Car Insurance: 06/21/11

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Audi’s A1 goes extra efficient with a TDI 1.6L

Author: $ | Posted at: 2:16 PM |

The Audi A1 is nice to be seen in and all that. Happily though, the Ingolstadt based Germans have kind of brought back the idea of what a small car is all about.

Style is nice, luxury is even better but Audi is now offering their A1 with the added bonus of exemplary fuel economy, especially since they now have a special TDI model in the range.

Audi A1 TDI

The Audi A1′s 1.6 TDI is not really new, it’s been reprogrammed in order to be as friendly to the “green crowd” as possible.

The small 1.6 liter turbo diesel gets an updated fuel system and engine management software that takes no prisoners in the field of fuel economy and low emissions.

At an identically rated 105 horsepower to the “normal” version of the Audi A1 1.6 liter it seems like we don’t get any loss in performance.

Audi A1 TDI

On the upside of the newly tuned motor, there’s a rated 74.3 mpg (on the UK cycle) fuel economy and CO2 emissions that don’t go past 99 g/km.

The cash you save on fuel is pretty interesting but the main focus of this engine re-tune is the changing of the road tax to being none at all.

A fuel economy that’s measured on the UK cycle and this new legislation pack in emissions is a bit of a hit as to who the Audi A1 TDI is for.

Audi A1 TDI

According to the press release, Audi is only going to be offering this new A1 TDI 1.6 in the United Kingdom and therefore the equipment levels are going to be nothing to shy away from.

Standard stuff across the range includes alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors are what you have to start with.

The six-speaker single CD audio system, iPod connectivity, a 6.5 inch retractable display infotainment and engine start stop is what you get on the inside.

Audi A1 TDI

Despite the eco-friendliness, some energy regeneration systems and so on the Audi A1 can properly use a five speed gearbox and get from 0 to 62 in just 10.5 seconds and continue to a top speed of 118 mph.

It would be foolish to say that that’s enough for town cruising, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, apart from possible space issues, the Audi A1 in 1.6 liter TDI spec is pretty much ready for every occasion.

This automotive “little black dress” is available in SE, Sport and S line trim with on the road pricing in the UK ranging from £14.480 to £17.865.

Lupica G. 22 Jun, 2011

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Source: http://www.automotorblog.com/audis-a1-goes-extra-efficient-with-a-tdi-1-6l/
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Nissan Altima Hybrid is going through changes

Author: $ | Posted at: 12:49 PM |

Hybrids aren’t what they used to be and it seems like the Japanese are still the ones to look to when trying to find out what’s the latest thing.

As Nissan is now teaching us, the days of the previous version of the Altima Hybrid drivetrain are gone. After initial reports about the Nissan Altima Hybrid being killed off we’re now being told it is going through changes.

2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Regardless of what Eminem is singing about lately, the Nissan Altima Hybrid will once again be offering something revolutionary.

For those of you who don’t recall, the Nissan Altima Hybrid was a first gas-electric hybrid model for the company. Sounds like a great milestone but it wasn’t as successful as you’d imagine.

Not even the Altima Hybrid’s big brother, the Infiniti M35h wasn’t that successful so this is where Nissan decided to go back to the drawing board and get to work.

2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Part of this plan to give the Nissan Altima Hybrid a few changes includes dropping it for the 2012 model year while everything is being set straight.

By set straight, the Japanese are saying the future hybrid drivetrain will no longer include a 3.5 liter V6 and rear wheel drive being mated to some electrically driven motor.

This time round, the new Nissan Altima Hybrid will get what it needs in order to become even more fuel efficient than before. Surely, that’s the whole point of having a hybrid isn’t it?

2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Apparently, in this segment, rear wheel drive isn’t good enough and Nissan will go through all the hoops they have to in order to get the hybrid system to work with FWD layouts.

Further sweetening the deal against gas guzzling, Nissan’s future Altima Hybrid will have a four cylinder powerplant instead of the V6.

The announcement on what changes the Altima is going through came from a Nissan spokesperson so we can take this for granted. According to him, the Japanese company decided that this is the best way to go.

2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid

A new Nissan Altima Hybrid that’s a year away seems to have all the basis covered, the only somewhat questionable piece is the transmission.

This is where Nissan isn’t certain on picking between a dual clutch get up or their already established continuously variable transmission setup.

Nissan claim that they aren’t doing this hybrid revival just for the Altima and that once the platform and drivetrain are sorted out they will be using the setup throughout more of their model range.

