Saturday, June 2, 2012

Maybach Xenatec Coupe, 2010

 
 
 
 
 
  •  Maybach Xenatec Coupe, 2010
Xenatec is pleased to announce the launch of the Maybach Xenatec Coupé built by the Karosserie Manufaktur Weinsberg - a division of Xenatec Group - in cooperation with Maybach.

Created in 2002, the Maybach is undoubtedly one of the finest cars ever built. A powerful combination of state of the art technology, superior driving performance and opulent use of the finest materials places the Maybach in a league of its own.

Based upon the Maybach 57S limousine, this dynamic interpretation of driver-oriented luxury sets new standards in terms of exclusivity - a very limited number of the Xenatec Coupé will be built by hand in Germany for discerning clients worldwide, and will be offered at an ex-works price of € 675,000 excluding taxes.

The Maybach Xenatec Coupé was designed by Fredrik Burchhardt, creator of the dramatic Exelero (a joint Fulda Tyre Company/Maybach project in 2004-2005), to surpass the highest expectations - fulfilling the needs of those who prefer to savour the Maybach experience from the driver's seat, enjoying the thrill of being at the helm of a high-performance flagship for the discerning connoisseur. A technical masterpiece offering uncompromised comfort together with ample space and superior agility.

The evolution from limousine to coupé has involved major changes to bodywork and interior, but none to the drivetrain - and to the already impressive performance - of the Maybach 57S upon which the Xenatec Coupé is based.

Compared to the Maybach 57S limousine, major changes have been also made to the immensely strong bodywork, which has been completely redesigned and engineered and features new doors allowing for easy access to the rear passenger compartment.

The windscreen and rear screen are more steeply raked for a sporty silhouette, lowering the roofline without compromising passenger comfort. A full glass roof can be fitted if desired, as can almost all other options available for the Maybach 57S.

The doors and side panels as well as the front and rear fenders are new, as are the front and rear bumpers. Rear track is increased by 20 mm, and the standard 20-inch wheels allow for a marvellously supple ride whilst the optional 21-inch wheels sharpen handling to sports car levels - bringing the Maybach experience to the driver's seat.

Every  car  built to individual customer specification and handcrafted in Germany. The opportunities for personalisation, even extending to armouring the car, are almost boundless.
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Maserati GranCabrio, 2011

 
 
 
  •  Maserati GranCabrio, 2011

The Maserati Gran Cabrio - four proper seats, comfortable, inviting and all-enveloping. Never before had an open-top Maserati offered so much. Never before had a car with the Trident badge allowed an entire family or four friends to enjoy a journey in the open air. The Maserati Gran Cabrio's magical chemistry starts when you look at it: it is shockingly beautiful, with the soft top up or down. Indeed it features a sophisticated canvas top, for very precise reasons, which can be summed up in three words: «centre of gravity». Fabric, ultra-high tech fabric, weighs very little, infinitely less than metal and helps the car's road-holding: the overall system weight is just 65 kg. And then fabric is pliant, it complements the palette of the car's exterior colours six times over, the number of shades in which it is available, from a solid black to a high-tech titanium grey, to a warm chocolate colour.

The Maserati Gran Cabrio's Design
Dynamism, sensuality and passion have always been the features that transform Pininfarina's creative genius into masterpieces to be admired on roads the world over. The latest work of art to leave the Maserati factory, the Maserati Gran Cabrio, has the design of a dream car, but it is a real masterpiece that's just asking to be driven by lovers of beautiful cars who want to travel cocooned in a refined and comfortable ambience.

The challenge for Pininfarina was an intriguing one: never before had a proper four-seater convertible, capable of accommodating four adults comfortably without stealing even the tiniest bit of the incomparable pleasure of travel, been produced by Maserati. Now that the craftsmen have completed their work, it all seems obvious: the Maserati Gran Cabrio could only ever have been like this. An expert eye, however, understands how much power lies behind the front, imposing and dynamic at the same time, the sinuous and feline flanks and a rear that speaks a high-tech language with a wide aerodynamic diffuser tested in a wind tunnel, crowned by large, twin oval-section chrome tailpipes.

A sculpture that speaks to connoisseurs the ancient language of the great Italian coachbuilders, a beautiful car to admire when it is open, but also when it is moving with its roof up, something that isn't always the case for cars of this type. The canvas soft top was chosen over a rigid folding roof as, with its complicated closing system, would have imposed on engineers and designers unacceptable constraints for anyone seeking beauty in its purest form. And so the "all-clear" was given to supremequality materials and state of the art engineering, to a structure with a backbone consisting of five steel and aluminium spokes and covered with a triple-layer canvas available in six colours, meeting every single customer's requirement. The whole system weighs only 65 kg but, at the same time, guarantees maximum aero-acoustic efficiency and allows the Maserati GranCabrio to be enjoyed in all seasons, thanks to the most stringent tests conducted at 30 degrees below zero and at 40 degrees in the shade.

