new cars

Monday, March 26, 2012

Toyota FT-Bh concept at 2012 Geneva motor show

Toyota's news at the 2012 Geneva motor show was the world premiere of the FT-Bh small car – a Yaris-sized supermini that's 25% lighter than the existing supermini. The FT-Bh weighs in at 786 kilograms.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1387
And if you're wondering about those smoothed-off looks, it's all down to aero. This small car has an admirable 0.235 drag coefficient.

The FT-Bh is basically the epitome of everything Toyota knows about small cars. While it has no immediate production intent, its thinking will help shape the superminis of tomorrow. We'd certainly look twice at a Yaris shaped like this, we reckon.
Toyota FT-Bh: the lowdown
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1387
This is another hybrid Toyota – naturally – and its 1.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine is paired to a full hybrid powertrain like on the Yaris hybrid for an average consumption of 135mpg and just 49g/km of CO2.

Considering this car is close in size to a Yaris (3985mm long, 1695mm wide, 1400mm tall), its emissions are roughly half that of a trad supermini, says Toyota.

Mated to a CNG engine, this powertrain would cut CO2 to just 38g/km, says Toyota. Add a plug-in element to the battery charging, and that tumbles to 19g/km. That's some claim.
How come the FT-Bh is so lightweight?
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1387
Thankfully, it's not down to exotic materials lurking on the pricey end of the periodic table. Toyota has cleverly stuck to existing materials to achieve that flyweight 786kg mass.

Thin pillars abound, to aid visibility and cut flab, and many of the learnings of the iQ are applied to this model. The engineers ended up in a virtuous circle where everything from climate controls to engines and suspension components could become lighter.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1387
Helping achieve that low drag figure – and that tip-toe stance – are slender 145/55 R18 low rolling resistance tyres.

Mitsubishi's Budget Mirage Supermini Enters Production, Laun

The all-new Mitsubishi Mirage, a no-frills supermini that we first saw at last year's Tokyo Motor Show, has entered series production at the company's brand-new factory at Laem Chabang in Thailand.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1388
The Japanese automaker's "global compact car" will first go on sale in Thailand next week before it is exported to other Southeast Asian countries followed by Japan, Europe and other markets around the world later this year.

"I am pleased to present the Mirage first in Thailand," said Osamu Masuko, President of Mitsubishi Motors Corp.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1388
"The Mirage is an all-new compact car focused on premium fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions just right for the times where demand for superior fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness are increasing all over the world."

At 3710 mm long, 1,665 mm wide and 1,490 mm tall, the new Mirage falls between city cars like the Fiat Panda and superminis like the Ford Fiesta.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1388
It is powered by a new 1.0-liter three-cylinder MIVEC gasoline engine that can be equipped with Auto Stop & Go (AS&G) system linked to a CVT driving the front wheels. Mitsubishi claims a combined fuel efficiency of 30km/L (equal to 3.3lt/100km or 70mpg US) on the Japanese test cycle.

The Thai-market Mirage will be priced between THB 380,000 to 551,000 (US$12,300 to US$17,900 or €9,400 to €13,600) depending on trim level, and Mitsubishi's plans are to sell approximately 2,500 units per month in Thailand.

R&T Pits 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport Against Audi A7 Sportback

Lexus has high hopes for its brand new 2013 GS sedan in the highly competitive executive segment, or at least it does in the North American market because Europe is a different story.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1389
While one would consider the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the BMW 5-Series or the Audi A6 more direct opponents for the GS, Road & Track magazine chose a different adversary in the form of the Audi A7 Sportback.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1389
Audi's A7 may split the difference between a traditional saloon and a hatchback offering an in-between body style, but it in essence, it remains an executive model, so R&T's test is not too far off.

The Audi A7 is more expensive than the GS, but not as much as you'd expect. Not including a destination and handling fee, the base A7 with a 310hp 3.0-liter supercharged V6 starts at $59,250, while the Lexus GS 350 with a 306hp 3.5-liter V6 costs $46,900 plus $5,690 for the base F Sport package, which brings the total to $52,590.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1389
You can watch the comparison in detail in the video that follows after the break.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QLfWVolO29c

2013 BMW X1 Facelift to Debut at New York Auto Show, U.S. Sa

The BMW X1 will launch in the United States sooner than what the Bavarian company has led us to believe the last time we reported about the matter, as the automaker today announced that the facelifted X1 would receive its world premiere at next month's 2012 New York International Auto Show and go on sale in the States this summer.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1390
When the German automaker introduced the X3's smaller sibling back in the summer of 2009, it said that it would offer the X1 in the States in early 2011, but that never happened with BMW constantly delaying its launch.

