Looks like the LA Auto Show is becoming more than just an event where automakers are given the opportunity to show off their new rides to the public. For the second day in a row, the LA Auto Show has been the place where companies sign partnership agreements to work together on future projects.
Yesterday, we talked about Rolls Royce striking a deal with famed designer, Bijan, to design 30 special edition Rolls Royce models – valued at $1 million each – for a select group of VIPs.
Today, Mercedes-Benz’s AMG outfit signed their own agreement with motorcycle builder, Ducati, to work together on a number of projects in the future. From what we’ve heard, one of the first programs of this new partnership will be a joint marketing and sponsoring program where AMG will become a sponsor for the Ducati MotoGP on top of becoming the exclusive auto partner of the entire team. This means that the entire Ducati MotoGP team will only drive Mercedes AMG vehicles. That’s a pretty awesome deal, especially if you can get your hands on an SLS AMG.
Kia has unveiled the company’s first ever hybrid model at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The new Optima Hybrid will go on sale early next year and targets models like the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid.
The 2011 Optima Hybrid features a Transmission-Mounted-Electric-Drive (TMED) layout with the electric motor separated from the transmission gear-set. The new model will also be among the first full hybrid systems on the market to use a typical step-ratio automatic transmission.
The Optima can be driven in zero emission, full-electric drive mode at speeds up to 62 mph or in blended gas-electric mode at any speed. As for the look of the vehicle, the hybrid model will have many features that the standard Optima lacks. For starters, the front of the car will get a new front grille with a completely new design, as well as a new front lower bumper and new headlamps. There will also be new fog lamps, heated outside mirrors, chrome accents on the exterior door handles, and side sills. The back of the car will see a new rear lower bumper, LED tail lamp design, and a rear lip spoiler. The wheels will be a 16-inch alloy wheel design. Customers will also have the option for a Premium Technology Package that will add extra features to their model.
The Japanese automaker, Infiniti, has confirmed that the finer line of Nissan automobiles will indeed produce the M35 hybrid luxury sedan. The hybrid will join the rest of the conventional internal combustion only vehicles when the 2012 M arrives in showrooms. The revised fuel efficient lineup will also be available with a new high performance diesel V6 model for the Western European market where the less refined fueled automobiles are preferred due to their incredible range and the high price of petrol. The next generation hybrid powered Infiniti M will become the most fuel efficient model in the entire automakers history.
The M35 Hybrid is powered by a gas/electric power train system that combines a naturally aspirated 3.5 Liter V6 and an efficient electric motor. The electric motor acts as both a propulsion unit, boosting the V6 with a “power assist” mode when the pedal is pushed to the metal and also as a generator to power the vehicle’s accessories and improve the engine’s efficiency. However, the combination of electrically charged wound wires and powerful magnets is not the only item that charges the hybrid’s next generation Lithium ion battery pack, but it is also recharged by the luxury sedans deceleration and braking.
The M Hybrid also features an electric vehicle mode that runs solely on the motors, drastically improving fuel efficiency and allowing it to operate as a zero emissions vehicle as well. This optimizes the Inifiniti’s energy consumption across the widest array of driving conditions. The luxury automaker Inifiniti has promised to release further details about the hybrid’s range, performance, and transmission soon. No mater what they have to say about the new green Japanese sedan it will definitely be a hot item.
Updated 11/18/2010: Infiniti’s first production hybrid performance luxury sedan made its debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. A unique feature for the new model is a standard audible pedestrian warning system, called Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP). This system uses a range of distinctive sounds to help ensure the safety of other road users. VSP automatically works from start-up to approximately 20 miles per hour, cutting back in at approximately 15 miles per hour as the vehicle slows. Sales will begin in early 2011.
Updated 02/23/2011: Infiniti has announced that the new M Hybrid will go on sale starting March 16th, 2011 at a starting price of $53,700. The list of standard equipment includes: leather-appointed seats, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Active Noise Control, Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, XM Satellite Radio (XM subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System and power sliding glass tinted moonroof.
