Black Modification of Toyota Swift is Cool

2010 Jaguar XJ Picture

2010 Jaguar XJ Sport Car

2010 Jaguar XJ Wallpaper

2010 Jaguar XJ Interior

2010 Jaguar XJ

2010 Jaguar XJ Picture

this is a luxury of Jaguar XJ Picture in 2010

Hydrogen fuel cell buses trial set for China’s streets

A team of researchers aims to educate people about the possibilities of hydrogen as a fuel by demonstrating the efficiency of fuel cells in two public transport buses that will operate in China’s North East. The University of Sunderland, UK, has joined forces with Shanghai’s Shen Li High Technology and local experts ComeSys Europe and AVID sustainable vehicles from Cramlington (Northumberland, England) to create ECO2Trans - the region’s first petrol-free passenger buses that will run on a fuel cell, battery and capacitor combination.

UK Regional Development Agency One North East has sponsored the £314,000 (US$525,000 approx.) project to convert the two Gulliver U500EUK buses bought from Mersey Travel in England, using expertise from leading edge companies in China, Germany and the UK.

Sunderland’s team is led by Dirk Kok and Adrian Morris from the Institute of Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP), who last year successfully adapted a Nissan Almera to run on hydrogen so that it only emits water from its exhaust.

The University of Sunderland is also looking to develop the next generation of engineers and technicians to put it at the forefront of green vehicle development.

“The visitors from Shen Li were here to help us understand the fuel cell operation, train us in its use and to help mount the fuel cell in the buses. Now, we want to get one fully driving, and one will be completely revamped with a new motor and new electrics,” says Kok.

“These vehicles will act as a test bed to evaluate novel hydrogen technologies in vehicles and will enhance the region’s status as an important automotive research and development center,” Kok says.

Peugeot Electric Scooter, E-Vivacity

Peugeot released an electric version of the scooter, called the E-Vivacity. Electric model is, at least, analogous to 50 cm3 petrol scooter. Peugeot E-Vivacity is equipped with a lithium-cobalt battery capacity of about 4 000 watts, allows scooters on a single charge to overcome the 80 … 100 km.



The electric motor is capable of independently recharged during braking.

Under the driver’s seat has a board cable, with which you can recharge the batteries through an ordinary electrical outlet (230 V). Full charge the battery takes about four hours.

Specifications - synchronous motor with air cooling (equivalent to 50ss), the battery weight - 25kg., Transmission - gear, 32 mm front fork, front brake - Disk 200 mm., Rear brakes - a disc of 190 mm., Dimensions 1910 x 680 x 1168 mm., height - 786 mm., weight - 115 kg.

Honda PCX Will be Introduced to Indonesian Market in 2010

Honda is going to present the new scooter with latest technology called PCX. Thailand is the first country which enjoy the Honda PCX and then will be spread through the ASEAN countries including Indonesia. Thai Honda Manufacturing (THM) have announced that they have been starting to produce this automatic bike on 14 September 09.

The engine of Honda PCX is 125 cc 4 cylinder with ECE 40 mode cycles feature. With the help of this technology, is capable of driving scooter as far as 50 km with a consumption of 1 liter of fuel only. Honda PCX will also equipped with idling stop system and combi brake.

Yamaha Bison

It has been discussed among Indonesian riders that Yamaha will launch a new 150 CC sport bike in 2010. They mentioned that it will beat Honda Mega Pro, Thunder 125, and may also Bajaj Pulsar 180. Well,… you have your own opinion. Let see this Yamaha FZ150 which guess to be the original Bison type. Before it brig to Indonesia, it will be launched India market firts.

The looks of the bike can be summed up in one word as ‘muscular’. While the YZF R15 poses a stylish and sporty outlook, FZ15 presents itself like a hunk. Like the R15, it has a mono suspension and a liquid cooled engine. Yamaha is trying to grab a bigger market share by diluting the Indonesian 2 wheel market with too many models.

Yamaha FZ15 (Bison) Specifications:

Displacement: 150cc Engine: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Maximum Power: 17bhp@8500rpm Maximum Torque: 15 Nm@7500rpm Gears: 6 Manual No. of Cylinders: 1 Valve Per Cylinder: 4 Cooling Type: Liquid Cooling Wheel Size: 80/90 & 100/80 mm with tubeless tires!
Yamaha Bison Detail Specs:

Engine

Engine type Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve
Displacement 153.0cm3
Bore & Stroke 58.0 × 57.9mm
Compression ratio 9.5:1
Maximum output 14PS / 7500 rpm
Maximum torque 14 N.m / 6000 rpm
Starting method Electric starter
Lubrication type Wet sump
Carburetor type BS26
Clutch type Constant mesh wet multiplate
Ignition type CDI
Primary/secondary reduction ratio 3.409 / 2.857
Transmission type Return type 5-speed

Chassis

Frame type Diamond
Suspension (front/rear) Telescopic / Monocross
Wheelbase 1,335mm
Brake type(front/rear) Hydraulic single disc / drum
Tire size (front/rear) 100/80-17 / 140/60-R17

Dimensions

Overall Length × Width × Height 1,975mm × 770mm × 1,045mm
Seat height 790mm
Wheelbase 1,335mm
Minimum ground clearance 160mm
Dry weight/Curb weight 126 kg / 137 kg
Fuel tank volume 12 liters
Engine oil volume 1.2 liters

Honda Release Wave110iAT, Automattic Cub Motorcyle

Honda Thailand is releasing new bike with have the same compact transmission CV-Matic to beat the Y.C.A.T from Yamaha. It looks like a usual cub bike, but actually it is an automatic bike that shifts like scooter do. Still using the Wave 110 engine I think, but now it featured with automatic transmission. Can provide the same power and durability like the normal manual sequential transmission like Honda Wave 110? No one have analyzed it.

