Car 2013

Fiat 500e. The Italian firm extends the range of the Cinquecento to launch in Los Angeles Auto Show electric version of the compact Italian.

The Fiat 500e seeks to add to market electric vehicles new features, combining Italian design with great performance and autonomy, and a technology applied to batteries that guarantees performance in any kind of weather.

The power plant based on an electric battery capable of developing 83 kW (111 HP) and be recharged in less than four hours. It also offers a range of 116 mpg in city and 100 mpg on the road.

Interior

To accommodate the EV drive Fiat technicians designed a new chassis and suspension modified to improve grip and braking ability. As for his body, which was sculpted in the wind tunnel, he made eight changes that improved their autonomy down force giving extra 5 miles.

Inside are a design that combines vintage and futuristic features which in turn related systems incorporating electric propulsion. The board found a seven-inch screen with information about the vehicle and a TomTom satellite navigation system. Excels combining tones present in the cockpit, which combines black and white with electric orange.

Excels special application for smartphone that allows the vehicle owner to access the 500e load levels, knowing the energy use and locate the nearest charging stations.
The launch of the 2013 Fiat 500e  is scheduled for the second quarter of next year.

Toyota has officially unveiled the 2013 RAV4 at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show.

The new RAV4 adopts the more modern and to some extent, sharper aesthetics from Toyotas latest models, such as the U.S. Camry and especially the European / JDM Auris series, with the interior design also following suite.

Power is provided exclusively by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 176 bhp (131 kW) and 172 lb-ft (233 Nm) of torque. It is connected to a new six-speed transmission that enables the model to return 24 mpg city / 31 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway with the optional all-wheel drive system.

Copy of 2013 Toyota Rav4 Interior Seats Leaked Image 300x180 imageThe RAV4 has earned a reputation as a very good, functional compact utility vehicle that can shuttle the family about town. The 2013 RAV4 will allow those in inclement weather to purchase an all-wheel-drive version as well.

At the rear, the new models lights extend into the tailgate, while a low-cut bumper creates the same wide and deep loading access provided by the third-gen SUV.



Press Release

All-New 2013 Toyota RAV4 Makes World Debut at Los Angeles International

• All-New Bold, Athletic Design
• Six-speed automatic with Sequential Shift and Sport and Eco Modes
• Class-leadingcargo capacity; class-leading eight standard airbags
• Available All-wheel drive with DynamicTorque Control
• Available Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 28, 2012) –The all-new 2013 RAV4 crossover SUV made its world debut today at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show. Toyota’s fourth-generation RAV4, the world’s original crossover sport utility vehicle, arrives early next year.

With a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, new six-speed transmission, two-row seating for five, and a host of available in-cabin technologies, RAV4 offers a nuanced balance of performance and all-around capability, including class-leading cargo capacity, striking design, class-leading eight standard airbags, and a compelling array of standard features. RAV4 will be available in three well-equipped grades: LE, XLE and Limited.

Performance, Handling, and Efficiency
For 2013, RAV4 will provide a number of powertrain technologies that help deliver an engaging driving experience. It will feature Toyota’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which will produce 176 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 172 ft. lbs. of torque at 4,100 rpm. The optional V6 of the previous-generation RAV4 will be discontinued.

Replacing the previous four-speed automatic will be a six-speed transmission with Sequential Shift. First and second gear ratios will be optimized for around-town performance. To keep engine revs lower at highway speeds and enhance fuel mileage, fifth and sixth gears will be overdrives.

RAV4 front-wheel-drive models have received EPA- estimated fuel efficiency ratings of 24 mpg city/31 highway, while all-wheel-drive models are EPA-estimated at 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway. A new Eco mode is designed to promote more efficient driving thus helping to enhance fuel efficiency.

The new RAV4 will provide its active owners a more dynamic drive, with new technologies like a Sport Mode with Dynamic Torqu Control AWD, enhancements in suspension performance, and optimized electric power steering. The spring rates have been enhanced, and the shock absorbers have been optimally tuned to help the vehicles handling characteristics.

RAV4 has a MacPherson strut front suspension, double-wishbone rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. The LE will ride on 17-inch steel wheels, XLE will feature 17-inch alloys, and Limited will be equipped with 18-inch alloys.

In both front- and all-wheel drive RAV4’s Sport Mode sharpens shift timing, throttle response and steering response. When down shifting the RAV4 six-speed automatic transmission in “S” Mode, engine revs rise with a clearly audible “blip,” adding to the driving experience.

