffic drive – All traffic is generally required to keep left unless overtaking. – Oncoming traffic is seen coming from the right. – Right-turning traffic must cross oncoming traffic. – Most traffic signs facing motorists are on the left side of the road. – Traffic on roundabouts (traffic circles or rotaries) goes clockwise. – Pedestrians crossing a two-way road look first for traffic from their right
2. Right-hand traffic drive – All traffic is generally required to keep right unless overtaking. – Oncoming traffic is seen coming from the left. – Left-turning traffic must cross oncoming traffic. – Most traffic signs facing motorists are on the right side of the road. – Traffic on roundabouts (traffic circles or rotaries) goes anticlockwise. – Pedestrians crossing a two-way road look first for traffic from their left. – The lane designated for normal driving and turning right is on the right. – Most dual carriageway (divided highway) exits are on the right
Driver##Q##s education or driver##Q##s ed is a formal class or program that prepares a new driver to obtain a learner##Q##s permit or driver##Q##s license. It may take place in a classroom, in a vehicle, online, or a combination of the above. Topics of instruction include traffic code or laws and vehicle operation.
Typically, instruction will warn of dangerous conditions in driving such as road conditions, driver impairments, and hazardous weather. Instructional videos may also be shown, demonstrating proper driving strategies and the consequences for not observing the rules.
The term driver##Q##s ed is one that is typically used in the United States, and other countries often have other terms for a driving test or examination.
Obtaining a driving license Successful completion of a driver education course is required by many state agencies before young drivers receive their driver license or learner##Q##s permit.
In some states students taking driver##Q##s education have the opportunity to receive a waiver for successful course completion which allows them to receive a learner##Q##s permit or driver##Q##s license without taking some of the tests.
A driver##Q##s license/licence or driving licence is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorbike, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway.
Learn How To Drive The first thing you will need is a vehicle
0. For most vehicles, you will need to take the key that came with the vehicle, or a copy, and insert it into the ignition 1. Try to get on level ground. Put your seatbelt on once you get in. While learning, it##Q##s better to roll down the windows. This helps to better hear the engine sound and adjust the gear shifts accordingly. 2. Identify the pedals. In a manual car, there are three. 3. Learn what the clutch does: 4. Adjust the seat position forward enough to allow you to press the clutch pedal (the left pedal, next to the brake pedal) fully to the floor with your left foot. 5. Press the clutch pedal and hold it to the floor. 6. Move the gear shift to neutral. 7. Start the engine with the key, making sure to keep the clutch pedal held to the floor 8. Press the clutch to the floor again and move the gear shift to first gear. 9. Slowly lift your foot up from the clutch pedal until you hear the engine speed begin to drop, then push it back in. 10. In order to get moving, lift your foot up from the clutch pedal until the RPMs (revs) drop slightly and apply light pressure to the accelerator. Balance the light downward pressure on the accelerator with slowly releasing pressure on the clutch pedal. You will probably have to do this several times to find the right combination of pressure up and down. Another way of doing it is to release the clutch until the moment during which the engine revs down a little and then applying pressure on the accelerator. At this point the car will start to move. It is best to have the engine rev just enough to prevent stalling as the clutch pedal is let up. This process may be a little difficult at first because you are new to the 3 pedals in manual. Always be ready to pull the hand brake to stop in emergency till you have learned. 11. When driving, when your RPM reaches about 3000 to 4000, it is time to shift into second gear.
Now, check a video that teaches how to drive a manual transmission.
How to change gear
Manual Transmission Driving: Learn How To Use A Stick Shift Learn about the manual transmission and how to drive a stick shift in this free online video lesson.
Traffic Safety Facts
Traffic Safety Facts — powered by eHow.com
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LUXGEN Motors, is a Taiwanese automaker, that initially was a private brand announced by Yulon on January 6, 2009. The name “Luxgen” is formed by combining “Luxury” and “Genius”.
The company##Q##s slogan is “Think Ahead”.
