When the 2011 Honda CR-Z hits the streets this Fall, it will feature the latest iteration of the company’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) mild hybrid system. The basic concept of IMA hasn’t changed since the original Insight debuted in 1999, but it has been refined to improve performance and efficiency while reducing overall cost.
There’s a wide spectrum of hybrids in the market, ranging from low-end, belted-alternator-starter (BAS) mild hybrids to the full-blown power-split strong hybrids at the top. The latter category includes systems from , and (two-mode), while IMA provides a healthy boost in overall efficiency compared to a conventional powertrain, but falls well short of the best power-splits. Read on to learn more about the IMA system and how it’s implemented in the CR-Z.
Autoblog gets hands on with GT5 – Continue reading
The wait is nearly over. The game we all had nearly given up hope on is now less than five months away. Gran Turismo 5 is a reality, a playable reality, and Sony is making a big enough deal about its to make us think that, for once, it might actually happen. The version at this year’s E3 is by far the most polished version of this game we’ve yet seen — and we’ve seen quite a few over the years.
That it still isn’t finished (no full crash damage in the version we played) and that there are still a number of questions to be answered (details for online play, what sort of driver training will be included, etc.) leaves us a bit leery, but we certainly didn’t pass up the opportunity to take it for a spin just the same. We were also given the opportunity to speak with series producer Kaz Yamauchi to get his thoughts on the game — and to chat about his recent real-world racing exploits. Keep on reading for our detailed impressions of the game, and some video of some good ‘ol boys banging fenders around the Top Gear Test Track.
Land Rover LRX four-door spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
Ever since the was , the British-bred, Indian-owned automaker’s sporty SUV has only been seen with a two-door bodyshell (or three if you count the hatchback). We know we weren’t alone in wondering if was locking itself into an extremely small segment of the market by not also offering a four-door, but it appears that those concerns were a tad bit premature.
As you can clearly see in our series of spy photos below, it’s seems that Land Rover is hard at work on both a two- and four-door version of the LRX. Besides the likely addition of two extra portals, we don’t have any other detail on what Land Rover has worked up for its new compact ‘ute. As ever, that will either be rectified by those sleuthy European spy shooters or by Land Rover itself when it officially at the Paris Motor Show.
Abarth Punto Evo and 500C – Click above for high-res image gallery
Revealed a few months ago , the Abarth versions of the and are now ready to hit European markets. But that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg as the hot-hatch house is reportedly planning even hotter EsseEsse versions of both.
The Punto Evo Abarth – based on the recently facelifted version of the Fiat Grande Punto – packs a 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo good for 163 horsepower, but the upcoming EsseEsse version promises to boost output up to 180 horses. The 1.4-liter turbo in Abarth’s version of the 500C retro cabrio, meanwhile, currently produces 138 horsepower, but is tipped to climb to 157 in Esse-Esse spec.
The 500 range is also expected to upgrade to MultiAir engines sometime within the next couple of years, along with a dual-clutch transmission for the Punto. We’ll have to wait and see which engines will feature , but in the meantime Fiat’s released a fresh batch of images of the pair of new Abarths on the road. Check ‘em out in the gallery below, along with the press release after the jump.
2011Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery
When the Chevrolet Volt finally hits the market late this year, the U.S. Department of Energy will help out by providing free 240-volt home chargers for 4,400 early buyers. The chargers are made either by ECOtality (which will install 2,600 Volt chargers) or Coulomb Technologies (1,800 chargers). In all, the DOE is helping to fit around 15,000 plug-in vehicle chargers across America. Of course, ‘free’ might be a relative term here. That’s what the headline says, but Tony DiSalle, product and marketing director for the Chevrolet Volt, said in a statement that, “For Volt owners who want to install a faster 240-volt charge station, we expect the Department of Energy project to save $1,000 and $2,000.” We have heard that these chargers will cost around $2,000.
What does the DOE get from this? Data. Part of the deal is that Volt drivers agree to let the government agency collect information to help “understand what is required for widespread electric vehicle use.” also has to bring home chargers to buyers and is also .
2011 Honda Odyssey – Click above for high-res image gallery
When pulled the wraps off of its at this year’s , we knew it was just a few small tweaks away from being production-ready. Well, four months later, the official details and images have been released, and while the doesn’t go a long way in offering fantastic new innovations for the minivan segment, it packages the whole thing together in what might be the best-looking minivan we have yet to see.
