2012 Citroen C4 Aircross

Citroen may have to throw away the old ways when it comes to developing his car but that has stood the eccentric designer of the 1970′s and 1980′s seem to have been put to work by creating an official release to the wrong site of the quirkiest and do not need to elaborate that we could use.

However, all that is good, will still end up with both, and after more than an hour of struggling, we can now share with you the latest photos from 2012 Citroen C4 Aircross which will make its first premiere, at the Geneva Motor Show.
More:http://www.autonewsandinfo.com/citroen-c4-aircross-new-photo-gallery/

Ferrari 599 HY-Kers Vettura Laboratorio 2011

CONFIRMED: Lamborghini SUV launch in 2012

The rumors of a Lamborghini SUV due for launch this year have been doing the rounds for a few weeks now but there seems to be a confirmation from Audi on this matter. This SUV will be a part of a third platform at the Italian manufacturers assembly line at Sant’Agata Bolognese Known by the internal codename LB736, this Lamborghini SUV is expected to have similar underpinnings as the next-generation Audi Q7, which is also set to provide the basis for the new Bentley off-roader. This SUV will take on the uber-luxurious Maserati Kubang and the soon to be announced Bentley SUV.

This LM002 successor is supposedly scheduled to debut at the Beijing Motor show. The Middle East and the upcoming markets of South East Asia are expected to be the key markets for this new SUV. This SUV will take on the uber-luxurious Maserati Kubang and the soon to be announced Bentley SUV.

C-1 Self Balancing Electric Motorcycle from Lit Motors

Fully enclosed with gyro stabilizer wheels and sunroof, Lit Motors's new C-1 is quite the machine. This vehicle combines the efficiency, freedom and small foot-print of a motorcycle with the safety and convenience of a car.

Utilizing electronically controlled gyroscopes located under the floor (putting out over 1,300 lb/ft of torque), the vehicle balances at a stop and stays upright in the event of a collision. In-wheel electric motors (40 kw) provide the power and regeneration, while hub steering keeps you pointed in the right direction. With a top speed of over 120 MPH and battery packs providing 200 miles per charge, the C-1 is perfect for commuters and city dwellers alike.

There is even enough room in this device for a friend to ride in the back for short city excursions.

The price is, however, very high still. They are now working on a hand-built steel uni-bodied working prototype, which should reportedly be complete soon. Plans call for an initial run of production vehicles to be available at a price of about US$24,000 by late 2013, with that price going down to $16,000 once full production gets under way in 2014.

2012 Fisker Karma: Motoramic Drives

This is the Fisker Karma, a $100,000 electric sedan with a backup gasoline engine and the claim on a $529 million government loan meant to build the future of eco-friendly transportation. It may need some spiritual balance to get there.



More:http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/2012-fisker-karma-motoramic-drives-231914161.html

Bertone Nuccio Concept to mark the design firm’s 100-year anniversary

Italian design firm Bertone have released official pictures and details of the Bertone Nuccio Concept. The extreme supercar concept will go on display at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March and will celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary.

The supercar concept is named in honour of Giuseppe Nuccio Bertone, former owner of the Turinese design house.

"The Nuccio is an 'extreme' sportscar that puts an evolutionary imprint on the concept that is built into Bertone’s dna," the company said in a statement.

Bertone revealed that the wedge shaped prototype is powered by a high-output engine mounted in a mid-rear position, without getting into the specifics of what type of engine is used. However, the company have branded it an ‘extreme’ sports car so expect something special!

The Italian design house said that following its debut in Geneva, the Nuccio will be shipped to Beijing for the local auto show in April and then to the Turin National Car Museum in May where it will remain on exhibition until the end of summer.

BMW 640d xDrive announced

On Thursday, Greg Kable waxed effusively about the new BMW M550d xDrive coupe, suggesting that it was the ultimate 5-series for everyday use.

On Friday, Munich announced that the 5's two-door sibling will receive an AWD diesel variant: the 640d xDrive.

