Making the latest and greatest new green-car has sparked the interest of lots of Silicon Valley big shots...with no experience with or knowledge of cars. They say Detroit is no longer innovative, and is not meeting the demands of customers, who want green options, and they want them yesterday!The offerings so far seem to cover the spectrum - the Tesla is the high end, expensive beauty that could see celebs driving green cars as a status symbol and something for the common fold to aspire to (I know I would loooove to drive a Tesla). The three wheeled vehicle pictured, with the driving similar to that of a jet, might appeal to the motorcycle crowd...It will be interesting to see how it pans out. But I am glad to see people trying new things. Options are always good, right?
Future Megane get enough sports appearance in the same style with a new Laguna. Some features of the concept car will have Renault Megane Concept. 2009 Renault Megane plan to produce three-and five bodies, and its competitors will become Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.
Here are some scanned photos from a Japanese magazine which show a concept car from Mazda, which will most likely be presented at the Tokyo Motor Show, which will start in October. The article also suggests that the concept will probably be the next generation RX-7 and will be powered by the next generation of Mazda’s rotary engine, the RENESIS(2), which itself will incorporate the first increase in displacement of a Mazda rotary engine from its famous 1.3 liters since 1974. So will this be the next generation of the legendary RX-7? We think so and we won’t have to wait long, with the Tokyo Motor Show so close. View more photos after the jump.
with corrosion and other engine grime! It’s a good reason to upgrade the security on your car though and perhaps hire a 24-7 security team. If the boys down the pug are argueing over their red top, blue top and black top engines you can silence them all with this gold topped one.
The Mazda CX-7 is available for some time now in Europe with a 260 hp 2.3 petrol engine and a six-speed manual transmission. And with Europeans being big diesel fans, Mazda decided to offer a 2.2 liter Turbo diesel which develops 155 hp and is developed with Ford / PSA Peugeot-Citroen. With the CX-7 already having quite a success, the addition of the diesel engine will make it one of the most popular cars in its category. Oh, and don’t forget, the Mazda CX-7 is a candidate in our European “Car of the Year” Competition, so go ahead and vote for your favorite car and you can win some cool prizes.
Mazda Taiki, the latest concept car form the Japanese producer, follows the path of Mazda’s “flow” design concept (latest example is what’s probably going to be the next Mazda RX-7) with elements of real-world technologies. The Taiki is equipped with a next-generation RENESIS rotary engine under the hood, and the rear-wheel-drive concept is a two-seater. The Japanese word “Taiki” roughly translates to atmosphere. Mazda used this name to equate the car’s stretched cabin, short overhangs, and glass canopy with the “protective mantle” around Earth.
One of the key differences from previous concept cars is the Taiki’s rear wheels, which seem to stick out a bit, and are covered by a sort-of simulated wheel well. The effect of this is the illusion that the rear wheels are not protected as part of the chassis, but if you look at a picture of the car from behind the wheels look more integrated.
The Mazda Taiki will be debuted to the public at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. View more photos after the jump.
Earlier today we’ve presented the Ford Verve Sedan concept which made its world debut at the Guangzhou Motor Show in China and here’s another B-segment sedan which was introduced here, the Mazda 2 Sedan. The car will be produced in China, where it will enter the market in the first half of 2008 and Mazda has its hopes real high with this model. Here’s what Noriaki Yamada, President and COO of Mazda Motor China said: “By introducing the four-door sedan we will have completed our product launches in the B, C and CD segments, which represent the three major Chinese vehicle classes.” So, what do you think about the Mazda 2? Which one do you think it’ll have more success, this one or the Ford Verve? Express your opinion here.
