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Alfa Romeo to Unveil the New 4C Concept at Pebble Beach

Venus V — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:21:56 +0000

Alfa Romeo is commemorating its centenary this year. We all know that, but what comes as another great news is a new compact and lightweight sports car concept coming from Italy’s leading design house.

As a part of its celebrations Alfa Romeo will unveil its all new 4C concept at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance adding another star to its line of concepts. The new car is previewed as a more affordable follow-up model to the 8C Competizione as the company maneuvers to envelope a larger customers base under the blanket of its superior Italian design language and performance. It has been rumored that 4C concept will shun carbon fiber or a Ferrari-built engine as it moves on to the affordable segment of sportcars. Instead expect the 4C to be powered by a highly tuned, 250-hp four-cylinder engine mated to a rear transaxle as in the 8C.

If all goes well, the manufacturer is to announce the production of 5000 units with prices starting at about $70,000 (€50,000).

Renault Officially Releases Details of the Updated 2010 Renault Koleos

Venus V — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:18:56 +0000

Renault has lifted the covers from its updated 2010 Renault Koleos Crossover giving the complete insight into its performance, styling and most importantly the price.

The 2011 Renault Koleos has received significant upgrades in its equipment section as it comes in two different trim levels – Carminat and Exception. The two versions are powered by 2.0-liter DCi diesel engine that pushes Carminat with front drive to 150-hp of output with the four-wheel drive option, Exception, churning out 175 horsepower.

The Carminat comes equipped with TomTom navigation, hands free starting, electronic parking brake, electric side mirrors, automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, rear spoiler and dark-gray interior with chrome details .

The exception on the other hand boasts of aluminum pedals, 18-inch alloy wheels, Tom Tom navigation system, extra tinted rear glass and electrically adjustable driver’s seats.

Both the versions are offered with seven exterior body paints that include – Lave Grey, Argent Grey, Mineral Beige, Acier Blue, Perle White, Metallic Black and Glacier White. Bi-Xenon headlamps are available as an option for extra pay.

The pricing details are cited below:

2.0 dCi 150 4×2 DPF – €27,500 (Carminat)
2.0 dCi 150 4×4 DPF – €29,000 (Carminat) – €32,500 (Exception)
2.0 dCi 150 4×4 6-speed automatic DPF – €33,500 (Exception)
2.0 dCi 175 4×4 DPF – €33,300 (Exception)

Toyota Expects to Boost Sales by 30pc Through Incentives

joydeep — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:48:20 +0000

Toyota is aiming to turn things around this month by introducing numerous incentives for new buyers, with a total 30 percent expected growth in the U.S. sales figure.

Toyota has been having a rough time recently owing to the numerous recalls of Toyota vehicles on account of safety and unwanted acceleration issues. Right after the recalls were issued by Toyota, the Toyota sales fell 10 percent in February. On March 1st, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. introduced a range of incentives for new Toyota buyers, including 0 percent financing, subsidized leases and free maintenance.

Toyota Senior Vice President Don Esmond reported to suppliers today that the North American sales figure has shot up to 50 percent for the company in the first eight days of March. But Toyota analysts forecast that the figure will settle down to something around 30 percent for the whole month. “Incentives work best in the early going, but they start to peter out as the month goes along,” Edmunds senior analyst Jessica Caldwell said today. “That’s why it’s important for Toyota to find something else in the months ahead.”

Auto experts say that the announcement of incentives by Toyota has attracted the attention of devout Toyota fans who were waiting to buy the car when a good range of incentives is offered. They also said that the incentive offer alone can’t keep the sales figure soaring high for long.

“This will boost sales a little bit, but it’s not going to continue beyond this month,” an expert said. “They’re still wrestling with the recalls and new reports of problems.”

Upcoming Mercedes S-Class Plug-in Hybrid Could Achieve 81 mpg

joydeep — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:45:35 +0000

Gone are the days when environmentalists shouted themselves hoarse demanding small and mid-sized cars that could give better mileage than luxury sedans. A recent report says that the new Mercedes S-Class Plug-in Hybrid could achieve a mind blowing mileage of 81 miles per gallon in the European hybrid cycle.