While not quite as high-zoot as the 5-series' top oil burner, the 640d's 3.0-liter, twin-turbo straight-six cranks out a respectable 465 lb-ft of almighty torque between 1,500 rpm and 2,500 rpm, plus 313 hp at 4,400 rpm numbers that, according to BMW, will carry the 6-series to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds.

More:http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120224/CARNEWS/120229879

Honda is recalling 2012 Honda Pilot and Acura MDX SUVs

Honda is recalling certain 2012 model year Honda Pilot and Acura MDX SUVs over concerns about a possible fuel leak.

A notice on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site lists the number of potential affected units at 8,709. Documentation from Honda indicates the dates of manufacture on the 2012 Pilot are from mid-December 2011 through January 11, 2012 and from mid-December 2011 through January 8, 2012 on the 2012 Acura MDX.

Technological innovation reaches new heights

The most powerful Ferrari ever

Farrari is following the SRT Viper playbook by leaking out bits and pieces of its 599 successor on various Internet pages. The darkened photo shown comes from Ferrari.com, while the video was released at the company's media site. Not much information has been shared about the car. But what we do know is that it will be a 12-cylinder grand-touring vehicle, it will be up from the 599's power rating of 612 hp and it will be revealed in full on leap day, Feb. 29. Rumors say that the car will be called the F620 GT. The first teaser video shows snippets of the car lapping the Fiorano circuit in Italy. We get a glimpse at its well-camouflaged body, a bit of the interior and we get to listen to that 12-cylinder engine hum. Thursday's video shows the manufacture of the car, with robotic arms moving around, block sanding and welding. We get to see a bit more of the body shape in unpainted metal.

New Volvo V40 Revealed Ahead of Geneva Show

We know that Volvo will debut its all-new V40 five-door to compete with the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3 at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Now, thanks to the Facebook page of a Polish auto magazine, we know what the new Volvo hatchback will look like.

The images broke cover on Motodziennik’s Facebook page, and the Polish magazine claims to be the first to get the official images from Volvo. They certainly look legitimate, and the car shown depicts what we’d expect to see in a new V40.

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Teased Ahead of Geneva Motor Show Debut

Bugatti Automobiles will introduce a new version of the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport at the Geneva motor show in March. The open-top roadster will be called the Vitesse.

The Grand Sport Vitesse will develop a staggering 1,200 hp from the quad-turbocharged W16 engine. Torque is equally impressive at 1,106 lb-ft. The increased power is the result of the four enlarged turbochargers and intercoolers.

The chassis was modified to accept the boost in power. Bugatti says buyers should expect the range of excellent features that one would associate with the super sports car, including precise driving dynamics and extraordinary braking.

Bugatti has been on a decent run in the last decade. Starting in 2005, it released the Veyron, which was the fastest car on the planet. Then three years later it introduced the Veyron Grand Sport. Two years after that, we got the Super Sport, which we tested back in October. Throw in a few special editions, and you have a handful of million-dollar cars looking to turn rubber into smoke.

Maserati & Abarth create special 500

What better way to double the price of a vehicle than by attaching a very prestigious badge to it? Admittedly we are talking very small volumes here but now the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari (a Fiat 500 with some very fancy trimmings) has gained a Maserati brother.

Limited to just 499 vehicles and said to represent the bond between Abarth and Maserati, the Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati is based on the 500C cabrio and features exclusive style details and special technical features developed by Abarth engineers in collaboration with Maserati.


For more visit: http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/latest-launches/maserati-abarth-create-special-500-1.1239414

Ross Brawn relishing new F1 season after Mercedes launch new car

The Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn has predicted his team's latest car will achieve the results long demanded by the manufacturing giant.

Brawn, along with drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, on Tuesday unveiled the team's latest challenger, the W03, ahead of the second pre-season test in Barcelona.

For more: www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/feb/21/ross-brawn-mercedes-new-car?newsfeed=true

New BMW 3 Series

The sixth-generation BMW 3 Series will be launched in South Africa next month and it's one of those cars for which we could easily use the 'improved' cliché in just about every sentence - except the styling, you might argue.