Luxgen also plans to launch the brand in China and manufacture Luxgen vehicles in Hangzhou, China in late 2010 – The first product is an MPV called the Luxgen7 MPV. It was officially shown to the public on August 19, 2009, and hit showrooms on 9/19/2009. The second product, the Luxgen7 SUV, was revealed in Xindian on 12/4/09.
Sales began well, with the Luxgen brand seventh place in the Taiwanese market after its first year, with August 2010 sales only ten cars behind fifth placed Ford Lio Ho.
Both cars are powered by a 2.2L I-4 MEFI turbocharged engine developed by ChungHwa Engine Corp. and tuned by Delphi. The turbocharger is supplied by Garrett and powers the engine up to 175 PS (129 kW; 173 hp) and 28 kg·m (270 N·m; 200 lb·ft) of torque from 2,500 to 4,000 rpm.
The 5-speed Automatic transmission is supplied by Aisin. Pricing for the MPV starts at NT$798,000 up to NT$1,068,000, and NT$838,000-NT$1,148,000 for the SUV. ABS, EBD, BAS and the Think+ Multi-purpose system(slightly different by trim level) are all standard equipment. The targeted competitor is the Toyota Previa.
Only a year and a half old Luxgen offers two car models.
FEATURES: For safety, the SUV is equipped with 6 airbags, ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distributiion (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Track Control System (TSC) and Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS).
Furthermore, to help the working drivers, also installed “Eagle View +” 360 degrees to monitor around the car as far as 2 meters. Eagle View starts automatically when the car drove under 20 kpj.
Also the control panel called “Think +” that shows the atmosphere around the car and daspat used to help determine the distance when parking. Also there is “Think + Screen” is activated when the driver turns the light switch. The part that is included in “blind spot” will be aired.
Moreover, “Night Vision” can highlight up to 100 meters to the front with a width of 4 meters and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) LDWS + active automatically when sliding at speed of 60 kpj.
This last feature will tell the driver when sliding on the road dividing line (yellow).
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Just how smooth is the newly paved surface at Daytona International Speedway? Freddie the goldfish took it for a spin recently, and things went swimmingly.
The Audi A7 Sportback has scored a big victory: the five-door coupé has been selected the winner of the “Auto Bild” Design Summit.
A distinguished jury panel evaluated the design of a total of ten new cars. The result: the AudiA7 Sportback was voted number one by a wide margin for its outstanding design.
Recognized design experts such as James Kelly, who heads the Transportation Design department at Pforzheim University, expressed high praise for the large coupé. “The design of the AudiA7 Sportback was the best in the group by far,” Kelly said. “The low tail section is especially impressive! I’d buy it immediately.” Othmar Wickenheiser, professor of Transportation Design at the Munich University of Applied Sciences, also praised the car’s styling: “An absolutely harmonious design concept. Unembellished flanks, sinewy shoulders, streamlined sides – perfect.”
Well-known architect and design critic Hans-Ulrich von Mende and Prof. Paolo Tumminelli of the International School of Design in Cologne selected the AudiA7 Sportback the winner in a list of categories including proportions, styling, innovation, haptics and quality.
“We are extremely pleased with this achievement – to be selected by a jury of such experts in the field of design,” said Stefan Sielaff, Head of Audi Design. “The award confirms the outstanding position of the AudiA7 Sportback within the competitive field, and the excellent response from our customers confirms the appeal of this car.”
With aesthetic athletics and elegance on a grand scale, Audi again emphasizes design with the A7 Sportback.
The five-door coupé measures 4.97 meters (16.31 ft) long and 1.91 meters (6.27 ft) wide, but just 1.42 meters (4.66 ft) high. Its long hood, sporty, flowing C-pillars and the steep drop of the rear section present a dynamic overall image.
The interior is also a testament to the meticulous attention to detail that Audi puts into building cars; the quality of the craftsmanship is on a par with fine handcrafted goods. The senses are pampered with high quality new materials including veneers made with a laminated-wood technique; options include ambient lighting that highlights the interior.
