Car Insurance

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Renault Frendzy Concept previewed ahead of Frankfurt debut

Author: $ | Posted at: 4:07 PM |

Thank you for using rssforward.com! This service has been made possible by all our customers. In order to provide a sustainable, best of the breed RSS to Email experience, we've chosen to keep this as a paid subscription service. If you are satisfied with your free trial, please sign-up today. Subscriptions without a plan would soon be removed. Thank you!

The Frankfurt Motor Show is still about two months away from opening its gates and yet Renault decided to share a preview of their Frendzy Concept.

Forget all those jokes about the French being eager to be first at something in general, the Renault Frendzy Concept is quite the funky and futuristic creation.

Renault Frendzy Concept

In both design and electric power it is very fitting of Renault’s brand efforts and from a first impression perspective it looks to me as if it’s a new Kangoo.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s not enough information on the Frendzy Concept available to make such a statement but let’s consider a few things.

The dimensions of the Renault Frendzy Concept and the practicality you can obtain from it once all the needles concept-like gadgetry you’ll start to get where I’m coming from.

Renault Frendzy Concept

Perhaps the Renault Kangoo ZE is going to be one of the versions of the next generation of the French van and the Frendzy could be the one after that or after it as well.

Getting back to actual things we know about the Renault Frendzy Concept it isn’t your run of the mill van. It is supposed to be a commercial product of a different thinking.

Despite that, it’s supposed to be inspired in terms of design by the Airbus Beluga and the Antonov 224. I’m not sure where to go with that but I guess it’s Renault’s way of saying the Frendzy Concept has a huge cargo area.

Renault Frendzy Concept

That bit of information is almost as baffling as the rear side door which has a 37 inch widescreen LCD display embedded where a window would go.

On the more conventional front, we’re told that the Renault Frendzy Concept is powered by an electric engine with 60 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque.

Rather predictably there’s a lithium-ion battery under that relatively high rear floor in taking over all those duties a fuel tank would handle.

Renault Frendzy Concept

This drivetrain combo would only make a top speed of 81 so I wouldn’t expect any new performance levels to be achieved in terms of range or charging times.

As far as interesting or new things go, that’s where the list for the Renault Frendzy Concept stops and we get to the point where we’ll wait for the actual Frankfurt Motor Show to begin.

Lupica G. 08 Jul, 2011

--
Source: http://www.automotorblog.com/renault-frendzy-concept-previewed-ahead-of-frankfurt-debut/
~
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

Land Rover Discovery 4 & Range Rover Sport new year models come with significant upgrades

Author: $ | Posted at: 3:18 PM |

Shortly after beginning the series production of the new Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover announced that the current Discovery 4 and Range Rover Sport will receive significant improvements for the next year models able to bring some fresh air for the customers.

2012 Land Rover Discovery 4

In terms of driver and safety assist systems, the 2012 Land Rover Discovery 4 benefits from new features such as Automatic Headlamps with High Beam Assist, Vission Assist Pack with Xenon Adaptive Front Headlamps, Tow Assist and Surround Camera System. At the interior, features such as the 17-speaker 825W Harmon Kardon audio system and improved navigation system are available too. The appearance is also improved through a new set of alloy wheels with various designs and sizes.

2012 Land Rover Discovery 4

However, the most important changes happen under the bonnet, where the 3.0-liter SDV6 diesel unit gets revised in order to develop 256 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque. There is also a new eight-speed ZF automatic transmission which helps the British model obtain better figures. More exactly, the fuel consumption improves to 8,8 liters/100 km while the CO2 emissions are lowered to 230 g/km. The 2012 Land Rover Discovery 4 will also benefit from the “Drive Select” rotary gear shift and paddle shift for the steering wheel.

“Improved performance, lower CO2 emissions and enhanced design and equipment levels, consolidate the Discovery 4′s position as the most capable and versatile all-purpose vehicle on and off the road today. The Discovery 4 is quite simply in a class of its own,” said Colin Green, Land Rover UK Managing Director.

2012 Land Rover Discovery 4

The British company says that the 2012 Discovery 4 gets a revised suspension, chassis and brakes. This include new anti roll bars, damper bushes, roll centres and suspension knuckles while a variable ratio steering rack able to significantly improve he stability at high speeds is available as well.

