viernes, agosto 28, 2009
2010 Chevrolet Camaro
Les presentaremos en breve el test-drive que llevaremos acabo del musculoso Camaro 2010, mientras lo realizamos les dejamos como aperitivo éste video e imágenes del exitoso protagonista de Transformers, disfrutenlo.
jueves, agosto 27, 2009
miércoles, agosto 26, 2009
Honda Insight Achieves Top Euro NCAP Overall Safety Rating
Honda Insight Achieves Top Euro NCAP Overall Safety Rating
The New Honda Insight has been rated one of Europe‘s safest cars, setting the benchmark for hybrid vehicles, according to the new independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP.
Euro NCAP’s rating scheme focuses on the vehicle’s overall safety performance which gives consumers an easy to understand single score. The system considers occupant protection in frontal, side, pole and rear impacts, child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids. The Honda Insight has been awarded the maximum 5-star rating.
The new rating scheme, introduced in February 2009, uses a weighted score, combining many aspects of a car’s safety performance: adult (50%), child (20%) and pedestrian (20%) protection assessment results with the availability of safety assistance devices (10%). To qualify for inclusion, safety assistance devices (VSA for Honda) must be fitted as standard across 85% of the EU 27 2009 model range.
The Insight is the most recent in a string of Honda cars to receive top marks.Since the introduction of the new rating scheme Euro NCAP have tested 3 other Honda models; Civic, Accord and Jazz. All achieved 5 stars.
Euro NCAP's new assessment reflects Honda’s commitment to overall vehicle safety, complimenting Honda’s long standing in-house safety testing which seeks to improve real world safety. Honda’s car-to-car crash test facility at the Tochigi R&D plant analyses impacts between models of different sizes and weights and develops solutions to mitigate injuries for both for passengers and pedestrians.
Safety in the Honda InsightVehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking assistance to any of the wheels as necessary and modulating the engine torque output as required.
Braking14" ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes ensure road stability, which is further enhanced by the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE)
Developed in the car-to-car crash testing facility at Tochigi, the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure is now a well-established strength of Honda’s safety credentials.
The ACE™ body structure is a Honda exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. The ACE design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment and can help to more evenly disperse the forces transferred to other vehicles in a crash.
Pedestrian ProtectionThe new Insight also incorporates many features designed with pedestrian-protection in mind. Research has shown that these features can dramatically improve a pedestrian's chance of survival if struck by a moving vehicle. Features include windscreen wiper pivots designed to break away on impact, energy absorbing front wing mounts and bonnet hinges, as well as an unobstructed area beneath the bonnet allowing greater space for deformation.
Airbags and SeatbeltsOn all models the driver and passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) front and side airbags are complemented by full length curtain airbags to protect all occupants. There are three-point Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) seatbelts in all seating positions, the front seatbelts also have 2 stage Energy Absorption (EA) load limiting pretensioners. Additionally in the rear ISOFIX points ensure secure and correct installation mounting of child seats.
Active headrestsThe Insight is also equipped with front seat active headrests which reduce the likelihood of neck injury in rear impacts. As the occupant is pushed against the seat back, a rigid plate in the seat presses a link to the headrest pushing it up and forward to support the head.
Notes
Honda first marketed the original Insight Hybrid in 1999 and this new version went on sale in Europe during spring 2009. The new Insight is the culmination of over 20 years of hybrid development and more than 35 years of lower impact petrol engine development, which started with the CVCC engine in 1972.
That experience and technical knowledge has enabled Honda to develop the components and parts in our IMA system so they can be produced at a lower cost without compromising on performance, safety or durability.
Fuel Consumption and Emissions in the Honda Insight
In addition to achieving a top safety rating the Insight also showcases Honda’s commitment to the environment. The fuel economy (combined) is 4.4 l/100km, while CO2 emissions are as low as 101g/km.
Honda has concentrated on developing a car that will deliver better fuel economy in the ‘real world’, taking into account the actual conditions in which the car will be driven by their customers.
Honda has produced an affordable, efficient, exceptionally frugal and low emission car but there are styles and techniques of driving that can be employed to take even greater advantage of the hybrid technology. The Eco Assist system developed for the Insight, trains drivers, helping them achieve the best possible fuel economy.
The Insight’s unique driver coaching system marks a new era of motoring where manufacturers and individual drivers share responsibility for their final fuel consumption.
www.honda-eu.com
(Info. Honda EU)
martes, agosto 25, 2009
lunes, agosto 24, 2009
viernes, agosto 21, 2009
jueves, agosto 20, 2009
Volkswagen of America Announces Recall DSG Transmission
Volkswagen of America Announces Voluntary Recall
HERNDON, Va., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today a voluntary recall involving 13,500 vehicles equipped with its DSG transmission. Models affected by the recall include the Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, and Eos built between September 2008 and August 2009.
