Showing posts with label new. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new. Show all posts

Sunday, June 9, 2013

New Car Review Nissan Leaf


2011 Nissan Leaf electric car
The 2011 Nissan Leaf. Park one next to a Juke and contemplate automotive styling.

 Nissan Leaf. No gas, and as the decals on the sides say (yep, our tester had them), "Zero Emission".

2011 Nissan Leaf electric car interior
The interior of the 2011 Nissan Leaf: Futuristic, but functional.

Its a very nice, modern car. Not terribly gimmicky, yet with enough dashes of obvious tech here and there to remind you of your cutting-edge status. It drives well, is surprisingly quick, very quiet (no gasoline motor noise, for one), and is roomier inside than the outside suggests (the Nissan Tardis?)

$33,720 puts one in your driveway (our tester, with optional splash guards, ECO Design Package..thats the decals on the doors, Hologram 3D door entry plates and center console applique...Protection Package, floor mats and cargo area mat, cargo net and safety kit, came to $35,430 with destination charges...but subtract the $7,500 tax credit and youre at $27,930).

Better yet, let that money put it in your garage, where hopefully youll have the optional ($2,200) 240 volt charging station installed. The advantage...the ability to fully recharge a very-nearly-drained Leaf in just 7 hours. Use the charger that stashes in the trunk and hooks up to your household 120V current and itll take 14.

2011 Nissan Leaf electric car range meter
Like optimism? Youll love the 2011 Nissan Leafs range meter.

Nissans early PR for the Leaf suggested a 100 mile range was attainable. The EPA, however, doesnt agree, and has issued a 73 mile estimated range on a full charge. Even that, though, can be optimistic. How youre driving, whether youre using the air conditioning, and things beyond your control such as traffic patterns, can all affect your range.

When the Leaf was dropped off for our test, it showed what the picture shows above...83 miles. But a 15-mile roundtrip from my office to run an errand brought that down to 57. No problem. Id made arrangements with the building supervisor for a parking space next to a 120V outlet in the company garage. Id get six hours worth of charge (not quite enough to get it to full, but giving me a comfortable cushion for the 25 mile drive home that evening).

Except.

The Leaf kept tripping the circuit breaker. Turned out to be the outlets fault, not the car, but it meant no charge, and a drive home in rush hour with no more juice than was in the car.

57 minus 25 is 32. But the Leaf showed only a 19 mile range by the time I pulled into my driveway that evening....and it was estimating a 14-hour full recharge on household current. More trouble. Id just finished a double shift. It was 7PM. I needed to leave for work at 4AM. Thats only 9 hours of charging time.  I left the next morning showing 55 miles on the range meter, with a 25 mile drive (same as last night, just the other direction). Good news...it wasnt rush hour. Bad news...it wasnt rush hour. What that means is that while there wasnt much unpredictable about 4AM traffic, it also meant running 65 miles per hour on the freeway, which eats the charge quicker than say, 40 or 45.

The range meter showed 22 when I got to work. Thankfully, the building supervisor had sent an email. A good outlet had been located and blocked off for the Leaf. The bad news? The Leaf again needed 14 hours on 120V household current, and I was only going to be at work for 8.

2011 Nissan Leaf electric car front view
The panel around the Nissan logo on the 2011 Leaf? Thats the flap that opens for the charger.


This could have gone on forever, but Nissan scheduled a short loan. They dropped it with me at noon on Thursday, and picked it up the following Monday morning. So I finally got a full charge between 1PM and 3AM Friday afternoon/Saturday morning, but I wasnt commuting on Saturday and Sunday. I drove it for errands through the weekend on that one charge. And after giving it a full charge Sunday afternoon until 4AM Monday, I drove it to work and Nissan came and picked it up.


So what did we learn? A few things:

1. The Leaf is a much better electric car than the General Motors EV-1 of the 1990s, a car whose range meter could go from 80 miles to 45 in just three miles. It is far more comfortable, carries more people and their possessions and is simply more practical.

