Thursday, July 15, 2010

Scion t2B Concept, 2005

Scion t2B Concept, 2005






The t2B is a concept car from Scion, designed by Calty Design (Toyota's design studio in California) and built by Five Axis Models in Huntington Beach, California.
It debuted at the 2005 New York Auto Show. Its name stands for Tall 2 Box.
It appears rather like a mini-van, with 2 rows of bench seats, though the exterior is similar to the xB. On the passenger side there is 1 automatic sliding door. The driver side has doors that open 180 degrees, the rear door being a suicide door. The idea of the t2B is to be a social and entertainment enigma to the occupants.

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Scion 5 Axis Widebody DJ xB, 2005

Scion 5 Axis Widebody DJ xB, 2005




The Scion xB is the American-market name given to the subcompact Toyota bB. It is a small wagon based on the Toyota Yaris platform. The xB was one of two models in the lineup of Toyota's US-exclusive Scion division present at the brand's 2004 launch (the other was the xA, based on the Toyota ist). Both cars feature the 1NZ-FE engine, rated at 108 hp (81 kW) at 6000 rpm and 105 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm.

The Toyota bB was an established model in Japan before the Scion xB version was introduced to the US.

Scion Marketing
The Scion xB's marketing is aimed at Generation Y, Americans born in 1978 or later. This group of car buyers is extremely important to manufacturers due to their large numbers (78 million) and their differing perceptions and demands of the vehicles they drive.

Though Toyota expected the xA to sell better than the xB, the reverse proved to be true, with the xB outselling its brother 2 to 1, possibly due to the xB's distinctive styling, and the xB's unique combination of van-like cargo and passenger space with a very compact size.

Differences between the xB and the bB
Besides the obvious change from right to left-hand drive, the front passenger area has changed significantly. The bB has a front bench seat and a column-mounted shifter for the automatic transmission. The xB, on the other hand, has 2 front bucket seats and a shifter mounted on the floor.

The drivetrains also differ. The bB is available with either the 1.3 L 2NZ-FE engine or the 1.5 L 1NZ-FE, mated exclusively to a 4-speed automatic transmission with available all-wheel drive. The xB is only available with the 1NZ-FE, but offers both a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission. All-wheel drive is not offered on the xB.

The Toyota bB does not have a spare tire. On the Scion xB, a compact spare tire is stored under the left side of the rear cargo floor. Since the spare tire raised the cargo floor by several inches, a storage compartment was added to the right of the spare tire to reclaim some of the lost storage space. A jack is stored under the driver's seat of the xB.
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Dacia Logan MCV, 2009

Dacia Logan MCV, 2009





New version of the Dacia Logan MCV, the best-selling station wagon in France, was launched following the Dacia Sandero and new Dacia Logan.

With fresh body styling adopting the new visual identity of the brand, an upgraded Lauréate model and the arrival of a Prestige version, new Dacia Logan MCV is an integral part of the renewal of Dacia, a generous and clever brand.

New Dacia Logan MCV obviously retains its successful formula of unbeatable cabin room for the price, impressive modular design and versatility in use, along with recognized reliability found in the previous generation.

New Dacia Logan MCV was launched in France on October 3, 2008, naturally with the threeyear 100,000 km warranty. The entry-level price is as attractive as ever at just €8,900 in France.

New Dacia Logan MCV is produced at Dacia's ISO 14001-certified Pitesti plant in Romania. The new model is 95% recoverable and contains 5% recycled plastic. The 70 hp dCi and 85 hp dCi models, emitting 140 g/km of CO2 and 137 g/km of CO2, respectively, both carry the Dacia eco2 signature.
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Dacia Logan, 2009

Dacia Logan, 2009





Four years after the release of the first Logan, Dacia introduces 'New Logan'. The latest version of this celebrated three-volume saloon builds on the same strengths that forged the success of its predecessor, including unbeatable value for money in terms of performance and equipment, plus outstanding cabin space and exceptional reliability. New Dacia Logan goes even further, however, and features a more contemporary design, as well as a more attractive and more comfortable interior which mirrors the renewal of Dacia as a generous, clever brand.

New Dacia Logan will be introduced across the majority of Western European markets from July 2008. In most cases, its entry level price remains unchanged, making it a more appealing proposition than ever.