P120 Fighter Combat

Alabama-based luxury bike manufacturer Confederate Motor Company has just unleashed its new P120 Fighter Combat motorcycle at the Quail Motorsports Gathering in Carmel, California. The bike features the company’s signature “pure and direct” form with an aircraft grade aluminum frame, extended swing-arm and futuristic design that is somewhat reminiscent of the Moto-Terminators.

Kia offers 7-Year/150,000 km warranty on all cars sold in Europe

Korean auto maker, Kia, has announced the longest fleet-wide warranty ever offered by a car manufacturer anywhere at any time. Kia announced a seven-year/150,000 km bumper-to-bumper, parts-and-labour warranty for all vehicles sold and registered in Europe from January 1, 2010.

2010 Yamaha VMax announced

The Yamaha V-Max is a motorcycle manufactured by Yamaha, which is known for its powerful V4 engine, shaft drive, and distinctive styling. While noted for its quick acceleration, it is often criticized for its poor cornering ability and soft suspension. Upon its release in 1985, the V-Max garnered instant critical acclaim and earned the title “Bike of the Year” from Cycle Guide. Sold both in Japan and abroad, the V-Max has been on the market with only minor modifications since the 1985 model year, making it one of the best-selling Japanese motorcycles of all time.

2010 Harley-Davidson 48

Harley-Davidson present new 2010 model motorcycle named Harley-Davidson 48 (HD-48). It has an Evolution 1200ss like engine, such as V-Twin, a completely new front suspension, wide and fat front tire, littered with rear suspension. Also, the bike boasts a low single seat, mirrors, mounted under the steering handles, and a very unusual tailpipes.

History Of Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a brand of car from DaimlerChrysler company (formerly known as Daimler-Benz), commonly known by the name Mercedes. Mercedes-Benz is the oldest car company in the world. Their cars have certain well-known high quality.

History

Origin of this company in the early 1880s, when Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz cars separately found in southern Germany. Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, who together found a four-stroke engine, worked together in Cannstatt (a town in the district of Stuttgart); Benz had his shop in Mannheim near Heidelberg. There is no record of the two inventors ever met.

In the early 1900s, Daimler cars built in Untertürkheim (also a city district of Stuttgart) are sold with success by the Austrian agent named Emil Jellinek, who supplied the car with the name of his daughter, Mercedes. (TRanslate from http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz)

Spoiler for Mercy 1886:

Spoiler for Mercy 1914-1923

Spoiler for Mercy 1930-1934:

Spoiler for Mercy 1934-1936:

Spoiler for Mercy 1952-1954:

Spoiler for Mercy 1983-1989

Spoiler for Mercy 1991-1996

Spoiler for Mercy 2006-2010

Mercy 2010

Discovery’s HD Theater outlines the start of WRC coverage for 2010

on February 8, 2010

Assuming for a moment that you won’t be watching any stages live, what could possibly be better than strapping into the living room recliner and watching World Rally Championship coverage here in the United States? How about watching that very same coverage in glorious high definition? You’re in luck, as Discovery’s HD Theater plans to air the entire 2010 season, the start of which is coming up fast.
The action will begin on Thursday, February 25th at 10 PM Eastern with the Rally Sweden event. Racing will continue on Friday and a follow-up episode will be aired the following Sunday night from 10-11 PM ET. The second race, the Corona Rally Mexico, will follow the same schedule from Thursday, March 18th through Sunday, March 21st.

In case you’re wondering, Ken Block will indeed be taking part in the 2010 Rally Sweden behind the wheel of his brand new Ford Focus RS, giving American viewers a hometown hero to pull for. Air dates for the remainder of the 2010 WRC season will be announced later.

Smart Car Roadster Coupe Fastback For Sale

Smart Roadster Coupe Fastback

Engine: 698
Body Type: Coupe
Color: Silver Pink
Mileage: 23000
Year: 2004 54

Cheap Cars Ferrari 2009 | Ferrari Information, Pictures, Specs and Reviews

Select a new Ferrari model for more detailed Ferrari information, images, specifications and reviews.

Ferrari 2009 430 is 2-door, 2-passenger luxury sports car, available in two trim, and the Scuderia Spider.

After the introduction, the Scuderia is equipped with a standard 4.3-liter, V8, 503-horsepower engine. Spider is equipped with a standard 4.3-liter, V8, 510-horsepower engine. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

2009 Scuderia is the remnants of 2008. Spider is the all-new for 2009.

Yamaha Rhino Review

Yamaha Rhino Review

New for 2008 Yamaha Rhino models:

• All the new 686cc engine puts out more power broadband. New four-valve head with 9.2:1 compression and forged pistons bumps power and efficiency.
• Electronic fuel injection ensures peak performance in almost all conditions and altitude, along with instantaneous cold starts.
• Tough, keeping the door rotomolded mud, water and dirt on the path where they are.
• New four-wheel disc brakes stopped providing unsurpassed power, and a new parking brake super comfortable.
• Cool, comfortable new steering wheel and new passenger grabbed the handle.
• Now with two cup holders for convenience larger creatures.
• New underhood tool-free air filter is a snap service.
• New Stainless Steel Exhaust with Spherical joints
• New front differential
• CV Joints bigger and As
• Bigger and Radiator Fan
• New Brake Pad Material - Reduces squeaks
• CVT filter has been redesigned
  

Contact Yamaha Rhino In The Event Of An Accident

Contact Yamaha Rhino In The Event Of An Accident

If you are injured in a Yamaha Rhino accident, please click here to contact a Lieff Cabraser attorney, or call toll free 1-800-541-7358 and ask to speak with Yamaha Rhino accident lawyer / attorney Fabrice Vincent.

