Chrysler reveals three new green concepts at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show

Chrysler has unveiled three brand new concept vehicles – each featuring a different advanced alternative fuel system – at the Detroit Auto Show today. The Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept, Jeep Renegade Concept and Dodge ZEO Concept take advantage of the best new technologies and couple them with the room, comfort, speed and style customers want from their family vehicle.

Simon Elliott, Managing Director of Chrysler UK, said: “Providing exceptional fuel economy and reducing emissions is part of Chrysler’s environmental commitment. In fact, we have already seen some of the benefits of our green approach in the UK with the launch of so many Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models with fuel-efficient diesel engines in the last few years.

“These three new designs show that we are moving all of our brands forward with a green agenda. The challenge for our designers today is to make sure that future designs stand out from the crowd, while making sure that they are eco-friendly. The designers and engineers have done a great job with this year’s concepts – I imagine that it won’t be too long before we see this type of technology being used on and off our streets.”

The Chrysler ecoVoyager four-door, four-passenger concept was developed for customers wanting a travel experience on par with a private jet, but without a lot of fancy gadgetry. These customers seek three critical attributes: elegance, simplicity and serenity.

The ecoVoyager’s front wheels are driven by an electric motor, with power primarily supplied by a lithium-ion battery pack capable of satisfying a consumer’s typical daily commute of less than 40 miles. The electric motor develops 200 kilowatts (268 horsepower), enabling acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in less than eight seconds. A regenerative braking system captures energy that would normally be lost and returns it to the battery, making the Chrysler ecoVoyager concept a very efficient vehicle.

The ecoVoyager takes advantage of a range extender – in this case, a small, advanced hydrogen fuel cell -- to extend the vehicle range for longer trips. With this advanced technology, the Chrysler ecoVoyager’s total range is greater than 300 miles, while no emissions – besides water vapour -- come from the exhaust along the way.

The Jeep® Renegade concept vehicle is a sporty, “minimised” two-seater ideally suited for the all-weather fun of dune-surfing or rock-crawling.

The advanced propulsion system in the Jeep Renegade concept starts with a 40-mile range lithium-ion battery pack. A range extender – in Renegade’s case, a1.5-litre BLUETEC diesel engine – allows for journeys up to 400 miles.

Renegade’s BLUETEC diesel engine generates an additional 115 horsepower when needed, while greatly reducing exhaust emissions when compared to standard petrol engines. Renegade is capable of achieving an equivalent petroleum fuel economy of 110 miles per gallon, which is four-to-five times greater than an equivalent petrol-only vehicle.

The Jeep Renegade concept is designed for cross-country fun and agility and with an additional electric motor powering each axle, the Renegade boasts a very capable 4x4 system – complete with low range and locking differentials -- worthy of carrying the Jeep name.

The 2008 Dodge ZEO -- Zero Emissions Operation – concept vehicle is a four-passenger, all-electric, “2+2” sport wagon that embraces the bold, emotional characteristic of the Dodge brand.

“The Dodge ZEO concept is designed to break the paradigm of what an electric car should look like,” said Bill Zheng, Dodge ZEO principal exterior designer. “An electric car can be as expressive as any petrol-powered vehicle. The Dodge ZEO concept proves that point – and then some.”

The advanced propulsion system powering the Dodge ZEO concept is electric-only with a 64 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack capable of at least 250 miles. Resting in a rear-wheel drive layout, Dodge ZEO’s 200 kilowatt (268 horsepower) single-electric motor contributes to a 0-60 mph time in less than six seconds -- which rivals Chrysler’s famed HEMI powerplant.

მაგარია ძაან! განსაკუთრებით პირველი!

Volkswagen today unveiled the latest addition to its passenger car line-up at the North American International Auto Show – the elegant new Passat CC. Drawing on the virtues of the Passat model the new four-seat CC model debuts not only a new look but also pioneering new comfort, safety and dynamic technologies.

Featuring the profile and subtly aggressive stance of a coupé yet benefiting from four doors and four individual seats with plentiful headroom the new Passat CC combines the virtues of desirability with practicality. The nose features elegantly contoured light units framing a set of sculpted airdams that mix aesthetic appeal with functionality. Integrated into the front of the vehicle are a set of sensors for Volkswagen’s Lane Assist and Park Assist systems.

Lane Assist is a safety system designed to guide the vehicle automatically should it sense that the car is inadvertently drifting out of the desired lane on a motorway. The system is switched off as soon as the indicators are engaged – the driver can override the system at any time. Park Assist, available on both the Tiguan and Touran models, allows the vehicle to guide itself into a parallel parking space with the help of sensors placed around the vehicle. Although the vehicle is responsible for steering inputs the driver retains control of the throttle and braking systems at all times. Both systems will be offered as an option on the new Passat CC.

