Thursday, April 21st, 2011
2012 Audi A6
The 2012 Audi A6 has been totally redesigned for 2012, resulting in it resembling a slightly smaller version of the popular A8 sedan from the outside. The make-over does not stop with cosmetics. Inside and out, the engineers left almost nothing on this mid-size, luxury sedan untouched.
The hybrid steel and aluminum unibody underwent significant changes, enabling the new model to weigh less than 3,500 pounds. This lighter weight improves the ride and handling. The wheelbase has been increased nearly three inches, giving the interior added roominess. Exterior options include 20 inch wheels and tires and LED headlamps.
A front-wheel drive chassis and an efficient CVT transmission are paired with a 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder with 211 horsepower engine. The more powerful 2.0 TFSI® and 3.0 TFSI engines are available as options. The award-winning 3.0 TFSI engine comes with quattro drive and a 7-speed, S-tronic, dual-clutch transmission.
The luxurious Audi heritage is obvious in the interior of the vehicle. Massaging seats, top-of-the-line Bang & Olufsen audio system, and ambient lighting are all available along with your choice of wood veneer or metallic trim.
Technology includes a Multi Media Interface Plus with a touch pad, enabling it to perform character recognition tasks. This provides users with another means of text input for phone, navigation and audio system functions by allowing them to spell words with just a fingertip stroke. The MMI is powered with an updatable computer chip. A cellular data plan will be available, capable of connecting up to eight devices to its WiFi signal.
This technology is of great benefit to the optional navigation system. The standard graphical navigation map can be enhanced with overlays of Google Earth maps, route instructions and traffic information in real time. It is also capable of 3D graphics modes.
Other hi-tech systems that will be available on the 2012 Audi A6 are:
- Active lane assist
- Side assist
- Park assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Adaptive air suspension
- Adaptive headlamps
- Dynamic steering
- Night vision and pre-sense safety
Overall, the 2012 Audi A6 combines classic styling, impressive performance and cutting-edge technology in a spacious, comfortable vehicle.
Posted in Worldwide News | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
Smart Roadster
During the early days of the Smart car there was a limited run version of the car called the Crossblade that was basically a Smart car without any of the usual items required to keep you safe from the elements, such as doors and a roof. The Crossblade was produced only briefly, with 2000 cars being built before production ceased, and seemingly with it the chance of Smart having any form of open top Smart from which to enjoy the sunshine (or rain depending on your preference).
The vehicle you see pictured above is not the Crossblade, as fans of the icon will know, what it is is a trademarked design drawing produced by Smart and seemingly a vision of a future version of their fun little runaround, but with the unmistakable feel of a Mercedes (Smarts parent company) roadster, what more could you want for a summertime trip to the local store?
We don’t know when, or indeed if, Smart will actually produce this roadster or some variation of it, but its intriguing the designs have been trademarked and would certainly suggest production is at least a possibility. It also seems possible that a concept of the Smart Roadster may make an appearance at one of this years big auto shows, given the timing of the trademarks was in November 2010, so don’t be surprised to see it appear in some form sooner rather than later.
Posted in Concept Cars | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
Renault Zoe 2012 Electric Supermini
The car above is apparently the almost finished version of Renault’s next generation super-mini due for release in 2012.
The Renault Zoe is a purely electric car with what now seems to be the industry standard 100 mile range. We wonder how every electric car that’s announced seems to have a 100 mile range, almost with no exceptions, we know its an estimate and depends on conditions and driving style etc, but still you would think a few of them would have ranges something other than 100 miles, 101 perhaps just for a bit of one-upmanship.
This car has obligatory lithium-ion batteries powering the electric motor producing around 60kW, enough to send the Zoe’s not insignificant 1392kg to 100kph in just over 8 seconds and on to a top speed of 135kph.
Renault showed a Zoe concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show (shown below), however that car was purely concept and clearly its design features were a long way from ever getting near a production line, this 2012 Zoe though is something else entirely in that Renault do plan to build it.
Renault Zoe Concept from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
Some concept car touches remain in this 2010 Paris Motor Show version, including skin friendly climate control that wont dehydrate your delicately cared for epidermis, as well as some funky odour and lighting gadgets that probably wont make it into the final production car.
Out 2012, along with most other manufacturers electric car offerings, its going to be one busy year at the power station.
Posted in Concept Cars, Worldwide News | No Comments »
Monday, September 6th, 2010
2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Ford has certainly produced some wonderful cars over its manufacturing years. Among one of the favourites for a lot of people, us included, is the Mustang Boss 302 that was produced in a short stint from 1969-1970. In fact, the vehicle actually had a great deal of success for a car of a 2 year life span, winning the Trans Am series in 1970.
Ford has finally made it official that the Mustang Boss 302 will have a new lease of life. They are developing a new version of the model, which will be based on the foundations currently set by the 2011 Ford Mustang GT.
Now, many Mustang enthusiasts already knew that the company would be producing a new 302. The difference is, the model that was already in the pipeline, was the 302R, which was being developed for racing only.
With that in mind, the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 will be much more of a day to day car. It will use some similar mechanical parts as the 302R and will actually look similar, but the differences are fairly substantial. For example, the emissions count and fuel consumption are much more reasonable on the 302, when directly compared to the 302R.
So what is so good about the new Boss special edition? Well, for a start, Ford has decided to incorporate a huge 5 liter engine, which has the help of 8 cylinders. This V8 muscle car engine is effectively an upgrade to the one used in the 2011 Mustang GT, and GT produces well over 400bhp.
The mechanics are some what spectacular. It features the likes of a fully re-designed intake system, which allows the engine to run a lot better when it is being revved high. This is also helped along by the fact that it incorporates a new camshaft timing setup, which keeps the car producing the power where it should, even when it is being driven aggressively around a track!
The combination of the re-designed interior components of the engine and some minor modifications means that this is much faster. In fact, the new engine produces of 29bhp more than the GT version, which means much more speed and better throttle response!
Unfortunately for Mustang enthusiasts, it is unlikely that this vehicle will hit dealerships before 2012.
Posted in Muscle Cars | No Comments »
Sunday, July 25th, 2010
2012 Camero z28
After the Camaro Z28 was all but confirmed as fact rather then rumor (despite most folks already knowing it was on the way) by GM’s Karl Stracke, it looks like the this modern rendition of the Z28 is going to be a real stormer.
Word has it that it will use a 6.2L supercharged V8 packing an explosive 550+bhp, giving it enough horses to run with the likes of the Ford Mustang GT500, and at the same time possibly making buyers for the Ford take an extra moment to consider their purchase decision.
The Camaro Z28 is taking shape rapidly as the months pass, with an apparent scheduled release date of early 2011, we believe the car must be in its final stages of tweaking before oiling up the production line to starting putting the pieces together of one of the most exciting muscle cars we have seen for a little while.
Were expecting some more details on the specification anytime, along with some shots of the completed car, but we’re salivating already at the prospect of the Camaro Z28, with all the green focus currently taking over the motor industry its great to see monstrous muscle cars still being developed and put into production.
Posted in Muscle Cars | 19 Comments »
