Abhinav Dapke has come up with “Loop”, the new concept car that is not just a good design but much beyond. The car has been designed by Bahrain based Indian designer. By this design, Dapke has tried to link both the present and the future. The overall look and feel of the design is very creative and classy and also in the process is environment friendly. LOOP car concept design has silently proclaimed its commitment for going green.
Designer : Abhinav Dapke
Travis Pastrana rumored to be injured, out of '08 Race of Champions
This may come as a shock (or, actually... not at all), but Travis Pastrana is rumored to have injured himself, which may render the oft-maimed X Games star unable to compete in the upcoming Race of Champions. The RoC pits the world's greatest drivers from various motorsport (and other sports) against each other piloting identical vehicles, including the new KTM X-Bow. Pastrana has already raced in the RoC back in 2003, 2006 and 2007 – always making at least the quarter finals and managing to reach the finals in '06. He was most recently in the news for winning a Gold medal in the Rally competition at this past summer's X Games 14 (shown above during competition at X Games 13, in which he also earned Gold).
This time, Pastrana is rumored to have broken a hip and an ankle, though we're not sure how the injuries were sustained. If Travis isn't able to make it, Top Gear USA co-host and rally racer extraordinaire Tanner Faust may join NASCAR driver Carl Edwards to represent Team USA for the event. Of course, we send our best wishes to Pastrana for a speedy recovery.
Venturi Volage Electric Supercar Is a 2012 Concept
Electric cars are usually vehicles with moderated amounts of power and looks that would make you turn to the usual polluting automobiles. However, the future brings us hot supercar designs, based on electric power, as is this Venturi Volage roadster. With an output of 295 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque you can surely say that “this baby’s got a temper”.
Designed by Michelin, the Venturi Volage concept uses Active Wheel Technology in order to give each wheel extra control, so the vehicle would run better and safer. The exterior look of this car is impressive, but sadly this is a 2012 concept we’re talking about, so we’ll have to do some serious waiting.
EDTA 2008: EnerDel's Th!nk City
In the back corner of the EDTA Conference last week was the EnerDel booth featuring the prototype Th!nk City with EnerDel's lithium battery pack. We chatted with Ener1 Chairman and CEO Charles Gassenheimer about the car, the battery packs and the future (Ener1 owns EnerDel).
Gassenheimer told AutoblogGreen that 2009 is the year that EnerDel will turn the corner from a "science project" (as some call it) to a profitable company. EnerDel has received a purchase order for $34 million battery packs for next year, about half of EnerDel's $70 million contract with Norway's Th!nk. EnerDel isn't saying the actual price of its packs, but Gassenheimer said that, "Analysts have estimated that we're selling packs for about $17,500 per pack, so quick math tells you that's about 1,900 to 2,000 packs for next year."
Aside from the Th!nk order, Gassenheimer said EnerDel has, "shipped a battery pack to one of the largest Tier 1s in Europe and they've already installed the pack into a vehicle for testing. What we've done is tried to diversify our customers a little bit so we're not just solely dependent on Th!nk. I anticipate we will be able to announce fairly substantial programs and get into volume production in 2009."
Mazda Taiki, the Future of Automotive Design
There are concept supercars inspired by animals, others by human emotions and some by … other supercars. Score one for Mother Nature, as Mazda have just “gone with the wind” and inspired their Taiki design from the flow of wind. “Taiki” is the visual expression of the atmosphere, as seen through its beautiful lines.
Is it just me, or does this car resemble the Batmobile a bit? Back to the serious bit of this concept, Mazda stated that the car’s design is inspired by the wind flowing through a Hagoromo (”flowing robes that enable a celestial maiden to fly”). Now that’s open thinking!
VW Tiguan is IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2008
The Tiguan, Volkswagen’s compact sport utility vehicle (SUV), is the Top Safety Pick for 2008 of the Insurance Institute for Highway Travel. The award is the highest rating from the non-profit research organization. It recognizes the vehicles that perform best in passenger safety through a series of evaluations: front, side and rear crash tests. Only vehicles with electronic stability control and head protection airbags are included in the tests.
According to Adrian Lund, IIHS president, the Tiguan earned top marks in the front and side crash tests without a single downgrade for structure or measures of injury likelihood recorded on the dummy. “We are extremely proud when organizations like IIHS recognize the hard work of our engineers who are dedicated to the safety of our customers,” said Stephfan Jacoby, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “This award is further validation of Volkswagen’s Prevent and Preserve Safety System approach to vehicle safety.”
The Prevent and Preserve Safety System consists of 45 safety features that help protect the driver and passengers as well as avoid crashes or keep the severity and consequences of possible crashes to a minimum. The Tiguan comes standard with the Prevent and Preserve Safety System, including ESP and six airbags, with rear seat airbags as an option. Tiguan, the GTI of Compact Sport Utility Vehicles, also features the “fun to drive” handling and performance expected from a Volkswagen.