We will promptly review your case at no cost or obligation on your part. We can assist you in recovering damages for pain and suffering you and your past and future medical expenses.

Custom Yamaha Rhino | Yamaha Rhino Modification Pink

Custom Yamaha Rhino | Yamaha Rhino Modification Pink

Yamaha Not Recognizing The Responsibility of Rhino Rollover Accident

Yamaha Not Recognizing The Responsibility of Rhino Rollover Accident

Even with the repair program announced in March 2009, Yamaha still has not admitted legal liability for people injured in Rhino rollover accidents. Only through the filing of a lawsuit against Yamaha Rhino injured drivers and passengers can get justice.

New Yamaha Rhino Owner's Manual

New Yamaha Rhino Owner's Manual

Yamaha also noted that in August 2007, a user manual for the Rhino 660 has been updated with new information related to the vehicle door. Read an excerpt from the security information provided by Yamaha in 2007 owners manual updated. For all copies of updated 2007 Rhino owner's manual.

Development At Rhino Yamaha

Development At Rhino Yamaha

Yamaha announces the development of doors and extra passenger handles for Rhino. The door is meant to prevent riders from sticking out arms or legs during rollover accidents. Yamaha offered to install these new safety features free of charge to all 2004-2007 Rhino owners, if Rhino was purchased new or used. Owner ordered to visit the Yamaha dealer for details.

In addition, Yamaha has issued a warning on the product label for the Rhino that recognizes the risk of rollover injuries and destroy the Rhino, even on flat open surfaces during quick maneuvers or tight turn

2011 Ford Focus Review and Prices

Ford is redesigning its compact car with a renewed focus on “whole-earth” appeal--in more ways than one. International style, high-efficiency powertrains, and green-tech engineering should make it a strong competitor from Boston to Beijing. A full-electric version could prove popular too, especially if gas prices go through the roof again.


What We Know About the 2011 Ford Focus


We know it’s a bit early to be talking about the 2011 (or will it be 2012?) Ford Focus. But we also know that a full redesign of this compact car is already underway, and we can make some educated inferences about it based on recent announcements by Ford executives, competitors’ likely moves, and general industry trends.

All Ford Focus Prices & Reviews

Prices & Reviews of All New Ford Sedans
Reviews of All New Ford Vehicles
For starters, the 2011 Ford Focus will be a true “world car,” sold around the globe with only relatively modest tailoring for local needs and tastes. The debut year-2000 Focus was a “world car” too. But where Europe and other overseas markets got a redesigned replacement in 2005, Ford kept the original “C1” design for North America as a cost-saving move. Though that seemed prudent at the time, it meant the model was bound to fall behind key competitors. Sure enough, most of them have been redesigned twice since the millennium turned, so the North American Focus now seems dated despite a 2005-model freshening and an even more-extensive redo for ’08.


Under the “One Ford” product strategy ordained by CEO Alan Mullaly, the next-generation Focus is being designed and engineered by Ford Europe, the company’s designated center for global small-car development. The aim is to trim upfront costs and boost manufacturing economies of scale with a single basic design that can be built and sold anywhere, rather than having disparate regional variations. That’s been the appeal of every world-car project since Ford’s own Model T, though only the original Volkswagen Beetle (and maybe the Toyota Corolla) has had similar global success.


Unlike today’s North American Focus, most of its overseas cousins use Ford’s newer C2 platform. So do the Mazda 3 and Volvo’s C30/S40/V50 compact cars. The replacement C3 architecture would presumably serve future versions of those models as well as the 2011 Ford Focus, but should be even more “scalable” to suit a wider range of vehicle types. That includes crossover SUVs and stylish compact people movers like Ford Europe’s popular Focus-based S-Max.

2011 Ford Focus Features
We expect the 2011 Ford Focus to be roomier than today’s car, as the C3 platform is likely to bring modest gains in width, height, and wheelbase. Overall length, however, will probably be unchanged or even slightly reduced. Because weight is the enemy of performance, fuel economy, and a car’s carbon footprint, we also see Ford paring pounds through greater use of aluminum, plastics, high-strength steel, and other lightweight materials--costly substitutions for this price class, but necessary in light of tough new U.S. fuel-economy standards and equally daunting Euro-zone caps on CO2 emissions.




Toward the same end, the 2011 Ford Focus should benefit from new high-efficiency front-wheel-drive powertrains that Dearborn is said to be working on. These involve a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and engines designed to do more with less. Dubbed PowerShift, Ford's new dual-clutch gearbox behaves much the same as a conventional automatic transmission. But the company says the dual-clutch transmission weighs less than a 4-speed auto, and helps increase fuel economy by about nine percent.


The U.S.-market Focus will get a clean-sheet 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing. Other gas-fueled engines are possible as well, and we also see the possibility of a “clean-diesel” counterpart and maybe even a 4-cylinder turbodiesel. The European Focus already offers thrifty “DuraTorq” diesel fours, but the upcoming engines would be even cleaner and thus 50-state legal. Nevertheless, a diesel-powered 2011 Ford Focus could well boast EPA-rated fuel economy of 40 mpg city and 50 highway--as indeed it will need to with the way fuel prices are going.

2011 Ford Focus Additional Features
We haven't heard any official word on a gas-electric hybrid version of the Focus, but Ford has confirmed that a full-electric version will go on sale in North America during 2011. A so-called Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV), the all-electric Focus is being developed in partnership with auto supplier Magna International and will be built in Michigan. Details are still sketchy, but Ford is suggesting a possible 100-mile range using a lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged through a 110-volt or 220-volt outlet.