Land Rover’s e_Terrain Technologies are available to improve the fuel economy and provide lower CO2 emissions.
e_TERRAIN TECHNOLOGIES in summary:

• EU5 SDV6 engine technology
• New ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic improves efficiency and reduces CO2
• Diesel particulate filters on all Discovery models
• Engine calibration optimised
• Low engine idle speed
• Reduced torque-converter slip
• Higher torque, allowing longer gearing
• Intelligent Power System Management (IPSM) including smart regenerative charging
• Clutched air conditioning pump to reduce parasitic losses
• Improved aerodynamics

Rikk 08 Jul, 2011

--
Source: http://www.automotorblog.com/land-rover-discovery-4-range-rover-sport-new-year-models-come-with-significant-upgrades/
~
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

Suzuki Sx4 Sedan,Crossover and Hatchback

Author: $ | Posted at: 2:48 PM |

Add caption

2007 Suzuki Sx4

2008-Suzuki-SX4-Crossover

Suzuki-SX4 Sedan

Suzuki-SX4 2011-2012

SX4 1.5G Suzuki SX4

New Suzuki-SX4-

Maruti-Suzuki-SX4-Diesel

2010-Suzuki-SX4

Suzuki SX4 Fastback Base MSRP: $14339

New Maruti Suzuki SX4

2007 Suzuki SX4 Specifications (early)
Wheelbase: 2500mm/98.4-in.
Overall length: 4135mm/162.8-in.
Overall width: 1755mm/69.1-in.
Overall height: 1605mm/63.2-in

R.Jansen 08 Jul, 2011

--
Source: http://luxuricars.blogspot.com/2011/07/suzuki-sx4-sedancrossover-and-hatchback.html
~
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

Next generation BMW M3 will get three turbochargers

Author: $ | Posted at: 2:30 PM |

Dr. Friedrich Nitschke, BMW M Division’s boss recently gave AutoExpress a very interesting interview about the future of M cars and particularly the next generation BMW M3.

Simply put, Bavaria’s M division will end up making a lot more cars than we’ve been getting from them until now. More hot blooded BMW models sounds pretty interesting but wait till you hear about the best of the lot.

BMW M3 CRT

In the short term, it will be the BMW M3 and we will all rejoice at knowing that the next one will be powered by a straight six cylinder engine.

That said though, this six cylinder powerplant will be force fed using a new turbocharging system and that is generally received with split opinions.

Some will say that this sort of thing ruins the smooth power delivery that BMW straight sixes are known for. Others will say that the new turbocharging system will be unreliable.

BMW M3 CRT

The most unconvinced protesters will be the ones who claim that they will miss the current 4.0 liter V8 engine, it’s power and rev capabilities.

In fairness, most of the time I’m a member of one of these camps but given what BMW has to say about their new turbocharged engine is going to meet all requirements of all the fans.

It will be a 3.3 liter engine and it will use 3 turbochargers to develop its peak power and torque. Trust me, that is not a typo, BMW will actually use three turbos on their next M3.

BMW M3 CRT

Dealing with the unreliability of different turbo systems, BMW will most likely use one of their current systems and adapt it. This is because only two of the turbos are going to be driven using conventional exhaust gas pressure.

The third of these turbochargers will get going using electricity. It sounds a bit like overkill but there is a great point to calming diehard fan unrest.

At the moment, all of the current BMW turbocharged engines have extraordinary power delivery with most of the torque being available as early as 1500 rpm.

BMW M3 CRT

Admirable, but some people have blamed BMW even for that limitation. Well, with the help of the electrically propelled turbocharger, that small gap between idle and 1500 rpm will be just as smooth.

I suppose so far we’ve dealt with the majority of complaints from BMW fan base. The entire ensemble however will have the next generation BMW M3 develop 450 horsepower so forget issues with performance.

AutoExpress via Autoblog

Lupica G. 08 Jul, 2011

--
Source: http://www.automotorblog.com/next-generation-bmw-m3-will-get-three-turbochargers/
~
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com