GM has spent $750 million developing the Volt
According to this CNN Money piece, GM has actually spent about $750 million to develop the Volt, much of that in battery research. Apparently GM recognizes the need to stay ahead of (or at least alongside) the competition in developing new technology and is willing to take the risk of spending that kind of money even in desperate times. Of course, some of that money will eventually be spread across the range when the Volt's powertrain and battery advances get shared with other GM models. Still, it's unlikely the Volt will add to rather than bring down the bottom line until a second generation model is introduced, which may not be until 2014-2016.
First test drive of the new '09 Zap Xebra
As we reported early last month, Zap has finally updated its three-wheeled Xebra for 2009 with a new steel body and much more storage space through its new hatchback. While we're happy to hear that one of the few actual electric vehicles on the market and available today has seen vital upgrades, we've yet to run across a review of the newly-revised model... until today. Mark LaPedus over at EE Times hopped in a new '09 at the local dealership in San Jose, California, and he's shared his thoughts with the rest of the class, even comparing the Xebra with his 2008 Honda Accord. LaPedus seems to have liked the car, going so far as to suggest that he'd be willing to drive one on a regular basis.
The last page of ADL's review of the Xebra has a few quotes from Zap regarding the ongoing saga of loans to the Detroit 3. Click here to read the entire report.
Easy Ways to Improve Gas Mileage
Gas prices may be on the decline for now but there is no reason why you should not find ways to save on fuel costs. With a few easy to do practices, you can significantly improve your gas mileage and start saving up on gas expenses. Here are some effective gas mileage tips:
Be an efficient driver – Avoid aggressive driving habits such as speeding, rapid acceleration and excessive braking as these can lower your gas mileage anywhere between 5-33%. Always observe the speed limit; the gas mileage of a vehicle significantly lowers at speeds of above 60mph. Remove unnecessary heavy items in your vehicle as this can also reduce your MPG. When running short errands such as picking up the kids, or going to the drive-thru, avoid excessive idling as this also wastes gas. Use cruise control and overdrive gear.
Introducing the new 2009 Honda City
The new Honda City 2009 looks promising with a redesigned front exterior that is inspire by the FCX Clarity. The interiors feature a neat dash with a clean and simple instrument cluster and center stack. The new headlamps feature reflector lenses which are less expensive than projector type.
Behind the steering wheel are paddle shifters for the automatic transmission. A 120-horespower 1.5 liter four-cylinder i-VTEC engine will provide power to the new City. This engine is also available on the Fit and Jazz models.
Here are some great sneak photos of the new 2009 Honda City:
Volvo plans to release 'micro-hybrid' in 2011
Volvo's product development unit is still hard at work, even as Ford has slapped a price tag on the brand. In an effort to develop more environmentally-friendly vehicles capable of meeting stringent emissions regulations on the horizon, the Swedish automaker has been working on some new highly-efficient vehicles. In addition to the DRIVe trio of ultra-efficient diesel-powered models, Volvo is working on an all-new micro-hybrid model. Set to join the lineup in 2011, the vehicle will be available with a choice between gasoline or diesel power, and a manual or automatic transmission. Fuel-saving technology will include a start-stop system plus brake-energy regeneration to cut consumption by nearly 5 percent. We'll see a full hybrid (with the ability to run on electric power only) in 2012 with the D5 diesel engine (Volvo's similar battery and flexfuel ReCharge Concept is above). A plug-in electric is also expected to follow down the road.
Diesel hybrid technology will be in Peugeot and Citroën showrooms in 2011
Diesel hybrids from Peugeot and/or Citroën may soon appear on more than the show floor of the Paris Motor Show. Parent company PSA announced this week that it has partnered with Robert Bosch GmbH to develop diesel hybrid technology with an eye toward production models. PSA's HYmotion4 four-wheel-drive diesel hybrid powertrain was shown in Paris in the Peugeot Prologue and Citroën Hypnos concept cars in October. At the time, Citroën called the HYmotion4 technology "feasible from an industrial standpoint," and the carmaker now says it will bring the diesel hybrid technology to market in Peugeot and Citroën vehicles starting in 2011. Should the Prologue make it to production, the claimed combined mileage of 52.3 mpg (US) and CO2 emissions of just 109 g/km would certainly be welcomed. The big question with a diesel hybrid setup, though, is cost. Just ask VW. Thanks to Throwback for the tip!
Hartley reworks Hayabusa powerplant for easy use in autos
We've been enamored with the idea of stuffing a Suzuki Hayabusa-derived V8 engine into an appropriately light and sporty four-wheeled conveyance since we first learned of such a powerplant's existence last Spring. The task of creating a 'Zuki-powered sled is set to become significantly easier now that Hartley Engineering has managed to rework the 'Busa block a bit. An entirely new crankcase has been designed and hewn from a huge chunk of 6061 T6 aluminum. It may not be a V8, but this new inline-four engine, known as the H2, is a diminutive powerhouse that can bolt right up to a standard automotive transmission. Why is this a big deal? Motorcycle gearboxes generally don't have a dedicated reverse gear and usually output their high-revving power via a chain. Now, the prospect of a 140-pound engine with over 200 horses powering something along the lines of a Super 7 has us salivating once again. Those with equally imaginative minds can now begin plotting their next projects, as the H2 is expected to be ready for purchase in early '09.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tesla delivering the 100th Roadster today
Another bright spot in the current darkness. The 100th Tesla Roadster will be delivered today at the Tesla store in Menlo Park in Silicon Valley. Elon Musk, Tesla Motors' CEO and chairman will be there at noon to hand over the keys to "a special customer" according to Rachel Konrad, Tesla's senior communications manager. Not sure if that means a celebrity or just a "cashed up greenie," but, whoever it is, it's good to see Tesla is moving forward even with a bit of upheaval in the ranks.
