Compact car is a largely North American term denoting an automobile smaller than a midsize car, but larger than a subcompact car. Compact cars usually have wheelbases between 2.54 metres (100 inches) and 2.67 metres (105 inches). Another definition specifies between 100 ft³ (2800 L) and 109 ft³ (3000 L) of interior volume.
While not yet very popular in Europe, Infiniti cars are considered in the US true alternatives for BMW and Audi. After Lexus have announced their Lf-Ch, Infiniti joins the downsizing trend and wants to produce a premium compact to go against the 1 Series and the A3. We expect the Infiniti to be a dynamic car with a sculptural design and an emphasis on performance that could really shake up BMW fans. With a low, wide stance and large wheels this could be the ultimate hot hatch, especially if we consider that Infinitis are generally well powered and well equipp
It is a fact that people then to be afraid of what they don’t understand, and while most automotive consumers are hesitant to adopt new technologies like battery electric vehicles, the American automaker General Motors has launched a new information based website aimed at familiarizing new car buyers with the upcoming electric Chevrolet Volt. According to GM, "Voltage U provides informative content for consumers who want to know more about the Volt. Information is presented in an easy-to-follow format, offering insight about the Volt’s battery, technology and infrastructure. A key feature of this new resource is a video, which offers a simple explanation to how the Volt works, covering many aspects of this electric vehicle with extended range."
So instead of fearing the demise of the internal combustion engine; sit back, relax and let Chevy do what they are hoping to in order to ease the transition to extended range battery electric vehicles by educating all of us about the upcoming Chevrolet Volt.
Follow the link below to find out more for yourself.
We’ve pretty much seen and heard everything there is to know about the Audi A1. From the car’s LED daylight running lights, to the colored roof arches, and even how Audi plans to "raise the bar" with the new A1. We’ve pretty much been given a comprehensive course on Audi’s new premium hatchback.
Well, we’re not done. Or at least Audi isn’t.
The next video to come out of Ingolstadt features Jana Bonkova, a color and trim designer from Audi. In this video, Bonkova goes into detail about the Audi using a Wasabi Green accent color in the car’s interior.
"Wasabi Green was used selectively to create accents, such as in details like seams," she said. "We want to use this color to appeal to people who simply want something new and fresh."
Some of you may find this bit of information as pretty trivial compared to the other videos, but we think that on the contrary, it might be of interest to someone who’s interested in purchasing an A1 down the road.
For those of you who think against us, don’t worry; we promise it gets a little more interesting, because from what we’ve heard, the next video that will come out will feature members of football club Bayern Munich taking the A1 out for a test drive. That, by all accounts, should be fun.
Days after releasing a video of the new A1 hatchback’s LED daylight running lights as explained by light designer Andre Georgi, Audi has come out with what looks to be the next instalment of its highly-interesting series of the new hatchback being discussed in great detail by the folks behind the project.
In this video, Jürgen Löffler, the Audi A1’s chief exterior designer, reveals that similar to the concept, the new production version of the hatchback will also come with contrasting roof arches, which can be customized in a number of colors depending on the owner’s preference and regardless of the car’s body color.
In addition to that, Löffler also explains how the A1’s shoulder line – or “tornado line”, as he so eloquently put it, wraps around the entire exterior of the car from the single-frame grilles in the front all the way to rear hatch.
It goes without saying that Audi is tirelessly promoting the A1 as it nears its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March. For a brand that’s hoping to take on the BMW-owned MINI in the compact hatchback segment, any and all marketing initiatives – in this case, elaborate discussions with the A1’s brain-trust - will be most definitely welcome.
When the 2011 Audi A1 hits dealerships sometime in the near future, don’t be surprised if the car gives off subtle hints from its more extravagant siblings, the Audi R8 supercar and the A8 luxury sedan, specifically the eyelash-looking LED lights found on the cars headlights.
The inclusion of LED daytime running lights, according to Audi light designer André Georgi, gives the A1 a more efficient lighting system that is brighter and, at the same time, less consuming than standard lighting systems found in other cars.
Aesthetically speaking, Georgi also suggested that a big reason in incorporating LED daytime running lights on the A1 was because of the company’s intention of infusing elements found from the R8 supercar and the A8 luxury sedan to make the A1 more attractive than any other car in its segment.
"On the A1, the front gets its character from a completely new form of LED daytime running lights. We have given our newcomer the sportiness of the R8 and the elegance of the A8," he said.
Check out the video to learn more about the A1’s new lighting system as explained by Georgi through a translator.
