2011 electric car incentive details released (UK)

The first details of 2011’s £5k electric car allowance have been released by the Government. Subject to approval from the European Commission, the grant will be available from January 2011 and will fund 25% of the purchase price of a new electric car – up to a maximum of £5,000.

The contribution will be available for fully electric cars, such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the 2011 Nissan Leaf, plug-in electric hybrids such as the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera and hydrogen fuel-cell cars like the Honda FCV.

Anyone wanting to claim the grant, will have to buy a car that meets the following criteria:

• It must be a car – not quad bike-based vehicles such as the G-Wiz.

• Emit a maximum of 75g/km of CO2 if it's a plug-in hybrid

• Have a minimum range of 70 miles as an electric-only vehicle

• Have a minimum battery-powered range of 10 miles if a plug-in hybrid

• Have a three-year or 75,000-mile warranty

• Have a three-year warranty on the battery or a five-year warranty if requested by the customer (presumably at extra cost, although this has not been clarified)

• It must retain ‘a reasonable degree of performance after a three-year period of normal use’. Further definition of this is not given.

As with the scrappage scheme, the discount will be applied at the point of sale, so car buyers won’t have to pay the full amount first and then claim the money back. There is no limit to the number of cars you can buy to receive the cash, and the scheme is open to both private individuals and companies.

A total of £230 million is being put aside by the Government, which is enough for at least 46,000 cars. The scheme will run to 31st March 2014 at the latest and be reviewed after 12 months.

Every manufacturer is looking at electric cars, hybrids and fuel cells, either through in-house development or by collaborating with other companies. Here are some of the cars already here – or in advanced stages of development.

Mercedes-Benz Recalls 85,000 Cars for Steering Trouble

Famous German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz recalls 85,000 of its 2010 and 2011 models having a steering problem that could make the vehicles difficult to control.

The recalled models are 2010 C-Class and 2010-2011 E-Class, told Mercedes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (USA) in a recent report.

"A connection fitting on the high-pressure power steering line might not be tight enough, allowing power-steering fluid to leak", says Mercedes. As a result, continues Mercedes, “Owners may not have sufficient control of the vehicle under circumstances such as parking where maximum power steering is required.” They added that the problem "could lead to a vehicle crash."

Mercedes said it learned of the problem from customer complaints. Its report to the safety agency did not say whether there had been any accidents.

In its report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mercedes described the recall as voluntary. But once an automaker identifies such a safety defect the law gives it no option but to recall the vehicle.

Tags:- Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz cars recall, Mercedes-Benz recall, Mercedes-Benz cars, Mercedes-Benz C Class recall, Mercedes-Benz E class recall, Mercedes-Benz complaints, Mercedes-Benz problems, Mercedes-Benz troubles, Mercedes-Benz troubleshooting, Mercedes-Benz steering problems, Mercedes-Benz news, Mercedes-Benz latest news, latest news, automobile news

Toyota Prius reaches a milestone (EU)

Toyota is rejoicing in selling its 200,000th Prius hybrid in Europe. The sedan hit the European market back in 2000, with sales reaching 100,000 in 2008. However, with the arrival of the Prius III, and a shift in buying trends towards cars which are apparently as greener, Toyota has sold a further 100,000 units in the last two years. In the U.S, the Prius hybrid has sold in excess of 680,000 units since its launch in 1997.

Over the Prius’ 10 years on sale, many enhancements to its Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain saw fuel consumption drop by more than 23% and CO2 emissions plummet by around 26%. This has been achieved despite power increasing by 30%.

The UK is the Prius’ largest European market with more than 1 in 5 sales in the UK. This year’s sales to date are at 6,579 units, almost equalling the 2009 figure in just six months.

Confirming the Prius’ presence as a mainstream model the world over, Toyota expects global sales to reach 2m by the Autumn of this year.

Mazda New Cars 2011

mazda cars

mazda cool cars

mazda cars 3

mazda cars

mazda cars great

mazda cars

mazda cars 4

mazda cars

mazda cars

NEW MAHINDRA BOLERO ATTITUDE SPECIFICATIONS AND EXCITING FEATURES

MAHINDRA BOLERO ATTITUDE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE	2498cc, CRDe
MAX. POWER	97Bhp @ 3800rpm
MAX. TORQUE	255Nm @ 1800rpm
BODY TYPE	SUV
SEGMENT	C Segment
FUEL TYPE	Diesel
SUSPENSION	IFS Coil Spring, Rigid Leaf Springs
TYRES	215/75 R 15
BRAKES	Front:- Disk Rear :- Drum
TRANSMISSION	5 - Speed, Manual
STEERING	Power
SEATING CAPACITY	2
GROUND CLEARANCE	200 mm
TANK CAPACITY	60 Liters
TOP SPEED	125 km/h
MILEAGE	Highway :- 14 km/L City :- 10km/L
PRICE	Rs. 11,75,000/-

