2010 Land Rover Discovery 4

The new Land Rover LR4 – the most capable Land Rover ever

• LR4 – new generation of Land Rover's versatile SUV, introducing a new engine, improved dynamics and fresh design
• Refined, efficient and powerful new LR-V8 5.0L direct injection gasoline engine
• Impressive 375 lb/ft torque and 375 bhp
• ULEV2 compliant
• On-road dynamics transformed by comprehensive chassis system developments and a new super-smooth 6-speed adaptive transmission
• Updates to Land Rover’s award-winning Terrain ResponseTM system reinforce class-leading all-terrain performance
• Fresh exterior design includes smoother new front end and revised lights, including LEDs
• All-new interior design delivers a more premium and functional five and optional seven-seat space
• User-friendly new features include available Surround Camera system, Gradient Release Control, Tow Assist, available Automatic High Beam Assist, and Keyless Entry, Push Button start.

The new, fourth generation of Land Rover's supremely versatile SUV gains a new name – Land Rover LR4 – to go with its powerful and highly efficient new LR-V8 engine, fresh exterior identity and more premium cabin. The class-leading breadth of capability is extended even further with dynamic improvements for both on-road and off-road driving, and Land Rover has added a battery of user-friendly new technologies and features.

Star billing on the LR4 goes to the highly efficient and refined new LR-V8 direct injection gasoline engine. This delivers 25% more power and 19% more torque than the previous 4.4-liter engine. The power and torque are both accessible across the entire rev range, to deliver immediate throttle response and effortless cruising ability, giving a 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds (0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds.)

© Source: seriouswheels
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New Ford Focus Styling

The Iosis MAX concept first shown at the Geneva auto salon is the first external clue as to the Ford’s global C-car—the nextgeneration Focus. Due for 2011, it will replace the two very different models currently sold in North America and Europe and provide the basis for Mazdas and Volvos,even though Ford has sold its equity stake in Mazda and might well be out of Volvo in the next year.

The Iosis MAX is a tallish hatchback. Ignore the insanely complex and expensive parallelogram-hinged door frippery, which is strictly concept; the car does provide some design clues. Its height is about halfway between the hatchback and the current C-Max, which sells in the very large compact minivan class in Europe. Ford insiders claim the Iosis MAX is neither a concept version of the next Focus nor the next C-Max. But the strong lower grille, with three horizontal bars, the graphics of the front and rear lights that stretch far along the sides of the car, and the rising beltline and tapering side glass DLO are all elements that will feature on the next Focus.

So too is the form of the body surfacing, which is less angular than on recent Euro-designed Fords such as the Fiesta. This is how Ford’s new-generation C-cars can share some design character with the U.S.-designed cars like the new Taurus. A key element of the new platform is powertrain adaptability.

The concept has a production-intent 180-horse, 1.6-liter four-cylinder Ecoboost engine. It features an idle-stop system with intelligent alternator (charges aggresively when coasting and minimally under acceleration) and mates to a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. Ford will progressively roll out this powertrain to replace its larger-displacement gasoline fourcylinder versions from 2010 and claims it will post a 20-percent economy improvement. Besides Ecoboost, the platform has been engineered for diesel, gasoline-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric powertrains.

© Source: motortrend
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Toyota Scion iQ Concept Tests

NEW YORK – Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.’s Scion brand unveils the iQ concept here, but the youth-oriented nameplate’s top executive says it would take at least a year to turn it into a production entry for the emerging micro-subcompact-car segment.

“This could drive off the stage,” Jack Hollis, vice-president-Scion, says of the concept model. “We are still looking at it from a concept standpoint. But we’d love to see Scion expand from the current three products, and this might be the way to go,” he tells Ward’s after the iQ concept’s introduction at the auto show here.

Scion iQ would represent a long-discussed fourth vehicle for the brand’s lineup, which now consists of the xD subcompact, boxy xB cross/utility vehicle and tC sport coupe. Toyota confirmed to Ward’s earlier this year the New York concept would be a new model and not replace an existing one.

While the Toyota iQ has been sold in Japan since November and in Europe since December, it would take the auto maker at least a year to homologate its emissions and crashworthiness to stricter U.S. standards.

“We’d have to do some extra engineering, but I would say we’ve a got a good starting point, Hollis says. “In Japan and Europe, (the iQ) is at five stars (crashworthiness).”

