2012 Renault Alpine A110-50|Review-Price-Interior-Exterior

 Information Specification Modification Image Review Price 2012 Renault Alpine A110-50

Plans to revive the Alpine name have gone back and forth like a tennis match for years, but Renault may finally be giving the project a green light, for a concept version at least. A few days ago, we reported that the first concept version for the Alpine line would be unveiled at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix, and now the Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept has made its official debut.

The Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept was named as such because it pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Alpine A110. Its exterior design was inspired by the Renault DeZir concept unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and its technical side was borrowed from the Renault Megane Trophy, meaning we will see a V6 engine with an impressive output of 400 HP and 315 lb-ft. of torque.

The original Alpine A110 debuted in 1961 and lasted through the 1977 model year. It had a rather Porsche-like design and had a number of engines ranging from a 66-horsepower 1,108 cc engine to an impressive 140-horsepower 1,605 cc engine.

 Powered by Renault’s V4Y engine, the mid-rear, 3.5-liter V6 will effortlessly crank out 400 hp and send it only to the rear wheels. An intake mounted on the roof funnels clean air into the engine’s carbon fiber intake. Two bright orange side intakes manage air outside the mechanical bits.   The one on the left cooling the engine bay, and the one on the right sending fresh air towards the gearbox.

When Jean Rédélé unveiled the A110 Berlinette at the 1962 Paris Motor Show, it marked the start of an Alpine adventure for the engine from the Renault 8. The car had been developed from the Alpine A108, but was more stylish and more dynamic, with an even lower engine cover, a larger glazed area and the rear lights from the Renault 8. The new engine demanded changes to the air intakes: with the radiator mounted at the rear, cooling exits were opened in the resin bodywork behind the rear wheel arches, disguised with four chrome strips. The changes served only to heighten the elegance of the A110 Berlinette. The restrained, balanced silhouette maintained its extremely pure lines.

A car for the enthusiast

To drive a Berlinette is a life-changing experience. Above all, it was designed to win rallies, so it's not surprising that it boasts a certain pedigree; not a tricky personality, but real character. You don't climb aboard an Alpine, you slide into it. But once you're behind the wheel, the connection is immediate. Agility and traction are particular strong points thanks to the mid-rear position engine, which tends to produce oversteer that is easy to control using the steering and throttle. It's sometimes a little trickier to keep going in a straight line, but life's all about compromise... This isn't a car you simply take for a drive - it demands to be properly driven. Its weaknesses are also its strengths.
source:boldride.com,netcarshow.com

2012 BMW Zagato Concept|Review-Price-Interior-Exterior

Information Specification Modification Image Review Price 2012 BMW Zagato Concept
2012 BMW Zagato Coupé will make its premiere at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. BMW Zagato Coupé is embodiment of high-quality hand-craftsmanship, sportiness and luxury.
The body of the new BMW model has been built entirely by hand. Its skin was tailored to fit the car’s mechanical architecture. The hand shaped aluminum sheets of metal were meticulously molded to give the car its unique form.

The BMW Zagato Coupé is a BMW seen through the eyes of Zagato. This can be seen easily through the design of the car, due to the iconic design cues from both companies.
The initial aim for the Zagato Coupe was to be road-registered, aerodynamically optimized machine, which is able to achieve high speeds but meet all legal requirements.

The proportions of the BMW Zagato Coupé include extremely long bonnet, greenhouse set well back and double bubble roof and Kamm Tail. It looks very dynamic, doesn’t it? The roofline is flowing and ends into the compact, muscular rear.
The car’s dynamic silhouette underlines its sporting characteristics as well. In addition to that the three-dimensionality the car offers combined with the very wide and powerfully contoured front, gives the car an agile sense of purpose.

After sawing in 1939 the creation of the first BMWs sporting tailor made Italian metalwork, a coupé based on the BMW 328 for the upcoming race season and specifically for the Mille Miglia (where it triumphed in 1940), BMW was back to Milan in 1954 to buy from Renzo Rivolta, founder of ISO, drawings, license and tooling necessary for the production of the legendary Isetta.
Almost sixty years later BMW had the opportunity to re-establish a connection with the Rivolta family. As a matter of fact Marella Rivolta, wife of Andrea Zagato, is Zagato Art Director and responsible of BMW Coupé Zagato trim and colours.

The hands of Italian designers were also responsible for the eye-catching looks of the BMW 3200 Michelotti Vignale (1959), BMW 700 (1959), BMW 3200 CS Bertone (1962) and BMW M1 (1978) - all of which retain the status of design icons to this day.

