Belalang Otosport: 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

2012 Jaguar XF Facelift Makes World Premiere at New York Auto Show

The new model year brings a refresh for Jaguar’s XF and XFR sedans, which were both revealed in a world premiere today at the New York Auto Show. The British firm’s BMW 5-Series rival receives restyled front and rear bodywork, along with some subtle changes inside and for certain markets including Europe, the introduction of a new four-cylinder turbo diesel engine.

On the outside, Jaguar tried to bring the XF into line with the new XJ, though some may also see common themes with the original C-XF Concept, especially up front with the new and sleeker headlamp designs that incorporate LED daytime running lights arranged in a distinctive Jaguar ‘J-Blade’ signature.
The 2012 XF benefits from revisions to the grille, hood, and front fenders, which incorporate new triangular side vents, while Jaguar also added larger tail lamps with full-LEDs for stop, tail light and turn signal functions. In addition, the trunk lid trim has been redesigned. The XFR’s newly styled bumpers and alloy wheels complete the exterior makeover.
Inside, the changes are more subtle with the XF gaining a new steering wheel, revised seats, a modified instrument panel and optional 1200W Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system.
In North America, the 2012 XF continues with the existing engine lineup that includes a 385HP 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8, a 470HP 5.0-liter supercharged V8 and a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 with 510HP in the XFR.
In Europe and other markets, however, Jaguar is introducing the 2.2-liter four-cylinder AJ-i4D turbo diesel, which is a development of the Ford unit found in the Land Rover Freelander. The oil burner puts out 190HP and 450Nm of peak torque, and is linked to a new 8-speed automatic transmission.
Jaguar says that with this engine, the XF reached 60mph (96 km/h) in 8.0 seconds en route to a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h), while returning a 52.3mpg UK (equal to 43.6 mpg US or 5.4 lt/100 km) on the EU combined cycle, making it the most economical Jaguar ever. According to the automaker, it emits 149g/km of CO2 and is Euro Stage V compliant.

Rumormill: Ferrari to unveil all-wheel-drive shooting brake in Geneva?

We’re anticipating a new Ferrari to be unveiled in a few months time at the Geneva Motor Show, but just what form – and arguably just as vitally, what technology – the new Prancing Horse will take has been the subject of much rumor and conjecture as of late.

Based on Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo’s reported pronouncement that his company is preparing “a very different new Ferrari” for the Swiss salon, initial reports speculated that a production-ready hybrid could be in the cards. But the latest reports seem to call that into question.

So if not a hybrid, what has Maranello got in store for us? Most reports point towards a replacement for the 612 Scaglietti, the company’s flagship (if somewhat lackluster) four-seat GT. Others suggest a shooting brake two-door wagon, while yet others report that whatever debuts will incorporate the company’s part-time all-wheel drive system, if not necessarily a hybrid drivetrain. The truth probably lies in the combination of several of these reports, if not all of them, but we’ll just have to sit tight to see what will lie underneath the veil come March.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Aera concept wins 7th annual L.A. design challenge

LOS ANGELES – The Cadillac Aera concept vehicle won the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge, tying with Smart and besting entries from seven other automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Maybach. GM Advanced Design has now won the honor more times than any other design team; this is its third victory since 2005.

This is the seventh year for the contest, and this year designers were asked to envision the “1,000 lb. car” and tasked to imagine an efficient four-passenger vehicle that maintained comfort, safety, driving performance and style while not exceeding the weight requirement.

“The Cadillac Aera concept was designed to continue the forward-thinking imagination of Cadillac’s ‘art and science’ philosophy,” explains Jussi Timonen, lead designer for the project. “It’s designed as a small city urban vehicle, but we approached this 2+2 touring coupe very much from the brand’s luxury perspective. Every detail of the Aera was conceived to minimize the vehicle’s environmental impact without sacrificing the style, comfort and attention to detail that are hallmarks of the Cadillac brand.”

The Aera is powered by compressed air via a highly efficient Pneumatic Drive System that has a 10,000-psi composite air storage tank with capacity for a 1,000-mile range. Flexible, pressurized air cells in the exterior skin, similar to material developed for the NASA Mars Rover airbags, enhance passive safety and interior comfort. The flexible polymer skin optimizes aerodynamics and functions as an ultra-lightweight alternative to conventional body panels and glass.

Aera’s body utilizes a 3D lattice, mono-formed frame that was designed to be similar to configurations found consistently in nature. The structure is formed from unique, alloy-utilizing, semi-solid freeform manufacturing, creating a naturally strong, extremely lightweight frame. All major body parts, including interior components, are essentially “grown” into a single part lattice structure.

The interior is crafted with an ultra-light recyclable polymer that allows for HVAC channels, fully adjustable seating, storage and comfort features all in one mono-form structure. Generous storage space accommodates luggage for two people.

Additional technologies include an all-in-one wheel system that combines rotary actuator propulsion, steering and suspension functions. A drive-by-wire system decreases the mass of electrical components, while vehicle-to-vehicle communication promotes active safety.

The concept was conceived in GM’s North Hollywood Advanced Design Studio by Frank Saucedo, director; Phil Tanioka, vehicle designer; Brent Wickham, concept strategist; Shawn Moghadam, layout designer and Timonen, the project manager. Earlier this week, GM commemorated 10 years of advanced design at the L.A. area studio.

“This year’s design challenge was extremely difficult to judge because of the quality of all of the entries, but I believe that the executions that won exemplified everything that we were trying to achieve with this competition,” said Stewart Reed, chair, Transportation Design, Art Center College of Design. “The concepts that won were really spot on for their brands, which was one of many reasons for the victory.”

The Design Challenge is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers’ conference and has evolved into an integral element of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Design Los Angeles connects those working in the design industry with well-known automotive design industry leaders. Los Angeles is home to the world’s largest concentration of manufacturer design studios, representing automakers from North America, Europe and Asia. It is also the home of Art Center College of Design
, one of the world’s foremost transportation design institutions where many of today’s leading automotive designers began their careers.

source : Cadillac Press

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon First Look

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Wallpaper

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Side View

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Interior

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Photo

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Rear Side View

2011 Cadillac Escalade Exotic Cars

2011 Cadillac Escalade Front View

2011 Cadillac Escalade Front Light

2011 Cadillac Escalade Grille View

2011 Cadillac Escalade Car Picture

2011 Cadillac Escalade Details

2011 Cadillac Escalade Side View

2011 Cadillac Escalade Car Interior

2011 Cadillac Escalade Images

2011 Cadillac Escalade Rear View

2011 Cadillac Escalade Car Wheel

2011 Cadillac Escalade Exotic Cars

2011 Cadillac Escalade Rear Light

2011 Cadillac Escalade Launch

2011 Cadillac Escalade Rear Side Angle View

2011 Cadillac Escalade First Look

2011 Cadillac Escalade Photos

BYD E6 in 2010 2011

At the Detroit Auto Show in January 2010 the ambitious automaker announced that the BYD E6 electric crossover production schedule was on track and that U.S. deliveries would get underway by the end of the year. But unfortunately, the plan was postponed to American buyers.

Even though the E6 has been delayed, there appears to be some indication that the automaker could launch the electric crossover in the U.S. in 2011. The holdup was caused by BYD’s efforts to make the car roomier, especially its rear-seat area that was cramped thanks to a beefy battery pack that needs to be stored under the seat.

2010 byd e6 interior view 2010 BYD E6

Hope the dream will be realized or until 2011 for the fans of E6. Furthermore, Li declared that private buyers interested in the E6 will get a crack at owning one in 2012. We’re not going to take bets that BYD’s plans won’t get derailed again.