On December 5, at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy, the Mazda5 facelift will make its debut in Europe, with sales scheduled to start in early 2008. The compact MPV from Mazda will be powered by a 2.0 liter revised petrol engine, which now features electric throttle and S-VT(sequential valve timing). The Mazda5 will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission and a five-speed automatic transmission will also be available, as an option. The new Mazda5 facelift also features new front dampers, refined suspension, new brake booster and it also has new power sliding rear doors that can open and close in about 5 seconds. On the inside, we have a new navigation and audio systems with DVD, strengthened wheel rims and new Thinsulate insulation added to the roof liner to reduce road noise.
Powered by the 450 hp RENESIS-based R20B three-rotor rotary engine, the Mazda Furai is based on a Courage C65 chassis and, featuring racing technologies, is able to reach over 180 mph top speed.
“The Mazda design and R&D teams worked closely with Swift Engineering to refine the aerodynamic characteristics, assuring that Furai remains glued to the ground at high speeds. Through its existing relationship with Swift Engineering, forged through development of the Mazda/Cosworth-powered Champ Car Atlantic single-seater chassis, the team used complex Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to tune various Nagare design elements to function at a high degree of efficiency. Drag, downforce, lift and overall aesthetics were all key considerations.”
One year after the five-door version of the Mazda2 debuted here at Geneva, now it’s time for the Mazda2 three-door version to be presented in world premiere at the Swiss show. The car presented at the Mazda stand looks good especially in the red mica color (like the Mazda Ryuga concept presented last year at Detroit) and with the exterior sports package featuring lowered suspension, wider tread, projector-type headlamps and 16-inch painted wheels. On the interior, the car has also sporty accents, with Recaro® seats in racy red and black two-tone, matching red stitching on the leather steering wheel leather inserts and panels on the door trims. Under the hood, the Mazda2 three-door hatchback will be available with the same engines as the ?ve-door hatchback:
• MZR 1.5-litre petrol with maximum power of 76 kW/103 PS at 6,000 rpm, maximum torque of 137 Nm at 4,000 rpm
• MZR 1.5-litre uses only 5.9 litres of fuel per 100 km (combined), produces just 140 g/km of CO 2
• MZR 1.3-litre Standard Power version with maximum power of 55 kW/75 PS at 6,000 rpm, maximum torque of 121 Nm at 3,500 rpm
• MZR 1.3-litre High Power version with maximum output of 63 kW/86 PS at 6,000 rpm, maximum torque of 122 Nm at 3,500 rpm
• Both derivatives of the MZR 1.3-litre petrol use just 5.4 litres of fuel per 100 km (combined) and produce just 129 g/km of CO 2
• MZ-CD 1.4-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine with maximum power of 50 kW/68 PS at 4,000 rpm and 160 Nm of torque at a low 2,000 rpm for lively driving fun
• MZ-CD 1.4-litre uses just 4.3 litres fuel per 100 km (combined) and produces a very low 114 g/km of CO 2
• Five-speed manual transmission standard for all engines
For more details and a complete photo gallery, click on the ‘Read More’ link below.
The winner of the Overall Car of the Year award was the Mazda2, followed by the new Ford Mondeo and the Mercedes Benz C Class. The Mazda2 also came in second at the World Design of the Year, where the winner was the Audi R8 and the third place went to the Volvo C30. The Audi R8 also won in the World Performance Car section, followed by the Audi S5 Coupe and the new BMW M3. The fourth award, for the World Green Car was won by the BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics followed by the SmartForTwo cdi and the Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI BlueMotion.
So, we can say that the big winners were the Audi R8, with two awards, and the Mazda2, which won the main category and also came in second at another. The winners of the second and third place in each category are ok, though we don’t really dig the Volvo C30 as a great design.