Options available for the front seat include ventilation and massage features. Another option allows the contours of the lateral support in the seat and backrest to be individually adjusted.
Audi delivers the A7 Sportback with one of four powerful and cultivated V6 engines – two gasoline-powered and two diesel-powered. They have a capacity of between 150 kW (204 hp) and 220 kW (300 hp), and their efficiency sets the standard in this class of vehicle.
The new 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp), which will be available for order at a later date, and the multitronic transmission use an average of just 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (44.38 mpg) – the CO2 emissions of just 139 grams per km (223.70 g/mile) is groundbreaking. All engines work with a recuperation system, thermal management and a start-stop system.
Source Audi USA
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Audi A6 allroad quattro tops in the “Crossover” category
Readers of OFF ROAD magazine have selected the Audi A6 allroad quattro as the best model in the “Crossover” category.
The Audi Q5 came third in the “SUV” category. The awards were presented last night in Munich.
In the survey of readers, the Audi A6 allroad quattro took first place in the “Crossover” category. The A6 allroad quattro is spacious, luxurious, distinctive and versatile.
It offers excellent dynamic power and handling – in both on-road and off-road conditions.
The Audi Q5 also found favor among the magazine’s readers, taking third place in the “SUV” category. The Q5 combines the dynamics of a sporty sedan with a highly variable interior space. The midsize SUV is the perfect car for active types in all kinds of situations – from business or sports to leisure and family driving.
With 53,648 votes cast this year, OFF ROAD readers selected from 101 models in eight categories. Mischa Ehlers, Head of Product Marketing, Germany at AUDI AG, accepted the awards last night in Munich.
Smaller than the Corsa, Allegra wants to enter in force on the mini-sized market.
Opel Allegra will be released in 2012 and will cost ~8,000 euros in Europe. Will beat with Opel Mini Fiat 500, Ford Ka, Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto.
The model will be officially presented will tell a different design sources quoted by Italian journalists. Mini Opel will borrow design elements from the Opel Insignia and other family cars of the German constructor.
There are rumors that besides the traditional fuel models, Opel will also launch an electric version of the model Allegra.
A mall in Los Angeles offers an ingenious service to its customers. It helps to find their car if they forgot where they parked.
Thanks to surveillance cameras, customers can easily find their car.
Just type the number plate on a monitor called “parkassist”. The screen image will show both the machine and is the exact parking place.
A digital camera network that can cover every parking space within a car park has been developed by Park Assist, one of the world’s leading companies involved in parking guidance, reporting and enforcement – see it on action.
Superior handling, commanding traction and characteristic styling are key contributors to the stand-out position the BMW X5 and BMW X6 models enjoy among the premium all-wheel-drive vehicles of their segment.
Spring 2011 sees the introduction of specific additions to the range of special options to ratchet up the appeal even further. Among other features, new 20-inch light-alloy wheel rims are available for both models, while the choice of BMW ConnectedDrive technology has been augmented by the innovative BMW Apps feature.
Meanwhile, a three-seater rear seat option making its debut in April 2011 adds greater flexibility to the usage of the interior of the BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupé, which started out as a four-seater model.
The new rear-seat variant is available for all BMW X6 models with the exception of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, and can also be ordered for the BMW X6 M. The extra seat replaces the storage unit in the rear centre of the four-seater model.
The five-seater Sports Activity Coupé is also optionally available in Nevada and Exclusive Nappa leather as well as BMW Individual Merino leather, encompassing the entire colour range. Another novelty is the operation of the standard eight-speed Sport automatic transmission.
In future, the BMW X6 will feature shift paddles on the steering wheel whose operating logic follows the principle familiar from BMW M cars: for manual shifting of the eight-speed Sport automatic transmission, the right paddle is used for upshifts and the left for downshifts.
