Abarth Punto Scorpione (Limited Edition)

Abarth Punto Scorpione

The Fiat Group's never-ending streak of special edition models continues with the new Abarth Punto Scorpione that will receive its world premiere alongside the 595 specials at the upcoming 2011 Bologna Motor Show in the beginning of December.

The Abarth Punto Scorpione is based on the esseesse model and is powered by the same 180HP 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir engine. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.5 seconds and its top speed is 216 km/h (134 mph).

However, it comes with several unique cosmetic touches. These include the special exterior paint job with a two-tone Nero Scorpione livery enhanced by special matte black paintwork for the bonnet and roof that encompass glossy black stripes. The Italian hot hatch also gets black alloy wheels and yellow Brembo brake calipers.

Inside, Abart fitted the Punto Scorpione with a set of bucket seats partially trimmed in Alcantara and featuring red and yellow stitching from Sabelt, leather steering wheel, gearbox and instrument panel cover, plus aluminium kick plate, sport pedals and accent trim.

The Italian automaker has also developed a special "Abarth Nitro" winter kit for those who like skiing and which includes 17-inch alloys with winter tires, a snowboard rack with magnetic fastening and a snowboard from the "Nitro powered by Abarth" lineup.
The company said that production of the Abarth Punto Scorpione will be strictly limited to 99 units.

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Range Rover Evoque by Startech (special cars)

Range Rover Evoque by Startech

Making its European debut at this week's Essen Motor Show is the Startech tuning program for the new Range Rover Evoque. Startech, which is a sub-division of the Brabus brand, first revealed its take on the British crossover model at the Dubai International Motor Show earlier this month.

The product lineup includes a new front apron, a roof wing and a rear apron that houses a diffuser and the reshaped quad tail pipes. The crossover model's sportier stance is further enhanced with suspension kit that lowers the ride height by up to 30mm (1.2-inches) and custom-tailored alloy wheels offered in various color combos and 20- or 22-inch diameters.

There's a lot going on inside as Startech's comprehensive program comprises of a sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals, foot rest and shifter, leather upholstery for the seats and door panels, Alcantara trim for the headliner and wood or carbon-fiber trim sets.
Startech said that a performance kit for the 2.0-liter SI4 gasoline engine that normally produces 240-horses is in the final stages of development, while the tuner will introduce a power kit for the diesel engine as well.

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Meadowsa XP8 (Weird Cars)

Meadowsa XP8

Latest find on eBay, called the Meadowsa XP8, is trying to be something of its own.
According to the seller, "this wild and crazy machine is light weight, fast, loud, obnoxious and turns EVERY head while cruising down the road".

The bizarre creation started life as a 1984 Pontiac Fiero, but has since been modified in all sorts of ways with power coming from a mid-mounted 383 cubic inch (6.3-liters) small block Chevy V8 matched to an Isuzu 5 speed gearbox.
The asking price for the Meadowsa XP8 on eBay Motors is an overly optimistic $20,000.

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Porsche Cayman R1 by Delavilla (Special Cars)

Porsche Cayman R1 by Delavilla

Delavilla was established in 2007 and focuses exclusively on Porsche models currently offering complete programs for the Cayman and the 911 coupes. The company says that it is also working on tunes for the Speedster, the Cayenne SUV and the Panamera saloon, with more details to be released at a later date.

Back to the Cayman-based R1, the coupe model was revealed at the 2011 Lyon International Motor Show last month and it proposes a comprehensive exterior makeover along with a choice of power upgrades.
The obvious exterior changes start with a wide bodykit that includes front and rear bumpers and fenders along with side panels, which add 120mm (4.7-inches) to the Cayman's overall width up front and 180mm (7.1-inches) on the rear.

The car also gets a bespoke set of quad tail pipes, LED daytime running lights and larger multispoke alloy wheels in the same color as the body.
Delavilla notes that it offers a great number of options ranging from scissor-style doors with a fingerprint recognition system to a transparent engine cover.
Inside, the French tuning house adds a pair of bucket seats along with Alcantara trim on the steering wheel and gear lever.
Buyers can choose from three different power kits that lift output to 340HP, 385HP and 420HP, though the most powerful option is only for those than plan to use the car on the track for racing.