As for styling, company designers are said to be collaborating on a new global Ford-brand look that reconciles Europe’s current “kinetic” motif with the “Bold American” theme exemplified by the Fusion midsize car and Edge crossover SUV. Based on the pre-production models Ford has shown, the 2011 Ford Focus will look something like a cross between the current Taurus and Fiesta with a smooth lozenge shape punctuated by crisp sheetmetal creases and a big trapezoidal grille. An optional "Titanium" trim level adds sporty interior trim that is a bold combination of leather and technical fabrics. It is a classy, complex look that reminds some of Puma or Nike athletic shoes or clothing and could help the new Focus stand out in a crowded market.


A Notable Feature of the 2011 Ford Focus


A good many Americans could be downsizing their rides in the coming years, but they won’t want to sacrifice safety or convenience features for higher mpg and lower emissions. Ford is well aware of this from decades of doing business in Europe, where feature-laden, tech-filled compact cars are strong sellers. We thus expect the 2011 Ford Focus to have more standard equipment and a longer option list than today’s U.S. models. It will still be a competitively priced mainstream compact, but luxury features should proliferate to ease any buyer pain associated with going small. For example, Ford's new My Ford Touch control system and an improved version of the popular Sync system will certainly be available on the next-generation Focus.
2011 Ford Focus Buying Advice
There’s little advice we can give this far out, other than repeating the old common sense mantra about scouting the field before you buy. The 2011 Ford Focus could be a new class trendsetter, much as the original was back in 2000. But you know competitive brands won’t be sitting on their hands, so Ford’s redesign will have to be very good just to be a contender.


2011 Ford Focus Release Date: Ford recently announced that 4- and 5-door versions of the new European Focus will start North American production in late 2010. So the 2011 Ford Focus should be out of the gate by spring of 2011.


2011 Ford Focus First Test Drive: Again, assuming all goes well--including model-year 2011 timing--media previews could be set for the fourth quarter of 2010.


2011 Ford Focus Prices: Inflation keeps making everything more expensive, so a Focus will certainly cost more in the next decade than it does now. How much more? That’s tough to predict so far in advance, but we’d guess prices will start around $17,000, about $3,000 above today’s minimum, and range into the mid-$20,000s with a hefty option load. The BEV version will probably cost even more than a loaded gas-powered Focus. If that sounds like a lot for a small Ford, keep in mind that the Focus arrived eight years ago starting just under $12,000.

2011 Ford Focus Preliminary Specifications

The 2011 Ford Focus will be available as a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback (shown).

The Basics

Vehicle Type: compact car


Drivetrain (CG estimates)


Drive wheels: front


Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder


Horsepower: 160


Torque: 160 lb-ft


Transmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic


Dimensions (CG estimates)


Wheelbase: 105.0 inches


Length: 174.0 inches


Width: 69.0 inches


Height: 58.5 inches


Base curb weight: 2,450 pounds


For more inside information on hundreds of new cars of today and tomorrow, check out:



C­onsumer Guide New Car Reviews and Prices: Road test results, photos, specifications, and prices for hundreds of new cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs from the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide.
Ford: Read Consumer Guide's full reports, including ratings, prices, specifications, and fuel economy.
Compact cars: The 2011 Ford Focus will compete in the compact car class. Here's Consumer Guide's roundup of all the compact cars on sale today.
2010 Consumer Guide Best Buy and Recommended Award Winners:
Check out which cars won our Best Buy and Recommended awards for 2010.
Future Cars: Step into the automotive showroom of tomorrow with reviews, analysis, pictures, prices, and preliminary specifications on scores of vehicles that will be appearing next year and beyond.

2011 Nissan Leaf Review and Prices

Nissan released preliminary Leaf details at an early-August 2009 press conference that also inaugurated the company's new Yokohama headquarters building, which is designed to be just as green in its way as the new EV. Nissan did not reveal how much it's spent on the Leaf so far. Nor has it disclosed projected U.S. sales or vehicle price, likely because it doesn't have those answers yet. However, the company says Leaf should cost about the same as a conventional gas-engine compact car and have lower monthly running costs. More on those points in the "Notable Feature" section.

Compare Other Compact Cars

2010 Toyota Prius Pictures

2010 Nissan Versa Pictures
2010 Honda Insight Pictures


The 2011 Nissan Leaf employs a unique architecture designed to accommodate the specifically engineered electric powertrain. Leaf is a bit longer and wider than Nissan's Versa compact car, but looks very similar, which is deliberate. As Nissan design chief Shino Nakamura told Britain's Autocar magazine, "We wanted this car to be distinctive and recognizable as a Nissan, but not too 'out there.' It should look like a normal, familiar [vehicle], even if it won't drive like one."

Nevertheless, the 2011 Nissan Leaf does have sophisticated styling subtleties. The large sweptback headlamps, for example, are raised above the hoodline and shaped so as to channel airflow around the door mirrors. The aim is reduced wind noise and air drag, the latter to help maximize driving range. Yet like the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, and other gas/electric hybrids, the Leaf has plenty of "green car" visual cues. These include blue-tinted LED headlamps, which have the added advantage of using half the electricity of conventional lights; an aero-functional spoiler above the rear window; "Zero Emissions" logos front, side, and rear; and a pug-like nose with a prominent central flap concealing the electric plug-in port.

In addition, we gather that the 2011 Nissan Leaf will initially come only in "Aqua Globe" blue, an "environmentally friendly" color that carries through inside. (Blue is the new green for planet-friendly cars.) The interior also sports Honda-style bi-level instrumentation, with a digital speedometer above a multi-function graphic display, and a central infotainment screen for an apparently standard navigation system. However, the Leaf's navigation map can also show recharging stations and "distance to empty" within range of a destination so drivers won't be caught with nowhere to plug in.

Speaking of which, the 2011 Nissan Leaf uses advanced lithium-ion batteries, actually a set of 48 modules weighing nearly 600 pounds and mounted beneath the cabin floor. The batteries power an AC motor with a rated 108 horsepower, about the same as the Versa's base 1.6-liter gasoline 4-cylinder engine, and 208 lb-ft of torque that approaches the twist output of 3.0-liter gas engines. Typical of small EVs, drive is to the front wheels through a single-speed reduction gearbox.

2011 Nissan Leaf Features
The 2011 Nissan Leaf was designed to be "distinctive and recognizable as a Nissan," and so resembles the company's Versa compact car. The 2011 Nissan Leaf is claimed to do 0-60 mph in just under 10 seconds and travel about 100 miles between charges. Nissan says that operating range "satisfies the daily driving requirements of 70 percent of the world's consumers who drive cars." Assuming the claimed acceleration proves out, the Leaf should be more than adequate for city-suburban use, especially for those drivers who can plug in at work.

On that subject, the Leaf includes an onboard 50kW DC "quick charger" that allegedly juices the batteries to 80-percent capacity in less than 30 minutes. Charging from a standard 110-volt household plug takes a long 16 hours, but using 200-volt service trims that to a more reasonable eight hours. Nissan believes many owners will "refuel" overnight to take advantage of lower off-peak electricity rates. Like many gas/electric hybrid vehicles, the Leaf also has a regenerative braking function to charge the batteries while driving.

Though chassis details and available features have yet to be released, the 2011 Nissan Leaf should follow conventional compact-car wisdom. That likely means a strut-type front suspension; a simple low-cost, weight-saving twist-beam rear axle; antilock brakes with electrohydraulic booster; and rack-and-pinion steering with full-electric assist. Front and curtain side airbags should be standard. Ditto 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels wearing low-rolling-resistance tires (possibly run-flats, again to save weight). We'd also look for standard electrically operated air conditioning and power windows, locks, and mirrors, as well as the above-mentioned navigation system.

On paper at least, the 2011 Nissan Leaf looks to be a thoughtfully designed, thoroughly engineered family EV that should be easy on the wallet, kind to Mother Earth, and as practical as any conventional compact car, at least for routine errand-running and shorter trips. Add in the near-term introduction, and Nissan could well be the new leader in the green-car sweepstakes.

A Notable Feature of the 2011 Nissan Leaf

The 2011 Nissan Leaf shares a nifty convenience with a much-costlier upcoming EV, the $50,000 premium midsize 2012 Tesla Model S sedan. It's a charging-system timer that allows owners to pre-program charging sessions and to turn on the climate system before driving so the interior is just the right temperature. What's more, the Leaf system includes a link that allows remote programming from your cell phone and sends e-mail alerts when recharging is complete. It can even keep tabs on your monthly electric bill. Talk about being connected.

But here's the truly unique aspect of the 2011 Nissan Leaf. This will be the only retail-market EV we know of where buyers will lease the battery pack instead of paying for it up front. As a company spokesperson explained to Autocar, "We believe that's the right strategy, because that way Nissan remains responsible for the longevity and recycling of the batteries, not the customer. Building the battery in with the car would also add at least [$7,200] to the [purchase] price; the battery lease should cost less than [$120] a month," which Nissan reckons will be less than a month's worth of gasoline for most owners. Moreover, the Leaf battery pack is less expensive to begin with, or so Nissan claims, thanks to positive electrodes made of manganese instead of cobalt or nickel. This proprietary chemistry is the result of corporate battery research that's been going on since 1992.

2011 Nissan Leaf Buying Advice

The 2011 Nissan Leaf has gauges mounted in a two-tier dashboard setup just ahead of the steering wheel. Most automakers are putting their green-car bets on gasoline/electric hybrids of one type or another. That includes General Motors with its 2011 Chevrolet Volt, which is designed to run mostly on battery power but carries a gasoline engine as an onboard generator to extend driving range (up to 620 miles, GM says). By contrast, the 2011 Nissan Leaf runs solely on battery power and is thus a true zero-emissions vehicle--not counting greenhouse gases or other pollution produced by power companies. We mention this distinction because it undoubtedly matters to some buyers.

Like most other EVs, the 2011 Nissan Leaf has fewer components than a fossil-fuel car, which implies relatively lower maintenance costs, higher reliability, and perhaps greater durability. In addition, the Leaf is expected to qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit on new EV purchases, thus making the car even more affordable.

The 2011 Nissan Leaf won't have much direct competition, as only a handful of "pure" EVs are due in showrooms over the next few years. Chrysler has promised an electric of some kind in 2011-12. Ford plans to sell an electric version of its new Transit Connect compact van in 2010, followed by a battery-powered Focus compact car. The one other mainstream-priced electric on the horizon is the 2011 Coda EV, but that Sino-American midsize sedan is expected to run $37,500 with the tax credit applied and will be sold only in California at first. So, although the Leaf may not be the first consumer EV on the market, it may well have the biggest impact in terms of affordability and thus sales.

Incidentally, the Leaf and its batteries will be initially sourced from Japan, but Nissan says it is planning "additional capacity" for its U.S. plant in Smyrna, Tennessee. And in fact, the company recently received a $1.6 billion low-interest federal loan precisely for that purpose. Nissan also plans to build Leaf in several other countries. As always, localized production makes good sense in the auto business, because it helps get around unfavorable changes in currency values, which can adversely affect pricing, and it tends to shorten delivery times to dealers and customers, both vital factors in a highly competitive global economy.