If anybody knows anything about lightweight sports cars, Mazda does. As the creator of one of history’s most popular lightweight sports car – the MX-5 Miata – Mazda understands the objective of building a car that takes into account weight and efficiency better than anybody else. After all, for a speedster like the MX-5, it only weighed 2,300 pounds in its first generation.
It is through their understanding of this principle that Mazda was able to transfer their understanding about the intricacies of the MX-5 to build the vehicle that they’re entering into the 2010 LA Design Challenge – the MX-0.
Taking into account the theme of this year’s LA Design Challenge of emphasizing the need for minimizing the use of the planet’s resources while building a car that’s efficient, lightweight – no more than 1,000 lbs – comfortable, and safe without sacrificing the design elements that would make it attractive to consumers, Mazda is basing the MX-0 on the ideology of the MX-5, albeit using parts that are lighter and simpler than the ones found in the Miata, all while not compromising the car’s overall performance.
Mazda is envisioning the MX-0 as a vehicle that is powered by high-torque electric motors with an off-the-charts power-to-weight ration, resulting in a vehicle that comes with unrivaled power and balance, able to fly off the block and perform seamless cornering. A vehicle, suffice to say, that isn’t so much used for driving as it is for flying.
Through the low volume use of energy and minimal use of raw materials to power it, the MX-0 figures to be a car that’s made for the future, a future that puts great importance on sustainable, inexpensive composites with clean-running powertrains, resulting in a car that’s not only good for the masses, but even better for the environment.
The LA Design Challenge is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the LA Auto Show pitting different auto brands building their concept vehicles based on the set criteria for the event. This year’s theme focuses on society’s shift towards minimizing their dependence on natural resources by building a light-weight vehicle that focuses on efficiency without sacrificing the style of the vehicle.
Honda’s entry for the 2010 Design Challenge is the Air concept, a lightweight vehicle that uses alternative fuel, all while boasting an aggressive look inspired by, oddly enough, roller coasters and skydiving wing suits. So, we guess that’s why it’s called the Air concept.
In any case, the Air uses a compressed air and pneumatic regulator system that uses turbo vacuums and external air-flow to regenerate the tank’s pressure system, ensuring that the vehicle has extended range and increased boost to last an estimated 100 miles. Anytime you need to have your tanks and reserves refilled efficiently, a Honda generator and air compressor does the trick, either from the comforts of your own home or at a local station.
For safety, the Air concept uses vegetable-based polymer panels and fairings to ensure the safety and protection of its occupants.
The whole body of the Air concept resembles the look of a modern rollercoaster designed to optimize the open-air experience. Then there’s the chassis, which has a variety of purposes to eliminate the structure’s redundancy and reduce the vehicle’s overall weight, ensuring that it doesn’t exceed 1,000 lbs. Other weight-saving procedures done to the Air include the use of a hub-less wheel and drive system instead of the standard drive train system, glass reinforced seating panels, urethane tire composition, and skeletal sub-frame components, all of which contributed to the Air shedding off a significant amount of weight, rounding off to just about 800 lbs.
It took more than around 13 years, but Toyota seems to have finally decided on producing the second-generation of the Toyota Rav4 EV. Maybe all it took was a partnership with Tesla to get the proverbial EV ball rolling.
The partnership between Toyota and Tesla was born out of a mutual interest in developing a new model using Tesla technology on a Toyota vehicle, incorporating the strengths of both side to produce a vehicle that consumers would come to enjoy.
“When we decided to work together on the RAV4 EV, President Akio Toyoda wanted to adopt a new development model that incorporated Tesla’s streamlined, quick-action approach,” said Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Tesla Motors. “From the beginning, the customer experience has been the focus.”
The ultimate question, at least according to Hentz, was how the two companies can "deliver an unconventional product to mainstream customers that is compelling and affordable and that offers an acceptable level of daily convenience.”
In the end, the answer turned out to be the Toyota Rav4 EV. For now, Toyota is building 35 models of the new Rav4 EV for a demonstration and evaluation program through 2011, with the company looking into a production version sometime around 2012.
