japan automotive

Sunday, October 3, 2010

2011 Audi RS5 First Drive

2011 Audi RS5  First Drive2011 Audi RS5 Badge

2011 Audi RS5 First Drive2011 Audi RS5 Rearview Mirror

2011 Audi RS5 First Drive2011 Audi RS5 Car Wallpaper

2011 Audi RS5 First Drive2011 Audi RS5 Brakes

2011 Audi RS5 First Drive2011 Audi RS5 Headlight

2011 Audi RS5 First Drive2011 Audi RS5 White Series
2011 Audi RS5  First Drive2011 Audi RS5 Interior View

2011 Audi  RS5 First  Drive2011 Audi RS5 Rear View

2011 Audi RS5 First Drive2011 Audi RS5 Sport Sedan

2011 Audi RS5 First Drive2011 Audi RS5 Exhaust View

2011 Audi  RS5 First  Drive2011 Audi RS5 Rear Wing Photo

2011 Audi RS5 First Drive2011 Audi RS5 Car Engine

2011 Audi RS5 First Drive2011 Audi RS5 Taillight

2011 Audi RS5 First Drive2011 Audi RS5 Blue Color

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas Pictures Gallery

2010  Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas Pictures2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas Front View

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI  adidas Pictures2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas Front Seats

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI  adidas Pictures2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas Badge

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI  adidas Pictures2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas First Look

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI  adidas Pictures2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas Gauges View

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI  adidas Pictures2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas Shifter Image

2010 Volkswagen Golf  GTI adidas Pictures2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas Rear Angle View

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI  adidas Pictures2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas Interior

2010 Volkswagen Golf  GTI adidas Pictures2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas Car Wheel

Peugeot 308 GTi


The Peugeot 308 GTi come with the same 1.6 litre THP 147 kW (200 PS) engine that will be featured in the RCZ coupe model. That engine makes the 308 GTI competitive with the 155 kW (211 PS) of the Golf GTI - the benchmark GTI for this segment.

The THP engine, fitted with a twin-Scroll turbocharger and a high pressure direct-injection system with VTi technology (variable valve and timing injection), produces 275 Nm (203 lb-ft) of torque and will come mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes 7.7 seconds while fuel consumption will be 6.9 liters/100 km and CO2 emissions 159 g/km.

A sound system technology has also been employed to make sure the engine rumble provides for just the right sporty sound that customers will be looking for.

For the proper GTi ride the 308's front MacPherson suspension gets larger bearings with specific damper settings for the 22 mm rods (20 mm in the standard car). The rear torsion beam suspension also gets the same damper treatment.

On the outside are 18-inch wheels with 225/40 R18 tires, a rear spoiler, a lowered rear bumper fitted to a black (Perla Nera) diffuser and dual chrome exhaust pipes. The front fascia also gets a lowering panel borrowed from the 308 CC and a carbon-style insert beneath the front bumper.

GTi-badges are featured on the side and rear of the car.

On the interior are an aluminum foot rest and gear knob and a leather sport steering wheel.

Friday, September 10, 2010

2011 Ferrari Sports Cars

2011 Ferrari Sports Cars 458 Challenge

Coming just a few months after the 2010 Frankfurt Motor Show unveiling of the Ferrari 458 Italia on which it is based, the Ferrari 458 Challenge introduces a number of important modifications to adapt it for competition use. Ferrari 458 was presented the 2010 Frankfurt Motor Show. Lately, the Ferrari 458 Challenge has made its world premiere debut in Maranello during the Annual Dealer Meeting.
With the new 458 Challenge, Ferrari is offering its sportier clients - professional and gentlemen drivers alike - a car that is extremely responsive, with great performance and superb handling. This mid-rear V8-engined berlinetta will allow Ferrari Challenge participants to enjoy to the full the exhilarating cut and thrust of the race weekends on the world's leading circuits, as well as the passion that has always been an integral part of Ferrari's one-make championship.
The Ferrari 458 Challenge introduces a number of important modifications to adapt it for competition use. This car use the direct injection 4497 cc V8 remains strictly in production tune, with an output of 570 hp at 9,000 rpm. That said, modifications have been made to the gear ratios and calibration of its dual-clutch F1 gearbox to assure gamier torque at bluer revs. The Ferrari 458 dispute are as well equipt with the E-Diff electronic differential already employed on the road-going adaptation, a 1st for Ferrari’s track-only automobiles.

