2010 Audi R8 PPI Razor GTR Visible Carbon Fiber Widebody

The new PPI RAZOR GTR and PPI RAZOR GT Supercar. BOLD Design, SHARP performance, and EXCLUSIVE production, developed and presented by PPI Automotive Design GmbH, the only tuners for Audi automobiles with a true focus on Engineering in Style.

Vanderbrink Ferrari 599 GTO Ecurie GTX Rendering

New drawings of Vanderbrink Design’s proposed Vanderbrnk Ferrari 599 GTO Ecurie GTX have been released. The new car will be based on the lightweight Vanderbrink GTO model that’s limited to just five production units.

The Vanderbrink Ferrari 599 GTO Ecurie GTX has already been introduced as a concept three years ago. The GTO will come as either a 599 or a 630. The 599 will come with a 5.998 liter 650 horsepower V12 engine that produces up to 630 Nm of torque. The 630 meanwhile will be equipped with a 6.30 liter V12 engine that can churn out 750 horsepower and torque of 680 Nm.

Further details about the Vanderbrink Ferrari 599 GTO Ecurie GTX will be released as soon as it is available.

Protoscar Lampo2 EV to Debut at Geneva

A year after the introduction of the Lampco concept at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Protoscar is at it again. Now with the Lampco2 to debut at the same venue.

The latest prototype will have improved aerodynamics and less weight, and also will have different charging modes: the overnight home charger, the standard three-phase on board charger, and the off-board Dc fast charger. The overnight home charger is ideal for domestic use and the standard three-phase charger is for industrial plugs. Meanwhile the DC fast charger can give an additional 100km to the EV in just 10 minutes of charging.

The Lampco2 will be fitted with two electric motors that produce 260 kW (354hp) and peak torque of 600 Nm. Its 30kWh lithium-ion battery can give up to a range of over 200km when fully charged. The Lampco2 can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5 seconds before reaching its top speed of 200km/h.

The BMW Concept ActiveE – It’s Electric

Never ones to shy away from a fight, it seems that BMW are wading into the electric vehicle battlefield. The German giants are heading into next month’s Detroit Auto Show with the impossibly posy-looking Concept ActiveE, with strong hints that it may actually see production.

The Concept ActiveE is the latest piece to roll out of BMW’s Project i campaign, which is dedicated to creating low-emission city cars and follows the MINI electric car out of the door and promises “CO2-free Mobility”.

Definition Of A Luxury Car

We all know what a luxury car should be: Long, roomy, a big V8 or even V12, lots of electronics. Picture a Mercedes E or S Class, the BMW 7 Series, the Audi 8 or big Lexus or Cadillac. Or even a Lincoln Town Car.
But that's an old definition. Nowadays, it's the brand that counts, so luxury may be a smaller Mercedes C Class or BMW 3 Series or Cadillac CTS. Still, they're not cheap; one of these will cost $40,000.

But there will be a broader definition of luxury or prestige tomorrow, because times are changing again. We are creating new markers to show that we are rich enough, and that we are caring enough, to spend thousands of dollars in the "green" cause. It's quite possible, even likely, that tomorrow's luxury or prestige car will be quite different, and open the door to new competition, too.

Here's what I mean: We have a couple of new car companies, Tesla and Fisker, making expensive electric cars (actually Fisker still is getting ready to produce). The Tesla is a small sports car and sells for $120,000; the Fisker is to go for around $80,000. Those are luxury car prices.

It's likely that our traditional luxury carmakers will produce electric plug-ins, too, and charge more for them than for the big V8s. They may or may not have the performance or room of today's prestige cars--depending on how they are built--but they will be even pricier. New technologies, and lithium batteries, are expensive.

And the luxury brands might make some quite small cars and sell them at relatively high prices for their size. Some of this exists now. Mercedes, for example, has its small A Class car that it sells in Europe but not here, and parent Daimler builds the tiny Smart.

The cost built into these future cars will be more in the engine technology rather than the leather on the seats. But what counts to the manufacturer is being able to charge enough to make a good profit.

We can see a bit of this starting. Mercedes sells its S400 hybrid, with a six-cylinder engine plus lithium batteries, instead of a V8. The car doesn't perform as well as the big-engined Benz but is accounting for 10% of the Mercedes S Class sales in this country.

