Cars News: March 2011| Review|Video|buy|Modification

March 30, 2011

Jaguar launch XF 2.2-litre diesel Review

Jaguar launch XF 2.2-litre diesel Review There used to be a time when Jaguar was synonymous with big V8 and V12 engines. But times have changed and a good diesel engine will make or brake a carmaker in the luxury saloon segment.

The famous British carmaker has has unveiled its new, most fuel efficient engine to date in the form of a 2.2-liter diesel that develops in the region of 190 horsepower and is capable of returning 52.3 mpg (UK standard) on the combined cycle while emitting 149 g/km of CO2.

Well, this new 4-cylinder, 16-valve 2.2-litre common rail diesel unit aims to redress the balance and arm the XF with the final tax-dodging weaponry it needs to complete its already rather impressive executive car arsenal of looks, handling and generous stylish spec. With this new engine the XF line-up will be complete, and just in time for a refreshing April 2011 facelift.

The 188bhp motor makes a decent dollop of torque at 332lb ft and returns a respectable 52.3mpg; all for the tailpipe-price of 149g/km of the dreaded carbon dioxide. At 149g/km, the new dark-oil-Jag will slip into the 22 per cent company car tax bracket, which is roughly on a par with its rivals.

The transmission gets the thumbs-up, too. Despite giving a choice of eight gears, it shuffles the ratios so softly you barely notice it at work. You can take control with the steering wheel-mounted paddles yourself, but the box kicks down extremely swiftly and changes right on the red line, so there’s little point. On the motorway, that long eighth gear results in hushed progress as well. Come to a halt and the stop-start shuts the engine down almost immediately. There can be a slight shudder as you release the brake and the diesel restarts, but it fires up very quickly indeed.

Think City Electric Car Price

The Think City Electric Car is the latest in a long line of small, compact and very environmentally friendly electric cars set to hit the market in the weeks, months and years ahead. Despite the fact that many of the larger electric vehicles have hit the headlines so far in the electric car market there is also major demand for relatively small electric cars which are both environmentally friendly and highly efficient.

In November, the price of the car before incentives was reported to be $34,000. But that price tag has faded and new price will make you spent loads more of dollars. The increase in the price of the car coincidentally is identical to the federal tax credit of $7,500 for EVs. Indianapolis customers can have the EV for $30,050.65, including sales tax and state rebates, but the federal tax credit is excluded.

For the most part, driving the City is a lot like driving any other EV. Easy, quiet and fun. Like other non-NEVs electric vehicles, you get a lot of oomph from a dead stop thanks to the electric motor's instant torque. Keeping up with traffic wasn't a problem at all. In fact, other cars had a hard time keeping up with us.

On the inside, the car feels quite roomy and visibility is good for the most part. The side mirrors look a bit funky from the driver's seat, but are quite functional. At times, the rear window didn't seem high enough and I couldn't get the rearview mirror to angle correctly to see well out the back.

PlaNYC, the City’s comprehensive sustainability plan, established an aggressive strategy to reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 by 30 percent from 2005 levels. As part of that overall goal, transportation emissions, which currently account for 22 percent of New York City’s total greenhouse gas emissions, would be reduced by 44 percent by 2030. Electric vehicles are an excellent strategy for both the City fleets and the private vehicles operating within the City’s borders.

March 22, 2011

Toyota Yaris launching 3-Door Liftback

Toyota Yaris launching 3-Door Liftback ,As the new entry-level model in Toyota’s subcompact segment, the Yaris has a lot of weight on its shoulders. The Yaris hatchback is a three-door subcompact car that is intended mostly to appeal to the youth and those looking for economical transportation.

The metallic fabric on the seats and door panels. It's a fun and economical approach that results in sleek styling. However, I'm taking an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" stance regarding the gauge-cluster location.

Even though this out-of-the-box thinking is respected, I do not think this design pulled it off. I hated having to look at the speedometer at an angle; I feel it slightly skews the accuracy of the readings, and at night the steering wheel area is uncomfortably dark. I also found the temperature controls to be too large and gaudy. The radio had that aftermarket CD player feel that wasn't integrated into the design well or at all for that matter. So I guess I actually only found one feature I liked and many I scratched my head at.