BMW wasn’t planning on releasing the M3 convertible just yet. It had its hands full with the production X6 crossover and those new-fangled turbodiesels the company unveiled at the Detroit show. The M3 drop-top wasn’t supposed to debut until March at the Geneva show. But the Bavarian automaker evidently took a decidedly un-German “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” attitude when initial images and details leaked out. Rather than trying to hold the dam together, BMW has decided to join us for a swim and let the floodgates open on its new V8 hard-top convertible. As exciting and versatile package it is, the real news here is BMW’s new M DCT twin-clutch gearbox that stands in for the previous SMG transmission, which had its fair share of haters. The rest we already know from the M3 coupe and the more plebian 3-Series convertible. Unfortunately, the glorious M-tuned V8 is bogged down by an extra 450 lbs. of folding metal and electric motors, but that’s the price you pay (on top of what promises to be a heart-attack-inducing sticker price) for the option of taking in the sunshine and that delicious exhaust note without sacrificing the security of a tin top. Swapping cogs at lightning speed, though, should help mitigate the half second the convertible loses on the coupe.
The Jag in the auto industry has partly pulled the curtain covering its new teaser - the XF. Teaser image of Jaguar XF was released by the automaker to just barely reveal the concept car it will be unveiling at the North American International Auto Show in January next year. The image suggests a “major new concept car” for enthusiasts to look forward to.
All-new XF is deemed the replacement of S-Type, a midsize luxury car which has been known for its versatility, ergonomics and refinement. So far, the minds of Jaguar enthusiasts are reeling. They ask whether the new car from Jaguar would create a bold new design to save the ailing automaker. Some of them think that XF would lead a new design direction and deviate from the usual Jaguar trend. Moreover, they anticipate that XF will tickle their car fancies and satisfy their driving needs.
Jaguar did not give details about its new addition in its lineup however; it
confirmed the fact that it will be unveiling the car in autumn next year. According to Jaguar, “Further details and imagery will be sent nearer the time.” Also, customer deliveries are scheduled to start in spring 2008. However
, the schedule is also subject to automaker’s consideration of the current market.
Hungary is not the first place that comes to mind when thinking about cutting edge green vehicles, yet. If the creators of the Antro Solo have their way, the country will be synonymous with green machines by 2012. The Antro Solo is a solar, human and gas-electric hybrid vehicle. It looks like nothing else out there, and has a fuel efficiency of more than 150 miles per gallon!The Antro Solo is a three seat gas-electric hybrid prototype made entirely out of carbon fiber. This material choice allowed the graphic designers to lower the weight of the vehicle to a measly 270kg. This also allowed them to achieve phenomenal fuel efficiency and a pretty decent top speed of 87mph. All of this is impressive enough, but the Solo’s designers were not content to stop there.
In order to maximize
the efficiency of the vehicle, the designers installed solar panels on the roof. These solar panels store energy in the car’s batteries which can be used for short 15-25km trips. If there hasn’t been enough sun to power the batteries, each passenger’s seat comes equipped with pedals that can power the vehicles generator. If you are by yourself, or everyone gets tired, the car can switch to its small combustion engine that is capable of running on petrol or ethanol.The prototype was shown at the Budapest Museum of Transport. It is set to go into production in 2012, and expected to cost around $20,000 dollars.
This new Malibu is better in every way, beginning with a highly detailed dual grille, rounded-off hood…Chevrolet has its style groove back. This new Malibu — named the 2008 North American Car of the Year — begins with a highly detailed dual grille, rounded-off hood and deftly formed fenders, roofline and rear deck. The cabin includes a prominent control panel flanked by recessed gauges. The new Malibu is longer, which translates into more room and an improved ride. The base engine is a 164-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder; a 252-h.p. 3.6-litre V-6 is optional. The Malibu Hybrid combines an electric motor with the 2.4-cylinder base engine. Expect LS units to come with the usual air/tilt/power grouping, six airbags and ABS. The LT and LTZ add more features with a larger sunroof and premium audio.
The Honda Accord has grown up in size, shape and substance for 2008.The Honda Accord has grown in size, shape and substance for 2008. This flagship model is a great passenger car — confirmed by the Accord EX winning the 2008 “Best New Family Car” title from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. The looks have been sharpened and the car is roomier than ever. There are new suspension components, lower centre of gravity and new engine mounts. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard, and the sedan gets a 177-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder, while the coupe’s is tweaked to 190 h.p. A 268-h.p. 3.5-litre V-6 is optional. Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management, on V-6 automatic-transmission models, allows the engine to use three, four or all six cylinders depending on load.
