Toyota Prius Model Year 2012

Toyota Prius Model Year 2012:

Toyota has released today the first official pictures and info of the new Prius model year 2012. The famous full-hybrid car from the Japanese manufacturer will hit the showrooms in the first quarter of this year and boasts a renewed look thanks to its new front bumper with larger air-intake and integrated LED technology, indicators on the wing mirrors, a new layout of the tail lamps and two new color options: Red Met and Dark Violet Met.

As for the cabin, the model gets new inserts on the central console, new air-inlet outlines, a drink holder between the front seats and new carmats. More importantly, the new Prius get both Toyota Touch and Toyota Touch&Go Plus systems, which have been recently launched on the new Yaris. the former includes CD/mp3 player, Bluetooth connectivity, USB dock and rear-view camera; the latter adds vocal commands, ‘one-click’ 3-D sat-nav functions, and a system that allows to send and receive emails and text messages, providing also info about weather, speed limits, fuel consumption and so forth.

The new Prius also comes with upgraded suspension and steering, and boasts an average fuel consumption of 3,9 l/100km, with CO2 emissions of 89 g/km. The Prius model year 2012 will also retain the Active, Style and Lounge trims of the previous range.

View the full Toyota Prius Model Year 2012 photo gallery

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2013 Porsche Boxster 981: official video and more pictures

2013 Porsche Boxster 981: official video and more pictures:

Porsche released an official video and more pictures of the new Boxster, called 981. The new model comes 7 years after the previous 987 version got launched, while its very first incarnation, the 986, appeared for the first time in 1996.

The new Boxster will be available in two variants: the ‘normal’ Porsche Boxster will come with a 265 hp 2.7-litre engine capable of pushing the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds, whereas the Porsche Boxster ‘S’ will be powered by a 315 hp 3.4-litre unit providing it with a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5 seconds flat. Even though sheer perfomance is better, the new engines also boast improved fuel efficiency over the previous range, with a claimed average consumption of 7.7 l/100km for the 2.7 unit and 8 l/100km for the 3.4. Both engines will be available with the classic 6-speed manual gearbox or the more modern and performing 7-speed PDK dual clutch automatic transmission.

The new Porsche Boxster 981 is expected to make its official debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show (March 8-18) and then enter the worldwide market in the Summer.

View the full 2013 Porsche Boxster 981 photo gallery

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McLaren MP4-12C HS surfaces: video and pictures

McLaren MP4-12C HS surfaces: video and pictures:

Video footage and pictures of the previously unknown McLaren MP4-12C HS (High Sport) have emerged on the internet, marking the unveiling this special version of the notorious British supercar without any official communication coming from the carmaker.

Accordingly to website teamspeed.com, the car is the direct evolution of the MP4-12C presented by McLaren Special Operations (an official McLaren division responsible for bespoke customer projects) at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The model has a completely redesigned nose, a little rear wing and features a rear bumper with integrated diffuser and air outlets that is pretty similar to what we have seen on the MP4-12C GT3 racecar. Apparently, the model will also get an extra 75 hp under the bonnet, boosting the total output up to 667 hp.

Moreover, Jodito20 (the youtube user who uploaded the footage) says that there are only five MP4-12C HS models in the world two of which are owned by the crown prince of Bahrain and by McLaren executive chairman and main man himself, Mr. Ron Dennis. We just hope to get more info on the model as soon as possible.

pictures | McLarenLife.com

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Ford presents new cars and technology at the 2012 CES in Las Vegas

Ford presents new cars and technology at the 2012 CES in Las Vegas:

Ford is at the 2012 International CES in Las Vegas with three very significant models: the new Fusion, the Focus Electric and the Evos Concept. The new Ford Fusion - revealed just a few days ago at the 2012 NAIAS - is a prime example of the ‘One Ford’ global strategy that the Blue Oval has adopted as its business policy: the car has been developed on the same platform that will also generate the Mondeo (Ford Fusion’s European twin) and Lincoln MKZ, an operation that rationalizes and optimizes the costs but not to the detriment of the quality of the models. Accordingly to CarScoop website, the implementation of this policy is going even faster than what Ford expected: originally, the carmaker was aiming at reducing its total number of platforms to 11 units by 2014, but apparently they will be able to go down to just 9 platforms by the end of 2013. The move will allow Ford to produce 85% of its global output with these 9 architectures only, with positive effects for both its finances and the overall quality of the vehicles.

The Ford Fusion is clearly inspired by the Evos concept - which was introduced to the world at the last Frankfurt Motor Show - and represents an evolution of the stylistic language known as Kinetic Design. Measuring 4.50 meters in length, 1.97 in width and 1.36 in height, the model boasts a pretty sleek figure that shows how the carmaker is trying to adapt to the rules of a globalized marketplace, rather than trying to adjust to the requirements of a single area. This is also the reason why the new Ford Mondeo will basically turn out to be a mere ‘clone’ of the Fusion: this will allow for a more organic development of just one model, as opposed to do that for two utterly different cars.

The Evos had introduced a new design pattern for the front end, dominated by a large grille that we find quite reminiscent of the typical Aston Martin styling, and that has been adopted - among others - by the Focus Electric as well. This environment-friendly version of the popular hatchback is expected to make its debut on the market by 2013 and is powered by an electric motor delivering 125 hp with 245 Nm of peak torque, fed by a ion-lithium battery package (courtesy of LG-Chem) located at the back of the vehicle. However, none of what has been written so far in this article explains in full why Ford Motor Co. is at one of the most important electronic fairs of the planet: to find that out, click on the ‘Continue reading’ link below.

View the full Ford at the 2012 CES photo gallery

The main reason why Ford is at the 2012 International CES in Vegas is to introduce the latest evolution of its own SYNC system, which will be offered as an optional extra for European vehicles too starting this year. The newest version of Ford’s factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system is now fully integrated with the MyKey system and receives a number of the new functions, such as the ability of recognizing over 10,000 vocal commands in 19 different languages, the possibility of installing a wi-fi hotspot and connecting all sorts of video and audio devices through its USB and aux decks and SD-card reader.

For those who do not remember it, the MyKey system is a sort of electronic parental control device for teen drivers that sets certain parameters such as vehicle’s top speed and maximum audio volume without giving drivers the chance to change them. Only by the holder of a certain key can do that, as well as impose safety-belt use, earlier low-fuel warnings and set programmed sound chimes at 45, 55 and 65 mph, making sure that young drivers have these functions permanently enabled. The My Key is by now part of the standard equipment on most Ford models.

The updated Ford SYNC system also uses Ford’s own Emergency Assistance, which identifies exactly where an accident has taken place before calling 112 (or any other sort of emergency number) in the local language with an introductory message and exact coordinates.

Source : Google Reader