Selasa, 27 Desember 2011

Toyko Motor Show 2011: How Japan got its groove back

Highlights from Toyota include the FCV-R concept, a hydrogen-powered car with a 435 mile range.

For a declining industry with dim prospects for the future, Japanese automakers put on a surprisingly feisty display at this week’s Tokyo Motor Show, vowing to woo back and win fans with a renewed sense of what matters.

With domestic sales in a permanent slide and a culture that once revered cars now focused on mobile computing, Japanese automakers were troubled well before the earthquake and tsunami of last March devastated factories and the entire economy.

In the United States, Japanese automakers lost ground to Detroit and Korean players in mass-market cars, and don’t seem fully competitive for luxury buyers with aggressive European makes. Even among their flagship cars like the Nissan GT-R or Lexus LF-A, Japanese brands had struggled to nurture unique, intriguing designs, while several models, especially from Honda, stood out as blunders.

If there’s a turnaround on the horizon, this Tokyo show was the first glimpse. Still filled with the cute, gadgety concepts known to pop up at the biannual show, major Japanese makers also offered real models with a stronger mission and better design. Most were powered by electricity or some form of hybrid system, yet the most anticipated models — the Toyota GT 86 and Subaru BR-Z — were small sports cars powered only by pure gasoline, designed for the joy of driving.

Here’s a look at the most important unveilings and concepts:

 
 
Toyota unveils GT 86 and a smartphone on wheels

For a far out concept, Toyota showed off a car that’s essentially an iPhone you can sit in, with displays for dashboards and door panels. Its production unveiling was the GT 86, a revival of an affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports car meant to emphasize handling over bruising power. The link between both: CEO and family heir Akio Toyoda’s drive to revive a sense of joy around the company’s models.

 
 
Mazda Takeri previews its next midsize sedan

Still getting over its breakup with Ford, Mazda revealed a concept that’s likely a close read of its upcoming makeover for the Mazda6 sedan — even if the efficient diesel engine won't make it to America at first.



 
 
Honda EV-STER rethinks the electric roadster

Honda has the most ground to regain among Japanese automakers, and laid out plans for new hybrids, electric-powered AWD systems and even cars that can drive themselves on freeways. Two-seat electric runabouts won’t pop up on every street corner anytime soon, but the design of these Honda concepts might hit the road in a few years.

Volkswagen Cross Coupe spells SUV
The only non-Japanese automaker to make a major introduction in Tokyo, this Volkswagen concept previews the look its SUVs will wear.

Subaru slips a peek at next-generation Legacy

The largest supplier of all-wheel-drive station wagons shows what a 21st-century version will look like — except for the ridiculous doors. It also showed the Subaru BRZ in road-going and racing form.

Kamis, 08 Desember 2011

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550


2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 front view
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 front view
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 front view
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 front view
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 front view
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 front view
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 rear view
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 rear view
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 interior
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 interior
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 engine
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 engine

Pugi Mazda dealerships watching new government regulations with interest

And here we go again. The government is stepping into the automotive industry and imposing regulations on automakers. I can't say I'm surprised or that I disagree with the decision; after the mistakes of the past few years across all aspects of the industry, some of the biggest "fail" moments have come from the auto industry. Pugi Mazda drivers know all too well that the effects of the recession leaked heavily into the automotive industry and some manufacturers were affected differently than others. Regardless, it's time for automakers to get serious about efficiency because it represents progression – economic, technological and ecological progression – that we must embrace if we want to move forward as a civilization. Downers Grove Pugi dealers are one of the places where you can see this progression happen.


But back to the government regulations. Beginning with models for the year 2011, fuel economy standards imposed by the government are going to get a big shake up. The original standards were set forth in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) law created in 1975. Pugi Mazda was happy to hear that those standards are getting an extreme bump up. For cars, the previous standard has sat static at a low 27.5 miles per gallon since 1990. For trucks, it's at a very low 23.5 miles per gallon. The new standards will rise to 37.8 miles per gallon and 28.8 miles per gallon respectively by 2016. Downers Grove Pugi dealers aren't very worried about the new standard as Mazda has traditionally embraced a pretty solid fuel economy stance. With solid vehicles like the Mazda 3, the standards should be extremely easy to meet.

