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The amazing future of car tyres?

01-04-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

The amazing future of car tires?

The high performance tyre of the future will be very different to the tyres we drive on today, if the results of a recent design competition are a guide.

A Hankook Tire competition in the US has challenged some of the country’s brightest industrial design students to imagine the role of tyres in automotive design from new angles.

The winning entry by University of Cincinnati student Ben Zavala took the brief somewhat literally, with his Tiltread car tyre rolling into corners at an angle like a motorcycle tyre.

Zavala’s breakthrough idea was to split the tyre into three parallel ring sections, each mounted on a corresponding split section of wheel.

As the wheel turns and leans, the three tyre sections are individually raised or lowered, allowing them all to maintain traction with the road surface.

Tiltread’s wheels are hubless and contain an electric drive motor which varies power to each tyre section, allowing the sections to spin at different rates during cornering.

University of Cincinnati associate professor Ralph Zammit said the competition demonstrated just how great an impact improvement in tyre design could have upon the overall efficiency, ecology and economy of road transportation.

“Hankook proposed a very challenging assignment that provided the students with real-world insights as to how tyres are currently designed, manufactured and the performance issues they must address,” said associate professor Zammit.

“Students were especially encouraged to consider sustainability needs such as reducing and reusing raw materials.”

Second place in the competition was taken by Mark Hearn who imagined an off-road tyre called Motiv, which features numerous height-variable, non-pneumatic tread blocks that can adapt to extremely rough terrain without risk of blow-out.

Third-placed Miranda Steinhauser’s proposal for an eco-friendly tyre also impressed the competition judges.

The Tessela tyre’s easily removable tread components allow consumers to replace worn-out tread when required, rather than the whole tyre carcass, reducing tyre waste and landfill.

Models of the first, second and third placed tyres were displayed on the Hankook stand at the 2012 SEMA automotive show in Las Vegas.

The all-new BMW 2 Series Coupe

25-03-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

The all-new BMW 2 Series Coupe

The BMW 2 Series Coupe was introduced in early 2014 as a replacment for the 1 Series Coupe. It’s based on the latest 1 Series hatchback but slightly stretched to create a sportier coupe bodystyle. Rather than thinking of it as a fancy 1 Series, though, BMW wants you to imagine it as a rival to cars like the Audi TT, Volkswagen Scirocco and Toyota GT 86.

The engine line-up is borrowed from the 1 Series, including a flagship 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo in the M235i, which boasts 322bhp. The majority of UK sales will consist of the 220d model, though, which gets a 181bhp 2.0-litre diesel.

The legendary 1968 BMW 2002 ‘passes the torch’ to the all-new BMW 2 Series Coupe.

Discover all-new 2014 BMW X4

11-03-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

Discover all-new 2014 BMW X4

The new BMW X4 is based on the technical blueprint of the BMW X3, but displays a sporting character very much its own and takes dynamics to another new level. That much is clear when you view the new model head-on. The look & feel is similar with BMW X6

The large air intakes positioned on the outer edges of the front end and the character lines in the front apron allow the BMW X4 – with its signature BMW twin headlights and front fog lamps (both optionally with LED technology) – to maximise its visual presence on the road. The roofline reaches its highest point above the driver and then swoops down smoothly to the trailing edge of the tailgate, mimicking the design language of a classical sporting coupe. The signature swage line running along the flanks of BMW models is split into two on the X4.

The new BMW X4 (fuel consumption combined: 8.3–5.0* l/100 km [34.0–54.3 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 193–130* g/km) blends the hallmark features of the successful BMW X family with the sporting elegance of a classical coupe, and introduces the unique Sports Activity Coupe concept to the premium mid-size segment.

Its dynamic pedigree is underlined by a wide range of cutting-edge high-performance engines, the xDrive all-wheel-drive system and an exclusive spread of standard equipment features such as variable sport steering, Performance Control and a sports leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles.

In keeping with the vivacious character of the new BMW X4, customers can choose from three petrol engines and a trio of diesel units from the BMW EfficientDynamics engine family, whose output ranges from 135 kW/184 hp to 230 kW/313 hp. All the engines meet the EU6 exhaust gas standard.

The BMW TwinPower Turbo technology of the state-of-the-art engines offers a promise of superb performance married with exceptionally low fuel consumption. For example, the flagship petrol unit in the BMW X4 xDrive35i (fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 10.7/6.9/8.3 l/100 km [26.4/40.9/34.0 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 193 g/km) develops an outstanding 225 kW/306 hp and peak torque of 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). The BMW X4 xDrive35i requires just 5.5 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph).

