To promote the launch, an online game, the Mitsubishi ASX Challenge has been launched as well. Go over to the site and play the game for a chance to win a brand new Mitsubishi ASX crossover.
The Mitsubishi ASX Challenge
Mitsubishi’s all-new crossover – the ASX (known as the Mitsubishi RVR in Japan) goes on sale in the UK from the 1st of July this year.
The RVR
To promote the launch, an online game, the Mitsubishi ASX Challenge has been launched as well. Go over to the site and play the game for a chance to win a brand new Mitsubishi ASX crossover.
To promote the launch, an online game, the Mitsubishi ASX Challenge has been launched as well. Go over to the site and play the game for a chance to win a brand new Mitsubishi ASX crossover.
Ferrari FXX evo 277
Ferrari was founded in 1929 by Enzo Ferrari and first produced cars in 1947. Today, the parent company for Ferrari is Fiat. The Ferraris engines are famous for their engine displacement technology. The V6 and the V8 are built in total displacement, while the V12 used a displacement of one cylinder. Some of the latest Ferrari models include the Ferrari 550, the 575 M Maranello, 599 GTB Fiorano, the 612 Scaglietti, the F355, the Ferrari 360, the F430, the Enzo Ferrari and the Ferrari FXX.
The 599 GTB Fiorano was started to be produced in 2007, and it is a Gran Turismo two seat berlinetta with a FR layout. The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is a follower of the Ferrari 456 and it is a 2+2 coupe Gran Turismo. It was first launched in 2004 and is still being manufactured. Another car also launched in 2004 is the Ferrari F430. It is a sports car and it is available as a two seat Berlinetta and as a two seat Spider. The F430 has a MR layout and can be purchased with a 6 manual or semi automatic speed.
The Enzo Ferrari is a super car/ ultra car manufactured between 2002 and 2004 and was launched in the memory of the founder of the Ferrari company. The Enzo was manufactured in only 400 copies so it was a highly expensive item. It had a Berlinetta body style and a MR layout. The follower model of the Enzo Ferrari was the FXX, which is also a super car. The FXX was released in 2005, and is said to be an improved Enzo Ferrari with the same MR layout and Berlinetta body style. The FXX keeps many of the Enzo's features but has also new cool features that are singular to the FXX. The car is highly expensive and it may be driven on special tracks only. The last FXX, the 30th was given to Michael Schumacher. A similar super car is the Maserati MC12 Corsa.
Ferrari si also responsilble for some concept models, which include among others the Ferrari P5, the Ferrari Pininfarina 512S Berlinetta Speciale, the Pininfarina Modulo, the Ferrari Mythos, the Ferrari GG50, the Ferrari P4/5 and the Ferrari Zagato 575 GTZ.
The 599 GTB Fiorano was started to be produced in 2007, and it is a Gran Turismo two seat berlinetta with a FR layout. The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is a follower of the Ferrari 456 and it is a 2+2 coupe Gran Turismo. It was first launched in 2004 and is still being manufactured. Another car also launched in 2004 is the Ferrari F430. It is a sports car and it is available as a two seat Berlinetta and as a two seat Spider. The F430 has a MR layout and can be purchased with a 6 manual or semi automatic speed.
The Enzo Ferrari is a super car/ ultra car manufactured between 2002 and 2004 and was launched in the memory of the founder of the Ferrari company. The Enzo was manufactured in only 400 copies so it was a highly expensive item. It had a Berlinetta body style and a MR layout. The follower model of the Enzo Ferrari was the FXX, which is also a super car. The FXX was released in 2005, and is said to be an improved Enzo Ferrari with the same MR layout and Berlinetta body style. The FXX keeps many of the Enzo's features but has also new cool features that are singular to the FXX. The car is highly expensive and it may be driven on special tracks only. The last FXX, the 30th was given to Michael Schumacher. A similar super car is the Maserati MC12 Corsa.
Ferrari si also responsilble for some concept models, which include among others the Ferrari P5, the Ferrari Pininfarina 512S Berlinetta Speciale, the Pininfarina Modulo, the Ferrari Mythos, the Ferrari GG50, the Ferrari P4/5 and the Ferrari Zagato 575 GTZ.