The rest of the new CAFE requirements will leverage a wide variety of different criteria, so it would be pretty convoluted to try to get into it here. Regardless, Pugi Mazda understands the new standards, and I expect them to meet those standards without a problem. In fact, most manufacturers shouldn't have a problem meeting the standards. The average is already up among most cars and trucks on the market; recent data collected claims that car fleets average 32.5 CAFE miles per gallon. Trucks weighed in at a solid 24.5 miles per gallon. Downers Grove Mazda drivers would be happy to find out that the brand's average was higher than the general average.

It's great to see that the auto industry is finally getting with the picture and answering consumer demand for smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. After a meager 2009 and low sales before and after that, the industry was in the throes of something so horrific that it needed some form of mantra to shake things up. But here we are, still in the tail end of the recession, and we desperately needed the efficiency that automakers are beginning to deliver. With very little time before the electric vehicle hits the market, the auto industry is finally showing some ability to build buzz around the new things that they're developing and putting on the market.

Minggu, 21 Agustus 2011

AC Schnitzer BMW Z4 99D 2011

Thanks to 190 HP / 140 kW, the 99d accelerates from 0 – 100 in an electrifying 6.9 s and has a top speed of 235 km/h – a vehicle with all the sporting genes, in fact a true AC Schnitzer. And with a fuel consumption of just 3.8 litres diesel per 100 km. A diesel engine in a BMW Z4 Coupe, and the most efficient currently available from BMW. It comes from the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition. And of course now the power has been optimised by the Aachen specialists to 190 HP and 420 Nm torque (standard 320d EfficientDynamics Edition: 163 HP).



The Continental BLUECO tyres size 225/35*19 were a special concept development in conjunction with AC Schnitzer. These tyres help optimise the rolling resistance. The design is a refinement of the Conti Sport Contact 5P, and allows sporting driving thanks to its high cornering stability and ZR speed rating of over 240 km/h.



The AC Schnitzer 99d is a concept car not for sale, which was developed as a technology platform. In the form shown here, the vehicle would cost € 149,000.00.







Travis Barker Car Sweepstakes Blink-182′s

How would you like to have a chance to win a 1966 vintage Cadillac Coupe DeVille valued at $60,000, owned by Blink-182′s Travis Barker? I’m assuming you would like to see the pictures too so I’ve got a couple for you below.

NICE, huh? I don’t know much about cars but that’s definitely a sweet looking car. Giving away this car is part of the Blink-182 Tour Sponsor State Farm. From now until September 21st, you will have the opportunity to enter the sweepstakes and win this car and other amazing prizes. Here is the complete prize package:



Travis Barker’s 1966 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

2 tickets to the Charlotte, North Carolina show on 10/1/2009

Round-trip coach air transportation for 2

1-night hotel stay

Transportation to & from the airport/hotel/concert

Sabtu, 13 Agustus 2011

Mustang Fastback Shelby G.T.350CR 1966



The Shelby G.T.350 is one of the most iconic and collectible muscle cars of the 60’s. Classic Recreations now builds the Shelby G.T.350CR. Each Shelby G.T.350CR is hand built at Classic Recreations facility located in Oklahoma. Modern amenities include a 545 HP 427 cubic inch stroker motor, authentic Shelby Performance Parts, rack and pinion steering, race inspired coil over suspension, oversized disc brakes, and more. Classic Recreations start with an original 1965 or 1966 Mustang Fastback and perform a complete restoration including media blasting, sheet metal replacement and show winning paint and body. Each authentic Shelby G.T.350CR will be in the Shelby American Worldwide Registry. Please read the vehicle specs below.



1966 Mustang Fastback Shelby G.T.350CR Specs



Color availability:

White/Blue ,Red/White, Blue/White, Black/Gold

Custom Colors available upon request



Drivetrain:

427 C.I Crate Engine (545 H.P.)

Mass Flo Fuel Injection

Tremec Manual Transmission

9″ Fab 9 Rear w/ 3:70 Gear Ratio and Posi Traction Installed

Concept One Pulley System

Available Upgrades

Aluminum Block $4000

Supercharger (645+HP)$4500

Intercooler (745+HP) $1000

*Twin Turbo w/ intercooler (1000+HP) $9000



Steering:

Rack and Pinion Steering Conversion (Power)

Flaming River Tilt Column (polished)



Interior:

Carroll Shelby Scat Rally Series 1000 Seats(Highback)