When the soft top is up the drag coefficient is 0.35, while with the soft top down 0.39. Extraordinary figures, the mark of a perfect chemistry between aesthetics and functionality. Without forgetting another absolute imperative, the comfort of those travelling in this open-top granturismo. The optional wind stop was designed precisely to fulfil this purpose, to provide passengers with excellent protection, even at high speed. So, with the wind stop on, the volume of air from outside falls by 70%, whilst the air speed inside the cabin is down 50%.

The attention paid to comfort lies also in the details which might appear, on the surface, to be secondary, such as the device that, on command, starts the soft top opening cycle when the key is inserted in the door lock. This means that the car can be entered when the soft top is already down and the heat that has built up when parked in the sun has already disappeared. And should a storm threaten to break out during the trip, the Maserati Gran Cabrio's reaction time is only 28 seconds, the time needed to close its soft top.

The Maserati Gran Cabrio's Voice
The voice of the Maserati Gran Cabrio, the musical notes of its V8 are powerful but subdued when travelling at a modest pace, but they can reach the strength of a tenor's high tones when the driver demands the maximum. The secret of such flexibility lies with the pneumatic control valves that manage the exhaust: normally they remain closed, to ensure that the car travels within the bounds of discretion, but if the Sport mode is selected, they open above 3000 rpm and the sound becomes a powerful roar, especially with the roof down.

The eight-cylinder orchestra is a chorus that sings about the pleasure of driving, harmoniously conducted by the 6-speed automatic gearbox. This transmission is the result of a close working relationship between Maserati and ZF, which has successfully interpreted the exciting combination between the 323 kW (440 HP) of the V8 engine and the fluidity of the automatic gearbox. And if the driver wants to feel even more like an orchestra conductor, all he has to do is select the Manual mode, and modulate the sound of the engine to the rhythm of the manual shifts, better still when using the steering wheel paddles.

The Maserati Gran Cabrio demands to be heard, also through the voice of its hi-fi system, developed by Maserati and Bose. Keeping even the most demanding audiophiles satisfied was not an easy task: without the roof to act as a resonating chamber the layout of the speakers had to be completely redesigned. In the end 12 were fitted: one speaker in the middle of the dashboard, two tweeters and two woofers set into each door, one front bass box under the front passenger seat, two tweeters and two woofers on both rear panels and a rear-mounted bass box containing two woofers. It is the woofers, speakers which reproduce the lowest tones and give the right depth to an orchestral crescendo or the rhythmic base of a jazz trio, the keystones behind the perfection of the "Gran Cabrio concert hall". The rear bass box, for example, has an unusual shape, extending behind the backrest and under the rear armrest so that it can perform at its best.

On board the Maserati Gran Cabrio
Sleek and sporty from the outside, comfortable and cosy from the inside. This formula was refined with the expertise of the designers who were put to the test with the Maserati Gran Cabrio concept. A concept which envisaged, first of all, two adults being able to use the rear seats even on long journeys, without suffering from cramps or fatigue.

On this car, even travelling in the back is a delight, thanks to an ergonomic seating position which is comfortable and not artificially upright.
The harmoniously shaped tunnel separating the rear seats features two cup holders and a receptacle. At the front all the benefits of the comfort package can be exploited. This feature allows the driver to memorise his ideal driving position and, in the cold weather, heat the seat to three different temperatures because hot and cold are also completely subjective concepts. The driving position is as sporty as it is comfortable, with upper body and legs properly supported when negotiating bends at high speeds. Bends are perfectly tackled by gripping the leather-trim three-spoke steering wheel with an ideal diameter of 37.5 cm.

Active and passive safety
A hundred and ninety milliseconds, less than the bat of an eyelid. That's all the time needed to deploy, in an emergency situation, the heart of the Maserati Gran Cabrio's safety system: the extendable roll bars positioned behind the rear seats. The air bag control unit asks for their assistance when the car's dynamic situation creates the fear that the car is about to overturn. Or when the Maserati Gran Cabrio suffers a major side impact or is violently hit from behind, to prevent the roll bars getting damaged and not being able to protect the driver and passengers should the car overturn at a later stage.

The Maserati Gran Cabrio is very, very protective towards adults and children alike. The special configuration of the roll bars looks after the occupants, even if they are of above-average height. Special Isofix fixings provide a firm hold for child seats. And the new-generation airbag system operates according to the actual "size" of those in the car.
There is no compromise with safety on this car, as no compromise, however insignificant, would be acceptable. But the Maserati Gran Cabrio also has a second duty: to be beautiful in its minutest detail. This is why the airbag system located on the passenger side required a design aimed at optimiszing the appearance of the top part of the dashboard and blend the safety features perfectly with the interior's overall design.