Toyota also must figure out how the iQ would fit into a segment that currently has just one other entry, Smart USA’s Fortwo. “With this concept, we think we’ve put some things in it that this segment is looking for,” Hollis says.
Scion iQ exterior design characterized by short overhangs, wheels-to-corners.

The 10-ft. (3-m) long iQ concept also experiments with a rear-seating area accommodating one adult and one child, or a pet or small package. The rear seats fold flat, and the rear-seat cushion includes a small storage space underneath.
Uniquely designed air-conditioning unit increases front-passenger roominess.

Hollis says a newly engineered, compact air-conditioning unit behind the center front console opens up front-passenger legroom. And instead of a glove box, the concept includes a detachable “glove bag.”

The iQ concept rides on a 79-in. (200-cm) wheelbase and measures 71.4 ins. (181.4 cm) wide. A set of 18-in. wheels barely squeeze into the wheel wells and are pushed to the very corners of the car for a surefooted look. The iQ concept also features nine airbags, including a first-ever rear-window curtain airbag.

Hollis expects a production-version of the iQ concept would achieve between 35-45 mpg (6.7-5.2 L/100 km), saying a closer approximation requires more research into possible powertrains Toyota might use. In Japan and Europe, the production iQ uses both 1.0L and 1.1L gasoline engines, as well as a diesel mill.

© Source: wardsauto
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Maserati Quattroporte race car

This Maserati Quattroporte race car will compete in the Superstars Series 2009 championship with driver Andrea Chiesa. The Maserati Quattroporte race car wears the colors of the "Swiss Team" which announces that will also enter a second car later in the season.

The Maserati Quattroporte race car is powered by the 4.2 liter V8 engine that delivers 450 hp to the rear wheels. The engine is coupled with a sequential gearbox. The Maserati Quattroporte race car has been made lighter than the standard version and weighs only 1.430 kg.

The aerodynamics of the Maserati Quattroporte race car are almost the same as the standard car with a few minor changes. According to regulations, the car sits on Pirelli tires.

© Source: zercustoms
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2010 Kia Forte coupe

Kia has announced its first-ever two-door coupe passenger car at the 2009 NYIAS. The Koup is part of the Forte range that replaces the Spectra model in the US. The new Forte sedan made its US debut at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. The Forte Koup's design is based on the KOUP Concept which was shown at the 2008 NYIAS.

Styling details of note include wrap-around headlights, the aggressive air intakes, dual tailpipes and a rear diffuser. Two trim levels on offer are the EX and SX. The EX is the standard Forte Koup and it arrives with features like a 2.0-litre 156hp (115kW) and 144 pound-feet engine with Continuously Variable Valve Timing, a 5-speed manual or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The higher-spec SX has a 2.4-litre straight-four motor with 173hp (127kW) and 168 pound-feet of torque. It returns 22mpg in city driving and 32mpg under highway conditions when mated to the 6-speed manual.

Kia says the body achieves high torsional stiffness which is good news for those looking for more than just straight line speed. More good news for the feisty driver is that the suspension system is sport-tuned to give a firmer ride. To balance performance with safety the FWD Koup has ABS brakes, electronic stability control and more than four airbags.

Some of the creature comforts listed are Bluetooth connectivity, iPod and USB auxiliary inputs, a standard six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system and steering-wheel mounted audio controls. SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities are part of the music player and come with a free three-month subscription to the service.

© Source: worldcarfans
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2010 Mercedes Benz S-Class

In the 2010 S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has improved the renowned safety level even further with a unique combination of innovative camera and radar-based driver assistance systems. These include Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and the PRE-SAFE® brake system linked to the proximity regulating radar, which intervenes autonomously before an impending rear-end collision and acts like an invisible crumple zone. Other innovations in the 2010 S-Class include the ATTENTION ASSIST driver drowsiness monitor and Active Body Control with automatic crosswind stabilization.

The new S400 HYBRID is also celebrating its debut. As the first series-production Mercedes-Benz passenger car with hybrid drive, this S-Class model is the world's most economical luxury car with a gasoline engine. Its estimated combined fuel consumption of 29 miles per gallon sets a new worldwide benchmark in this vehicle segment. The new hybrid model combines a low fuel consumption and a high level of environmental compatibility with superior performance: the internal combustion engine and the hybrid module develop a combined output of 295 hp, and a combined maximum torque of 284 lb-ft. (The electric motor contributes 20 hp and 118 lb-ft to the powertrain).

