2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty

Less than two years after it completely revamped its popular F-150 pickup, Ford will introduce the freshened 2011 F-Series Super Duty, which features two new, more powerful engines and an even more brazen look than before.

Even More Macho
There are plenty of changes to talk about here, and the visual ones can probably be seen from space. On regular-Joe versions—versus the more work horse-y Joe-the-Plumber versions—pretty much the entire front end is chrome. (Grilles of harder-working models will be either black or body color.) The Ford oval is 13 inches across. The surface area of the headlights can be measured not in inches, but square feet. We’re not sure what the coefficient of drag is, but we’d put it somewhere between a mobile home and a parasail.

Otherwise, it’s pretty familiar-looking. The side vent has been streamlined, and if you get the big Power Stroke diesel V-8, you get a badge on the front door announcing your preference for the oil-burner. Wheels range from 17-inch steelies up to 20-inch polished hoops, depending on trim: XL, XLT, Lariat, and King Ranch.

Out back, Ford will offer Super Duty customers what it calls “Tough Bed,” a “military-grade” spray-in bed liner which Ford claims is lighter, smoother, more even, and better-looking than aftermarket bed liners, and won’t run or sag on the inside bed walls.

Mildly Freshened Interior, Handy New Info Display
Interior upgrades include new seats with an available 10-way adjustable driver’s seat, a heating/cooling feature, lumbar support, and lockable under-seat storage. A new console has what Ford claims is the most capacity in the class and more than 70 configuration possibilities, and makes room for two rear HVAC ducts as well as a 110-volt inverter and socket at the rear of the console.

A new instrument cluster contains six dial-type gauges plus an optional 4.2-inch center-mounted LCD screen displaying trailering and off-road-related information, as well as trip and fuel-economy stats. This latter feature is slick, and we fully expect it to be copied by the competition as soon as they can make room for it.

Also, like the just-released 2010 Ford Transit Connect MPV, the Super Duty will be offered with the innovative Ford Work Solutions technology that includes full-feature mobile computing and online access.

The Dirty Parts
More important to the hard-core truck buyers—the only ones left at this juncture—is what you can’t see. Ford says the revised chassis offers both higher payload and towing limits as well as improved ride quality and steering feel. Of course, improvements in the ride quality and steering feel of heavy-duty pickups can be hard to measure, so we’ll get back to you as to what extent Ford’s claims are noticeable. One thing is certain: maneuverability remains Peterbilt-like, with turning circles ranging from 46 to 58.5 feet.

Two new engines are said to make clear power gains over last year’s counterparts, which were hardly wimps to begin with. Exactly how much of a gain remains a mystery, as Ford did not release horsepower, torque, or fuel-economy figures for either the new 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 or its new 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel. However, PickupTrucks.com, which is typically accurate in these matters, is reporting that the gas engine will produce about 400 hp and 400 lb-ft, and the diesel may be good for as much as 390 hp and 720 lb-ft. An EcoBoost engine will also join the lineup later in 2010, likely a V-6 similar to the 350-hp version already seeing duty in several Ford and Lincoln cars.

A newly available six-speed transmission brings a segment-exclusive power take-off (PTO) to the new diesel—basically an output gear through the torque converter that links power from the crankshaft to ancillary equipment and devices like snowplows, tow-truck lifts, and cement mixers. If this feature proves to be a popular one, Dodge is waiting in the wings with a PTO transmission it offers on chassis-cabs, but not bedded Rams.

Overkill? Never
Is this the right time for a truck like this? Yes and no. No, because the fuel scare of 2008 prompted a mass exodus of lifestyle buyers from the heavy duty truck market while causing Toyota and Nissan to scuttle altogether their plans to enter it. But yes, because there will always be a market for these bad boys amongst tradesmen and the truly stubborn/delusional. Indeed, the introduction of the new super-er Super Duty, which will happen sometime in 2010 (Ford wouldn’t be any more specific) demonstrates that even in this era of eco-minded prudence and responsibility, the full-size truck world remains wedded to the idea that bigger is better, and that too much power will never be enough.

BY STEVE SILER , caranddriver.com

BMW M1 already 2012

If the BMW M1 already 2012 on the market?

