The fuel efficient Japanese automaker Toyota has just launch the Sai luxury hybrid sedan, a model based on the Lexus HS 250h, into its home market. The new four door Hybrid Synergy Drive sedan is both bigger and more luxurious than the automobile manufacturer’s current flagship hybrid, the Toyota Prius. With the Sai’s scheduled launch only a few days away at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota is taking a step forward to shake up the gas/electric car market.
Compared to the Lexus HS 250h, the new Toyota Sai features a distinct front end design with new head lamps, a unique hood, grill and bumper as we;; as a set of different taillights. On the inside, the new Sai gets its own instrument panel and center console design as well as a different steering wheel than the entry level Lexus hybrid.
However this where the differences end, under the hood the Sai features the same hybrid drive train as the Lexus HS 250h which includes a 2.4 Liter four cylinder engine running on an Atkinson cycle combined with an electric motor and a reduction gear to take over power train responsibilities when the gas burning engine isn’t required, when combined, the pair of conventional and electric motors can delver up to 190 HP. The Sai successfully bridges the gap between the entry level Prius hatchback and the more expensive Lexus HS 250h as far as the Japanese automaker Toyota’s lineup of hybrids is concerned.
The Japanese automaker Toyota has just launched an all new rear wheel drive luxury sedan for its home market called the Mark X. Built on the same platform as the Lexus GS, the new four door is powered by a choice of two engines, the first being a 2.5 Liter V6 that delivers a maximum output of 203 HP and is 15% more efficient than government regulations require as well as a powerful 3.5 Liter V6 that puts down a total of 318 HP. No matter which power plant you choose, both engines can be mated to Toyota’s gas sipping ECT six speed automatic transmission complete with sporty paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. The Mark X is good for a 0 to 60 MPH sprint of about 8.3 seconds and will return an average of 49.2 MPG.
For 2010, the Toyota Mark X features a widened front bumper opening, a sporty mesh grill, wraparound taillights and very thick C pillar giving the car a very muscular appearance. Keeping with the Mark X’s luxurious theme, the upscale sedan offers a spacious interior for up to five passengers and driver amenities like an ergonomic leather wrapped steering wheel and motorized lumbar support that combine quality and precision evoking a feeling of pure driving pleasure.
The Mark X is also loaded with high tech gadgets like an adaptive radar based cruise control system, equipped with a brake-control function that can maintain a fixed distance from the car in front, adaptive front lighting system, hill start assist control, HDD navigation system with map on demand and a digital T.V. tuner as well as the automaker’s intelligent parking assist system.
The South Korean automaker Kia has just revealed the first images of the all new 2010 Cadenza, a mid size four door sedan that is slated to replace the Amanti here in the U.S. The Cadenza will make its world debut towards the end of this year at the Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai international motor shows in the middle east. On the exterior the new Cadenza looks almost identical to the identical to the KND-5 concept that Kia brought to the Seoul Motor Show earlier this year and features the same design language as the new compact Forte and second generation Kia Sorento.
After three distinct concept that came before, the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi made its world debut today. The Kizashi is the Japanese car company’s first premium midsize sedan and will go on sale in North America this winter, where it will compete with other import models like the Mazda6.
As expeced the Suzuki’s design is inspired by the three concept vehicles with its bold and aggressive appearance that is accentuated by the 18 inch alloy wheels and integrated dual sport exhaust. For the interior, Suzuki fitted a set of sport seats as standard equipment, an elegantly illuminated instrument panel, leather wrapped surfaces as well as iPod connectivity and optional streaming audio via Bluetooth.
Under the hood, Suzuki placed a 2.4 Liter DOHC inline four cylinder engine as standard equipment that is mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or optional continuously variable transmission. The fun to drive Korean automaker is also working on a few other possible power train combinations that will be offered sometime in the future.
One of the things that makes the new BMW M3 coupe such an irresistible buy is that aside from the high revving 420 HP V8 under the hood, the two door sports car from Bavaria has an appealing panel of carbon fiber stretched across the top to replace the would be metal roof. This not only lowers the coupe’s center of gravity, but it also makes the M3 one of the sexiest sports cars on the road today. Unfortunately one of the biggest drawbacks of the more practical four door BMW M3 is that the oversized sheet of lightweight carbon fiber is not an option. So in the spirit of Günter Manhart who wanted an M3 style wagon but couldn’t buy one, so instead he created the Manhart Racing BMW M3 TV10 the tuners at IND have taken this four door V8 powered sedan and transformed it into the Individual Atlantis E90 M3 you see before you. The Atlantis Blue color comes from the car’s paint scheme that can vary from Estoril blue to Avus Green dependning on the angle that the light hits the car.
The goal of the tuners was not an over the top wild ride, but instead a tasteful creation that when completed would look as if it came off the assembly line in Regensburg. So aside from the hand crafted carbon fiber roof, the E90 received a subtle RD Sport front bumper, Challenge rear diffuser, a Dinan carbon fiber air intake, Rogue Engineering power pulleys, Active Autowerke engine software to make it all work together and an Akrapovic titanium exhaust system to finish off the almost factory looking power upgrades. The Neez Model 15 wheels are the only touch that could give this car away to the untrained eye, however as radical as the design may be they work extremely well with the car’s color scheme. Hidden behind the new rollers are a set of beefy Brembo brakes and a full KW coil over suspension to ensure that this M3 has no problem running circles around the one time sportier coupe.