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Autonomo - designed for the year 2030 (future cars)

Charles Rattray's vision of what the automotive industry will be capable of by the year 2030 is far more feasible that it may seem at first glance.

Autonomo 2030 Concept by Charles Rattray (Image: Charles Rattray)

Autonomous transport is central to the whole idea. Drawing heavily on the principles of swarm robotics, the self-driving autonomos travel in tight clusters that shift their configurations to maintain an uninterrupted flow of traffic while allowing particular vehicles to reach their respective destinations. This so called "platoon mode" allows to vastly reduce energy consumption through reducing the aerodynamic impact on the vehicles further back down the platoon. Thanks to microwave sensors, the spaces between vehicles are reduced to mere 20cm (7.8 inches), as keeping a safe distance from cars ahead is no longer required. Another type of microwave detectors scan the road surface ahead to prime the suspension accordingly and provide a smoother ride.

Needless to say, the whole operation is run by computers. Each drive-by-wire autonomo has an onboard computer that crunches the data received from an array of sensors (e.g. radar, microwave, lidar, optical and infrared sensors) as well as from external feedback systems. This enables monitoring the road 200m (656 feet) in front and behind the vehicle, or a whole platoon of vehicles, regardless of weather conditions. The cars understand their surroundings well enough to anticipate any changes in the road environment and react to them much quicker that even the most experienced humans. Even the acute senses of the homo sapiens are no match to a set of hi-definition cameras coupled with object recognition technologies capable of interpreting human gestures and predicting the path of other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians or any other potentially hazardous objects.

This local level of awareness is augmented by data streamed from a constantly updated centralized database responsible for the real-time balancing of mobility demands across the entire network. Such a database would be controlled by intelligent algorithms that learn from the information that is fed to them. Historical data and the data collected in real time would be used to efficiently match the infrastructure real estate with the changing demands of ever fluctuating traffic.

All this would be achieved without overhauling the existing road infrastructure. Instead of making roads wider to accommodate new lanes, Rattray chose to make his concept car a 1.15m (3.77 feet) wide two-seater. This doubles the throughput of our roads, with two autonomos fitting abreast in a single lane. Maneuverability is additionally improved by a tilting design and by wheels that allow movement in all directions

The aerodynamic body shares the length and the the wheelbase of a 2009 Mini Cooper, but - unlike the Mini - it is covered with two transparent photovoltaic layers that harvest electric energy to be stored in ultra-efficient lightweight batteries and passed on to the in-wheel motors. Since the passengers are not busy driving, they can enjoy the views through opaque, one-way vision windows or amuse themselves by playing around with the on-board augmented reality screen. Charging the vehicle through electrodynamic induction or energy transfer lasers is done wirelessly and can be performed on the go, via charging pads embedded in the road surface. Energy can also be shared within a platoon.

(via Gizmag)

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AC Schnitzer Reveals 2012 BMW 650i Coupe

2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe

Looking to offer enthusiasts more options for customizing the new 2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe, AC Schnitzer will unveil its new tuning program for the 650i at this week's 2011 Essen Motor Show in Germany.
Dubbed the ACS6 5.0i, the package includes a performance upgrade with unspecified modifications for the 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine that help lift output from 407HP to 540-horses.

AC Schnitzer claims that the ACS6 5.0i passes the 100km/h (62mph) yardstick in 4.3 seconds after take-off, compare to the standard model's time of 4.9 seconds.

The tune continues with a lowered sports suspension, a new exhaust system and a beefier brake system with 8-piston calipers.

For the exterior, AC Schnitzer has designed a new front apron, a chromed front grille and matching fender trim pieces, a boot lid spoiler, and a rear apron that incorporates a diffuser. The ACS6 5.0i rides on new lightweight 21-inch wheels that the German tuner says are 30% lighter than the factory 20-inch rims tipping the scales at just 11.5kg (25.3 pounds).

On the inside, AC Schnitzer's package includes a sports steering wheel, aluminum pedals and new trim accents.