Mercedes will also start selling cars here with four-cylinder engines in about two years, and later will offer a four to replace the V6 in some prestige E Class models.

This shift to technology-driven luxury opens the door for other manufacturers to go into the low volume but high price markets.

Honda ( HMC - news - people ), for example, built a distinct model that runs on a hydrogen fuel cell engine. Hydrogen and oxygen mix and create electricity that runs the car and the emission is water. The car has been used for tests, but should Honda decide to build one and sell it, the price would put Honda in the luxury field.

Who would buy such a car, which would be expensive but a problem to use because there aren't many gasoline stations selling hydrogen? Rich folks.

A real example: Nissan ( NSANY - news - people ) is going to build an electric car soon. It's called the Leaf. The company hints it will cost $30,000 or so without the batteries (which will be leased separately). The car will have limited use: Recharging will be a pain, and you won't want to visit Grandma in Minnesota in January--batteries don't work so well in the cold.

That's a real luxury car: $30,000 for something that won't work too well. The people who buy these cars won't be those going for a sub-prime mortgage. They are the folks who buy expensive toys and want to show they care about the environment.

Look at the little Smart car. Again, we're talking about a toy for the wealthy. How about the coming Chevrolet Volt electric/hybrid car? It will be priced around $40,000 we hear. Again you can bet the buyer won't be your typical Chevy owner.

Mass-market producers often wish to sell some pricey cars and earn some prestige, too. Chevrolet sells the expensive Corvette. Ford sold the expensive Thunderbird.

Nothing is certain, of course. Small but expensive cars haven't done that well here so far. The Audi A3, around $30,000, has only 3,300 sales here in 11 months. The BMW 1 Series has 10,000 in 11 months while the larger 3 Series has 82,000 sales.

But every luxury carmaker in the world is showing design studies of models with electric or hybrid engines. And mass-market producers, like Chevy and Nissan, are getting into the act, too.

2010 Kia Sorento Pictures

2010 Kia Sorento Pictures
2010 Kia Sorento Pictures
2010 Kia Sorento Pictures
2010 Kia Sorento Pictures
2010 Kia Sorento Pictures
2010 Kia Sorento Pictures
2010 Kia Sorento Pictures
2010 Kia Sorento Pictures
2010 Kia Sorento Pictures
2010 Kia Sorento Pictures

2011 GMC Acadia Denali Trim Package

Today GMC unveiled the 2011 Acadia Denali in Detroit. The first Denali was launched in 1999 on the Yukon brand and helped define the luxury SUV segment. With nearly half of all Yukon sales being Denali models, expanding the Denali line to include the Acadia was a logical extension. Acadia Denali will provide GMC customers with all the amenities the Denali is known for in a fuel-efficient crossover.

"The GMC Denali models have come to stand for luxury and exclusivity, and that's just what customers will get in the new Acadia Denali," said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC product marketing director. "The decision to develop an Acadia Denali was made quickly within the new GM in response to customer and dealer demand for a Denali version ever since the launch and success of the Acadia."

The Acadia launched in 2007 as the first crossover from GMC, with segment-leading fuel economy and innovative features. An exclusive SmartSlide System allows easy access to an adult-sized third row with available seven- or eight- passenger seating configurations. Fold-flat second- and third-row seats allow flexible passenger and cargo configurations of the best-in-class interior space. Acadia's refined styling, impressive fuel efficiency, and confidence-inspiring safety features made it an immediate success and ideal platform to build upon for a Denali model.

The 2011 Acadia Denali goes on sale in the third quarter of 2010. It is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models, as well as seven- and eight-passenger configurations. The standard 3.6L direct injected V-6 contributes to an EPA highway rating of 24 mpg with FWD models.

The Acadia Denali will stand out with its signature Denali design cues highlighted by the mono-color exterior and chrome honeycomb grille, a feature on all GMC Denali models. It also wears a number of specific exterior design cues, including:

Unique lower front and rear fascias
High-intensity discharge headlamps
Body-color lower cladding and rocker moldings
Body-color rear fascia and fender flares
Unique body-side moldings with chrome accents and Denali badges
Dual chrome exhaust tips
Further distinction comes with 20-inch, two-tone chrome-clad wheels. The six-spoke wheels feature black chrome spoke inserts set against bright chrome.