2011 Nissan Leaf Release Date: As noted, the Leaf will start U.S. sale toward the end of calendar 2010 as a 2011 addition to the Nissan lineup.

2011 Nissan Leaf First Test Drive: The above timing suggests U.S. media previews could be held in the summer or early fall of 2010.

2011 Nissan Leaf Prices: There's nothing official yet, but a company press release says the 2011 Nissan Leaf will "be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle." That means compact cars including Nissan's own Versa and Sentra, the new Chevrolet Cruze and redesigned Ford Focus due for 2011, plus Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda 3, and Toyota Corolla. But with the likely steep cost of Leaf's electric drive, it's no surprise that one source is estimating a base price at around $30,000, which is pretty rich for a compact car. Will enough buyers look past that so the Leaf turns a profit? For Nissan, of course, that is a multibillion-dollar question.

2012 Audi e-tron Review and Prices

Despite recent technical advances, batteries are still pretty darn heavy and thus an obstacle to making EVs as weight-efficient as conventional cars. The 2012 Audi e-tron concept proves the point. For all the expensive pound-paring measures, it tips the scales at a fairly hefty 3,527 pounds, of which the batteries account for nearly a third. This helps explain why Audi put the batteries amidships. The resulting front/rear weight distribution works out to 42/58 percent, appropriate for a “mid-engine” sports car and on par with R8 ratios. The electric all-wheel drive is biased to suit, providing a normal power split of 30 percent front, 70 percent rear, and theoretically capable of sending all power to any one wheel, though Audi hasn’t yet spoken on that point.

Again like the concept, the production 2012 Audi e-tron should come with an “active-aerodynamics” package to further maximize efficiency and extend driving range. The term refers to a set of inner-body flaps and ducts arranged to smooth airflow over, under, around, and even through the car to reduce power-wasting air drag, especially at highway speeds. The concept does without a rear spoiler or other obvious “aero”-styling features, but designers have replaced conventional door mirrors with slim pods containing small rearview TV cameras that display on screens at the base of each windshield pillar inside. Audi hasn’t yet made aerodynamic claims, but we’d guess a low drag coefficient of 0.29 or better, judging from the smoothly contoured body lines.

The Competition

Mercedes-Benz SLK Class EV

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG EV
Tesla Roadster

Also for efficiency’s sake, the 2012 Audi e-tron should inherit the concept’s low-power LED exterior lighting, something Audi has lately helped pioneer on production cars. The e-tron setup goes a step further in being able to vary headlight intensity, as signaled by a computer-linked camera, to match weather and traffic conditions; this also eliminates the need for separate fog lamps. Of course, the headlights are steering-linked. Still, Audi designers couldn’t resist a little visual brag, so the concept’s big “single-frame” grille is filled with LEDs that glow ice blue at night to make a positive, can’t-miss “environmental-impact statement.” We suspect this, too, will carry over to the production model.

The 2012 Audi e-tron should also inherit the concept’s ultra-clean, post-modern cockpit design with a dashboard, center console, and door panels that are styled and color-contrasted for a “floating” appearance. Drivers face a simple gauge cluster with a large, round speedometer and energy-use dials flanking a good-size screen for displaying navigation, climate, and infotainment info, as well as trip and traffic data. The screen is integrated with a new version of Audi’s MMI infotainment controller that retains a rotary knob and several buttons on the console, but is otherwise operated from the steering wheel by a smart phone-inspired touch pad. The gear selector is a wide paddle that rises into position on pushing the nearby “vehicle start” button, rather like the rotary shift knob on current Jaguars. This being an electric, the selector has but three positions: Drive (Forward), Neutral, and Reverse. A button directly below it operates an electronically actuated parking brake.

We’d expect the 2012 Audi e-tron will post excellent crash-test results, as engineers were doubtless mindful of the need to prevent impact forces from moving the high-voltage electrical components too close to occupants. A full set of airbags can be taken for granted. Other standard features are unclear at this early stage, but Audi’s new technical showcase will doubtless be very hard to get and very expensive, so it won’t lack for much, if anything. That should mean items like front- and rear-obstacle detection, rearview camera, and a mega-watt audio system (though that’s arguably less necessary in a near-silent EV). One final piece of equipment is a real gee-whizzer, but we’ll save that for “Notable Feature” below.

So what can you expect of the 2012 Audi e-tron once it hits the road? Plenty. Audi says the concept would do 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.8 seconds “if necessary” and run a 37-75 mph sprint in just 4.1 seconds. Top speed is limited to a shade over 124 mph. Project Chief Krauter told Autocar that the e-tron will reach 160 mph, “but traveling at those speeds takes too much power out of the battery too quickly,” and that’s evidently a no-no for consumer EVs. Fuel economy? Audi isn’t quoting a miles-per-gallon equivalent, doubtless because the final product will have different calculations from the concept’s. The company does, however, claim a maximum driving range of 152 miles between charges, which is pretty good by current EV standards.

First reports from Frankfurt indicated that Audi was hesitating about a showroom e-tron because the concept apparently missed engineers’ targets for range, performance, and durability. The subsequent change of heart suggests either Audi believes it can meet those targets over the next three years--or that management just doesn’t want BMW, Mercedes, or any other premium brand to be first with an upmarket retail EV.

So yes, the parade down Electric Avenue has become a race for bragging rights and extra sales. It will be great fun to watch.