By : Michael Rad
The Best Car in the World?
In 2010, BMW overtook Mercedes Benz as the best selling luxury car manufacturer in India for the first time. But Mercedes has no intention of going quietly into the night. Their line-up now features the all-new E Class, as well as the newly Introduced 7-seat GL SUV. But leading the charge is a refreshed, and lengthened, flagship 8 500L.The wheelbase of the 8 500 has been stretched by 13 centimeters to ensure that corporate honchos and / or world leaders in the back aren't left wanting for leg room. However, BMW stretched its 7 series by one centimeter more, 14 to be precise, in the 750Li. 80 let's delve a little deeper, shall we - to see if the 8 500L can once again profess to be the 'best car in the world,' and reclaim the top spot on the sales charts for the coveted three-pointed star?
From the outside
The current generation S class was introduced in 2005-in India in 2006-and preceded the svelte W220, which, in appearance, was the epitome of understated elegance. The W221 grew to be far more aggressive and shapely, while finding a happy medium between the tank-like S class of yesteryear and the sleek Mercs of today. In 2009, Mercedes tinkered with the S Class in an effort to bring its appearance up-to-date by adding an array of now customary LED lights-both front and rear.
The front end looks more purposeful with added chrome and a redesigned bumper, as well as a more pointed edge. At the rear, this Mercedes flagship wears its S 500 badge proudly. It also has a massive set of rectangular dual exhausts that hint at the serious firepower under hood. The design, on the whole, has just the right combination of curves and creases-the end result is a car hat looks a dominant force going down the road, which of course, is the point.
From the inside
At the recent launch of the S sooL, Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, MD & CEO, Mercedes Benz India, pointed out that this particular model is the most expensive car ever made in India, as it's being carefully assembled at their new state-of-the-art facility in Pune - unlike its Bavarian compatriot, which comes in fully assembled as a CBU. And you need only set one foot inside the cabin of the S 500 to see that it is, indeed, money well spent. In fact, even as you open the doors, you notice the individual shockers in each door to ensure that you don't expend any more energy than absolutely necessary to open and close the soft-close-doors - should your chauffeur be slow to react for some godforsaken reason.
Once inside, there's acres of room in the rear, and every surface has a quality feel to it - even the buttons look decidedly decorative, and feel just as good. There was a time in the recent past, during the days of the Daimler-Chrysler merger, when you could in fact find fault with certain pieces of interior trim in a Mercedes - even in an S Class. But such asuggestion is unequivocally banished into the dusty pages of the history books by the current models.
It's eerily silent in the cabin - ideally suited, I suppose, to plan strategy for your next corporate takeover and / or military coup, depending on your line of work. This car is meant to soothe its occupants. In fact, legend has it that Mercedes actually strapped heart rate monitors onto occupants of the S Class, as well as cars made by rival manufacturers, in an attempt to prove that the heart rate of those in the S Class was, on average, roughly five beats-per-minutes less than that of people in other cars.
And it's the little touches that achieve this, such as seat massagers that truly provide the illusion that there are a team of masseurs hiding in the seatback, and head rests that are so soft and fluffy that they truly cradle your head - so that you can do your best thinking presumably. And while it was very business-like in the all-black interior of our test car, the panorama roof was brilliant, and it made the already expansive interior feel even bigger. However, if you are feelingbusinesslike, there are exquisitely moulded walnut tray tables that fold out of the seat backs. On the contrary, if you'd like some R&R, simply recline your seat, and pull out a bottle of your favourite beverage from the fridge in the back - accessed from in between the rear seats.
You can also watch a DVD on the two screens mounted on the back of the front headrests for added entertainment. In fact, even the front passenger can watch a DVD while the car's on the move - courtesy of 'Splitview' technology incorporated onto the 8-inch high-definition TFT screen in the center console, which allows the driver to view vehicle functions from his vantage point, while, at the same time, the front passenger can watch a movie from his. You also get a now customary USB input in the glove box that allows iPod connectivity quiteeasily - unlike in the 7 series, which requires a proprietary cable from BMW. The Harman Kardon Logie-r surround sound system delivers eoo-watts of absolutely astonishing sound quality from its 14 speakers for your choice of media, whichcan range from an iPod, USB stick, SD card, to CD / DVD, or even 2,500 of your favourite tunes in MP3 or WMA format saved in a 7.2 GB in-built hard disc.
