Monday, 9 January 2012

Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Hyundai Veloster Turbo:

Hyundai Veloster Turbo

The first images of the eagerly awaited Hyundai Veloster Turbo are now available. The new sporty hatchback from the South Korean manufacturer is at the 2012 NAIAS with a new turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder Twin-Scroll engine with direct injection, delivering 204 hp at 6,000 rpm with 265 Nm of peak torque available at 1,750 rpm. This unit can be mated to either an automatic or manual 6-speed transmission.

New engine aside, this version of the Veloster sports a new front grille, a re-designed front fascia, side skirts and a new rear bumper hosting two oval-shaped exhaust tail pipes. In the cabin we have sports seats and specifically dedicated trim and finishing. The Hyundai Veloster Turbo weighs 1,270 kg, and this is the last data we can provide you with for now: we will be waiting for more official news from Detroit.

Hyundai Veloster TurboHyundai Veloster TurboHyundai Veloster Turbo







Source : Google reader



Smart For Us concept

Smart For Us concept:

Smart for-us

The new Smart For Us concept is about to be unveiled at the NAIAS in Detroit, and a first bunch of official images has just surfaced on the internet. The model is an ultra-compact pick-up that also anticipates the design of the next Fortwo. The body of this concept car appears to be quite sturdy: it measures 3.55 meters in length, 1.51 meters in width and 1.70 meters in height, with a wheel base of 2.48 meters which is 613 mm more than the ‘regular’ version. The Smart For Us concept also gains 50 mm both front and rear tracks over the standard version, while a 900 mm long electrically powered cargo tray can slide out by 280mm at the rear to ease loading: given that the model is supposed to accommodate (and recharge) two Smart E-bikes, it just makes perfect sense. More detailed pictures from Detroit should become available soon.

In the cabin we have pearl white elements with brushed aluminum inserts. The rearview mirror is gone, replaced by a smartphone showing the images sent by a rear-view camera, while the whole dashboard is functional to the air circulation in the passenger compartment. The Smart For Us is powered by the same electric module used by the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, which produces an output of 74 hp and 130 Nm of peak torque, also providing the car with 120 km/h of top speed (75 mph). The model is equipped with a 17,6 kWh lithium-ion battery package.

View the Smart for-us gallery

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Source : Google reader

Lamborghini Gallardo LP600+ GT3 by Reiter Engineering

Lamborghini Gallardo LP600+ GT3 by Reiter Engineering:

Lamborghini Gallardo LP600+ GT3 by Reiter Engineering

Germany’s Reiter Engineering, the self-proclaimed “only manufacturer worldwide of racing and race-look-a-like Lamborghini vehicles”, has revealed their Lamborghini Gallardo LP600+ GT3 race package for 2012. In an attempt to make the car competitive and reliable in endurance racing, the new model has been upgraded with a lighter and more precise Holinger transmission, an updated AP Racing braking system with 6-piston calipers and reworked cooling, new suspension (which is still under development), a bigger splitter and double plates on the front bumper corners.

As for the engine, it will be a slightly revised version the same 5.2 liter V10 already in use, producing 592 hp at 8,000 rpm. The car will make its racing debut in early 2012 (with the now missing new parts ready), more specifically at the 24-hours in Dubai and the Gulf 12-hours in Abu Dhabi respectively.

View the full Lamborghini Gallardo LP600+ GT3 by Reiter Engineering photo gallery

via | Reiter Engineering and World Car Fans

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Source : Google reader

Ford Fusion/Mondeo: official photo gallery and info now available

Ford Fusion/Mondeo: official photo gallery and info now available:

Ford presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di Mondeo

Just hours before its unveiling at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit - and in the wake of the two leaked images we published yesterday - Ford releases a massive photo gallery and the official press release of the new Ford Fusion, the model known as ‘Mondeo’ in Europe. As we noticed when the first leaks came out, the model is indeed quite reminiscent of the Ford Evos concept we had admired in Frankfurt a few months back, with its Aston Martin-ish front end and its sporty rear end. The Ford Fusion model year 2013 will come with a range of petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains that covers any kind of demand. The engine options initially available will be a naturally aspirated 170 hp 2.5-litre 4-cylinder unit, a 1.6-litre EcoBoost unit delivering 179 hp and a 2.0 EcoBoost producing 237 hp, with all-wheel drive configuration available only for the latter. As for the transmission, both the 2.5 and 1.6 will get a 6-speed automatic gearbox - although a manual option will also be made available for the latter - while the 2.0 will be coupled to a SelectShift 6-speed automatic.

By the time the new Fusion will hit the showrooms next fall, a 185 hp hybrid version will join the fold with a 2.0 litre petrol engine based on the 2.5-litre unit of the current Fusion Hybrid. Ford says that this version will be able to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) using electric power only, claiming an average fuel consumption of 5 l/100km. A plug-in hybrid version of the model called Fusion Energi will then become available at a later time, boasting a total range of 800 km which would make it as thirsty as a Toyota Prius.

