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Honda Design Philosophy Stresses Function

Posted on 08. May, 2010 by admin.

Honda isn’t typically singled out for its design expertise. Instead, it is the fun-to-drive and rock-solid aspects of Honda vehicles that usually get top billing. But quietly, Honda has been capturing more and more international kudos for its leading-edge design work, and we were pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Nobuki Ebisawa, the corporate managing director and general manager of styling and design development, to talk about it.

Ebisawa stressed two simple and overarching themes for Honda design: dynamism and functionality. He said the company’s designers still draw inspiration from the functional designs of the first-generation Honda Civic and first-generation Accord that were drawn in the same nondescript design studio in which Ebisawa and his crew work today. And at the same time, they look back all the way to the 1963 S500 sports car to channel the dynamism that helps set the brand apart. 

Ebisawa is proud of what he calls “an unbroken chain of dynamism and functionality” that stretches from those earliest models through the legendary Acura NSX sports coupe of the ’90s to the Honda Odyssey minivan that transformed its segment. He expects that the upcoming hybrid Honda CR-Z, which was shown in concept form at the recent Tokyo Motor Show, will draw on both aspects of the Honda personality. Functionality will be characterized by the fuel-efficient hybrid drivetrain, and dynamism will be expressed by the car’s style and fun-to-drive nature.

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Audi R8 GT: Lighter, Faster, Stronger

Posted on 06. May, 2010 by admin.

The R8 high-performance sports car has been a winner from the very beginning. This applies to both the production models, winners of the “World Performance Car” Award in 2008 (R8) and in 2010 (R8 V10), and to the race car, the R8 LMS, which won 23 races in its first season and claimed three championships. The genes of the race version are now coming to the street – in the R8 GT. The exclusive series is limited to 333 units. Each R8 GT has a badge with its production number on the shift lever knob.

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Toyota Takes a Beating

Posted on 17. Apr, 2010 by admin.

The immense wave of controversy, now in its second month, over alleged unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles is having impacting consumer sentiment negatively, according to market research firm Decision Analyst. 

Toyota has become less appealing to 53 percent of Americans, while at the same time 29 percent of Americans view Ford as having increased its appeal. Those were key findings contained in the firm’s New Vehicle Brand Barometer Study of 4,294 American consumers. 

Those are the “high-line” results, and less apparent are the competitive eddies swirling around all automotive brands today that are also impacting the scene. In addition to Ford, Chevrolet and Honda have also gained stature with the consumer populace over the past few years, and Chrysler joined Toyota as the only other net loser. (Chrysler’s loss was not nearly on the magnitude of Toyota’s fall from grace.)

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2011 Audi Q7 Get Several Updates

Posted on 14. Apr, 2010 by admin.

The Q7 is the large Audi for the sporty individualist – the high-performance SUV for sport, leisure, family and business. Now Audi has made it even more powerful and efficient, with a choice of three new V6 engines and an 8-speed tiptronic transmission.

Even more power, even higher efficiency: Audi has revised the engine lineup for the Q7. The two gasoline engines, both V6 units but with different power outputs, are new, and so is the second-generation V6 TDI. A mighty V8 diesel completes the range. All the engines for the Q7 combine two technologies: forced induction and direct fuel injection. A high-performance recuperation system that recovers energy during braking is also a standard item with all six- and eight-cylinder engines.

The new 3.0 TFSI gasoline engine embodies Audi’s downsizing strategy: replacing engine displacement with supercharging. Within the 90-degree angle formed by its cylinder blocks there is an engine-driven supercharger that compresses the intake air. Two charge-air intercoolers prevent the air temperature from rising, so that the engine draws in more oxygen for the combustion process. Vigorous thrust and spontaneous throttle response make the 3.0 TFSI engine, with its sonorous note, an ideal source of power for the large high-performance SUV from Audi.

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New Fiat 500 Electric Vehicle for the US

Posted on 12. Apr, 2010 by admin.

Chrysler Group LLC today announced its plans to engineer and produce a pure electric vehicle using the Fiat 500 platform. Shown earlier this year at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, the Fiat 500EV demonstrates the immediate benefits of the alliance between Chrysler Group and the Fiat Group as well as the speed at which the two companies can work together on advanced vehicle programs.

“The alliance with Fiat presented new opportunities to merge Chrysler Group engineering knowledge with new platforms and the Fiat 500EV is an outstanding example of our efforts,” said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President Engineering—Chrysler Group LLC. “The Fiat 500 is a small, lightweight platform perfect for integrating electric-vehicle technology.”

The Fiat 500EV powertrain is comprised of three main systems; high power electric powertrain module, advance lithium ion battery, and an EV control unit to manage power flows. Beginning in 2012, Chrysler Group will manufacture the Fiat 500EV for the United States market. All powertrain engineering and vehicle development will take place at Chrysler Group headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but will be competitive with similar electric vehicles in the market.

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AmericanMuscle Mustang V6 Project

Posted on 07. Apr, 2010 by admin.