Integrated systems
Twenty five degrees centigrade and dehumidified air: this is what the experts reckon is the ideal situation for the wellbeing of people at home, in the office or when travelling by car. A rule that is certainly not set in stone, given that each of us has our own ideal temperature and, during car journeys, uses the on-board climate control system to find it.

On the Maserati Gran Cabrio the driver is just required to set the desired temperature in a range falling between 16 and 32 degrees and the electronics will start to mix the air and meter with micrometric precision the intensity of the flows until the target is quickly reached. The climate control system has been finetuned to offer maximum comfort both with the soft top up and down, adjusting itself accordingly. It knows that it has to perform quite differently on an early summer's evening or on a blisteringly hot day and it is also very well aware that it mustn't be too invasive in acoustic terms so that the engine can be left to sing to its heart's content.

A state of the art navigation system is one of many information systems that the Maserati Gran Cabrio puts at its owner's service. The interface consists of a 7 inch high-resolution colour display located in the centre of the dashboard which shows the functions of the CD player, navigation system, radio and on-board computer providing constant information on the journey and car performance.

The Maserati Gran Cabrio is also powerful from the IT standpoint, a field in which gigabytes rather than horsepower take centre-stage: the hard disk provided can contain up to 30 GB and can store up to 180 hours of music obtained directly from CDs or downloaded as Mp3 files. You can also use your own player as an audio source, connecting it to the USB port located in the glovebox compartment. The functions used most frequently can be activated with the controls on the steering wheel, to avoid any driving distractions. In addition, the audio system, navigation system and telephone, where applicable, can be managed using voice commands: being able to "talk" to your car means having maximum safety. But the Maserati Gran Cabrio can also speak: it can read SMS messages and provide traffic information so that there is no need to even glance at the display.

The Maserati Gran Cabrio's Interior
The Maserati Gran Cabrio embodies the essence of Italian craftsmanship, which has its roots in historic workshops from the Renaissance era and has gradually evolved, without losing sight of its own noble origins. The seats are the first thing one appreciates when getting behind the wheel: upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather, they feel plush, naturally soft and cosy in Winter, fresh and airy in Summer. Leather bound to improve with the passing of time, just like a great vintage wine.

The palette of colours includes no less than 10 shades, which can be blended together for seats, dashboard, tonneau cover, steering wheel and gear knob in an infinite number of combinations to create a tailor-made ambience to suit one's own taste. Each button on the steering wheel and dashboard is embellished with a fine chrome surround, an elegant stamp of an unquestionable superiority of style. The Trident logo is embossed by hand on the headrests and the exposed stitching on the armrest is hand-sewn.

More hands have crafted the precious woods that take pride of place in the Maserati Gran Cabrio's cabin. These hands have smoothed these woods with infinite patience, removed even the slightest impurities and polished them again to obtain an eye-catching end-result. The Carbalho wood comes from Brazil. Maserati sought it out in its distant lands of origin because it has inimitable credentials: each part of it has a different weave, a sort of fingerprint that guarantees that each car is unique.

And for those wanting to customize their car to the nth degree, two different sets of luggage are available. The first one all-leather set seeps elegance, while the second is made of leather and fabric. The palette of colours is extensive in this case as well, ranging from Black to Blue, passing through Beige and Testa di Moro (very dark brown) and will be completed every year by a shade which inteprets international fashion trends: Grigio (grey) debuts in the 2010 collection. The basic set consists of two wheeled and two vanity cases; a single bag is also available designed to be placed on the rear seats.

Maserati open-top Heritage
The Maserati Gran Cabrio is the first open-top four-seater Maserati but this doesn't mean that it is without noble ancestors. On the contrary, entire chapters of the history of the motor car have been written by open top Trident cars, although they were strictly two seaters.

The first is the legendary A6G Frua Spyder, produced in a very limited series in the 1950s: it is in the details that the individual cars are distinguished from one another, details, which in the unique Frua, soar to the level of a masterpiece. To have a better understanding, one has to look no further than the front end with the chrome surround and the sunken fog lights, which a few months later, in the A6G 2000, would be transformed into the oval-shaped radiator grille, typical of the Maserati, with the large trident in the middle.

The same blood flowed through the mechanical veins of the A6G Frua Spyder that would then ennoble cars such as the 3500 Gt Spyder by Vignale, a matchless source of inspiration for the great Italian coachbuilders of the 1960s, who made a competition out of dressing them with elegant suits hand-forged by master panel beaters. The 3500 Gt Spyder was so beautiful that it even turned heads in Hollywood: it was used countless times in major studio films, it «acted», for example, with Lee Marvin and John Cassavetes in The Killers and together with Kirk Douglas in Two Weeks in Another Town, in both cases wearing "stage outfits" signed by Vignale.