For a long while, I've heard people criticize Tesla for being real good at taking orders, not so good at delivering vehicles. Now that we've finally hit the big 1-0-0 and production speed is ramping up, it's not as easy to say this. I'll be way more impresed when Tesla delivers #100 of the Model S, but this is still a good milestone to reach.
eBay Find of the Day: Obama's old Chrysler 300C
Back when Barack Obama was still vying for the official Democratic presidential nod, the now President-elect made a well-publicized switch from a HEMI-powered Chrysler 300C to a Ford Escape Hybrid. The issue, of course, was that the HEMI is seen as a gas swiller (15 mpg city / 23 highway) and an obvious target for those looking to point a finger at the junior senator's green credentials. So, out went the 300C and in came the defacto mode of transportation for image conscious politicians: a Ford Escape Hybrid. The trade made headlines a while before everybody moved on to more important issues. Or have they? Obama's old 300C is back in the news and currently up for auction on eBay Motors.
Just how much would it cost to park Obama's old whip in your driveway? We'll know for sure in about a week, but the opening bid is a rather staggering $100,000. Even a low mileage 2005 300C (this one has racked up just 20,000 miles) isn't worth more than about $17,000 or so on the open market. Is it really worth an extra $80,000 (and probably much more) to drive the next President's ex-car? If so, the bidding is now open.
Holden Volt coming in 2012 without Green Car Innovation Funds
As we had heard in the past, General Motor's upcoming extended-range electric vehicle will make an Australian appearance in 2012, and it will be wearing a Holden badge. Apparently, rumor and innuendo in Australia had the Volt coming to the continent as a Chevrolet. Holden's Managing Director Mark Reuss also says that the EREV will be introduced without the use of Australia's planned Green Car Innovation Fund. That's nice, but perhaps the General's spokesperson could have been a bit more appropriate if he didn't make such a big deal about the automaker using its own funds, considering what's been going on here in the US these last few weeks.
Also on schedule for Australian consumption in 2010 are flex-fuel Holdens. Along with the ethanol capability, GM is working with Coskata to open its first-ever plant outside the United States. That plant will make the alcohol fuel from waste products
Also on schedule for Australian consumption in 2010 are flex-fuel Holdens. Along with the ethanol capability, GM is working with Coskata to open its first-ever plant outside the United States. That plant will make the alcohol fuel from waste products
Chrysler and Chery officially pull the plug on small car venture
Any thoughts that Chrysler had of getting small cars through a joint venture with China's Chery Motors are now officially dead. The Detroit News has been told by Mike Manley, Chrysler EVP for international sales, that discussions between the two companies have concluded and the companies will pursue their own directions. The slackening Chinese market has meant that Chery has been losing significant amounts of money there and can't afford to invest in expansion to engineer and produce products for Chrysler elsewhere. Chrysler's hope had been to use the low cost of production in China to source small cars, but Chery is so far from producing products that would be able to pass US safety and emissions regulations that the cost would still have been prohibitive for Chrysler. For now it looks like Chrysler will be relying on Nissan and its Versa platform, at least in Central and South America. It's still not known if they will offer a variant of the Versa in the US.
Refreshed Mazda MX-5 Roadster goes on sale in Japan
What Mazda has called a "refresh" is actually a seriously thorough tweaking of the MX-5's mechanics and aesthetics. Outside the rag top, known as the Roadster in Japan where it's just gone on sale, gets a smaller version of the smile we've seen on the Mazda3, new alloy wheels, a stronger character line and three new colors. Inside it gets new gauges, more supportive seats and a new MX-5-specific BOSE system. And underneath the hood, the engine gets a higher redline, the automatic transmission gets a couple of new modes, and manual gearbox just gets more refined and the front end has been lowered. And those changes represent just the tips of many icebergs. One thing we can all be thankful Mazda hasn't changed about the MX-5 is its Jinba Ittai. That's Japanese for "rider and horse as one." Who knew? Follow the jump for the exhaustive press release and check out the high-res gallery of Mazda's new Roadster below.
G-Wiz doing just fine, thanks
In light of reports of slow electric car sales in the UK and the NICE Car Company's collapse, the distributor of the Reva G-Wiz i, GoinGreen, wants to let everyone know that they are still around and doing just fine, thank you very much. Although their sales are about half of what they were in 2007, they are claiming "good financial health" and expect that the downturn in the economy will affect them positively since their battery-powered buggies are inexpensive to buy and operate in a British motoring environment that's fraught with costly congestion charges, exorbitant parking fees and steep fuel prices.