A Notable Feature of the 2012 Audi e-tron

Just as cell-phone technology now allows most any two people on earth to be connected, government planners, highway engineers, and traffic-safety experts are working toward the day when cars can communicate with each other as well as with satellites and ground stations. Audi calls this “car-to-x communication,” and touts a prototype for such a system as a special feature of the e-tron concept. No details are given, but the ultimate goal is a kind of rolling data network with all vehicles uploading and downloading information in real-time. Audi sees all this data being harnessed to reduce traffic congestion in crowded urban areas (via rerouting and “smart” traffic-light timing); to alert drivers on changing weather and traffic conditions, as well as the movements of vehicles nearby; even to help locate empty parking places. More crucially, such a network could help EV drivers locate the charging stations and battery swap-out facilities that are in the works as a necessary part of a supporting electric-vehicle infrastructure.

Engineers and various dreamers have talked about something like this for decades, and a few small-scale traffic-management systems have been operating in Europe and Japan for several years, though they rely on satellite signals and lack car-to-car capability. Still, “car-to-x” is rapidly becoming feasible, thanks to more-powerful computers and ever-lower hardware costs. Mind you, it’s still a good ways off, as Audi admits, but the company notes that “nearly every car maker in Europe, the U.S., and Japan have decided to develop a common standard for hardware and software. Once all new cars are equipped with this technology, a functional network of automotive transmitters will soon be available, at least in large population centers.” Nice though, but we may need another “cash for clunkers” program to pay for it.


2012 Audi e-tron Buying Advice


The 2012 Audi e-tron has no outside mirrors. Instead, screens on the base of each windshield pillar provide rear views. The e-tron Concept is shown here.

There’s little advice to give right now except to wait and see how good the finished product really is. As noted, the 2012 Audi e-tron concept looked virtually ready for production, so we suspect a little tweaking here and there is all Audi engineers have left to do. On the other hand, making batteries stronger (to extend driving range) is never easy, and we can see Audi accountants working overtime to ensure the e-tron will turn a profit, or at least not lose any money.

If nothing else, the 2012 Audi e-tron should spark up the high-end sports-car scene, especially if it arrives before battery-powered entries from BMW, Mercedes, and maybe others. Only one such car is currently on sale and that’s the $109,000 Tesla Roadster, which is assembled mostly by Lotus in England with an American-designed powertrain, and which has been hard to get for reasons that have little to do with Lotus or the car itself.

2012 Audi e-tron Release Date: There’s nothing official yet, only word from Audi of America Chief Johan de Nysschen that the e-tron will be on sale within three years. Various outside sources suggest the car will bow as a 2012 model, though it could be an ’11 or ’13, depending on how things go.

2012 Audi e-tron First Test Drive: Assuming Audi can stick to the intended schedule, we’d look for a series of ride-and-drive previews, perhaps starting in late 2010, to build up interest and keep e-tron in the news until the first customer cars are delivered.

2012 Audi e-tron Prices: With the new V10-engine R8 5.2 starting at $146,000, the 2012 Audi e-tron will certainly price a good deal higher. It does, after all, employ similar aluminum-space frame construction, plus carbon-fiber body panels and a half-ton of Li-ion batteries, none of which come cheap. So how much might it cost? We can only guess at this point, but $200,000 isn’t out of the question, especially as this car would probably be built largely by hand and marketed as a green-technology flagship available to a monied few with an environmental conscience. But the rest of us needn’t despair. As we see it, the e-tron is really a testbed for EV-production methods and real-world owner experience that will pave the way for more-affordable all-electric Audis later in the coming decade.
2012 Audi e-tron Preliminary Specifications


The 2012 Audi e-tron may cost about $200,000. The e-tron Concept is shown here.

The Basics

Vehicle Type: premium sporty/performance car

Drivetrain (concept; manufacturer data)

Drive wheels: all

Engine: 4 asynchronous electric motors (2 front, 2 rear) with 42.4 kw/h lithium-ion battery pack

Horsepower: 313

Torque: 3,319 lb-ft

Transmission: 2 single-speed reduction gearboxes

Dimensions (concept; manufacturer data)

Wheelbase: 102.4 inches

Length: 167.8 inches

Width: 74.8 inches

Height: 48.4 inches

Base curb weight: 3,527 pounds

For more inside information on hundreds of new cars of today and tomorrow, check out:

2010 Audi R8 Review and Prices

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2012 Cadillac Converj Review and Prices

The concept featured an all-glass solar-cell roof to help power accessories and--because this is a hybrid--electro-hydraulic brakes and steering. It's one of several showcar gizmos that might nevertheless carry into showrooms. So, too, other futuristic features detailed in "Notable Feature" below.

The 2012 Cadillac Converj should also mimic the concept in wearing Cadillac's signature "Art & Science" styling tailored to decidedly cab-forward proportions. It's reminiscent of the 2002 Cadillac Cien showcar, and got generally good reviews at Detroit. The angular theme carries to the interior, which is all V-shapes and triangles save flowing, gently indented door panels and curvy door-pulls spilling down from the upper dash rail.


Beneath the concept's Stealth-fighter looks lies the same basic chassis developed for the Chevy Volt. That means the 2012 Cadillac Converj will have a strut-type front suspension, a simple twist-beam rear axle and four coil springs. It should also get GM's "magnetic ride" auto-adjust shock absorbers, a premium feature apparently denied the Volt. Brakes are predictably four-wheel discs with ABS. Look for standard GM Stabilitrak antiskid system and traction control as upgrades over the Volt. We're less certain about the concept's 21-inch front wheels and 22-inch rears, all premium forged-aluminum rims, but don't be surprised if they also make production, at least as optional equipment. Tires should definitely be of the fuel-saving low-rolling-resistance type.