In RAV4 with AWD, Dynamic Torque Control AWD has additional benefits. When turning into and through a corner, power is sent to the rear wheels to help enhance cornering performance, detecting steering angle and lack of yaw rate in Sport Mode (and detecting lack of yaw rate in Normal and Eco Mode).Dynamic Torque Control has three different drive modes: Auto, Lock and Sport. In Auto Mode, RAV4 delivers power primarily to the front wheels under most driving conditions, switching automatically to AWD only when needed. By only engaging the rear axle and delivering power to the rear wheels when needed, Auto Mode helps enhance fuel efficiency and reduce drivetrain wear.

In Lock Mode at lower speeds, RAV4 essentially has a full-time AWD system with power delivered to all four wheels. At speeds below approximately 25 mph in Lock Mode, up to 50 percent of engine power is sent to the rear wheels, enhancing traction and helping RAV4 “dig” through sandy or muddy conditions. Lock Mode reverts to Auto Mode when vehicle speed passes approximately 25 mph.

As on the front-drive RAV4’s, Sport Mode sharpens shift timing, throttle response, and steering response. In RAV4 with AWD, Sport Mode has additional benefits. It can provide smooth and nearly instantaneous torque transfers between the front and rear wheels to help enhance cornering performance. Under certain conditions, Sport Mode can automatically deliver up to 50 percent of engine power to the rear wheels.

In Sport Mode, the AWD system also can apportion power based on input from the steering angle and yaw rate sensors of the Vehicle Stability Control system. When turning into and through a corner, power is sent to the rear wheels to maximize traction available at each of the four corners of the vehicle. Under braking in a straight line in Sport Mode, power delivery to the rear wheels can be momentarily suspended to best leverage the benefits of ABS and VSC.

Exterior Design & Body Structure
The new RAV4’s design achieves strong proportions while conveying the agile and fun character. Sophisticated and dynamic, the exterior features a progressive silhouette, with a sleek-sloping roofline and an aggressive character line. The new RAV4’s interior has a premium, sophisticated look with soft-touch accents and driver-centric controls.

RAV4 pursues the design goals defined by Toyota President Akio Toyoda, with aggressively sculpted front and rear fenders and boldly proportioned taillights that define RAV4’s athletic presence.

In a significant break with its heritage, RAV4 will switch from its side-hinged rear door to a convenient roof-hinged liftgate with a space-saver spare tire will be stored under the cargo floor. Standard on the Limited grade will be a one-touch power rear liftgate with driver-selectable memory height settings.

As on other recently introduced Toyotas, RAV4 engineers paid special attention to aerodynamics, the most obvious detail being small vortex generators molded into the taillight cases and near the base of the A-pillars. Less obvious are the aerodynamic undertrays beneath the passenger cabin that help smooth and control airflow.

Following body-engineering principles debuted in the 2012 Camry and 2013 Avalon, RAV4’s body structure will include high-strength steel to help achieve several significant goals, including a robust and stiff platform that enhances steering and handling precision, and a body structure that is both strong and light. RAV4 engineers used several grades of high-strength steel to form key structural components in the roof, rocker sills, floor, engine compartment and door frames. The weight savings were in part invested in sound deadening materials and an acoustic windshield, helping to create a quiet passenger cabin.

Interior Design & Packaging
The new RAV4’s dash panel is driver-centric and asymmetrical, with primary and secondary controls all within easy reach. On the passenger side, the sculpted dash panel creates a sense of airy spaciousness.

RAV4’s dash panel and gauges all feature Clear Blue illumination, which provides crisp visibility in most ambient light conditions, and a unified, coherent appearance at night.

RAV4 will come standard with a manual tilt/telescope steering column, with the LE and XLE featuring a urethane steering wheel. The Limited grade will have a leather-wrapped steering wheel. All RAV4 steering wheels will have controls for audio, Bluetoothâ hands-free phone and audio, and the Multi-Information Display (MID).

All RAV4’s will have driver and front passenger seats with high seatbacks and a slim back, enhancing rear-passenger knee room. The RAV4 LE driver’s seat is six-way adjustable, including seat height.

The RAV4 XLE driver and front passenger will ride in premium bucket seats with sport bolstering, providing ample support of the lower hips, lower torso and shoulders during cornering. The XLE will have premium fabric with French stitching on the seats and portions of the dash panels.

