Archive for June, 2009
Chevrolet Volt and Vauxhall Ampera to hit the UK by 2012
Apparently, Chevrolet’s Volt will be offered in the UK in 2012, along side Vauxhall’s version of it, called the Ampera. At first, only one version was supposed to be offered in the UK, but with the sale of Opel/Vauxhall, the situation is now different.
However, both models will feature different specifications, although both will share the same powertrain. Vauxhall’s version will feature a more European-like design, and the Volt will be slightly cheaper, with a shorter equipment list.
Both models will be powered by an electric motor which will work hand in hand with a range extending small displacement combustion engine. The lithium ion battery pack (chargeable via plug-in) will power the electric motor for at least 60 kilometers, after which, the combustion engine will take over. According to Autocar, both models should be priced around £25,000.
Toyota Mark X rendering: New model to arrive in October
Words are being exchanged within the motoring fraternity in Japan, that the new Toyota Mark X sedan will be launched in October this year. The new model RWD is expected to be powered by a 2.5L and a 3.5L V6 engine. These engines would be mated to an automatic transmission. The outgoing model is offered with a 211HP 2.5 liter GR V6 or a 253HP 3.0 liter V6.
2010 Toyota Prado: Leaked image
What you see above is a leaked image of the next Toyota Prado SUV, which is also known in the US as the Lexus GX. We have no other information regarding the new SUV at the moment, but we can safely expect it to be launched within months. The 2010 Prado will replace the outgoing one, which has been on the market for the past seven years. It was offered with a number of powerplants including a 159HP 2.7 liter 2TR-FE 4-cylinder, a 236HP 4.0 liter 1GR-FE V6 as well as a 271HP 4.7 liter 2UZ-FE V8.
Tesla opens new showroom in London
US-based electric car maker Tesla, has officially opened a new showroom in Cheval Place, London, and it is set to become the auto maker’s flagship European showroom.
The new 5,000 square foot showroom offers free parking and allows Tesla customers to re-charge their Tesla cars, for free. The company’s CEO, Elon Musk revealed, “We expect the London store to dramatically increase our brand identity throughout the continent, and with right hand drive models now due at the beginning of next year, the UK market will provide a solid foundation on which to build this.”
The company also revealed that it will establish regional sales and service centres in Monaco, Munich and Zurich, and four new stores in the United States. The electric car maker will also offer a right-hand drive, entry level variant of the Tesla Roadster for the UK market by the first quarter of 2010 (£94,000 for the Signature Edition Roadster model). Tesla will also put the Model S electric sedan on the market, soon after production begins in late 2011.
Technical glitch at iCars.sg
iCars.sg suffered from a technical glitch recently, which caused accessibility issues that went on for four days. We are pleased to report that the problem has been rectified, and we can continue to bring you the latest in local and international motoring. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused. Happy motoring!
Watch Top Gear’s first episode of season 13
The latest season of famous motoring TV show Top Gear kicked started this past weekend in the UK, and now you can watch the entire first episode right here, after the jump. The episode includes the Lotus Evora test review, track test by The Stig (Michael Schumacher actually), as well as a segment featuring all three hosts, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May checking out how show could have been six decades ago.
The highlight of the show is of course the reveal of 7 times Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, as the man behind the white racing suit, but of course we are pretty confident that there are many identities behind The Stig’s true identity. Continue reading to watch the entire episode, enjoy! Read the rest of this entry.
Lexus to unveil the sporty LS 460 SZ
According to Best Car Magazine, Japanese-based and Toyota-owned auto maker Lexus, will unveil the LS 460 SZ, which is a sporty variant of Lexus’ flagship luxury sedan at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, that is set to take place in October.
The Lexus LS 460 SZ is expected to be treated with a body kit that is made up by a revised front grille and other aesthetic upgrades, performance Brembo brakes, and BBS alloy wheels shod with fat tires. The sporty luxury sedan is expected to be priced around US$ 100,000.
Ford gets US$ 5.9 billion government loan to develop fuel-saving technologies, Electric-Focus to arrive in 2011
American-based auto maker, Ford which has not applied for any government bailout, has been granted a US$ 5.9 billion loan by the US Goverment, to help develop various fuel-saving technologies.
According to Ford, these technologies include hybrid-electric systems, alternative-fuel power plants, direct-injection development, dual clutch transmissions, vehicle weight reduction as well as aerodynamic efficiency. The auto maker then revealed that a “pure battery electric”, or BEV Ford Transit Connect commercial van will be introduced in 2010. There will also be a BEV Focus, that will arrive in 2011.
The Transit Connect will be co-developed with Smith Electric U.S, while Ford will work with Magna for the development of the emissions free Focus. The auto maker will also introduce a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) and a next generation hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) in 2012.
“This green partnership between Ford and the U.S. Government will help accelerate the development of advanced technologies for even better fuel efficiency and emissions. Ford is absolutely committed to fuel economy leadership with every new model we introduce. In fact, we plan to invest nearly $14 billion in advanced technology vehicles in the next seven years,” said the auto maker’s CEO, Alan Mulally.