The 2011 Odyssey is lower and wider than the outgoing model, and features what Honda is calling a “lightning bolt” beltline, a feature that was present on the concept van that we saw in Chicago. We aren’t sure if we’re in love with that quirky design element, but one thing’s for sure, you won’t see the origami fold and stepped greenhouse on any other minivan in the shopping mall parking lot. Other new features for the 2011 model year include available HID headlamps up front, new 18-inch alloy wheels, larger 12.6-inch ventilated front disc brakes, revised side mirrors and a power tailgate. Honda has yet to release full performance specs, but we do know that there’s a 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 under the hood, and early estimates state that the top-trim Odyssey Touring Elite should achieve 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg(!) on the highway.
Inside, Honda has made the most of the Odyssey’s extra width, offering an additional inch of shoulder room in the front row. What’s most interesting, though, are the three second-row seat configurations, including an all-new wide mode which allows the two side captains chairs to be pulled away from the center seat, meaning three child car seats can fit all across one row. Again, the Odyssey hasn’t really done anything innovative with its interior packaging, but new features like a chilled cool box in the front center console, HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) input, 16.2-inch widescreen entertainment system, 15 upholders and a trash bag holder (yep!) will make the cabin more attractive to consumers who need one heck of an all-around family hauler.
We’ll have more details on the Odyssey’s underpinnings in the future, but for now, to not only read Honda’s press release, but to see videos of the new Odyssey in action. A full gallery of high-res images is yours for the clicking below.
2011 BMW M3 Frozen Gray Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
With all the limited-edition love available across the pond, it’s nice to see is willing to share the wealth in the States. To that end, 30 lucky Bimmerphiles can get their mitts on one of the 2011 Frozen Gray Coupes when orders begin this Monday, June 21st.
What’s so special about the unimaginatively named Frozen Gray M3? To begin with, the exterior is an exclusive matte finish combining a Space Gray base and BMW’s ColorSystem silk matte clear coat. If that’s not enough to get you interested in plunking down $77,600 (including destination and gas guzzler tax), the red Novillo leather and Competition Package – comprised of a 10mm lower ride height, unique 19-inch wheels, a revised M Dynamic Mode and Electronic Damping Control – make this limited-edition M3 more compelling.
Output from the 4.0-liter V8 remains unchanged at 414 horsepower, with grunt being sent to BMW’s M Double Clutch Transmission to net a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. If you’re interested in rowing your own, a six-speed manual is available, but you’ll sacrifice two-tenths of a second in the sprint to 60.
There’s plenty of other kit included in the package, so make the jump for all the details and get ready to dial BMW’s dedicated 800-number at 11:30 AM EST on Monday to place your order.
has decided to move the owner’s manual for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee out of the paper world and into the ethereal realm of the . According to the company, users will have access to all of the standard vehicle system information they’re used to, but will also be able to view videos on special vehicle features, connect with other Grand Cherokee owners across the country and Chrysler will also be able to receive user feedback through a number of social media connections.
The cool part is that the app is free to anyone. You don’t have to own a Grand Cherokee or lay down any of your hard earned cash if you’re curious about the vehicle. At first, the app will only be available for the iPhone and iPod Touch, but will eventually crop up on Blackberry and Android platforms as well. We’re a little curious to see if the SUVs will still be available with hardcopy manuals, or if the company will forego paper all together. If it does, what happens in 10 years when the current generation of smart phones are all relics? A whole population of second-hand Grand Cherokee owners may never know what their FCW OFF light means.
Jason Barlow in the Honda CR-Z in Japan – Click above to watch video
Honda snagged former Top Gear presenter and current Top Gear mag and Sunday Times writer Jason Barlow for a drive around Japan in the Honda CR-Z. He starts his shtick by putting the car in context “It’s not a gas-guzzling V-eht,” (watch the vid, you’ll see), but “a different kind of car for a different kind of road trip.”
We’re fine with that. But when he opines a little later that “It’s a car that car enthusiasts have been waiting for, rather than being made to drive a car that looks like a little spaceship,” well, we wonder who did the writing on the one. See, we have a nagging feeling that if he were reviewing the CR-Z for Top Gear, well, the script would have read slightly differently… to see what he thinks and how he goes on his “journey of discovery.”