And an equally impressive performer in terms of power delivery and CO2 efficiency is the BMW X4 xDrive35d (fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 6.7/5.5/6.0 l/100 km [42.2/51.4/47.1 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 157 g/km). Its 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine generates 230 kW/313 hp and peak torque of 630 Nm (465 lb-ft).

The BMW X4 xDrive35d accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds. The new-generation 2.0-litre diesel engine in the BMW X4 xDrive20d (fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 5.8–5.4*/5.1–4.8*/5.4–5.0* l/100 km [48.7–52.3/55.4–58.9/52.3–56.5 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 141–131* g/km) with eight-speed Steptronic transmission also sets the benchmark when it comes to fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Its four-cylinder unit produces 140 kW/190 hp and peak torque of 400 Nm (295 lb-ft).

The new BMW X4 Media Gallery

2014 BMW X4 | Source BMW, please read more.

The Audi A7 Sportback (Presentation video)

05-03-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

The Audi A7 Sportback

Measuring 4.97 meters (16.31 ft) in length, the five-door model is an Audi in top form. Its low, dynamically drawn roof line and flowing rear lend it the character of a coupe. Every detail of the elegant interior documents the care with which Audi builds cars. High-quality materials spoil the senses.

The front seats are optionally available with ventilation and massage functions. The MMI operating system comes standard; among the optional equipment is a head-up display.

Audi offers the A7 Sportback with a choice of six powerful and cultivated V6 engines: two gasoline and four TDI units. They develop between 150 kW (204 hp) and 230 kW (313 hp) and are impressively efficient.

The new 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp) consumes an average of just 5.1 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (44.38 US mpg). All engines feature innovative thermal management and a start-stop-system.

Engine lineup:

– 2.8 FSI and 2.8 FSI quattro with 150 kW (204 hp)
– 3.0 TFSI quattro with 228 kW (310 hp)
– 3.0 TDI and 3.0 TDI quattro with 150 kW (204 hp)
– 3.0 TDI quattro with 180 kW (245 hp)
– 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro with 180 kW (245 hp)
– 3.0 TDI quattro with 230 kW (313 hp)

The standard automatic transmissions also play a role in the efficiency of the A7 Sportback. The user-friendly multitronic for the 2.8 FSI and 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp) delivers the engine power to the front wheels. The sporty seven-speed S tronic delivers the power to all four wheels. The 3.0 TDI quattro with 230 kW (313 hp) is equipped with an eight-speed tiptronic.

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system features torque vectoring for superior traction, stability and dynamics. It can be complemented with the optional sport differential for the rear axle.

The Audi pre sense safety system can reduce the severity of accidents and their consequences in many cases. Audi active lane assist helps the driver to keep the A7 Sportback firmly on course, and the park assist system relieves the driver of the chore of steering when parking.

The night vision assistant with highlighting of detected persons reduces the stress of driving in the dark. Audi side assist and speed limit detection round out the list.

Source: Audi

Lexus RC – Introducing the all-new coupe from Lexus

05-03-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

Lexus RC – Introducing the all-new coupe from Lexus

V8 engine in the all-new 2015 RC F performance coupe at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The F performance model, based on the RC coupe, gets its powerful roar from more than 450 horsepower and more than 383 lb.-ft. torque.

The RC F has an all-new 5.0-liter 32-valve V8 engine that will provide increased maximum power at higher engine rpm than previously possible. For the first time in a Lexus performance engine, the RC F uses the Atkinson cycle at cruising speeds for enhanced fuel economy and then switches to the Otto cycle at higher rpm to develop impressive performance levels.

Driver engagement has been made possible by purpose designed sound and power delivery. Auniquely tuned eight-speed Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) transmission improves linear throttle response. It helps the driver control the torque and power precisely as it is applied.

The newly calibrated VDIM adds a vertical G-sensor to provide greater vehicle stability.

See more information about Lexus RC.