The Limited will have the same premium driver and front-passenger bucket seats found in the XLE but will also come equipped with an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory, plus heaters in the front seat bottoms and seatbacks with two temperature settings and driver power lumbar. All RAV4 Limited seats are trimmed in high-quality, breathable SofTex with French stitching. SofTex also covers the center armrest, and portions of the door and dash panels.

All RAV4’s will feature 60/40 split/fold second-row seats that recline several degrees to enhance passenger comfort.

In contrast to 2013 RAV4’s compact exterior dimensions, the cargo area is deeper, larger and easier to access than in the previous generation, with just over 38.4 cu. ft. of cargo capacity behind the rear seats. With rear seats folded, RAV4 class-leading maximum cargo capacity of 73.3 cu. ft.

Privacy glass, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), cruise control, power side mirrors, power door locks and power windows are standard on all RAV4s. RAV4 XLE and Limited feature dual-zone automatic climate control, integrated fog lights, power moonroof with sliding sunshade and heated outside mirrors with turn signal indicators.

In-Cabin Technology, Audio
Standard on all RAV4 models is a Display Audio with a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen. Significant for this market, RAV4’s Display Audio includes a standard backup camera and Bluetooth connectivity. When shifted into reverse, the audio display will show the image of what the backup camera captures. The image will include an overlay of positioning lines representing the parking space and approximate distance to obstacles.

XLE and Limited will offer an available GPS Navigation and Entune™ multimedia system with satellite radio and advanced voice recognition. The Limited grade will also offer an available JBL® GreenEdgeÔ Premium Audio with 576-Watts of maximum power, 11 speakers, and GPS Navigation and Entune.

The Limited grade will offer an available Blind Spot Monitor system (BSM). It can be turned off with a dashboard switch. When the system detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane, it alerts the driver with a blinking light indicator in the side mirrors. If the turn signal is on when there is a vehicle in the blind spot of the driver’s intended lane, the indicator on the corresponding mirror will warn the driver with a solid light.

The available Blind Spot Monitor incorporates Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), which uses the Blind Spot Monitor radar sensors at the lower rear bodywork of the vehicle. When backing up, the RCTA senses vehicles approaching from either direction and provides an audible warning combined with a flashing indicator in the appropriate outside mirror.

Safety
All 2013 RAV4s will have a class-leading eight standard airbags. Like every Toyota, RAV4 will feature the Star Safety System, which includes Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Brake Assist, an Anti-lock Braking System and Smart Stop Technology.

Ford has releases photos and details for the 2013 Ford F-150. The new Limited model is the first trim to offer the option of either the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 or the 6.2-liter V-8 engine.

On the outside, the biggest changes are newly-optional and class-exclusive HID headlights, new grille designs, optional power towing mirrors, and three new color choices. Several trim levels get some new interior color choices, and theres even an all-new Limited trim level.

The cabin benefits from a refined center stack that ditches the short, wide strips of small buttons on the outgoing truck in favor of larger centrally-located controls. Ford’s SYNC system is now standard on XLT trim levels and above, and the setup is paired with a new 4.2-inch multifunction display that sits atop the center stack and also displays audio and climate-control information.

Visual changes include the availability 18- and 20-inch wheels, as well as L-shaped high-intensity-discharge projector headlamps. An optional navigation system is also offered.





Press Release


Ford Reveals 2013 F-150, Celebrating Rugged F-Series Pickups and 65-Year Future Farmers of America Relationship

• Today Ford celebrates introduction of the 2013 F-150, featuring updated design and all-new driver controls technology, with Future Farmers of America (FFA) members, alumni and educators

• Ford Motor Company, a continuous FFA sponsor since 1948, has provided $7.1 million in Built Ford Tough® scholarships to tomorrows farmers since 1997

• For 2013, F-150 introduces new front-end styling and advanced technologies such as MyFord Touch® voice-activated driver controls and high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps

BRUCEVILLE, Texas, June 4, 2012 - Ford Motor Company today celebrates introduction of the new 2013 Ford F-150 - part of the best-selling line of pickups in America - with the agricultural professionals and leaders of tomorrow.


"Like our hardworking customers, Ford is committed to getting the job done right with our industry-leading trucks," said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. "The 2013 F-150 demonstrates our commitment to continuously improving our trucks with new features and capabilities, allowing F-Series owners to be increasingly productive."


For 2013, the Ford F-150 receives new front-end design and advanced technologies such as MyFord Touch® with voice-activated driver controls and available high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps.