The El Toro Marine base in Irvine, CA has seen its fair share of automobiles. The open runways are a playground for sports cars, and on any given day, you can find high performance driving schools or testing sessions utilizing the vast expanse of pavement. This week, however, El Toro was on the receiving end of something very, very different. Rhys Millen and the rest of his crew have been hard at work over the last six months creating a monster of an automobile built for just one thing – win the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. They have brought out the car, dubbed the Hyundai Genesis PM580, for a test and tune session ahead of race day on June 27.
El Toro seems an unlikely place to test a car that will be making an ascent up a 14,000 foot mountain, but Rhys told us it’s actually quite ideal. The runways offer nearly identical amounts of traction as the paved portions of the mountain course, and provide more realistic feedback than the smooth surface of a racetrack.
While this might sound like an opportunity for serious hoonage, the Millen camp is all business. Their mission is simple: climb Pikes Peak in less than ten minutes. The team knows that everything has to be perfect if they are going to achieve their goal, so their preparation is methodical and meticulous. Many have tried to break the ten minute mark in the past twenty or so years, and while many of come close – very close – none have been able to do it. However, after spending a day with Millen and his crew, we think he’s got the potential to do it if anyone can. Make the jump to find out why.
Mahindra Pik-Up – Click above for high-res image gallery
According to the Hindustan Times, Global Vehicles, the Atlanta-based company that is slated to be the exclusive U.S. distributor for Mahindra & Mahindra vehicles, alleges that more than $95 million has been spent on getting the country ready to buy the Indian Pik-Ups. The problem is, and has been, that Mahindra still hasn’t provided any vehicles to sell. The Indian company is waiting on to sell the trucks here.
GV is tired of waiting idly, and has brought a lawsuit against Mahindra for having missed two soft deadlines and two hard ones. GV claims the delay has been “inordinate,” Mahindra says the lawsuit is “without merit.” We say that no matter who’s right, this is not the way to bring a truck to market.
2011 Land Rover Range Rover – Click above for high-res image gallery
It may seem hard to remember now, but back in the day – before roamed the earth alongside SUVs aplenty – the Range Rover was the be-all-and-end-all in the luxury sport-ute market. Today Range Rover may have some stiff competition, but JLR is keen to prove its top of the line is still the king of the hill, and to that effect has released a series of upgrades to the 2011 model.
First and foremost is the diesel drivetrain: a new 4.4-liter LT-TDV8 with 308 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque () replaces the old 3.6-liter unit, coupled to a new ZF eight-speed automatic. The 7.5-second sprint to sixty may be a far cry from the 5.9 seconds it takes the gasoline-burning supercharged 5-liter V8, but for a heavy oil-burner returning over 30 miles per gallon on the European combined cycle (the first Range Rover to break that particular efficiency barrier), that’s nothing to cough at. Speaking of the Supercharged model, that engine carries over essentially unchanged, but mated as well to the eight-speed auto. The diesel also benefits from the Supercharged model’s Brembo braking system.
Other revisions include an upgraded Terrain Response system, some minor cosmetic changes, new wheel options, an optional Exterior Design Pack and a special 40th anniversary Autobiography Black edition. These details – more of which you can read about in the press release and view in the video – are unfortunately limited to the European model, so we’ll have to sit tight for the revisions to reach American shores. No word on plans to bring the diesel model across the pond, so for now we’ll just have to add this to the growing list of torque-tastic diesels to admire from afar.
Upon unveiling its most ambitious offering at April’s New York Auto Show, also made a splash by announcing that its 2011 Equus luxury sedan in lieu of an owner’s manual. Better still, not only would the device replace the weighty glovebox staple and save a few trees, but it would also serve as a digital liason between the owner and his or her dealership, helping to schedule maintenance through its Service Valet program, remind of routine maintenance, schedule vehicle (and loaner) pick-up and delivery, and so on. Speculation was that the unnamed tablet would take the form of the iPad, but up until now, Hyundai hasn’t confirmed that it is, in fact, an Apple product.
Not only can Autoblog confirm that the Equus device is an iPad, we’ve learned what the specific model will be. According to company sources, Hyundai will provide owners with a 16-gig, wifi-enabled (non-3G) iPad with a custom case. As is fitting for a premium automobile, the latter will be a landscape-style high-end leather case that is custom-made for Hyundai, with an embossed logo, suede-like interior and a built-in kickstand.
Most interestingly, the owner’s manual program will include all of the usual text and images, but also take advantage of the iPad’s display capabilities by showing videos to explain the vehicle’s functions.