2011 Ferrari Sports Cars 458 Challenge

For a Ferrari Challenge model is the adoption of the F1-Trac traction control system, the most sophisticated of its kind. The F1-Trac system constantly monitors levels of grip for maximum high-performance road-holding. Two specific track-biased calibrations – wet and dry – have been developed for this application.
Important work has also come in abbreviating the auto angle. This centered both the exterior and interior with Ferrari’s engineers boiling down particularly about abbreviating the thickness of the bodyshell panels and on using lightweight cloths, such carbon-fibre and Lexan.

Luxury Vehicle Of Ferrari

1. 2003 Ferrari F60 Enzo

Features:
Alarm, Air Conditioning, 2 Door, Hard Top, Automatic Transmission


2. 2005 Ferrari Superamerica

Features:
Power Steering, Power Windows, Power Brakes, Power Seats, Power Mirrors, Power Door Locks, Cruise Control, Tilt Telescoping Wheel, Leather Interior, Alarm, Air Conditioning, CD Player, AM/FM Stereo, 2 Door, Convertible, Automatic Transmission


3. 2003 Ferrari 360 Modena Berlinetta F1

Features:
Power Steering, Power Windows, Power Brakes, Power Seats, Power Mirrors, Power Door Locks, Leather Interior, Alarm, Air Conditioning, CD Player, 2 Door, Hard Top, Automatic Transmission


4. 1992 Ferrari 512 TR

Features:
Power Steering, Power Windows, Power Brakes, Power Mirrors, Power Door Locks, Cruise Control, Tilt Telescoping Wheel, Leather Interior, Alarm, Air Conditioning, CD Player, AM/FM Stereo, 2 Door, Hard Top, 5 Speed


5. 1996 Porsche 1993-98 911 (993) C4

Features:
Power Windows, Power Seats, Power Mirrors, Power Door Locks, Cruise Control, Leather Interior, Alarm, Air Conditioning, CD Player, AM/FM Stereo, 2 Door, Sun/Moon Roof, 6 Speed

Price Ferarri 458

Price Ferarri 458-1
Price Ferarri 458-2

Price Ferarri 458-3

Price Ferarri 458-4
Two-seat sports car Ferrari F430, which was introduced five years ago, will soon be retired and replaced by Italian Ferrari 458. has a large ratio of energy but with a more fuel efficient.

Ferrari 458 Italy, like some of their latest products, designed by the famous automobile design house Pininfarina. Following form Enzo Ferrari, the sports car world by the inspiration of the race - which was not produced.

The name comes from the 458 series with a 4500 cc engine V-8 formation is placed directly behind the chair. This machine has the power ratio with the largest cylinder engines than any other Ferrari.

Total of horsepower this car has a 562 power, power enough for two trucks tronton. However, this machine is more efficient than the Ferrari F430 replaced. Ferrari F430 "only" have the power of 483 horsepower.

Not clear how the price of the Ferrari that went on sale in 2010 itersebut. But the F430 is replaced, has a base price of U.S. $ 188 thousand (USD 1.8 billion).

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Toyota responds to concerned owners

Toyota responds to concerned owners
2010 Toyota Camry – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you didn't think that Toyota has been getting a lot of 'unintended acceleration' questions from concerned customers, this might change your mind. The Japanese automaker has posted a short release on the company's media website called "Why is my car doing this?" that explains how technology in cars today can "cause engine rpm to increase slightly without warning." The informative little missive explains how cold start idle-up, transmission shift, catalytic converter protection, air conditioning idle-up and power steering idle up can raise the pulse of your engine.

We were hoping that the rest of the world already knew that, for example, jamming the A/C when it is hot will cause the engine to rev a bit higher, or that starting your vehicle when it's cold outside will cause the engine to race for a few minutes. Guess not. Our favorite example is for protection of the catalytic converter. Toyota tells us that, on manual transmission models, the engine control computer will "keep the engine rpm above idle as the driver shifts between fifth and sixth gear at high speeds" to prolong the life of the emissions component.

While the list of reasons your engine may idle may sound incredibly obvious, it suggests that some customers are a bit skittish every time they turn on their Toyota, and that can't be good. Hit the jump to read for yourself.

Wiesmann MF5 exiting production as BMW V10

Wiesmann MF5 Roadster – Click above for high-res image gallery

It's not easy to build a car without an engine. Shocking news, we know, but it has major ramifications for small boutique automakers that don't have the resources to design and manufacture powerplants of their own. One such company is Wiesmann, which has historically relied on engines from German automaker BMW.

As you may know, Wiesmann's top-level MF5 borrows the same V10 engine that BMW uses in its M5 and M6. As good a choice as any other, no? Problem is, those models are currently being phased out and production has just come to an end... and that includes those V10 engines we were just talking about.

