RPMGO Car Blog |
- Quick Look – 2012 Lotus Evora
- 2011 G-Power Hurricane GS
- 2011 Jeep Compass 70th Anniversary Edition
- 2011 Chrysler 300 Officially Unveiled
- 2012 Hyundai Veloster – A Gorgeous Coupe
- 2012 VW Passat – An Oversized Jetta
- Top 50 Worst Cars In All History PART 3
- 2012 Ford C-Max At Detroit Auto Show
- Detroit 2011 – Toyota Prius V
- Ford Vertrek Concept Revealed
| Posted: 12 Jan 2011 03:13 AM PST  2012 Lotus Evora The Lotus Evora is one of the most beautiful cars in the world, at least in my opinion. In the years to come, the company will roll out the revival of the legendary Elise model along with the iconic Esprit. Next year, Lotus will also offer an updated version of their gorgeous Evora. Outside, there won't be any important changes because let's face it, the car looks almost perfect. Inside, the cabin will be completely redesigned and an updated version for the new S trim level that will be available. The cabin of the Evora will be created by CSI, a German company that created cabins for the Mercedes SLS, Audi R8 and Porsche Panamera. The only exterior changes that will be made for the 2012 model will be on the headlamps and the front fascia, but nothing significant, except maybe for the new set of rims. The engine will remain the same, a V6 3.5-liter plant that churns 280 hp @ 6,400 rpm and 342 Nm @ 4,700 rpm. With this power plant, the car will be able to do the 0-60 mph sprint in 5 seconds, onto a top speed of 172 mph. Sales of the 2012 Lotus Evora will commence sometime in the beginning of next year and its most important rivals will continue to be the Nissan GT-R, Audi TT-S (another great looking car) and the Porsche Cayman. The Audi has a 2.0-liter TFSI engine under the hood that just received a more generous turbocharger that allows it to output 272 hp which is 7 hp more than the first version. With this engine, the TT-S will do the 0-60 mph sprint in 5.2 second and is capable of reaching a top speed of 155 mph (limited). The Cayman is another worthy adversary for the 2012 Evora, with its 2.9-liter 6-cylinder boxer engine that produces 265 hp. The Porsche can reach 60 mph from start in 4.9 seconds. The Nissan is the most powerful of these cars with its V6 3.8-liter that offers 485 hp @ 6,400 rpm. Top speed is rated at 193 mph.  2012 Lotus Evora We are glad that Lotus will be coming back in the next following years because lately, except for the Evora, the company didn't brought anything interesting to the table. The 2015 Elise will probably be the most important car in the last decade for Lotus. Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| Posted: 12 Jan 2011 02:48 AM PST  2011 G-Power Hurricane GS After the BMW M6-based Hurricane RR and the M5-based Hurricane RS, G-Power has something new to show us and it is pretty interesting– the Hurricane GS, which is a M5 that has an LPG system. Pretty interesting, don't you think? Continuing the tradition set by other G-Power cars, the Hurricane GS has already won the title for the fastest LPG car in the world. The company's new model has been fitted with a G-POWER SK II bi-supercharges that increased the power of the engine to 660 hp and 650 Nm of torque. With this significant upgrade, the M5-based Hurricane GS will do the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.6 seconds, 0-124 mph in 11.4 seconds, onto a top speed of 201 mph. Similar to the RS model, the GS now rolls on a brand new set of rims that are more suitable for this kind of performance. The GS has been equipped with 20-inch forged SILVERSTONE CLUBSPORT that measure 9×20 in the front ant 10.5×20 in the back, covered by MICHELIN 255/35 ZR 20 and 285/30 ZR 20 tires. In the back of this M5-based car, G-Power installed their proprietary SPEED-Flow exhaust system. As mentioned before, the company fitted the Hurricane RS with the impressive G-POWER SK II bi-supercharger system that will allow each of the cylinder banks of the V10 5.0-liter to be fitted with a belt-driven ASA T1-313 compressor. To put things in another perspective, the engine churns 660 hp, enough to make it the fastest LPG car in the world. In order to efficiently stop this fast car, the GS has been equipped with a high-performance braking system developed by the company as well as a RS coil-over sports suspension that offers 9-way adjustability for rebound and compression plus infinitely variable adjustments. The car set the world record for the fastest LPG vehicle in the world on August 9, 2010 near the company's HQ in Autenzell, Germany, on a desolate strip of autobahn. The car succeed to reach a top speed of 201 mph (333 km/h), entering the Guinness World Book. This new set of wheels costs $9,900 and the price for the entire conversion package will set you back $43,500. There are no competitors for the 2011 G-Power Hurricane GS at the moment, unless other tuning company decides to create an LPG car capable of reaching 201 mph or more. Maybe AC Schnitzer or Hamann will come up with a similar car, taking into consideration their passion for BMW cars. Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| 2011 Jeep Compass 70th Anniversary Edition Posted: 12 Jan 2011 02:26 AM PST  2011 Jeep Compass 70th Anniversary Edition This year Jeep is celebrating its 70th anniversary and for this occasion it will roll out special editions of each of their sport utility vehicles: Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Patriot and for the Wrangler. All of these special editions will be available at dealerships by the first quarter of 2011 and will be available in three different exterior colors: Black, Bright Silver and Bronze Star. The upgrades for these special editions will include only interior changes so these cars will not have increased power outputs or special exterior changes, except for a new set of wheels and a couple of anniversary badges to differentiate them from the standard versions. The 2011 Jeep Compass 70th Anniversary Edition will come with a new set of 18-inch rims, a 70th anniversary edition badge as well as Dark Slate seats that will have perforated leather inserts embossed with the "Jeep" logo along with the Chestnut accent stitching and piping. Other changes include the unique dark green overlay, another logo on the radio screen and the cargo area with the Chestnut binding. As mentioned before, no performance upgrades have been made to the Compass which means that the SUV will be available with the same powerplant as the standard version. We are talking about a 2.0-liter World Engine unit that is capable of outputting 158 hp and 141 lb.-ft of torque. The engine is linked to the CVT2 – continuously variable transmission. Another engine available for the Compass is the more powerful 2.4-liter that produces 172 hp and 165 lb.-ft of torque. This unit is fitted with the VVT – dual Variable Valve Timing on both the exhaust and intake camshafts. The price of the 2011 Jeep Compass 70th Anniversary Edition is $24,970 for the base model. Among its most important rivals, we include the Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson and the Toyota RAV4. Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| 2011 Chrysler 300 Officially Unveiled Posted: 12 Jan 2011 01:45 AM PST  2011 Chrysler 300 Announced a few weeks ago, the 2011 Chrysler 300 has been officially unveiled during the first day of the Detroit Auto Show. Introduced back in 2005, the 300C looked great but after six years some changes needed to be done to dish the outdated appearance and for this reason Chrysler came up the new generation which is simply put, better. The most important changes include the availability of a new powertrain, a superior interior with materials of higher quality, a lowered belt line, LED-encrusted headlamps and sleeker sheet metal. Speaking of a new engine, Chrysler's 300 model will be available with the 3.6-liter aluminum V6 Pentastar unit that will produce 292 hp, best in its class. Compared to the previous generations of V6 engines, the Pentastar is 8% more fuel efficient, managing to achieve 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA ratings. This new engine is 63% more powerful than the previous entry-level 2.7-liter and offers 36% more torque. Compared to the V6 3.5-liter, the all-new 3.6-liter offers 16% more muscles and extra 10 lb.-ft of torque.  2011 Chrysler 300 A more powerful engine will be the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that offers 363 hp, allowing the car to reach 60 mph in less than 6 seconds and can do 25 mpg on the highway. This engine will benefit from the Fuel Saver Technology that according to the press release will guarantee a seamless transition between the smooth and high fuel-economy four-cylinder mode in the situations in which less power is required and the V8 mode when more power is necessary. As far as the safety features are concerned, the 2011 Chrysler 300 will offer as standard Keyless Enter-N-Go as well as ESC – electronic stability control. The SafetyTec Group will be available on the 300C AWD, 300 Limited and 300C, offering adaptive-forward lightning, ParkSense front and rear park assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic headlamp leveling, LED-illuminated rear fog lamps as well as high-density discharge projector high and low-beams along with rear cross path detection. In addition, the car packs full-length side-curtain airbags, an airbag for the driver's knee and front seat-mounted side-thorax airbags for maximum protection.  2011 Chrysler 300 Regarding the connectivity and the entertainment support for the 2011 Chrysler 300, the car will come with a massive 8.4-inch touch screen display as standard for the 300C and 300C AWD and as an optional feature for the Limited model. The system features Garmin navigation support as well as SIRIUS Travel Link. No pricing details were revealed for the 2011 Chrysler 300. Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| 2012 Hyundai Veloster – A Gorgeous Coupe Posted: 12 Jan 2011 01:11 AM PST  2012 Hyundai Veloster There were a lot of new cars launched on the first day of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show but one of them really caught my attention – the 2012 Hyundai Veloster. I never knew that the Korean automaker was capable of making such an interesting car. This unique three-door coupe looks great from all angles and according to the press release; it will be able to do 40 mpg on the highway. Targeted as the main rival of the Honda CR-Z Hybrid, the sexy Veloster will come with a bundle of features and gizmos that are really cool, at least some of them. As standard, the car will be offered with a generous 7-inch multi-function touchscreen display and Pandora internet radio capability. Being aimed at the young target, the car will offer video game console support through the available 115-volt power outlet. Other goodies include the virtual CD downloading, Bluetooth, AVI and MPEG support via USB and others as well. The 2012 Veloster joins the Elantra, Equus, Sonata, Tucson and the soon-to-be-released Accent in the company's 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (7 new models in 24 months). According to Hyundai, the design of this interesting three-door coupe was inspired from a high-performance sport bike. The black A-pillars are very distinctive and give the Veloster's glass a motorcycle helmet look. Looking at the front of the car you will notice the company's signature hexagonal front grille but this time it is more aggressive than on other models. The LED position lights and the hood scoop detailing look very nice in my opinion. For extra money, the Veloster can be fitted with a large panoramic sunroof, fog lights, piano black highlights and a chrome grille surround. As standard, the car rolls on 17-inch alloy rims but can be fitted with two types of 18-inch wheels. One of these models (the most expensive one) is available with painted inserts which is a premiere in this segment.  2012 Hyundai Veloster Moving inside the car, you will notice the controls and the center stack that look very much like the fuel tank of a sports bike and incorporate the push-button starter. Another inspiration from a motorcycle can be found in the design of the air vents while the floor console imitates the seat of a high-performance bike. The cabin of the Veloster comes with a bundle of metallic accents and as an additional feature, the car can feature alloy pedals, leather wrapped shift knob and steering wheel.  2012 Hyundai Veloster More about that interesting third-door which According to the automaker, the car combines the functionality of a hatchback with the style of a coupe, while at the same time offering an additional passenger-side door. To maintain the coupe design, the handle of this third door has been hidden. This hinged door provides a very easy and ready access to the rear seats, unlike previous coupes that had rear-hinged access doors that had to be opened from the driver-side door before the rear door could be opened. Let's talk about the engine under the hood. The Gamma 1.6-liter 4-cylinder power unit is the smallest engine developed by Hyundai that will use the Gasoline Direct Injection technology. With the GDI, the car can offer an estimated 40 mpg rating, higher reliability and lower emissions. This unit produces 138 hp @ 6,300 rpm and 123 lb-ft. @ 4,850 rpm. This all-new engine also packs Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing, Diamond Like Carbon coating, CrN Physical Vapor Deposition and a roller timing chain. The power unit is linked to the all-new 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox which according to Hyundai is 5-6% more fuel efficient and 3-7% better in acceleration performance. For improving the fuel economy, the powertrain offers an Active Eco mode that will modify the engine as well as the transmission controls for improved fuel economy. With an interior volume of 105.3 cubic feet, the 2012 Hyundai Veloster is the most spacious car in this segment, offering more space than the Mini Clubman, Mini Hardtop, Scion tC and the previously mentioned 2011 Honda CR-Z. The car promises to be a great fun to drive with is low curb weight of only 2,584 pounds, 400 less than the Scion tC. In order to improve the quality of the ride, the Veloster has a McPherson strut front suspension, gas shock absorbers, coil springs as well as a 24 mm diameter front stabilizer. In the back, the car was fitted with a V-torsion beam lightweight suspension with a 23 mm stabilizer bar for offering additional stiffness. As far as the safety features are concerned, the 3-door Veloster comes with the VSM – Vehicle Stability Management system that is capable of managing the electronic stability control and the motor-driven