The Passat CC’s contoured glasshouse incorporates a large, panoramic roof section measuring 750 mm in length and 1,120 mm in width, lending the interior a bright, airy feel. At the rear the bootlid blends into the rear window to allow a wide, practical opening. Intersecting the boot is a subtle aerodynamic wing framed by a pair of twin lens rear light units.

The new Passat CC measures 4,796 mm long and 1,856 mm wide – a gain of 31 mm in length over the standard Passat and 36 mm in width. Accordingly the rear track grows by 16 mm while the front track is widened by 11 mm. The sleek new profile accounts for a 50 mm reduction in the overall height of the vehicle.

The new look continues inside the vehicle. A new steering wheel featuring controls for the phone and entertainment systems sits behind new dials in the cowelled instrument pack. New finishes including the option of wood or aluminium are complemented by a subtle new ambient lighting system. Beneath the optional touchscreen satellite navigation system are revised controls for the climate control. The front seats can be specified with integrated heating systems for the winter and cooling systems for the summer – technology previously only available on the Phaeton. In the rear a set of sculpted individual seats are joined by a storage cubby between the two passengers.

Sharpened styling is joined by sharper dynamics. The new Passat CC features the option of Dynamic Drive Control or DDC. Offering three settings – comfort, normal and sport – the system acts not only on the damper units to firm up or soften the ride but also changes the characteristics of the electro-mechanical steering system to suit a more comfort- or sport-orientated driving style. Models without optional DDC adopt conventional damper units tuned to provide a sporty yet refined ride.

At the heart of the new Passat CC is a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines. The entry level petrol engine is a 1.8-litre TSI unit developing 160 PS and 184 lbs ft of torque linked to a choice of six-speed manual or the advanced new seven-speed DSG gearbox. The 1.8-litre TSI engine allows the Passat CC to sprint to 62 mph in 8.6 seconds before achieving a top speed of 137 mph.

The second petrol engine, the 2.0-litre TSI, raises power to 200 PS while torque peaks at 206 lbs ft. Despite its modest displacement the 2.0-litre engine in the Passat CC allows it to reach a maximum of 147 mph, the sprint to 62 mph from standstill takes just 7.9 seconds. The 2.0-litre TSI engine is available with a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

Topping the range is the potent 3.6-litre V6 FSI engine developing 300 PS and 223 lbs ft of torque channelled via 4MOTION four-wheel drive and a six-speed DSG gearbox. A top speed of 155 mph can be achieved while the Passat CC equipped with the 3.6-litre engine has the ability to sprint to 62 mph in 5.6 seconds.

Two new common rail diesel engines will also be offered in 140 PS and 170 PS guises linked to either six-speed manual or DSG gearboxes. The 140 PS model develops 236 lbs ft of torque and can achieve 62 mph in 9.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 132 mph. The 170 PS diesel, which develops 258 lbs ft, cuts the 0 to 62 mph time to 8.6 seconds and raises the top speed to 140 mph.

The new Passat CC benefits from a comprehensive range of safety features including up to eight airbags and an advanced Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP).

Production of the new Passat CC commences at the Volkswagen Emden factory in the spring before UK sales start in late summer. Prices and specifications will be announced closer to launch.

მაგარია არა?

აუ ეს რა გიჟია გახედეთ! მონაცემებიც მაგარი აქვს!

The engineers and designers at Lexus continue to use their groundbreaking LF-A premium sports car concept as a medium for expressing their ideas about what a high-performance sporting vehicle not only can be, but should be. In this latest expression of the LF-A, they have removed the car's top to create a high-performance roadster.

The LF-A Roadster is based on the sturdy yet lightweight carbon-fiber and aluminum body used for the LF-A coupe, which helps maintain the structure's strength and rigidity even without a top.

Like its coupe counterpart, the LF-A Roadster is powered by a high-revving V10 engine that approaches 5.0 liters in displacement. The V10, capable of more than 500 horsepower and test-track speeds greater than 200 mph, is mounted in front of the passenger compartment but behind the front-axle centerline in what the LF-A's engineers refer to as a "front-mid" configuration.

The engine is connected via a torque tube and propeller shaft to a transaxle that is controlled by paddle shifters. The torque tube is a structural member that adds rigidity to the drivetrain and chassis while also reducing vibration.

