Wednesday, September 14, 2011

BMW

BMW, 2011
= BMW 3- Series Convertible

BMW, 2010
= BMW 760 Li
= BMW B7 Bi-Turbo Alpina
= BMW X1
= BMW ActiveE Concept
= BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics
= BMW 135i Coupe
= BMW Z4

BMW, 2009
= BMW  Efficient Dynamics Concept

BMW, 2008

BMW, 2007

BMW, 2006
= BMW X6

BMW, 2005

BMW, 2004

BMW, 2003

BMW, 2003

BMW, 2001
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Land Rover Range e Concept, 2011

 
 
 
Land Rover Range e Concept, 2011

Land Rover's on-going commitment to building vehicles that are more fuel and emissions-efficient reaches another milestone at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show with the first presentation of Land Rover Range_e. This development model is equipped with an advanced plug-in hybrid diesel-electric powertrain that Land Rover expects to make available in future production models, following the scheduled launch of its diesel-electric hybrid in 2013.

Land Rover Range_e is based on the Range Rover Sport and uses the current 245PS 3.0-litre TDV6 diesel engine, working with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and a 69kW electric motor. Using a parallel hybrid system, with a 14.2kW/h lithium-ion battery that can be recharged from an external 240V power source, Land Rover Range_e can be driven on electric power alone for more than 20 miles, with zero harmful tailpipe emissions.

A full recharge from a standard domestic power supply can be accomplished in around four hours. Typically the majority of European car drivers cover less than 25 miles a day and therefore the EV range offered by this technology will support the majority of short urban journeys, where fuel economy and emissions are of prime concern. However, for longer journeys the diesel hybrid drivetrain will engage and continually optimise CO2 emissions.

Overall CO2 emissions are just 89g/km, yet Land Rover Range_e has a maximum system output of 339PS and a top speed of around 120mph, delivering a fuel economy of 85mpg. Improved fuel efficiency from the hybrid system makes 690 miles possible on a full tank of fuel.

Land Rover Range_e is also engineered with the same full 4WD capability as the standard Range Rover Sport, with high and low range in the transmission, front and rear differentials and a mechanical locking centre differential. Dependant on the driver demand, the car's intelligent system decides the most efficient method to deliver the power required, whether this is by electric, diesel or both. The Range_e also features regenerative braking to capture energy usually wasted in heat energy via the brakes. This energy can then be redeployed to drive the vehicle, further reducing fossil fuel consumption.

Land Rover in Partnership with CABLED

The Land Rover Range_e is one of a number of Land Rover projects supported by the UK Government's Technology Strategy Board and five prototype models are currently engaged in a test programme with Land Rover's fellow members of the CABLED - Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrators - consortium. Land Rover anticipates its plug-in hybrid system will be brought to market in the near future, following on from the debut of its first standard diesel-electric hybrid models from 2013.

Land Rover continues to recognise the need to work on all aspects of our CO2 footprint such as reducing weight, reducing mechanical losses and increasing powertrain efficiency and our hybrid technology represents one part of the research and development journey.
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Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Black, 2011

 
Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Black, 2011

The ultimate incarnation of the Range Rover, the Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Black 40th Anniversary Limited Edition, is quite simply the last word in bespoke vehicles.

With a unique finish in Barolo Black, the exterior also features 20-inch alloy wheels, Diamond Turned, a unique front grille with Titan grille mesh, a bright chrome grille 'U' edge and black grille surround. Side vents have a new mesh set off by bright chrome bars and a black vent surround. There are body coloured door handles and of course, the tailgate badge, 'Autobiography Black'.

Inside, there's a choice of the standard colourway in Jet, or two colourways unique to the Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Black - Jet and Ivory, or Jet and Pimento. The Autobiography Black logo is discretely repeated throughout the interior where it is embossed on the rear seat armrest and appears on the four unique, Grand Black door veneers. Front door sill tread plates are illuminated with the words 'Range Rover' and there's a half wood Grand Black steering wheel. Petrol models also offer gearknob veneers.
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Monday, September 12, 2011

GMC Terrain, 2010

 
 
 
 
GMC Terrain, 2010

The GMC Terrain is a five-passenger crossover SUV that blends bold styling with fuel efficiency and premium features.

A new, 2.4L four-cylinder engine that features direct injection is expected to deliver best-in-segment highway fuel economy of 30 mpg. Maximum fuel economy is achieved in part with an "ECO" mode that is activated via a console-mounted button. When engaged, it lowers the torque converter lockup speed to 1,125 rpm to help save fuel on models equipped with the 2.4L engine.