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Mazda Develops i-ELOOP Capacitor-Based Regenerative System on Takeri Concept

Regenerative braking systems that store energy into batteries during braking are becoming increasingly common in new cars because they help reduce fuel consumption.
Today, Mazda presented what it claims to be the world’s first passenger vehicle regenerative system that uses a capacitor instead of a battery pack for storing energy, named i-ELOOP (“Intelligent Energy Loop”).
According to Mazda, a capacitor is superior to batteries because it does away with the need for an electric motor and can be charged and discharged rapidly while it also doesn't deteriorate after prolonged use.

The i-ELOOP system comprises a new 12-25V variable voltage alternator, a low-resistance electric double layer capacitor and a DC/DC converter. It captures energy that would otherwise be dissipated as heat the moment the driver lifts his foot of the accelerator pedal and the vehicle starts to decelerate.
At that time, the alternator starts generating electricity up to 25V before sending it to the capacitor where it is stored in mere seconds. The DC/DC subsequently converts the electricity from 25V to 12V before powering the vehicle’s climate control and audio systems, various other electric systems and can even charge the battery if necessary.

Mazda Takeri concept

Mazda claims that the i-ELOOP, which will be combined with the firm's i-stop auto stop-start system, reduces fuel consumption by approximately 10% and will be available in production vehicles in 2012.
The i-ELOOP will make its public debut at next week’s Tokyo Motor Show in the Takeri concept car, which previews Mazda’s replacement for the mid-sized Mazda6 family saloon.

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Aston Martin Bulldog GT(Special Cars)

Aston-Martin-Bulldog-GT

Aston Martin Bulldog GT, a stylish and powerful rear mounted V12 engine supercar by Danish firm HBH.
Recently the proverbial well has run a little dry with traditional GT and super cars entering the fray — what with the Tokyo Motor Show just around the corner and all the quirky pint-sized EV’s and plug-ins that the far-east show has become known for gearing up to take center stage. Who better than Aston Martin to get our engines revving again as talk of miles per gallon and charging times gives way to horsepower and lb-ft of torque? Where the number next to the V in cars specs refers to the arrangement of cylinders and not the voltage needed to charge the car.

Danish firm HBH latest project the Aston Martin Bulldog GT is  beautiful car that any auto-enthusiast would love to have parked comfortably in their garage. Adorned with two superchargers and a 6.0-liter V12 lifted from the Aston Martin Vantage. The Bulldog GT is capable of outputting a devilish 666 horsepower and 548 lb-ft of torque that enables sprint speeds of 0-62 in 3.9 seconds and top speed of 186 mph. The body style of the Aston Martin Bulldog GT is a unique aluminum and helps ensure the engine sits comfortable behind the sporty cabin.

The Aston Martin Bulldog GT hasn’t been made official yet, but test drives are tentatively scheduled for 2013 with pricing estimated to exceed $181k, the cost of stock V12 Vantage.

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Special Bikes/The Quadro 350D

Quadro 350D

Italy's Quadro is working on bringing a number of 3- and 4-wheeled tilters to the market, but the first to look production ready is the 350D.

A conventionally shaped maxi scooter with an aggressive frontal design, a 350cc motor and two front wheels, the 350D could easily slip unnoticed into a Gilera Fuoco procession. But the front suspension and tilting mechanism looks quite different. Where the Piaggio's tilt mechanism is all managed closer to the headstock, the Quadro system sits quite low to the ground, almost acting as a flexible axle between the two front wheels.

Suspension struts on either side appear to give the front wheels three shock absorbers between them, and a lock-off valve in the middle provides a hydraulic tilt lock. Either way, the system delivers the same claimed 40-degree lean angle as the Piaggio/Gilera platform - which is more than enough for a good time on the road, let alone happy, safe commuting.

The 350D has a cigarette lighter attachment for mobile phone charging, and enough underseat storage for two full faced helmets.

