Auto Tech: March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Daihatsu Terios

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Lexus LFA to compete in Nürburgring 24 Hours

The Lexus LFA is heading back to Nürburgring this May, the place where it clocked plenty of testing miles in pre-production form. This time, the mission is to challenge for glory in the famed 24 hours endurance race.

It will be the first time the production LFA enters a competition. However, the car isn’t a stranger to the Nürburgring 24 Hours as development versions of Lexus’ supercar were entered in two previous occasions to help hone performance and handling. Toyota president Akio Toyoda took his turn behind the wheel in those outings.

Gazoo Racing will prepare two LFAs for the race. Led by top Toyota test driver Hiromu Naruse, the team will include four Japanese and three German drivers who between them have outstanding GT and endurance racing experience.

Takayuki Kinoshita is a six-time winner of the Super Taikyu Endurance Series and is the most experienced Japanese driver in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Akira Ida was overall winner of the Tokachi 24 Hours in 1995 and 2007, and both Juichi Wakisaka and Kazuya Oshima race in Super GT.

The Germans are Armin Hahne, winner of the Spa 24 Hours in 1982 and 1983; Jochen Krumbach, who finished second overall in the 2008 Nürburgring 24 Hours; and Andre Lotterer, reigning Super GT 500 champion. Sepang Super GT regulars will recognise Lotterer as the man who drives for championship winning Team Petronas Tom’s.

The Lexus LFA is powered by a 552 bhp mid-mounted V10 engine, and is capable of 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed beyond 320 km/h. More images after the jump.

Supercharged Ferrari California by Novitec Rosso

The Ferrari California does very well for an “entry-level” model, with its front-mid mounted 460 bhp/485 Nm 4.3-litre V8 paired to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox for 0-100 km/h in four seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. German based tuner Novitec Rosso aims to put the California’s performance beyond doubt by plonking in a supercharger for the V8.

The result is 606 bhp at 7,900 rpm and 603 Nm of twist. Now the 2+2 GT can complete the century sprint in under 3.8 seconds and reach maximum velocity of 325 km/h. The cogged belt driven mechanical charger’s boost pressure is at 0.4 bars. New components include a water-to-air intercooler, custom intake manifold and larger injectors. The Cali is also equipped with a Novitec stainless-steel exhaust system with sport catalysts. An integrated flap mechanism activated by the steering wheel manettino switch controls the intensity of the exhaust note.

I must say that the white example seen here isn’t too over the top (can’t always say that for tuned cars), and the add-ons blend in nicely without looking like add-ons. Novitec says that its front spoiler was wind tunnel developed and reduce front axle lift at high speeds. New rocker panels with integrated airfoils and black side markers are the changes to the side profile. For the rear, of course there’s a diffuser and a spoiler lip, but also here is a carbon-fibre strip surrounding the number plate.

Novitec’s springs lower ride height by 35 mm, but what’s cool here is a hydraulic lift system for the front axle that can raise the Ferrari’s chin by 40 mm at the push of a button. This will make it easier to navigate speed bumps or car park ramps. The front reverts to its original position at a second button push or automatically upon reaching 80 km/h.

Lastly, those pretty three-piece star spoke Novitec NF3 wheels of 21 inches up front and 22 inches at the back are wrapped with special order Pirellis measuring 255/30 and 315/25, respectively.

B-Class AMG not exactly a B-Class AMG?

Apparently the B-Class AMG we talked about right below this story isn’t exactly going to be a B-Class AMG, according to a new story by Auto Express. What AMG will actually be doing is developing a compact “CLS lite” about 4,500mm long based on the next generation B-Class chassis. That’s just slightly shorter than an E90 BMW 3-Series.

The car is known internally in AMG as the C117 EVO and is expected to be priced around £30,000, much cheaper than the £50,000 C63 AMG. Although the earlier Automotive News report says the car is likely to have a high performance four cylinder engine, Auto Express reports that the car will be a “32″ AMG car, powered by a 3.2 liter Comprex pressure wave supercharged V6.

Renault and Daimler close to a stake swap tie-up?

Renault Fluence

Word is that Daimler AG and Renault are very close to a German-French ‘alliance’ that includes a “symbolic” equity swap of 3%. Daimler AG would hold 3% of Renault and Renault will be taking up 3% of Daimler AG. The official word from the two companies confirm that they are in talks for some kind of collaboration, but declined to confirm that it would include an equity stake swap.

Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn said at the Geneva Motorshow earlier this year that the alliance could afford to buy stake in a third partner if needed. He did not mention who they are looking at specifically, instead just saying that the alliance was “talking to many people in the industry.” The Renault-Nissan alliance has been around for 11 years and it seems to be working for them well. Daimler’s tie-ups haven’t been particularly successful, they ‘divorced’ Chrysler not too long ago.

Renault Wind – future smart roadster?

The partnership between Daimler and Renault will most probably revolve around sharing the development costs of compact front wheel drive platforms and engines. Mercedes-Benz needs to spread the development cost of its compact front wheel drive A-Class and B-Class vehicles as well as Smart cars. It was previously in talks with rivals BMW for the same but that collaboration went down the drain as both parties ended up feeling it was necessary to have competitive differentiation in that segment that would not be possible if they shared platforms and engines.

BMW also has a French partner for its front wheel drive MINI vehicles – their transversely-installed Prince engines are shared with PSA Peugeot Citroen. They couldn’t find a platform partner so they’re instead going to share the next generation MINI front wheel drive platform with compact BMWs instead, leading to the shocking announcement last week that there would be front wheel drive compact BMWs in the pipeline.

Nissan Patrol-based Infiniti QX56 leaked ahead of New York

Here are some leaked low-res images of the 2011 Infiniti QX56, which will make its debut at the New York Auto Show. The largest of Infiniti’s 4X4s is meant to be a rival to the Lexus LX, and is based on Nissan’s new Patrol that was unveiled in the Middle East last month.

The latest Patrol is powered by a 5.6-litre direct-injected V8 with 400 bhp and 550 Nm paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission, and it’s most likely that the QX56 will sport the same drivetrain. The Infiniti should also come with the Patrol’s Hydraulic Body Motion Control System, All Mode 4X4 system with four selectable presets, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. While the Patrol name conjures up images of UN peacekeeping forces in hostile terrain, the latest version is positioned upmarket – kit includes a new multi-screen DVD entertainment system and “curtain vents”.

Here, the designers fused Infiniti-style headlights, rear lights and the wavy rear window line into a big, boxy SUV. And while all these cues work well on the marque’s smaller “coupe style” crossovers, we think that this is one of the most awkward looking 4X4s on sale. The current QX isn’t pretty, but at least it looks consistent.

Ford Focus RS

A limited edition 500 unit run of the Focus RS called the Focus RS500 will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the 2010 Leipzig Motor Show in Germany on April 9 next month. Each car will have its own serial number and only 101 of them will be available in UK, with the rest scattered around the car’s other markets.

No, the RS500 name doesn’t mean the car makes 500 horsepower, but as you can already guess from the first paragraph it denotes the production run. The 350 PS that the Focus RS500 makes is about 45 PS higher than what the normal Focus RS produces. This is accompanied by 460Nm of torque between 2,500rpm to 4,500rpm, which is up from the 440Nm of the normal Focus RS.

Ford Focus RS500

The engine is the same 2.5 liter Duratec RS but has had some massaging including a larger air-to-air intercooler to deliver a cooler, denser charge; a larger air filter box for increased airflow; larger diameter exhaust downpipe; and an uprated fuel pump, along with an updated software calibration to optimise the performance of the revised engine. 0 to 100km/h takes 5.6 seconds.

“The engine’s improved breathing has allowed us to increase power without having to raise turbo boost pressure significantly. This has made it possible to enhance peak performance while maintaining the excellent driveability, fuel consumption and emissions of the standard Focus RS,” said Gunnar Hermann, Ford’s global C-car vehicle line director. The modifications from the engine have been done by a team of engineers from Ford TeamRS in partnership with Revolve Technologies, the automotive engineering firm which develops Ford approved performance upgrades through its Mountune brand.

Ford Focus RS500

And of course as you can see from the photos, the RS500 has a special matte black finish combined with matching metallic black alloy wheels, glossy black finish on the trapezoidal lower front grille and splitter, twin-blade rear spoiler and the rear venture. But the thing is, the matte black is NOT paint.