The Acadia Denali is offered in five exterior colors: Quicksilver Metallic, Summit White, Carbon Black, Red Jewel Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat.

Luxury amenities

Acadia Denali delivers all the luxury and refinement that are hallmarks of the Denali line. It includes a number of exclusive design, comfort and convenience features including:

Premium acoustics - laminated glass, triple door seals, and liquid applied sound deadeners
Perforated leather seats with matching leather door panel trim
Heated and cooled driver and passenger seats
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with mahogany wood inserts
Complementary wood grain finish on the instrument panel and center stack
Enhanced accent lighting in the footwells
Chrome, lighted sill plates with the Denali logo
Dual SkyScape sunroof system, with sliding front sunroof and fixed rear section
Head-up display (HUD)
Additional content includes:

Tri-zone automatic climate control
Navigation system including XM NavTraffic (available)
Bluetooth connectivity
OnStar
Rear-seat DVD entertainment system, with roof-mounted flip-down screen (available)
Premium audio system with USB port and Bose 10-speaker sound system
XM Satellite Radio
Rearview camera system
Eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with memory
Remote vehicle start
GMC capability

Acadia Denali is powered by a 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine with VVT that optimizes performance and fuel economy, while also reducing emissions - including a 25-percent reduction in cold-start emissions. Engine performance is enhanced by the advanced six-speed automatic transmission. The maximum towing capacity is a class-leading 5,200 pounds (2,364 kg).

A long, 118.9-inch (3,021 mm) wheelbase and wide 67.28-inch (1,709 mm) front/rear tracks give it a lower center of gravity and enable smooth, stable ride and handling for driving comfort. Independent front and rear suspensions enhance smoothness and deliver a more responsive driving experience. The front suspension features a MacPherson strut design, with a direct-acting stabilizer bar and aluminum knuckles, while the rear suspension uses a compact, state-of-the-art linked "H" design. Isolated mounting points help reduce noise and vibration.

The suspension is tuned specifically for the Acadia Denali's 20-inch wheels and the available AWD system enhances dry-road handling and provides increased traction on wet, snow and ice-covered roads. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard, as are the following features:

StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology
Tire pressure monitoring system

Acadia Denali is covered by GM's five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Warranty and three-year/36,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper warranty - the best coverage in America.

2011 GMC ACADIA DENALI SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models:
GMC Acadia Denali

Body style / driveline:
crossover SUV / front-engine; front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive

Construction:
body-frame integral

EPA vehicle class:
sport utility vehicle

Manufacturing location:
Lansing Delta Township Assembly, Lansing, Mich.

Key competitors:
Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9


Engine


3.6L V-6 VVT DI

Displacement (cu in / cc):
217 / 3564

Bore & stroke (in / mm):
3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6

Block material:
aluminum

Cylinder head material:
aluminum

Valvetrain:
dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing

Fuel delivery:
direct injection

Compression ratio:
11.3:1

Horsepower (hp / kW) @ rpm:
288 / 215 @ 6300*

Torque (lb-ft / Nm) @ rpm:
270 / 366 @ 3400*

Recommended fuel:
regular unleaded

Max. engine speed (rpm):
6700

Emissions controls:
dual close-coupled converters; two pre- and two post-oxygen sensors

EPA-estimated fuel economy (city / hwy):
17 / 24 (FWD)
16 / 23 (AWD)


Transmission


Hydra-Matic 6T75 6-speed FWD/AWD automatic

Gear Ratio (:1)


First:
4.48

Second:
2.87

Third:
1.84

Fourth:
1.41

Fifth:
1.0

Sixth:
0.74

Reverse:
2.88

Final drive ratio:
3.16


Chassis / Suspension

Front:
coil-over strut; direct acting stabilizer bar; full perimeter isolated cradle

Rear:
linked H-arm independent suspension; coil springs with twin-tube shock absorbers mounted on isolated sub-frame

Steering type:
hydraulic rack-and-pinion; straight ratio and variable effort

Steering ratio:
16.1

Steer wheel turns, lock-to-lock:
2.89

Turning circle, curb-to-curb
(ft / m):
40.4 / 12.3


Brakes

Type:
four-wheel disc

Rotor diameter (in / mm):
front: 12.8 x 1.1 / 325 x 29, ventilated
rear: 13 x 0.8 / 331 x 20, ventilated