The recall applies to 2009 model year vehicles along with a very limited number of 2010 model year vehicles. A small number of these may be affected by a faulty temperature sensor in the DSG transmission. Failure of the temperature sensor could result in illuminated warning lamps in the dashboard, and in rare instances the transmission may shift into neutral.
In the coming weeks, owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by Volkswagen of America to schedule an appointment at their local dealer to have their vehicle inspected, and if necessary, have the vehicle repaired.
Customers who have questions or concerns should call the Volkswagen Loyalty Center at 1-800-444-8982.
miércoles, agosto 19, 2009
General Motors y Koenigsegg Group firman acuerdo de compra para la venta de Saab Automobile AB
General Motors y Koenigsegg Group firmaron un acuerdo de compra de acciones para la venta de Saab Automobile AB
*Se espera que el acuerdo se concrete a finales de este año, el cual asegurará el futuro de Saab
*El cierre de este acuerdo estará sujeto a los acuerdos de financiamiento y a otras condiciones negociadas
*Saab Automobile planea salir en breve de la reorganización
Zurich, 18 de agosto de 2009.- General Motors Co. confirmó hoy que ha firmado un acuerdo de comprade acciones con Koenigsegg Group AB en relación a la venta del 100% de las acciones de Saab Automobile AB. Se espera concluir el acuerdo en los siguientes meses y con ello asegurar el futuro de la marca. Saab Automobile planea salir en breve de la reorganización legal.
El acuerdo de compra de acciones estará sujeto al acuerdo de las condiciones negociadas, las cuales incluyen compromisos de financiamiento con soporte y garantías del gobierno sueco, así como asistencia de GM durante la transición, mientras Saab se independiza.
Saab está a punto de lanzar nuevos autos desarrollados con General Motors que están en la fase final de creación.
Como parte de la transacción propuesta, GM y Saab continuarán compartiendo tecnología y servicios durante un periodo de tiempo definido. Éste será administrado a través de acuerdos de licencias y de servicio.
“Este contrato es un paso importante en el camino hacia un acuerdo potencial, mencionó Carl-Peter Forster, presidente de GM Europa. “Los reconocidos vehículos de Saab, su diseño único, alta tecnología en aspectos de seguridad y tren motriz, así como su excelente imagen de marca, combinado con el espíritu innovador y emprendedor de Grupo Koenigsegg son un buen augurio para el futuro éxito de la marca.
Continuaremos trabajando con todas las partes para definir detalles finales y asegurar que el acuerdo se concrete de manera rápida, lo cual esperamos suceda en los siguientes meses.
La conclusión del acuerdo depende del compromiso de fondeo del Banco Europeo de Inversión (EIB por sus siglas en inglés), garantizado por el gobierno sueco”, agregó Forster. “Hemos concluido otro importante paso para maximizar el gran potencial de Saab” dijo Christian von Koenigsegg, CEO de Grupo Koenigsegg. “Nuestro plan es transformar a Saab en una compañía vibrante independiente, que sea sustentable y rentable.
Reviviremos la herencia sueca de Saab de seguridad, diseño, innovación y experiencia de manejo divertido”.
Jan Åke Jonssson, Director General de Saab, mencionó: “Ésta es una excelente noticia para todos los que tienen una conexión con Saab alrededor del mundo. Éste es un paso importante para asegurar el trabajo de muchas personas y el futuro a largo plazo como compañía automotriz sueca. A corto plazo, nos permitirá seguir hacia adelante con nuevos autos emocionantes, iniciando este mes con el totalmente nuevo Saab 9-3X”.
(Info GMM)
domingo, agosto 16, 2009
New Bentley Mulsanne on Pebble Beach
NEW BENTLEY MULSANNE MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE, CALIFORNIA
(Bentley Motors, Crewe, England) Today, Bentley Motors unveiled the Mulsanne, the company’s all-new flagship grand tourer, at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance in Monterey, California.
The Mulsanne is inspired by the company founder W.O. Bentley’s crowning achievement in 1930, the 8-litre. And it was W.O.’s own sensitively conserved company car that shared the podium with the new Mulsanne in Pebble Beach. This early motoring masterpiece represented the last big Bentley that was designed, engineered and built from the ground up by Bentley engineers - until now.
Nearly 80 years later, while paying respect to this illustrious past, the new Mulsanne is a thoroughly modern statement of luxury driving and grand touring. Conceived, styled and engineered entirely at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, England, the Mulsanne, with its completely new and unique platform, goes into production next year in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility within the Crewe factory.