In the case of the G-Wiz i, it's suffering sales are likely more closely related to bad publicity from horrendous crash results broadcast by the popular Top Gear television show than the economy. Although they've made improvements to both drivetrain and chassis since then and are now offering their Indian-sourced vehicle at a discounted £7,995 (on the road!), the design is starting to get a little long in the tooth and some buyers may be holding out for the UK rollout of the Th!nk City or Mitsubishi i MiEV. Hopefully, Reva will come through on their promise of new models and help GoinGreen remain a going concern. Find an official statement from GoinGreen after the jump.
Saab Aero-X
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2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class unveiled via web leak
We've seen so many spy shots of the upcoming 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class that these official images hardly move us. Yet here they are, three images leaked onto the web that reportedly reveal the final production form of the 2010 E-Class, which makes its official debut
The new E-Class was previewed by the Mercedes-Benz ConceptFascination that debuted at this year's Paris Motor Show, and we can see now that the front of the production car was heavily influenced by the concept. Gone are the round, quad headlamps, which have been replaced with new light fixtures that still number four but are more contemporary and clean. Strips of LEDs can also be had as fog lights in the outermost intakes of the lower front bumper, which must be a German thing as Audi and Porsche have placed the advanced lighting tech in similar areas on their cars. The soft lines of the current model have been chiseled into a crisper shape that shares creases with its big brother, the S-Class, and the new profile appears to be more forgiving of tall passengers in back. The unfortunate looking Galant-like rear end features large, rectangular tail-lights that cross over a rather voluminous-looking trunk.
We expect the new 2010 E-Class to be loaded with more advanced performance, safety and entertainment technology than ever before, including the ability to read road signs, monitor driver fatigue and see in the dark without its lights on. In Europe it will be available with engines that range from four to six to eight cylinders large and are fueled by either gas or diesel. In the U.S., we should expect what we have now: a V6, V8 and AMG model.
Rendered speculation: Could MINI revive the Moke?
Do you remember the Mini Moke? It was basically a naked version of the original Mini, with no roof and no doors (there's a pic after the jump) that made sensation through the mid-80s at all sorts of beach resorts around the globe and was enjoyed by some fancy people in dry climates. With the recent unveiling of the second generation Mini Cabrio, the guys at Schulte Design have thought of what a new Mini Moke would look like, and their rendering is above (see a larger pic over at Motor Authority). Will BMW decide to update the Mini Moke? Will it be safer than its predecessor? Make it an EV and it'll be a hit in Monaco!
Wrightspeed X1, a casualty of our economic woes
There will be casualties. That's what we've been warned over and over about the burgeoning green car market in the face of the world's global economic crisis and the recent trend towards cheap gas. One such vehicle that we had been really looking forward to was the Wrightspeed X1, but we now hear it will never see the light of day. Why? According to Ian Wright, creator of the X1 electric supercar, "At this stage of the game, when oil is cheap and batteries still expensive, spending two- to three-times the price on an electric car doesn't really make sense."
Instead of making his own line of green sportscars, Wright will focus on just the drivetrain, hoping to sell batteries, motors and controllers to other upstart manufacturers. We can see how this might make sense - if one company does all of the research and development for the assorted powertrain components, it should make it cheaper to get a new EV project off the ground. We hope it works. Thanks for the tip, Why not the LS2/LS7!
Instead of making his own line of green sportscars, Wright will focus on just the drivetrain, hoping to sell batteries, motors and controllers to other upstart manufacturers. We can see how this might make sense - if one company does all of the research and development for the assorted powertrain components, it should make it cheaper to get a new EV project off the ground. We hope it works. Thanks for the tip, Why not the LS2/LS7!
Geneva '08: Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept, ethanol, hybrid, solar and aero
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Saab Hatches New 9-3 Concept
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Mitsubishi set to idle Illinois plant for seven weeks
Slumping sales have pushed Mitsubishi to schedule a production stoppage at their Normal, Illinois plant early next year for a period lasting more than 40 days. The facility, employing 1,568 workers, manufacturers both the Galant and Eclipse. When the assembly line lights go dark between February 16 and April 3, it will signify the longest halt of production since the facility began operation in 1988. The news obviously isn't good, but it thankfully doesn't carry any immediate word about layoffs. According to Mitsubishi, all employees will remain on payroll during the shutdown and be shifted to other non-production jobs, including maintenance and training.
All-electric race car to be unveiled at Performance Racing Industry show
and KleenSpeed Technologies Inc. have teamed up and will unveil the first all-electric production race car at the We were wondering when someone would consider taking advantage of the potential for massive torque and wicked acceleration that a modern electric drivetrain can offer and build some race cars that could also boast some environmental credentials. We wonder no more. West Race CarsPerformance Racing Industry trade show this week. Yeah, we've told you about some other folks with electric racer plans in New Zealand and the UK but this is happening here in America and it isn't just a "one-off." According to West CEO Eric Vassian, "We are planning on an initial production run of five West WX10-T electric race cars for 2009, and have already sold the first one."