The Equus-specific programs will arrive pre-installed alongside all other normal iPad software, and future updates will be available through iTunes, just like any other iPad program.
Click above for a gallery of graphtastic images from J.D. Power and Associates
J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS) and has earned back the top spot that was occupied by in . The annual J.D. Power study measures IQS based on problems reported per 100 vehicles (PP100) – a lower score means a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.
Domestic brands, as a whole, demonstrated higher initial quality than import brands for the first time in an IQS (impressive, as the company has been conducting the study for 24 years). “Domestic automakers have made impressive strides in steadily improving vehicle quality, particularly since 2007,” said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. “This year may mark a key turning point for U.S. brands as they continue to fight the battle against lingering negative perceptions of their quality.” According to J.D. Power, the industry average for initial quality is 109 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2010 (that is a slight increase from 108 PP100 in 2009). However, initial quality for domestic brands as a whole has improved to an average of 108 PP100, slightly better than the initial quality of import brands, which average 109 PP100 in 2010.
made an impressive improvement in the 2010 study. The automaker climbed from 111 PP100 in 2009 to just 86 PP100 in 2010, earning second spot just under Porsche (83 PP100). (87 PP100) earned third position with Lexus (88 PP100) immediately following. (93 PP100) and (106 PP100) also earned Top 10 positions. Interestingly enough, (117 PP100) fell from its seventh position in 2009 to 21st in the 2010 study. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.
Rossi SixtySix – Click above for high-res image gallery
It’s always refreshing to see a car move from rendering to real life. When we , we were immediately smitten with the car’s design. It promised to blend the hefty horsepower and handling prowess of the C6 with legendary looks of the ‘63-’67 Stingrays. That was nearly two years ago, and we had all but written the SixtySix off as nothing but a sexy piece of vaporware. According to CorvetteBlogger, we were wrong. The company has just finished all of the tooling necessary to bring the vehicle to life, and the first car will get an unveil this weekend at Detroit’s EyesOn Design event.
The car has undergone a few changes on the road to reality, namely in the front end. We’re not entirely smitten with the new nose design, but the rest of the car has stuck fairly close to the renderings we fell for not so long ago. Under the new bodywork, the drivetrain remains unmolested, and word is that the company can perform the whole conversion, including the cost of a brand-new C6 Corvette, for around $130,000. Yeah, it’s good looking, but for that kind of money, one could conceivably lay his hands on a , or even a very drivable original ‘63 .
The explosive burble from the V10’s exhaust coming off the back straight seems powerful enough to vaporize insects in mid-air. The Howitzer-like concussions shock through the firewall and slam into our spines an instant before the combustive dissonance has time to reverberate off the outside wall and into our eardrums. The menacing acoustics force the othercars on the circuit to back off, while trackside spectators crane their necks to look up and cheer as the rockets by.
We’re at California Speedway attending the “The Ultimate Lamborghini Experience.” This annual event allows owners to play with their exotics in a controlled environment free of driving citations and other pesky… um, slow cars. Since we don’t own an Italian exotic, we have to thank Lamborghini of Beverly Hills for graciously bringing along the automaker’s latest and greatest. In this case, it’s the .
2011 Horex is “Das Neue Motorrad” - for high-res image gallery
Recently, we reported the scheduled release of an , known to us only as Das Neue Motorrad, the news came with much anticipation, the excitement being twofold. First, the prospect of finally seeing a new motorcycle from the land of Bavaria, a place with such a rich two-wheeled history but very few modern offerings, and second the secrecy leading up to the release, coupled with the companies claims to offer “revolutionary designs” and an engine concept “currently seen nowhere in the industry” which peaked the interest of moto-junkies around the globe.
As the smoke has cleared and rumors ceased, lifting of the veil has exposed Horex as the new motorcycle brand from Germany. So just how do they define revolution? That would be with a supercharged 15-degree monoblock V6, of course. Horex is said to have patented the for two-wheeled vehicles. The compact design allows for fitment of six rounds in a space traditionally fit with four. For additional ‘whee-factor,’ a radial supercharger feeds the 1200cc beast,producing a tractable delivery of the claimed output of 198hp and 110 lb-ft of torque, which is routed to the tarmac via belt drive.