On the last IAA 2009 in Frankfurt, the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept BMW was simply the eye-catcher and took care of enthusiasm among the visitors.

If you like to give the website AutoExpress faith, the new M1 is already in 2012, first in England to come to the market.

Driven to be the M1 then by a new hybrid system, which will consist of a three-cylinder 1.5-liter diesel engine and two additional electric motors.

In combination, the drive of the M1 in about 5 seconds to sprint to 100 kph and reach a top speed of around 250 cases.

Price of the M1 will be an Audi R8 at approximately the same and would therefore cost around 80,000 euros.

How much truth stuck behind the new message is not known, but it would be safe for many BMW fans to their taste if the M1 will go into production.

Source : autoblog.nl

BMW design study Lovos Concept!

The new design study called the BMW Concept Lovos Risiges is like a jigsaw puzzle of 260 identical high-tech chips, all of which are malleable and beside it also can store solar energy.

The result is the vehicle as a collaboration with the Pforzheim design student Anne Froschner and the BMW Group.

With the concept car you want insight into how cars could be cheaper and also cleaner. Instead of complicated shaped body parts that study a single recurring basic form uses the tokens.

During the journey can set up these plates and thus act as a brake. At the same time they store solar energy during parks and could thus be, for example the battery. Whether from the futuristic-looking vehicle ever become a reality, however, is still in the stars.

Source: worldcarfans

Subaru Hybrid

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept

Skimming through the Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept press release, the second paragraph left us a little confused. “The original point of the ideal grand touring car is its interior design, featuring four independent and comfortably positioned seats. Passengers are enclosed within an atmosphere that provides a surpassing feeling of openness and stress-free reassurance, through the further pursuit of a human-centered philosophy, the essence of Subaru car design, and the incorporation of functions that are friendly to passengers.” Say what? After some head scratching, what we divined from reading that jargon is that this car has four seats and it’s about the essence of nothingness.

Who Moved my Dash?
Like the car’s mission statement, its cabin leaves us a bit confused. Subaru tells us “the top of the dashboard is moveable up and down for an optimal driving environment for the driver according to driving conditions.” That’s something we’ll need to see to understand. Also, the floor is flat in the rear and the concept’s windshield has a special anti-eyestrain coating.

The Subaru Take on Hybrid All-Wheel Drive
Nothing new to Subaru is the concept’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, here attached to a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer-four that gets the direct-injection treatment. What is new is the way in which the four-wheel power is implemented along with hybrid technology. A lithium-ion battery supplies power to a motor/generator in the front and an additional motor in the rear that can operate by itself during low-speed maneuvers. Both motors can be deployed independently to assist the gas engine and retain Subaru’s trademark all-wheel drive. Under normal driving, the gasoline engine is the primary source of propulsion. It’s equipped with a start/stop function to conserve fuel at idle.

Another Concept with Gullwing Doors
The Hybrid Tourer concept’s styling has an overall sleek appearance that reminds us of a stretched Impreza hatch wearing Subaru’s new corporate grille. Gullwing doors are all the rage on design exercises these days, although we’d prefer they be used sparingly by the companies that actually intend to send them to a production line.

Subaru’s idea behind this concept was to display a “new proposal for the future of grand touring cars.” We’ve always preferred our GT cars with big power up front driving the rear wheels, so this concept may be a bit of a stretch of the term. That aside, it likely offers a glimpse of Subaru’s hybrid intentions, and we’re thankful those intentions appear to take into account driving enjoyment, another critical “point of the ideal grand touring car.”

Sources : caranddriver

Hyundai Sonata Launching 2010-2011

Story by : KSSN

- Hyundai’s sixth-generation Sonata encompasses new `fluidic sculpture’ design philosophy

- Features 2.0 Theta II MPi engine, 6-speed automatic transmission

(Note: All specifications and details in this release are based on the Korean domestic model Hyundai Sonata Launching 2010-2011)

(Seoul, Korea) Hyundai Motor Company’s all-new Sonata, being introduced today, is expected to shake up the world’s mid-size sedan market with its daring design.