For the BMW X5 and BMW X6 alike, the choice of alloy wheels has been extended by a further option that positively enhances both the car’s dynamic cornering behaviour and its appearance. The 20-inch wheels in Y-spoke design and with a Black high gloss finish are combined with mixed tyres measuring 275/40 R 20 at the front and 315/35 R 20 at the rear.
From spring 2011, Comfort Access – likewise available for both models – will include vicinity lighting integrated in the exterior door handles. In addition to automatic unlocking and activation of the ignition, this feature provides effective illumination of the car’s surroundings as soon as the electronic control of Comfort Access has recognised the car key carried by the driver.
Following directly on from the market launch, the extended range of BMW ConnectedDrive services also becomes available for the BMW X5 and the BMW X6. In future both models will be able to avail themselves of the BMW Apps special option.
This feature enables owners of an Apple iPhone to stay in touch with the online services Facebook and Twitter while in the car, as well as receive radio stations from all over the world, irrespective of the car’s location, thanks to a web radio function. In addition to the current BMW ConnectedDrive application, customers will have a range of functions and apps available for free download at the Apple App Store.
With these latest innovations, BMW is systematically pursuing its ongoing product optimisation for these two models built at its US plant in Spartanburg. Most recently, last year’s market launch of the new BMW X5 and the comprehensive upgrading of the BMW X6’s drive technology gave a further boost to BMW’s success in this competitive environment.
As well as the continued rise in BMW X5 sales in 2010, global growth in demand for the BMW X6 is also feeding the exceptional market success of the BMW X models. In just three years, more than 110,000 units of these Sports Activity Coupés have already been sold, 46,404 of them in 2010 alone. The BMW X5 posted worldwide sales of 102,178 units in the last business year.
Source: BMW Group
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Developed under the theme of offering the “world’s best multi-performance and responsive driving pleasure,” every area of the GT-R has been carefully rethought or retuned for 11MY.
The changes range from greater body stability and strength and improved aerodynamics performance to a sportier interior and enhanced performance. Following are the key enhancements of the creative GT-R design.
GT-R features improved engine output and torque, greater fuel efficiency, revised handling, a refreshed exterior with improved aerodynamics, revised interior treatment and new wheels and tires. The large number of enhancements for the new model year is part of the continuous advancement of the GT-R design, technology and performance since its debut in December 2007. Nissan has also enhanced the level of after-sales support for GT-R owners, providing even greater value for customers.
The “World of GT-R” expands again this year with the addition of a racing circuit use-only “Club Track” edition and an ultra-exclusive “EGOIST” version that can be custom-ordered according to the precise desires of each individual customer. The complete 11MY Nissan GT-R model lineup now includes six versions – the “Pure edition,” “Black edition,” “Premium edition,” “SpecV,” “Club Track” and “EGOIST” – allowing customers to choose the exact level of dynamic performance and style to meet their various needs.
The 11MY Nissan GT-R will also be released in North America, Europe and other regions after February 2011. Nissan is considering introducing EGOIST in Europe and the Middle East, and the Club Track edition in Europe as well.
– 2010-present (facelifted)Horsepower: 530 bhp (400 kW) at 6400 rpm – Torque: 488 lb·ft (662 N·m) – Drag coefficient: 0.26 (~10% improvement in downforce) – MSRP: US$89,950 (base) or $95,100 (Premium or Black Edition)
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The British began construction of the fastest car in the world: Bloodhound SSC, a project of the Royal Air Force.
The car can reach and surpass the current world record speed of 1228 km / h (established in 1997 by Thrust Supersonic Car) and it will be used for a special track, arranged on the bottom of a drained lake in South Africa .
In a unique event attended by hundreds of fans, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes brought together members of the public to construct and reveal its new MP4-26 chassis, the team’s challenger for the 2011 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
Toyota commercial: Toyota Auris Hybrid ‘Get Your energy Back##Q##
An extraordinary projection mapping event, for an extraordinary car. Re-live the story of a car which recycles energy as it drives – the Toyota Auris with Hybrid Synergy Drive Filmed on location in Shoreditch, London on 22 September 2010
Audi achieved a dream debut of its 2011 motorsport season in Australia: The Audi R8 LMS entered by Audi race experience Team Joest celebrated a 1-2 victory at the Bathurst 12 Hour after a fierce battle.