Nissan wanted to be unique; and they did it with the new Murano CrossCabriolet; the world’s only crossover convertible revealed today at Los Angeles Show. Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is only available in one version: 3,5 liter V6 AWD priced at $46,390. The only available options include: Carmel interior $500, Cashmere & brown top interior $500 and splash quads $125.
In order to transform a crossover into a convertible model Nissan added new front doors (7.9 inches longer than 4-door Murano front doors) and has eliminated the B-pillars. The cloth convertible top includes a rear glass skylight, helping create a wide-open interior environment even with the top in the closed position.
The difference between this and a standard Murano is also given by High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon projector headlights with auto on/off function, front fog lights and Nissan 370Z-inspired LED taillights, body-colored front and rear bumpers, chrome door handles, body-colored dual power/heated outside mirrors, and rear window defroster with timer.
The Murano CrossCabriolet is powered by a 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 producing 265 HP and 248 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a standard second-generation Xtronic CVT™ with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC). It comes equipped with 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and G-sensor.
Volvo has entered the Los Angeles Design Challenge with the Air Motion design concept, except it’s only a scale model that will probably never see the light of production’s day. We’d give Volvo a hard time, but Maybach seemed to only bring sketches of their eRikscha so we’ll let Volvo slide.
The Volvo Air Motion’s shape is designed like a clamshell made out of ultra light carbon fiber. The goal for this vehicle is minimizing weight and complexity, while maximizing driving enjoyment. Fit under the inner workings of the car are compressed air motors that replace a heavy internal combustion engine and cool down under load instead of heating up. The lack of need for a heavy cooling system adds to the lightness of this concept, as do modifications to the chassis, interior, and suspension.
The Volvo Air Motion concept is powered by air turbines that float 1,000ft in the air and harness the power of the wind to convert it to electricity. This electricity provides the compression.
All in all, however, this is just another beautiful and unique concept that will never see the light of day. We hope all of the automakers that have presented the unique concepts have very deep filing cabinets that will keep these concepts safe until they are ready to flow on our streets.
Not one, not two, but eight special limited edition models later and here’s the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show with Scion’s newest xB called the Release Series 8.0. We don’t know what it is about the xB that simply fascinates Scion, but we’re starting to take bets to see how many more special editions Toyota’s child is going to roll out.
Until the day when Scion stops creating these silly little editions, we’ll just have to bite the bullet and keep on providing information about them. The xB RS 8.0 comes fitted with a four-piece body kit designed by Kenstyle that includes an aggressive front and rear lower lips, and side skirts. The exterior will be painted in Voodoo Blue, a color that is not currently available on any other Scion model.
The interior will be freshened up with seats and door panel trim that have been covered in an exclusive black fabric with blue accents. The floor mats also feature the same color blue in the form of the "xB RS 8.0" logo.
So basically, what you are looking at is the Release Series 7.0 minus the TRD sport muffler and leather-wrapped RAZO GT Formula Spec shift knob. Oh, and you get that "nifty" blue color instead of the purple given to last year’s model.
The Scion xB Release Series 8.0 is limited to 2000 units and goes on sale later this month. Prices will begin at $18,405 for a manual transmission and $19,355 for an automatic transmission, which is slightly lower than the Series 7.0. For an extra $320 customers will also get a color-matched rear spoiler.
The final customized 2012 Ford Focus revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show shows the work of a tuning company that is definitely no stranger to the hatchback in question. FS Werks (formerly FocusSport) has been providing high performance street and race products for the Ford Focus since 1999 when they first opened. If anyone should produce a fine tuning package for the Focus, it should be them. and you can be the judge.
FSWerks started off their package by adding a 3dCarbon roof wing and 19-inch DPE R16 wheels wrapped in Continental ExtremeContact DW tires to the little hatchback. After that it was on to an FSWerks stainless steel performance exhaust that provides maximum flow and horsepower, an FSWerks cold air intake, an engine cover, and a new front stress bar. The ride height was then lowered three inches with the use of an H&R Springs coil-over kit.
“What I find great about the new Focus is that it’s a sporty, compact Ford with the global design our customers want,” said Randy Robles, FSWerks vice president. “The previous Focus versions have been huge for us, so we’re excited to continue that tradition.”