The BMW Zagato Coupé heralds a new chapter in the tradition of cooperation between BMW and Italian designers. Much has changed since those earlier collaborations, however, with the advent of new working methods such as digital sketching, Photoshop and CAD/CAS tools opening the door to an entirely new way of working. Despite these advances in the design tools available, the human touch is still essential to the process. "Working with Zagato was a fantastic experience. It was extremely enriching for us to create something with people who share our understanding of good design and passion for cars," explains Karim Habib, Head of Design BMW Automobiles. "And that is what makes the car so special - the open and constructive dialogue with Zagato, their experience, craftsmanship and incomparable sense for forms. All of these gifts are wrapped up in the BMW Zagato Coupé."

2012 BMW Zagato Coupe Concept power systems, the BMW official were not disclosed, only equipped with high-performance engine, transmission part is expected to match the seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

Note: In cooperation with the renowned design studio, 2012 BMW Zagato Coupe Concept looks more novel, the next generation Z4 will learn the concept car’s design elements, we will continue to focus on.source:netcarshow.com,worldautomodification.com,automobilesreview.com

2013 Chevy Camaro Amarelo|Review-Price-Interior-Exterior

 Information Specification Modification Image Review 2013 camaro amarelo
The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 debuted at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. It is the highest-performing Camaro and the most technically advanced car ever developed in its class. The new ZL1 continues the momentum of Camaro, propelling it into an entirely new realm of leading-edge performance technology. It is planned to launch at the beginning of 2012.

Motivated by a supercharged V-8 engine producing an estimated 550 horsepower (410 kW), the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will be the fastest Camaro ever offered by Chevrolet. And more than just power, the ZL1 features technologically advanced and highly developed chassis and suspension systems that help it deliver balanced, track-ready handling and braking power to complement its high engine output. Rigorous development of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is ongoing, and official estimates of the car's capabilities will be released later in 2011, as testing nears completion.

"Camaro ZL1 is about high-tech performance and design, and is a type of car no one has ever brought to this segment previously," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "It's the most technically advanced Camaro ever, so we've chosen a name from the most elite and exclusive Camaro in history."

The ZL1 name is derived from the all-aluminum racing engine of the same name, which was developed in the late 1960s and installed into a handful of regular-production 1969 Camaros. Only 69 were built with the engine, but they've achieved mythical status among enthusiasts, as they represented the pinnacle in Camaro performance - until now. The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 model is designed to be a major leap forward for the Camaro, bringing a new level of performance capability to the segment.

The menacing, retro-flavored sheetmetal of Camaro is backed up by a powerful 3.6-liter V6 -- mated to either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission -- and produce an uprated 323 horsepower (up 11 horsepower) and 278 lb-ft of torque.

Chevy says the added power comes from a new cylinder head design, an improved intake port design, longer-duration intake camshafts, new fuel pump with isolated fuel rail, new and improved fuel injectors and camshaft cap and throttle body design improvements.

While boasting more power than the V6 version of the Ford Mustang, the V6-powered and automatic-equipped Camaro Coupe returns slightly lower fuel economy with 30 mpg on the highway (up front 29 at launch), compared to the Mustang's 31 mpg, along with 19 mpg in the city. The manually-shifted Camaro is rated at 17/28 mpg.

Interior changes include a revised instrument panel layout, new instrument graphics and trim, a new steering wheel design and a power lift feature for the front passenger seat. There is also an available Rear Vision Package, which addresses the limited rearward visibility issue when backing up by adding a rearview camera system to the park assist functionality.

There is, however, a problem. The auto costs £41,495 (manual is £39,999), which seems offensively pricey for something that trades on affordable fun. It gets worse when you notice the wobbly seat stitching and frail trim - something not endemic of other Euro GM cars. Then there's the inconvenience of left-hand-drive, cramped rear legroom, dim fuel economy...

But, let's face it, buying a muscle car in the UK transcends judgement - it's all about visual pheromones and cultural connotations. And, of the current over-priced, under-built crop available in the UK, at least it handles.source:topgear.com,leftlanenews.com,netcarshow.com

2012 tesla motors model S|Review-Price-Interior-Exterior

 Information Specification Modification Image Review 2012 tesla motors model S

PayPal founder Elon Musk's next planned opus for his Tesla Motors electric-car company is a $57,400 electric luxury sedan to be built in Southern California. (You know Tesla, of course, from their Lotus-based Roadster.) According to the company, the Tesla Model S will have up to 300 miles of range, a 4900-pound curb weight, and expected acceleration to 60 mph of 5.6 seconds. After attending the unveiling, we can confirm that it wears the beguiling looks of a Jaguar XF doppelganger. 