Bathurst rookies Marc Basseng/Christopher Mies/Darryl O’Young (D/D/CN) won the 12 hour race 0.7 seconds ahead of their Australian team mates Mark Eddy/Craig Lowndes/Warren Luff.
In its inaugural race of the 2011 season, Audi celebrated the biggest possible success since the customer sports program has been restructured: The R8 LMS won its first of three endurance races this year. After locking out the front row on the grid, Audi race experience Team Joest celebrated a 1-2 win far away from home in a race that went down to the wire.
The Audi R8 LMS that has been developed by Audi specifically for customer sport activities was the most reliable and the fastest car in the field. The GT3 sports car achieved a new lap record at Mount Panorama in Bathurst and took the 65th win of its career that spans back only two years.
The awesome 6.213 kilometre rollercoaster circuit at Mount Panorama demanded everything from the team. Thanks to consistently strong performances in terms of tactics and driving, the team eventually won after persistent rain showers in the first part of the race and numerous safety car periods.
A constant struggle for leadership endured between the Audi R8 LMS cars and a local Porsche team as they fought for first place throughout the 12 hours. However, in the end, Audi’s closest rival was beaten by only one lap.
The number 8 Audi R8 LMS won after a slow puncture decided the race. This incident meant Craig Lowndes had to do an additional stop in car number 7 that was not counted as a regular pit stop according to the rules. After a strong chase, the Australian touring car legend fought for victory up to the final gruelling minutes.
Thus Audi demonstrated a leading performance in front of future customers in the Asia Pacific region after the Audi R8 LMS has clinched seven championship titles across Europe in the past 24 months already.
As of this year, quattro GmbH develops the customers sports race car powered by a 411 kW engine and is also in charge of sales and technical support for customer and importer teams worldwide.
Source: Audi USA
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CHRYSLER IMPORTED FROM DETROIT Despite Eminem getting in the way, this was our favorite “serious” ad shown during the big game. Kudos, Chrysle
NFL AMERICAN FAMILY Around 40 years of classic TV highlights, retouched nicely with their corresponding NFL team gear
CHEVY SILVERADO TOMMY COMMERCIAL With the same life-saving capabilities as Lassie, how could the Chevy Silverado not be 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year
STARTLED SMART PROGRAM Audi’s Startled Smart program is so good, it startles the unstartleable
HYUNDAI ANACHRONISTIC CITY The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reminds us that change is good. Although that looks like it would really tone your back-side
KIA EPIC RIDE Those Ancient Mayans will go though some great lengths to get their hands on a new Kia Optima. That must be some ride
BLACK BEETLE If you watch this ad for the 21st century Beetle, be prepared to sing Whoa, Black Betty Bam-ba-lam over and over for the rest of the day
TRANSFORMERS 3 CHEVY Taking a hammer to a new Camero doesn’t seem like a brillant idea, especially a transforming alien robot one
THE VOLKSWAGEN FORCE Size matters not as this mini Vader uses the force against the 2012 VW Passat
Hundreds of Rolls Royce##Q##s ever marched during the 100th birth anniversary of the Flying Lady
The owners of the best known brands of luxury cars have celebrated a century of Rolls Royce emblem.
100 beauty, brand new or ten years back, they went to a parade through the streets of London. “Flying Lady”, which dominates the Cowls all Rolls-sized, has a special story.
In 1904 when Charles Rolls and Henry Royce founded the mark, the statue does not exist. It comes from the desire of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, owner of a magazine about cars early, to create a mascot for the 1909 edition of the Silver Ghost. At its base is Eleanor Thornton, secretary and Montagu##Q##s secret lover.
McLaren Automotive, commonly referred to as McLaren, is a British automotive manufacturer of high performance vehicles.