The new racer should look similar to West's gas-powered WX-10 (above) and be capable of hitting 150 mph. With the help of regenerative braking, the battery is said to be capable of duking it out for 45 minutes, though it is designed to be quickly swapped out so the car can compete in endurance racing events. The International Motorsports Association (IMSA) is also involved with the development of the WX10-T, giving the project some heavy duty bona fides and a good shot at success. Now all they need are some enviromentally-minded racecar drivers.[Source: West Race Cars]
2010 Ford Mustang GT stretching its legs
The 2010 Mustang looks good, sounds great and will be available to customers in a few short months. We can't wait to get behind the wheel. But in the meantime we can watch the fleet footed drivers at the Blue Oval take the 315-hp pony car through its paces while cameras roll. Beyond the jump we have 44 seconds of the sweet-sounding Mustang doing a perfect donut and ripping a killer burnout. Wait. That's a CGI Mustang driven by some geek sporting a color-coded keyboard and a five button mouse. It may be fake but it looks really cool. We just have trouble understanding how a team of animators staring at a screen for 40 hours wouldn't notice that the GT badge out back is backwards (about 18 seconds in). Oh well, it's still cool in a Gran Turismo kind of way, and you'll love the soundtrack coming from the 4.6L V8.
Renault introduces eco2 version of Twingo, 104 g/km CO2
Renault has announced a new high efficiency, low CO2 variant of its Twingo mini-car in France called the eco2. The Twingo eco2 is powered by a 1.5L four cylinder diesel engine putting out 85 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. So equipped, the Twingo eco2 is claimed to get 58.8 mpg (US) on the European combined cycle and emit only 104 g/km of carbon dioxide. That's well below the 120 g/km threshold required to qualify for various tax incentives in several places in Europe as well as bypass congestion charges in some cities. Renault has apparently tuned this new Twingo with sporty handling to make it fun to drive. The base price of the Twingo eco2 in France is €14,850.
Would reviving the Viggen help or hurt Saab?
Viggen is loosely translated from Swedish to mean "torque steer that will bust your elbows." Actually, Saab borrowed the Viggen moniker from a fighter jet for a top-dog version of the 9-3 that bowed in 1999. The Saabophiles at Turbonines have been dreaming as of late about a new Viggen, and they've even got Photochops to illustrate their points. The basic premise is that the "Hirsch Edition" Saabs being created for the German market carry plenty of even higher-end dressing up than the TurboX range topper we get here in the States, and it'd merely be a matter of diverting some of those vehicles this way with some new badging. We've tried the TurboX and mostly liked it, and Turbonines goes on to advocate for installing some of these goodies in ports, which would further reduce federalization costs. Of course, no matter how you slice it, the only-600-in-the-US TurboX can still be had, so adding another vehicle to Saab's lineup that would occupy the mid-$40,000 price point and get its teeth bashed in by Audis and BMWs might not be a smart move for GM's tiniest of sellers.
Chevy Volt will cost GM $750 milllion
We've heard time and again that it's really expensive to develop a hybrid, electric car or extended-range electric car. Chevy's upcoming Volt not only has a battery large enough to allow an announce range of 40 miles in electric-only mode, but it also uses a brand new engine design that's not used in that exact form in any other platform. You might imagine, then, that the Volt will be even more pricey to design than the average EV. You'd be right. According to the business plan that GM submitted to Congress, the Volt program will cost nearly $750 million to develop before it's all said and done. To top it all off, the car won't be profitable for at least the first few years that it is in production thanks to the high cost of its battery.
Still, GM seems to have learned an important lesson as it fell far behind in hybrid technology, which was another extremely expensive bit of kit to create and the court of public opinion has dictated that the cost is worth it. So, despite the fact that The General won't make any money on the Volt until around 2016, don't expect the automaker to put the brakes on the program any time soon.
Still, GM seems to have learned an important lesson as it fell far behind in hybrid technology, which was another extremely expensive bit of kit to create and the court of public opinion has dictated that the cost is worth it. So, despite the fact that The General won't make any money on the Volt until around 2016, don't expect the automaker to put the brakes on the program any time soon.
Top 10 Least Stolen Vehicles in 2008
Yesterday we showed you the Top Ten Most Stolen Vehicles in 2008 based on thefts per number of insured models. While many of you pointed out that these were, in fact, not the most stolen vehicles overall, most of you agreed that they weren't worth risking time in the clink over, either. Even the most stolen vehicles overall like the Honda Civic, Accord and Toyota Camry don't really seem worth the trouble unless you run a chop-shop. So what can you do to keep your daily commuter parked safe and sound in the driveway? Perhaps drive one of these.
Again using new data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute, we've assembled a new list of the Top Ten Least Stolen Vehicles in 2008. Not all of them are undesirable, some just have very good protective devices. Others are just so popular that their owners don't let them out of their sight. We make no promises about whether or not your particular car will be stolen, but we do know that the IIHS says these vehicles generate the fewest insurance-claim reports related to theft. As before, the figures are reported in number of claims filed for every 1,000 vehicles insured each year, and this most recent report covers vehicles made and sold between 2005 and 2007. So follow the banner to find out what the least stolen cars of 2008 are.