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Special Cars/SchwabenFolia's Weismann Roadster MF5 V10 Black Bat

Weismann Roadster MF5 V10 Black Bat

SchwabenFolia and Dähler are co-partners in the creation of the Wiesmann Roadster MF5 V10 Black Bat.
SchwabenFolia is a car wrapping company based in Korntal-Münchingen, Germany, and is responsible for the Roadster MF5's dark looks.
The company dressed the outer body panels as well as bits from the interior plus the door sills, trunk and engine room in a matte black skin. To showcase its craftsmanship, SchwabenFolia even wrapped the 20-inch BBS alloy wheels in the same shade.
A foiled “imprint” of the Nürburgring's northern loop on the driver's side and the chrome emblems round out the makeover.

In factory spec, the limited production roadster mode is powered by the previous BMW M5's 5.0-liter V10 engine with 507HP. This is where Swiss company Dähler steps in adding a new sportier exhaust system and modified electronics to boost output to 600-horses.
The tuner says that the Black Bat can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.5 seconds, to 200km/j (124mph) in less than 10 seconds and top out at 321km/h (200mph).
To improve braking, Dähler added Brembo 6-piston fixed calipers with 308x32mm discs up front and 4 piston fixed calipers with 380 x 28 discs at the back.
No pricing information has been released yet.
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Special Bikes/Ducati 1199 Panigale Superbike

Ducati 1199 Panigale Superbike

Powered by what the company is calling "the most powerful twin-cylinder production engine on the planet," the Ducati 1199 Panigale Superbike ($18,000-$28,000) promises uncompromising speed — and it delivers in spades. At its heart is the aforementioned Superquadro engine producing 195hp, which thanks to tremendous frame and engine integration resides in a bike with a dry weight of just 164kg — that's roughly 362 lbs — along with class-leading tech like a sporty ABS system, traction control, Ducati's Electronic Suspension, quick-shift, Engine Brake Control, and Ride-by-Wire systems, and a TFT display that changes to suit your environment. Not that you'll have time to notice.
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2012 Audi A4 Avant Wagon

2012 Audi A4 Avant Wagon

Basic Specs
City (MPG) : 21/Hwy (MPG) :29  Horsepower : 211@4300-6000  Torque (lb-ft) : 258@1500-4200

Audi took the wraps off its redesigned A4 Avant station wagon for the latest model year. Based directly on the new A4 Sedan, the Avant model is larger and more advanced than its predecessor.
Compared to the old model, the proportions have been adjusted noticeably. The front overhang has been shortened, and the hood and the wheelbase have gained considerably in length. The newly developed five-link front axle has been shifted farther forward. This ensures that the axle loads are better distributed, thereby improving handling.
The new A4 Avant measures 15.42 feet in length, 4.72 inches longer than the previous model. The body structure is considerably more rigid and stronger, yet is around 10 percent lighter at the same time.
Visually, the Avant is very similar to the new Sedan. The flat D-pillars create a more dynamic silhouette than those of past A4 wagons. The new A4 Avant will roll off the production line on 16 inch and 17 inch alloy wheels.
As with the sedan, the interior is all-new, featuring more legroom, improved materials, and more comfort overall. The driver-oriented cockpit borrows many features from the larger A8, Audi says. Thanks to the new electro-mechanical parking brake, the manual parking brake was no longer necessary, creating more space in the center console area.
Audi claims a maximum storage space of 50.50 cubic feet is the largest luggage capacity in the wagon's competitive field. The 60/40 split-fold rear seats also come with the option of a load-through hatch with separate ski and snowboard bag.

2012 Audi A4 Avant Wagon interior

Engine
While Europe will get the Avant with a choice of three diesel engine and two gasoline ones, Audi says the sole engine for North America will be a new turbocharged four-cylinder.
Gone are the multiple engine offerings, and in place of six and four-cylinder offerings is a single, 2.0-liter TFSI engine. This turbocharged four-cylinder engine is good for an impressive 211 horsepower from 4,300 to 6,000 rpm, and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 to 4,200 rpm.
For the A4 Avant, the only transmission choice is the Tiptronic eight-speed transmission, rated at 21 city, 29 highway miles per gallon. This model is only available with quattro all-wheel drive.