And for the driver, there's the Command system that navigates through vehicle functions via a screen on the center console, as well as a multi function steering wheel that controls a myriad of other functions, including Bluetooth connectivity - all of which is displayed on the instrument cluster in direct view of the driver. In order to display all the requisite information, the S Class has a digital speedometer projected on an LCD screen - complete with faux speedo needle. The good thing is that all these various bits of technology work extremely well together to keep you both well informed and relaxed at the same time. Oh, and you can also change the colour of the mood lighting in the car to suit your present disposition - ranging from Solar (yellow), Polar (blue), To natural (white).
On the road
The S 500 doesn't feel propelled so much by an engine, as it does by an invisible force. The 5.4 litre V8 that produces 370 horsepower is sublime-as is the 7-speed automatic transmission to which it's mated. The engine really is incredible smooth-it feels exactly the same at 1500 rpm as it does at 6500. The gearbox, meanwhile, has similar qualities, as shifts are instant and indistinguishable. That being said, there's nothing subtle about how the S class thunders down the road-leaving on-lookers and passengers in absolute disbelief that something this large can move quite so swiftly.
The S 500 gives up about 40 horsepower to the BMW 745Li, and while you do feel the deficit on occasion, it's only because the motor in the BMW appeared to be stolen from a rocket launcher. Nevertheless, Mercedes claim a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of, brace yourself, 5.4 seconds! Step on the acceleration pedal, and the whole car shrinks around you in a manner that you don't quite expect. If you imagine that the current S class will feel large and lumbering to drive, you're in for either a rude shock or a pleasant surprise-depending on your point of view.
Nevertheless, the rate of progress you can achieve in this car is staggering.150km\h is achieved in the smallest of open spaces with consummate ease-in case you're running late for a board meeting that is, And, based on how far behind schedule you really are, you can choose between three driving models-comfort, sport, and manual. Comfort, as the name suggests, ensures that engine and suspension are ideally suited to waft you from place-to-place. Sport mode, on the other hand, readies the suspension for some hooliganism, and the engine revs considerably freeier as well. In manual mode, you can change gears via paddles mounted behind the steering, which means you can hold higher revs in lower gears and burn a barrel or two of oil quicker than in a jet plane. Of course, since the S Class is engineered in Germany, these different engine and chassis setting actually do work.
The Active Body control courtesy of the air suspension ensures that the car remains defiantly flat through the corners. In fact, you can even turn off the traction control and have a little fun-in a two-tone S Class! Go into a corner too fast, and the car will understeer, but not in a way that's recalcitrant. Instead, the chassis communicates what it's doing in an effort to keep the driver informed of the physics defying feat that's being attempted. And if you're a little more clever, you can use the power being driven to the rear wheels to enjoy lurid power slides-I use the term lurid loosely of course, since the traction control cuts is despite being turned off if it feels like you're having a little too much fun.
The S Class, in keeping with its pioneering spirit in terms of technology, also has a battery of technological feats, such as adaptive cruise control, which even has the ability to bring the car to a complete halt by itself, parking guidance, which is optional, but can park the car largely by itself, infrared night view assist, also optional, but useful, pre-safe, which braces for an impact if things go pear shaped, and adaptive headlights, which, of course, are fantastic. you can even manually raise the ride height if you're going over some exceptionally bad roads-of which we have plenty. The brakes and ABS are phenomenal, which goes without saying really-we did test them nonetheless.
After experiencing the S 500L,let's just say our suggestion would be to appear magnanimous, and allow the chauffeur extended paid leave.
Verdict
The competition may be treading on its toes, but you have to admit that there is something about the allure of the S Class that plays into its image of being an automotive icon, which has been carefully created over all these years. It still feels like the right car for the ruling elite. And if you're lucky enough to be able to write a check for one, you're still buying into that heritage. The 7 series BMW is by far a more serious drivers' machine - whereas the S Class does astonish you from behind the wheel, the 7 series simply blows you away.