Four-cylinder Toyota Highlander priced at $25,705
Toyota has just announced pricing on the 2009 Highlander SUV with its new 4-cylinder engine. The latest entry-level model in the Highlander lineup will arrive at the dealership with a base MSRP of $25,705. That figure cleanly undercuts the price of the Highlander V6 FWD ($27,600) and the Highlander Hybrid ($34,700). The new 4-cylinder engine displaces 2.7-liters and is rated at 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Mated to an all-new 6-speed electronically-controlled automatic, it's enough motivation to get the SUV to 60 mph in a claimed 9.7 seconds, yet still return an EPA estimated 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (22 MPG combined). For comparison, the Highlander V6 is rated at 18/24 and the Hybrid at 27/25... yes, the new gasoline-fed inline-4 is more efficient than the hybrid on the highway. Look for the new four-cylinder Highlander at Toyota dealers in January.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
BMW 7-Series
The launch of the fifth generation of the BMW 7-Series sets a new benchmark in automotive luxury, technical innovation and class-leading driving dynamics, combined with emissions reducing and fuel saving technology.
The flagship of the BMW model range debuts in November with a host of world firsts and will initially be offered with a choice of three powerplants, one diesel and two petrol engines. The two petrol-powered cars will be offered with a long-wheelbase body too. All three engines produce more power yet use less fuel and produce less emissions than any rival premium product.
The BMW 730d sets a new benchmark in terms of drivetrain performance. The new all-aluminium 3.0-litre straight-six cylinder diesel engine produces 245hp at 4,000rpm. Its effortless real world driving smoothness comes courtesy of a peak torque figure of 540Nm attained from 1,750rpm through to 3,000rpm.
The 2,993cc powerplant posts the lowest ever CO2 figure of any BMW 7-Series before it and it is also the most economical 7-Series ever. Its 192g/km emission figure is class-leading for conventionally powered luxury cars, while no other competitor comes close to its 39.2mpg combined consumption figure. It can accelerate from zero to 62mph in 7.2 seconds and has a 152mph top speed.
To put the BMW 730d's competitive advantage in context this luxurious vehicle records near identical fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to the Mercedes C320CDi - a car that is two market segments below the BMW 7-Series and is smaller and lighter than the BMW.
The impressive performance of the 730d is, in part, possible due to third-generation common-rail direct injection incorporating piezo injectors that operates at a peak pressure of 1,800 bar. This system ensures a near perfect combustion process. Weighing 185kgs the new six-cylinder diesel engine is also 5kgs lighter than its predecessor.
The BMW 730d is set to be the biggest seller in the UK, accounting for approximately 85 per cent of sales.
The BMW 750i and BMW 750Li are the range flagships. The new 4,395cc V8 engine from the recently launched BMW X6, featuring twin-turbochargers and high-precision direct injection technology, produces 407hp from 5,500rpm to 6,400rpm. Impressive figures that are backed up by an equally stunning 600Nm of torque from 1,750rpm to 4,500rpm. Such breathtaking performance sees the BMW 750i accelerate from zero to 62mph in 5.2 seconds (5.3 seconds for the 750Li) before going on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. Consumption on the combined cycle is 24.8mpg, while CO2 emissions equate to 266g/km.
The all-aluminium V8 engine powering the 750i and 750Li also features its own world first - twin-turbochargers and catalysts that are placed within the V-space of the engine block. This not only optimises packaging but the reduction in manifold length and larger cross sections mean the engine breathes better for enhanced performance. Double-VANOS variable valve technology and high-precision direct injection technology further aid engine performance to the degree that all the innovations combine to offer a V8 engine that has an equivalent output of a traditional 12-cylinder unit.
Aimed at customers who prefer the characteristics of a petrol-powered BMW six-cylinder engine, the BMW 740i and 740Li are also offered. Using an internationally-acclaimed 2,979cc powerplant, the BMW 740i musters 326hp and 450Nm of torque for rapid yet serene performance. The twin-turbocharged engine features high-precision direct injection and Double-VANOS variable valve technology to achieve optimum performance. The 3.0-litre BMW 740i and 740Li post combined fuel consumption figures of 28.5mpg and 28.3mpg respectively, while returning emissions figures of 232g/km and 235g/km.
All BMW 7-Series models come with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
EfficientDynamics
The launch of the new BMW 7-Series completes the line-up of the entire BMW range now being equipped with EfficientDynamics technologies fitted as standard. With its roof, doors, bonnet and side panels all made from aluminium to dovetail with the principle of lightweight engineering, the BMW 7-Series also has other innovative class-leading technology which improves engine performance, while cutting fuel consumption and emissions.