Safety
Collision safety is improved by a combination of adaptive airbags, belt tensioners with variable belt force limiters and seat position sensors on the front seats to best protect occupants. In case of a rear-end collision, the backs of the front seats and the head rests support the upper body.
An electronic stabilization program (ESP) is standard, and can be partially switched off when driving under 44 mph. A new variable steering ratio system adjusts by nearly 100 percent depending on the speed driven.

High-tech features
Optional high-tech systems include the Audi parking system (a parking aid; standard for the A4 Avant Ambiente), Audi lane assist (the lane departure warning system) and Audi side assist (which warns of hazards when changing lane). Adaptive cruise control maintains the distance to the vehicle in front.
The Audi Music Interface (AMI) allows iPods and similar devices to be connected. The navigation systems with MMI Basic plus or with DVD including MMI are also further upgrade options. They permit the integration of cell phones as Bluetooth car phones and are combined with the MMI operating system. A high-performance Bang & Olufsen audio system is available with a 505 watt, ten-channel amplifier that controls 14 speakers.

Packages
The new Audi A4 Avant will roll off the production line in the Attraction, Ambition, and Ambiente equipment lines. The dynamic S line offers the options of an exterior package and a sports package. The range of options includes luxury-class features such as air-conditioned comfort seats, the triple-zone climate control system, the advanced key which allows keyless access to the vehicle and vehicle start-up at the press of a button, and the dynamic cornering light system known as adaptive light. The large panoramic glass sunroof lights up the interior.

WATCH VIDEO

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2013 Volkswagen CC to first launch in Germany in February 2012

Set to make its world debut at the upcoming 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show later this month, the 2013 Volkswagen Passat packs some select visual scrub ups to bring it up to date with the German brand's more recent offerings.

2013 Volkswagen CC

You can spot the new model by the redesigned front that gets a new chrome-trimmed grille, reshaped headlamps that incorporate a ring of LEDs and a reworked bumper.

Similar changes can be found at the back with the new LED tail lamp, bumper and boot lid designs. A fresh choice of colors and alloy wheel options round off the exterior updates.
Inside, VW's designers tinkered around with the air-conditioning controls and trim options while the company says it has improved the standard features across the range with the addition of a fatigue detection system, new audio, stainless steel door sills and safety head restraints with additional longitudinal adjustment for the front seats.

2013 Volkswagen CC back view

For the 2013 model year, there is also a new batch of available assistance systems such as the Side Assist Plus with integrated Lane Assist that warns of vehicles in blind spots and assists driver in avoiding an accident by steering intervention, Dynamic Light Assist and a camera-based traffic sign detection system.
In the USA, the CC will launch with the same engine lineup as before, including a 200HP 2.0-liter TSI petrol and a 280HP 3.6-liter V FSI petrols (FSI).
There are no changes to the European lineup either, with the CC being offered with several TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines ranging in output from 140HP to 300HP. The most fuel-efficient version is powered by the 140HP 2.0 TDI that delivers a combined fuel consumption of 4.7lt/100km (equal to 50mpg US).
The refreshed Volkswagen CC will first launch in Germany in February 2012, then gradually across Europe, America, Russia, China (local version starting in 2013) and other sales regions

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The Newly enhanced S1000RRmark II from BMW

 S1000RRmark II from BMW

BMW's S1000RR superbike impressed many the first time round, now the German manufacturer has announced the S1000RR mark II. Power and maximum torque figures remain at 142 kW (193 hp) and 112 Nm on the revised superbike with the mostly subtle changes centered on improving response, power delivery and handling. The torque curve, throttle response and suspension have all been tweaked along with the (very effective) ABS and Dynamic Traction Control systems. Externally, the 2012 SS1000RR gets an upgraded instrument cluster, revised rear-end, redesigned side panels with the addition of two winglets for improved aerodynamics and a new range of colors.
The S 1000 RR has has wasted no time populating the trophy cabinet since its release in 2009, winning 13 titles and over 120 race victories in superstock and superbike championships during its first full year of competition. BMW Motorrad, which offers a support service to customers who want take the S1000RR racing, says feedback from the track played a major role in the bike's overhaul.
"We listen very closely to our racing colleagues in many teams, especially the BMW Motorrad Italia superstock team or the IDM Team BMW Motorrad Wilbers Suspension," said RR Product Manager Sepp Mächler." We help these teams out and they give us quick and reliable feedback, which helps reduce development times."