"Farm families have always represented an important F-Series truck constituency," said Doug Scott, Ford Truck group marketing manager and FFA sponsor board member. "For these multitasking customers, a Ford pickup means family transportation, economic livelihood, rugged capability and reliability. Like FFA, Ford pickups are an enduring agricultural tradition, and we are delighted to join forces with them to reveal the new F-150 models."


Americas pickup
For 2013, the most fuel-efficient and capable light-duty pickup on the market continues to push forward with updated design and advanced technologies. F-150 also adds even more breadth to its expansive lineup with a new Limited luxury model and availability of the groundbreaking EcoBoost® engine, powerful 6.2-liter V8, electronic-locking rear axle and Hill Descent ControlTM.


Outside, the F-150 lineup gets bold new grilles combining fresh designs with instantly recognizable F-Series cues highlighted on the XLT model revealed today.


New HID projector headlamps are available as a segment-first technology to deliver improved visibility and increase driver confidence.
HID technology provides exceptional lighting performance while contributing a distinctive look with stylish L-shaped lamps.


F-150 style also is enhanced with new 18- and 20-inch wheels offered in various trim packages.


Segment-exclusive power-telescoping and power-folding trailer-tow sideview mirrors add flexibility and convenience when operating in tight quarters, while enabling class-leading visibility.


F-150 pickups are available in three new hues including Blue Jeans Metallic, Kodiak Brown Metallic and Ruby Red Clearcoat Metallic.


Truck-focused technology
The 2013 Ford F-150 adds Fords award-winning SYNC® voice-activated communications and entertainment system with 911 Assist® and Vehicle Health Report as standard equipment in XLT series and above. This enables hands-free, voice-activated control of enabled mobile devices.


Buyers may choose from an optional suite of SYNC Services, including Traffic Information, Turn-by-Turn Directions, Business Search, Send to SYNC from Google Maps and MapQuest, News, Sports, Weather and Horoscopes.


F-150 also introduces SYNC paired with a new 4.2-inch LCD center-stack screen that provides enhanced displays of audio and climate-control functions. In addition, the instrument cluster contains a 4.2-inch driver-configurable LCD productivity screen including menus for gauge setup, trip computer, fuel economy and towing/off-road applications.


Lariat, King Ranch®, Platinum and Limited series models are equipped with SYNC with MyFord Touch, adding voice control to more vehicle systems coupled with an all-new, large 8-inch LCD color touch screen mounted in the center stack. This package adds a media hub with two USB ports, an SD card reader and audio/video input jacks.


Fords unique truck interface allows drivers to tailor their vehicle to their specific needs, such as wearing work gloves.


This premium system can be augmented with an available voice-activated Navigation System, SD map-card reader, point-of-interest storage and integrated SiriusXM Travel Link.


Interior design
The 2013 F-150 offers a range of interior updates. The new 4.2-inch multifunction display and MyFord Touch interfaces gave designers the opportunity to deliver a more modern center stack and control layout. Several new environment colors include a Steel Gray interior on Lariat and a Black interior for King Ranch. Both of these series receive upgraded wood grain appliqués to enhance premium style.


The aggressive FX Appearance Package now adds Alcantara seat inserts that amplify its sporty persona.


The Platinum series - synonymous with high-end trucks - offers new choices of Black or Pecan leather seating.


F-150 continues to offer a wide array of models and packages, allowing buyers to tailor their Ford pickup to their individual needs and preferences.


Fuel-efficient capability
From the powerful yet fuel-efficient EcoBoost® engine to the mighty 6.2-liter V8, the most powerful eight-cylinder engine in the segment, F-150 offers an engine to meet the needs of every customer. Each engine across the F-150 lineup is mated to a fuel-saving electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode, with tow packages and STX series and above adding SelectShift® capability.


F-150 engine choices include:


3.7-liter four-valve Ti-VCT V6

• Best-in-class 302 horsepower at 6,500 rpm

• Unsurpassed 278 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm vs. V6 competitors

• Best-in-class 17 mpg city and best-in-class 23 mpg highway (4x2)

• Best-in-class 6,100 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. V6 competitors

5.0-liter four-valve dual-overhead-camshaft Ti-VCT V8

• Best-in-class 360 horsepower at 5,500 rpm vs. standard V8 competitors

• 21 mpg highway, unsurpassed 15 mpg city (4x2)

• Best-in-class 10,000 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. standard V8 competitors

6.2-liter two-valve single-overhead-camshaft V8

• Best-in-class 411 horsepower at 5,500 rpm

• Best-in-class 434 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm

• 13 mpg city, 18 mpg highway (4x2)

• Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow

3.5-liter Ti-VCT EcoBoost engine

• 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel

• Best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm vs. premium V8 competitors

• Up to 90 percent peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm

• Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. all competitors

• Best-in-class 3,120 pounds payload vs. all competitors

• Unsurpassed 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway vs. all competitors

"The 2013 Ford F-150 adds more style and technology that sets a benchmark for capability and efficiency in light-duty pickups," said F-150 Marketing Manager Raj Sarkar. "We continue to focus on the no-compromise solution for our customers, giving them all of the conveniences and technologies they want with the capability they need and the fuel efficiency to go further."


FFA and Ford - making a difference
Future Farmers of America is a dynamic youth leadership development organization that changes lives by empowering its 540,000 members to set a course for the future. FFA operates within the context of agricultural education to complement classroom and laboratory instruction with hands-on experiential learning, useful life skills and individual motivation.


The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their leadership potential, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.


Fords FFA alliance gets a boost from supporting Ford dealerships serving agricultural markets.
For the 2011-12 academic year, the Built Ford Tough® Scholarship Program and 285 participating Ford dealers awarded a total of 540 individual $1,000 grants for post-secondary education.


Now in its 15th year, the Built Ford Tough Scholarship Program, the Ford Fund, and participating Ford dealers have awarded $7.1 million in grants. Built Ford Tough Trucks also sponsors the affiliated National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Lifetime Achievement Awards and an FFA chapter grant program. In 2011, six winning chapters were each awarded a $3,000 grant to support local initiatives.


Ford has sponsored FFA since 1948, the same year Ford F-Series pickups first went on sale.

Scion has revealed details and pricing for the 2013 Scion tC Release Series 8.0 will start at $21,815 plus $730 for destination charges for the six-speed manual version, with the auto tranny costing an extra $1,050.

The 2013 tC RS 8.0 is decked out in Absolutely Red exterior paint, accented by gloss black sideview mirrors and black 18-inch alloy wheels. It also gets a five-piece body kit inspired by Troy Sumitomo of customizer Five Axis. The kit includes front and rear lower valences, side skirts and a rear spoiler.

Inside, seats are covered in a black, textured fabric trimmed with red stitching. The leather-wrapped steering wheel gets red stitching, too, and each of the 2,000 Release Series 8.0 tCs comes with a number plaque commemorating the build.

The Release Series 8.0 continues with the same 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine as before, which sends 180 hp and 173 lb-ft to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. All of this will cost you $22,545 with a manual or $23,595 with an automatic, including destination. The 2000 models will make their way to dealers next month.







Press Release

Scion Announces Pricing for 2013 tC Release Series 8.0

TORRANCE, Calif., July 10, 2012 -- Scion announced pricing today for its 2013 tC Release Series 8.0 (tC RS 8.0). Only 2,000 of the specially equipped sports coupes will be made and they will be available at dealer showrooms later this month. The tC RS 8.0 will be on display in the Scion pit area at the next round of Formula DRIFT in Monroe, Washington on July 22-23.

The 2013 tC RS 8.0 commands attention as it comes exclusively in Absolutely Red exterior paint with contrasting gloss black side view mirrors and matching black 18-inch alloy wheels. The tCs aggressive exterior is further stylized with a unique five-piece body kit that was inspired by Troy Sumitomo of Five Axis that includes front and rear lower valences, side skirts and a rear spoiler.

To give the car even more attitude, the tC RS 8.0 comes with a couple of performance parts from Toyota Racing Development (TRD), including lowering springs and an exhaust system that is integrated into the center of the rear lower valence.

The interior of the tC features sporty seats that are wrapped in texturized black fabric with red stitching. The red stitching continues on the leather wrapped steering wheel. Each car comes with an individually numbered badge commemorating the unique model. When equipped with a six-speed automatic, the tC RS 8.0 features race-inspired steering wheel mounted paddle shifters for both sporty and convenient shifts.

The limited edition model will carry a manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of $21,815 and $22,865 when equipped with a six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmission respectively. The MSRP does not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $730. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Get a closer look at the tC RS 8.0 by visiting: http://www.scion.com/tCRS or by watching this detailed video: http://www.youtube.com/v/o1U6BN75Ohg.

Warranty and Complimentary Scion Service Boost
All Scion models are covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The tC comes standard with Scion Service Boost, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and two years of 24-hour roadside assistance.