McLaren Automotive is currently developing a sports car, the MP4-12C, as a successor to the McLarenF1. Rumours were confirmed when Britain##Q##s CAR Magazine and icars.sg published the spy shots of the car (then known as P11).
The rear wheel drive MP4-12C will be powered by a mid-mounted bespoke McLaren M838T 3.8-litre V12 twin-turbo engine and will have a revolutionary “Carbon MonoCell” carbon fibre chassis.
The McLaren MP4-12C also features F1-inspired technology like brake steer, which brakes the inside rear wheel during fast cornering to reduce understeer, and a seven speed Seamless Shift dual clutch gearbox (SSG) with a technology called Pre-Cog.
Pre-Cog is the name given to a system whereby the driver can half-pull the paddle shifter behind the steering wheel to get the transmission ready for an upshift, then instantaneous gear change once the paddle is fully pulled.
This short film features appearances from Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, the 2008 and 2009 FIA Formula 1 Drivers##Q## World Champions.
Both have enjoyed testing prototype 12Cs and continue to feed back their thoughts on the car##Q##s development.
The video also captures visitors##Q## reactions to the 12C at its debut events. Brand new footage reveals McLaren Automotive##Q##s Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin taking the car winter testing at Dunsfold Aerodrome — also known as the BBC Top Gear test track — as he assesses ESP calibration on Winter settings as part of the 12C##Q##s variable Proactive Chassis Control system.
To mark the occasion they have released video of Formula 1 world champions, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button behind the wheel of two pre-production test prototypes at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, Southern England.
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Mercedes-Benz Reporter Matthew K. was live on site when the new SLK was unveiled at the Mercedes-Benz Design Center in Sindelfingen on January 29, 2011.
The SLK is a compact roadster manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in three generations; R170 launched in 1996, the R171 in 2004 and R172 in 2011.
Mercedes-Benz announced the new SLK in the autumn of 2010, several months prior to its official 2011 launch, allowing car magazines to drive disguised test cars.
The company took the unusual step of issuing several press releases in October and November 2010 announcing new features such as “Magic Sky Control”.
In January 2011 the car was officially announced and unveiled.
Chevrolet will air five 30-second commercials during Super Bowl XLV Sunday on FOX, representing only part of a coordinated TV presence that continues into a special post-game episode of “Glee,” the FOX hit musical comedy.
The Camaro, Cruze Eco, Silverado HD and Volt will be featured in a combination of in-game and post-game ads, plus Chevy is presenting a Camaro Convertible to the Most Valuable Player from Super Bowl XLV between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers.
Volkswagen Commercial: The Force The spot features a pint-sized Darth Vader who uses the Force when he discovers the all-new 2012 Passat in the driveway.
It leverages humor and the unforgettable Star Wars™ score to create an emotional commercial.
Volkswagen Commercial: Black Beetle In the first spot for The 21st Century Beetle, cutting-edge CGI creative goes etymological, creating a photo-real lush kingdom where the Black Beetle rules, runs, navigates and out performs all the other creatures
In electronics, the basic LED circuit is an electric power circuit used to power a light-emitting diode or LED.
The simplest such circuit consists of a voltage source powering two components connected in series: A current limiting resistor (sometimes called the ballast resistor), and an LED.
Optionally, a switch may be introduced to open and close the circuit. The switch may be replaced with another component or circuit to form a continuity tester.
Now check how this technology was implemented by Audi.
Audi today revealed details of its 60-second TV spot set to air in the first break after kick-off of Super Bowl XLV. The spot called “Release the Hounds” will feature an irreverent, satirical overtone and follow two well-dressed inmates as they attempt to break out of a luxury prison.
Challenging viewers to re-think luxury, the ad will humorously feature a number of elements that recall the heyday of old luxury and will culminate with an unforgettable and comical cameo at the end.