But that also plays into the hands of the Mercedes somewhat, since being less driver oriented means that the ride comfort, and therefore rear seat comfort, in the Mercedes is unparalleled - it does seem to spoil you a little bit more than the BMW. The S Class may have become the predictable choice to demonstrate to the world that you've arrived - but it's by no means the wrong one.
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New Fiat 500 C by Hype Means Nothing @ Colette
New Fiat 500 C by Hype Means Nothing @ ColetteSource: Hype Means Nothing
ITB Luncurkan Kendaraan Hemat Energi
Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) meluncurkan kendaraan hemat energi hasil karya mahasiswanya yang akan diikutsertakan dalam Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) Asia, Juli 2010 di Sepang, Malaysia.Uji coba tiga kendaraan hemat energi itu dilakukan di seputar Campus Center ITB, Jalan Gaseha Bandung, Senin.
Ketiga kendaraan itu dirancang dan dibangun oleh tiga mahasiswa ITB untuk menjawab tantangan kompetensi yakni menempuh jarak yang ditentukan dengan konsumsi bahan bakar mininal.
Tiga kendaraan itu diberi nama Cikal, Rajawali dan Heave-Exia. Dua dari ketiganya, yakni Heave-Exia dan Rajawali akan berlaga pada kategori Futuristic Protoype, sementara Cikal akan berlaga di kategori Urban Concept SEM Asia 2010 di Sepang, Malaysia.
Team Leader Tim Cikal, Teuku Naraski Zahari, mengatakan, mobil yang dirancangny adalah konsep mobil hemat bahan bakar, aerodinamis dan ringan dengan rangka utama dari alumunium dan bodi dari carbonfober.
"Kami membuat sebuah kendaraan dengan desain bergaya modern, sesuai dengan kehidupan perkotaan saat ini yang serba praktis tapi tetap detail, katanya.
Mobil karyanya ini memiliki panjang 2,5 meter, lebar 1,2 meter dan tinggi 1,2 meter serta menggunakan bahan bakar jenis bensin beroktan 95 (gasoline 95).
Menurutnya, jika mobil rancanganya itu keluar menjadi jawara di SEM Asia 2010, bukan tidak mungkin akan diproduksi massal.
"Kalau ada yang mau modalin, kenapa ngak di produksi sevara massal. Insya Allah niat itu ada kok," ujar Teuku Naraski, nmahasiswa jurusan Teknik Elekto ITB angkatan 2006.
Sementara itu, Tim Heave-Exia merancang kendaraan Futuristic Prototype dengan konsep kendaraan prototip 3 roda dengan satu penumpang.
Tim Leader Tim Heave-Exia, Elingselastri, mengatakan, kendaraan rancangannya itu didesain secara aerodinamis dan menggunakan struktur ringan serta berbahan bensin dengan oktan 95 (gasoline 95).
"Untuk mesinnya sendiri kita menggunakan mesin Kanzen 80 cc yang kita modifikasi dengan dimensi panjangnya 3 meter, lebar 0,8 meter dan tinggi 0,8 meter," ujar Elingselastri.
Sedangkan Tim Rajawali membuat kendaraan dengan menggunakan mesin 35 cc dan berbahan bakar bensin dengan oktan 95.
Tim Leader Tim Rajawali, Ananta Bagas R, mengatakan, bentuk kendaraan yang ia rancang terinspirasi dari bentuk tetesan air yang aerodinamis.
"Dimensinya memiliki panjang 2,7 meter, lebar 0,75 meter dan tinggi 0,75 meter dan struktur body kendaraanya full carbon fibre serta menggunakan satu transmisi gigi," kata Ananta.
2010 Naomi for Haiti Lotus Evora Sports Cars
In response to the horrific natural disaster that has crippled the nation of Haiti, Naomi Campbell together with Lotus Cars will be auctioning eight special edition "Naomi for Haiti" Lotus Evora sports cars, with the proceeds from the auction going to help the relief effort in Haiti on 12th of January 2010.