Mercedes development director Dr. Thomas Weber, in an interview with Car and Driver, has said, “Three years ago, everyone thought that there would only be small cars and that there would be no more large cars. But our plug-in concept demonstrated that an S-class could make 78 mpg (3.0 L/100km), so those questions stopped. With the next generation of S-class we are talking 81 mpg (2.9 L/100km), using a new-generation 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline engine-direct injection and piezo injectors-integrated with a 60-hp (44 kW) electric motor. In pure-electric mode, the car would have a range of just over 20 miles (32.2 km) at speeds of up to 68 mph (109 km/h). It is clear that we will have a plug-in hybrid in the next-generation S-class.”

Apart from talking about the S-Class, Weber also discussed about the SLS AMG e-drive. He said that the company is looking to come up with an electric SLS. Since people don’t normally use SLS for long-distance driving, a range of 125 miles (201 km) is good enough for this car, he reported. He also said that this is the beginning of what the future sports car will look like. “Hybridization doesn’t work because it adds additional weight and we don’t feel that’s right for a sports car. If we have to add weight, then using powerful alternative drivetrains makes sense: with 590 pound-feet (800 Nm) of torque from four wheel electric motors, driving the SLS is a sensational feeling, one without noise. We should continue with such ideas,” he reported.

In spite of all these notable achievements, Weber still sees several hurdles on the way. He said that batteries have very low energy density as compared to diesel or gasoline, along with long charging time. “Batteries are the perfect solution for the inner cities, but not for long distances or for customers who have just one car,” he stated.

Special Edition Dacia Duster Heads for Germany

Venus V — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:34:27 +0000

Dacia’s Duster has yet to make it to the showrooms, and the automaker has already revealed its plans of bringing a special edition of the model to the German market.

The new special edition Dacia Duster will be dubbed as Duster Edition FC St. Pauli in Germany. The Duster owns its name to a soccer team in the second league in Germany - FC St. Pauli. The Duster Edition FC St. Pauli will carry otto engines as well the diesel powertrain. Offered in two versions of 4×2 1.6i 16v and 1.5 dCi 4×4 , the special edition Dusters will be capable of delivering 110 hp of output. The difference, however, comes in the prices as the 4×2 1.6i 16v will be priced starting form 14,400 euros in Germany with the latter to start from 18,200 euros.

In another report, a specially-tuned Duster will be part of the motorsport at the 20th anniversary Rallye Aicha des Gazelles in Morocco (March 15-28).

“After taking part in this winter’s Trophée Andros ice-racing series, Dacia Duster is about to tackle the cocktail of sand dunes and mountainous terrain provided by this year’s Rallye Aicha des Gazelles. The event starts in Erfoud and is based on a format of six legs, for a total distance of more than 2,500 km through the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert in southern Morocco,” Renault said in a press statement.

Canadians Respond With Own Version of Dept. of Zombie Disposal

Antony Marceles — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:11:20 +0000

Not the kind to be left behind while the U.S. prepares for the next big Zombie attack, the Canadians are gearing up with their own version of the Dept. of Zombie Disposal.

Rumors are abound that the Canadians stepped up their efforts after they were alerted of the American preparation through leaked images of the US Dept. of Zombie Removal (see below). From the looks of it, seems like the Canadians are much better prepared with guns and off-road trucks, when compared to the Americans who chose pineapples and transportation vans to counter the zombie attack. Seems like its time for me to head up north.

Ford Goes All-Out To Praise the New 2011 F-Series Super Duty Truck

Venus V — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:11:05 +0000

Ford has left out no words from the auto dictionary to praise its all-new 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty. Calling it cleanest ever, most powerful, most capable and fuel-efficient heavy-duty pickup truck on the road, Ford went on boasting of its F-Series Super Duty delivering best-in-class torque, horsepower, towing and payload capability. Well, lets go to the real figures to judge Ford’s claims.

Ford announces that the 2011 Super Duty’s 6.7-liter PowerStroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine produces best-in-class 735 ft-lb of torque at 1,600 rpm and best-in-class 390 horsepower at 2,800 rpm. The heavy duty pickup can tow up to 26,400 pounds for F-550 chassis cab with fifth-wheel hitch. Comparing it to the recent figures from the GM’s stable, the 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V-8 engine that develops 397 hp at 3,000 rpm and 765 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm, it seems Ford might wish to reconsider its following bold claims.

“The 2011 Super Duty is not only the most powerful, most capable and fuel-efficient heavy-duty pickup truck on the road, it performs the tough jobs with even more efficiency than ever before,” said Doug Scott, truck group marketing manager. “Customers can be confident that Super Duty’s class-leading capability comes with Ford’s ‘and solution’ of best-in-class fuel economy.”