Maserati GranCabrio: from coupé to convertible

When a convertible is developed on an existing platform, a side effect is a weight increase of an average of 150 kg compared to the coupé\saloon versions. This is due to the need to compensate for the elimination of the upper structural portions (roof, centre pillar closure) with structural reinforcements positioned in the lower part of the under-frame and body.

With the Maserati GranCabrio this weight increase has been kept to only 100 kg thanks to the optimised design of the under-frame and body parts playing a structural role. This isn't merely a tinkering, but rather a fully-fledged "slimming down" treatment. The final solution was reached thanks to the most advanced virtual structural simulation techniques.

As far as the body parts are concerned, the dimensions of the door sill sections have been increased, the structural part of the doors modified and structural functions added to elements that usually make no contribution (for example, the roof stowage compartment, the aerodynamic bases and the services receptacles).

At under-frame level, by contrast, the most significant modifications concern:
  •     * The complete redesign of the rear structures with the creation of a torsion wall positioned behind the rear seats which has a structural function.
  •     * The complete development of the structural parts of the centre pillar and rear and front connecting crossmembers located on the floor.
  •     * The insertion in the engine compartment of the V-ROD reinforcement, two metallic rods which connect the damper domes to the under-screen crossmember thus maintaining the tautness of the body.
  •     * The creation and housing of different under-body reinforcements tightened to improve the layout and allow the installation of the power train unit, paying particular attention to incorporating the functions for weight reduction.
The front and rear structural bases also incorporate thermo-fluid dynamic functions, thus keeping the increase of Cx under control and conveying the air to cool down the car's mechanics. The combination of these design refinements has enabled a car with such generous dimensions as the Maserati GranCabrio, which has a 2,942 mm wheelbase, to have outstanding dynamic rigidity values, with a dynamic torsional frequency of the body in white configuration (BIW) of 27.2 Hz and a static torsional stiffness of 75,000 daNm\rad. These figures make the car very taut in structural terms and highly responsive on the road, providing excellent feedback to the driver combined with a high level of responsiveness and absolutely no vibrations.

As far as the active protection of the car's occupants is concerned, the under-frame and body have been designed to offer the highest possible standards, in line with the best amongst our competitors and with the coupé\saloon versions.
When redesigning the new geometry of the door sills and the centre pillar side structures, as well as the rear end of the car, functions have been incorporated, alongside the structural functions, that absorb and dissipate the energy generated in any impact, creating a passenger compartment that remains virtually undeformed.

Particular mention should be made of the fact that an active roll bar system has been installed to the rear of the Maserati GranCabrio body, even though this is not required by any legislation, as well as an innovative structural composite concept (in aluminium and steel) that reinforces the windscreen surround so that the occupants are guaranteed a survival area should the car overturn.
This complex integrated development of under-frame and body, which means that the highest levels of structural and safety targets can be achieved, was made possible by a systematic development process using virtual simulations and correlations between physical (prototypes) and virtual models during the numerous test sessions.

The chassis and weight distribution
Optimising weight distribution between front and rear so that the centre of gravity is positioned in the precise point to ensure maximum stability for the car: this is the key point on which engineers worked when developing the Maserati GranCabrio.

In layout terms, this objective is reflected in the continuous improvement of the layout of the mechanics and individual body components. In fact, the engine is positioned well behind the front axle and particular care has been taken with the roof system layout, which weighs a fair amount for vehicle dynamics purposes. The 6-speed automatic gearbox is installed at the front in unit with the engine, whilst the limited slip differential is rear-mounted with locking rates of 25% in traction and 45% in release which limits and manages individual driving wheel adhesion losses so that the maximum available traction is always provided.

At the wheel of the Maserati GranCabrio
Getting close to the Maserati GranCabrio is a unique experience that never fails to excite and thrill. Getting behind the wheel is truly exhilarating: sitting in the driving seat gives a real feel for the car's sinuous grace combined with the unfettered attitude typical of a coupé, both with the top up and down.

All of which is given further emphasis by the pleasure of driving in open air and by the elegant lines designed by Pininfarina, marked by the canvas top, a design choice linked to Maserati tradition but also the result of aerodynamic studies. With the top down the car is revealed in all its beauty, stirring the emotions of the driver, but most of all of any outside observer thanks to a generously proportioned, breathtaking side view.

The cabin, the natural environment for anyone who loves driving, reminds of the Maserati GranTurismo, from which it actually gets its roomy features and the driving position with its well-appointed vertical steering wheel, and pronounced sporty layout which doesn't compromise on comfort.

The car is fitted with a 4.7 litre 8-cylinder engine - also offered on the GranTurismo S - which delivers 323 kW, allows flexible, comfortable and fluid driveability in Normal mode and a more sporty and reactive response in Sport mode. The development has led to targeted interventions focused on the mappings of the gearbox, the engine, the management of the throttle and suspension system which have made the car a granturismo with enviable performance. All this is the result of the technicians, engineers and test drivers involved in the project working in synergy. During the numerous test sessions at the different proving grounds involved (Balocco, Vizzola, Nürburgring, Fiorano, but also Sweden and New Zealand) particular attention was paid to the interaction between chassis and suspension to ensure that the handling and comfort targets were reached without reflecting the car's chassis.