Longer, wider and more spacious yet 40kg lighter than the car it replaces, the new Three also brings a raft of new technologies to the line-up.

Yet having found the pricing and specification chart, we can also tell you that those improvements also double as extra rungs on the price ladder. Without further ado…

For more visit: www.iol.co.za/motoring/cars/bmw/new-bmw-3-series-sa-specs-prices-1.1239179

Audi TTS ’09 running for the Nurburgring Nordschleife

Here you have the Audi TTS ’09 running for the Nurburgring Nordschleife this time around ! Everything is stock as always, bought it from the dealer and straight on to the track!

For a 200-300hp range car, i have to say the pickup is quite interesting and also the steering response was great. The car was very obedient on the first few corners, which not much hassle to pass through at 110km/h and above.

Ride was not that bumpy as the suspension settings are just right for this track, doesn’t feel too stiff and bouncy on the uneven areas.

Read More at: http://www.dailytorque.com/konn-audi-tts-coupe-2009/

Lexus & Sports Illustrated: "Tori 500″ inspired by Tori Praver'ss

Nevada Becomes First to Approve Self-Driving Cars

Nevada has become the first state in the United States to approve self-driving cars, a necessary step for Google's vision to become a reality.

In a statement, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles said that its Legislative Commission today approved regulations allowing for the operation of self-driving vehicles on the state's roadways. Nevada's rules are the next step in a process began last June, when the state passed a bill that required its DMV to draft the rules.
The regulations are a boon for Google, which stunned the industry in late 2010 when it disclosed that it not only had developed an autonomous car, but had successfully tested it on public roadways.

Nevada said it worked with Google, automobile manufacturers, testing professionals, insurance companies, universities and law enforcement to develop the regulations. Other states also have similar bills that will be voted upon to determine if they, too, can follow suit.

For more visit: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400400,00.asp

MINI Clubvan Concept Unveiled to be revealed officially in Geneva

BMW Mini's Clubvan concept is basically a Clubman with more space – and not windows – at the back, the Clubvan is a sort of practical urban commercial vehicle and it’s supposed to be the only car with such specifications that is actually stylish and fun to drive.

Mini Clubvan is a two-seater with five doors and endless usage potential. Its load area reaches from the split rear doors right up to the partition grille behind the two seats. The totally level floor makes full use of the interior’s depth, and that allows the concept car’s load capacity to exceed the maximum achieved by the MINI Clubman.

The Clubvan also features made-to-measure drawers or shelving units, while 12-volt plug sockets in the rear area of the load compartment provide additional practicality.

The doors are extra-wide for easier access and to make repeatedly getting in and out of the van easy on the driver and passenger. The rear doors are swing open barn-style affairs that offer full 100% access to the cargo space in both width and height. Finally, a fifth door, on the right-hand side of the car, gives broader access to that side of the van.


The interior sees a lot of task-specific refinement as well. A load barrier blocks the rear from the front, with a chassis-mounted cage keeping items in the cargo bay from coming forward onto the driver. The rear load bay is flat at the floor and ceiling and slightly rounded on the sides. Integrated strap pins (6 in all) are recessed into the floor and ceiling to allow easy attachment of load straps and retainers to hold cargo of any size or dimension securely in place.

Ferrari hydroplane heads for RM's Monaco auction

A record setting Ferrari powered 1953 hydroplane, ARNO XI, will cross the block in May at the RM Auctions event in Monaco.

The hydroplane set the speed record for a boat of its size on Lake Iseo in northern Italy, running up to 150.19 mph.

Designed and built by Achille Castoldi – a friend of Ferrari Grand Prix drivers Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi – convinced Enzo Ferrari to provide knowledge and technical assistance to help develop the world-record-holding boat.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120217/CARNEWS/120219892

CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE

Chrysler's new  full-size flagship sedan 200 is carefully and extensively redesigned. This second iteration of the bold 200 has raised its game substantially in terms of design, quality, comfort and road manners. High levels of equipment and keen pricing will make it a prime player.