“Release the Hounds” is a continuation of the Audi’s mission to define Progressive Luxury. During the NFL playoffs, Audi launched a 60-second Super Bowl prelude ad called “Goodnight,” which tapped into viewers’ notions of old luxury with the help of an unlikely literary inspiration: Goodnight Moon, the 1947 children’s book by Margaret Wise Brown.
The 60-second spot methodically said goodnight to the age of old luxury by taking the viewer on a journey through a traditional-style mansion, and ended by introducing the all new 2011 Audi A8 sedan.
Audi’s 2011 Super Bowl spot also will feature the award-winning 2011 A8 sedan, Audi’s most technologically-advanced vehicle and the apex of Audi’s new luxury lineup. The 60-second TV advertisement is being created by San Francisco-based Venables Bell & Partners.
The past three years Audi has delivered highly-rated spots, including last year’s “Green Car” ad featuring the Audi A3 TDI, Green Car Journal’s 2010 “Green Car of the Year,” and a soundtrack created by rock legends Cheap Trick.
The 2009 spot featured actor Jason Statham in a series of high-speed chase scenes involving luxury competitors, sending the dual message that luxury is evolving. The 2008 Audi spot delivered a parody of the movie “The Godfather” and signaled that the brand was ready to challenge the perceived luxury leaders by “putting luxury on notice.”
SOURCE Audi USA
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Saab Automobile AB, better known as Saab is a Swedish car manufacturer owned by Dutch automobile manufacturer Spyker Cars NV.
It is the exclusive automobile Royal Warrant holder as appointed by the King of Sweden.
Since its inception, Saab has been known for innovation, pioneering significant advancements in ergonomics, green technology, safety and turbocharging. Originally the automobile manufacturing division of Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget, later known as Saab AB, Saab Automobile was acquired by General Motors in 1990 who sold it to Spyker Cars in 2010.
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33,16,0,100,2
600,500,60,0,0,5000,250,0
90,300,0,50,12,25,60,2,70,12,1,30,2,0,1,0
The world’s most popular roadster, the Mazda MX-5, has a whole new look. After 25 years and over 947,00 sales worldwide, the new fourth-generation 2014 Mazda MX-5 (known as the Mazda Miata in the US) has finally been revealed. The MX-5 is one of Mazda’s most iconic models
All-new Mazda MX-5 Roaster
The centrepiece of the Mercedes-AMG GT, the new 4.0-litre V8 biturbo, responds instantly with extreme power right from low revs and delivers outstanding performance.
The new Mercedes-AMG GT
The Alfa Romeo has become synonymous with style. Many people crave the look of an Alfa. However, this car is not a one trick pony. It performs as well as it looks. For many, they feel that they have to compromise style over speed. With an Alfa, this is simply not the case.
The Classic Alfa Romeo Montreal: Is it Worth the Hype?
5-liter supercharged V8 engine and will reach 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph (electronically limited)2. The F-TYPE S Coupe and F-TYPE Coupe are powered by 3-liter supercharged V6 engines in 380hp and 340hp forms respectively, giving 0-60 mph in 4.8/5.1 seconds and top speeds of 171/161 mph2.
The F-TYPE Coupe visual message is defined by three key ‘heart lines’, that visual message beginning with the formidable grille. It is from the twin ‘shark gill’ openings that sit either side of the grille that the essential first heart line – which mirrors the design of the F-TYPE Convertible – flows and begins to take shape. Running up through the headlamp, and accentuated by the LED ‘J blade’ signature running lamps, the line then arcs up over the front wheel arch before dropping elegantly as it runs through the door, washing out into the muscular rear haunch.
The second heart line begins at the rear edge of the door, swelling outwards and upwards to create a visually strong wheel arch, emphasizing the car’s rear-wheel drive layout, before dropping vertically through the tail lamp ...
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Auto Speed Market is a car blog with the latest automotive, F1 and car news. Auto Speed Market is trying to provide extra information to car enthusiasts, will be presenting new cars and concepts, prices and statistics of the automotive world. Auto Speed Market also offer tips for buying a new car or second hand vehicle.