Here's a run down on the key changes:

* reconfigured throttle with 25% less twisting force and tighter twistgrip for improved response

* more linear torque curve and expansion from two to three performance curves (one each for Rain and Sport modes and an additional one for Race and Slick modes); Rain mode now 120 kW (163 hp)

* enhanced tuning between Race ABS and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)

* final drive now 17/45 (was 17/44)

* modified steering head angle, swing arm pivot position, fork projection, and rear shock absorber length

* new internal structure for upside down fork and the rear shock absorber

* new mechanical steering damper adjustable over ten levels

* leaner tail section, modified stainless steel exhaust system, larger intake air guide, redesigned side panels, side aperture grilles and winglets

* revised LCD instrument cluster easier to read rev counter, five dimming levels and additional functions such as "Best lap in progress" and "Speedwarning"

* revised RR logo

* new color variants: plain Racing Red with Alpine white, Bluefire, Sapphire black metallic, BMW Motorrad

   Motorsport

The revised BMW S1000RR was shown this month at EICMA in Italy and is set for release in January 2012.

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Honda to reveal a pair of new green vehicles at Tokyo Auto Show

The Japanese carmaker is aiming to make a splash in the electric vehicle market

Honda Small Sports EV concept

Aiming to have one of the largest lineups at this year's Tokyo Auto Show, Honda has already shed some light on its Micro Commuter and Canopy concept vehicles, but it appears that's only the tip of the green iceberg. The company has just revealed a pair of prototypes that look both futuristic and environmentally friendly. The AC-X and Small Sports EV concepts aim to cater to two different segments of the electric vehicle market: Those looking for a practical hybrid for both short and long commutes, and those looking for a smaller, city-minded car for daily jaunts about town.

Honda AC-X hybrid

The AC-X (above) is a plug-in hybrid that can run purely on a charge from the onboard battery, but can also switch to an engine-driven mode, allowing it to make much longer trips than an electric-only vehicle. The car appears to take some design cues from both the current Honda Civic models, as well as the company's previous hybrid, the Honda Insight.
Little is known about Honda's Small Sports EV concept, and aside from a short press release blurb insisting that it was designed with "fun" driving in mind, all we have to go on is some official mockups (below). The car is a two-seater that looks much like a little brother to the AC-X. Its convertible top and sleek lines definitely give a futuristic vibe, and if Honda's promise of enjoyable driving mated with "excellent environmental performace" can be achieved, it may make a good candidate for production.

[via Autoblog]

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Subaru's Advanced Tourer Concept ready for Tokyo Motor Show

Subaru's Advanced Tourer Concept

Subaru's biggest announcement for next month's Tokyo Motor Show was expected to be the BRZ sports car, but now news has arrived that it will also show an "Advanced Tourer Concept" powered by its trademark horizontally-opposed engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), but with turbocharging and direct fuel injection, plus a single-motor hybrid system, all driving through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Paradoxically Subaru has fitted the car with its EyeSight driver assist system, and a steering wheel which incorporates a "large monitor" for access to "maps, television and internet services." Perhaps news about the carnage resulting from distracted driving hasn't reached Japan yet.

Subaru's Advanced Tourer Concept-ii

Subaru says the direct fuel injection turbo engine is "one of the main technologies that will guide Subaru's future engine strategy", noting its quick, smooth acceleration and environmental friendliness.
The turbocharged 1600cc engine and single electric motor are combined into a hybrid system that offers continuous all-wheel-drive even when it is in electric-only mode and manages to use all four wheels to regenerate electricity during deceleration.
Subaru's proprietary EyeSight™ driver assist system will be showcased on the vehicle, with the system now offering greater range and width. The steering wheel monitor will also be interesting to see. Distracted driving is one of the major trends associated with new technology, and putting it on the steering wheel seems like a recipe for encouraging taking your eyes off the road, but we don't know the full story just yet.