The Maserati GranCabrio carries only a small amount of extra weight, but on the road it's unnoticeable thanks to the thrilling performance and ease of driving offered by its excellent weight distribution: 49% on the front axle and 51% on the rear. This weight distribution proves particularly effective when the car is pushed to its limits and allows the driver to appreciate the ever-excellent traction, steering wheel response, predictable reaction to under/oversteering situations and last but not least the car's progressive approach to the transients, which are always manageable using steering and throttle. As it is a car designed for "everyday" use, particular attention was paid to the car stability and traction control systems on all types of surface, whether with low and very low grip (wet, snow and ice) or with medium and high grip (normal road surfaces and track) offering a well balanced, nimble car in "difficult" conditions whilst having available absolute peak power with maximum driving safety.

The Maserati GranCabrio is therefore a highly satisfying performance car, equally at ease in everyday and in sporty driving conditions. At the same time the comfort for which it is renowned ensures that it finds its own dimension even on long road trips.
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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Kia Ray EV, 2012

 
 
 
  •  Kia Ray EV, 2012

The Kia Motors introduced Korea's first electric vehicle, with the launch of the new Kia Ray EV - a zero-emissions city car with lively performance and a range of up to 139 km (86 miles) on a single charge.

For supply exclusively to the domestic Korean market, the Kia Ray EV is a close relative of Kia's 1.0-liter gasoline powered Ray CUV. It shares that model's major dimensions and, in a global first for an EV manufacturer, can share a production line with conventional combustion-engine cars.

The front-wheel drive Kia Ray EV is powered by a 50kW electric motor and a high-capacity 16.4 kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack that is engineered for a 10-year life cycle and skillfully packaged under the rear seat and cabin floor.

Though the Kia Ray EV weighs 187 kg more than the gasoline model, the electric motor's generous torque - 167 Nm (an increase of 77%) - ensures responsive performance. The EV's acceleration is brisker than the gasoline models (0-to-100 kph in 15.9 seconds), while top speed is 130 kph (81 mph). Recharging times are six hours using a 220V household supply and just 25 minutes in fast-charge mode.

The Kia Ray EV's automatic transmission offers the driver a choice of two modes while in 'D' drive. 'E' (or 'eco') mode optimizes the delivery of the motor's torque to achieve minimum battery consumption and maximum driving range. 'B' (or 'brake') mode can be selected when driving downhill on highways and on mountain roads to maximize braking power.

Bearing the same striking exterior styling as its gasoline cousin, the Kia Ray EV has four small distinguishing points. A flap in the front radiator grille covers an electricity inlet for a 220V supply for the slow recharge mode, another inlet (for the fast recharge mode) is fitted in the same location as the fuel intake of the regular models, special decals on each front door proclaim the 'Zero Emissions EV' message and super-smooth 14-inch alloy wheels improve aerodynamic performance by minimizing drag.

The inside of the Kia Ray EV features a unique instrument cluster, displaying electric motor operation, battery status and distance to recharge. It is also equipped with the first-ever EV-specific navigation system that features a 7-inch screen and provides crucial information for EV drivers such as the nearest locations of the slow/fast recharging stations. The display shows a circular shaped area in which the model can travel with its current level of battery power, so that drivers can see which destinations are reachable without a recharge.

Currently there are 500 slow/fast recharge stations in Korea, and the government plans to increase that figure to 3,100 stations by the end of 2012.

The Kia Ray EV embodies numerous innovations. The electric motor achieves 93% efficiency, which is the best in its segment. The lithium ion polymer battery's cell is optimized and highly integrated, which has enabled its weight to be reduced by 13% and its energy density to be increased by 15% compared to competitors' systems.

The on-board charger, current inverter, high-low voltage converter and EV-specific VCU (vehicle control unit) each features advances over previous equipment.

Kia Ray EV is also equipped with a new type of regenerative braking system featuring an Active Hydraulic Booster that utilizes the electric motor, instead of the gasoline engine in the regular model, to create hydraulic pressure for the brake system. The result is consistent brake pedal force throughout a wide variety of driving conditions and the ability to harvest excess energy and use it to recharge the car's battery.

Unlike regular gasoline vehicles, Kia Ray EV generates no engine noise, which can be a potential problem with pedestrians being unaware of the approaching car. To prevent accidents, Kia has fitted Ray EV with a VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System). When driven at speeds below 20 kph (12 mph) this system delivers a mixture of recorded gasoline engine noises, which are also emitted whenever the car is backing up.