More contemporary looks
New Dacia Logan stands out as a modern saloon with more contemporary exterior lines which reflect its robust, quality build. The grille, which first appeared on Dacia Sandero, is bigger and features the brand's new logo, plus a chrome upper trim as standard (except entry level version). The new front bumper is flush with the bodywork for a more integrated, harmonious feel, while the headlights are bigger and the fog lamps come with elegant carbon colour surrounds (depending on version).

The rear design of New Dacia Logan has been updated, too. The design of the new boot lid, which can be trimmed with a lower chrome strip, is more streamlined and its lines have been carried over to the revised rear lights. The rear bumper, too, is now flush with the bodywork and incorporates reflectors and a towing hook complete with concealing cap.

Other revisions include a new range of wheeltrims and alloy wheels (optional), while the list of available body colours has been extended with the addition of Basalt Grey, Electric Blue and Extreme Blue.

An even more pleasing interior
New Dacia Logan sets out to be even more appealing than ever. The new dashboard, which first appeared on Dacia Sandero, is modern and functional, while the design of the door panels also contributes to the cabin's modern feel thanks to their more practical pull handles and elegant trimming (depending on version). The upgrade in range has seen the introduction of two finishes for New Dacia Logan's dashboard, plus a choice of four upholsteries (depending on countries).

Drivers will appreciate the practical controls, and special care has gone into ensuring that all dashboard information is easy to read. The driving environment itself has been made even more comfortable and driverfriendly thanks to a new driver's seat adjustment control (depending on version) and a height-adjustable steering column (depending on version). Rear visibility has been improved through the fitment of a comma-type central rear headrest and large format door mirrors. These have been carried over from Dacia Logan MCV and are standard equipment on New Dacia Logan.

An exceptionally roomy interior
New Dacia Logan's generous dimensions ensure outstanding cabin space which continues to be unmatched in the three-volume saloon category of the B-Entry segment. Indeed, its size is more akin to C-segment norms, since the newcomer's overall length has been increased to 4,290mm (up 40mm compared with the previous version Logan), while its width is 1,740mm. Cabin space is one of New Dacia Logan's most salient features and three tall passengers (more than 1.90m in height) can be accommodated comfortably in the rear thanks to rear headroom of 873mm. Rear shoulder room is a remarkable 1,428mm too, a figure more readily associated with larger saloons. Last but by no means least, the boot volume of 510 litres is unequalled by any of New Dacia Logan's rivals in its category and the boot layout itself permits loads of very different shapes and sizes to be carried with ease.
The accent on safety
New Dacia Logan features the same safety features and equipment that enabled the model to achieve a threestar Euro NCAP crash test rating.

New Dacia Logan can be equipped with the latest generation Bosch 8.1 ABS complete with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA), a new feature which debuted on Dacia Sandero. The latter detects when the driver brakes in an emergency situation and acts on the hydraulic circuit to increase the effectiveness of the ABS by applying maximum pressure the instant the driver hits the brakes.

Front and rear tracks of New Dacia Logan have been widened 7mm either side, which reinforces the roadholding capabilities of the vehicle.

On the passive safety front, New Dacia Logan features a new honeycomb structure for the dashboard which reduces the severity of impact to the knees. In addition to the materials it employs, the dashboard's very design takes safety into account thanks to the curves of its lower section which match the form of the tibia, enabling impact loads to be spread out evenly in case of contact. The driver and front passenger also benefit from further lower limb protection thanks to underfoot padding.

All New Dacia Logan's seats are equipped with three-point seatbelts and headrests, while the new car is delivered as standard with two controlled-deflation airbags (depending on countries), driver and front passenger, the pressure of which diminishes following deployment in order to limit the load applied to occupants.

A comprehensive range of proven powerplants
New Dacia Logan comes with the same proven petrol engines and diesel engine that have contributed to the Dacia range's success.

The 1.4 MPI 75hp, 1.6 MPI 90hp and 1.6 16V 105hp all comply with the criteria of cost, robustness and ease of maintenance that are a feature of the Dacia brand. They combine generous torque from low revs with thrifty fuel consumption: 7.0, 7.2 and 7.1 litres/100km respectively.