New 2014 Fiat 500L Global Advertising Campaign “Mirage”

13-02-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

New Fiat 500L Global Advertising Campaign “Mirage”

The FIAT Brand to Debut New Fiat 500L Global Advertising Campaign “Mirage” Featuring Sean “Diddy” Combs

FIAT Brand North America will launch a new global advertising campaign featuring entertainment powerhouse Sean “Diddy” Combs this week entitled “Mirage.” The advertising campaign, which debuts across television beginning on Thursday, February 13, introduces the new Fiat 500L tagline, “Unbelievably Big.”

In the new commercial, two guys, lost and desperate in the desert, witness two Fiat 500Ls pass by, one with “Diddy” inside, who calls out to them, but they dismiss him as a mirage.

The pair ultimately stumbles upon a desert oasis where an unbelievable party hosted by REVOLT is in full gear. “Diddy” greets them and encouragingly says, “Welcome to the soiree.” However, the pair rejects his invitation to the party, attributing the whole thing again as a mirage, after pointing specifically to the Fiat 500L, believing that “FIAT doesn’t make a four-door car.”

The commercial challenges the notion that the FIAT brand only makes small cars. Further highlighted by the tagline “Unbelievably Big,” the Fiat 500L expands the FIAT showroom, offering the consumer with additional choices that best meets their needs.

Source Fiat, please read more.

Sir Chris Hoy helps Nissan #UniteAndExcite on the road to Rio 2016

22-01-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

Sir Chris Hoy helps Nissan #UniteAndExcite on the road to Rio 2016

Nissan has created a new campaign, with the tagline #UniteAndExcite! Nissan has kicked off its #UniteAndExcite campaign with a high-octane film starring six-time Olympic medallist Sir Chris Hoy.

As the official partner of Team GB and Paralympics GB on the road to Rio 2016, following a deal brokered by Fuse, #UniteAndExcite marks the brand’s commitment to helping athletes achieve their goals and launches with a cinematic film which aims to bring to life the winning combination of innovation, determination and support. The #UniteAndExcite campaign will provide fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to athletes’ stories and preparation and news of how Nissan’s innovative technology will enhance performance.

Olympian Sir Chris Hoy and Paralympian Richard Whitehead MBE will be ambassadors for the campaign and mentors for a new generation of Nissan-sponsored British athletes. The campaign kicks off with a film featuring Hoy, which is aimed at bringing to life the winning combination of Nissan’s innovation, each athlete’s determination and the support of the fans under the #UniteAndExcite banner. The campaign will also be supported nationwide in dealerships.

Winter in USA: ‘Winter needs a hero’ by Nissan

17-01-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

Winter in USA: ‘Winter needs a hero’ by Nissan

The 2014 Nissan Rogue comes standard with a four-cylinder engine that some reviewers say offers adequate power and decent acceleration. However, others write that the 2014 Rogue could use a bit more power. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard, and receives criticism from reviewers, who say that while it performs better at faster speeds, it can be excessively noisy, and it transmits vibrations into the cabin. While critics aren’t fond of the CVT, many note that it helps the Rouge earn excellent fuel economy for the class.

Nissan says it expects the Rogue to get up to 26/33 mpg city/highway. When it comes to the Rogue’s handling, some reviewers say that you can get better driving dynamics with a competitor like the Ford Escape. However, they say the Rogue offers a more comfortable ride than rivals like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV4. Test drivers like the Rouge’s strong brakes and say its steering is well-weighted, but numb.

The 2014 Nissan Rogue is the one of the few compact SUVs that seats up to seven when equipped with an available third-row seat.

The Nissan Rogue’s front seats get high marks from reviewers who say its zero-gravity technology reduces fatigue and maintains comfort. Still, critics say the optional third row is too small for most adults and children, and some write that buyers in need of a third row should consider a midsize SUV like the Nissan Pathfinder. (view more)

Watch the 2014 Nissan Rogue take on winter, including some menacing snowmen. Winter needs a hero. Learn more about the new Nissan Rogue at Nissan.ca

Cadillac Introduces 2015 ATS Coupe

14-01-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

Cadillac Introduces 2015 ATS Coupe

Cadillac today introduced the all-new 2015 ATS Coupe, a quicker and more personal addition to the award-winning ATS product line. Designed to be lighter, more agile and more engaging than its competitors, it extends Cadillac’s product-driven growth and the brand’s tradition of dynamic luxury Coupes.

Cadillac’s first-ever compact luxury Coupe goes on sale this summer, offering drivers the choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and the power from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.6L six-cylinder. In all combinations, ATS Coupe takes advantage of its lightweight and strong structure to deliver exhilarating performance with efficiency, with a segment-leading power-to-weight ratio. Did you remember the Cadillac ATS ?