If all goes to plan—a plan which includes an infusion of both government and private funds to the teetering company—production of the Model S should begin in the third quarter of 2011. Musk says that no matter what happens, the Model S will go into production even if funding shortages prolong the launch date.

 Tesla's goal is to accelerate the world's transition to electric mobility with a full range of increasingly affordable electric cars. Palo Alto, California-based Tesla Motors designs and manufactures EVs and EV powertrain components. Tesla has delivered more than 2,250 Roadsters, the world's first electric sports car, to customers world-wide. Model S, the first premium sedan to be built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, goes on the market the middle of this year.

 Tesla is the only production automaker already selling highway-capable EVs in North America or Europe. With 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, the Roadster outperforms almost all sports cars in its class yet is six times as energy efficient as gas guzzlers and delivers 244 miles per charge. Tesla has delivered nearly 300 Roadsters, and nearly 1,000 more customers are on the waitlist.

Teslas do not require routine oil changes, and they have far fewer moving (and breakable) parts than internal combustion engine vehicles. They qualify for federal and state tax credits, rebates, sales tax exemptions, free parking, commuter-lane passes and other perks. Model S costs roughly $5 to drive 230 miles – a bargain even if gasoline were $1 per gallon.
 
The anticipated base price of the Model S is $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. The company has not released options pricing. Three battery pack choices will offer a range of 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge.

But the anticipated sticker price doesn't tell the full story. Model S costs half as much as a Roadster, and it's a better value than much cheaper cars. The ownership cost of Model S, if you were to lease and then account for the much lower cost of electricity vs. gasoline at a likely future cost of $4 per gallon, is similar to a gasoline car with a sticker price of about $35,000. That's why we're positive this car will be the preferred choice of savvy consumers.

The standard Model S does 0-60 mph in under six seconds and will have an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph, with sport versions expected to achieve 0-60 mph acceleration well below five seconds. A single-speed gearbox delivers effortless acceleration and responsive handling. A 17-inch touchscreen with in-car 3G connectivity allows passengers to listen to Pandora Radio or consult Google Maps, or check their state of charge remotely from their iPhone or laptop.
source:rsportscars.com,finance.yahoo.com,caranddriver.com

2012 Lexus LFA|Review-Price-Interior-Exterior

 Information Specification Modification Image Review 2012 lexus LFA

There’s something slightly weird about this scene. We are about to drive the daunting 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife track in Germany. In a Lexus. Okay, it’s the exotic LFA, a Ferrari-fighting supercar that will cost about $350,000. But the company built its reputation on smooth, refined, and perfectly nerve-calming cars, so why does the LFA exist? In what parallel universe is this thing remotely Lexus-like? 

Lexus claims multiple justifications for the LFA program. The car, it says, casts a halo over the Lexus F line of performance machines. It’s also a way for Toyota to explore new technologies, particularly carbon-fiber construction. And since Lexus says it will be selective about whom it will sell to—car collectors and high-profile individuals who use the car rather than park it—the LFA should raise the cachet of the brand as a whole.

 Power is sent to the LFA's rear wheels via a paddle-shifted six-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox. Set low and back in the LFA's chassis, the unit contributes to the car's nearly ideal 48:52 front-to-rear weight distribution. It isn't quite as quick or refined as the gearboxes of some competitors due to its somewhat antiquated single-clutch design, however.

In order to keep the LFA light on its feet, Toyota relied heavily on lightweight materials for nearly every aspect of the supercar. Aluminum was originally planned for the LFA's construction, but engineers ultimately decided to use Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic for the car's chassis and body as it offered even greater weight savings than did aluminum.

Designed in-house after years of painstaking research and development, CFRP is four times stronger than aluminum yet netted a 100kg weight savings according to Toyota.
The LFA also features Carbon Ceramic Material brakes, which are both lighter than steel and more fade-resistant. In total, the LFA weighs in at 3,263 lbs.

 Currently Lexus has exactly one developmental demo car, so the Lexus PR people are (justifiably) nervous that their baby will get wadded up before the day is over. So am I, so I try to get in line early. Endurance driver Scott Pruett has been helping Lexus engineers develop the LFA: He's along to keep us out of trouble. Track time at a new racetrack is always daunting; Fortunately, NJMP's Lightning 1.9 mile circuit is easy to learn. A trio of laps in one of the IS-F mules sufficed to learn which way the turns went. Terminal velocities on the front straight are nearly 130, plenty fast, but well below the LFA's 202-mph top speed. Finally, we get a chance to follow Pruett around for three laps. The engine power is prodigious, but it's very Lexus-like—refined and smooth, but punchy enough to zing the car to 60 mph in only 3.7 seconds. Bottom-end torque is adequate—well, more than adequate for the street—but not overwhelming on the track. Top-end power is astonishing­—the automated gearbox ticking off paddle-commanded upshifts and downshifts. The truly amazing thing about the LFA is the brakes, four giant ceramic composite rotors and six-piston calipers that pull the speed off fast.

source:popularmechanics.com,caranddriver.com,leftlanenews.com

2012 holden commodore|Review-Price-Interior-Exterior

 Information Specification Modification Image Review 2012 holden commodore
Holden has Announced a raft of subtle exterior and interior updates for the 2012 Commodore family, Including new wheels, chrome highlights, interior tweaks and a pair of new color choices.