At the rate Audi is releasing these videos; we’ll probably know everything about the Audi A1 even before it makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show this March.
We’ve already seen two videos about the A1’s daytime running lights and its customizable roof arches and now comes the third instalment of what is fast becoming a series of promo videos designed to, well, promote the new premium hatchback.
The Japanese automaker Honda has unveiled their New Small Concept aimed at stirring up interest in the Asian market at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi. The design previews an upcoming compact offering from Honda that is set to go on sale in 2011 in India and Thailand. The Honda New Small Concept is an interesting looking vehicle, like all concepts the idea of the design is tantalize the imagination, push the boundaries of what a production car could be and force consumers to ask "how come my car doesn’t look like that?" By breathing so much life into the design of this egg shaped sub compact with futuristic lighting and few well placed creases in the car’s sheet metal.
Honda claims that the car features a wide platform with a low center of gravity that offers enough interior space for five people and will feel planted on the road. As urban environments become more and more congested, especially overseas, consumers are demanding more maneuverable people movers that can negotiate the cramped streets where space is a commodity. With what Japanese stylists are calling "Efficient Energetic Exterior" design, the dynamic body of the Honda New Small Concept is letting the world know that with front forward fenders highlight the presence of the vehicle. You can expect that whatever India’s 2011 small car will be, it will quickly spread across the globe.
Lexus has just left us their brand new 2010 HS 250h compact gas/electric luxury sedan. This premium compact hybrid from across the Pacific looks like nothing else you have ever seen from a four wheeled machine, it looks as if someone took a Camry and made it look cool. The HS line is an interesting move, unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it is made up exclusively of HS 250 h model, thus becoming an alternatively powered range of vehicles.
From the sound of things, and trust us it will be quiet, Lexus has no plans of expanding to gas guzzlers. It is almost like how most crossovers have the letter X hidden away somewhere in their name, the fuel efficient Japanese automaker is striking their point home with this one. While the name, and while the car’s proper name is Harmonious Sedan we’re thinking hybrid. The heart of the beast is a very green 2.4 Liter 16 Valve DOHC four cylinder with VVT-i coupled with a Lexus Hybrid Drive electric drive motor mated to a gas sipping Electronically Controlled Variable Transmission, all together the 21st century power train puts out 147 HP and 105 lb-ft of torque which should be good for 35 MPG around town and 34 MPG on the highway.
From the looks of things our HS is short on options but comes with everything necessary to spoil it’s owner, creature comforts like a push button starter, power everything, a spacious leather wrapped interior, satellite fed hard drive based navigation complete with backup camera displayed on a neat little screen that tucks itself away when not in use. Outside you get a distinctly hybrid looking vehicle with a visually appealing aggressive edge; wearing a bold three bar grill, stylish 18 inch wheels and a sporty little rear spoiler all for well under $40,000.
The Japanese automaker Toyota has just unveiled a new special edition of their compact iQ model called Access, and it will be the lest expensive of the range priced at €11,700 and is 1300 euros less than the next city car up the line. The iQ Access comes well equipped with safety features that you would normally expect from higher priced vehicles like ABS with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, stability control and traction control, driver and passenger side airbags as well as curtain airbags, knee airbags and a rear window airbag those sitting in the back.
Toyota didn’t skimp on the creature comforts either, offering a radio equipped with a CD player and MP3 jack sending your favorite tunes through a standard six speaker audi system. The driver will enjoy ergonomic equipment like the adjustable steering wheel with integrated audio controls. Despite it’s small size, the iQ offers plenty of cargo room with the rear seats folded flat for more storage. Being an automobile of this stature, the iQ makes do with a 1.0 liter three cylinder engine making a total of 68 HP, more then enough to scoot through traffic in the iQ.
The Toyota iQ has been badged by so many brands – there’s the Scion iQ and the Aston Martin iQ (Cygnet) - it’s become hard to keep track of which model belongs to what.
The name of the brand nothwisthanding, this 1.0-liter car is as efficient as any compact car out there in the market, thanks to a highly efficient tank that is capable of running at a rate of 54 miles per gallon. To show the whole car at work, Vicki Butler-Henderson takes two of her favorite shopping buddies out for a day of retail therapy. And while her friends seemed to enjoy swiping their credit cards in retail stores, VBH enjoyed her day by driving the wheels off of the Toyota iQ.
Starting their day in a shopping district, the trio of girls end up on a test track where VBH proceeds to give a driving demonstration of the iQ.
Check out the video and find out why hell hath no fury than a woman’s driving ability.
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