2. If you drive more than 10 miles one way to work in a day, spend the $2200 for the 240V charger for your house. Youll have a full charge when you leave each morning and reserve power for lunch runs and unforseen emergencies.

3. If you drive more than 25 miles one way to work in a day, seriously consider doing whatever it takes to get a second 240V charger installed where you work. Again, a full charge in the morning, a full charge to get home on and reserve power for the stuff that comes up. If you cant make a 240V work charger happen, think twice about the Leaf.

4. If you ever have days where you drive more than 75 or 80 miles, or if your life or job are simply unpredictable in terms of how much and where you might have to drive at any given time, theres probably a better option for you.

Still, purely electric vehicles have a place in the future of the automobile, and theres no doubt Nissan will improve and refine the Leaf as battery technology improves. Its a good car, a commendable effort, and for some drivers, a solid choice.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

New Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition

Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition
Panamera Platinum
Stuttgart firm offers a special version of its Gran Turismo modificiaciones including aesthetic and premium serial systems.

Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition release is characterized by its unique and elegant aesthetics combined with unique details and enlarged with a standard configuration.

Panamera Platinum body is available in five different colors (black, white, basalt black metallic paint, metallic charcoal gray metallic mahogany) that create a harmonious relationship with the glossy black used in window sills and special designs that were used in mirrors, side grilles, air intakes and rear diffuser (all in platinum silver metallic). The set comes complete with a set of 19-inch wheels alloy.

Panamera Platinum Edition leather interior partially realized (the full is optional) boasts a black and beige combination that gives the car an aura of elegance and refinement. The sports steering wheel comes standard and special edition logo seen in many places.

Among the systems that come standard find steering Power Steering Plus, the heating of the front seats, navigation system and PCM communication, 7-inch touch screen, an audio system with 11 speakers and front park assist.

Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition will be available from November in the settings Diesel and 4, and will cost 107,000 and $ 114,000 respectively.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

The new 2014 Rolls Royce Wraith

Rolls Wraith
 The new Rolls Royce Wraith, a high-performance coupe. Dubbed as the most powerful and fastest ever built by Rolls Royce.

The 2014 Rolls Royce Wraith is based or from the limo Ghost and the most featured car is the 1340 Starlight headliner with fiber optic lights that give the impression of a bright, starry night sky.

Still, the 2014 Rolls Royce Wraith is not far behind, with its 6.6-liter Twin-Turbo V12 engine that generates 624hp (633PS) and maximum torque of 800Nm (590 lb-ft) for a sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.2 seconds, compared to 563hp and 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds for the sedan Ghost. The V12 engine is linked to an automatic transmission ZF 8-speed rear wheel drive.
Rolls Wraith
Rolls Wraith interior

Rolls Royce says it has redesigned the suspension to "minimize body roll and discreetly amplified feedback on curves, while the weight is heavier direction at high speed and low speed light adding to the unity of spirit."

The fastback coupe style is 5269 mm / 17 ft.3 long, 1947 mm / 6 ft 5 in width and 1,507 mm / 4 ft 11 inches while rides on a 3112 mm / 10 m 2 wheelbase, so is 130 mm (5.1 inches) shorter in overall length than the Ghost sedan. The executor has a curb weight of 2,360 kg.

A feature of the new technology for making her debut in the 2014 Rolls Royce Wraith transmission is aided satellite (SAT) based on data from the GPS and driving style to select the most appropriate gear for the terrain ahead.

Rolls-Royce said sales of four-seater model will begin in the last quarter of 2013, about U.S. $ 320,000, prices will vary from country to country.