electric power steering. The car packs six airbags: two in the front, front and rear side curtain and front seat-mounted side-impact. To stop the car, Hyundai fitted the coupe with four-wheel disc brakes that have ABS with brake assist and EBD. The car will be offered with the Blue Link Assurance package that will include enhanced roadside assistance, SOS emergency assistance as well as automatic crash notification and assistance. The Blue Link Essentials package will offer remote access features like remote door unlock/lock, remote lights and horn, panic notification, remote vehicle start and others as well. The 2012 Hyundai Veloster will be available with one of the following colors: Boston Red, Vitamin C, 26.2 Yellow, Electrolyte Green, Marathon Blue, Ultra Black, Triathlon Gray, Ironman Silver and Century White. Although we don't know about the price range of this 3-door coupe, the Korean automaker is aiming towards a $17,000 price tag, very close to cars like the Honda CR-Z, Mini Cooper and the Scion tC. If it rides just as good as it looks, it will certainly be a worthy competitor in the segment, a nice surprise from Hyundai, a car manufacturer that only used to make rather boring cars. I am curios if Kia will come up with a Veloster-based model. Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| 2012 VW Passat – An Oversized Jetta Posted: 12 Jan 2011 12:12 AM PST  2012 VW Passat The VW Group has bold plans for the North American market and the company hopes that the Jetta along with the new 2012 Passat will help increase the sales and overtake Toyota as the largest car manufacturer in the world. If you remember the last generation of the Passat you know that it wasn't a real looker but at least it stood out within VW's lineup. We cannot say the same thing about the 2012 model as it looks like a Jetta on steroids. It doesn't have a bad look but it is in fact a longer, wider and taller Jetta. Similar to its sibling, the 2012 Passat will have a significantly lower starting price of about $20,000, in comparison to the outgoing model that has a base price of approximately $28,000. This $8,000 difference will most likely annoy the people that already got the 2011 model, but will attract more customers that were waiting for the new model. The new generation of the Volkswagen Passat will be available with three engines: a 2.5-liter gasoline, a 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel and a sporty 3.6-liter VR6. The first one produces 170 hp and 177 lb.-ft of torque and is a premiere for a Passat and will be linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox. As an optional feature, customers can choose the more relaxing 6-speed automatic transmission. The Clean Diesel power unit outputs 140 hp and 236 lb.-ft and according to VW, "has the power of a six cylinder gasoline engine and the fuel economy of a hybrid." With this power unit, the 2012 VW Passat will do 43 mpg on the highway and will have a range of about 800 miles. The engine features a NOx storage catalytic converter, making it one of the cleanest engines available. The TDI powerplant can be fitted with the 6-speed DSG gearbox as an optional feature. For those of you that want a sportier Passat, you can get it with the 3.6-liter VR6 engine that produces 280 hp and 258 lb.-ft of torque. With the VR6 power unit, the car will do 28 mpg on the highway which isn't very bad in our opinion, but we've seen better. As standard, the Passat equipped with this engine is linked to the 6-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.  2012 VW Passat This new generation of the Passat will be offered in three trim levels: S, SE and SEL, with a grand total of 16 equipment levels. Some of the most important safety features will include the proprietary Intelligent Crash Response Systems, ESP, tire pressure monitoring system, Hill Climb Assist, six airbags, ABS with braking assist. The Intelligent Crash Response System is capable of auto-initiating safety protections if a collision occurs by unlocking the doors, shutting off the fuel supply as well as the high consumption electronic equipment, turning on the hazard lights and disconnecting the battery terminal from the alternator cable. Some of the most important standard features of the all-new Passat include: automatic climate control, air conditioning, power windows, outside temperature display with frost warning, insulating glass, radio-CD system with MP3 support and external audio input, an analog clock located at the center of the instrument panel, cruise control and Bluetooth support. As optional features the car can be fitted with one of the following: keyless access with push button start, power passenger seat, memory driver's seat, new ambiance lighting, wood decor, front fog lights with static cornering lights, touchscreen satellite radio, power seat adjustments, leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel as well as 17- and 18-inch alloy rims.  2012 VW Passat According to the press release, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat offers a more spacious cabin thanks to the fact that the car measures 191.7 inches and has a wheelbase of 110.4-inches. If you have seen the all-new Touareg, the instrument panel of the Passat is very similar to the one found on the SUV. The digital multifunction display is surrounded by the chrome trimmed gauges. The chrome look was also used for the surrounds of the radio, air vents in the cockpit, climate control panels and navigation system. Only the base version of the Passat will not come with chrome accents on the trunk opening switches, mirror adjustment and on the window. For the S version, the car will feature decorative elements in "Titan" design while the SE trim gets a "Titan Silver Printed" look. In The SEL version the 2012 Passat features wood decor "Aluminum Nut But". The entry-level model offers an 8-way adjustable driver's seat as standard with lumbar support which should be enough for a more than comfortable ride. In my humble opinion, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat offers a pretty good package and with a low starting price it will be a very desirable car. If the looks were a little bit different from the recently released Jetta, the car might have been a little more attractive, but we can't say that it looks bad, just very familiar. Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| Top 50 Worst Cars In All History PART 3 Posted: 11 Jan 2011 11:20 PM PST Welcome back to the third part of our article where we will present another 10 cars that will go down as some of the worst vehicles ever made. For those of you that visit the website for the first time, have a look at the first and second part of the article.  Ford Pinto Let's begin the article with the Ford Pinto. It wasn't particularly a very bad car but it is worthy of a place in our top because of its volatile nature. By volatile nature we mean that it had the tendency to erupt in flames if it was involved in a rear-end collision. The Blue Oval spent $121 million in order to reinforce the rear end of the Pinto, in comparison to only $50 million for the potential payout to victims.  Jaguar XK-E V12 Series III The Jaguar E-Type will remain one of the most beautiful cars in the world, a 150-mph capable supercar with one of the sexiest bodywork ever created. In 1974 the E-Type transformed into this thing, the XK-E V12 Series III. In the United States, there were new power-sapping emission requirements so Jaguar had to switch the impressive 6-cylinder 4.2-liter engine with the massive 5.3-liter V12 monster. Another decision made by the British was to stop making the coupe version and they made only the LWB (long wheelbase) 2+2 and the convertible. If this wasn't enough for massacring the looks of the car, people over at Jaguar plumped up the fenders, ruining the smooth looks of the car. In an embarrassing attempt to meet the 5-mph bumper standards, the car was equipped with awful rubber bumpers which ruined forever the looks of a once beautiful car.  Bricklin SV 1 Here is a car that had a let's call it modern design for its time, the Bricklin SV 1 (Safety Vehicle 1). One of the special things about it was the 100-lb gullwing doors, inspired from the Mercedes Gullwing. The body of the car was made out of dent-resistant, brightly-colored plastic. Probably the most important safety feature of the car was the fact that it was a very slow car, "thanks" to its extra weight gained by the materials used for the bumpers and panels. However, there were almost 3,000 people that ordered it, they probably liked the doors, we don't.  Morgan Plus 8 Propane Here is another beautiful car in our opinion that died because of the U.S. emissions and safety requirements imposed in the early 70s. We all know that Morgan is one of those manufacturers that make cars the old-fashioned way, with sliding-pillar front suspensions and wooden-frame bodies. These cars are not bad but this one pictured above ran its impressive Rover V8 engine on propane, thanks to Bill Fink, who is a Moggie-phile and dealer. For a couple of years, a few of these bombs on wheels were sold and they had tanks of liquid propane that hung perilously right behind the rear bumper. And they said that the Pinto was dangerous…  Triumph TR7 Here is another Triumph unfortunately, this time the TR7 which had in my opinion a rather interesting design. The TR7 and TR8 were the last cars that were sold in the United States and also among the last models that were ever made by the company until it closed its doors in 1984. The car wasn't a flop because of the rather strange design or because of the engineering, but because these were very bad made. The carburetors worked very rarely, the sunroof leaked instantly, and those concealed headlights you see in the picture rarely wanted to come out and play. One unfortunate owner of the TR7 said that the rear axle fell out.  