The 2010 Sonata adopts Hyundais new “fluidic sculpture” design language, boasts outstanding performance with the segment-leading safety features and fuel efficiency. Incorporating state-of-the-art technologies, the new Sonata will further elevate the Hyundai brand.

“The Sonata will set a new standard for world class mid-size sedans with state-of-the-art technology, superior build quality and emotional design,” Euisun Chung, Hyundai’s Vice Chairman said at the launching ceremony for the car today in Seoul. “The new Sonata will raise Hyundai’s brand values.

”The ceremony, held at a trendy riverside cafe, was attended by more than 200 VIPs, company executives and media members.

Sonata has been the perennial best-seller in Korea since the first generation model was launched in 1985. The sixth-generation Sonata will continue this successful tradition with impeccable quality seen today in other Hyundai premium models, such as the Genesis and EQUUS.

Hyundai began developing the new Sonata in 2005 under the codename YF (Note: The car may be launched under a different name in some regions). The project took 4 years and 450 billion won (US$ 372 million*) to go from concept to customer.

Although it is a completely new vehicle, Hyundai is retaining the Sonata name as the mid-size car has been Korea’s most popular sedan. Applying a new design aesthetic of “fluidic sculpture,” the 2010 Sonata pursues a younger and sensuous image in its interior and exterior profiles. Inspired by nature, the “fluidic sculpture” tries to reflect sophistication and dynamism in the shape of the vehicle and will serve as the core of Hyundai’s future design identity.

The outer design of the new Sonata exudes a voluminous look that creates character through the refined and harmonized lines. The interior has a dynamic look that matches the exterior while not compromising comfort or convenience. The Sonata is available in nine exterior colors, from Remington Red to Blue Black to Espresso, satisfying the diverse tastes of younger customers.

The new Sonata delivers powerful performance through its 2-liter Theta II MPi gasoline engine (Max output 165ps, Max torque of 20.2?·m). Delivering the highest fuel economy in its segment at 12.8 kilometers per liter, fuel economy is more than 11% improved compared with today’s Sonata. Furthermore, all engines are offered with a new six-speed automatic transmission for heightened performance.

To meet the most stringent automotive safety and crash requirements, the Sonata is built with hot-stamped ultra high-strength steel while featuring six standard airbags.

In addition, safety has been upgraded with standard Vehicle Dynamic Control including Hill-start Assist Control and Brake Assist System functions?an industry first in this competitive segment.

The new Sonata comes with a three-piece panoramic sunroof, giving a sense of openness and freedom as well as a stylish look. The Parking Guide System (PGS) allows drivers to avoid obstacles during parallel parking or when driving in reverse. The Dimension premium sound system offers high-quality sound in three types of modes to satisfy customers’ wide-ranging musical tastes.

The Mozen system, a telematics service that debuted in 2003 in Korea, has evolved to become more sophisticated, offering more diverse and upgraded multi-media and IT functions.

The newly applied Mozen Premium Wide Navigation system provides drivers with a faster communication service through the third-generation WCDMA wireless network. For two years, it also offers free safety services such as an SOS and anti-theft tracking service.

The audio-visual functions have been upgraded with the 8-inch wide screen and JBL Premium Sound system.

In the new Sonata, Hyundai offers a wireless vehicle monitoring service?another industry first– through the Mozen Autocare service, linking the vehicle’s electronic control systems to a monitoring center. The center checks various components for errors, informs the driver of the analysis, and provides directions to nearby service centers, saving time for drivers.

Hyundai revealed it aims to sell 60.000 units of the 2011 Sonata sedan in its home, Korean market by the end of this year, while next year, Hyundai plans to double that number.

Hyundai will continue to produce Sonata at both of its overseas manufacturing plants, located in Alabama, US and China. Production of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata for the US market will begin early next year, while production in China will commence in the beginning of 2011. From that year, combined Korean and overseas production of new Sonata is expected to reach 450.000 units annually!

Pricing for the US-market Sonata will be revealed closer to its official US debut, scheduled for NAIAS 2010. In Korea, Sonata will be priced from 21.3 million Won (US$17.600) for a base 2.0L model and top out at 25.95 million Won (US$21,450) for a fully-loaded 2.0L model. Read more!

