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Monday, April 11, 2011
Tommy Kaira, car tuner from Japan, has released its styling package for the 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid.The Tommy Kaira 2010 Honda Insight consists of a new bodykit featuring new front grille, low front lip, side skirts and new rear lip attached to the rear bumper.Inside, the modified Honda Insight is fitted with reclining sports seats.
GM has unveiled the 2011 e-Spark at the New Delhi Auto Expo. Set to become India's first four-door electric vehicle, the e-Spark has no relation to the Chevy Beat/Spark destined for North America, Europe, and Asia. In fact, it's so homely, it can't even evoke half-smiles from paid models.Regardless of its styling, the e-Spark is the result of collaboration between GM and the Reva Electric Car Company (G-Wiz in the UK). As such, it will use a RECC electric powertrain with two modes - Regular and Boost. When the latter mode is selected, the electric motor will produce additional torque for improved acceleration.
Porsche is looking for ways to decrease its CO2 footprint and is considering a turbocharged three-cylinder for its next generation Boxster model.The head of the Boxster model line, Hans-Jurgen Wohler, told Autocar that the next Boxster model may come with a three-cylinder turbo producing somewhere between 180 and 200 hp. That would take the models CO2 emissions down to about 180 g/km.
Wohler said that Porsche is looking for ways to reduce emissions, given VW's acquisition of the luxury sports car maker last year. "We are under a great deal of pressure from the EU law makers to reduce emissions, but we don't know yet how much we'll have to come down by," he added.
It is not known how EU rules for reducing emission will apply to Porsche now that it is part of VW Group. Current rules state that an automaker with a volume less than 300,000 units per year (which Porsche meets) need only reduce its fleet emissions by 25 percent by 2012 over 2006 levels. For larger automakers, stricter rules are in place and those will have to reduces their fleet emissions to 120 g/km by 2012.
But Wohler admitted that a low-emissions Boxster wouldn't be enough to meet requirements on its own. Boxster volumes are about 15,000 units per year - a small seller even for a boutique marque like Porsche.
The 2011 BMW M5 saloon will have a 0-100 km/h time 0.3 seconds faster than the current model, according to Car Magazine. The car will receive a significant boost in power and torque, and a generous increase in efficiency.Unfortunately, those who want a wagon variant will have to look elsewhere. No new BMW M5 Touring is planned for production at this time, according to the magazine.
Engineers at the German automaker achieved the faster time despite dumping the 5-liter V10-engine in favor of a 4.4-liter bi-turbo V8. Horsepower on the engine, already seen in the X5 M, bounces up to 578 hp, while torque is increased over the most recent M5 by 40% from 380 lft-lb to 531 ft-lb.
Even with better performance, the car will use an estimated 30% less fuel, while pumping out similarly reduced emissions, with final figures expected to be at a respectable 24 mpg. This was not only accomplished with weight management, but through the use of the company's Efficient Dynamics system. A kinetic energy recovery system (KERS), developed by the company's ex-F1 programme, may also make it to the final vhehicle.
If the 250 km/h (155 mph) speed limiter were removed, the car would top out around 303 km/h (188.3 mph). The 2011 BMW M5 should be introduced at the end of 2010, with market launch in the spring of 2011.
Tokyo-TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces its production and sales subsidiary in India unveiled today-under the banner: "World First, India First"-a concept version of the "Etios*", a compact car newly developed specifically for the Indian market. Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private, Ltd. (TKM) is showing the concept car at the 10th Auto Expo automobile show in New Delhi, which runs until January 11.The Etios is aimed at family users in India's rapidly growing automobile market. Reflecting its "one class above" theme, the Etios' styling evokes a sense of advanced status, and, along with a spacious interior with abundant storage space, it aims to offer both smooth and powerful driving and excellent fuel efficiency.
To make the car as affordable as possible for potential customers, thorough use of local parts will be pursued to keep costs low.
On display at the show are a sedan version with a newly developed 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a hatchback version with a newly developed 1.2-liter gasoline engine.
Etios chief engineer, Yoshinori Noritake, said at the show: "I visited many Indian cities and homes to learn the market and to hear from the consumer directly.
Over four years, more than 2,000 engineers have been involved in the development of the Etios, and each has devoted his or her best effort with no compromises. I am convinced in my heart that the Etios offers joy of ownership and quality of life to consumers in India."
TKM will produce the Etios from late 2010 at its second plant, which is now being built expressly for the new car.
Annual sales in India are set at 70,000 units. Exports are planned.
At the show, the TKM exhibit, with its key message of "Quality Revolution", comprises a total of 14 production and concept vehicles, including the third-generation "Prius" gasoline-electric hybrid passenger car, which is scheduled to go on sale in India in 2010, the "Prado" SUV recently unveiled for the Indian market, the "i-REAL" personal mobility vehicle and the "Fine-S" fuel-cell hybrid vehicle.
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