The new colors include the metallic 'chromatic' teal Chlorophyll, the which Holden says is a response to the trend toward fashion-driven colors inspired by nature and environmental elements.

The second, a Nod to Holden's motorsport history, is dubbed Perfect Blue and enters the range as an homage to racing legend Peter Brock.

 The new Holden Calais will receive no change, however, the Calais V-Series will now feature a lip spoiler mounted on the boot lid. Other visual changes for the new model include a chrome-trimmed front air dam section for the SV6 and SS variants, while the SS V-Series will get red stitching when ordered with the Redhot interior trim option. Redline versions, in sedan, wagon and ute forms, will all come with FE3 sports suspension.

Two new colours will be added to the options list for the new model: Perfect Blue and Chlorophyll teal green. Both new colours will be available across the range.

 The outside of the 2012 Holden Commodore VE Series II SS V is mostly unchanged from the 2011 Commodore VE Series II SS V, except for new chrome inserts found around the grille, and a few other tiny changes that aren’t really that noticeable to be honest. The VE Commodore has always been a stern-looking Australian car, commanding respect with its hugely-flared front and rear wheel arches, making it appear to have a ‘I’ve got big shoulders’ type persona.

Carrying five adults isn’t ever really a problem when you have a Commodore. Front passengers will never complain about leg room (not even Andrew Bogut) and the rear ones will only have time to say, ‘ooh, this leather is nice’, and they too will then stretch out their legs. Same goes with the boot, it’ll fit the golf clubs, and even a few cases of beer to celebrate those always important backyard BBQs.
As far as the build quality goes, for the money you pay, you can sleep well knowing you’ve got your dollar’s worth. The latest 2012 Holden Commodore VE Series II SS V has also passed the newest and strictest ANCAP crash tests, and as a result holds a five-star safety rating, just for piece of mind.
source:performancedrive.com.au, caradvice.com.au,themotorreport.com.au

2013 porsche 918 spyder|Review-Price-Interior-Exterior

Information Specification Modification Image Review 2013 porsche 918 spyder
 Porsche has unveiled today new details on the production version 918 Spyder set to arrive at the end of September 2013 as planned, with the first customers receiving their vehicles before 2013 is out. The company has also dropped a series of spy shots with the 918 prototype hidden under historical Porsche 917 racing cars. The future 918 Spyder is designed as a plug-in hybrid vehicle combining a high-performance combustion engine with cutting-edge electric motors for extraordinary performance: on the one hand, the dynamics of a racing machine boasting more than 770 hp, on the other hand, fuel consumption in the region of three liters per 100 kilometers. The model will also be offering a full carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque with unit carrier, fully adaptive aerodynamics, adaptive rear-axle steering and the upward-venting "top pipes" exhaust system.

 The 918 will hit, and may define, the ultra-performance hybrid market in late 2013. Originally launched as a concept - a show-stealing concept - at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the 918 Spyder was confirmed for production last summer. Garb in production, the 918 is expected to feature the same layout as the concept: a mid-mounted, 500-hp 4.0-liter V-8 engine paired with front-and rear-mounted electric motors, putting out a total of around 718 horses. The electric motors are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, the which can be charged via a standard power socket.

Instead of the open-top seen on the concept, the production will get 918 removable, Targa-style roof panels can be pulled off That and stored in the front luggage compartment.

The 918 Spyder will be capable of reaching 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and topping out at 199 mph, all while offering more than 16 miles of all-electric range and the European combined cycle fuel efficiency of 78 mpg. EPA Official figures will be released just before the 918 Spyder hits the U.S. market in November 2013.

 Only 918 Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrids will be built, with deliveries beginning in September 2013, at a price of $845,000. But wait! If you order now, Porsche will give you, the customer, the opportunity to purchase -- that's right, purchase -- a matching Porsche 911 Turbo S in coupe or cabriolet form! Everyone will know, when they see your special-edition 911 rolling down the street, that there's an even more special Porsche in the garage. Now how much would you pay? How about an additional $160,000 to $172,000.
source:topspeed.com,motorauthority.com,exoticcars.about.com