2010 Naomi for Haiti Lotus Evora Sports Cars
The Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti has to be one of the most expensive special edition ever to come out of the company's plant. The firs two Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti units have been auctioned for more than 300,000 GBP each at The Fashion For Relief Event. The first Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti was bought by Naomi Campbell’s boyfriend, Vladimir Doronin for no less than 320,000 GBP.
The remaining five Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti will be auctioned starting from today on the supermodel's website at www.naomiforhaiti.com. The highest bidders and the new owners of the remaining five Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti cars will be announced at the Lotus press conference on the 2nd of March at the Geneva Motorshow.
The Lotus Evora is a very desirable, multi-award winning, high performance, mid-engined sports car that presents a fantastic piece of design to bid on. The “Naomi for Haiti” Evora sports car has been specially designed by Lotus Design Director Donato Coco and reflects Naomi’s design direction. The bespoke styling combines the flag of Haiti with a dramatic colour scheme and the cars include a full range of options, meaning these cars will all become desirable collectors items.
The “Naomi for Haiti” Evoras will be auctioned at Naomi Campbell's Fashion for Relief TM charity fashion show on the 18th of February at the London Fashion Week venue at Somerset House. The remaining “Naomi for Haiti” Evoras will be entered into an auction run on the “Naomi for Haiti” website Charity Auction - Naomi For Haiti and bidding will commence at 0800 GMT on the 19th of February and will end at 1200 noon GMT on 28th of February 2010.
According to Naomi, Lotus Cars has been Fashion for Relief’s biggest supporter and has been instrumental in helping us to raise crucial funds for The White Ribbon Alliance and its partners in Haiti. Still according to her, to have Lotus on board supporting Fashion for Relief is very important to Sarah Brown, myself and everyone at The White Ribbon Alliance and we are truly very grateful.
Naomi Campbell says, "I am deeply saddened by the recent tragedy in Haiti. So many have been killed and severely affected by the earthquake - women and children in particular are most vulnerable in disasters. Fashion is universal, personal and touches everyone. I am delighted that Lotus Cars is supporting my Fashion for Relief TM charity and I am sure with such generous help we will raise crucial funds to help save the lives of women and children."
Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar said “It was a great pleasure for Lotus to work with Naomi and the White Ribbon Alliance for this excellent cause and we are delighted that by working with Naomi, our suppliers and the generosity of the bidders, we have been able to raise such a significant sum of money to help those in need during this difficult time.”
It was announced on March 11, 2010 at the 80th Geneva Motor Show that the eight special editions of the Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti have achieved in excess of €1.4m at auction.
2010 Naomi for Haiti Lotus Evora Sports Cars
In response to the horrific natural disaster that has crippled the nation of Haiti, Naomi Campbell together with Lotus Cars will be auctioning eight special edition "Naomi for Haiti" Lotus Evora sports cars, with the proceeds from the auction going to help the relief effort in Haiti on 12th of January 2010.
2010 Naomi for Haiti Lotus Evora Sports Cars
The Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti has to be one of the most expensive special edition ever to come out of the company's plant. The firs two Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti units have been auctioned for more than 300,000 GBP each at The Fashion For Relief Event. The first Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti was bought by Naomi Campbell’s boyfriend, Vladimir Doronin for no less than 320,000 GBP.
The remaining five Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti will be auctioned starting from today on the supermodel's website at www.naomiforhaiti.com. The highest bidders and the new owners of the remaining five Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti cars will be announced at the Lotus press conference on the 2nd of March at the Geneva Motorshow.
The Lotus Evora is a very desirable, multi-award winning, high performance, mid-engined sports car that presents a fantastic piece of design to bid on. The “Naomi for Haiti” Evora sports car has been specially designed by Lotus Design Director Donato Coco and reflects Naomi’s design direction. The bespoke styling combines the flag of Haiti with a dramatic colour scheme and the cars include a full range of options, meaning these cars will all become desirable collectors items.
The “Naomi for Haiti” Evoras will be auctioned at Naomi Campbell's Fashion for Relief TM charity fashion show on the 18th of February at the London Fashion Week venue at Somerset House. The remaining “Naomi for Haiti” Evoras will be entered into an auction run on the “Naomi for Haiti” website Charity Auction - Naomi For Haiti and bidding will commence at 0800 GMT on the 19th of February and will end at 1200 noon GMT on 28th of February 2010.
According to Naomi, Lotus Cars has been Fashion for Relief’s biggest supporter and has been instrumental in helping us to raise crucial funds for The White Ribbon Alliance and its partners in Haiti. Still according to her, to have Lotus on board supporting Fashion for Relief is very important to Sarah Brown, myself and everyone at The White Ribbon Alliance and we are truly very grateful.
Naomi Campbell says, "I am deeply saddened by the recent tragedy in Haiti. So many have been killed and severely affected by the earthquake - women and children in particular are most vulnerable in disasters. Fashion is universal, personal and touches everyone. I am delighted that Lotus Cars is supporting my Fashion for Relief TM charity and I am sure with such generous help we will raise crucial funds to help save the lives of women and children."
Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar said “It was a great pleasure for Lotus to work with Naomi and the White Ribbon Alliance for this excellent cause and we are delighted that by working with Naomi, our suppliers and the generosity of the bidders, we have been able to raise such a significant sum of money to help those in need during this difficult time.”
It was announced on March 11, 2010 at the 80th Geneva Motor Show that the eight special editions of the Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti have achieved in excess of €1.4m at auction.
Fisker Karma (2010) Plug-in Hybrid Sports Sedan
At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Fisker Automotive are set to reveal their advanced aluminium space frame which is to feature in the stunning Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid electric sports sedan. The Fisker Karma, the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, will make its Chicago debut at the Chicago Auto Show February 12-21. With the Karma, American automaker Fisker Automotive (www.fiskerautomotive.com) proves that with eco-friendly cars you can enjoy beautiful, distinctive design and thrilling performance with a clear conscience.
Fisker Karma (2010) Plug-in Hybrid
2010 Fisker Karma Preview – 2008 Detroit Auto Show: Just this morning we attended a press conference held by a well-known Italian luxury car company, one that sells fewer than 10,000 cars annually and employs executives who tout the brand’s exclusivity. Maybe they haven’t heard about Fisker Automotive, and in particular, the 2010 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid.
Despite a projected annual production run of approximately 15,000 units, the Karma comes much closer to the true definition of exclusive thanks the plug-in’s first-to-market status, relatively affordable $80,000 base price, lithium ion battery technology, full-electric range of 50 miles, and a gas/electric fuel economy rating of 100 mpg. That kind of exclusivity will be available from Fisker in late 2009.
The 403hp, four-door Karma plug-in hybrid can go zero to 60mph in six seconds and has a top speed of 125mph, but it can still achieve an annual average of more than 100mpg and drive tailpipe-emission free. Features include a sculpted body, 22-inch wheels, trunk space for two sets of golf clubs, a 10.2-inch haptic touchscreen control center, reclaimed wood trim and an available animal-free interior trim package.
"Our top priorities when we designed the Karma's aluminium space frame were that it have extremely high torsional rigidity and could be easily modified to accept Karma model variants," explained Henrik Fisker, CEO, Fisker Automotive. "We benchmarked some of the world's best cars to create an all-new space frame that will deliver an exhilarating experience behind the wheel." A super-structural tunnel running down the car's centerline acts as the Karma's backbone. The spaceframe is designed around the car's unique Q-DRIVE series-hybrid powertrain.
Behind the rear-drive Karma’s taut skin is a lightweight chassis that places the battery pack in the vehicle’s center to enhance driving dynamics and safety. Fisker says its plug-in hybrid sports sedan will hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and travel up to 50 miles on electric power alone; with a supplemental four-cylinder gasoline engine that powers a large generator, its range will extend to 620 miles while returning 100 mpg. When plugged into a 110-volt household outlet, the Karma fully recharges in eight hours, using a 220-volt outlet will get the job done in three hours, and a solar roof panel aids with trickle charging while the Karma is parked.
The Karma is a series Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powered by a lithium-ion battery and an efficient 2.0-liter range-extending gas engine. The engine only turns a generator, which sends electricity to two electric traction motors attached to the rear differential. The Karma has a 300-mile range with a full battery charge and a full tank of gas. The first 50 miles are electric-only and emission free.