Japan and the USA are already considering the introduction of a legal requirement for EVs to have a virtual engine sound, and Kia has taken the first step to commercialize this system in order to anticipate the global industry's trend.

To ensure that the Kia Ray EV is as safe as gasoline cars, it is equipped with six air-bags, and electronic stability features - VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) and HAC (Hill Assist Control, to prevent roll-back) - as standard.

During 2012, Kia is planning to manufacture 2,500 units of the Kia Ray EV, which will be provided to government departments and public offices as part of Kia's long-term real-world research and development program to provide environmentally friendly transport to Kia customers around the world during the next decade.

Technical Specification
DIMENSIONS
        Length: 3593 mm
        Width: 1595 mm
        Height: 1700 mm
        Wheelbase: 2520 mm
        Kerb weight: 1185 kg

POWERTRAIN
        Type: Electric motor
        Max power: 68 PS (50 kW)
        Max torque: 167 Nm (17.0 g/km)

BATTERY
        Power: 330V Lithium ion polymer
        Capacity : 16.4 kWh
        Charge time: 6.0 hrs (slow) / 25 minutes (fast)

PERFORMANCE
        0-100 km/h (62 mph): 15.9 s
        Top speed: 130 km/h (81 mph)
        Max range: 139 km (86 miles)
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Hyundai Azera, 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Hyundai Azera, 2012

The Hyundai Motor America introduced the all-new Hyundai Azera in a North American debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. Azera is the fifth vehicle to adopt the company's signature Fluidic Sculpture design language. Tucson, Accent, Elantra, Sonata and Azera now all have a modern, sleek, sophisticated style, creating the illusion of constant motion. This flagship Fluidic Sculpture sedan also features a more powerful Lambda II 3.3-liter GDI engine, six-speed transmission, best-in-class combined fuel economy of 23 miles per gallon and a wide range of advanced safety equipment.

AZERA MEETS THE MECHANICS OF FLIGHT
Hyundai Azera's Fluidic Sculpture design takes inspiration from the mechanics of flight. The exterior of the all-new Azera is long, light and low. The unique, undulating beltline allows for a long, sleek roofline accented by the third window and wraparound LED taillights. A monoform side profile includes flowing lines. The face is masculine with a large powerful chrome grille and HID headlamps that integrate precise details. The stance is completed by available 19-inch multi-spoke wheels.

The elegant look continues inside where Hyundai has created an upscale ambiance, thanks to a flow-through center fascia and instrument panel. These flowing surfaces complement the exterior design and wrap around the driver and passengers.

ACCOMMODATING INTERIOR WITH STANDARD LEATHER
The 2012 Azera offers luxurious appointments that rival the finest premium competitor brands. It offers a roomy cabin with more than 45 inches of legroom and 40 inches of headroom for front-seat passengers.

Special attention has been paid to other interior details, such as an optional panoramic sunroof, which allows more natural light into the cabin and 3D Carbon interior accents. Ambient lighting compliments the vehicle's modern appearance. Other unexpected luxury appointments include an electrochromic auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink® and power rear sunshade and manual rear side window shades. The side shades can be inconspicuously tucked away when not in use and no other car in the segment offers them.

Seats are extremely important in this segment. The 2012 Hyundai Azera offers first class seating assignments for all passengers. Leather seating surfaces are standard. A ten-way power driver and eight-way front passenger's seats are standard equipment. The driver's seat has an optional cushion extension and an integrated memory system for the seat, steering wheel and side mirrors. Hyundai Azera's climate and seat temperature controls keep occupants in total comfort.
  •     Ventilated front seats (optional) - fans in the front seat back and bottom cushions circulate air through the perforated leather seats
  •     Heated front and rear seats standard
  •     Dual automatic climate control standard
  •     Second row air vents standard
  •     Cooled glove box standard
BEST-IN-CLASS SPECIFIC OUTPUT
There's an old saying "there is no replacement for displacement." Well, gasoline direct injection technology has changed the game. The Lambda II 3.3-liter GDI engine is the heart of the 2012 Hyundai Azera. It produces a best-in-class specific output of 88.8 horsepower per liter, while having the smallest displacement V6 in the segment. This engine has a high-pressure direct injection system (over 2,200 psi), which dramatically increases power and torque, while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. This system eliminates the need for a large displacement V6 engine and increases the compression ratio from 10.4 to 11.5 for greater thermal efficiency and output. It also features all-aluminum construction, four valves per cylinder, piston cooling jets, roller timing chain, CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating on the top ring chamfer and Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) for a broad power spread. A three-stage Variable Intake System (VIS) further broadens its power curve to improve the vehicle's off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. EPA fuel economy estimates for the Hyundai Azera are 20 mpg city / 29 mpg highway / 23 mpg combined.