The other improvements that Ford offers its customers include torque converter, optimized shift and converter lock-up schedule, gearing and double-overdrive, optimized pumping pressure, optimized drainback to reduce spin losses and warmer operating temperature.

Press release here.

Infiniti Celebrates 20 Years with the Anniversary Edition 2010 G37 Models

Venus V — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:13:55 +0000

How do the automakers usually celebrate their anniversaries? Indeed, by bringing special edition models of their cars all pepped up with upgraded engines and new styling interior and exterior tweaks. Infiniti too is following the same footsteps, but with a little more than expected. It is rolling out not one, but four special editions of its G37 sedan, coupe and convertibles.

Infiniti has announced the four new G Anniversary Editions in limited numbers – 350 G Sedans and 200 each for the G Coupe and G Convertible. All these vehicles will go on sale in mid-April carrying a 3.7-liter V6 engine and 7-speed automatic transmission. Based on the G Sedan Journey and AWD, the G Coupe Journey and G Convertible will also ship in with Premium and Navigation Packages.

While all special Gs will be sprayed in a new Infiniti color called Graphite Shadow with a Monaco Red Leather interior, the Coupe and Convertible interiors have been accented with special Red-toned Maple while the two Sedans will have the new Shodo-finish aluminum trim. Also included on the Anniversary Editions are special aluminum-alloy wheels, W-rated summer performance tires, Midnight Black grille, unique front chin spoiler or front fascia, sport side sills (Coupe and Convertible) and rear spoiler (except Convertible).

The pricing details are as below:

G37 Sedan Anniversary Edition $43,350 USD
G37 Sedan AWD Anniversary Edition $43,550 USD
G37 Coupe Anniversary Edition $50,550 USD
G37 Convertible Anniversary Edition $54,900 USD

The Porsche 918 Spyder Concept Car Could Make It into Production

Venus V — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:24:24 +0000

The cool and amazing Porsche 918 Spyder that lived up to its name of being a supercar by covering its journey from sketch board to the Geneva Motor Show in just 5 months may startle you once again with another quick drive to the production phase. Yes! The Porsche boss, Michael Macht has raised hopes in the autosphere hinting that the Porsche 918 Spyder concept could turn into a real supercar.

Talking to the UK magazine Autocar , Michael Macht revealed that the concept had accumulated amazing response at the Swiss show raising the probability that Porsche brings its supercar to the market. He pointed that no one inside the company showed any reluctance in building the supercar.

“The response has been marvellous; we will ask buyers to sign letters of intent.”

“The 918 Spyder provides the answer to whether there can be high-performance cars in the future. Many have said they are finished. This car shows they are not.”

The Porsche 918 Spyder is rumored to heat up the supercar segment five years from now if it receives a green signal from Stuttgart. The new car will use a 500 bhp V8 engine along with two electric motors capable to deliver 218 bhp, thus delivering a total output of 718 bhp.

Specifications for the Chevrolet Duramax Finally Released

joydeep — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:46:17 +0000

We have seen the entry of three heavy duty pickup trucks in the auto market of late. First is the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, second is the Ford F-Series Super Duty and last comes the Chevrolet Duramax. While the rest were gracious enough to release the specifications, Chevrolet decided to keep the Duramax specifications in complete silence. Finally, Chevrolet has spoken, and we have what we wanted to know.

The Chevrolet Duramax boasts of 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet of torque. The 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine of the Dodge Ram generates 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. As for the Ford, the 6.7-liter PowerStroke diesel engine produces 390 horsepower and 735 pound-feet of torque. The Chevy Duramax clearly wins on the power account, surpassing both the Ram and even the Ford. The 6.6-liter Duramax delivers 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet, registering a huge improvement of 32 horsepower and 102 pound-feet over its earlier model.

The gasoline front however, presents a different picture. Chevy’s 6.0-liter V-8 delivers a decent 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, but Ram’s 5.7-liter V-8 delivers even more: 383 horsepower and 400 pound-feet. However, Ford comes out the winner in this category with 385 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque.

On an entirely new parameter - the payload and towing capacity, Chevrolet Duramax comes up at second place. At number three is the Dodge Ram with 5130 pounds of payload and 17,600 pounds of towing capacity.The Duramax, with 6,335 pounds of payload capacity and 20,000 pounds of towing capacity, occupies second place. The clear winner is Ford with 6,520 pounds of payload and 24,400 pounds of towing capacity.