Lupica G. 22 Jun, 2011

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Source: http://www.automotorblog.com/nissan-altima-hybrid-is-going-through-changes/
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DMC reveals Ferrari FF “Maximus” complete tuning program

Author: $ | Posted at: 11:47 AM |

It’s true that the new Ferrari FF which is the first four-seater in the range did not impressed the fans of the brand at the debut, it’s design but also the increased passenger space which clearly shows that the model is dedicated to the family cars segment being the main factors of disagreement. Ferrari tried to develop a model which can be used in a vacation with the family, the supercar tradition being somehow broken.

Ferrari FF Maximus by DMC

That’s why the German specialists from DMC decided to create a complete tuning kit for the Italian model, a package called “Maximus” which provides serious aesthetic and performance upgrades.

Therefore, under the bonnet, the 6.0-liter engine which fits the Ferrari FF will be able to deliver 876 horsepower and 862 Nm of torque, an increase of over 200 horses over the standard model. In order to achieve these results, the German tuning house mounted twin superchargers, a new intake manifold, a larger intercooler and high-flow air filters but also high performance fuel injectors.

Ferrari FF Maximus by DMC

In addition, a new stainless-steel sport exhaust system with 90 mm pipes will provide extra power for an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3,2 seconds and a top speed of 340 km/h. Moreover, the Italian model should accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h in only 9,1 seconds, all these great figures being also possible thanks to a total mass decreased by 70 kilograms.

The Ferrari FF Maximus gets a new sport suspension able to improve the ride and handling and a front-axle lift system while Pirelli Pzero tires will wrap the new set of 21-inch (front) and 22-inch (rear) rims. The new aerodynamic kit designed by DMC includes new front and rear bumpers, a rear wing, trunk spoiler and rear diffuser. According to the official details, the German will use a 3D scanner to replace the current panels with lightweight carbon fiber components resulting in a lighter total mass.

Ferrari FF Maximus by DMC

The Germans claimed that this is a design concept which is currently under development but potential customers are welcome to get in touch. “It is planned to have aerodynamical parts that are engineered with close considerations of the Ferrari XX Series. All parts will be molded of pure 100% Carbon Fiber,” claims the tuner.

Rikk 22 Jun, 2011

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Source: http://www.automotorblog.com/dmc-reveals-ferrari-ff-maximus-complete-tuning-program/
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2012 MINI Coupe – official specs, photos, pricing and availability

Author: $ | Posted at: 9:46 AM |

The British people from MINI decided to introduce the all-new 2012 Coupe, a model based on the hatchback version which comes with four different engine variants and a starting price of $22,000. The first two-seater in the brand's current range retained almost all the elements of the concept with the same name revealed two years ago.

2012 MINI Coupe

The British small-segment model features an air vent integrated into the hood, a centered dual pipe exhaust system, a roof which extends in the rear and a bold appearance overall.

2012 MINI Coupe

As mentioned above, the new MINI Coupe gets rid of the rear seat which ensures more space at the interior, the boot capacity being increased to 280 liters. The ground clearance of the British model is now 52mm lower comparing to the hatchback model while an active rear spoiler actions in order to provide a better airflow but this happens only at speeds up to 80 km/h.

2012 MINI Coupe

The 2012 MINI Coupe features plenty innovative systems such as Electric Power Steering, Dynamic Traction Control, Electronic Differential Lock Control, Dynamic Stability Control which together with a weight balanced structure provides an unbeatable driving fun, according to the official details.

2012 MINI Coupe

Under the bonnet, the new MINI Coupe comes with an entry-level 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated petrol unit able to deliver 121 horses and 160 Nm of torque, variant known as MINI Cooper Coupe. Moving on, the MINI Cooper S Coupe is able to produce 181 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque from a 1.6-liter turbo unit. The range-topping version is the MINI JCW which delivers 207 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque, an optional overboost system able to offer extra 20 Nm of torque being available too.

2012 MINI Coupe

The British manufacturer offers a diesel choice too, we talk about the MINI Cooper SD Coupe which packs a 2.0-liter unit producing 141 horsepower and 305 Nm of torque. This unit comes with a six-speed manual gearbox like all the other units while an automatic transmission is available too for all the units excluding the top of the range MINI JCW Coupe.

2012 MINI Coupe

The most powerful variant is priced at $31,900 in the U.S. while for $22,000 you can get the base model which develops 121 horses and 160 Nm of torque. If you want more power you can opt for the MINI Cooper S Coupe which delivers 181 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque but the price climbs up to $25,300. MINI also released a commercial for the new model, the video being available below: