Saturday, November 14, 2009

Volkswagen Group of America Invests $125 Million for New Dealer Storefronts in New York City



Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. announced today that it is investing in flagship Audi and Volkswagen dealerships in New York City, as part of its strategic plan to grow business in the U.S. market. The $125 million deal is for the 265,000 square-foot building formerly housing Potamkin General Motors. The building is strategically sited in the highest traffic area of 11th Ave., making it a convenient location for Volkswagen and Audi customers.


"As Volkswagen and Audi move forward on our aggressive plan to increase sales in the U.S., there is no better place to demonstrate our commitment than in Manhattan -- a town synonymous for bold actions and big thinking," Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. "New York has always been a leading market for the Volkswagen and Audi brands, and these new store fronts will serve to strengthen our business even more. We are proud to be investing in the New York economy, excited to showcase our brands and look forward to seeing more Volkswagens and Audis on the streets of New York."
The new dealerships will showcase Volkswagen and Audi's new showroom concepts, known respectively as "white frame" and "terminal." The dealerships will be part of one of the largest and most prestigious dealers in the area, the Open Road Auto Group. The Group will target to begin selling vehicles in early 2010. Full renovations for the Volkswagen dealership are expected to be complete in the spring. The Audi transition will take place at the end of 2011.

Source: [Source: Volkswagen]

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Zenvo ST1



Danish supercar features a Bio Flex 7.0 liter V8 engine that runs on both regular unleaded fuel or E85 bio-ethanol





ZENVO PRESS RELEASE
About Zenvo Automotive
A/S Zenvo Automotive is the company behind the first ever build Danish supercar. The company is located in Denmark 45 min. drive from the capital Copenhagen. Zenvo Automotive was founded with only one goal in mind - to produce unique hand built supercars. The research and development for the first prototype started in 2004. The prototype has now been completed and presented for a public audience for the first time at Le Mans 24 hour race.. Zenvo Automotive will start a series production of the car, named the Zenvo ST1. It will be a limited edition with only 15 cars to be built. Whenever possible we use local suppliers and we work closely with our business partners, enabling us to not only source the best components but influence the development process to achieve top performance and great design solutions for the Zenvo.
Zenvo ST1
The first supercar coming from Zenvo Automotive is called Zenvo ST1. S stands for Supercharger, T for Turbo and 1 for model number one. For the engineers and designers within Zenvo Automotive, a clear list of criteria was made to ensure the car would not only be a track worthy supercar but a car that would be suitable for everyday use. The ST1 even though so powerful, is very drivable. It retains the unique feeling of driving a hand built supercar while still delivering the needs of modern motoring and safety. The car is 100% built in Denmark. From its impressive list of mechanical specifications to its striking pose the Zenvo ST1 is the result of clever Danish design. All these features are blended together to form a vehicle that demands attention but remains purposeful and practical. The frame is steel space frame and the body is in carbon.
Design
The car is 100% Danish design. Denmark has always been known around the world for its cutting edge design and for the first time \"Danish Design\" has been applied to a Supercar! The design of the Zenvo ST1 is made from free flowing accelerating lines creating the shapes of the wheel arches, the roof lines, side line and the lower side air intake. The sharp lines are connected by muscular organic surfacing creating dramatic reflections. The front is designed around the hexagonal trademark Zenvo grille flanked by the large front air intakes used for brake cooling and housing the front light. The theme of the front is repeated in the rear which is designed around the big diffuser necessary for high speed stability and down force. As on the front the center volume is flanked by large air exits extracting hot engine air as well as housing the exhausts and rear lights. The rear spoiler, mandatory for a car capable of extreme high speeds, is partly integrated. It has a unique aerodynamic design following the raked shape of the rear end.
Comfort & Luxury
The Zenvo ST1 is equipped with all modern facilities which make the car usable for everyday use. The A/C makes sure that the cabin always has the right temperature and the build in navigation makes sure that you always arrive in time. The 7½\" screen makes you able to see DVD and is also connected to a rear view camera to make reversing easy. The audio system also allows you to hear music from either your I-Pod, MP3 player, CDs or Radio. The racing seats are both electrical adjustable and so are the steering wheel. The start up of the Zenvo is easy due to key-less go. Simply just push the \"start engine\" button. When driving the head up display gives you a perfect and safe access to driving information. 2 build in airbags for extra protection and safety. When just cruising simply just use the cruise control. When leaving the car it automatically locks.
Engine & Power
The impressive power is supplied by a 7 liter V8 engine and yes, this is the first ever supercar combining the benefits from both a supercharger and turbo. This combination delivers all the power in one straight line. This makes the car very drivable and has the character of a normal aspirated engine but much more powerful. The engine is a Bio Flex engine. It can run on normal unleaded 98 (RON) or on Bio fuel (E85) or both combined.
Gearbox
The car is standard delivered with a manual 6 speed gearbox which is specially developed to handle the enormous torque and power. We are also offering an option of delivering the car with a paddle shift solution.

