Suzuki Previews New Wagon R Mini ENE-Charge with a Mild-Hybrid System

As part of a presentation today in Japan, Suzuki previewed its new Wagon R tall mini that will benefit from the addition of a new mild-hybrid system named "ENE-CHARGE" (short for 'energy charge') and an energy-saving electric air conditioning system dubbed "ECO-COOL"

The Wagon R with ENE-CHARGE and ECO-COOL is scheduled to go on sale in Japan this September.

From what we were able to translate, the mild-hybrid system features a small displacement internal combustion engine equipped with an electric motor/generator and a lithium-ion battery.

The system employs regenerative braking and at least some level of power assist to the internal combustion engine while it can also run certain electrical equipment.

Suzuki said that it expects the car to return up to 28.8km/lt in Japan's JC08 driving cycle (67.8mpg US, 3.5lt/100km or 81.4mpg UK).

More details – hopefully in English as well – are to be released in the coming weeks.

Thanks to i-Ryuji for the tip and the screen shots!

PHOTO GALLERY

Audi to Debut Digital Rearview Mirror on Production R8 e-tron

In contrast to the regular R8 Coupe, the upcoming production version of the all-electric R8 e-tron has no rear window and therefore no conventional rear-view mirror. To solve this problem, Audi engineers had to put on their thinking caps and come up with a useable alternative.

The solution came in the form of a digital rear-view mirror that works together with a camera and was based on a tried and tested system employed on the brand's current Le Mans racing cars.

The system includes a 7.7-inch AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) display that is shaped and positioned after a conventional rear-view mirror and which was developed in partnership with Samsung.

According to Audi, the organic materials used in the display are self-illuminating at a low voltage and do not require backlighting, while the screen is more energy-efficient, thinner, and lighter than conventional LCD monitors.

When the night falls or when the car is passing through a tunnel for example, an intelligent control system prevents dazzle from the headlights of other vehicles, with the driver being able to dim or deactivate the display at any time.

The display receives a live video feed from a small and lightweight camera positioned in an aerodynamically optimized and heated in cold temperatures housing right below the third stop light on the roof.

Audi says that the camera uses a lens with a diameter of just a few millimeters and covers a much larger field of vision than a conventional rear-view mirror.

The production R8 e-tron will most likely make its world premiere at this September's Paris Motor Show and go on sale in a limited number of units next year.

PHOTO GALLERY

Jeep to Stop Building Liberty / Cherokee at Toledo Next Week

It's the end of the line for the current generation of the Jeep Liberty, also known as the Cherokee in overseas markets, as according to a report from Reuters, the Chrysler Group will stop manufacturing the SUV at its Toledo North Assembly Plant next Thursday, August 16.

However, as the current Liberty comes to an end, Jeep will give birth to another model with the Chrysler Group to begin preparing the Toledo facility for its production.

Last year, Chrysler said that it would invest US$1.7 billion (€1.4 billion), add a second shift and hire more than 1,000 workers in Toledo to develop and produce the Liberty's replacement that will be based on a new Fiat Group platform.

More specifically, the SUV will use a derivative of the Fiat-Chrysler Alliance's Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW) platform that underpins the 2013 Dodge Dart and which itself is sourced from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The same platform will also base the next generation of the Chrysler 200 sedan and coupe models.

PHOTO GALLERY

New Jaguar F-Type Roadster to Make its Production Premiere in Paris

The countdown for the presentation of the new and highly anticipated Jaguar F-Type has begun as the British carmaker today revealed that the roadster will make its global debut in production form at the Paris Motor Show on September 27. Jaguar's F-Type series, which will eventually expand to include a coupe model, was previewed by last year's well-received Frankfurt Motor Show C-X16 Coupe Concept study .
The two-seater convertible will launch next year with a choice of three (and not two, as originally thought) petrol engines including 375hp (380PS) and 335hp (340PS) versions of the brand's all-new 3.0-litre supercharged V6, plus a new derivative of the existing supercharged 5.0-litre V8, which we still don't know how strong it will be.
All three powerplants will turn the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and will be equipped with Stop/Start technology. Jaguar didn't say if it will offer a manual gearbox.
Jaguar Cars global brand director Adrian Hallmark commented about the upcoming presentation of the roadster model:
"The unveiling of the F-TYPE in Paris will be a truly significant day in Jaguar’s history as it will mark the company’s return to the sports car market, a market it originally helped to create."
He continued: "As its sporting forebears did in their era, the F-TYPE will break new ground by delivering stunning sports car performance while vividly demonstrating Jaguar’s cutting-edge engineering technologies and world-class design excellence. The next step in Jaguar’s sporting bloodline is about to become reality."

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ng0ISJcVkS4

Acura Preparing Mild Facelift for 2013 ZDX

Some three years after the ZDX's world premiere at the 2009 New York Auto Show and a little less since it went on sale in the U.S. towards the end of the same year, Acura's attempt to replicate BMW's success with the X6 has proved to be a sales flop delivering a mere 1,564 units in 2011.

It’s even worse this year as Acura has sold only 416 examples of the ZDX crossover during the first six months of 2012, down 56.21 percent over the same period in 2011.