The Saturn Aura’s launch last year was significant signalling a desire for this General Motors division…
The Saturn Aura’s launch last year was significant, signalling a desire for this General Motors division to lead the way. The base Aura XE comes with your choice of a 2.4-litre four or a 219-horsepower 3.5-litre V-6 with four-speed automatic transmission. The premium XR has a 252-h.p. 3.6-litre four-cam V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. The Aura Green Line hybrid combines the four-cylinder gas engine with a helper electric motor for a calculated increase in fuel economy of about 25 per cent over the base four-cylinder gas-only model. Content includes climate control, power adjustable driver’s seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, six airbags, traction control and a one-year subscription to OnStar. gm.ca
Furai (Japanese for ‘sound of the wind’) is the sort of car that could only come from a company that incorporates the ‘Soul of a Sports Car’ into everything it builds, but with an eye toward the future and the environment through the use of renewable fuels. Consequently, Furai is initially tuned to operate on 100 per cent ethanol, while research with partner BP into other future fuels, including ethanol/gasoline blends like E10, continues.
The ‘Nagare’ ethos is how Mazda’s future production models will sustain the Zoom-Zoom spirit by exhibiting their strong affinity for motion.
Furai not only probes future design possibilities, it also ventures ahead with an alternative fuel. Consistent with the Mazda’s recently announced ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom’ initiatives, the Furai’s three-rotor powerplant has been tuned to run powerfully on 100-percent ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and ethanol/gasoline blends. There are exciting advances being made in renewable fuels, from current blends like E10 (10% ethanol/90% gasoline) with research ongoing into making ethanol from cellulostic materials, to future renewable gasoline components like Butanol – a ‘higher order’ alcohol which is fungible with gasoline.
John Doonan, Mazda’s manager of motorsports team development in the USA, explains the thinking behind Furai’s use of alternative fuel, “One of our key technical partners in motorsports, BP, helped facilitate our use of E100. In 2007, ALMS required use of E10 and E100 is now the only acceptable fuel in the Indy Racing League, so we’re projecting ahead with this application to gain experience and to improve Mazda’s environmental profile.
We are proud to partner BP which is a string leader in renewable fuels and recently announced a US$500 million investment in the Energy Biosciences Institute. BP also has a very green focus in the marketplace, and it’s Mazda’s intention to sustain its Zoom-Zoom performance image on and off the racetrack. While Mazda’s rotary has proven readily adaptable to various alternative fuels, including considerable work with hydrogen fuel, this is the first time it’s been engineered for other ethanol blends. The Mazda rotary engine is unique in its ability to run well on multiple fuels.”
Codenamed P11, the new sports car is designed to extend McLaren’s racetrack expertise to a wider audience. While today’s SLR, jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and widely considered a disappointment, costs an eye-watering £320,000, McLaren’s new baby will cost somewhere between £150-200k. A relative bargain then. Click ‘Next’ below to read the full story.
The Tundra is a full-size pickup truck sold by Toyota that originally went into production in 1999 (as a 2000 model year model), Currently, the Tundra has been on the market for more than half a decade, and has captured 17 percent of the full-size half-ton market.
The all new Tundra is assembled in two different locations, both inside the United States. The Standard and Double Cabs are assembled in "Truck Country" San Antonio, Texas, while the Crew Max is assembled in Mooreland, Indiana. Toyota Motor Corporation assembled around 150,000 Standard and Double Cabs, and only 70,000 Crew Max's in 2007. As of November 2008 the San Antonio Plant will be the only one producing Tundra Trucks.
In addition to the Tundra, Toyota also produces the Tacoma, with a smaller body and smaller engine than its bigger brother.