2011 Buick Regal: Not Your Father's Sports Sedan


Buick continues  to up the brands panache by offering the 2011 Regal Sports Sedan.  The Regal is based on GM's Adam Opel highly successful Insignia sold in Europe.  In Europe, the Insignia is offered with varied engine options, even high performance OPC models in sedan and touring form  producing 325 HP, we will have to settle for the 4 cylinder 185hp and optional detuned turbo 220hp direct injection engines.



Technologically advanced compared to offerings in the segment, Buick is serious on taking on the likes of Acura and Volvo buy having standard 12 way powered heated seats, leather, bluetooth connectivity, XM satellite, OnStar,  and 18 inch wheels. The top of the line CXL will be offered  first, with other models available around 2012.


Press Release

  • A new midsize Buick sport sedan with a European-bred driving experience
  • On sale in the second quarter of 2010
  • Based on the award-winning Opel Insignia and available now as a Regal in China
  • Modern, sleek design with great attention to detail and excellent build quality
  • Efficient, four-cylinder/six-speed powertrain with 30 mpg (est.)
  • Turbocharged model available in summer 2010
  • Driver-selectable Interactive Drive Control System available in summer 2010
  • Available rear-seat thorax air bags
  • Standard 18-inch wheels, leather and heated front seats, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth and OnStar.

On Thursday Buick will reveal the 2011 Regal sport sedan to customers in the L.A. area. Armed with turbocharged horsepower, a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm, European-tuned chassis, it delivers a driving experience that rivals the best import sport sedans in the segment.
“The 2011 Buick Regal is like nothing you’ve ever experienced from this brand,” said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick GMC. “The Regal is the next chapter in Buick’s transformation and will expand the portfolio to include a sport sedan.”
The new Regal arrives in the second quarter of 2010, with its sights aimed squarely on competitors like the Acura TSX and Volvo S60. It has a longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those vehicles, along with standard features – including a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and OnStar – that aren’t offered standard on either competitor.
The Regal’s development is rooted in Germany, where the globally led engineering team created the award-winning Opel Insignia – the 2009 European Car of the Year. The Insignia has garnered more than 31 prestigious awards and is the best-selling midsize sedan in Europe. Regal will bring all of Insignia’s award-winning design, technology and European-inspired performance capabilities to the American market.
The Regal has already been a success on another continent, in China. It went on sale in December 2008 and more than 64,000 Regals have been sold there. Enthusiastic customers cite its sculpted, flowing design and responsive performance as the top reasons for purchase.
Regal at a glance
Regal will initially be offered in premium CXL trim only, with additional trim levels to be offered in the 2012 model year. The well-equipped Regal CXL includes the following as standard or available equipment:

  • Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW)
  • Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) – available late-summer 2010
  • Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission standard with driver-shifting control
  • Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine
  • MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
  • All-new Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) available with the 2.0L turbo, offering driver-selectable suspension settings and automatic driver suspension setting adaptability
  • Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake
  • Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control
  • Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; rear-seat thorax air bags available
  • Available navigation system, Harmon Kardon sound system, internal flash drive (1GB), hard drive with 10GB for music and USB port
  • Standard 18-inch wheels (19-inch wheels standard with IDCS)
  • Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth capability; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.