Game Forza Motorsport 3

Forza Motorsport 3 is a racing simulator video game by Turn 10 Studios. The game is due for release in October 27, 2009 for the Xbox 360. It is the sequel to Forza Motorsport 2 and the third installment in the Forza Motorsport series. The demo for the game was released to the Xbox Live Marketplace on September 24, 2009 as an Xbox Live Gold Member exclusive. It will be available to those with silver membership one week later.

Forza Motorsport 3 is a realistic racing simulator on the Xbox 360, the sequel to Forza Motorsport (Xbox) and Forza Motorsport 2 (Xbox 360). The game will include over 400 fully customizable cars from 50 manufacturers and over 100 tracks.[4] Every car in the game has been built with more than 10 times the amount of polygons as Forza Motorsport 2.

Dan Greenawalt unveiling Forza Motorsport 3 at E3 2009

Gameplay

New additions to the game include an in-car driving view, one button assisted driving, vehicle rollover, and for the first time in the series, trucks and SUVs, as well as the ability to paint race cars (the previous game in the series allowed only production and tuner cars to be painted). Also included will be the ability to create in-game videos and upload them to the Forza Motorsport website. Forza Motorsport 3 will be shipped on two discs, but can be played completely off the first; the second disc serves as the "installation disc," which will contain some additional cars and tracks.

A new single-player season mode will put the player through a completely personalized racing calendar that includes more than 200 different events, including circuit, oval, drag, drift, and timed events; no two calendars will be the same. Also, Turn 10 Studios have confirmed that Circuit de la Sarthe (which is used for the Le Mans 24 Hour Race) shall be included.[5]
In addition, the online multiplayer mode gains an all-new game rules editor. New Xbox Live scoreboards will display not only the greatest racers but also the most prolific car tuners and painters in the community.

A new single-player season mode will put the player through a completely personalized racing calendar that includes more than 200 different events, including circuit, oval, drag, drift, and timed events; no two calendars will be the same. Also, Turn 10 Studios have confirmed that Circuit de la Sarthe (which is used for the Le Mans 24 Hour Race) shall be included.[5]
In addition, the online multiplayer mode gains an all-new game rules editor. New Xbox Live scoreboards will display not only the greatest racers but also the most prolific car tuners and painters in the community.

At the E3 2009 Microsoft Press Conference, Turn 10 mentioned a rewind feature (much like the "flashback" feature on Dirt 2), but did not say exactly what it did. It was later revealed at E3 2009 coverage conciel that the rewind feature will allow players to turn back time to fix previous mistakes made on the track. The rewind feature has no limit on how many times it can be done or time between rewinds.[6] It is one of the many assists that are optional.

During another interview at E3 2009, game director Dan Greenawalt revealed that the updated physics engine will include tire deformation, and the ability to flip your car over. He also included that there will be a "pressure" system in which the AI, depending on how the difficulty is set, will actually make mistakes when under pressure[7]. In addition to improvements to the A.I. and physics, the new graphics engine features ten times more polygons in each car model, bump mapping, and texture resolutions four times higher than before. Also, it is confirmed that the game will run at 60 frames per second.[8] The interview also revealed that there will be several scoreboards ranging from driver scoreboards to painting and tuner leaderboards. There will be a video editor feature available. Dan Greenawalt stated that Project Blackjack, the team that made an E3 trailer[9], used capture cards to make their videos. The video editor would grant players more possibilities. Players would also be able to create their own race rules.

Save 10Best Test:2010 Fit Honda.

I love the fact that Honda doesn’t hold back on the goodness that makes driving enjoyable, even for those that only spend $16,000 on a new car.

The Fit’s light and accurate shifter and clutch, along with properly weighted and precise steering (it even tilts and telescopes) that wouldn’t be out of place on a car costing two or three times as much set this spacious hatch apart from the other economobiles that are far more mundane.

Combine that dollop of fun with amazing utility—vast cargo hold, various seat-folding options, storage cubbies galore, and a back seat that’s more accommodating than a Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon’s that I also drove today—and it’s easy to see why the Fit is a 10Best repeater.