Styling is rooted in the Lexus L-Finesse design philosophy, conferring the LF-A Roadster's front end with a compact, low-profile, aerodynamic shape. Like its coupe counterpart, the LF-A Roadster stands just 48 inches tall, but the Roadster configuration adds a speed adaptive rear wing.

The rear is marked by a pair of wrap-around, arrowhead-shaped taillights that bracket a pair of large grilles. These grilles vent the heated air from the car's two rear-mounted radiators into the LF-A Roadster's aerodynamic wake. The radiators are fed cool air by two large intake ducts mounted just above the rear wheel wells. This aft radiator positioning not only allowed the designers to keep the car's front profile low and tight but also aided the LF-A's chassis engineers in their search for optimal weight distribution.

Helping to provide balance and scale to the design, which features an overall length of 175.6 inches and a wheelbase of 102.6 inches, are high-performance tires on turbine-styled alloy wheels. The front tires are 265/35R20s, while the rears are 305/30R20s. Like the LF-A coupe, the brakes consist of 14.2-inch cross-drilled, vented discs up front, and 13.6-inch cross-drilled, vented discs at the rear. The front brake calipers are six-piston units and the rear calipers use four pistons each.

An "F" logo, located on each front fender of the Roadster, indicates the vehicle's status as a part of the new "F" marque. The name is derived from the original "F" designation for the first Lexus LS prototype. That vehicle was internally coded "Circle-F," with the "F" standing for "flagship." The Circle-F designation further evolved into the code name Flagship One, or F1, and the first F1 concept developed into Lexus' first vehicle, the LS. Since then, the "F" code has come to signify a special vehicle program within Lexus that falls outside the normal engineering and development process. In addition, Fuji Speedway is the IS F's home circuit, and the shape of the F-logo was inspired by many of the track's turns. The all-new Lexus IS F sport sedan is the first production vehicle to carry the F marque.

Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept Preliminary Specifications

Body Type: Two seat roadster

Powertrain

Type: Front-mid-engine, rear-mid-transaxle

Engine: V10 (under 5.0-liters)

Transmission: SMT (sequential manual transmission)

Horsepower: More than 500

Top Speed: More than 200 mph

Tire Size
Front: 265/35R20

Rear: 305/30R20

Dimensions (inches)
Overall Length: 175.6

Overall Width: 74.6

Overall Height: 48.0

Wheelbase: 102.6

ძალაინ მაგარი დიზაინი აქვს!

BMW rolled out its first hybrid-drive vehicle this morning at the Frankfurt auto show. Under the banner of its Efficient Dynamics technologies, the company showed off an X6 crossover with a hybrid-drive system. That's the same system the company developed with strange bedfellows DaimlerChrysler and General Motors. Execs say the system will result in an overall 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency, roughly that of GM's and Mercedes-Benz's projections for their similarly truckish, two-mode hybrids. The company's chairman of the borard Dr. Norbert Reithofer says it'll be on the barket by the end of 2009. BMW also rolled out its non-hybrid X6, for a brief showcase amid a flurry of Bavarian hyperbole. We're still trying to figure out what it all means.

:o :o magaria

Added (2008-01-20, 15:34)
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martala magaria B) :o

Added (2008-01-20, 15:40)
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One of the most successful cars of its class is the BMW X5. BMW only recently introduced its latest successor and HAMANN has already put together a complete program for the new X5. Hardly any area has been left untouched. Whether it’s suspension, wheels, performance, interior or aerodynamics, the Laupheim German specialists provide clear individualisation launching far above the norm

New aerodynamic components are mandatory hence HAMANN begins with a new front spoiler that lends the SAV X5 a significant powerful feature. It´s mounted on the series-produced front apron. In back HAMANN added a rear apron seizing the design of the front spoiler to match. This component is also affixed to the series-produced parts. A further sporty accent shines through with the HAMANN roof spoiler, providing a stabilizing effect.

With such a large vehicle, every miniscule of power counts. For this reason, HAMANN reprogrammed the series-produced Motronic. The X5 3.0si received subsequently a power boost to about 14 PS/10kW and 25 Nm more torque. The X5 3.0d (with it´s basic 235 PS/173 kW) is raised by the tuners to 265 PS/ 195 kW and 600 Nm and 8-cylinder model 4.8i jumps by 18 PS/ 13 kW for more power and torque increase as well.

Not an easy choice!