MAHINDRA LAUNCHED NEW FACELIFTED XYLO

MAHINDRA LAUNCHED NEW FACELIFTED XYLO Mahindra has launched its new facelifted Xylo that features massive muscular restyled. Exterior changes on the face-lifted model are apparent right up front with a spirited new front grille, the nicely curved bonnet and the newly styled headlights, which add instant flair to the new MUV’s forward stance. A closer look reveals sporty air dams, refreshing body decals, a lot more pronounced wheel arches and chrome-tipped body moulding - all tasteful cosmetic touches to a new generation model that will now look prettier when it hits the streets and gets down to doing its business of moving people around in comfort. Panache would be an over the top term to describe the interiors of this revamped people mover, but certain style and utility elements are definitely worth mentioning. ‘New and style’ are almost complimentary to one another in the advent of new car launches. However, on the new Xylo where comfortable long distance commutes are in sync with the MUV’s distinct character, the integration of genuine leather upholstery, a 2-DIN music system, a two-tone dash, new door trims and a noticeable glossy, wood-finished console now add some further sheen to its interior feel and ambience. ‘Utility’ is the Xylo’s middle name and for this reason, Mahindra has made it a point to add some needy functional gear to the interior of this MUV, like individual AC vents for rear passengers, foldable snack trays for easy consumption of meals over long commutes, handy laptop and mobile charging points and some well thought out storage spaces will make life within the four walls of the car a lot less cluttered. The new Xylo comes with three engine options to better suit your driving requirement. First up is the powerful mHawk engine that also does duty on the company’s Genio pick up range and its princely XUV5OO SUV model. A torquey mEagle and a more refined and efficient mDI CRDe engine will also be on offer as optional drivetrains for the new Xylo. Packed with Dual SRS airbags, an Intellipark reverse assist system, ABS with EBD and Extra Stability Technology (offered as standard across variants) safety on the new Xylo is exemplary for this pedigree of vehicle. But what really sets this car apart and puts it at the top of India’s multi-utility vehicle charts is the introduction of a fully-functional and state-of-the-art Voice Command Technology, which through simple audio commands can operate your headlights, lock/unlock your doors, open your fuel lid and even warn you when a safety lapse is detected. This feature will make life a lot easier for daily commuters, who would rather sit back and play boss, while the car performs all the menial opening and closing chores. Priced at Rs 7.37 lakh for the base D2 variant (cheaper than the previous generation D2 model), the new Xylo will be sold in seven trim levels depending on the level of equipment you wish to pay for, with the highest sum of Rs 10.25 lakh fetching you the top of the line E9 variant. PRICES OF THE NEW MAHINDRA XYLO Variant Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) D2 Rs 7.37 lakhs D4 Rs 7.77 lakhs E4 Rs 8.11 lakhs E4 ABS Rs 8.34 lakhs E8 Rs 9.1 lakhs E8 ABS and airbags Rs 9.47 lakhs E9 Rs 10.25 lakhs Mahindra plans to launch the new Xylo is two phases, starting with Delhi, Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, AP, TN, Kerala and Karnataka in Phase I followed by the rest of the country in its subsequent and final launch phase.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

The new 2015 Audi A3 sedan

2015 A3 sedan
The Audi luxury car took preamble Auto Show New York to present its new global compact Audi A3 sedan.

The dynamic four-door, which will be hitting the markets of Latin America and the Caribbean later this year, has all the virtues of the A3: low weight thanks to lightweight, powerful and highly efficient engines and high-end solutions technology in the field of infotainment and driver assistance systems. The most powerful model series is the Audi S3 sedan 300 hp (221 kW), which hit the market a few months after the arrival of the Audi A3.

The Design
The design of the Audi A3 sedan bridges the classic concept three-box or three volumes and coupe philosophy. The tornado line traces a bright contour marking that extends around the edge. The overhangs are short. Battle With 2.64 meters, the four-door has an overall length of 4.46 meters.

With 1.80 m, the Audi A3 sedan is 11 mm wider than the A3 Sportback, although it has a lower height 9 mm (1.42 meters). As the contours of the engine hood, the bumpers, the air inlets and the escutcheon of the single-frame grille, the four-door also opt for a style.
At the rear, the spoiler is integrated into the boot lid, while the light clusters enhance your cutting width and the effect of horizontal plane. On request Audis LED technology provides.

From the moment of the launch Audi also offers LED headlights full on, with its innovative technology and striking image enhances the privileged position of the Audi A3 sedan.