The 2013 Ford Fusion will come with all sorts of electronic functions and devices that you might expect in a car of its class. Lane keeping system, adaptive cruise control, active park assist, start-stop technology and blind spot information system are all parts of the package. The passenger compartment is modern and elegant, offers several options for its customization and uses the latest version of the MyFordTouch info-tainment system, which allows drivers to control all the functions of the vehicle by a touch screen or through vocal commands. As for yet, no word on pricing. To know more about the 2013 Ford Fusion/Mondeo, check out the official Press Release after the jump.

View the full 2013 Ford Fusion photo gallery

Ford presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di Mondeo

New Ford Fusion Brings More Technology, Expected Triple Crown of Best-in-Class Gas, Hybrid, Plug-In Efficiency

• New Ford Fusion is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, each with expected top fuel economy, underscoring Ford’s commitment to give customers the power of choice

• With seven must-have technologies, including a Lane Keeping System, adaptive cruise control, active park assist and MyFord Touch®, the all-new Ford Fusion shows how Ford is delivering features customers truly want and value

• Customers can choose from Fusion’s widest-ever portfolio of fuel-efficient powertrain options including EcoBoost™, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines; automatic and manual transmission offerings and auto start-stop technology

• Revealed in North America as the midsize Fusion sedan, this all-new car signals the next-generation Ford Mondeo for world markets

DETROIT, Jan. 9, 2012 – Ford’s all-new Fusion brings alive the next generation of more expressive vehicles from Ford and is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions – each expected to deliver top fuel economy and an engaging driving experience.

Featuring a sleek silhouette and fresh face, the all-new Fusion is the latest in a series of vehicles from Ford – following the 2011 Fiesta subcompact and 2012 Focus small cars – developed to satisfy customers everywhere looking for leading fuel efficiency, helpful technologies and game-changing looks.

“Our vision for Fusion was clear – deliver the very best of what ‘One Ford’ stands for,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development. “We brought our global teams together around a blank slate with the charge to develop a midsize car with ground- breaking design and jaw-dropping fuel economy – one that featured technologies to help make our customers safer and better drivers. This car is the result.”

Fusion is revealed in North America in S, SE and range-topping Titanium series and points to the next Ford Mondeo for world markets.

For more information on the importance of the midsize car market, please follow this link: http://youtu.be/7C2ipp5A7gQ

Ford presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di Mondeo

Triple-crown fuel efficiency

New Fusion is expected to deliver best-in-class fuel economy across customers’ choice of gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid sub-segments, delivering on Ford’s commitment to be the fuel-efficiency leader – or among the leaders – with each new model brought to market.

Fusion brings the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize car segment. It offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives, a pair of EcoBoost™ four-cylinder engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, an automatic start stop system to shut off the engine at stationary idle, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive applications, and a choice between automatic and manually shifted six-speed transmissions.

The 1.6-liter EcoBoost is expected to deliver best-in-class four-cylinder non-hybrid fuel efficiency of 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine – paired with a paddle-shifted six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission, available 19-inch wheels and tires and all-wheel drive with the ability to send additional torque to the rear – is the Fusion performance option.

The Fusion Hybrid – 2010 North American Car of the Year – continues to innovate and evolve with all-new lithium-ion batteries that save weight and generate more power than previous nickel-metal hydride batteries, while raising maximum speed under electric-only power from 47 mph to 62 mph.

Fusion Hybrid also features an all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine, significantly downsized from the previous 2.5-liter unit while maintaining performance standards. This innovative powertrain is anticipated to deliver best-in-class fuel economy of 47 mpg in city driving and 44 mpg on the highway.

Fusion Hybrid fuel economy stands to outperform the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid by 4 mpg city and 5 mpg highway and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid by 12 mpg and 4 mpg, respectively.

Topping the fuel-efficiency ladder is the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world. Arriving this fall, Fusion Energi is anticipated to deliver more than 100 MPGe, a mile per gallon equivalency metric for electrified vehicles. This is 8 MPGe more than the Chevrolet Volt and 13 MPGe more than the projected efficiency of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid model.

The next-generation Fusion 1.6-liter is the first automatic-transmission Ford product offered with an automatic start-stop system. It shuts off engine power smoothly when the car is stopped and seamlessly restarts as the driver releases the brake pedal, helping Fusion to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by approximately 3.5 percent.

Ford presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di Mondeo

Fusion looks out for you

The all-new Fusion offers an unprecedented portfolio of driver assistance and convenience technologies based on sensors, cameras and radar that enable the car to see and respond.

Fusion can help drivers maintain proper lane position, adjust vehicle speed to changing traffic conditions, identify suitable parking spaces and help park, even aiding drivers backing out of parking space where visibility is obstructed. Specific technologies include:

• Lane Keeping System: This class-exclusive technology consists of three elements to help a driver maintain proper lane position. Using a small, forward-facing camera behind the inside rearview mirror, the system “looks” down the road, monitoring lane lines to determine that the car is on course. The system will alert a driver if drowsiness or erratic lane-keeping is detected. The second element warns a driver with a steering wheel vibration if the Fusion drifts too close to lane markings. Finally, lane keeping aid will actually apply pressure on the steering to help bring the car back into proper lane position