Back to the present, BMW said that the revised X1 will be offered in America with its new 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder gasoline engine. The automaker did not release any other details nor any photos of the facelifted model.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1390
Our most recent spy photos suggest that BMW will polish up the X1 compact crossover's looks, with most styling tweaks taking place up front with the headlamps and grille along with some minor changes at the rear.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1390
Also making its world premiere at the New York Auto Show will be the new M6 Convertible powered by a 553hp (560PS) 4.4-liter twin turbo V8, which will be joined by the new M6 Coupe and X6 M facelift, both of which will receive their North American debuts.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Mercedes-Benz Shows Off the New SL65 AMG V12 in Motion

To keep the masses interested in its new 2013 SL65 AMG until sales start in September, Mercedes-Benz has offered up a pair of videos that walk us through its design details and show it in action on the road.
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You can read all about it in our previous post here, but if you want the skinny, the flagship model of the new SL series employs the use of a tweaked 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine that's good for 621hp (630PS) and a peak torque of 1,000Nm (737 lb-ft).

Mercedes quotes a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 4.0 seconds (0-60mph in 3.8 seconds) and a limited top speed of 250km/h in Europe and 186 mph (299km/h) in the States.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1309
The new SL65 AMG will make its first public outing at next month's New York International Auto Show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Z3XMbPf_uD4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4NiEeG8nHeI

2013 Subaru BRZ Completes 0-60mph in 7.3s, Quarter Mile in 1

Something tells us that in the States, the 2013 Subaru BRZ will most likely carry a similar MSRP to its sister model, the 2013 Scion FR-S, at around $25,000, but until the Japanese automaker announces official pricing, we have a new video to share with you.

The crew over at Edmund's Insideline took the North American specification BRZ to the race track to see what kind of numbers it could put down.

Like the Scion FR-S and the Toyota 86, the BRZ is motivated by a 2.0-liter flat-four fitted with a direct fuel injection system yielding 200-horsepower and 151 lbs.-ft. of torque. Power is directed to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual gearbox or an optional automatic transmission with the same number of gears.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1310
The news site tried out the manual version that completed the 0 to 60mph (96km/h) sprint in 7.3 seconds (7.0 seconds from a 1-foot rolling start) and the quarter mile run (400m) in 15.3 seconds with an exit speed of 92.1mph (148km/h).

Edmunds notes that the BRZ did considerably better on the slalom (69.1mph or 111.2km/h), the skid pad (0.92g) and in braking (114 feet to stop from 60mph), beating the 2013 Hyundai Genesis in all three tests (67.4mph, 0.89g and 116 feet respectively), and the 2011 Ford Mustang GT in all but braking (67.3mph, 0.91g and 109 feet respectively).
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1310
You can watch the test in the video that follows below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=C9FhVwDNyQ0

Bespoke Ferrari SP12, Reportedly Owned by Eric Clapton, Film

Here's an update on our previous story on the one-of-a-kind Ferrari SP12 that was spotted at HR Owen showroom in London on Wednesday night.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1311
YouTube user Shmee150, not only took some video footage from the presentation last night, but he was also able to hand the camera to someone inside the dealership today and film the car up close as it was leaving to be delivered to its new owner, who is rumored to be none other than Eric Clapton.

While we still don't have any official information on the car, Shmee150's inside man at HR Owen gave some details about the vehicle in the video description. Among other things, the insider says that the coachbuilt Ferrari is based on the 458 Italia and retains its V8 engine despite rumors about a V12.

From Shmee150's video description:

"This is the new Ferrari SP12, a Special Project creation built for Eric Clapton for a cost of £3m over a period of 2 years. The car is based on the framework and engine of the Ferrari 458 Italia but features numerous design changes to tweak it back to an appearance of Ferraris of old including the 512 Boxer and the headlights from the Enzo."
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1311
"The car had originally planned to be a 12-cylinder version but clearly this was too much to ask and as such it seems to run the V8 and controls of the normal car."

Hat tip to George for the video find!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5ue30EB6io0

Only for Texas: New 2012 Ram 1500 Lone Star 10th Anniversary

For numerous reasons, the state of Texas is one of the biggest and most important markets for pickup trucks. And as such, it shouldn't surprise anyone that automakers will go as far as to create special edition versions made exclusively for buyers in the Lone Star state.

Marking the 10th anniversary of its fittingly named, Texas-only Lone Star edition, the Chrysler Group's Ram division has presented a new model that will continue the brand's tradition.

“The Ram 1500 Lone Star was the first pickup truck designed by Texans and built specifically for Texans,” said Ram boss, Fred Diaz. “Native Texans are very proud to be from the Lone Star State. For the last 10 years, this truck has given us the authentic opportunity to proudly connect Ram with Texas’ very proud state motto. It’s by far our best-selling Ram truck in Texas.”

Appropriately, the 2012 Ram Lone Star 10th Anniversary edition will get larger “Lone Star” badges with the prominent red, white and blue Texas state emblem on its front doors and tailgate, which replace the "Ram 1500" badging on the truck. It also rides on 20-inch aluminum wheels.

Inside, exclusive features include Katzkin perforated leather seats with embossed Texas/Lone Star logos, a 10th Anniversary emblem on the passenger glove box and special floor mats.