Pondering over wheel choices will require the majority of customers´ time. Here are four designs of choice including PG3, Anniversary I and II as well as Edition Race.
The noble tuners from Laupheim present a multi-pieced wheel PG3 available in silver finish with high-polished flange. It´s characterized through the sporty five-spoke design.
The one-pieced wheel Anniversary I portrays a light footing with its´ multi-spoke design. HAMANN supplies these in silver finish with INOX stainless steel lip flange. The multi-pieced light alloy wheel Anniversary II exhibits a multi-spoke design as well projecting a feeling of pure motor sports. The silver rims with high-polished flange reflects both nobility and luxury simultaneously.
The appearance of the three-piece, ultra light forged wheels Edition Race in crossing spoke design and black wheel spider is identified through its´ nine main spokes double-attached, branching and continually double-crossing towards the outside rim. Its´ stirring design becomes particularly noticeable through Titan studs. The high-polished flange is icing on the cake to complete this luxurious look.

There might have been more drama involved than most observers realized, because the new C-Class is trying to fend off the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, which have become the prestige cars in the category among younger drivers.

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has adopted a far more dramatic look than its dowdy predecessor, and it's supported by a new, more spacious passenger cabin and a wider array of technology.

The third-generation C-Class (code-named "W204") will go on sale in the U.S. late this summer.

კაი მანქანაა, ერთი სალონი არის სპორტულის, მეორე კი ჩვეულებრივის! B)

With our first drive of the Lancer GTS, we already found out that this is a radically different Lancer than ever before. For one thing, it's got a CVT (continuously variable transmission), technology that we're seeing on a growing number of cars in this segment.

It shows us that cars in this class are trying to deliver performance, not just gas-sipping value.

რომ თქვა გადავირიეო არა, მაგრამ ნარმალნი მანქანაა!!!

At 3,167 pounds, the all-wheel-drive WRX wagon is only 45 pounds heavier than the 2006 WRX TR and 9 pounds lighter than the five-door Mazdaspeed 3, despite the fact that only the Mazda's front wheels are driven.

This is partially due to the Mazda's slightly larger size. Its wheelbase is 0.8 inch longer than the Subaru's and its total length is 3 inches greater. It's also an inch wider and half an inch taller.

So they're sized about the same inside and out, but under their skins these turbocharged wagons couldn't be more different.

მაზდამ გაიმარჯვა! მეც მაზდა უფრო მომეწონა!!!!

I designed this car originally as a Dino concept. But the name didn't compliment the design. So I went for something more Ferrari. Ferrari F250. I think it's works well with the car. The number 250 which comes from the legendary 250 GTO.

Being a small car and very light I was thinking of a 2.5L V6 engine (250) that runs on bio-fuel

New seven-speed transmission adds performance, even more refinement to BMW M3

Incomparably smooth, silky gearshifts in the blink of an eye, improved fuel economy and reduced emissions are just some of the benefits of the ground-breaking seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic that has been developed by BMW M GmbH for the new BMW M3 Coupé, Sedan and Convertible.

On top of these benefits, the new M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic is able to produce lightning-fast gearshifts that result in accelerative abilities exceeding those of the six-speed manual transmission version of the new BMW M3.

The BMW M3 Coupé with M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic is able to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds, or 0.2 of a second faster than the manual six-speed version, while returning an average fuel consumption of 11.9 litres/100 km.

As the world’s first seven-speed double-clutch gearbox developed for a high-torque, high-speed powerplant, the new BMW M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic simultaneously lifts refinement and efficiency to new levels while providing the driver with a wide range of options that adapt the system to the needs of the moment.

The new transmission offers as many as eleven driver-selectable electronically controlled driving program choices.

These include five shift programs in the fully automatic mode and six in manual mode, and are supplemented by a selectable Launch Control program that provides blistering off-the-line acceleration where the power from the 309 kW, 4.0-litre V8 M3 engine is transferred with maximum effect to the road.

The heart of the new BMW transmission is the double clutch system that acts to smooth out gearshifts to the point that they are often only discernible by watching the rise and fall of engine rpm on the M3’s tachometer.

Each oil-cooled wet clutch activates its own set of ratios - one is used for first, third, fifth and seventh gears, as well as reverse, while the other looks after second, fourth and sixth gears.

Gearshifts are effected by the disengagement of one clutch and the engagement of the other, moving seamlessly from the ratio in use to the next, preselected ratio.

The fact that the next ratio is preselected and engaged merely by activation of the clutch is the secret behind the amazingly smooth and efficient transition from gear to gear.

Combined with the BMW Drivelogic system that, as well as offering the driver a choice of seven specific operational modes, is also able to determine the appropriate mode according to the current driving style, the new transmission’s multi-faceted nature allows it to offer anything from rapid-fire F1-style shifting to smooth, luxurious behaviour suited to relaxed boulevard cruising.