Sporting a 96.9-inch wheelbase, the car immediately lends itself to go-kart-like handling. With its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that outputs 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque, and equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i), we still cant call it a rocket ship, but toss in a standard five-speed manual transmission or the optional four-speed automatic, and we can agree with the axiom that it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast, rather than a fast car slow.
On its standard P175/65R14 radials, EPA fuel estimates for the Yaris are 29 city / 36 highway with the manual transmission, and 29 city / 35 highway for the automatic.

New Audi Q6

New Audi Q6 has kicked off development of a new performance orientated crossover model to counter the BMW X6.

Set to be called the Q6, the five-seat crossover is rumoured to be based around the same four-wheel drive underpinnings as the second-generation Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, both of which use a short wheelbase (2895mm) version of the Volkswagen Group’s so-called Colorado platform that in long-wheelbase (3000mm) form is also used beneath the Audi Q7.

Development of the new model came as its North American and Chinese subsidiaries petitioned for such a vehicle. Also potentially spurring Audi into action was the high demand of the BMW X6, which sold double the number of units expected.
The new model will sit upon a modified version of the larger Q7′s platform, similar to the one currently underpinning the Volkswagen Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne. It will have seating for five, and likely feature V-6 and V-8 engine choices similar to what has previously been seen in Audi’s existing SUV lineup.

We also expect the Q6 to receive the same hybrid powertrain available in the Touareg and Cayenne. A diesel engine could be a likely option as well, as Audi continues to roll out its Clean Diesel technology in the U.S.

Audi's launched of in-car tech

Audi's launched of in-car tech advanced prototype version of its long-wheelbase A8 to showcase the future of in-car broadband technology.

The A8 L is equipped with ‘long-term evolution’ (LTE) broadband technology that offers download speeds of up to 100Mbps. Current in-car 3G connections only allow for download speeds of around 14.4Mbps

The E-tron Spyder is an electric plug-in hybrid two-seater equipped with a 221-kW (300-hp) twin-turbo V6 TDI at the rear axle and two electric motors producing a total of 64 kW at the front axle. The car accelerates to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 4.4 seconds, and top speed is electronically governed at 250 km/h (155.34 mph).
But it wasn’t just the sculptural forms of the E-tron that caught our eye. In both the Wednesday keynote and on Audi’s stand, we saw a series of new technologies that the company says will be available in its next generation of models.
Features available as part of the latest system also include DAB digital radio reception, analogue and digital TV reception and DVD playback, all through the large in-dash monitor.

The new high-tech hard drive has a total capacity of 40 GB, 10GB of which is given over to the 4,000-song ‘mobile jukebox’ facility that can be loaded using SD memory cards. It also holds satellite navigation data covering the whole of Western Europe, replacing the outgoing system’s already widely acclaimed DVD-based technology.

The new hard disk dramatically enhances the already high quality mapping offered by the Audi Satellite Navigation System Plus, significantly increasing the degree of detail and offering a new 3D ‘digital topographical’ view which gives a pictorial depiction of key landmarks to add even greater ‘context’. Wherever possible it even provides a choice of three routes to a chosen destination, including one that has been specifically calculated to require the least possible consumption of fuel.

Porsche 918 spyder Price $845,000

Porsche 918 spyder is looking to prove that the best of both worlds don't have to be mutually exclusive with the 918 Spyder concept scheduled to debut tomorrow at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Looking a bit like a Carrera GT evolved, the 918 Spyder is powered by both a 500-horsepower V8 and a pair of electric motors (one for each axle) producing an additional 218 hp or 160kW. At full gallop, the concept can theoretically reach 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and nip 198 mph on the high end. On the flip side, Porsche says it can also achieve 78 miles per gallon and emit just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

First previewed in concept-car guise at the 2010 Geneva motor show, the 918 Spyder recently completed the first phase of a three-year development program that is set to culminate with production at Porsche's traditional Zuffenhausen manufacturing plant in Germany, with the first example earmarked to run down the line on September 18, 2013. The first car arrives in November 2013.