With 270,000 units sold world-wide since its launch, the W 221-series S-Class is the world's most successful luxury sedan, and seamlessly continues the success story of the flagship model in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Since 1951, when the model 220 began the direct lineage of the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has delivered around 3.3 million passenger cars from this model series to customers.

The U.S. line-up includes the S400 HYBRID, the 382-hp V8-powered S550 and all-wheel-drive S550 4MATIC as well as the high-performance 518-hp S63 AMG. V12 offerings include the 510-hp S600 and the top-of-the-line 604-hp S65 AMG. The 2010 S-Class will be in U.S. showrooms beginning in August.

An absolutely unique combination of ultra-modern assistance and protection systems is available for the 2010 S-Class. Many of these systems are also available for the new E-Class, which debuts this summer. The new assistance systems turn the models in the E and S-Class into "intelligent" partners for their driver. The car is able to "see", "feel", respond reflexively and act autonomously to prevent accidents or mitigate their effects. Mercedes-Benz also uses cameras in these systems - these are able to look well ahead, monitor the car's surroundings and interpret typically critical situations. One example is the optional Adaptive Highbeam Assist. This system recognizes oncoming or leading vehicles and then controls the headlamps to ensure the best possible beam range without dazzling other drivers on the road.

The Sindelfingen-based engineers have also developed Night View Assist further – Night View Assist PLUS is equipped with a special pedestrian detection function: as soon as the system detects pedestrians ahead of the car, they are highlighted on the display to make it easier for the driver to see them.

© Source: blogs.automotive
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2009 MTM Audi R8 in Porsche Green

(from MTM Press Release) Nothing off the peg: MTM individual makes the Audi R8 unique

-- New programme at MTM fulfils every customer wish
-- Motoren Technik Mayer paints the Audi R8 in original GT3 Porsche green colour
-- Compressor modification increases the performance by a third to 560 hp (418 kW)
-- Aerodynamics kit made of carbon fibre pushes the super sports car on the tarmac
-- Forged wheels MTM Bimoto in 9x20 and 11x20 inches
-- Height-adjustable chassis springs for Magnetic Ride System and serial dampers

Customers who want to avoid that their neighbours suddenly shows up with the same car, are now given a guarantee by MTM that this will certainly not happen. The new programme MTM individual meets all customer wishes and creates a unique automobile. Therefore, MTM allows an individualisation of the car, as far as the ideas of the customer reach. Nothing can top this exclusivity. Motoren Technik Mayer (MTM) now shows what the individualisation programme offers. Following customer requirements, the automobile manufacturer from the Upper Bavarian town Wettstetten has modified the Audi R8 to such an extent that a unique sports machine has been created and there is no second car like that.

The most striking novelty of the middle-engine super sports car with the aluminium body is the garish green paint. “Porsche 2D8“ is the exact name of this brash colour which became famous on the Porsche GT3. With this work, MTM confirms its love for details. As apart from the large-scale paint of the aluminium body, the internationally successful car refiner also painted areas in the engine compartment and has left further accents all over the car. Therefore, not only the colouring is unique, but also the manufacture.

On all four black brake callipers and on the black fuel cap, there is a green “R8” nameplate. The ultra-light MTM Bimoto light alloy wheels measuring 9x20 and 11x20 inches in glossy black, show the green nameplate “MTM forged” on one spoke per wheel and therefore refer to the high-quality forged technology of the rim. In the interior, the exciting car colour repeats at the seams of the suede MTM steering wheel and the “Quattro” nameplate on the glove department flap. Also, the “R8” logo on the gear-shift shines in green.

But the striking colour does not reduce MTMґs own stylishness. Therefore, Motoren Technik Mayer sticks to the characteristic two-colour paint which is typical for the Audi R8. Behind the doors an area measuring 12 inches and painted in glossy black renders a contrast and gives the car a distinctive R8-appearance.

And MTM would not be MTM when they settled with a new paint. Therefore, they also offer a significant performance enhancement. The especially developed compressor technology which made MTM famous all over the world, propels the performance of the V8-engine with 4.2 litres cubic capacity from 420 hp (313 kW) by a third up to breathtaking 560 hp (418 kW). Also the maximum torque increases by 34 percent from 430 to 580 Newton metres. MTM also offers this enormous power improvement for the Audi R8 with the V10-engine. By exchanging the motor electronics, the performance of the latter then increases from 520 hp (388 kW) to 560 hp (418 kW) as well.

© Source: seriouswheels
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