And without an engine... well, you know the rest. It's not entirely clear what Wiesmann is going to do moving forward – and our trusty Google Translator is having a hard time deciphering exactly what our German source is trying to say – but it seems the specialty car company may either cancel its MF5 entirely or attempt to switch over to BMW's new twin-turbo V8. We'll see.

*Update: Wiesmann reports back the following: Yes we stop producing the MF5 with the V10 engine but we will not stop the MF5 model. We are currently in discussion which engine we will take. It will surely be BMW but the details have not been decided yet.

Jaguar's 75th birthday party at Pebble Beach

Jaguar 75th Anniversary at Pebble Beach
Jaguar 75th Anniversary at Pebble Beach – Click above for high-res image gallery

We've already shown you that Jaguar was honored at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance with a dozen XK-SS roadsters showing up for the party, but there were other Jaguars on hand as well – lots and lots of remarkable Jags.

The history of Jaguar actually began almost 90 years ago when two young men hell-bent on motorcycle glory set up a small company to produce sidecars under the Swallow name in 1922. The younger of the two was William Lyons, who later became Sir William Lyons, mainly because Jaguar went on to bring Britain so much motoring glory. The sidecar business eventually turned into an automobile coachworks, with custom bodies on a bespoke Standard brand chassis that became know as the S.S.I. and S.S.II.

For the follow-up to those early S.S. models – Standard Swallow some think – Lyons had commissioned a new overhead-valve six-cylinder engine that was about 50 percent more powerful than the old side-valve engines they had been using. They put the new engine in a new chassis, enclosed it in the company's first four-door sedan body and Lyons personally chose what he thought was the most appropriate name from a list of choices given to him by his advertising people – Jaguar. On September 23, 1935, the company unveiled the SS Jaguar to London's assembled press. That car led to the short-wheelbase SS Jaguar 100 sports car that helped establish Jaguar's reputation for performance with its early racing success.

After World War II, the company decided to change its name to simply 'Jaguar,' dropping the newly infamous "S.S." label. The automaker also started focusing less on inexpensive sportscars for the homeland market, and more on luxurious models aimed at capturing rich American buyers. One way to do that was with new product and Lyons and his crew were cooking up a duesie – a new sportscar featuring a double overhead cam engine just like the race cars of the era. The goal was 160 horsepower from the engine's 3.4-liter capacity and a 120 mph top speed. That car was the iconic XK120 – "XK" for the engine and "120" for the car's top speed. That begat the XK140 and 150 and a whole slew of other legendary vehicles that bore the Jaguar name.

Some of the finest examples of Jaguar's pedigree were on hand at Pebble Beach on Sunday. Take a look in our high-res gallery below.

Hurst to offer custom personalization for modern muscle cars

Hurst to offer custom personalization for modern muscle cars
Hurst personalized Dodge Challenger – Click above for image gallery

If you're like us, you certainly wouldn't mind being able to park a neo-Hurst muscle cars in your garage. Unfortunately, we'd have to sell the farm, most of our loved ones and a kidney or two just to lay claim to one of the company's individually-numbered bruisers. How 'bout some good news, then?

For a fraction of the cost of a gold-and-white beauty, Hurst will be more than happy to convert any new Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang into a genuine Hurst creation. All you need to do is have the vehicle delivered to the Hurst Garage in Irvine, California, pick which parts you want installed and let the shifting gurus take care of the rest.

Hurst will even go so far as to give each vehicle an individually numbered dash plaque and record the car's VIN for posterity. Customers can choose from suspension components, sport-tuned exhaust, wheels, spoilers and the like as well as the typical trick shifters. If you're planning on swapping in a few aftermarket parts on your new pony car, this would seem like a fine way to go about it.

Lotus accidentally confirms Evora automatic and S variants for Paris through email snafu

Lotus accidentally confirms Evora automatic and S variants for Paris through email snafu
2010 Lotus Evora – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus seems to have quite a hit on its hands in the form of the Evora. We were quite taken with it ourselves when given the chance to put the car through its paces in Southern California, and we've yet to hear a nasty word uttered in its general direction. But that doesn't mean Lotus can't find a way to improve the breed yet further.

Apparently, a couple of those improvements are headed to the Paris Motor Show later this year. Buried within the automaker's stand will be both a hotted-up S version of the Evora and one bestowed with an automatic transmission. How do we know? Well, an errant email recently went out to everyone on Lotus' media list (ourselves included) that promised the two machines along with the other "new car(s) not yet announced."

As if the thought of a Lotus Evora S (forced induction?) and an automatic for the clutch averse among you wasn't enough, it seems the British specialists have plenty more up their well-tailored sleeves. There's been plenty of postulation regarding what else we may see – most notably the rumored return of the Esprit – but we're content to just take a wait-and-see attitude on this one. Paris just can't come soon enough.