Nevertheless, Acura will try to improve the ZDX's position in the market with a mid-cycle refresh for the 2013 model year that will bring a light exterior makeover along with new technology features.

The company added that it will offer the 2013 ZDX in "a single, valued-added package" and that sales will start in October this year. Acura has not yet released images of the updated 2013 ZDX – the one you see pictured above and in the gallery below is the current model.

In related news, Acura outlined its offerings for the 2013 model year as well as the 2014MY RLX, which replaces the RL as the brand's flagship sedan and goes on sale in the States in early 2013.

A set of patent images confirm that the production version of the RLX won’t change much over the RLX Concept we saw at this year's New York Auto Show, with only minor differences between the two models such as the front and rear bumper and alloy wheel designs.

Story References: Acura via Autoblog.com

2013 Acura "What's New" Change Summary
2013 Acura ZDX

• The Acura ZDX receives a mid-cycle refresh for the 2013 model year including exterior styling changes, new technology and will be sold in a single, valued-added package offering clients greater value on a luxury scale.
• Although the ZDX remains a niche vehicle for the Acura brand, it continues to garner attention for its unique styling while transcending the traditional distinctions between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle.
• The 2013 ZDX will go on sale in October 2012.

2013 Acura ILX

• The all-new Acura ILX went on sale May 22, 2012. Positioned at the gateway to the Acura brand, it serves as Acura's all-new compact luxury sedan.
• The ILX features three powertrain options:
• The entry-level ILX 2.0L is powered by a 150-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift.
• The ILX 2.4L is powered by a 201-horsepower, 2.4-liter engine paired with a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission.
• Acura's first-ever gasoline-electric hybrid, the ILX Hybrid, uses a 1.5-liter inline engine and an Integrated Motor Assist® electric motor paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Acura ILX 1.5L Hybrid has an EPA estimated* fuel economy rating of 39/38/38 mpg.
• With a starting MSRP of $25,900, the Acura ILX offers remarkable value for the money with robust feature content and premium appeal. Standard features include a Keyless Access System with smart entry and pushbutton start, Pandora® internet radio interface, SMS text message, power moonroof and Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®.

2013 Acura TSX

• The Acura TSX received a mid-cycle refresh in 2011, which included changes to exterior styling, significantly improved NVH, a wide array of new standard and optional features and an all-new variant: the TSX Sport Wagon.
• In 2012, the TSX Special Edition was introduced with numerous upgrades to exterior styling, celebrating Acura's fun-to-drive spirit and 25 year history as a luxury brand in America.
• In 2012, the TSX line up continues to be one of Acura's most popular sedans thanks to a great mix of styling, sporty performance, luxury appointments, good fuel efficiency and outstanding value on a luxury scale.
• The 2013 TSX sedan and Sport Wagon will go on sale in fall 2012 and will have no changes to the lineup.

2013 Acura TL

• In 2012 the Acura TL was significantly refined receiving fresh styling, improved performance and fuel economy and upgraded technology.
• The Acura TL can be equipped with Acura's acclaimed Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ system (SH-AWD™) along with the option of a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission for driving enthusiasts.
• The TL will go on sale in fall 2012 and will have no changes for 2013.

2013 Acura RDX

• Completely redesigned for 2013, the new RDX went on sale April 20, 2012 and had an all-time record sales month in May 2012 (up 216.8% compared to May 2011).
• The new Acura RDX is the right-sized crossover SUV with increased comfort, utility and power along with class-leading fuel-economy (EPA estimated* 20/28/23 for the RDX and 19/27/22 for the RDX AWD).
• The Acura RDX features a new 3.5L V-6 with 33 more horsepower than the previous model (273 horsepower), a new six-speed automatic transmission and a new available all-wheel-drive system.
• Standard features on the RDX include leather seating, heated power front seats, a power moonroof and a 360watt audio system. New technologies such as Pandora® internet radio interface, an SMS text messaging function, a Keyless Access System with pushbutton start, an Active Noise Control system and a rear view camera system with three unique viewing angles are also standard equipment.
• Available on the Technology Package, the RDX receives new features including Acura's latest generation navigation system, a hard disk drive (HDD) with 60 gigabytes of storage capacity (15g dedicated for music) and a power actuated rear tailgate.
• The 2013 RDX has received the highest possible safety rating of TOP SAFETY PICK from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) earning a score of GOOD in all categories.

2013 Acura MDX

• The Acura MDX received a mid-cycle refresh in 2010 which included a new engine and transmission, a revised chassis, more comfort, improved technology and a fresh new exterior look.
• The MDX continues to be the best selling seven passenger luxury SUV.
• The 2013 MDX will go on sale in fall 2012 and will have no changes for the model year.

2013 Acura ZDX

• The Acura ZDX receives a mid-cycle refresh for the 2013 model year including exterior styling changes, new technology and will be sold in a single, valued-added package offering clients greater value on a luxury scale.
• Although the ZDX remains a niche vehicle for the Acura brand, it continues to garner attention for its unique styling while transcending the traditional distinctions between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle.
• The 2013 ZDX will go on sale in October 2012

2012 ACURA ZDX