2012 Tesla Model S Review and Prices

When it's time to plug-in, owners can use 120-, 240- or 420-volt outlets, whichever is handy. There's also an onboard charger, so we assume the 2012 Tesla Model S includes a regenerative braking function for juicing the batteries while driving. The brakes themselves are Brembo-brand 4-wheel discs, presumably with ABS. A final factoid for you: The styling has a claimed drag coefficient of 0.26, a low number shared with the compact Toyota Prius hybrid and just as necessary here to minimize power-sapping air drag at highway speeds.





The 2012 Tesla Model S will be sold as a fully equipped car with all the conveniences, a wood-and-leather interior, and a couple of novel items detailed below under "Notable Feature." But as with the $80,000 Fisker Karma extended-range hybrid sedan, due in 2010, initial Model S production--perhaps no more than 100 units--will be a collector-ready Signature Series version with one-time-only trim and colors. A Sport model is due later on. It reportedly does 0-60 in under 5 seconds, presumably via a larger electric motor, stronger batteries, or both. There will be few regular options, according to information on Tesla's website: The extended-range batteries, a full-length panoramic glass roof with opening panel, a power liftgate, and a "remote-vehicle-management" system for charging, personal seat and climate settings, and "data collection" (whatever that means).

From what we can tell, the 2012 Tesla Model S could be that rare car that appeals to gearheads, greenies and growing families all at the same time. It's certainly very much in line with Consumer Guide's notions for what 21st century cars should be: Clean, quiet, practical, environmentally benign, and reasonably affordable. If it proves to be as good in real life as it looks on paper--and however you feel about corporate rescues--the Model S would seem to justify lending Tesla some of our hard-earned tax dollars.

A Notable Feature of the 2012 Tesla Model S

Besides having a trunk at each end, including a wagon-like rear cargo hold, the 2012 Tesla Model S is the only sedan we know of with a 3rd-row seat. We haven't seen it in action, but it's said to be suitable for two pre-teens, which means it likely folds up from the rear-trunk floor to face forward. Another novelty, which we have seen, is the simple dashboard with a hooded electronic gauge cluster, rotary light switch, and a trio of steering-column stalks. Most everything else--including climate, navigation and infotainment functions--is controlled through a pair of centrally mounted touch-screens measuring no less than 17 inches, which is huge for a passenger car. The system is said to include an Internet link as well as the expected phone and music-player connectivity.

Yamaha Rhino Regulations to Reduce Number of Accidents

Yamaha Rhino Regulations to Reduce Number of Accidents

On September 11, 2006, Yamaha issued a letter to customers said:

• Driver and passenger "should always buckle the seat belt" when driving a vehicle
• Driver and passenger "should wear approved off-road motorcycle-type helmets that fit correctly"
• rotate too quickly or sharply increase the risk of tip over and
• If Rhino "from the tip, gradually leads the way down if there are no obstacles in your path. When you regain proper balance, gradually lead again in the direction you want to go; if you are in a situation where the vehicle is tipping over , do not put your arms or legs outside the vehicle to try to stop it. "
  

Report Issued on Citizen Safety Hazards Include Yamaha Rhino UTVs

Report Issued on Citizen Safety Hazards Include Yamaha Rhino UTVs

Group of advocates and victims report issued safety warnings about the security defects of some Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs), also called "Side-by-Side" vehicles, which cause increased death and injury toll of their users. The report calls for fundamental changes in the design of this rollover-prone vehicles off-road, with a special focus on the Yamaha Rhino, substantially improving their ability to protect passengers in rollovers

cool big motorcycles

2012 Buick Excelle Review and Prices

General Motors gives its weakest domestic brand a new compact sedan as another hoped-for sales booster. Excelle is a timely move, but can a gussied-up Chevrolet Cruze help Buick in such a rough-and-tumble market?

What We Know About the 2012 Buick Excelle

Buick will soon offer its first North American compact car since 1997. The move is part of a big shakeup that’s been going on at parent General Motors since the automaker emerged from its historic government-brokered bankruptcy in summer 2009.



That swift 40-day court trip cleared much of the company’s huge profit-killing debt load and netted a $50 billion taxpayer lifeline. It also forced slimming down to four “core” domestic brands. Now GM is under pressure to regain public confidence by delivering gotta-have vehicles that will sell well enough for the company to become profitable again and pay back taxpayers. That’s why a new government-vetted board of directors, chaired by former AT&T CEO Edward Whitacre, has been wielding a very big broom lately, cutting needless layers of management, firing old hands with old ideas, spending money to speed-up new-model rollouts, and working to streamline most every other part of the business. It’s a tough job, but everything depends on doing it right. As Joseph Phillipi, of the consulting firm Auto Trends, told the New York Times, GM must “establish themselves as the benchmark for comparison in each [market class] they’re in, as opposed to following everyone else.” Whitacre knows this too. As he recently declared to a group of GM employees, “Our mission is to design, build, and sell the world’s best vehicles”--a tall order, given recent history.

A top priority for “New GM” is rebuilding Buick, arguably its weakest domestic nameplate and a symbol of the old company’s decades-long slide to money-losing mediocrity. Buick sales have long suffered from the brand’s geezer image and products appealing mainly to an elderly clientele that continues to diminish. But Buick has also lately been starved for product, and is currently down to just three models. Though the LaCrosse midsize sedan and Lucerne large sedan have barely registered on consumers’ radar, the new-for-2008 Enclave premium-midsize SUV has been a brisk seller, at least by recent Buick standards. GM hopes to build on that momentum with the redesigned 2010 LaCrosse and a smaller but related new Regal midsize sedan, the first since 2004. The Regal is due to start sale in the second quarter of 2010 as an early 2011 model, initially with one trim level and a single powerteam. More versions are promised for model-year 2012.