The production version of the 918 Spyder eschews the full open-top treatment of the earlier concept for a targa-style roof featuring removable panels that can be stowed in the front luggage compartment. Other changes evident in official sketches released by Porsche appear to be minor, although with the first production car still two and half years away, further modifications are possible.

Powered by a 3.4-liter V-8 engine and a hybrid drive system, the 918 Spyder Concept could preview a new supercar from the company. We're not expecting it for another year or two at the earliest, however, as its 9,200-rpm, 500-horsepower output and 78-mpg efficiency are sure to prove difficult to render in production. Performance isn't hampered by the hybrid drive system, however: 3.2 seconds to 62 mph, 198 mph top speed, and a promised Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of under 7:30--faster than the Carrera GT that preceded it. Electric motors on the front and rear axles contribute 218 horsepower to the mix.

March 9, 2011

2012 Nissan Leaf faster charger

2012 Nissan Leaf faster charger is fitted with an onboard charging system that accepts Level 2 240-volt charging at 3.3 kilowatts. While this setup allows the Leaf to be recharged from empty in approximately eight hours, Green Car Reports claims that an uprated system, boasting the ability to charge the Leaf in less time, is already in the works.

This fact is not lost on Nissan, as it just revealed plans to offer a higher-rate charger in its 2012 Leaf the current model's 3.3kW charger needs eight hours to power up in order to better compete with the Ford Focus Electric's three to four hour charge time courtesy of its 6.6kW.

There will be a few other expenses associated with the purchase, the least of which is the $99 reservation fee. Buyers will need to pay an additional $2,200 for the necessary charging station and installation. Uncle Sam will throw another $2,000 tax credit your way for that equipment, though. If everything stays on track, buyers should see their battery-powered purchases arrive by December. Follow the jump for Nissan's official press release in case your interested in being one of the first to buy.

There was some concern regarding the battery cooling system, let’s hope they have revisited that. For around $26,000, after tax savings, you can have a rearview monitor, fog lamps, HomeLink transceiver system and check this out a solar panel spoiler, so you can charge the essentials without draining your battery by use of sunlight. Notice the price tag includes the after tax credits.

New Ram Cargo Van Unveiled

New Ram Cargo Van Unveiled has officially yanked back the sheets on the newest addition to its growing stable of workhorses a Grand Caravan based cargo van built to cater to the small business owners of the world. Along with solid side panels down the vehicle's flanks, the Ram C/V packs a flat load floor and a load-leveling suspension. Under the hood, buyers will only be able to get the new Chrysler 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the engine helps provide what Ram calls a class-besting tow rating of 3,800 pounds.

The new Ram C/V comes with solid sliding door, rear quarter window and backlight privacy panels in place of clear glass windows, but buyers may also choose between several combinations of solid and glass panels, including solid or glass backlight.

New Pentastar V-6 Engine At the heart of the 2012 Ram Cargo Van is new, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transaxle. The Pentastar V-6 is a high-tech, high-performing engine with variable valve timing that hits the sweet spot between power and efficiency. It delivers best-in-class horsepower (283) and torque (260 lb.-ft.) without sacrificing fuel economy.

The Ram C/V also features a new driver-selectable fuel economizer mode. Drivers can change the transaxle shift schedule with a flip of a switch to maximize their fuel economy.

In addition, a rear spoiler and reduced brake caliper and rear bearing drag all contribute to Ram Cargo Van’s class-leading aerodynamics and excellent fuel economy.

Audi’s diesel launched in the United States

Audi’s diesel launched in the United States with the introduction of new diesel variants of no less than four models, namely the Audi to Debut A4, A6, Q5 and A8 Diesels.With around 186,850 vehicles delivered and a rise of 21.6 percent over the first two months, AUDI AG is on its way to achieving the most successful first quarter in its history in terms of sales.

The first new implementations of TDI clean diesel will be in the A6 and A8 sedans, as well as the Q5 crossover. All three of these models are expected to have hybrid variants, as well, meaning customers will have a full range of powertrain options in the coming years.