Anti-lock braking system (ABS):
Bosch 8.0 Chassis Controls: ABS / ETC / ESC w/rollover mitigation


Wheels / Tires

Wheel size and type:
20-inch chrome-clad

Tire size and type:
P255/55R20 H-rated blackwall


Dimensions
Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):
118.9 / 3020.7

Overall length (in / mm):
201.1 / 5107.9

Overall width (in / mm):
78.9 / 2004.1

Overall height (in / mm):
72.8 / 1846 (w/roof rails); 69.9 / 1775.5 (w/o roof rails)

Track


Front (in / mm):
67.3 / 1709.4

Rear (in / mm):
67.3 / 1709.4

Curb weight (lb / kg):
4720 / 2141 (FWD)
4925 / 2234 (AWD)

Min. ground clearance (in / mm):
7.4 / 189 (FWD and AWD)


Interior

Seating capacity:
7 or 8

Headroom


First row (in /mm):
40.4 / 1024 (w/o sunroof); 38.5 / 978 (w/ sunroof)

Second row (in / mm):
39.3 / 996 (w/o sunroof); 38.3 / 973 (w/ sunroof)

Third row (in / mm):
38.4 / 975.3 (w/o sunroof); 38.1 / 968 (w/ sunroof)

Legroom


First row (in / mm):
41.3 / 1049

Second row (in / mm):
36.9 / 937.2

Third row (in / mm):
33.2 / 843.2

Shoulder room


First row (in / mm):
61.9 / 1574

Second row (in / mm):
61.1 / 1551

Third row (in / mm):
57.8 / 1468

Hip room


First row (in / mm):
57.8 / 1468.1

Second row (in / mm):
57.9 / 1470.6

Third row (in / mm):
48.3 / 1226.8

Cargo volume


Behind first row, with second seat folded and third-row seat and cargo management system removed (cu ft / L):
115.9 / 3282

Behind second row, with third-row seat and cargo management system removed (cu ft / L):
68.7 / 1946

Behind third row (cu ft / L):
24.1 / 683


Capacities

EPA passenger volume
(cu ft / L):
154 / 4362

Fuel tank (gal / L):
22.0 / 83.3

Engine oil (qt / L):
5.5 / 5.2

Transmission fluid (qt / L):
9.5 / 9.0 (Dexron VI only)

Cooling system (qt / L):
11.8 / 11.18

Max towing capacity (lb / kg):
5200 / 2364

GCWR (lb / kg):
9500 / 4309 (FWD)
9700 / 4400 (AWD)

GVWR (lb / kg):
6459 / 2930

2009 ESSEN Motor Show (photos)

6 12 2009

A lot of beautiful ladies were present at the 2009 Essen Motor Show in Germany! Those women who are charged with keeping our attention focused on those vehicles they’ve been paid to lean against. View full gallery with awesome pretty booth babes in continue…

2011 Audi A8 Revealed: Official Details, Photos

The all-new fourth generation 2011 Audi A8 luxury sedan has unveiled in Miami. The new A8 acquired a new design, an improved line of engines, a new technologies such as night vision assist with marking of detected pedestrians and Audi pre sense safety system, an updated MMI operating system with hand writing recognition touch pad, new driver assistance systems, full LED headlights.

Leaving the evolutionary styling of the outside and interior departure, the new 2011 A8 continues to make using of a lightweight aluminum body. The common wheelbase A8 (a LWB will trail at a later meeting) trial 5,137 mm (16.85 ft) in segment, 1,949 mm (6.39 ft) in width and 1,460 mm (4.79 ft) in height, with a 2,992 mm (9.82 ft) wheelbase.

Read more (details + photos + video)!!

Audi says that the new model weighs about the same as the tide A8, even while it’s superior (3 in. Longer, 2 in. Wider) and has more usual utensils. Besides the low burden, the aluminum opening edge (ASF) body of the A8 has other advantages with the company announcing that the static torsional toughness has augmented by 25 percent compared with the predecessor.

When the 2011 A8 arrives in European showrooms in early 2010, it will be open with a span of two engines, a 4.2 FSI and a 4.2 TDI. The 4.2-liter V8 petrol makes 372HP and 445 Nm (328 lb-ft) torque at 3,500 rpm, accelerating the A8 from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.7 seconds, and onto an electronically governed top pace of 250km/h (155mph).