Trabant If you live in Europe, you definitely heard about the Trabant, East Germany's response to the VW Beetle. Powered by an 18 hp engine, the car was made out of fiberglass-like Duroplast and recycled fibers like cotton and wood. Although the car smoked like there was no tomorrow, it was a hit as many East Germans bought it, mainly because it was very cheap.  Aston Martin Lagonda Here is a manufacturer that we wouldn't have thought it will make it into our top – Aston Martin. Just like any other car from this British manufacturer, the Lagonda was without any doubt a really beautiful vehicle. However, the mechanical part was a disaster. The car featured computer-driven electronics (remember, it was built in the 70s) and cathode-ray displays which definitely would have been quite cool back then but there was one minor flaw: they didn't work!  Chevrolet Chevette The Chevrolet Chevette is one of those cars that although was very bad, it had a few fans, just like the Yugo and the Pacer. This three-door hatchback had a 51 hp engine linked to a 4-speed manual gearbox, that's it. The car was very loud and quite uncomfortable inside due to the limited space available. Plus, it looked awful in this diaper-brown color.  AMC Pacer Speaking of the Pacer, it is a definitely a car worthy of a place in our top 50 of the worst cars in all history. Hagerty Insurance asked automotive enthusiasts about the worst car design ever made – the AMC Pacer was the proud winner. The guy responsible for the Gremlin is also the creator of this awful-looking vehicle. Driving the car during the hot summer days would have been a real adventure due to the non-existing air conditioning and if you were very attentive, you could have spotted the fumes of volatile petrochemicals out-gassing from the cheap-looking plastic dashboard.  Corvette 305 California The last car in our article is another victim of the 70s United States emissions requirements that killed many muscle cars. The Corvette 305 California was fitted with a V8 engine that managed to produce only 180 hp. If it wasn't enough to kill this car, the engine was linked to a 3-speed automatic transmission. Too bad as the car still looks great after 40 years. Join us tomorrow for the fourth part of our article where we will continue to present another 10 automotive flops that will remain in history. Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| 2012 Ford C-Max At Detroit Auto Show Posted: 11 Jan 2011 08:58 AM PST  2012 Ford C-Max Although small MPVs are a big hit in Europe, North Americans live by the statement "bigger is better" and for that reason, such cars were never very popular and in my opinion will never be, at least in the next 5-10 years. However, Ford is hoping that with the 2012 C-Max things will change and more people living in United States will start buying these moderately-sized people-haulers that offer a pretty good package.  2012 Ford C-Max The European-spec Grand C-Max is a great car and it seems that nothing has really changed regarding the mechanical aspect of the North American version of the C-Max. The entry-level engine of the car will be the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and as optional, customers will have the possibility to choose the new 1.6-liter EcoBoost. As Ford says, the 2012 C-Max offers seating for "five plus two" passengers and the car will benefit from the latest technological developments of the Blue Oval. The car will be produced at the company's Michigan Assembly Plant and sales will begin in a couple of months.  2012 Ford C-Max I for one really doubt that the car will be more successful in comparison to other small MPVs launched in the United States and Canada, but we will have to wait and see if the C-Max is really capable of changing the situation of this segment. Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| Posted: 11 Jan 2011 08:44 AM PST  Toyota Prius V In the last decade Toyota managed to sell almost one million units of their very popular Prius hybrids and with the introduction of the Prius V, the Japanese automaker hopes that this trend will go on in the future, hopefully even better than before. The car has all the good stuff from the regular Prius but it does however offer something more than that: the 38 inches of leg room in the back, the 34.3 cubic feet of space for all your belongings and the a fuel economy that not many cars can have, make it a very interesting car despite its rather dull exterior appearance. In comparison with the original Prius, the V is 5 inches longer and a whole inch wider. Due to the fact that it has the same 1.8-liter 4-cylinder hybrid power unit, it will not be able to do reach that magic number of 50 miles per gallon efficiency like its little brother. However, it will do 42 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway which can't be done by most of the cars in this segment. The engine is capable of outputting 98 hp at 5,200 rpm and 105 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The electric motor can produce 80 hp and 153 lb ft. The hybrid system net power is 134 hp.  