The truck is available only in Crew Cab configuration with bucket seats and is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 Hemi delivering 390hp, 407 lb-ft of torque and 20 mpg, linked to a 6-speed automatic.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1312
The Lone Star 10th Anniversary edition is priced at $36,440 and will be available for order at Ram's Texas dealerships towards the end of the second quarter.

Refreshed 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK Makes its Video Debut

You've likely read about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK and are aware of most of the details surrounding the facelift that is mainly cosmetic, though the U.S. market model also gets a more powerful V6 and for the first time, a diesel variant.

In anticipation of its world premiere at next month's 2012 New York International Auto Show, the German firm has just released the first official video on the updated compact SUV that will be arriving in European dealerships within the next couple of months and in the U.S., this summer.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1313
You can take a look at it right after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRo-Nx1MoMo&feature=player_embedded

Renault Confirms Pricing for Refreshed 2012 Megane Range in

Renault today announced that its subtly updated Megane 2012 compact model is available for order now in the UK ahead of its official launch on April 1. On-the-road prices start from £16,275 for the 3-door Hatch, £16,775 for the 5-door Coupé and £17,075 for the estate Sport Tourer.

For 2012, the Megane series gains some minor styling tweaks up front that include the addition of LED daytime running lights from the Dynamique TomTom trim level and above, and a revised bumper with a gloss black finish and chrome highlights, plus a new selection of alloy wheel designs.

The French automaker also introduces three new engines featuring Stop & Start technology, including the 1.2-liter TCe 115 petrol, and the 1.5-liter dCi 110 and 1.6 dCi 130 diesels, while axing the 1.4 TCe 130 and 2.0 TCe 180 engines from the range.

The 1.2 TCe 115 returns a combined fuel economy of 53.3 mpg UK (44.4mpg US or 5.3lt/100km) and CO2 emissions of 119g/km.

The 1.5 dCi 110 is rated at 80.7 mpg UK (67.2mpg US or3.5lt/100m) and emits 90 g/km CO2, while the 1.6 dCi 130, is good for 70.6 mpg UK (58.8mpg US or 4.0lt/100km) and 104g/km CO2 emissions.

Elsewhere, there's a new entry-level Expression+ trim grade, which includes Bluetooth, USB connection and an upgraded audio system with 4 x 20W radio CD with fingertip remote control and AUX input.

The top-of-the-range GT-Line TomTom also benefits from some additions such as the auto parking brake with Hill Start Assist, parking camera with rear parking sensors, an Arkamys 3D Sound 4x35W audio system and new trim finishes.

Finally, the list of body colours available for Mégane 2012 has been extended with the addition of Azzurro Blue and Arctic White.

All-New 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer Unveiled in Production Gu

This is the production version of Chevrolet's all-new, body-on-frame Trailblazer SUV that you may remember being displayed as a concept at last year’s Dubai International Motor Show in the Middle East.

The 2013 Trailblazer will make its world premiere at next week's 33rd Bangkok International Motor Show (March 26 to April 8) in Thailand. General Motors said that it would go on sale around the world, beginning with Thailand in June.

Even though the Detroit automaker has not yet clarified if it will be offered in the States, there's a good chance it will as the Trailblazer is in essence the SUV variant of the new Colorado pickup truck that will be manufactured and sold in the U.S.

“True to its name, the Trailblazer will blaze the trail for new Chevrolet vehicles coming into the market," said Martin Apfel, president of GM Southeast Asia and Chevrolet Sales in Thailand. "It has been built tough to offer Chevrolet customers everything they need from a heavy-duty SUV,” he added.

Available in two- and four-wheel-drive configurations, the Trailblazer will be offered in Asia with GM’s new four-cylinder Duramax turbo-diesel engine in 2.5-liter and 2.8-liter displacements.

The 2.5-liter unit is rated at 148hp (150PS) and 258 lb-ft (350Nm) of peak torque, while the larger 2.8-liter engine delivers 177hp (180PS) and 346 lb-ft (470Nm) of torque with an available six-speed automatic transmission and 324 lb-ft (440 Nm) with a five-speed manual gearbox.

The Detroit-based carmaker said it will announced additional powertrains for specific markets around the world later this year.

Despite the fact that the Trailblazer uses the Colorado's body-on-frame architecture, GM says it will offer driving characteristics equal to regular crossovers.

“Our objective when developing the Trailblazer was to achieve ride and handling dynamics that match, and in many cases exceed, those of similar-size crossover vehicles,” said Brad Merkel, GM’s Global Vehicle Line Executive for Midsize Trucks and SUVs.

“The Trailblazer will cater to a wide range of driving styles and requirements. It is car-like responsive and premium in its ride quality while offering the off-road capability that our customers demand. That makes it the complete SUV package," he added.

The Trailblazer has a seven-passenger interior with three-row tumble and/or fold-flat seats. GM claims that the last row of seats has enough space to seat two people comfortably for long trips.

More information on the Trailblazer will be released after its debut in Thailand.