Design story
The Regal’s sleek design blends the sweeping silhouette and proportions of a coupe in a progressive package that suggests motion from all angles. Great attention to detail complements that aggressive styling, with tailored applications of Buick’s signature design cues, such as the waterfall grille, select use of chrome trim and superior fit and finish of the exterior panels.
“Regal is all about great proportions,” said John Cafaro, design director, passenger car. “For example, with the fenders flared to wrap around the tires. It’s an aggressive stance that people aren’t used to seeing in recent Buicks.”
The car’s performance-oriented spirit is also conveyed in sleek, sculpted body-side detail and aggressive headlamps that further suggest motion. At the rear, an abbreviated deck and tucked-in body panels are the hallmarks of a contemporary sport sedan, with bold taillamps and their intricate lighting elements reinforcing Regal’s attention to detail. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard.
The sweeping design motif carries over to the interior, where the side panels flow uninterrupted into the instrument panel. The instruments have the look of expensive sport timepieces and are lit with ice-blue LED lights. The center stack, housing the climate and “infotainment” controls, was designed to allow for a lower, driver-centric instrument panel profile. Features such as a thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped steering wheel and firm, highly bolstered and leather-covered seats also support the sport-oriented driving experience.
“There is great design harmony between the exterior and interior,” said Cafaro. “The feeling of flow and motion carries through in an engaging manner that makes you want to take the Regal out to your favorite twisting road to see what it can do.”
A breakthrough interior
The Regal’s finely crafted, sporty and well-appointed interior builds on the exceptional attention to detail found in the Enclave and LaCrosse, blending signature styling cues with contemporary sport sedan aesthetics.
Regal’s firm, highly bolstered seats were benchmarked against the top import competitors for comfort and support, while a standard flow-through center console offers plenty of storage for passengers in the front and back.
Smart applications of technology are also hallmarks of the Regal, including details such as a multi-function controller on the center console for operation of the audio system, navigation system and the Bluetooth phone. The faceplate for the “infotainment” screen is set at a 30-degree angle to contribute to the car’s flowing interior design.
A new era in Buick design is also seen in the satin metallic, piano black and new, Kibo-patterned interior trim materials. Kibo is a rich, dark, progressively grained wood that lends an international flair to the Regal.
Under the hood
Unique with its all-four-cylinder powertrain, the Regal relies on the excellent horsepower-per-liter ratio of the Ecotec engine family to deliver smart, on-demand performance that is also very efficient.
Both the standard 2.4L engine and the available 2.0L turbo use direct injection technology to optimize performance, reduce emissions and maximize fuel efficiency. The 2.4L is the same engine offered in the Buick LaCrosse, but in the smaller, lighter Regal, it delivers more agile performance. The 2.0L turbo cements the sport sedan credibility of the Regal, with on-demand power comparable to a V-6, but the inherent efficiency of a four-cylinder. To ensure responsive power across the rpm range, the 2.0L turbo uses a twin-scroll turbocharger that builds power quickly at lower rpm.
Distinct, uniquely calibrated six-speed automatic transmissions are paired with each engine. Both offer driver shift control that enhances the sporty driving feel of the Regal.
Driving experience
The chassis and structural systems were developed in Germany and give the Regal the handling and dynamics of a premium European sport sedan, as well as the quiet, refined ride and road manners expected of a Buick. The body structure is one of the most rigid in the segment, which is approximately 25-percent stiffer than the previous Regal. This solid structure supports more precise suspension tuning and a quieter ride.
A relatively long wheelbase of 107.8 inches (2738 mm) gives the Regal refined, well-balanced vehicle dynamics and supports comfortable ride tuning. Additionally, an independent MacPherson strut-type front suspension with single-path mountings and hydraulic ride bushings; a four-link independent rear suspension; hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering; and optimized four-wheel disc brakes are optimized to the capability of the individual powertrains and tailored to the expected use by drivers. Models equipped with the 2.0L turbo engine, for example, feature larger brakes.
Latest-generation electronic stability control (ESC or StabiliTrak), anti-lock brake system (ABS), and traction control system (TCS) are standard with Buick’s innovative, Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) real-time damping system offered on models equipped with the 2.0L turbo powertrain.
Interactive Drive Control System
Regal’s Interactive Drive Control System chassis technology (available on models with the available 2.0L turbo engine) offers enhanced vehicle stability and greater driving safety. It is designed to change the personality of the car based on the personality of the driver. A sophisticated driving mode control module continually monitors driving style utilizing yaw rate, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering wheel, throttle and vehicle speed. It defines the dynamic vehicle state, including acceleration, braking and cornering, to optimize chassis reactions. It also executes all of the IDCS driver selections.
All four dampers are electronically controlled and continuously adapt within milliseconds to the prevailing road conditions, vehicle movements and individual driving style. Chassis settings are adjustable by the driver, with Normal, Tour and Sport settings.
IDCS allows the driver to choose between three different operating modes that change the suspension settings, throttle response, shift pattern and steering sensitivity through the variable effort steering system. The three modes deliver three types of experiences:

  • Normal – balanced and optimized for all driving situations
  • Tour – optimized for comfort and relaxed driving on long journeys
  • Sport – optimized for road holding; enthusiast driving .