Brake Energy Regeneration uses the engine's power on overrun, such as braking, to charge the battery for the car's electrical circuit. When the driver is accelerating the alternator disengages so all of the engine's power is channelled towards the car's performance. Other ancillaries, such as the air-conditioning compressor, are also able to disengage to improve the all round performance of the car. This intelligent use of drivetrain power is why EfficientDynamics technology has helped the BMW 7-Series become a class-leader in terms of performance, fuel consumption and emissions.
World firsts
The BMW 7-Series' drivetrain superiority is reinforced with a plethora of automotive firsts. All BMW 7-Series can now be specified with the world's first Head-up Display incorporating a speed limit warning system. A camera mounted on the back of the rear view mirror scans oncoming road signs to alert the driver of any impending speed restriction. The BMW 7-Series is also the world's first car available with a Side View camera system that operates in conjunction with Park Distance Control. The system provides an overview of traffic conditions on the iDrive display so the driver can negotiate a partially obscured junction, leave a car park or drive through a narrow gate with absolute confidence.
The new BMW 7-Series can be specified with the world's most advanced Night Vision system in a production car. BMW was the first manufacturer to fit a Night Vision system to a premium car and it has now upgraded this package to include an individual person recognition system in another world first. A control unit within the system analyses video data of human behaviour as part of the Night Vision camera's reach and can subsequently alert the driver if it detects a human is moving into the path of the vehicle.
Building on the impressive list of innovations, the BMW 7-Series is the first BMW to feature Lane Change Warning combined with Lane Departure Warning. The latter is a system that first appeared on 5 and 6 Series models and uses a camera to monitor road markings. Should the driver start to stray out of lane, a gentle vibration of the steering wheel would provide an alert. However, courtesy of cameras located in the door mirrors, Lane Change Warning adds another tier of driver safety. The two cameras constantly scan the blind spot either side of the vehicle, up to a distance of 60 metres, and alert the driver to the presence of another vehicle with a triangular symbol in the door mirror.
Completing the host of innovations is speed-related Integral Active Steering. A car specified with this optional equipment allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 3º. At slow speeds it is highly manoeuvrable, while at a faster pace it offers enhanced composure and driving dynamics. BMW's flagship car is also the world's first to come with full-scale Internet connectivity.
Tailormade driving dynamics
The latest generation BMW 7-Series is the first to have Dynamic Driving Control featuring Dynamic Damping Control as standard. Dynamic Driving Control is the umbrella function that lets a driver customise the characteristics of his or her car. As part of this Dynamic Damping Control can bet set in comfort, normal or sport modes, but, for the first time, with the added benefit that these settings are infinitely variable depending on driving style and road surface condition. Depending on selected mode the throttle response, gear change speed and steering feel are also altered at the same time.
To aid driving dynamics and comfort the BMW 7-Series is the first BMW Saloon to feature race car-like double-wishbone front suspension. This arrangement allows engineers to fine-tune the suspension for the best kinematic configuration. The rear suspension consists of a five-link arrangement made of aluminium which can be further optimised with the inclusion of Adaptive Air Suspension.
The 2009 BMW 7-Series comes as standard with Dynamic Stability Control + featuring additional functions such as Hill-Start Assistant, Brake Drying, Brake Pre-tensioning, Soft-stop and Brake Fade Compensation. Dynamic Traction Control can be activated via a button to enable spirited driving or greater traction of slippery surfaces such as snow and ice.
A new interior
The new BMW 7-Series comes with one of the most luxurious interiors of any premium car. In addition to a new iDrive controller and larger 10.2-inch screen, owners will be able to programme frequently selected radio stations or navigation destinations on favourite buttons located on the centre console. For the first time on a BMW the instrument cluster comprises a high-resolution colour display with Black Panel technology. This new style of display makes for greater character clarity and, when not in use, forms a smooth, homogenous black surface that gives the interior an added level of modern elegance.
With its 40Gb hard drive, the BMW 7-Series is the first production car in the world that enables a customer to upload their favourite music to be stored on the vehicle. In excess of 100 albums can be saved in this way for the driver's enjoyment. Four-zone automatic air-conditioning can be specified and, for the first time, the BMW 7-Series can have a rear seat ventilation system combined with massage function. The air-conditioning system feeds cool air to the seat squab and backrest while twelve massage bubbles gently kneed the occupants' upper body.
The BMW 7-Series comes with BMW ConnectedDrive with enhanced BMW Assist and BMW TeleServices as standard. BMW Assist is the reactive safety blanket that automatically dials the emergency services if the driver is involved in an accident. For the BMW 7-Series this life-saving system has been improved so that it can now tell the emergency services the severity of the accident and the likely injuries of those inside. BMW TeleServices sees the 7-Series automatically communicate with a call centre if it the car is due a service or a potential fault is detected. A dealer will then contact the owner to arrange a convenient time to rectify this.
The BMW 7-Series goes on sale in the UK on 15 November, 2008.