For more: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/review.aspx?year=2012&make=Chrysler&model=200&cp-documentid=1251209

Rebirth of Honda NSX as New Acura

Announcing the rebirth of the Honda NSX

Honda NSX, one of the most iconic sports cars of the 1990s will return in 2015 as an American-built Acura with all-wheel-drive and an electric-enhanced rear engine. The NSX represented the pinnacle of Honda's sports heyday of the 1980s and '90s. Launched with input from Formula One great Ayrton Senna, the NSX set a brace of technological firsts -- from its aluminum monocoque frame to the variable valve timing that would become a standard on engines worldwide.

The NSX wasn't the fastest or most-powerful supercar, but reflected Honda's balance between power, weight and handling -- a sweet spot that few cars have ever achieved. Honda mulled replacing the NSX for years with a V-10 powered successor, but the company soon embraced smaller engines and a tight focus on fuel efficiency.

Somewhere along the way, it also lost a piece of the racing spirit that birthed the NSX, unleashing a string of unsuccessful to ungainly models that offered little over their competitors. After last year's update of the Honda Civic -- a freshening that did little to improve the car's weakening position against tough competition -- Honda's executives vowed to revive the company's soul.

The new NSX, to be sold under the Acura brand, shows they're serious enough to design the most attractive Acura ever. The concept retains the mid-engine V-6 layout of the original NSX, but adds in a new Honda all-wheel-drive system that relies on electric motors to power the front wheels. As with its predecessor, Honda vows the NSX won't rely on brute force, but combine lightweight materials with high technology for supercar performance and respectable fuel economy.

If there's a disappointment here, it's that Honda has held back several key details about the NSX concept, including the power its engines and electric motors will generate.

BMW M6 Revealed

Set to make their world debuts at the Geneva motor show in March, the M6s are described by BMW as its fastest-ever two-door road cars, achieving a maximum speed limited to 155 mph both in fixed roof and open-top body styles. An optional M Driver's package takes top speed to 189.5 mph.

Mirroring the approach taken with the third-generation 6-series, the first to go on sale in North America will be the M6 convertible, which is scheduled to head into showrooms in June as a 2012 model. It will be followed in short order by the coupe, with the first U.S. deliveries expected to get under way in September as a 2013 model.

For more visit: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120211/GENEVA/120219978#ixzz1mBEfnZy5

Two Opel World Premieres at the 2012 Geneva Show

The German Carmaker Opel is looking forward to two world premieres at this year’s Geneva Motor Show (March 6-18, 2012): the all-new Mokka sub-compact SUV and the new Astra OPC. Entirely in line with this year’s show motto “Driving into the future”, with the new Mokka, Opel is the first German manufacturer to enter the fast growing SUV-B segment.

The new compact size Mokka:

Despite its 4.28 meter measurement, the Mokka generously accommodates five people in a higher seating position. It provides a dynamic driving experience by its three efficient engines, including the gasoline 1.6 liter 85 kW/115 hp and the 103 kW/140 hp 1.4 l Turbo versions and the 1.7 CDTI with 96 kW/130 hp. It also features new technologies to enhance safety, for example the Driver Assistance Systems that are based on the Opel Eye front camera system, as well as a rear view camera.

The new Opel Mokka will be available in both Front-wheel and all-wheel-drive. Standard features that enhance the driving experience across all Mokka versions include the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the Traction Control (TC) as well as the Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) systems – which improve driving comfort and safety in uphill or downhill terrain.

New Astra OPC – most powerful Astra ever:

The new 206 kW/280 hp Astra OPC compact sports coupé is the most powerful Astra ever. The OPC´s 206 kW/280 hp 2.0 liter direct injection turbocharged gasoline engine is capable of maximum torque of 400 Nm and a top speed of 250 km/h. Such a speed has never been achieved by an Astra. The High Performance Struts (HiPerStruts) on the Astra OPC are one of its big highlights, allowing the car to deliver power without compromise. In combination with the FlexRide chassis system, featuring a dedicated Sport- and OPC-drive mode, the Astra OPC delivers refined handling abilities.