Recently Bob Lutz, General Motors Vice Chairman, issued a challenge to the world in which he hopes to prove that the Cadillac CTS-V is hands down the fastest four door sports car on the market today. Mr. Lutz is inviting all comers with a stock production sedan to challenge the chairman’s best lap time around the Monticello Motor Club’s race track on October 29. If you are intersted in taking on the 556 HP CTS-V in your own fast four door then follow the link below.
There are plenty of cars from around the world that never go on sale here in the U.S. market, one of them is the shapely Euro only Ford Mondeo. While the Mondeo was previously a true world car, being sold around the globe, the full size family car hasn’t been sold in America for almost a decade. Aside from missing out on the attractive styling of the fourth generation Mondeo, we are also missing out on Ford U.K.’s latest economical offer. The Ford Mondeo Titanium ECOnetic is a next generation turbo diesel powered family sedan that offers outstanding fuel mileage at a very affordable price, not to mention a few stylish options.
The ECOnetic part of the Mondeo’s nameplate comes from the car’s 2.0 Liter TDCi power plant that produces a maximum output of 115 HP that with the help of an optimal gear indicator helps the turbo diesel Mondeo to get an estimated average of 54.3 MPG. These numbers alone would be impressive for any vehicle, but when you consider that the new Mondeo ECOnetic is available with a set of stylish lightweight 16 or 17 inch rims, a lowered suspension as well as an optimized aero package complete with air deflectors and a rear spoiler all aimed at reducing fuel mileage robbing parasitic loss from heavy spinning items and aerodynamic drag that acts like a parachute pulling the car back from its intended direction of travel. In addition to all the items that make the ECOnetic Mondeo so great, the price trumps tem all; starting at only £23,295 for the space saving five door model and £24,545 for the estate.
The Lincoln MKS luxury sedan is entering the 2010 model year with refinements to body and suspension systems, more standard equipment, but also with the addition of the new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, the first V-6 direct-injection twin-turbocharged. Prices will range from $40,870 for the FWD version and go up to $47,760 for the EcoBoost AWD.
The MKS comes standard with a 3.7-liter, 24-valve variation of the award-winning Duratec engine that delivers 270 hp at 6,500 RPM and 265 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,250 RPM. Lincoln MKS is equipped with a six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission.
The 3.5 Liter EcoBoost V6 found under the hood of the all-wheel-drive 2010 Lincoln MKS will produce 355 HP and 350 ft-lb of torque, all on regular grade gasoline. The twin turbocharged 6 cylinder provides the output of a V8 while returning a minimum of 17 MPG around town and at least 24 MPG during highway driving.
For 2010, Lincoln MKS was been treated to a ground-up review of its structure in an effort to improve upon its already ouststanding noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics. Additional bracing and strategically placed sound-deadening materials have produced a new level of cabin isolation, providing MKS drivers with a sense of sanctuary.
Continuing with the theme of modified Panameras, the German aftermarket manufacturer Cargraphic has just come out with their own assortment of fashionable light weight wheels for the new four door GT car from Porsche. Offering no less than four distinct designs available in a multitude of sizes and finishes means that Cargraphic has something to suit all kinds of tuner’s tastes, including winter drivers.
The Sport rim is a flat 10 spoke three piece wheel with a rather upscale feel to it, this is the perfect option for the Panamera owner who wants to differentiate their ride from the rest of the crowd in a subtle and tasteful manner. The Racing rim uses the traditional BBS mesh style of double spokes is the perfect wheel for the serious tuner who is looking to add both speed and style to their ride, and would compliment a more powerful Panamera quite nicely. For the four door Porsche owner who wants to make his neighbor’s Lamborghini seem tame, Cargraphic’ Model GT and GT-R wheel is a thin split five spoke design that looks like it could have been plucked right out of a Terminator movie.
For drivers who will be taking a trio of passengers with them over ice covered mountain passes, Cargraphic makes it possible to keep on riding in style even though your car is shod with winter rubber. A more economical alternative to their forged offerings is the flow form casted aluminum alloy Intra Sport One 19 inch wheel with matching high performance snow tires to ensure that your Porsche looks good no matter what the weather looks like.
The German tuning firm Gemballa has been modifying Porsches since the early 1980s and their most recent endeavor, the Mistrale based on the Porsche Panamera proves to deliver upon all of the wild Gemballa design cues and insane horse power figures that have made them such a successful force in the high end aftermarket.
However the Mistrale isn’t quite ready for retailers, so until then Gemaballa has come up with a new wheel and ire package for the Panamera to hold Porsche tuning enthusiasts over until they can get all the kinks worked out of the full size version. Yesterday we showed you how far a simple set of wheels can go to improve the look of a vehicle from every angle, so Gemballa has come up with a new set of their 22 inch GT Sport wheels that go a long way to upgrade the appearance of the mildly tuned Panamera. The rims are being offered in two styles, one with rivets in the lip and the other without; the new rollers give the Panamera a staggered stance and are sized to fit a set of 265/30 tires up front an a bit wider 315/25 rubber in the rear.
Gemablla isn’t the only aftermarket manufacturer looking to jump on the modified Panamera bandwagon, after seeing what other companies like Mansory, TechArt and even Lumma Design can do with the new German four door GT car it looks like the sky is the limit as to what we can expect to see in terms of highly modified four door Grand Touring cars in the near future, especially as far as the Porsche Panamera is concerned.
Picture Gallery
Post a comment
RSS -
Webmaster free news |