Technical Specifications
* BMW 750i
o Displacement: 4.395 cm3
o Max. Power: 300 kW/407 PS @ 5.500-6.400 rpm
o Max. Torque: 600 Nm @ 1.750-4.500 rpm
o 0-100 km/h: 5,2 s (BMW 750Li: 5,3 s)
o Top speed: 250 km/h
o Combined Fuel Consumption (EU): 11,4 l/100 km (BMW 750Li: 11,4 l/100 km)
o CO2-Emission (EU): 266 g/km (BMW 750Li: 266 g/km)
* BMW 740i
o Displacement: 2.979 cm3
o Max. Power: 240 kW/326 PS @ 5.800 rpm
o Max. Torque: 450 Nm @ 1.500-4.500 rpm
o 0-100 km/h: 5,9 s (BMW 740Li: 6,0 s)
o Top speed: 250 km/h
o Combined Fuel Consumption (EU): 9,9 l/100 km (BMW 740Li: 10,0 l/100 km)
o CO2-Emission (EU): 232 g/km (BMW 740Li: 235 g/km)
* BMW 730d
o Displacement: 2.993 cm3
o Max. Power: 180 kW/245 PS @ 4.000 rpm
o Max. Torque: 540 Nm @ 1.750-3.000 rpm
o 0-100 km/h: 7,2 s
o Top speed: 245 km/h
o Combined Fuel Consumption (EU): 7,2 l/100 km
o CO2-Emission (EU): 192 g/km
Opel Agila
With five doors and five seats, the new Opel Agila is not only as practical as its predecessor, which sold over 440,000 units, but is now also much more dynamically designed. The small, versatile Opel was unveiled to the public at the 2007 IAA in Frankfurt (September 13 - 23, 2007) and made its market premiere in spring 2008. It boasts balanced proportions, soft curves and a distinctive side graphic. Its passengers still sit high and upright, but the roofline has been dynamically lowered and now blends into a smooth arc toward the rear. This helps create the Opel Agila's aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.35 - a relatively low figure for a vehicle of this size. The urban car is now 20 centimeters longer, six centimeters wider, but seven centimeters lower than its predecessor.
The front boasts typical Opel styling. With its round headlamps integrated into almond-shaped lamp units that echo the new Corsa, the Opel Agila sees the world through wide eyes. The tapering of the front and rear bumpers are also typical Opel elements, just like the crease in the hood. The rear also features several rounded details. The positioning of the narrow vertical light units, which are accented by the spherically styled rear lights, allowed designers to create a large, easy load-through tailgate.
The same is true for the interior: the boring days are over. A wide selection of fresh colors and modern styles create an ambience that's enhanced even more by the spacious headroom. The versatile five-seater's high seating position ensures good visibility, while the high placed gear stick and height-adjustable steering wheel with radio remote controls ensure easy operation. The rev counter is housed separately on the instrument panel. All other information readouts are given on large, distinctive, round instruments.
As an urban car it also offers plenty of compartments and boxes for storing all passengers' belongings. But it's not just car essentials that the new Opel Agila stows away easily. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the new Opel urban car boasts a surprisingly large luggage compartment. Its standard capacity up to the luggage compartment cover is 225 liters, large enough for a stroller, for example. One turn of a handle drops the rear bench seat back, increasing the load volume to an impressive 1050 liters - a top value in this segment. The rear bench seat and back also splits 60:40 for even greater versatility.
All Opel Agila models have a wide range of standard equipment, including safety features such as ABS, front and side airbags for driver and front passenger, front passenger airbag deactivation and mountings for the ISOFIX child seat system. And thanks to the five doors as standard, small children can be secured into a child seat quickly and safely. Standard comfort features in the entry-level version include speed-dependent power steering, height-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, rear window washer with interval selection and power tailgate with touchpad. The Enjoy model boasts an even greater range of standard features.
Two gasoline engines make their world premiere in the new Opel Agila. Supplied by cooperation partner Suzuki, they share the same design - aluminum cylinder block and head, as well as two overhead camshafts.
The entry-level unit is the almost one-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine. The four-valve unit produces 65 hp (48 kW) and has a top speed of 160 km/h. The 1.2-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine produces 86 hp (63 kW), accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in less than 12 seconds and has a top speed of 174 km/h (values for five-speed manual version). This engine is now optionally available with a four-speed automatic transmission - an especially attractive alternative for city driving.
The fuel-saving master among the Opel Agila engines is the 1.3-liter common-rail turbo-diesel. Developed by GM Powertrain, the diesel engine is a true multi-talent and also offers an especially efficient alternative in the Corsa and Astra model lines. In the new Opel Agila it produces 75 hp (55 kW), has a top speed of 162 km/h and a zero to 100 km/h sprint of 13.5 seconds. The powerful diesel unit with a maximum torque of 190 Nm is very economical: on average it consumes less than five liters per 100 km, which represents a CO2 per kilometer value of under 130 g (finalized values not yet available).
Make the Opel Agila even more agile - that was the aim during chassis development. The new dynamic look is also reflected in the car's responsiveness. The Opel Agila's chassis, which features A-arms and McPherson struts in front and a torsion beam axle in the rear, is tuned for driving fun. Depending on the market and equipment variant, the Opel Agila also features an Electronic
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