The chassis and suspension wrapping that powerplant compete a package that not only looks legit, but should also live up to performance expectations. 50mm forks sort out the bumps and the attached dual-radial-mounted brakes should have no trouble halting the Horex from substantial velocities. From the looks of things, the frame and swing-arm components appear to exhibit top-notch fit and finish. The styling is definitely of a classic nature, minus the ram-air type intake ports on the front of the fuel tank.
The price of admission will be €20,000 ($24,600 USD), and that’s only if you are in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, but at least it probably includes taxes. We’ll have to wait and see what exchange rates are when the Horex finally makes it to the rest of Europe and the U.S.
The irony in all of this is that Horex is not new at all – it’s a reincarnation of the classic brand founded in 1923 which produced motorcycles up until purchased the company and ceased bike production in 1960. So make that Germany’s newest-old motorcycle company, for the record. Revolutionary?…well, probably not, we just can’t wait to hear the exhaust note!
2011 Nissan Juke – Click above for high-res image gallery
The may be a bit awkward-looking for our tastes, but first week sales in Japan show that quirky styling can lead to paying customers – at least in Japan. Local business daily Nikkei reports that sold 1,300 copies of the Juke in the automaker’s home market in one week. That’s 300 percent more sales than the Japanese automaker was hoping for in the first month. And those 1,300 sales are just the tip of the iceberg. Through Tuesday, Nissan has reportedly accumulated 5,296 orders.
Nissan is likely delighted with the early reception the Japanese public is giving the little crossover. The next big test comes this autumn, when the Juke goes on sale in Europe and here in the U.S. Will American customers be as eager to add the Anime-faced Juke to their driveway? Only time will tell, but the early results in Japan shows that unique styling and an efficient engine could make for a hot-selling mini-ute. A starting price of couldn’t hurt, either.
Three horsemen of the Revolutionary War – Click above for high-res image gallery
Is there anything more American than taking someone else’s hard work and claiming it for our own? Probably not. Maybe it’s some sort of collective synaptic impulses left over from our former masters in the empire or some sort of instinctive will to survive at all costs brought about by our ancestors being made to carve out a life on an uncivilized continent. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t seem like the impulse will let up any time soon. The recent recent is a perfect example. If you need a refresher, check it out after the jump.
In the midst of the patriotic daze brought about watching George Washington behind the wheel of , we failed to point out that Chrysler isn’t exactly the most American car company at the moment. As Consumer Reports has noted, with Canada owning a full 10 percent of the company and Italian carmaker holding the reigns to another 20 percent, the company isn’t as ‘apple pie’ as it would have buyers believe.
Then there’s the annoying fact that the Challenger itself is built off of a modified platform and constructed in Ontario, Canada. Of course, the same sort of criticism can be leveled at Chrysler’s , which, while built in the U.S., also rides on a Benz-derived platform and also shares Italian and Canadian ownership ties.
Still, none of these facts make these ads any less effective, just hypocritical in the most ironically patriotic fashion.
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FIFA World Cup ad forgets where the Challenger is built
BMW microNavigation – Click above for high-res image gallery
That ultra-expensive in-dash navigation system can be a huge help when finding a destination in an unfamiliar area. Unfortunately, if you’re just a visitor, it might not be clear where to park your car or enter the building once you get there. Current navigation systems, both in-dash and hand-held types, have limited databases of such detailed information.
That’s why is developing a microNavigation system called Pathfinder to supplement the data stored onboard the car. Pathfinder allows you to download more detailed information about your destination in the form of a MicroMap to a memory card before you leave the house. When the card is inserted into the car, the data is added to the built-in navigation information. The more detailed information can even work with a camera used for lane departure warning to tell the driver which lane they should be in to catch ramps and entries to highways or parking structures.
Once the car is parked, the data can be transferred to a smartphone or other mobile device for the final leg of the trip. The phone can guide you directly to your destination and in can even remember where you parked. When more vehicles are offered with their own mobile data connections, this data could even be downloaded directly straight to the car on the fly. Of course, all of this requires the creation of far more detailed maps than exist today, and it’s not clear if current map data providers will produce these microMaps. Is incorporating much of this information from its search index, however, and following its and General Motors’ , it could soon be the default provider for every automaker.
![49669 screen shot 2010 06 17 at 4.19.52 pmopt Playing Gran Turismo 5 and talking shop with Kaz Yamauchi [w/video]](http://theautoblog.ru/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/49669_screen-shot-2010-06-17-at-4.19.52-pmopt.jpg "Playing Gran Turismo 5 and talking shop with Kaz Yamauchi [w/video]")