With front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models offered in SLE and SLT trim levels. The comprehensive purposeful technologies such as:
    * Standard rear vision camera
    * Programmable power rear liftgate
    * Bluetooth hands-free phone capability
    * MultiFlex sliding rear seat that increases passenger comfort or provides optimal       cargo space
    * Remote vehicle start
    * USB audio connectivity; MP3 playback
    * Seven-inch touch-screen navigation system and a 40-gigabyte hard drive
    * DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system with two independent screens
    * Standard OnStar and XM Satellite Radio

Segment-best safety is anticipated, with features that include four-wheel disc brakes with StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control, as well as six standard air bags: dual frontal air bags; head curtain side air bags and pelvic/thorax seat-mounted side air bags. OnStar with one-year Safe and Sound service is also standard.

Bold styling
GMC Terrain has a balanced, athletic stance and offers a commanding view of the road. Its design is characterized by bold, muscular fender flares, representing GMC's aesthetic. Surfacing is angular yet refined, with a strong and capable front-end appearance that features precise, squared-off edges.
The additional design features include a unique, three-element grille that is accented by a prominent chrome surround and projector-beam headlamps mounted in large, rectangular housings with chrome accents.

The interior details and flexibility
The GMC Terrain's rich, premium interior is influenced by industrial sculpture and exudes refinement exemplified by contrast stitching and fine materials that create a structured look throughout the cabin. A "floating" center stack, highlighted by warm ambient lighting, houses a multitude of ergonomic comfort and convenience controls.

The GMC Terrain also features great attention to detail, with smart use of storage space and compartments that are suitable for a variety of items. They include an oversized glove box; a closed storage area in the instrument panel above the center stack; a closed storage compartment under the center armrest large enough for a laptop computer; and two-tier storage in the doors.

GMC Terrain's seats were developed to provide outstanding comfort and the standard MultiFlex sliding rear seat can be moved fore or aft nearly eight inches (200 mm), providing increased passenger comfort or greater rear cargo capacity. The 60/40-split rear seatback offers additional configurations for passengers and cargo; and the rear cargo area offers 31.6 cubic feet (894 liters) of storage, as well as one of the GMC Terrain's four auxiliary power outlets.

The Confident and agile driving experience
Two new engines are offered on all GMC Terrain models, each with fuel-saving direct injection and variable valve timing technology. 
 
Vehicle highlights:
    * New 3.0L DOHC direct injected V-6 engine estimated at 264 horsepower (197 kW), which       delivers an estimated 25 mpg highway, 18 mpg city (EPA certification pending).
    * New 2.4L Ecotec direct injected I-4 engine estimated at 182 horsepower (136 kW) that       delivers an estimated 30 mpg highway, 21 mpg city (EPA certification pending)
    * Driving range of more than 500 miles (800 km) with both engines, for less-frequent       fill-ups

The powertrains are mounted on a rigid, body-integral structure, with single-piece body side stampings and targeted applications of high-strength steel. It is the foundation of a confident driving experience that is both smooth and responsive.

GM's first application of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology is used on 2.4L-equipped models. ANC uses microphones to detect booming sounds inside the vehicle and sends counteracting sound waves through the audio system's speakers, ensuring a quiet driving experience at almost all vehicle speeds.

The GMC Terrain rides on a 112.5-inch (2,857 mm) wheelbase and features a four-wheel independent suspension system, with wide front and rear tracks that enhance the ride and handling.
GMC Terrain's rack-mounted electric power steering system provides greater fuel efficiency on four-cylinder-equipped models, saving nearly 11 miles per tank of gas.
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Sunday, September 11, 2011

Bentley

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Audi

Audi, 2010
= Audi A5 Cabriolet
= Audi E-Tron Concept
= Audi A4 Allroad Quattro
= Audi A5 Cabriolet
= Audi A1 E-Tron Concept

Audi, 2009
= Audi E-Tron Concept

Audi, 2008
= Audi AS5 ABT
= Audi R8

Audi, 2007
= Audi TT-R

Audi, 2006
= Audi Q7
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Aston Martin

Aston Martin, 2010
= Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Aston Martin, 2009
= Aston Martin cygnet Concept
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Ascari

Ascari, 2007
= Ascari A10
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Artega

Artega, 2008
= Artega GT
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Aero TT

Aero TT, 2007
= SSC Ultimate Aero TT
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Alfa Romeo

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Acura

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Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle, 2011

 
 
 
 
Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle, 2011

An all-new Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) will join the ranks of law enforcement departments across North America in 2011. It's a modern, full-size, rear-drive sedan that will offer both V-8 and V-6 engines, as well as a host of specialized equipment and features.

Chevrolet made the announcement at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police convention, in Denver, Colorado. The Chevrolet Caprice PPV will be available for ordering next year and will hit the streets in early 2011.