G-Power tuned BMW M5 World's Fastest Sedan with 231 mph

G-Power tuned BMW M5 World's Fastest Sedan with 231 mph
G-Power M5 Hurricane RR – Click above for high-res image gallery

The mad scientists at G-Power have reworked the company's sinister M5 Hurricane into something even more impressive. Meet the M5 Hurricane RR – an 800 horsepower beast that G-Power claims is the fastest sedan in the world. The company started by plopping a new set of superchargers onto the M5 sedan's already potent BMW V10. With a theoretical capacity of 900 horsepower, each belt-driven supercharger delivers air to a single bank of the engine. According to the tuner, this configuration allows for 25 percent more air to enter the combustion chamber. The engine's internals have been completely reworked and balanced to handle all of that extra boost as well.

All of that mojo is good for a top speed of 231 mph on track, which the company says makes their matte monster the fastest four-door extant. If lofty top-speed numbers aren't your bag of tricks, maybe acceleration figures are. G-Power says that 0-60 mph takes around 4.35 seconds and 0-120 mph clicks by in 9.5 seconds. Yep, that's pretty darn quick for a two-ton sedan. Even better, G-Power will be more than happy to convert any old BMW M5 into the beast you see above, all for the low, low price of $71,780 – plus donor M5. Hit the jump for the full press release.

performance Honda's fix for prematurely dying Civic hybrid batteries hurting fuel economy

performance Honda's fix for prematurely dying Civic hybrid batteries hurting fuel economy
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Until the past year or so, the Civic Hybrid had been by far the best selling gas-electric model introduced by Honda. However, the second-generation model introduced in 2006 has not been entirely problem-free. There have been several lawsuits against Honda claiming that the Civic doesn't meet its advertised mileage claims. While those sort of claims are often dubious given their dependency on factors like driving style, climate and terrain, premature battery failures are not.

According to the Los Angeles Times, it appears that 2006-2008 Civic Hybrid models are suffering an abnormally high rate of battery failure at relatively low miles. The nickel-metal-hydride batteries are evidently prematurely losing their ability to hold a charge – particularly in hot weather areas like Arizona and when used in a lot of stop-and-go traffic. The Civic Hybrid has a dual compressor air-conditioning system with an engine driven primary compressor and a smaller electric compressor to keep the system going when the engine is shut during a stop. Using the air conditioning will cause the battery to go through more charge cycles, eventually wearing it down. Read on after the jump for more on why the battery might be failing and how Honda is attempting to address it.

Update: Honda spokesman Chuck Schifsky let us know that the software updated for the 2006-8 Civics is based on the changes that were introduced for the refreshed 2009 models. The 2009 models apparently also got an updated battery but obviously that change isn't going into the older cars. The original 2006-8 models would spend a lot of time during hot weather use with the A/C on which apparently caused the charge cycling rate to increase wearing down the battery.

Update 2: Honda confirmed that the battery pack did change from 2008 to 2009 but its not clear exactly what was updated.

French automaker Renault encourages stripping for fun, profit

French automaker Renault encourages stripping for fun, profit
2011 Renault Wind – click above for high-res image gallery

If you happen live in the UK, Renault is offering you a chance to win one of its diminutive new Wind convertibles. All you or a friend has to do is strip down from "winter clothes" to a single layer of clothing on video in less than 12 seconds. Not coincidentally, the dozen seconds are how long it takes to flip the Wind's lid and go from closed coupe to open-top roadster.

Of course, it's not as simple as just shedding some clothes... because plenty of people will beat the timeline. Renault is also looking for some creativity in what the contestants wear, where they strip or who accompanies them. In order to encourage some spontaneity, Renault is even offering up a couple display screens in London and Manchester with a timer and the car opening up.

Once entrants have finished their videos, they can upload them to www.12secondstrip.co.uk or YouTube for judging. The winners will be selected by panel of judges after the contest closes on September 30. Want to get to strippin' yourself? Click past the break for all the details.

VW shows off 2011 CrossTouran Rally 'Round the Family

VW shows off 2011 CrossTouran Rally 'Round the Family
2011 Volkswagen CrossTouran – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has now started taking orders for the new "outback" version of its European-market Touran MPV starting at €27,700 in Germany (that's around $35,500 USD). The CrossTouran joins the joins the CrossPolo and CrossGolf in the high-riding flared wheelarch segment. Longer springs lift the CrossTouran about 0.8 inches further off the pavement, letting driver and children play rally driver that much more convincingly.