The 1.5 dCi stands out as a benchmark in the diesel engine field thanks to the use of such advanced technologies as second-generation common-rail direct injection which delivers both high performance and extremely low fuel consumption. The 1.5 dCi is available in 70hp form and a punchier 85hp version, while CO2 emissions of 120g/km point to the 1.5 dCi 70hp and 1.5 dCi 85hp engines' ecological credentials.
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Friday, July 2, 2010

SsangYong Rodius, 2004

SsangYong Rodius, 2004




SsangYong Rodius, 2004

The SsangYong Rodius is a large MPV/SUV by the Korean automaker SsangYong Motor Company. The car was designed by Ken Greenley, former head of the automotive design course at the Royal College of Art in London.

It is in 7, 9, and 11 seat configurations.
The engines are the Mercedes-Benz licenced 3.2 L 6-cylinder petrol engine ( 162 kW (217 hp) & 309 N·m (228 ft·lbf) ) and the 2.7 L 5-cylinder common rail diesel engine ( 121 kW (162 hp) & 342 N·m (252 ft·lbf) ).

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Think city, 2008

Think city, 2008





TH!NK city demands very little of you. In fact, not much more than a mobile phone. Just a little overnight power top-up, and it's ready to go in the morning. It can travel up to 170 kilometer (106 miles) on a fully charged battery and all for a fraction of the cost of petrol or diesel.

Making everyday life simple
National and local authorities are increasingly making it cheaper and more convenient to drive electric cars. In London the TH!NK city is exempt from the congestion charge. In Italy access to certain city centers is restricted for internal combustion engines but open to electric vehicles. In Norway you can drive TH!NK city through toll booths free of charge and in the special public transport lanes the entire way to work. You don't have to pay car tax every year, either. The authorities will just love you after all, politicians want the same thing as you: to protect the environment. They make it easy for you to drive TH!NK city, because it has no emissions. Did we mention that in many places you don't have to pay for public parking? It's a whole new world. And much simpler. The road is a much friendlier place when you drive TH!NK city. Contact your local authorities and see what incentives they have to make your city cleaner.

Making running a car simpler
TH!NK city is a safe small car, offering driving features that are just perfect for you. Driving a silent car will give you a totally new everyday experience. And because electric motors don't have many moving parts that require servicing, you'll also enjoy the benefit of low operating and maintenance costs. Thanks to the car's unpainted plastic bodywork, the Think City can take the rough and tumble of city life without the usual visible dents and scratches.

Safety
A comprehensive, well-established safety concept makes TH!NK city a very safe car. Behind the wheel, you are protected and secure even if you are involved in a collision. The car is equipped with ABS brakes, airbags and three-point safety belts with pretensioners. The frame is designed to absorb energy and distribute it away from the passenger cell. Even the dashboard and knee padding have been developed to absorb impact. To further protect the driver and passengers, both doors have side impact bars and pusher blocks made of shockabsorbent materials. The ceiling, the front beam above the windscreen, and much of the interior are upholstered with shock absorbent foam.

Design
The combination of a smart choice of materials, clever details and a focus on clean lines and surfaces have made the TH!NK city a prize-winning Norwegian design. The powerful shoulder line and well-defined wheel arches give the car a stance that clearly highlights its superior road handling and excellent driving features. The side indicator lights prominently placed on the wheel arches add innovative looks to exemplary functionality. TH!NK city's body is made of recyclable ABS plastic, designed for city driving, ideal for anyone wanting to avoid visible scratches and irritating little dents.

The car's interior is designed to offer the driver a pleasant environment, where the emphasis is on providing a clear view of the traffic. The interior has a feeling of space, with instruments that are easy to read. Form, quite simply, follows function. For instance, you can sit in complete comfort with your seat in the perfect position to allow you to quickly get in and out of the car during your busy daily schedule. The glass rear hatch allows you to see right down to the bumper of the car behind you when reversing. This means you can now parallel park with accuracy and control.

Designed with the environment in mind
Engineers, developers, buyers and designers have focused on the same thing: clean recyclable materials, non-polluting production processes, and the best possible use of materials. All this gives you a clean car. For example, the dashboard can be completely recycled. The fabric, body, supports, air ducts, adhesives and fixings are designed using the same recyclable materials. We have also used materials that have already been recycled wherever we could. 16% of TH!NK city is actually made from recycled materials. The plastic bodywork and other plastic panels have not been painted. This has enabled us to protect the environment from pollutants and use less energy, while also making the panels easier to recycle. Even the batteries are returned to the supplier at the end of their useful life.