Unlike other police cars on the market, the Chevrolet Caprice PPV is not based on existing "civilian" passenger-car model sold in North America. It has been developed in key areas specifically for police duty, containing modern equipment and features:

    * Powerful 6.0L V-8 with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability delivers expected best-in-class 0-60 acceleration (sub six seconds) and top speed; a V-6 engine will also be offered, beginning in the 2012 model year
    * Optional front-seat-only side curtain air bags allows a full-width rear-seat barrier for greater officer safety
    * Two trunk-mounted batteries, with one of them dedicated to powering various police equipment
    * Designed for five-passenger seating, meaning the upper-center section of the dashboard can be used for equipment mounting without the concern of air bag deployment interference
    * Compatibility with in-dash touch-screen computer technology
    * Special front seats designed for the long-term comfort of officers whose car is their effective office, including space that accommodates the bulk of a typical equipment belt

Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle

The front seats are sculpted to "pocket" the equipment belt, which greatly increases the comfort for a great range of police officer sizes. The foam density of the seatback and cushion insert surfaces are designed to conform to the shape of an equipment belt's various items, too, allowing the officer's back to rest properly on the seatback surface.
Along with comfort, the materials used in the seats were also carefully selected. High-wear materials were chosen to stand up to long hours of everyday use, while breathability, long-term durability and ease of cleaning were also important criteria.

Engineers worked on several iterations of the seat, testing a couple of versions in the field to get real-world feedback from police officers, who used prototype seats in their cruisers for a month. Their input helped determine the final design.

Class-leading space

The Chevrolet Caprice PPV is based on GM's global rear-drive family of vehicles that also underpins the Chevy Camaro. It uses the longest wheelbase of the architecture - 118.5 inches (3,010 mm) - along with a four-wheel independent suspension that delivers responsive high-performance driving characteristics that are crucial in some police scenarios.
Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle's long wheelbase also contributes to exceptional spaciousness.
 
Compared to the primary competition, its advantages:
    * A larger interior volume - 112 cubic feet / 3,172 liters - than the Ford Crown Victoria, including nearly 4 inches (101 mm) more rear legroom
    * The barrier between the front seat and rear seat is positioned farther rearward, allowing for full front-seat travel and greater recline for officer comfort
    * At 18 cubic feet (535 liters) free space (beyond battery located in trunk), the Caprice's trunk volume is large enough to accommodate a full-size spare tire under a flat load surface in the trunk storage area.

The Chevrolet Caprice's 6.0-liter V-8 is rated at an estimated 355 horsepower (265 kW) with an estimated 384 lb-ft of torque. It is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission that is performance-calibrated for police duty. 
 
police car-specific powertrain and vehicle system features:
    * High-output alternator
    * Engine oil, transmission and power steering coolers
    * Standard 18-inch steel wheels with bolt-on center caps
    * Large, four-wheel disc brakes with heavy-duty brake pads
    * Heavy-duty suspension components
    * Police-calibrated stability control system
    * Driver information center in the instrument cluster with selectable speed tracking feature.

A host of complementary features are also offered, including special equipment packages such as spotlights; lockouts for the power windows and locks; and an "undercover" street-appearance package (9C3).

To enable more room for interior equipment, the standard radio can be relocated to the trunk, allowing for an in-dash, touch-screen computer to be used.

Chevrolet Caprice on patrol: A brief history

Chevrolet's history with law enforcement is almost as old as the brand itself. Police departments have used Chevy sedans as police cars for decades, ordering them with basic equipment and powerful V-8 engines - including some special engines that weren't available in regular-production models, such as the 1959 Biscayne that was offered with up to 315 horsepower.

The full-size Chevrolets joined the force in 1976. All Chevrolet Caprice police cars - including the new, 2011 model - have carried the 9C1 order code. 
 
Chevys on patrol:

    * 1959 - Chevy Biscayne police model capable of 135 mph with specially tuned, police-only version of the 348-cubic-inch V-8 engine
    * 1965 - The new "big-block" 396 engine is offered in Biscayne and Bel Air police cars, making them among the most powerful on patrol; a 427 V-8 was added in 1966
    * 1976 - The 9C1 order code is given for the first time to a full-size Chevy police car package. It carries the Impala name.
    * 1977 - The full-size Chevy is downsized. The 9C1 police package is retained, as is the Impala name.
    * 1986 - The Caprice name replaces Impala, as the car is updated for the mid- and late-1980s - including the option of a powerful, 5.7-liter small-block V-8.
    * 1991 - A new-generation Caprice is launched, with the 9C1 police car still on the beat.
    * 1994 - The 260-horsepower (194 Nm) LT1 V-8 engine is offered in the Caprice 9C1, making it one of the fastest full-size police cars ever offered.
    * 1996 - Caprice police car production ends, as GM's full-size, body-on-frame car architecture is discontinued.
    * 2011 - The Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle returns to active duty.
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BMW 3-Series Convertible, 2011

 
 
 
 
 
BMW 3-Series Convertible, 2011

BMW has announced substantial enhancements to the 2011 BMW 3-Series Convertible and Coupe, including outstanding style updates for 328i and 335i models and a new engine for 335i models. The 2011 BMW 3-Series Convertible and Coupe models will go on sale in Spring 2010, and pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

Fundamentally unchanged are each car's essential attributes of rear-wheel drive (xDrive is available on the Coupe), near-perfect 50-50 weight distribution, remarkably precise steering, and skillfully engineered suspension…all of which conspire to produce the uniquely satisfying driving experience that is quintessentially BMW.