Introducing the Bentley Mulsanne at Pebble Beach, where Bentley was the featured marque, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, said:
"The challenge we set our engineers was to create a new grand Bentley that would stand as the pinnacle of British luxury motoring, offering the world‟s most exclusive driving experience. They have responded to this challenge with real passion and the result is a luxury grand tourer that sets new standards in terms of comfort, effortless performance and hand-crafted refinement – the very qualities for which Bentley is renowned."
The Bentley design team, lead by Dirk van Braeckel, have created a flagship that offers the classic sporting, styling cues long-associated with Bentley - expressed in a thoroughly contemporary way.
The Bentley design team, lead by Dirk van Braeckel, have created a flagship that offers the classic sporting, styling cues long-associated with Bentley - expressed in a thoroughly contemporary way.
"From the very first hand sketches in the styling studio, we were inspired by the traditions of the grand touring Bentleys and have sought to evolve this story for a new generation of Bentley enthusiasts."
The return of the Mulsanne name to a car carrying Bentley’s iconic ‘Winged B’ emblem underlines the company’s racing pedigree and nowhere reflects that heritage better than the famed Le Mans circuit, the scene of no fewer than six Bentley triumphs. Few places offer a stronger or more emotive connection with the Bentley marque than the famed Mulsanne corner.
The Bentley 8-litre displayed alongside the Mulsanne in California was first shown at the 1930 London Motor Show. It was the second-built and was W.O. Bentley’s company car for two years. Capable of reaching more than 100 mph, the 8-litre demonstrated W.O. Bentley’s ambition and ability to build a grand luxury car capable of surpassing every other leading manufacturer of the day. A total of 100 cars were built in 1930 and 1931.
"The 8-litre‟s breathtaking performance and quality was perhaps the finest example of a „pure‟ grand Bentley. Every mechanical detail carried W.O. Bentley‟s unique stamp and it was the clearest demonstration of a car built without compromise," commented Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board Engineering.
"The 8-litre‟s breathtaking performance and quality was perhaps the finest example of a „pure‟ grand Bentley. Every mechanical detail carried W.O. Bentley‟s unique stamp and it was the clearest demonstration of a car built without compromise," commented Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board Engineering.
"The Mulsanne has been designed with exactly the same guiding principles, so it is entirely fitting that these Bentleys from different eras share the same stage."
The Bentley Mulsanne will go on sale from mid 2010. It will also be displayed at the forthcoming IAA Frankfurt Motor Show (15-27th September, 2009) where Bentley Motors will provide additional product information.
(Info. Bentley)
viernes, agosto 14, 2009
Porsche Presents “Its Way“
Porsche Presents “Its Way“
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is proudly presenting its history “in motion“: In a 2 ½-film “The Porsche Way“, the Company presents its entire history from the early years up to the present day on one full-coverage DVD. Starting with the lifetime achievements of Ferdinand and Ferry Porsche, the film focuses in eight chapters on the development of the famous sports car manufacturer, proceeding from one decade to the next. “This is the first time that a car maker is presented so exhaustively on a DVD”, says Dieter Landenberger, the Director of the Porsche Archives.
The DVD is based on the Archives Collection with more than 5,000 hours of footage. Taking most impressive scenes from the history of the Company, the products and motorsport, the DVD presents numerous film extracts never seen before. Several outstanding celebrities of former times also make an appearance in the film, among them former racing drivers such as Hans Herrmann, Eberhard Mahle, and Paul Ernst Strähle as well as former employees of Porsche such as the “Engine King“ Hans Mezger or Dr. Heinz Rabe, formerly the Director of the Porsche Social Affairs Department. As a further highlight, the film comes with music composed specifically for this DVD.
“The Porsche Way“ from the Porsche Museum Edition is now available in German and English at the Porsche Museum Shop at a price of Euro 24.90.
50 Aniversario del Cinturón de Seguridad
Este año se cumple el 50 aniversario de este sistema de seguridad, inventado en el año 1959 por el ingeniero de Volvo, Nils Bohlin. EL HOMBRE QUE SALVO MILLONES DE VIDAS.
A fines de septiembre del 2001, fallece en la ciudad de Trana, Suecia, a la edad de 82 años, un Señor (con mayúsculas) llamado Nils Bohlin. La noticia pasó desapercibida. Sin embargo dejaba este mundo el creador del cinturón de seguridad de “tres” puntos, invento que salvara millones de vidas en los accidentes viales.
En 1956 ya existían los cinturones de dos puntos, pero en 1959, Bohlin crea el de tres puntos. Nils Bohlin comenzó su carrera diseñando asientos expulsores para la industria aeronáutica de Suecia, y poco más tarde incorporaba los cinturones de seguridad que cruzaban el cuerpo, con la hebilla para abrocharlos fuera del área del abdomen. Un gran avance para la época, debido a que los “tipo avión” que se colocaban sólo por encima del vientre y se abrochaban por la parte de en medio, ocasionaban lesiones internas severas en accidentes a altas velocidades.