The new M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic also incorporates a Low Speed Assistant mode that operates when manoeuvring at speeds less than 5 km/h to significantly increase the smoothness and degree of accelerator control available to the driver.

Gradient detection also means that the new M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic is able to determine the appropriate ratios when travelling up or down hills.

This avoids the "hunting" between gears so often experienced in regular automatics when travelling on undulating roads, while the appropriate selection of lower gears on downhill gradients helps maintain road speed by using the braking power of the engine.

The new M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic also offers the driver the choice of sequential operation via a sports selector lever in the centre console, or solid aluminium F1-style paddles on the steering wheel - right side for upshifts, left side for downshifts.

The range of shift programs available to the driver means it is possible for the M3 to behave with the grace and aplomb of a luxury car, or with the knife-edge rapidity and precision of a racecar - or anything in between.

In fully automatic D mode, the driver can select from five Drivelogic programmes that regulate both the gearshift speeds and the change points right through to the D5 mode where the engine is stretched close to its maximum rpm - depending on throttle position - on upshifts. In D1 mode, the M3 with M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic is able to start off in second gear to help avoid wheelspin in slippery conditions.

In manual mode, six different Drivelogic programmes allow a similar range of characteristics, with the added driver control provided by the ability to choose shift points manually. In S6 mode, the drive can also activate launch control by holding the shift lever in the forward position.

In keeping with the overtly dynamic abilities of the new BMW M3, the M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic, as well as being designed for engine speeds as high as 9,000 rpm, is also able to maintain correct operating temperatures even in the most extreme conditions - including racetrack operation - through its integration with the engine’s cooling system as well as the fact it also incorporates its own oil/air cooler.

The transmission’s interconnection with the engine cooling system also means a quicker temperature rise from startup, which contributes to reduced frictional losses and lower fuel consumption during the warm-up phase.

Faster shifting, smoother, and contributing even more to fuel economy and minimalised exhaust emissions, the new M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic raises the bar for sophisticated, high-performance motoring to new heights.

“Customers are smart. They value vehicles – the more efficient, the better,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president of Marketing and Communications. “Ford gets it.

“Innovative technologies can transform people’s favorite vehicles. Look at SYNC, the Ford system that connects people and their favorite portable devices, including media players and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, while in their vehicles.”

Technologies and engineering innovations help Explorer America concept deliver an approximately 20 to 30 percent fuel-economy improvement, depending on engine selection, while providing room for six and their gear as well as moderate towing and off-roading capabilities.

This smarter utility concept simplifies Ford Motor Company’s systems approach for delivering sustainable vehicles, specifically demonstrating:

A powertrain lineup that includes a 4-cylinder 2-liter engine with EcoBoost technology delivering 275 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque or, as a premium engine, a 3.5-liter V-6 delivering about 340 hp. Depending on engine selection, fuel-efficiency will improve by 20 to 30 percent versus today’s V-6 Explorer

Migration from current body-on-frame to unibody construction, reducing weight and delivering superior driving dynamics

A fuel-efficient 6-speed transmission with auto shift control, allowing the driver to select and hold a lower gear with just the turn of a dial when conditions warrant it

A weight reduction of 150 pounds for the V-6 version thanks to its downsized – yet superior performing – engine, as well as more lightweight materials, suspension and chassis components

Fuel-saving electric power assisted steering (EPAS) and other engine actions that deliver a fuel savings benefit of about 5 percent. Between 80 to 90 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles will have EPAS by 2012

In addition to its fuel-efficient powertrain and technologies, the Explorer America concept addresses how the SUV market has changed in the past 15 years.

In the 1990s, customers were drawn by SUVs aligned with people’s adventurous, more rugged lifestyles. Today’s consumers are more discerning, demanding products that are capable and flexible – but more intelligently executed.

The Explorer America concept looks the part, too, with a modern, muscular design language that belies its ability to harness today’s active lifestyles. Its integrated three-bar grille, defined power dome hood, wrap-around rear glass panel window and sliding rear door give the appearance that this concept is ready for modern Lewis-and-Clark types to explore, from their own neighborhoods to the trail head.

Inside, intelligent features abound, including: single-touch stackable, sliding seats that allow for convenient access to the second row; a work table with seats deploy from the tailgate; and a three-dimensional compass and navigation unit with a topographical map built right into the instrument panel.

ფორდს საღოლ!!! მაგარი ვეშია! იმენნა მაგრად დამებასა! სალონი განსაკითრებით!!!