Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Hyundai Avante/Elantra exceeds 5,000 orders (SK)
Hyundai began taking orders on the 21st June and has since gained remarkable popularity for the newest addition to its line-up. The new Avante made its public debut at the Busan International Motor Show in April.
For the South Korean market, the Avante is available with a single engine; a 1.6 litre GDI (gasoline direct-injection) Gamma 4 cylinder petrol engine that produces 138bhp/140PS and 167Nm (133 lb.ft) of torque. It is linked to either a standard 6 speed manual transmission or a 6 speed automatic.
The new Avante is feature packed with numerous standard features such as 6 airbags, rear parking sensors heated front seats, ambient lighting, colour TFT LCD information display. Optional items include HID headlamps w/ LED tail-lamps, heated rear seats and a 10 way electrcially adjustable driver seat.
Since its launch back in 1990, the Avante/Elantra sold in excess of 6m units worldwide. Expect to see the redesigned Avante to make its North American debut early next year.
ESC to get cheaper (UK)
It's cheaper than previous systems, which, Bosh says, makes it particularly suitable for small cars where standard fitment of stability control is less common.
It is estimated that it costs £200 for car manufacturers to fit stability control and that if it were standard on every car it would reduce road deaths by 30%. According to motor industry research centre Thatcham, which monitors fitment rates and tests effectiveness, only 63% of new cars in the UK have stability control fitted as standard – one of the lowest figures in Europe.
The 2008 Fiat 500 has ESP as standard, while the 2009 Citroen C1 has ESP as an option.
2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept - Lamborghini Sports Car
2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept - Lamborghini Sports Car
Two Princes fight over a Bentley Brooklands (MY)
The dispute between the sons of Sultan Tengku Ismail Petra has humiliated the royal household of Malaysia's eastern Kelantan state and wound up a recent power struggle among palace figures while the sultan was stricken by a heart-related illness.
Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, the sultan's third son, took his eldest brother, Tengku Muhammad Faris, to court last September to seek an order that he had the right to use the Bentley Brooklands uber-coupe worth £330,000.
Fakhry assumed he had paid for the car in 2008 for his father's and own use, even though the sultan was registered as the official owner. In July, representatives of Faris took away the car while Fakhry was abroad and refused to give it back to him.
Fakhry's lawyer, Haaziq Pillay, told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that Fakhry was withdrawing his action on the wishes of his father, who will determine who gets to use the car. Mr Haaziq said Fakhry managed to use the car recently and has no objections if his brother also wants to drive it.
Faris did not explain why he apprehended the car, but insisted in a court statement earlier this year that Fakhry's lawsuit was "frivolous".
Sultan Ismail's illness over the past year has resulted in a scuffle between his sons and their allies for influence over palace decisions and, potentially, succession to the throne. The feud dribbled into the public eye, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of royal households that generally enjoy immense privacy and privilege.
Renault offers electric driving lessons
While the all electric cars will produce no tail-pipe emissions, Renault believes it is important to teach eco-driving methods to owners so that they can cover as many miles as possible on a single charge.
Alleged range anxiety is one of the major barriers to overcome if people are to be persuaded to drive electric vehicles, Renault believes.
The economy driving schools will be an extension of those Renault already runs in France and the Benelux countries for business users of its petrol and diesel models. They will soon be extended to Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and Spain, with the UK and Portugal probable in 2011.
Renault's first electric cars will come to the UK next year. There will be a battery powered version of the Kangoo light delivery van and a four-wheeled covered scooter-cum-city-car vehicle called the Twizy.
The real electric breakthrough will come in 2012, when Renault launches a mid-sized saloon called the Fluence and its first designed-from-scratch EV, a supermini to be badged Zoe.
Electrification is just one arm of Renault's plan to be best-in-class for CO2 across its range. New petrol and diesel engines and transmissions will play an important role, as will greener factories and greater end-of-life recycling.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Cool Lamborghini Concept Car - Minotauro
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Lamborghini Gallardo milestone reached
The car, in Midas yellow LP 560-4, will be delivered to its Chinese owner.