Audi’s diesel lineup will be released gradually, with the A8 and A6 luxury sedans to get their clean diesels engines in the next 24 to 30 months. The Q5 is likely to be upgraded with the new engine in the same timeframe as well, but Audi is also preparing a hybrid version of the crossover SUV. The A4 on the other hand will get a diesel option much later, after the debut of the new generation, probably in 2014 or 2015.

He was a bit more evasive about the fate of the Audi A3 sedan concept shown earlier this month at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show. The car previews the 2012 Audi A3. "We vacated the position that was occupied by the (smaller) original A4 model," de Nysschen said. "We needed a car to fill that market niche. The concept found great favor. I certainly think it gives us confidence this is the right decision. It is in the engineering process. We will just have to wait for the arrival of this newcomer conceived with the U.S. market in mind."

New Chevy Orlando MPV

New Chevy Orlando MPV UK Launch Essentially the General's answer to the European mid-size MPV question, the small, Cruze-based 7-seater had a bunch of promise back when it originally debuted as a concept.

Somewhere between there and this year's Paris Motor Show, all the old, Judge Whitey executives in the General's back pocket found a way to crush any chance of it being cool by turning the stocky little MPV into an assin the air highish riding mini minivan.

The three-row Orlando is based on the new generation Delta compact platform that also underpins the new Cruze, the next Astra and, of course, the Volt. The Orlando was originally planned to be built in Detroit alongside the Volt, but the Wall Street Journal recently reported it would not be built here. However, more recent reports indicated otherwise.

The Orlando has style elements from the Sequel fuel cell concept and could appeal to people moving out of SUVs that still need room to haul the kids around. An Orlando with either the Two-Mode or mild hybrid system could prove to be a very capable and efficient people mover here in the U.S.

The all-new Orlando seven-seat MPV promises to offer good value for money, stylish design and low insurance and running costs. Available with a 1.8-liter petrol engine or two new powerful diesel derivatives and in three trim levels, the Orlando is priced from just £16,395 ($25,899).

March 8, 2011

2011 Audi Q7 3.0T S line

2011 Audi Q7 3.0T S line has shifted things around under the hood of its Q7 SUV. Gone are the 3.6-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 gasoline engines and in their place is a new 3.0-liter V6, which comes in two different states of tune. The base engine delivers 272 hp and 295 ft-lb of torque, while the high-output variant produces 333 hp and 325 lb-feet. The third powerplant in the Q7 lineup carries over from last year: a 225-hp, 3.0-liter clean diesel TDI V6 with AdBlue to scrub the exhaust of even more particulates before it disperses into the air. All Q7 models benefit from Audi's new 8-speed Tiptronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive.

The high-performance gas V6 model comes equipped with adaptive air suspension. The Q7 is loaded with safety features such as airbags, TPMS and a crash sensor. There are available tech systems to help reduce the likelihood of a crash too.

The Q7 comes in several trim levels, including Premium, Premium Plus and S Line Prestige in the gas models, and Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige in the diesel. The base level Premium includes LED turn signals in the exterior mirrors, 18-inch tires, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, power tailgate, sound system with iPod integration, Bluetooth connectivity and rain and light sensors. The Premium Plus and S Line Prestige get upgrades such as Bose surround sound, driver's seat memory, a panoramic sunroof, LED daytime running lights and xenon headlights and parking assist with rearview camera. These trims have a couple of extra options, too such as running boards and headlight washers. The S Line also features ventilated front seats, 4-zone automatic climate control, power tilt/telescopic steering column, 20-inch wheels, heated headlight washers, adaptive headlights, special S Line exterior trim and Audi advanced key.

All Q7s have both a cold-weather and warm-weather package available. For colder climes, a heated multi-function steering wheel is added, while those in warmer areas will appreciate the 4-zone climate control and window shades for the side and rear windows. A TDI S Line Package adds appearance both inside and out. Popular standalone options include a towing package for all trims, a panorama sunroof on Premium models, a Bang & Olufsen sound system for Prestige models, and Adaptive Air Suspension for a more responsive ride over variable terrain, also available on Prestige models.