Audi says that in the EU cycle, the petrol story proceeds a shared 9.5 lt/100 km (24.76 US mpg, which represents a bargain of 1.4 liters or 13 percent compared over its predecessor, despite a right growth of 22-horsepower.

The 4.2-liter V8 TDI diesel produces 350HP and a whopping 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque already unfilled at speeds between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm. The V8 diesel accelerates the A8 from leftovers to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 5.5 seconds.

Even though this new engine delivers 24HP and 150Nm of torque more than before, common consumption has dropped by 1.8 liters/100 km or 19 percent to 7.6 liters/100 km (31 US mpg), corresponding with CO2 emissions of 199 g/km (320 g/mile).

The two V8 engines will be united by two six-cylinder diesels soon after the advertise launch. The first 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel makes 250HP and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) propelling the A8 from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.6 seconds while consuming on mean 6.6 liters of fuel per 100 km (36 US mpg).

The following variant of the 3.0-liter V6 TDI produces 204HP and will be untaken only as a front sweep propel classical. It is said to benefit an average fuel consumption of 6.0 lt/100 km (39 US mpg), corresponding with CO2 emissions of 159 g/km (256 g/mile).

All engine versions will be equipped with a new, electronically controlled 8-alacrity tiptronic usage and quattro lasting all-circle urge (minus the primitive 3.0 TDI shape). As a selection, Audi will proffer a dynamic sport differential, which will be mean on the 4.2 TDI quattro.

In the U.S., the 2011 Audi A8 will go on deal in belated 2010 and will be existing at launch exclusively with the 372HP 4.2-liter V8 FSI petrol.

New 2010 Infiniti G37 Sedan Facelift Revealed (details and photos)

The facelifted 2010 Infiniti G37 sedan has revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The car will look alongside the group’s new M37 and M56 models with a tweaked outer that matches some of the styling seen on the M string. New Infiniti G37 powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine.

The new model that replaced 2006 Infinity G35 has some external changes, counting a redesigned front copious that incorporates fog lights and a black honeycomb junior lattice. The upper frame is slightly tailored, with the top and base bars extending added than the relax. In back, a new rear bumper gives off a more squared appearance, although the rounder indentation above the exhaust. The decklid also appears a bit boxier, with a smaller spoiler, and LED lighting.

Inside, new features contain a fair painted theme that includes new gauges and instrument panels. They used a “Shodo” aluminum edge, inspired by Japanese calligraphy, to replace the earlier “Washi” edge. Lighter-toned leather and glossier accents are also vacant. The Bose Studio on Wheels audio technique, with three-way speakers, ten-creep woofers, and new subwoofer comes regular.

Mercedes E-class convertible joins the family

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the final member of the redesigned E-class line with official photos of the E-class convertible, which replaces the CLK in the Mercedes lineup.

The open-top E-class will make its formal debut at the Detroit auto show in early January and is set to reach U.S. Mercedes showrooms next May, about one month before the E-class wagon arrives.

While the convertible shares many traits with the rest of the E-class lineup--sedan, coupe and wagon--Mercedes engineers have given the open-top E-class some unique technologies.

Start with the Aircap, a wind deflector that extends nearly 2.5 inches forward from the top of the windshield header. When used in combination with a wind blocker behind the rear seats, Mercedes says the system dramatically reduces wind turbulence in the cabin. The Aircap can be activated at speeds up to 100 mph and will stay in place up to the 155 mph electronically limited top speed.

Engine choices are a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 268 hp and a 5.5-liter V8 rated at 382 hp.

The optional Airscarf system in the front seats has been modified. Airscarf is a vent embedded in the seatback just below the head rest that blows warm air onto the driver's and front passenger's necks. Mercedes added a pivot function to the vent so it can be adjusted for short or tall seat occupants.

Bucking a trend for hardtop convertibles embraced by other luxury-car makers, Mercedes uses a soft top for the new E-class. The top, which is nearly 1 inch thick, is insulated to block road noise. It can be opened or closed while the car is moving up to 20 mph. When stowed, the top eats up nearly 4 cubic feet of space in the trunk, but that still leaves about 10 cubic feet available for cargo.