The RS500 cars are painted in a standard Panther Black metallic colour, before being shipped to a dedicated 3M facility near Frankfurt, Germany, where a special foil film will be applied to the bodywork to create the matt black effect. In the event of damage to the bodywork, Ford dealers will be fully supported by a Europe-wide network of 3M agents who can replace the film on the affected panels. The film is designed to be resistant to superficial marks and scratches.

Nissan 370Z

Monday, March 29, 2010

2010 Lincoln MKS

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Ajanta Group working on e-car for India: Zindabad!!!

The Ajanta Group, which already sells electric scooters in India under the Oreva brand, claims it will soon launch its electric car in the country. Though technical details are not available at this time, Rakesh Nathwani, Oreva’s national marketing head, claims that the car will be able to run 200-250km on one full battery charge.

It is ironic that Tata Motors have finally chosen Sanand village in Gujarat where the Nano will be made, because the Oreva electric car – which is also expected to be priced at around Rs one lakh – will also be made at Morbi, in Gujarat. Ajanta/Oreva already manufacture their e-scooters at their facility in Morbi, and will also launch their e-car from the same factory.

Roll Royce

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Porsche Panamera Wallpaper Pictures

Porsche Panamera

Porsche Panamera Car

Porsche Panamera Images

Porsche Panamera Wallpapers

Signalauto.net ready to support "mobnas project"

In their release in "mobnas" facebook, signalauto.net express their support and readiness to take part in the building of "mobnas project".

signalauto.net or SIGNAL KUSTOM BUILT was found in Bandung, Indonesia. Opened in 2005, They became the leader in auto modification and custom painting in town. They had rebuilt and won many contest cars, especially well known by the extreme transformation of ‘97 Panther Pick Up into Hummer H2 SUT. With their product quality, team creativity, and variety of design, they could transform any vehicle into a unique work of art.

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

2010 Ferrari Wallpaper

2010 Ferrari

2010 Ferrari Cars

2010 Ferrari Best Wallpapers

2010 Ferrari Wallpapers

Ternyata Jerman Melalui Mercedes Pernah Menyuap Damri: Saatnya Indonesia Memakai Bus Lokal

Perusahaan Daimler, yang membuat mobil dan bus Mercedes, terungkap pernah menyuap pejabat BUMN di Perum Damri. Namun, Kementerian BUMN menjamin pengadaan bus setelah tahun 2005 bebas dari suap.

Penyuapan Daimler di Indonesia adalah bagian dari kasus penyuapan besar-besaran pabrik Mercedes itu di 22 negara yang diungkap oleh US Department of Justice (Depkum HAM AS). Daimler kini menghadapi tuntutan di AS atas praktek penyuapan yang diungkap Depkum HAM AS.

Penyuapan ini untuk melancarkan tender pengadaan mobil, bus atau truk Mercedes dengan pemerintah setempat. Nah, di Indonesia, yang kebagian uang suap Daimler adalah Perum Damri yang menerima US$ 41.000. Uang itu untuk keanggotaan golf, hadiah perkawinan dan bentuk penyuapan lain untuk pejabat terkait.

"Saya yakin kalau pengadaannya tahun 2006 ke atas, tidak ada pejabat BUMN yang terlibat," kata Sekretaris Kementerian BUMN Said Didu saat dihubungi detikcom lewat telepon, Kamis (25/3/2010).

Menurut dia, Kementerian BUMN baru dibentuk tahun 2005. Perum Damri sebelum itu berada di bawah Kementerian Perhubungan.

"Saya sudah cek itu (suap Mercedes), tapi saya nggak tahu kapan pengadaannya. Tapi saya yakin itu sebelum ada Kementerian BUMN," jelas Said.

Memang, data dari Depkum HAM AS tidak menyebutkan tahun proyek pengadaan bus Damri yang menggandeng Mercedes. Depkum HAM AS hanya menyebutkan rentang waktu kejadian penyuapan di 22 negara itu pada 1998-2008.

"Saya juga nggak tahu persis orangnya (pejabat Damri) masih menjabat atau tidak sekarang ini," pungkasnya.

Sementara itu Dirut Perum Damri, Iwitjara Adjie, belum bisa dikonfirmasi terkait hal ini. Dia tidak merespons saat dihubungi beberapa kali lewat ponselnya.