The engine is mated to Hyundai's six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual control. This transmission offers smooth shifts and a wide ratio spread that ideally suits the engine's characteristics.

Hyundai Azera's powertrain also has an Active Eco mode, which modifies engine and transmission control for improved fuel economy that translates into more than a five percent improvement in real-world fuel economy.

OVERALL DIMENSIONS
The Hyundai Azera rides on a 112-inch wheelbase, with an overall length of 193.3 inches and width of 73.2 inches. These exterior dimensions optimally size Azera between the Sonata and Genesis models.

BEST-IN-CLASS FRONT HEAD AND LEG ROOM
Hyundai Azera has best-in-class front head and leg room.

WORLD-CLASS WEIGHT EFFICIENCY
World-class weight efficiency is a program target for all Hyundai models. This strategy delivers outstanding fuel economy and performance simultaneously. At just 3,605 pounds, Hyundai Azera is more than 200 pounds lighter than the Buick LaCrosse (3,835 pounds) and more than 400 pounds lighter than the Ford Taurus (4,015 pounds). This priority on weight efficiency allows the Hyundai Azera to deliver a great combination of agility, performance and fuel efficiency.

BALANCED STEERING AND SUSPENSION SOLUTIONS
The Hyundai Azera is fitted with a MacPherson strut front suspension, coil springs and a 24 mm diameter front stabilizer bar. The sophisticated multi-link independent rear suspension enables precise geometry for a premium ride and engaging handling prowess. The capabilities of the advanced front and rear-suspension are maximized through Sachs Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD), allowing tuning flexibility at smaller damper displacements. The ASD suspension provides:
    Improved ride comfort with more body/wheel control
    Increased driving comfort without compromised handling
    Optimized road surface contact

Standard are 245/45R18 tires on 18-inch Hyper silver alloy wheels. There is an optional 19-inch Hyper silver alloy wheel fitted with 245/40R19 tire.

ADVANCED STANDARD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES: PART OF HYUNDAi'S ASSURANCE COMMITMENT AND IT STARTS WITH THE SEATS

Hyundai Azera has an exceptional level of standard safety features for the large car segment right down to the part people spend the most time in - the seats. Hyundai engineers have developed an impact-reducing seat system for the Hyundai Azera. This seat system eliminates the need for active front head restraints and is expected to reduce head and neck injuries by 17 percent over the front seats in the previous generation Hyundai Azera, which had active front head restraints. This result is achieved through optimization of seat back structure to further absorb impacts.

Hyundai Azera has a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system, which optimally manages ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the Motor-Driven electric Power Steering (MDPS).

VSM works to control two effects. The first is when a driver accelerates or brakes on a split-mu surface (slippery on one side, dry pavement on the other) and the vehicle wants to pull in one direction. VSM detects this condition and sends a signal to the MDPS to apply steering assist. VSM counters the pull and automatically provides eightNewtonmeters of counter- steering. VSM reacts the same way during sudden lane changes or fast cornering.

Hyundai Azera features nine airbags including dual front, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact, front and rear side curtain airbags and a driver's knee airbag.

The Hyundai Azera also features a state-of-the-art braking package. The package includes four-wheel disc brakes (12.6 inch front and 11.2 inch rear) and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) including Brake Assist, which provides maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected, and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), to automatically adjust the braking force to front and rear axles based on vehicle loading conditions.

Additionally, Hyundai Azera offers impressive passive safety features including a Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for children's seats and three-point seatbelts for all positions.

ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY AND STANDARD NAVIGATION
Touch-screen navigation with backup camera is standard on all Azeras. No other car in the segment offers navigation with a backup camera as standard equipment. This easy-to-use unit can be controlled via seven-inch WVGA touchscreen or voice-activation by a headliner-mounted microphone. The system features 8GB of flash memory and comes matched with a sound system that plays compact discs, accesses digital music files via Bluetooth streaming audio or allows driver and passengers to access their personal listening devices through the iPod/USB/auxiliary inputs. Bluetooth audio wirelessly streams music from select mobile phones to the head unit. Also, with a Bluetooth-enabled phone one can look up a local restaurant and call for reservations before plotting the route.

Hyundai Azera is available with two audio systems. Standard is a Dimension AM/FM/Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with seven-speakers and iPod®/USB/auxiliary input jacks. An Infinity 550-watt, Logic 7 audio system with 12 speakers, including an eight-inch subwoofer and external amplifier is available. An XM Satellite Radio interface is also integrated into the head unit and features channel logos and XM Data services, such as XM NavWeather®, XM Stock Ticker and XM Sports Ticker. Azera also offers standard HD Radio™ technology.

A Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition, address book download and audio streaming is standard.

HYUNDAI BLUE LINK
Hyundai Blue Link telematics is standard on the Hyundai Azera with a 90-day complimentary trial period. Blue Link can be accessed from the buttons on the rearview mirror inside the Azera, the web and via a smart phone. Blue Link is offered in three packages: Assurance, Essentials and Guidance.