Selecting “Sport” mode optimizes the car for dynamic driving, tightening the suspension and steering response and speeding up the reaction of the automatic transmission. The “Tour” mode is optimal for long-distance cruising or rough road conditions, providing an increase in comfort. “Normal” or Default Mode is the perfect all-around setting for daily commuting and city traffic. The other major benefit of Interactive Drive Control is that it automatically adapts Regal’s performance settings to individual driving styles. When a driver begins to drive more aggressively it will tighten the suspension and increase steering effort and change to a more aggressive throttle response. When the vehicle senses that the driver is doing relaxed cruising, it adjusts settings for rolling smoothness and comfort.
Apart from a more rewarding driving experience, IDCS also offers safety benefits in emergency situations. For example, if an obstacle must be avoided when the car is in Tour mode, various chassis sensors convey this to the DMC and the dampers are stiffened within milliseconds, delivering greater body control.

BMW Concept 6 Motorcycle






With a 1.6L inline six-cylinder engine, and awesome looks, this is one Bavarian stormer worth waiting for.


Yes its in concept form, but the engine will make its way into BMW's production motorcycles.  Check out the  youtube video  a bit long, but worth it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNBXoe2bmw4

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

An Awesome Concept From MonaroSS Of GMI

An Op-Ed piece by contributer MonaroSS


             Chevrolet Caprice Twin Top





What currently is Chevrolet’s Flagship vehicle? It is either a big V8 powered sports car in the Corvette, or a gas guzzling SUV with the Suburban/Tahoe range. Neither is a good marketing image in this day and age. I believe that when GM starts to build the Holden derived Caprice Police Cruiser at Oshawa alongside Camaro that they also build a Twin-Top version of the Caprice for public consumption. Note that while I have chopped the current car, by time this happened it would be the updated version with fresh styling. But remember that this is not meant to appeal to young boy racers, that's what the Camaro is for. It would be targeted at self-made small business owners and well-off blue collar older professionals like plumbers and builders who don't want to be seen in a flashy import or Cadillac, think Buick is their grandfather's car, but want to show that they have made it. Working-man luxury with a bit of style and size; but without being a muscle car.



Between the Camaro Convertible and the Astra Twin Top the basic engineering for this vehicle already exists inside GM. Fitted with a version of the Chinese Park Avenue or an HSV interior, it will be able to command a very high price for a Chevy, lifting the public perception of the value of the brand as well. This can only aid higher transaction prices for all Chevy’s going forward. But it won’t sell in high enough numbers to adversely effect CAFÉ numbers and being a cruiser, not a sports vehicle, it can be offered with only a base DI 3.6 V6 with 6M/6A or the rage topping DI 3.6 V6 Two-Mode hybrid drive.


Cadillac Greenlights Converj Electric Car For Production




After much debate or rather the Cadillac Converj will ever make it into production, GM has confirmed that it will follow the Chevrolet Volt into assembly sometime late next year or early 2011.



The Converj works as a high end electric vehicle  because a premium model would come in at a higher sticker price, which in turn,  can help defray the cost of the batteries and technology.  GM's German Automaker Adam Opel GmbH will produce an Ampera model in 2011 that will use the same underpinnings.

 Source:Detroit News

Monday, November 9, 2009

BMW 5 Series sedan ahead of unveiling using amazing kinetic sculpture






Munich. The World Premiere of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, the synonym for aesthetics and Driving Pleasure in the premium middlerange segment, is about to take place.

From today, we are releasing a short trailer teasing at the sporting and elegant design of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, using the kinetic sculpture from the BMW Museum to create the silhouette.


On November 23rd, 8p.m. CET, the kinetic sculpture trailer will be replaced by a Live-Stream of the unveiling ceremony of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. At the same time all relevant media information will be available for downloadind at the BMW Group PressClub.

(Look at the video after the jump Source: Autoblog.com )