• Adaptive cruise control: Using forward-looking radar, this system “looks” down the road when activated, slowing the Fusion when slower traffic is detected ahead. Adaptive cruise control enables collision warning with brake support to help slow the car if the potential of a crash is detected

• Active park assist: Employing sensors, this technology can identify a suitable parallel parking space, calculate the trajectory and steer the car to properly position it within the spot. All a driver need do is operate accelerator and brake pedals

• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with cross-traffic alert: Sensors in both Fusion rear quarter-panels are able to detect traffic in a driver’s blind spot, providing both audible and visual warnings if traffic – unseen by the driver – is detected. BLIS technology enables cross-traffic alert, warning the driver of oncoming traffic when backing out of a parking space with obstructed views, such as between two large vans

Ford presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di Mondeo

The power of voice

The all-new Fusion offers the latest iteration of Ford’s award-winning, industry-exclusive SYNC® communications and entertainment system, which enables voice-activated communication through a driver’s mobile phone and interaction with the car’s audio system.

Fusion also offers the latest version of MyFord Touch®, allowing a driver to interact with vehicle systems through voice control, a touch screen tap or a conventional button.

Both SYNC and MyFord Touch – powered by SYNC – help reduce the potential for driver distraction through voice-controlled functionality, allowing drivers to keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Ford presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di Mondeo

Different, by design

“The previous Fusion was an easy purchase for a customer to rationalize,” said Chris Hamilton, chief exterior designer for the next-generation model. “Our design goal for the new car was to give the mainstream sedan buyer a top-drawer visual experience, adding some emotional appeal to an already sensible choice.”

These five elements provided direction for the design team behind the all-new Fusion:

• Silhouette innovation: Fusion’s sleek profile sets it apart from the powertrain/cabin/trunk “three-box” designs synonymous with midsize sedans

• Perceived efficiency: Fusion character lines sweeping to the rear and thin roof pillars suggest the car is nimble and light on its feet

• Refined surface language: Fusion demonstrates that a tasteful, well-executed design does not require add-ons or visual clutter

• Technical graphics: Fusion’s functional design elements such as headlamps, LED taillamps and polished exhaust tips communicate enhanced technological capability

• New face: Fusion signals the next evolution in Ford global design language for midsize cars and smaller

Inside, the new Fusion offers a sporty, driver-oriented environment with next-generation seating that brings expanded functionality. A higher center console supports the driver-centric theme and yields clever storage for items a driver wants to keep handy.

Additional passenger space was designed-in by moving the instrument panel toward the windshield, contributing to the cabin’s airy, open environment. Thinner, lighter frames support comfortable next-generation seats trimmed with fabric using recycled sustainable yarns.

Ford presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di Mondeo

Craftsmanship plus dynamics equals feel

Fusion design delivers on the promise of high visual quality, with improved materials, elevated levels of craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Interior surfaces are softer to the touch and interior and exterior gaps are minimized, while extra care has been taken to upholster or cover each edge and every surface a customer can touch. When the trunk lid is opened, for example, a spring-loaded cover automatically conceals the trunk latch hardware.

“The holistic goal of our craftsmanship process is to see that Fusion not only delivers a superior visual experience but also feels like quality to the customer,” said Adrian Whittle, Fusion chief engineer.

Key contributors to how the Fusion feels are the ride and handling components that maximize vehicle dynamics.

“This really is a driver’s car,” said John Jraiche, program manager. “Fusion is even more fun to drive with specially tuned electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), a MacPherson strut front suspension and an all-new premium-level multilink rear suspension – comparable to Audi and BMW configurations.”

Careful tuning by Ford’s vehicle handling and ride team has yielded a Fusion with a dynamic character that will please a well-seasoned enthusiast while increasing the confidence level of less-experienced drivers.

Fusion interior quiet reaches a new level with acoustic underbody shields and weight-saving sound-absorption material; both minimize road and powertrain noise while boosting aerodynamic efficiency to help save fuel. The all-new model adds content such as a full-perimeter hood seal to be among the midsize sedan segment leaders in giving drivers a quiet ride.

Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi models also are equipped with active noise control. This feature uses the audio system to mitigate extraneous road noise while enhancing powertrain sounds.

Ford presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di MondeoFord presenta la Fusion, modello globale che in Europa prenderà il nome di Mondeo

Strength and safety

Fusion is designed with customer safety in mind. Engineers increased its body strength by 10 percent, using more high-strength steels such as boron, and added dual first-row knee airbags and adaptive front airbags that vent and tether to conform to a specific occupant’s size, position and seatbelt usage.

The Fusion safety team targeted top-of-the-line ratings in each public domain safety benchmark, including National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ratings, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick and top ratings in world markets where the car will be sold.

The most prominent example is Fusion’s front-end architecture, as the same car must face simultaneous – and seemingly conflictive – standards across regions. The car’s front end is equipped to meet head-on and offset barrier standards for North America while still conforming to European standards for pedestrian protection – thanks to hours of computer modeling and 180 validating crash tests.

Fusion will be produced at Ford’s Hermosillo, Mexico, manufacturing facility, soon adding production at AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The car will appear in Ford showrooms in North America and South America later this year. Mondeo will be introduced next year in Asia and Europe.

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Source : Google reader