Still, the drive character is a bit middling for my taste, though it's tough to live up to the LeMans-bred standards of the rest of the Audi portfolio. This Q7 is above average for the segment, but boring for the brand.

2011 Audi Q7 3.0T S line
Base Price: $59,775
As-Tested Price: $60,275
Drivetrain: 3.0-liter supercharged V6; AWD, eight-speed automatic
Output: 333 hp @ 5,500 rpm, 325 lb-ft @ 2,900 rpm
Curb Weight: 5,412 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 18/16.7 mpg

Audi A3 Sportback

Audi A3 Sportback Outstanding design, agile driving experience and extensive technology – the Audi A3, A3 Sportback, the A3 Cabriolet and the sporty S3 model in the compact class. Audi is its premium status even clearer indication of thoughtful new details on both the exterior and interior.

The new five-door Sportback version features heavily in the plan. We've already driven the 2.0-litre turbo FSI, in Issue 817 - and now Auto Express has got behind the wheel of the 2.0 TDI diesel for the first time in the UK.

While it has its own specific name this time around, the Sportback doesn't offer much more than the three-door. The boot is 20 litres larger and the rear seats go nearly flat (boosting the capacity to a maximum of 1,120 litres), but other than that there is little innovation. Getting in and out of the rear is, as you would expect, far easier. And build quality and interior design remain faultless.

Engines pretty much mirror those of the three-door A3, with a good mix of diesel and petrol. The entry level 1.6 petrol comes in 102bhp or 115bhp guise; the latter being fuel-efficient direct injection (FSI). Neither provides much performance but you still get that Audi feelgood factor. For about £1,000 more, though, buyers can enjoy a used 2 litre FSI with 150bhp. It’s smoother and nearly 2sec quicker to 60mph, the marginal 4mpg dip in fuel economy being easy enough to justify.

The A3 concept has a five-cylinder engine, coupled with a 7-speed S tronic transmission, developing 408 hp from a displacement of 2.5 liters. Its peak torque of 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) is available over a broad rev range between 1,600 and 5,300 rpm. This allows the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.1 seconds, up to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph).

March 5, 2011

BMW 520d

BMW 520d has launched March 8 2011, a diesel variant of the 5-Series sedan, in India yesterday. Priced at 36.9 Lakhs ex-showroom Delhi, the 520d is placed as an entry level sedan in BMW’s best selling 5-Series models. The bookings for the 520d are open and it can be ordered at BMW dealerships all across India.

The new BMW 520d comes equipped with a 2 litre, four cylinder turbo diesel engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine is capable of producing 184 horses and a peak torque of 380 Nm at revs as low as 1,750 rpm. The maximum power output of the engine is delivered at 2,500 rpm and naught to hundred kilometers per hour is achieved in 8.1 seconds. The car also has a top speed of 225 km/h.
The 520d comes standard with 16 in alloy wheels, cruise control, traction control (DSC), and eight airbags. The SE model comes with upgraded 17 in alloy wheels, park distance control, and dimming rear view mirror. The BMW 520d M Sport includes large 18 in alloy wheels, sports seats and M styling.

The new 520d will appeal to both private buyers and business users. With the entire 5 Series range benefiting from low insurance ratings and BMW’s unique Service and Maintenance packages that offer three or five year protection for a one-off payment from £395, the range makes sound financial sense. However, with the 520d’s price entry point of less than £26,000 and unprecedented residual values expected, buyers can have peace of mind that they will have made a sound investment.

Model: BMW 520d (4 door sedan)
Price: Aprox 27,000 EUR

Engine:
Size: 1951 ccm (119.057 cu in.)
Fuel Type: Diesel
Engine Type: Inline, 4 Cylinder (Turbo)
Power: 163HP @ 4000 RPM
Torque: 250 ft.lbs @ 1750 RPM
Compression: 19.0:1

BMW i8

BMW i8 This Here we go again with another rumour doing the rounds. As endless rumours have on BMW’s Vision EfficientDynamics ever since it first saw the light of day at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year. And this one – and we’ve dismissed umpteen rumours inbetween – says that the Vison ED will be marketed as the BMW i8.