5 point Camlock Seatbelts

Carroll Shelby Signature Guages

160mph Speedometer

Woodgrain Aluminum Steering Wheel

Old Air Products A/C System

Carroll Shelby G.T.350CR Floormats

Available Upgrades

Carroll Shelby G.T.500CR Console $850

200 MPH Speedometer $350

KPH Guages $500

Right Hand Drive $12,500

Leather $1200



Stereo system:

Pioneer CD Player w/ Removable Face

Digital Designs 4 Channel Amplifier

Digital Designs Coxial Speakers

Available Upgrades

Digital Designs Custom Subwoofer and Amplifier $1500

Flip Out DVD with Navigation $1000

GPS Tracking Device $499



Wheels and tires:

G.T.350CR 17×8 Aluminum Front Wheels

G.T.350CR 17×8 Aluminum Rear Wheels

High Performance Z Rated Tires 245/45/17 Front

High Performance Z Rated Tires 245/45/17 Rear

Available Upgrades

17×9.5 Rear Wheel Upgrade & 275/40/17 Tires $850

18 Inch Front and Rear Wheel & Tire Upgrade $1500

**18×11 Rear Wheel Upgrade With Mini Tub $5500



Exterior:

Authentic Carroll Shelby Exterior Fiberglass Enhancements

Carroll Shelby G.T.350CR Rocker Stripes



Fuel:

Electric Fuel Pump

Stealth 18 Gallon Fuel Cell



Brakes:

Front: Shelby/Wilwood 13″X1.1″ 4 Piston

Rear: Shelby/Wilwood 12″X.81″ 4 Piston

Slotted, Crossdrilled and Zinc Washed

Adjustable Rear Proportioning Valve

Available Upgrades

6 Piston Front and Rear Upgrade $3500



Electrical:

Trunk Mounted Battery

MSD Ignition



Exhaust:

BBK Long Tube Ceramic Coated Headers

Dual 2.5″ Mandrel Bent Exhaust

Magnaflow Mufflers



Cooling:

Becool Aluminum Crossflow Radiator

2-13″ Electric Cooling Fans



Chassis:

Tubular Sub Frame Connectors

Cosmetic Rollbar



Suspension:

Coilover Front Suspension

Coilover Rear Suspension

Oversized Sway Bars Front and Rear

Available Upgrades

Double Adjustable Coilover Shocks $1500

Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 2012

The 392-cubic inch (6.4-liter) HEMI® V-8 delivers 470 horsepower (351 kW) and 470 (637 N•m) lb.-ft. of torque. The torque band is extremely flat allowing for strong standing starts and improved straight-line performance throughout the rpm range. An advanced active intake manifold along with high-lift cam with phasing provides maximum low-end torque and high-end power while still delivering up to 23 miles per gallon on the highway with the standard manual transmission. Performance-tuned engine mounts improve idle stability and ride control at all speeds.

Standard Fuel Saver Technology (four cylinder mode) in automatic transmission equipped models allows the engine to operate economically on four cylinders or use the power of all eight cylinders when needed. The EPA fuel economy miles per gallon (mpg) (City/Hwy) ratings for the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 are 14/22 for automatic transmission models and 14/23 for manual-transmission models.



The 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 features a standard Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission and a dual-disc high performance clutch – a proven performer that was first offered on the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10®.



The optional five-speed automatic transmission features new, standard steering wheel mounted paddle shifters that join the center console mounted Auto Stick, allowing for a choice of spirited shifting on both the road and the race track. Both methods give the driver the ability to manually select specific gears on the transmission.



Sitting a half-inch lower than non-SRT models, the 2012 Challenger SRT8 392 rides on either the standard five-spoke, 20 x 9-inch fully forged aluminum wheels or available seven-spoke, 20 x 9-inch lightweight forged aluminum wheels with satin black painted pockets. Standard Goodyear RSA All-Season tires or available Goodyear F1 Supercar Three-Season complement the performance design cues and deliver serious gripping performance and handling.



The standard SRT performance brake package produces world-class stopping power of 60 to 0 mph in just 117 feet from 14.2 inch (front) and 13.8 inch (rear) vented/slotted rotors with four-piston Brembo fixed calipers painted red. The three-mode electronic stability control system with knockback mitigation also includes four-wheel ABS, all-speed traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, Brake Assist and Hill-start Assist (HSA).