Initially launched in 2003, the Gallardo rapidly became one of the most popular supercars in the world. Over the years, Lamborghini expanded the model range by introducing variants like the LP 560-4 Spyder, the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni, and the LP 570-4 Superleggera.
According to Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, "The Lamborghini brand is extreme, uncompromising and Italian, and the Lamborghini Gallardo has played an exemplary role in defining and delivering our brand reputation into our worldwide markets. Today Lamborghini is represented in 45 countries by over 120 dealers, with the strength and presence of the Gallardo product playing a significant role in the growth and recognition of our brand."
Saturday, June 26, 2010
2009 Lexus GX470 Specifications And wallpapers
The GX 470 midsize SUV continues the Lexus tradition of offering high levels of luxury in a vehicle that is both quiet and comfortable. With three rows of seating, a smooth V8 engine and refined interior, the GX is a top-tier luxury SUV in every sense of the term. In addition, this particular Lexus has the ability to venture further off-road than most of its owners will have the desire, or courage, to take it.
However, the Lexus GX 470 has been on the market for more than a few years now, and in that time the crossover SUV market has become much more popular. Although its rugged truck-based underpinnings provide advantages in terms of towing or going off-road, the resulting higher weight, lower fuel economy and decreased space efficiency means this Lexus may not be the best choice for the type of on-road driving that most luxury SUV owners spend the majority of their time doing. In addition, the GX 470 falls a bit short in terms of the latest luxury features when compared to newer competition.
Current Lexus GX 470
The current Lexus GX 470 is a traditional body-on-frame SUV. Mechanically, it's related to the Toyota 4Runner. There are two trim levels: base and Sport. Both are powered by a 4.7-liter V8 that produces 263 horsepower and 323 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic is standard and it sends engine power to a full-time four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing.
The Lexus GX 470 is also equipped with Downhill Assist Control (DAC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Rear Adjustable Height Control (AHC). During a low-speed descent, DAC can help keep speed in check without constant input from the driver. HAC helps keep the vehicle stationary while starting on a steep incline or slippery surface. AHC offers the ability to increase or decrease the rear height of the GX 470 over a nearly 3-inch range, enhancing either off-road ability or cargo loading, depending on setting.
This Lexus SUV is also available with a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS). When equipped, KDSS automatically adjusts the front and rear stabilizer bars to enhance handling under a variety of conditions, both on- and off-road.
Luxury is what Lexus is known for, and the interior of the GX 470 offers fine leather on the seats and lustrous wood on the dash and steering wheel. However, some luxury features found on some competitors' vehicles are not available on the GX 470. These include automatic tri-zone climate control, an extra-large sunroof, power liftgate, blind spot sensors, adaptive headlights and ventilated front seats. Other shortcomings include third-row seats that don't fold flat into the floor and a rear cargo door that swings to the curb instead of upwards.
Past Lexus GX 470 Models
The Lexus GX 470 was introduced for the 2003 model year. The following year saw safety upgrades that included a roll-sensing feature for the side curtain airbags, a tire-pressure monitoring system and an optional rear back-up camera system (for those vehicles with the navigation system installed). The optional KDSS was available as a late-year addition.
A Sport trim joined the lineup for 2005. Other GX option changes included an upgraded navigation system with better graphics and additional functions, Bluetooth compatibility and voice commands for the climate control, audio and navigation systems. Horsepower increased to 270 (up from 235). For 2006, the GX 470 offered a new optional second-generation Lexus Link system and featured minor interior trim changes. In addition, new SAE engine-testing procedures resulted in a slight drop in the amount of stated power for the V8, from 270 to 263.
Lexus upgraded the navigation system for 2007 with voice activation and an enhanced display. Other changes include the addition of an input jack (for digital music players) and DVD-Audio capability for the optional Mark Levinson premium audio system (which also plays conventional and MP3/WMA-formatted CDs). The Levinson system also allowed a DVD movie to be played on the navigation system's screen. That year also saw the display for the available rear-seat entertainment grow to a 9-inch wide-format screen.