En 1958, se unió a Volvo como encargado de la seguridad en los autos, trabajo que hizo tan bien, que hasta la fecha, la marca escandinava sigue teniendo esta cualidad como uno de sus argumentos de venta. Un dato importante (también poco conocido). Ni su creador, ni la empresa automotriz patentaron el invento, concientes de que no debía existir valla alguna para su difusión e implementación.
domingo, agosto 09, 2009
sábado, agosto 08, 2009
viernes, agosto 07, 2009
New Porsche 911 Turbo Debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show
Intelligent Power:
Consumption Down Significantly, Performance Up Once Again
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is proudly presenting a new top model at the pinnacle of its broad range of production sports cars: The new Porsche 911 Turbo combines far-reaching innovations in technology with fine tuning and supreme refinement in design. All key features of this high-performance sports car have been significantly improved, the new 911 Turbo combining a substantial improvement in fuel efficiency and lower weight with more power, even higher speed, and enhanced driving dynamics.
Particularly in terms of fuel economy and dynamic performance, the new top-of-the-range 911 from Zuffenhausen now stands out even more than before from its competitors in the market. Porsche’s new top model will be presented to the public for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show from 17 - 27 September.
The heart and highlight of the seventh generation of the Turbo is the new power unit displacing 3.8 litres and delivering maximum output of 500 bhp (368 kW). The first entirely new engine in the 35-year-history of the Turbo comes with features such as Direct Fuel Injection and Porsche’s exclusive turbocharger with variable turbine geometry on a gasoline power unit. And as an option, the new six-cylinder may be combined for the first time with Porsche’s seven-speed PDK Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (Double-Clutch Gearbox).
Models equipped with PDK are also available with a new, optional three-spoke steering wheel with gearshift paddles as an alternative to the standard steering wheel with its proven shift buttons. Fitted firmly on the steering wheel, the right paddle is for shifting up, the left paddle for shifting down. In conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono Package Turbo both the gearshift paddle and the PDK steering wheel with its shift buttons come with integrated displays for Launch Control and the Sport/Sport Plus mode, which are however designed differently on the two steering wheels.
The combination of PDK, Direct Fuel Injection and turbocharging ensures an unprecedented standard of efficiency, agility, responsiveness and performance, the Porsche 911 Turbo reducing CO2 emissions versus its predecessor by almost 18 per cent and therefore ranking unique in its segment also in this respect. Depending on the configuration of the car, the new top model requires just 11.4 - 11.7 ltr/100 km (equal to 24.8 - 24.1 mpg imp) under the EU5 standard. And unlike most other cars in its segment, the new Turbo remains even further below the crucial level of fuel consumption for gas guzzler tax in the USA, the special tax imposed on cars with substantial fuel consumption. All this despite acceleration to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Top speed, in turn, is 312 km/h or 194 mph.
The Turbo driver of the future will also enjoy a further improvement in driving dynamics, detailed enhancement of PTM fully controlled all-wheel drive and PSM Porsche Stability Management being further supported by new PTV Porsche Torque Vectoring available as an option. This makes the car even more agile and precise in its steering for an even higher level of driving pleasure.
The combination of PDK, Direct Fuel Injection and turbocharging ensures an unprecedented standard of efficiency, agility, responsiveness and performance, the Porsche 911 Turbo reducing CO2 emissions versus its predecessor by almost 18 per cent and therefore ranking unique in its segment also in this respect. Depending on the configuration of the car, the new top model requires just 11.4 - 11.7 ltr/100 km (equal to 24.8 - 24.1 mpg imp) under the EU5 standard. And unlike most other cars in its segment, the new Turbo remains even further below the crucial level of fuel consumption for gas guzzler tax in the USA, the special tax imposed on cars with substantial fuel consumption. All this despite acceleration to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Top speed, in turn, is 312 km/h or 194 mph.
The Turbo driver of the future will also enjoy a further improvement in driving dynamics, detailed enhancement of PTM fully controlled all-wheel drive and PSM Porsche Stability Management being further supported by new PTV Porsche Torque Vectoring available as an option. This makes the car even more agile and precise in its steering for an even higher level of driving pleasure.
Sales of the new Porsche 911 Turbo in both Coupé and Cabriolet guise are starting in Germany on 21 November 2009. The Euro base price without value-added tax and national specifications is Euro 122,400.- for the Coupé and Euro 131,800.- for the Cabriolet. The gross retail price in Germany, therefore, is Euro 145,871.- for the Coupé and Euro 157,057.- for the Cabriolet, in each case including 19% value-added tax and national specifications.
(Info. Porsche)
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