How do you take a V6 Mustang from stock to super-powered? Dave Kaek from AmericanMuscle and Swarr Auto have teamed up to modify a stock 2005 V6 Mustang and see just how much horsepower they can crank out of 6 cylinders. Check out the video series to see what they did to make an average Mustang look and perform like a super-powered beast!

The first video features Dave Kaeck kicking things off at Swarr Auto with our baseline dyno run to get the raw numbers, plus a first look at the huge variety of parts we’re using on our ’05 Legend Lime V6.

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Shelby Mustang – Not Your Typical Ford Mustang

Posted on 29. Mar, 2010 by admin.

In 2007 the Ford Motor Company began reproducing one of its most desired models of all time: the Shelby Mustang GT. Prior to this, Ford in partnership with Carroll Shelby had produced modern remakes of the Shelby Mustang GT500 and the 1960s Hertz rental special, the Shelby Mustang GT-H. However, all of these models were produced in limited numbers—the Shelby Mustang GT was the first Shelby Mustang to be widely available to the public and affordably priced.

It is powered by a 4.6 liter V-8 small block which puts out 319 horsepower and 330ft-lb of torque. It also comes standard with a 90 millimeter cold-air intake package and a high flow exhaust system with an X-pipe crossover, further improving the horsepower and throttle response. Adding to the Shelby GT’s off the line acceleration is a 3.55:1 rear axle ratio and a Hurst short throw shifter for models equipped with a manual transmission.

The Shelby Mustang GT also has the styling of the classic Shelby Mustangs of the past. These styling cues include a Shelby hood scoop, and silver race stripes on the hood and side panels. The suspension of the Shelby Mustang GT also received an upgrade over the baseline factory Mustang. A coil spring kit drops the overall height of the car by an inch-and-a-half, giving the GT an aggressive stance to go with its power upgrades. In addition, stiffer dampers, a front sway bar, and high-performance tires further improve the handling and corning of the GT.

A step up from the Shelby Mustang GT is the Shelby Mustang GT500. This is a modern remake of the classic GT500 of the 1960s. Many film fans will remember the Mustang named Eleanor from the 2000 remake of Gone in 60 Seconds, which was a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500. The modern Shelby Mustang GT500 borrows much of its performance and styling from this classic muscle car.

The new GT500 features a supercharged 5.4 Liter V-8 which produces a massive 540 horsepower and 510 ft-lb of torque. The engine in the GT500 also features dual overhead cams, a rarity for a production street car. Like the baseline GT, the GT500 comes with a cold-air intake and high-flow exhaust system. The Mustang’s styling also adds to its performance—the front air inlets for the radiator and intercooler are sealed and routed, reducing air drag, and the raked spoiler in the rear increases high-speed stability.

With ever increasing concerns about fuel economy and efficiency, many experts in the auto industry have predicted the end of the muscle car for good. But both the Shelby Mustang GT and GT500 prove that the muscle car is still alive and rearing to fight back. This shows that the Ford Mustang will live on forever.

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Pure Luxury-Porsche Cayenne

Posted on 23. Mar, 2010 by admin.

Porsche is a symbol of status, class, and luxury. With its unrelenting reputation, the Porsche Cayenne does not disappoint. The Cayenne is a mid-size luxury SUV for the sports car fanatic. Rather than your run of the mill sports utility vehicle, the Cayenne is powerful, sexy, and luxurious. It is a posh alternative to the mini van or other mid size SUVS.

The 2010 base model exemplifies sheer power with a 3.6 -liter, 290 horsepower, V6 engine. However, this is only the start. As one climbs the Porsche Cayenne luxury ladder the power climbs as well. The Cayenne S boasts a 4.8-liter, 385 horsepower, V8 engine. From there, it gets even better. The Cayenne GTS offers a 4.8 -liter, 405-horsepower, V8 engine, while the Turbo comes with a 4.8-liter, 500-horpsepower V8 twin-turbocharged engine. In addition, the Turbo S includes a whopping 550 horsepower! This power is almost unparalleled in any other SUV.

With its astonishing power also comes pure luxury and class. The Porsche Cayenne has a sexy, refined, and sophisticated style for those would rather be driving a sports car. The 2010 GTS Design Edition 3 model is equipped with racing stripes and tinted windows. The DE3 also features blacked out bi-xenon headlights, color matched 21-inch wheels, and an extended roof-mounted spoiler, all of which add to its menacing exterior.

To match the posh exterior, comes an exquisite and stylish interior. The luxurious five-seat cabin, power tailgate, and extra spacious second row offer pure luxury. From the high end materials to the meticulous stitching, the Cayenne lives up to its reputation. Alcantara leather and/or suede provide a plush, supple, and rich seating cabin. Comfort and style are key in the Porsche Cayenne.

In addition to its cabin aesthetics, the Cayenne also includes up-graded standard features such as: climate control, a 12-speaker CD system, heated side mirrors, and a leather trimmed three-spoke multi-function steering wheel. Furthermore, standard options also include: Porsche Communication Management, a DVD navigation system with a 6.5- inch color monitor, and touch-screen controls.

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