Body
Equipped with the 1.4 TFSI engine, the car weighs only 1205 kg -- (provisional value). To achieve a low weight and high mechanical resistance used in the interior Audi numerous pieces of hardened steel mold, while the bonnet is made of aluminum. The body is extremely rigid, safe from impacts and acoustically comfortable.

During the development of the interior and auxiliary groups, engineers also were governed by strict mandates of lightweight construction. Thus, the four-cylinder engine weighs just over 100 pounds.

Motors
in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Audi A3 sedan will be available with three four-cylinder engines: the 1.2 TFSI. The 1.4 TFSI and 1.8 TFSI. The most radical version, the Audi S3 sedan, will be equipped with the 2.0 TFSI.

All engines are newly developed and flaunt the Audi efficiency technologies: direct injection, turbo charging, the innovative thermal management and the Start-Stop-System in countries that meet the Euro 5 standard fuel. The 110 hp 1.2 TFSI yields (81 kW) and will be equipped with manual gearbox or six-speed dual-clutch S Tronic seven, both with front-wheel drive.
The 125 hp 1.4 TFSI yields (92 kW) and gearboxes have dual-clutch seven-speed S Tronic and front wheel drive.

The yields 180 hp 1.8 TFSI (132 kW) and 250 Nm of torque. It offers a full suite of advanced technologies, among which double injection in the combustion chamber and the intake manifold. With a standard acceleration of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 232 km / h, the engine provides a truly sporting performance. Walk 66.4 miles / gallon (17.5 km / l or 5.7 liters per 100 km), which is equivalent to 135 grams of CO2 per km.

In combination with the dynamic driving system Audi drive select the S Tronic gearbox incorporates a function mode decoupling efficiency further reducing fuel consumption.

Undercarriage
The pole position that the Audi A3 sedan in its segment occupies largely due to its undercarriage, characterized by the need to balance the distribution of axle loads (depending on the engine, at a ratio of 60 percent forward and backward 40 percent). All engines are mounted tilted back 12 degrees, with the suspension of the front wheels in a very advanced position.

The front axle is a McPherson construction with triangular cross arms and swivel bearings made from aluminum. Said shaft is coupled by articulation with aluminum sub frame. The electromechanical power steering is responsive and efficient operating and collaborating with different assistance systems. In the four-arm rear axle, with a bridge made of steel, the springs and dampers are mounted separately. Undercarriages for online sports Ambition S line and lower the ride height by up to 25 mm.

The interior
the interior of the Audi A3 sedan is characterized by the high level of detail. The lines and surfaces have a clear line, and under the windshield extend a long arc. The dashboard, with its arched front, is slender, and the center console is slightly towards the driver. The optional color display driver information system (FIS) introduced 3D graphics with great detail.

Since MMI radio equipment on board is mounted MMI operating system with a screen that folds electrically. Its terminal is located in the center tunnel console. The electromechanical parking brake is activated by a key.

Thanks to the long wheelbase, also the rear seat passengers enjoy plenty of space and comfortable access. The boot capacity is 425 liters. Can be extended by folding the rear seatbacks, as an option to integrate a charging port. After unlocking, the tailgate opens by itself.

Infotainment and Audi connect
like the other models in the series, the A3 Sedan uses new modular infotainment platform (MIB). MMI navigation plus system leads the platform with a SSD hard disk capacity of 64 GB, a DVD player and voice control with whole-word identification.
MMI navigation plus system with high resolution monitor, connecting mobile phones and portable players via a Bluetooth interface.

Other notable component of infotainment is the sound system Bang & Olufsen. Its 705-watt amplifier manages 14 speakers in 5.1 sound and a series of LED optical light conductors frames woofers in the front doors.

Ford Focus brand new Executive Car of the Year

Ford Focus
The Ford Focus is allowed one year Executive Car of the Year. The focus was on the jury the highest points on all technical and commercial criteria and scored meritorious issues such as representative ness, styling and handling.