Toyota Prius V A premiere for a Toyota model will be the Panoramic View moonroof with power retractable sun shades that will not only provide an open and bright atmosphere in the cabin of the Prius, but it is also 40% less heavy in comparison to traditional glass roofs that have the same size. In the front, the instrument panel controls as well as the single-dial AC control along with the center-installed digital combination meter, provide a very user-friendly command and intuitive approach. Silver trim was used for the driving mode selection, the electronic shift lever as well as for the parking switch and the Push Button Start. Similar with the outgoing generation of the Prius, the new model will sport four driving modes, as follows: normal, power, eco and EV) that are able to satisfy a wide variety of driver preferences and road conditions. Other worth-mentioning features that come as standard on the Prius V include: HAC – Hill Start Assist Control, back-up camera, electronic shift lever and a smart key system with push button start. As far as the optional features are concerned, customers can choose from one of the following: Advanced Parking Guidance System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with a Pre-Collision System and LED headlamps.  Toyota Prius V Regarding the safety features of the Prius V, the car comes with seven airbags, an energy-absorbing structure with impact beams, leg absorption pads and cross members. In addition, it features a high-strength cabin and both the driver and front passenger seats have a design that minimizes the whiplash injury that might occur during an accident. Similar with the rest of the lineup of the Japanese automaker, the Prius V will feature as standard the proprietary Star Safety System that includes the following: smart stop technology brake-override system, brake assist, EBD – Electronic Brake-force Distribution, ABS, traction control and VSC – Vehicle Stability Control. In addition, the Prius V will be one of the first Toyotas that will come equipped with the Entune entertainment system that offers support for mobile applications, along with the possibility to access useful information about weather, gas prices and others as well. This system will be combined with the standard display audio system that offers HD radio (with iTunes), XM radio, iPod support and Bluetooth. Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| Posted: 11 Jan 2011 08:16 AM PST  Ford Vertrek Concept Although having a quick look at the Vertrek Concept will make you say that the design is inspired by mixing the Focus with the Kuga, it does look very good in my humble opinion and it is definitely a step forward regarding the design of the CUVs made by the company. Ford's Vertrek Concept which debuted at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show is the preview of the Blue Oval's next small crossover which will replace the Escape in North America and the odd-looking Kuga in Europe. The car you see in these pictures is equipped with a new generation of the 1.6-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine and comes with the gas-saving Start/Stop technology, making it very efficient. The design of the Vertrek wears the company's Kinetic design language which was first launched on the small Fiesta hatchback and later on implemented on the new generation of the five-door and sedan versions of the popular Focus models.  Ford Vertrek Concept According to the press release, 90% of the cars made by Ford will have an EcoBoost option by the year 2013 and this fuel-efficiency trend will expand on most of the manufacturer's lineup of cars. The EcoBoost technology can deliver a 20% gain in fuel economy while at the same time is capable of lowering CO2 emissions by up to 15%. The Auto Start/Stop function is capable of further lowering the CO2 emissions by another 5%, making the cars very eco-friendly. The company said in their press release that from the preliminary data they have gathered until now, a production car based on the Vertrek Concept would be at least 5% more aerodynamically efficient in comparison with the current Escape and Kuga models. On the company's new C-segment platform there will be at least 10 new models in the future and by 2012, the Blue Oval will sell about 2 million units, according to the estimates made by the company.  Ford Vertrek Concept Without any doubt, the Ford Vertrek Concept looks great but we highly doubt that the production model that will be derived from this one will have the same futuristic design. Post published on Rpmgo.com |
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