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Honda's electric Canopy (Gyro), Japan's only three wheeled scooter

Honda has finally added electric propulsion to one of its most enduring and successful commuter vehicles - the Japan-only three-wheeled scooter. 

Used extensively throughout Japan's congested urban environment as a commuter and delivery vehicle with a 50cc four-stroke motor, the Honda Canopy (aka Gyro) delivers 100 mpg. Converting the well-protected three wheeler, with its capacious cargo space, to an electric-only vehicle is a no-brainer and is certain to create an insatiable demand in non-domestic markets everywhere.
To say the Gyro/Canopy is the most common road vehicle in Tokyo, the world's largest and most congested urban area, is no exaggeration. The frugal 50cc engine enjoys a tax break in Japan, and in a city where vehicles rarely get near the speed limits, is more than powerful enough to get the job done. Equally interesting is the array of boxes built onto the platform, some of which offer enough carrying capacity to fit a small third world country.

Honda's electric Canopy (Gyro

It's a monumental sales success in Japan and has been produced in one form or another for 28 years, with the actual Gyro model now in production for 27 years. Now we're not party to who owns what in this area, but our understanding is that the three-wheeled design was patented in the UK in 1966 and first marketed as the BSA Ariel 3 in 1970.

Honda's electric Canopy (Gyro

The patented three-wheeled design was subsequently licensed to Honda, though it has been copied extensively, particularly in China (most notably as the Xingyue but there appear to be numerous copies) and a very similar two-wheeled version of the layout has been employed by BMW, first as the C3, and more recently as the BMW C1-E concept scooter.

In Japan, the fully-enclosed gas-powered scooter sells for less than US$3500, and can be purchased naked or fully enclosed and is designed like a cab-chassis utility, to be fitted with an aftermarket rear section suitable for your line of business.

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2012 Hyundai Equus/Review

2012 Hyundai Equus

Pricing: $58,750 to $65,750 MSRP/ $54,903 to $61,413 Invoice Price
EPA Fuel Economy (MPG):15 City/23 Highway

Introduced last year, Hyundai now has a sort of super-Genesis in the Equus, an even larger sedan that aims to take on the BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS at a price point one rung lower. Toward that end, the Equus, which can seat up to four or five people depending on the trim level, might be cross-shopped against sedans ranging from a 5 Series and E-Class to an Acura RL or Volvo S80.

For 2012, the Equus gains a new 5.0-liter V-8 engine with direct injection. The V-8 makes 429 horsepower and teams with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Power sunshades for the rear side windows are now part of the Ultimate trim level's features.

2012 Hyundai Equus sideview

Exterior
The Equus resembles a larger, bejeweled Genesis; it's probable that passers-by will mistake the two. Although the Equus shares its cohort's platform, it measures 7.2 inches longer. 

Exterior features include:

    *Standard 19-inch alloy wheels
    *Standard adaptive xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
    *Optional forward corner-view camera

2012 Hyundai Equus interior

Interior

By the measurements, the Equus' cabin isn't appreciably larger than the Genesis' — front and rear legroom are up less than half an inch — but both cars meet the EPA's large-car classifications, so few shoppers should be wanting for space.
Nor should they be wanting for features. The dash comes wrapped in French-stitched leather, and it adorns more places — most notably the center console surroundings and steering wheel — than in the Genesis. Interior features include:

    *Standard iPod connectivity
    *Standard Bluetooth connectivity
    *Standard power moonroof
    *Standard power rear sunshade
    *Standard heated and cooled front seats
    *Optional power-reclining rear seats
    *Optional massaging rear seat with power-extending ottoman

2012 Hyundai Equus front and back view

Mechanical features include:
    *New 429-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 with 376 pounds-feet of torque
    *Eight-speed automatic transmission
    *Rear-wheel drive
    *Air suspension with adaptive damping

Safety
Standard safety features include:
    *Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes
    *Electronic stability system
    *Side-impact airbags for the front and rear outboard seats
    *Driver's knee airbag
    *Side curtain airbags
    *Active front head restraints
    *Lane departure warning system
    *Parking sensors and a backup camera

TEST DRIVE VIDEO 

 - Watch more Videos at Vodpod.
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