Like its lower-riding siblings, the CrossTouran has an array of gas and diesel TSI and TDI inline-fours to choose from along an optional bi-fuel natural gas version. If Ford finds success with its similarly sized Grand C-Max next year and the slow-selling Chrysler-in-drag Routan is canceled, perhaps VW will bring over the Touran instead to flesh out its lineup. If the seven-seat Touran could be produced in Mexico along with the Jetta to bring the price down, such a move could have potential.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport's top speed will  be 10 mph less than record
World-record breaking Bugatti Veyron Super Sport on the track – Click above for high-res image gallery

Oh what teases those Bugatti folks are. They brought the new Veyron Super Sport to Laguna Seca during classic car week here in Monterey... and did a parade lap at a pace about one-tenth of the car's record-breaking 268-mile per hour top speed. We never expected it to take to the track in anger, but getting out of first gear would've been nice. Despite the slow speeds, we captured a bit of video that we think you might like.

Bugatti also announced a few details about the Super Sport that we hadn't heard before. First, the SS will account for the final 40 Veyrons built in the car's 300-unit run. Second, owners of the Super Sport might be saddened to learn that the car is going to be limited to just 258 miles per hour, 10 mph short of the terminal velocity it reached to set the land speed record for a production car back in early July. Bugatti was a bit tight-lipped on why, so we're speculating it might be the tires. Actually it could be that the gas tank will now empty in 30 seconds while traveling at the car's top speed, but who knows.

Click through and you'll be able to see the black-and-orange SS leading the vintage Bugatti Grand Prix grid out of the pits as they form up for their Saturday race. We've also put together some still images of the über-Veyron during its visit to the track in the gallery below. Enjoy.

Porsche 918 Spyder moves under its own power in Monterey

Porsche 918 Spyder moves under its own power in Monterey
Porsche 918 Spyder Concept at Pebble Beach – Click above for high-res image gallery

While we've heard rumblings that Porsche was going to show its hot new 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept here at Pebble Beach, it appeared that the car was only going to be shown to a select few at private events scattered around the Monterey Peninsula during the week.

Well, today at the Pebble Beach Lodge, site of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the company surprised us by driving the hybrid supercar up to the concept lawn for all to see – and hear. They did a quick turn around after sitting still for a second and as the V8 rumble died away, the car started moving forward again. A couple of people were taken by surprise as they thought the driver may have forgotten to engage the parking brake, but no, the car had switched over to battery power.

We shot a little video and took a few pics as we pushed through the massive scrum surrounding the car when it finally came to rest. Follow the jump to see the video and click below to see our high-res images.

Bentley unveils pair of limited edition Continental GTC models

 Bentley unveils pair of limited edition Continental GTC models
2011 Bentley Continental GTC Speed 80-11 Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery

Pebble Beach is fast becoming one of the best places for new car debuts. Besides seeing the McLaren MP4-12C, Fiorvanti SP1, Perana Z-One, Morgan EvaGT, Jaguar XK175, Jaguar XJ75 Platinum, Boss 302 Mustang, Veyron Super Sport, Lotus Exos T125, Lotus Evora GT4 Cup, and so on and so on, we just got to see the new Bentley Continental GTC and GTC Speed 80-11 Editions. These 80-11 models, designed exclusively for the North American market, will be limited to just 80 units each. The "11" in the title refers to 2011, the model year of these specials.

These are basically trim packages, adding things like 20-inch, 14-spoke polished wheels, and red calipers on the Speed, but they at least look tasteful. While the 80-11 Editions will be available in any Bentley color, they've introduced a new color – Midnight – that will be exclusive to these models.

If the wheels or special color don't tip you off to the special nature of these vehicles, you might be able to spot them by their little Union Jack badges on the front fenders. Check out the full press release after the jump for more details and be sure to peruse our gallery as well.

Morgan EvaGT makes debut at Pebble Beach

 Morgan EvaGT makes debut at Pebble Beach
Morgan EvaGT – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Morgan Motor Company has been making new cars all along, but some people seem to have forgotten that fact as most of their "new" models looked a heckuva lot like their old models. That started to change with the introduction of their Aero cars a few years ago – and we predict the name "Morgan" will be a little more common once their latest concept hits showrooms. The company took the wraps off their new EvaGT in Pebble Beach on Sunday, right in front of the Pebble Beach Lodge on the concept lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. We had seen a partial sketch a few weeks ago, but holy wow is this car stunning in person. There's a full press release after the jump and a gallery of high-res pics for you too, but the basic stats are these: It uses a 3.0-liter BMW straight six that produces 306 horsepower, a six-speed automatic or manual transmission, weighs just 2,755 pounds, gets 40 miles per gallon (Imperial) and can scoot from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.

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