Key Features of Mahindra Attitude:-

Exterior

• Body modified to convert a 5 door to a 2 door
• Halogen Projector Lamp
• Custom made headlamp bezel
• Modified front bumper
• Styled front grill
• Bumper mounted towing rings
• Auxiliary lamps mounted on rear roll cage
• Bonnet scoop
• Body claddings
• Wheel arches with allen head studs
• Alloy wheels
• Sideguards with checkered inset step ins
• Motorized ORVM
• Custom made driver and co-driver door glass
• Restyled "B" pillar bezel
• Bumper mounted lamps
• Rear towing hook
• Custom built rear bumper
• Custom made triple pipe rear roll cage in Stainless steel
• Modified tail lamp with bezel
• Jerry Cans on tail gate
• Twin exhausts
• Rear number plate bezel
• Stainless steel mesh inside grills & bezels
• Brake Caliper custom painting
• Rear auxiliary lamp connected to the reverse gear
• Roof marker lamps
• Body mounted Pick axe & spade
• Cargo cover in see through canopy
• Cargo bay mounted spare wheel behind driver
• Motorized antenna on tail gate

Interior

• Puddle lamps
• Reading lamp
• Roof lamps
• Moulded sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirror
• Motorized ORVM
• Interiors in a combo of black with orange
• Modified dash with round A/C vents with chrome rings
• Dash bezels in matt orange finish
• Door trims in black with orange tint
• Cargo bay treatment
• Color coded Instrument cluster in black & orange
• Ipod docking station – Harmenn Karden
• MP3 player with Bluetooth
• Black inner linings for all interior trims
• Custom made matts
• Black carpet
• Moulded Pillar claddings
• Motorized Sunroof assembly
• Xylo Driver & co-driver seats
• Leather upholstery in black with orange stitch

Tags:- Mahindra, Mahindra Bolero Attitude, Mahindra Bolero Attitude specifications, Mahindra Bolero Attitude technical specifications, Mahindra Bolero Attitude specs, Mahindra Bolero Attitude features, Mahindra Bolero Attitude details, Mahindra Bolero Attitude price, Mahindra Bolero Attitude mileage, Mahindra Bolero Attitude engine, Mahindra Bolero Attitude power, Mahindra Bolero Attitude topspeed, Mahindra Bolero Attitude pictures, Mahindra Bolero Attitude pics, Mahindra Bolero Attitude wallpapers, Mahindra Bolero Attitude stills, Mahindra Bolero Attitude photogallery

Toyota Auris will be built in the UK

Toyota has announced that the all-new Toyota Auris will be built in the UK at its vehicle manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire.

Production of the Auris, the new C-Segment hatchback for Toyota, will begin in the new year and will go on sale to customers across Europe from Spring 2007. UK sales will begin from 1st February, 2007.

Designed and built in Europe, Auris demonstrates Toyota’s commitment to its European production operations. The new hatchback will be built alongside the Avensis at Toyota Manufacturing UK and also alongside the Corolla Verso at Toyota’s plant in Adapazari, Turkey.

The European production locations were confirmed today as Auris made its debut at the Bologna Motor Show.

Designed at Toyota’s European Design Development centre, ED2, in the south of France, Auris will join the highly successful Toyota Yaris and Avensis in helping Toyota to achieve its revised European sales target of 1.2 million units per year by 2008.

Hein Van Gerwen, Managing Director, Toyota Manufacturing UK said: “Auris represents a major step forward for the Toyota brand in Europe and is a crucial vehicle in the competitive C-segment.

“The award of this new model is further recognition of the skill and commitment of all our employees. We will now ensure that every Auris customer receives a superior quality vehicle they can be truly proud to own.”

The Rt. Hon Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, welcomed the announcement. He said: "This commitment is excellent news for the workforce and another show of confidence in the British car industry. It shows that the UK is a good place to invest and to manufacture."

Auris embodies the way forward for Toyota in Europe.

Breaking the mould of current C-segment hatchback design, it has an original and distinctive shape that is ‘short and tall’. Short because it maintains an overall length typical to this segment; tall to maximise interior space and passenger comfort.

Auris sets a new standard for interior design: stylish, spacious and sophisticated. The ‘inside-out’ approach to the interior design means the car has been created around the driver to maximise interior space. The styling with unique design elements, such as the bridged centre console, creates a bold and distinctive environment.

The four grade model line-up will appeal to a broad spectrum of customers. From its launch, Auris will offer plenty of choice: three-door or five-door models with a range of engine and transmission options.

Protoscar Lampo Electric Concept Car

Protoscar Lampo Electric Concept Car

The Lampo electric roadster is the latest creation of Swiss design firm Protoscar and it is a preview of the upcoming production due next year.

Lampo features a twin-motor design and an output of 268hp (199kW) and 440Nm of torque. This design allows one motor to power each axle, which provides four-wheel-drive capability. A 32kWh battery gives the vehicle a claimed range of over 120mi (200km) and using a typical 240V and 10-16amp European household power outlet charge times should take no longer than 12 hours.

This may be a little too long for practical use but the Lampo also features an intelligent charging system that lets the user select the key criteria for performance: shortest charging time, maximum charge yield, and the desired total level of charge to be attained in a given time period. In this way, the batteries can be charged very quickly but the driving range will be shortened significantly.

Designed to seat two, the Lampo will accelerate from 0-100km/h in five seconds flat and reach a top speed of 200km/h. It relies on lithium-ion batteries to draw its power, which alone weighs more than 140kg, and under its carbon-fiber composite bodywork is a full tubular steel chassis measuring 4,315mm in length.

Protoscar is a small firm based in Rovio, Switzerland, and employs only 14 staff. The company currently specializes in the design of environmentally-friendly vehicles, and has worked with Daimler, General Motors, Nissan and Rinspeed in the past.

Protoscar Lampo Electric Concept Car