Drive 3 times as far on the same amount of energy
A conventional car with an internal combustion engine - either petrol or diesel - uses less than 30% of its energy in getting to its destination. The remainder is lost to friction and heat. In a TH!NK city, 90% of the energy is channeled directly into getting you to your destination. In other words, its energy efficiency is three times higher than that of a car with an internal combustion engine. So, you can drive three times further for the same amount of energy. That's an energy saving proposition worth thinking about.

Thinking globally
The most environmentally friendly electricity comes from renewable energy sources, such as hydro-electric power. If you don't have an agreement with a power supplier who can guarantee you clean power, you risk using energy from non-renewable sources. To compensate for this, Think will pay for carbon offset certificates for the portion of your electricity that generates CO2 emissions.

Specifications
* Number of seats 2 (2 rear seats incl 3-point seat belts as an optional extra)
* Number of doors 3 including rear hatch
* Length 3120 mm
* Width 1604 mm
* Height 1548 mm
* Turning radius 4,5 m
* Net wehicle weight 1113 kg
* Total weight 1397 kg
* Load capacity 284 kg
* Top speed 100 km/h
* Acceleration 0-50 km/h 6.5 seconds
* Acceleration 0-80 km/h 16.0 seconds
* Gradient 30% from stationary
* 5% gradient 300 seconds at constant 90 km/h
* Range IEC 170 km (summer tires, heater off)
* Range FUDS 180 km (summer tires, heater off)
* Range EU UDC 203 km
* Typical charge time:
o 0-100% SOC (state of charge) approx. 10 hours, 230 VAC / 14A
o 0-80% SOC (state of charge) approx. 8 hours, 230 VAC / 14A

Standart Equipment
* 2 front airbags
* Disable key for passenger airbag
* ABS brakes
* Regenerative brakes
* Power steering
* 4 kW electric heater
* Electric windows and mirrors
* 2 loudspeakers and aerial
* Central locking
* Mindbox

Extra Equipment
* Pre-heat timer
* Electrically heated windscreen
* Full length sunroof
* Radio CD
* Radio with MP3
* Radio CD with MP3, USB, Bluetooth
* Winter tyres
* Alloy wheels
* Steel wheels
* Roof rack
* 2+2 seats (including 3-point seat belts)
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Valmet Thunderbird Glass Roof Concept, 2003

Valmet Thunderbird Glass Roof Concept, 2003




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Valmet Thunderbird Glass Roof Concept, 2003
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Vauxhall Corsa 3-door, 2007

Vauxhall Corsa 3-door, 2007




Vauxhall Corsa 3-door, 2007

A new version of the Gamma platform has been codeveloped by Fiat and Opel. It will be used by the 2006 Fiat Grande Punto (a stretched version of the Fiat Punto), 2007 Opel Corsa and future versions of Lancia Ypsilon and Fiat Idea.
GM Daewoo will take responsibility for future development of the Gamma platform, so the production of the future Corsa might be outsourced to South Korea as well. The first official pictures of the 2007 Corsa were released by Opel in May 2006. Based on the photos of the Corsa, it is very likely that the 3-door and 5-door versions will remain.
The car will also be sold as a Vauxhall in the UK.

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Vauxhall Antara, 2007

Vauxhall Antara, 2007



The Opel Antara is a mid-size crossover SUV, which is based on General Motors' Theta platform. It is closely related to the Chevrolet Captiva (made in Korea by GM Daewoo, also sold as the Daewoo Winstorm), and shares the engine lineup with it, but has a different exterior and interior, as well as different exterior dimensions.
The Antara is scheduled to be launched towards the end of 2006.
In the UK, the model will be sold as Vauxhall Antara.

Engines
= 2.0 L turbodiesel I4, 150 hp (112 kW) (developed with VM Motori) - 5-speed manual
* 2.4 L Ecotec I4, 142 hp (106 kW) (from Holden) - 5-speed manual
* 3.2 L Alloytec V6, 225 hp (168 kW) (from Holden) - ActiveSelect automatic
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