All-new is the engine for the 335i model. Internally designated the "N55," this turbocharged, all-aluminum engine features essentially the same "short block" and 3.0-liter displacement of its predecessor, but benefits from five additional years worth of development and refinement. The result is an engine that is more responsive, more fuel efficient, and cleaner-running than its outstanding predecessor, but preserves the previous engine's output and soul: 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, and a 7,000 rpm redline. The 6-speed manual gearbox - beloved by North American enthusiast drivers - remains standard, and the well-known 6-speed Steptronic automatic is optional, now featuring "pull-style" shift paddles on the multifunction steering wheel.

Design. Reflecting the legendary distinction of BMW Coupes and Convertibles

The profile of the BMW 3-Series Convertible and Coupe is instantly recognizable at first glance. Beyond the basic shape of the car and its classic lines, the new design of the headlights, the enhanced depth and detail of the taillights, the interior, and even the exterior mirrors were specifically created for the Convertible and Coupe. These unique design elements reflect the sporty character of the car. The driver who chooses a two-door vehicle desires a car with dynamic looks as well as driving performance. With this in mind, BMW engineers and designers set out to create a unique, unmistakable blend of design features and most importantly, driving pleasure.

It all begins with proportions. The new, long hood powerfully symbolizes BMW's loyalty to the inherently balanced inline-6 engine. The long wheelbase, short overhangs, the passenger compartment set aft and the low, sleek roofline which seamlessly slopes into the trunk are all characteristics of the BMW Coupe and BMW retractable hardtop Convertible.

In addition to the classic proportions, three design lines—the shoulder, character and lower sill lines— enhance the sleek appearance. Both the shoulder line and character line stretch uninterrupted to the back of the car, allowing one's eye to move quickly and smoothly from front to rear along the entire length of the car. The sill line of the lower edge of the door flows into the front and rear air dams, reinforcing the dynamic nature of newest BMW 3-Series Convertible and Coupe.

The combination of lines flowing into one another elegantly emphasizes the vehicles' performance potential. While the shoulder line rises slightly but consistently from front to rear, the character line flows in a long, stretched arch all the way from the front fender to the new taillights. As the sill line, by contrast, moves up slightly to the rear in a slow and gentle curve, the distance between the character and sill lines becomes smaller near the rear wheel arches. The fender flare around each rear wheel also serves to give the character line extra tension in both an upward and outward direction.

Attractive new innovations at the front, side, and rear - integrated precisely into the overall look of the car- give greater emphasis to the sportiness of both models. At the same time, these modifications slightly extend the overhangs front and rear (now 1.14" and 0.12" longer, respectively), which adds a sleeker and even more athletic appearance.

The new, widened kidney grille, a signature feature of every BMW, suits the broad new hood and stands out from the surfaces around it. Interaction with the three-dimensional kidney frame creates a look of power and unique style. The frame around the kidney grille now features a chrome band precisely twisted within itself.

The BMW 3-Series Convertible and Coupe come standard in the U.S. with Xenon Adaptive Headlights, accented by BMW's signature corona light rings. At the top, the new headlights merge into a trim bar cutting off the light beam to create that concentrated, focused look typical of a genuine BMW. The corona rings, now powered by super-bright LED light sources, can serve as daytime running lights (if that feature is activated), and also as evening city lights, making the Convertible and Coupe instantly recognizable as a BMW, day or night. The upper edge of each headlight fixture is also illuminated by an LED light source.

The new design of the taillights is unique to the BMW 3-Series Convertible and Coupe. The rear light cluster feature two-piece L-shapes and are further accentuated by a new color scheme. With two rows of light tubes that illuminate simultaneously, they create a night design with depth and dimension. Integrated flush into the body of the car, the lights are split into two sections and extend up the trunk lid, blending with the character lines from the side profile. Horizontal LED tube taillights give the car an unmistakable look at night. The horizontal flowing lines accentuate the wide track and low stance of the Convertible and Coupe.

An additional horizontal contour line has been added to the rear air dam to further accentuate the width of the Convertible and Coupe. It creates light-and-shade effects to give the entire rear end a flatter and smoother appearance.
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