Instead of reinventing the wheel, General Motors decided to reinvent the automobile. It teamed up with Segway to create a two-wheeled, two-seat urban people mover. Called the P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), it carries many of the design ideas that we once thought were pipe dreams coming out of design schools.
The PUMA is part of a vision of a vehicle network that is able to recognize outside objects, including other moving vehicles, so that they can all interact and avoid each other. The compact vehicle integrates a lithium-ion battery, digital smart energy management, two-wheel balancing, dual electric wheel motors, and a dockable user interface that allows off-board connectivity. If anyone is scared of two-wheeled motoring, there are two small wheels placed at the front and back of the concept for stability.
Each charge to the PUMA’s battery should be good for 35 miles (GM did not indicate recharge times.) Since this is designed as for urban areas, the top speed is 35 mph.
Press release after the jump.
> More
The 370Z Roadster made its world debut at the New York Auto Show. Premiering less than five months after the coupe version, the roadster truly just takes the advantages of the 370Z and chops off the top. This means the 370Z Roadster is lighter, shorter and more powerful than its predecessor.
Just like the coupe, the droptop is powered by the same 332-hp 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine (up 26 hp from the 350Z Roadster). Included with the engine is Variable Valve Event and Lift control (VVEL) and the redline is raised about 1000 rpms to 7500. The engine mated to either a seven-speed automatic transmission with Downshift Rev Matching, or close-ratio six-speed manual with available SynchroRev Match (it ‘blips’ the throttle to keep the car in the next gear’s powerband). Estimated fuel economy with both transmissions is 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
The 370Z Roadster is being offered in two different versions: 370Z Roadster and the 370Z Touring Roadster. The Touring version will be available with two packages: Sport Package, with 19-inch RAYS forged wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tires, Nissan Sport Brakes, SynchroRev Match (6-speed manual transmission only) and Viscous Limited Slip Differential; and the Navigation Package, with Hard Drive-based Nissan Navigation System, 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive and USB connectivity.
Full details and more pics in the press release after the jump.
> More
.
Just a little reminder about the Nissan 370Z roadster at the New York Auto Show. We’ve been enjoying the coupe for a few months now, and we almost forgot to keep our eyes peeled in New York this week for the droptop version. Like the coupe, the roadster will be powered by a 3.7-liter VQ37VHR engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) rated at 332 hp at 7,000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm.
We’ll have all the details later this week from New York.
Mitsubishi wants to give it’s Outlander mini-SUV some street cred and is going to debuit what will likely look a Evo X wagon on steroids. The Outlander GT Prototype will make its debut later this week at the New York Auto Show. Mitsu says the styling will iclude plenty of elements from the Evo including the “Jet-Fighter” grille and Super-All-Wheel-Control System.
Unlike the Evo, the Outlander GT will not get a 291 hp four cylinder engine turborcharged within an inch of its life. Instead the GT is going for more fuel efficient diggs. It will get a version of the 3.0-liter SOHC MIVEC V6 already in use on the Outlander, but this one will have added gas saving technology.
Press release after the jump.
> More
So the BMW X5 looks too much like an SUV for you, but you still don’t want to give up the go-fast SUV? So for those whose ideal vehicle it a sedan/SUV/sports car, BMW has made the X6 M.
While the car’s function may be hard to define, the mechanical elements aren’t. The 4.4-liter V8 engine is given a new set of turbochargers and a revised exhaust manifold to create 555 hp at 6,000 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque from 1500 to 5,650 rpm (155 more hp than the 4.4-liter offered in the standard X6.) Just like its mechanical twin, the BMW X5 M, the engine is mated to a 6-speed M sports automatic transmission. BMW pegs the 0 to 60 mph time in 4.5 seconds - 0.8 seconds quicker than the standard 4.4-liter X6.
If the X6 M must be driven like a sports car, then at least BMW has installed the Dynamic Performance Control stability system that first appeared on the standard X6.
Just like the X5 M, the X6 gets a new set of 20-inch ten-spoke ally wheels, a wide jowl front bumper, and a full body kit.
More pics and full breakdown in the press release after the jump
> More
.
Second GMC model to make its world debut at the New York Auto Show is the Yukon Denali Hybrid. The new model join the Yukon Hybrid introduced in 2008 and will go on sale in May at a price starting from $59,185 (2WD) and $62,030 (4WD).
The Yukon Denali Hybrid is powered by GM’s 6.0 liter Vortec V-8 engine with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management, late intake valve closing and variable valve timing technologies. The engine delivers 332 hp and a peak torque of 367 lb.-ft. It has a fuel economy of 21 mpg in city driving.
The V8 engine is combined with two lightweight electric motors packaged in the transmission; an electronic brake emulator that provides blended regenerative braking; electric power steering and an electric air conditioning compressor.
Press release after the jump.
> More
EV Innovations started out turning gas powered cars into electric ones. Now it’s ready to build one of it’s own from scratch with the Liv Inizio.
The obvious benchmark for this car is the Tesla Roadster. So before this electric sports makes its debut next week in New York we’ve used some preliminary data to make a comparison:
Performance: Liv Inizio will do 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds; the Tesla Roadster does it in 3.9
Range: Liv Inizio gets 200 miles from an eight hour charge; the Tesla Roadster gets 224 miles from eight hours
Pricing: Liv Inizio, $139,000; Tesla Roadster, $101,500
A couple of weeks ago dropped a few teaser images of its BMW X6 fighter. Now we have a name to go with the silhouette lurking in the shadows: ZDX.
“The ZDX prototype is unlike anything you have ever seen before from Acura,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president, Acura sales. While that may be true, underneath the skin we expect the mechanical bits to be a mixture from the ’ol reliable Honda/Acura parts bin.
We’ll get our first glimpse of the sedan/coupe/SUV next week at the New York Auto Show.
Press release after the jump.
> More
Just because we can’t get our hands on Mercedes’ new E-Class sedan, doesn’t mean we’re not ready for the hot rod versions yet. And just because we only have to wait one more month for the New York Auto Show for the debut of the E63 AMG, doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate a good teaser.
The E63 AMG’s V8 should go from 508 hp in the current model to 525 hp. This could possibly be accomplished by increasing the engine’s displacement from 6.2-liters to 6.3. The AMG package for the regular E-Class models should present a good indication of what some of the other enhancements set to appear on the E63 AMG. We’ll have to wait until April in New York for exact specifications.
Mazda will bring three new models to the New York Auto Show and one of them is the redesigned 2010 Mazda CX-9.
The CX-9 is a seven-passenger, three-row crossover SUV with unique driving dynamics that are not found in its segment. For the 2010 model year, the CX-9 receives an exterior and interior facelift, added options and reinforced safety features, while further improving Zoom-Zoom driving characteristics.
The 2010 CX-7 crossover SUVs and MAZDASPEED3 high-performance compact 5-door will also make their North American debut.
Press release after the jump.
> More
Pages: 
Picture Gallery
Post a comment
RSS -
Webmaster free news |