"Blue Link combines safety, service and infotainment into a complete package that works to both help simplify Hyundai owners' lives and reduce distracted driving," said Barry Ratzlaff, director of customer satisfaction and service business development, Hyundai Motor America. "We've carefully studied how drivers rely on smart phones and navigation systems as an innovative link to the outside world. Blue Link brings that seamless connectivity directly into the car with technology like voice text messaging, POI web search download, turn-by-turn navigation, and monthly vehicle reporting. Our agent-assisted advanced voice recognition system offers a 21st century solution to performing POI searches in the vehicle. This unique and innovative approach enables Hyundai to deliver fast, accurate searches and downloads of POIs to vehicles without the unnecessary costs of traditional operator-only type systems of our competitors."

COLOR PALETTE
Hyundai Azera's elegance is further brought to life through a bold color palette including Black Onyx Pearl, Porcelain White Pearl, Silver Frost Metallic, Smoke Gray Metallic, Hyper Silver Metallic, Venetian Red Pearl, Bronze Mist Metallic and Midnight Blue Pearl. Interior color choices are Camel, Graphite Black and Chestnut Brown.
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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Lexus LF-LC Concept, 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  •  Lexus LF-LC Concept, 2012

The Lexus unveiled the Lexus LF-LC Concept 2+2 hybrid sport coupe at the 2012 North American International Auto Show showcasing the future design direction for Lexus with an emphasis on a driver-focused vehicle.

Challenged by the Lexus Center in Japan to come up with a design for a future hybrid sport coupe concept, the company's Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., sought to advance the redefinition of Lexus with emotive, avant-garde beauty and advanced technology, yet remain within reach for premium buyers.
The Lexus LF-LC displays the new Lexus design language in its bold interpretation of the signature Lexus spindle grille and rear architecture. Sumptuous curves blend smoothly into dynamic angles, creating an inviting display of lines, shadows and corners.

Framed by a deep aluminum surround, the mesh pattern of the spindle grille takes 3D sculpture form, and functional air intakes in the bottom corners of the grille show the fusion of distinctive style and engineering functionality.
Daytime running lights are shaped like an "L" while the vertical fog lamps utilize a fading dot matrix pattern to suggest a sense of movement.

The profile of the Lexus LF-LC creates a powerful, dynamic silhouette that is unmistakably that of a serious driver's car. The lines of the vehicle emphasize direction and motion.

The concept car's glass roof features a lightweight, cantilevered pillar with a glass-to-glass juncture inspired by modern architecture. A rising, kick-up window graphic and polished aluminum trim are unexpected elements. Overall, the greenhouse design enhances driver visibility while adding to the sleek lines of the car.

The dynamic cabin lines are carried through to the rear deck, sculpturally integrating the spindle grille theme to echo the front of the vehicle while creating a unique sense of width. The tail lamps, inspired by the look of a jet afterburner at take-off, use inner lighting to create a remarkable sense of depth. The rear is also fitted with fog lamps, repeating the fading dot matrix pattern of the front fog lamps. Visually, the integrated tail and fog lamps repeat the "L" shape and lead the viewer's eye down to the powerful Lexus quad exhaust.

The interior of the Lexus LF-LC concept vehicle contrasts the cool ambience of advanced technology with soft textures and organic shapes to create a driver-focused synergy of form and function. The cockpit expresses a feeling of both openness and security. The driver is enveloped by deeply scooped side panels and a high, curved console. The effect is to focus the driver zone on the controls and on the road.

Based on Lexus' commitment to creating an intuitive driving experience, the LF-LC incorporates a remote touch-screen device that allows the driver to comfortably operate controls without shifting position or altering line-of-sight.

The twin 12.3-inch LCD screens provide information and navigation display. Inputs come from a touch-screen control board piercing the swept center console. Used to control the audio system, climate controls and navigation, the interface features a pop-up touch-screen keyboard for more complex entries. Similar touch-screen surfaces on each door operate the windows, mirrors, seat adjustments and personal entertainment settings.

In front of the driver, multi-level meters layer analog and LCD technologies. The bottom layer displays temperature, fuel and the background for the Eco meter. The middle layer is the tachometer mechanical center ring. The topmost layer provides indicators for the tachometer, speedometer and Eco meter.

Surfaces throughout the cabin are presented in a combination of smooth leather and suede, with brushed metal trim and wood accents. The lightweight, race-inspired front seats are formed of multiple layers and repeat the interlacing curves that define the cabin interior. The racing style steering wheel is also a lightweight design and contains integrated controls and start button. Beautiful stitch details emphasize organic movement throughout the interior.

The front-engine, rear-wheel drive Lexus LF-LC Concept features Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive, delivering both driving performance and fuel efficiency.
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