Like the sedan, the ATS Coupe’s driving dynamics are rooted in mass efficiency, which helps make it one of Cadillac’s lightest and most agile models ever – and the lightest car in the compact luxury Coupe segment. The 2.0L Turbo engine is upgraded from the current ATS sport sedan to deliver nearly 14 percent more torque, taking it to 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). This gives the standard ATS Coupe an advantage in power and weight over similarly equipped Coupes such as the BMW 428i.

Greater torque means greater pulling power, for a greater feeling of responsiveness at low speeds, and helps the ATS Coupe achieve an estimated 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds.

The 2015 ATS Coupe rides on the same 109.3-inch (2,775 mm) wheelbase as the sedan, but features its own bodywork. The roof, doors, rear fenders and trunk lid are unique to the Coupe, along with a specific front fascia and front fenders that accommodate a wider track than the sedan. It is also the first production model to wear Cadillac’s revised crest.

The engine lineup includes a standard 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder and available 3.6L V-6. The award-winning 2.0L Turbo is rated at 272 horsepower (203 kW) and 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm). The award-winning 3.6L V-6 is rated at 321 horsepower (239 kW) and 275 lb-ft of torque (373 Nm).

At 136hp/L, the 2.0L Turbo is one of the most power-dense engines in the industry, topping engines from European competitors. It also delivers 90 percent of its peak torque from 2100 rpm to 5400 rpm and the full 295 lb-ft of peak torque (400 Nm) from 3000 to 4600 rpm. The broad torque band is supported by boost levels as high as 18 psi (1.26 bar) in the speed range, which is designed to give the lightweight ATS Coupe an exhilarating feeling of immediate power on demand.

Source, please read more.

A full sized Lego car, with an engine made from Lego that runs on air

10-01-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

Lego Car Project – A full sized Lego car, with an engine made from Lego that runs on air

Super Awesome Micro Project is: A car made of Lego, that drives, has an engine made from Lego which runs on air. (wheels and some load bearing elements are non-Lego)

Super Awesome Micro Project Factoids
• More than 500,000 LEGO pieces were used.
• The car engine is made from standard Lego pieces and runs on air!
• The engine has four orbital engines and a total of 256 pistons.
• Top speed is not very fast, around 20-30km (We were scared of a lego explosion so we drove it slowly)
• It was built in Romania and shipped to a secret location in suburban Melbourne.
• It’s a Hot Rod design, mainly because hot rods are cool.

It is the brainchild of Melbourne entrepreneur and marketing guy Steve Sammartino and Raul Oaida, a self-taught teenage technology genius from Romania who Steve met on the internet. I’m proud to be Romanian.

Speed ad – Mistakes (Viral video)

09-01-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

Speed ad – Mistakes (video)

This campaign aims to reframe the way that people look at their speed when they’re driving. A person may be a good driver but they can’t deny that people do make mistakes – after all, to err is only human. And in life, mistakes are made often.

We usually get to learn from our mistakes; but not when driving – the road is an exception. Even the smallest of mistakes on the road can cost us our life, or someone else’s.

In a Safe System no one should pay for a mistake with their life. When we drive, we share the road with others so the speed a person chooses to travel at needs to leave room for any potential error – whether it is theirs or someone else’s. At speed, there is less opportunity for a driver to react to a mistake and recover, and this is the key message for this campaign.

Last year, 83 people were killed and 408 were seriously injured in speed-related crashes.

Most road users recognise the risks of driving at speed and support police enforcement of the speed limit. But these statistics show that drivers don’t always practice this when driving: speed is still a contributing factor in 20% of all fatal and serious injury crashes on New Zealand roads.

This campaign launched on 5 January 2014 and encourages the audience to be conscious of other road users and to choose a safer speed that factors in the chance for human error.

I saw a comment on YouTube’s post – “The number of drivers that will slow down after watching this video… ZERO” ?! It’s correct ?

2014 Camaro Z/28 Priced at $75,000

08-01-2014Auto Speed MarketComments are closed

Chevrolet announced the 2014 Camaro Z/28 price Chevrolet today announced the 2014 Camaro Z/28 will go on sale this spring with a suggested retail price of $75,000, including a $995 destination charge, but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees. The new Z/28 is offered in five exterior colors –...

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