The battery can be recharged in less than six hours using the same 220v household current that powers some major appliances. The Karma can also be charged using standard 110v power from any electrical outlet.
Fisker Automotive’s first car is the Fisker Karma, the world’s first production Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). The four-door Karma will be followed by two variants and a second line of lower cost, high volume premium green automobiles by 2012.
2009 Audi Sports Car roadster/coupe TT-RS
Although the 2009 Audi TT has improved greatly on previous models in terms of general fun-factory and handling, enthusiasts still don't place it in the same league as the M Coupes, Boxter/Caymans and S2000s of the world. The S line model, which debuted in 2008, served up a big helping of improvements, but Audi fans still wanted more.
2009 Audi TT-RS
Audi is once again producing a five-cylinder engine – and a very special one at that. Arriving at dealerships this summer, the TT RS has a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with direct gasoline injection; it produces 250 kW (340 bhp) and 450 Nm (331.90 lb.-ft.) of torque. The blazing five-cylinder engine enables the TT RS to perform extraordinary feats. In conjunction with quattro permanent all-wheel drive and a high-performance chassis, the engine makes the compact Audi TT RS a top-notch sports car – available as a coupé or roadster.
Sporty five-cylinder gasoline engines have a long legacy at Audi. The most famous is arguably the turbocharged 2.1-liter engine in the Audi quattro. The first version, which was launched in 1980, offered an impressive 147 kW (200 bhp). And the Sport quattro from 1984, directly inspired by motorsport, delivered a whopping 225 kW (306 bhp). For 25 years, turbochargers and quattro have been a dynamic formula for success.
Audi has resumed using this recipe. Designed from scratch, the five-cylinder engine combines a turbocharger with FSI direct gasoline injection to elevate the TT RS to a high-performance sports car. The TFSI delivers 250 kW (340 bhp) from a displacement of 2,480 cc (151.34 cu in): a specific output of 100.8 kW (137.1 bhp) per liter.
The power-to-weight ratio is also outstanding. In the case of the Coupé, which weighs in at a mere 1,450 kilograms (3,196.70 pounds), the power-to-weight ratio is just 4.3 kilograms per bhp.
The TT RS Coupé rockets from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.14 mph) in 4.6 seconds; the Roadster needs just a tenth of a second longer. The limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph) is merely the official figure for both versions; as an option, Audi can increase it to 280 km/h (173.98 mph).
Almost even more impressive is the aggressive pulling power. The maximum torque of 450 Nm (331.90 lb.-ft.) is always available between 1,600 and 5,300 rpm. In addition, the TT RS overtakes without the slightest effort. Last but not least, its engine makes passengers’ skin tingle time and again thanks to its speedy and powerful response, its inspiring free-revving character, and its unmistakably guttural tailpipes: five-cylinder classical music by Audi!
As an uncompromising sports-car engine, the 2.5-liter TFSI is ultra-compact. Just 49 centimeters (19.29 inches) in length, it is ideally suited for transverse installation in the TT RS. And its weight of just 183 kilograms (403.45 pounds) also sets a record. The crankcase is made of vermicular-graphite cast iron. This high-tech material unites the utmost in strength with low weight; it has otherwise only been used for the large TDI engines from Audi. Perfectly placed reinforcements enhance the block’s loadability. The lightweight cylinder head, the pistons, and the connecting rod are lightweight as well as high-strength.
The ultra-powerful five-cylinder engine is extremely fuel-efficient, requiring an average of just 9.2 liters/100 km [25.57 mpg] as regards the Coupé (Roadster: 9.5 l/100 km [24.76 mpg]). Switchable flaps in the intake manifold mix the incoming air in a calculated configuration. Injected at a pressure as high as 120 bar by the common-rail system, the gasoline swirls intensely in the combustion chamber – which in turn cools the walls. This subsequently facilitates a compression ratio of 10.0:1, which is very high for a turbocharged engine. Both of the adjustable camshafts, controlled via chains, also enhance charging efficiency with respect to the air-fuel mixture.
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