BMW's head of research and development, Klaus Draeger, told Autocar, "We want to sell [the i8] all over the world. Diesel is only really relevant to Europe."
Draeger wouldn't say which petrol engine would be fitted to the i8 but whatever it is, it's hard to imagine it matching the efficiency and power of the three-cylinder turbo-diesel from the initial VED concept car. That 1.5 liter power plant churned out 163 PS (120 kW / 161 bhp) and 290 Nm of torque (214 lb-ft). Coupled with the electric motor, total output on the Vision EfficientDynamics was 328 PS (241 kW / 323 bhp) with a consumption rating of 3.76 liters/100 km (62.5 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 99 g/km.

The project lays under the umbrella of maximum sustainability: from the production process, starting with the first supplier, through to component recycling at the end of the vehicle life cycle, sustainability based on the three cornerstones of eco-friendliness, economic efficiency and social compatibility must be the main process driver.

In a past interview, Van Hooydonk said: “The sub-brand offers a chance to innovate as well as feature BMW’s customary design quality and detailing.”
In March 2010, we reported that BMW has filled for several trademarks which seem to confirm the latest allegations around a BMW i sub-brand.

Review 2011 Audi A1

2011 Audi A1 Launching After two concepts and an insufferable amount of teasing, the 2011 Audi A1 has officially arrived with its sights set squarely on the Mini Cooper.

Inspired by the Metroproject Quattro from 2007, the all-new A1 is a faithful recreation of its conceptual predecessor, complete with a squat stance, short overhangs and four customizable colors for the roof arches. With a profile reminiscent of a stretched and squashed TT, the A1 spans 155.5 inches long, 68.5 inches wide and 56 inches tall, with a 97.2-inch wheelbase. Ten exterior colors are available, along with front and rear LEDs and Xenon headlamps.

The A1 is based in large part on the PQ25 platform, which also underpins the latest Volkswagen Polo, and will play in the hotly contested—in Europe, anyway—B-segment. It’s a segment Audi largely abandoned when it ended production of the ungainly A2 some five years ago, and it’s a decision the company has regretted since, especially given automakers’ pressing need to meet tightening efficiency standards in Europe and elsewhere.

Included in the top-spec S line model is a revised suspension set-up for improved agility, turn-in characteristics and mid-corner stability and grip. Also incorporated into the handling package is Audi’s latest ESP system with an electronic limited slip differential.

Last month, Audi confirmed the petrol-powered A1 would be joined by a diesel option in the second half of 2011. Powered by a 66kW/230Nm 1.6-litre engine, the A1 TDI promises to be one of the most eco-friendly vehicles in the country, with a combined cycle fuel economy of 3.8 litres/100km and CO2 emissions averaging 99g/km.
The A1 will go on sale in Europe this summer as a three-door hatchback; a five-door is scheduled to join the lineup in 2011. The base price, Audi says, will be around €16,000, or roughly $22,000. There’s no word yet as to whether the A1 will be coming stateside, but Audi has left the door open during previous conversations. Could this little Audi work in the U.S.? We’re not sure, but with the Mini Cooper’s success and the Fiat 500 on the way, now would be a great time to find out.

March 3, 2011

The Volvo V60 Hybrid

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid car makes its entry onto the car market with its sights firmly set on giving the all-new S60 sedan model a tough match over the title of "The Most Dynamic Volvo Model Ever".

The automaker best known for its safety technologies is forging a new path its leadership of the green revolution with the new Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid. Revealed here at the Geneva Motor Show, the hybrid wagon is the first in its segment to combine a diesel engine with a plug-in rechargeable electric powertrain.

As we reported in the run-up to the show, the V60 Plug-In Hybrid offers its drivers a variety of propulsion options, alternating between two motors to adapt to conditions at the push of a button.

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid car is powered by a five-cylinder 2.4-liter D5 turbodiesel, which produces 215 HP and 324 lb.-ft of torque combined with an ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) in the form of an electric motor producing 70 HP. This engine combination will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.