It is the second time that the Ford Focus lease drivers under the esteemed title "Executive Car of the Year" win. Previously he did in 2007. The current focus is the contango another boost. Previously the model because all elected towing of the Year 2012 and according to statistics from 2012, the Focus is currently the best selling car in the world to call.

Appreciation
the reason the Focus brand new Executive Car of the Year has become the jury because the car scores well on quality and resale value. On the technical dragged the Focus also necessary, important points within. This will include the Ford EcoBoost technology valued, with the standard-bearer of the 1.0-liter three-cylinder naturally. But the dealer channel and customer Ford is satisfactory.

Ambition
Finally, as the Fiat 500 and Citroen DS3. These cars scoring high among business minded motorists but could not quite win this edition of the Focus. They were second and third respectively. The potential is nevertheless present, as in the Peugeot 208. Who got the ambition imputed price. The award for upcoming talent in the automobile business.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

New Ford Focus WTCC Limited Edition

Ford Focus WTCC Limited Edition
The New Ford Focus WTCC Limited Edition

Arena Team Aon Launches WTCC street version based on the Focus with participating in this category for his first season in the competition.

This limited edition presents characteristics of a racing car race but for street homologated and approved by the WTCC. It’s exterior in Artic White with graphics competition such as classical and blue strips running through his body. Also equipped Team Dynamics wheels of 18 inches (the same as the race car) Yokohama tires that fit.

To drive the Ford Focus WTCC Limited Edition found the 1.6-liter turbocharged Ecoboost optimized to develop 200 HP, which is coupled to a six-speed manual transmission operated by a lever trimmed. To this is added a system exhausts high performance.

Inside the cabin we see a use of carbon fiber covers the center console control panel and a few panels.

The Ford Focus WTCC will be offered on a limited globally.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

2014 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan debut at the New York Motor Show

2014 Buick LaCrosse introduced before its debut at the New York Motor Show.
2014 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan
Described as a "benchmark luxury sedan", the face lifted model has new bumpers, a revised grille and LED headlights infused. The changes are less noticeable on the back, but includes additional chrome taillights and redesigned.

In the cabin of the new 2014 Buick LaCrosse several changes. A new digital instrument cluster, a revised center console and a new IntelliLink infotainment. Also the seats have been improved and a new shifter position. The 2014 LaCrosse will also be offered with a luxury package that adds leather seats new Ultra semi-aniline reinforcement with shades of wood ash synthetic suede.

In the technology department indicate that the 2014 Buick LaCrosse includes several new security features, Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Collision Automatic preparation. The 2014 LaCrosse also offers adaptive cruise control and a seat safety alert that vibrates to alert the driver of an impending accident.

Under the hood, two engines are available. The entry-level model features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 180hp (136 kW) and 172 lb.-ft. (233 Nm) of torque. It is supported by an electric motor that adds another 15 hp (11 kW) and 79 lb-ft (107 Nm) of torque.

Drivers can also opt for a 3.6-liter V6 that churns out 300hp (227 kW) and 264 lb.-ft. (358 Nm) of torque.

Both engines are connected to a six-speed automatic transmission that can be combined with an optional drive system on all wheels.
The 2014 Buick LaCrosse will go on sale this summer and prices will be announced later.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Honda Accord This is the new American Honda Accord

Honda Accord 2013
The Accord is Hondas flagship in the United States and there in the new outlet. Normally, this means a renewal of the European model, but given the fact that recently has been refreshed, we are not sure if this goes ahead.

The Honda Accord is more than 35 years of tradition in the automotive world and in the United States now had a new chapter, like the coupe variant that the Americans, unlike us have known for years.

Renewals
so what is there renewed? Well, the light units were on both the front and rear bumper was also addressed and a new design. Interestingly, the outside dimensions of the car slightly taken but Honda promises that the inside there is no hindrance encountered, which is actually grew. An additional accented hip line should finally provide an extra dynamic look.

Interested? That is doubly unlucky. Uses ie years two completely different Honda Accord for both sides of the Atlantic. The model shown here has nothing to do with the European one. Moreover, our copy last years freshened up so we need a new Honda Accord for 2015 is not expected.