The Astra OPC also features a new high-performance bucket seat with state-of-the art technology. Both front seats increase the sporty and dynamic driving experience by introducing cutting-edge weight-saving material, a lower seating position and enhanced side support. The weight saving on the new seat shell compared to a conventional one is 45 percent. No other car manufacturer in the world has used an organic injection sheet with composite material in a production car. The new seat boasts up to 18 different settings.

2012 Mini Cooper S Roadster.....

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2012 Mini Cooper S Roadster specifications

Class	Two-door convertible roadster
Capacity	Two passengers
Configuration	Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Engine	Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Transmission	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
Power	184 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	192 lb-ft @ 1730 rpm
Top speed	140 mph
Zero to sixty	6.7-6.9 seconds
Mileage	26-27 city/34-35 highway EPA estimated.
CO2 emissions	169 g/km
Base price (incl destination charges)	$28,050
Remarkable features	Convertible soft top, sweet, stylish design

Porsche 918 Spyder, The Future Car ...

 The Porsche 918 Spyder goes into production September 2013 and on sale in the U.S. near the end of the year. Porsche hasn't said but it’s a guess that it will be a 2014 model. MSRP will be $845,000, Porsche said.

The Porsche 918 Spyder is a mid-engined sports car designed by Porsche and first shown as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. The Spyder is powered by a 3.4 litre V8 engine, developing 500 horsepower (370 kW), with three electric motors delivering an additional 218 horsepower (163 kW). It is the first plug-in hybrid car from Porsche.

Porsche reckons the plug-in hybrid 918 will hit 62mph from rest in 3.2 seconds, top out at over 199mph and will lap the Ring in seven minutes and 30 seconds - 2 seconds faster than the Carrera GT. Using just electricity, it’ll top out at 94mph, in silence, probably.

A lithium-ion liquid-cooled battery will power the electric motors, and charged from a regular plug will offer an all-electric range of 16 miles. Charge time is around three hours.

Should your burning desire for everything 918 Spyder exceed the brain cells responsible for ‘reason’, Porsche is offering Spyder customers the exclusive opportunity to purchase a limited edition 911 Turbo S ‘918 Spyder edition’. Basically a Turbo with acid green trimmings and some badges, limited to 918 models.

The 918 Spyder is also subject to numerous video games appearances, most notably in several games of the third generations of “Need for Speed” series. It was originally featured in the game “Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit” as a drivable vehicle. It was later featured in “Shift 2: Unleashed”.

Tesla Shows Gull-Wing Electric SUV Model X

Tesla Motors Inc., the electric carmaker, unveiled a battery- powered sport-utility vehicle with “gull-wing” doors that will go on sale next year after the Model S sedan’s debut.

The Model X is said to be faster than Porsche AG’s 911 sports car and roomier than Audi AG’s Q7 SUV. It will be built in 2013 at the Tesla’s Fremont, California, and deliveries will start late next year and ramp up throughout 2014.

Tesla, which seeks to become a dominant seller of premium electric vehicles, expects Model S sales to help it become profitable for the first time by as early as next year. The company began taking reservations for the seven-passenger crossover Model X, which shares a platform and battery system with Model S, when it showed a prototype at Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne, California at 9th February 2012.

The Model X has two electric motors and will be available as an all-wheel drive model, said Alan Clarke, manager of studio engineering at the Hawthorne facility.

The vehicle has doors that swing open upward because they’re hinged at the roof, reminiscent of auto designer John DeLorean’s namesake DeLorean DMC-12 sports car from the early 1980s, featured in the “Back to the Future” movies.

The second-row doors are like gull-wing doors, which were referred to as ‘falcon-wing’ doors by Elon Musk.

Like the Model S, the SUV is also equipped with a 17-inch touch screen for navigation, audio and other vehicle controls, the largest of its type in the industry.

The company didn’t give pricing or range details for the Model X. The most expensive version of the Model S sedan, capable of going 300 miles on lithium-ion battery power per charge, cost at least $92,400, Tesla said late last year. The base model of the sedan starts at $57,400 and will run 160 miles per charge.

Source: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-10/tesla-shows-gull-wing-electric-suv-ahead-of-model-s-sales.html