Toyota Prius Custom Plus Concept

There is no doubt that the Toyota Prius is the heavy favorite at TAS 2010. Literally every single booth has one and it’s hard to take 20 steps without spotting another tuned Prius. Toyota had their own to impress with the Prius Custom Plus Concept taking a very futuristic hold to the Prius design. The front end is as aggressive as ever, with uniquely designed wheels and plenty of carbon fiber. Who would have ever thought a widebody Prius could still be aerodynamic in saving gas? Next to the Custom Plus Concept was a Tom’s-tuned Prius that was mild at best next to its counterpart – but much more in-line to what Prius consumers would enjoy.

Making its debut alongside the Prius G Sports and TOM's Prius studies was the Prius Custom Plus Concept (CCP) prepared by Toyota's in-house customizing and accessories division.

The prototype model looks thoroughly worked over thanks to the wide body kit that further accentuates the Prius hybrid's wedgy shape.

Together with the new nose job that boasts massive Lamborghini-styled air-vents, the Prius CPC gets custom-made fenders, beefy side skirts, new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and side spoilers, and a large rear wing made out of carbon fiber.

Carbon fiber is also the material of choice for the new hood, roof, the cameras on the doors that replace the exterior mirrors and the rear panel on the trunk door.

The uniquely styled 18-inch alloy wheels that are shod on 215/40 R18 Goodyear tires sum up the exterior modifications.

The Fast and Furious / Racing theme is continued inside with the addition of gauges on top of the dashboard and just above the new steering wheel that's wrapped in Alcantara.

The same material is also used to trim the new Recaro bucket seats and most parts of the cabin.

New York 2010: Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

Ford’s Lincoln brand revealed its first hybrid—the new mid-size 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid—during the press preview to the New York International Auto Show. Lincoln’s premium hybrid is expected to deliver at least 41 mpg US (5.7 L/100km) in the city when it goes on sale this fall.

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The combined gasoline engine and electric motor provide 191 net horsepower (142 kW). The pure electric mode on the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid extends to 47 mph (76 km/h). The 2011 MKZ Hybrid also offers a new implementation of FOrd’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. The interactive technology provides real-time information to help drivers maximize fuel efficiency, and coaches drivers on how to optimize hybrid performance.

These are the SmartGauge with EcoGuide known as the successful interactive technology provides real-time information to help drivers maximize fuel efficiency but also the Lincoln SYNC (Lincoln-exclusive voice-activated communications and entertainment system), 10-way power passenger seat, power driver memory seat settings, heated and cooled front seats, genuine wood trim, reverse sensing system, keyless entry keypad, easy fuel capless fuel-filter, personal safety system, MyKey, integrated spotter mirrors and acoustic laminated windshield.

The PRs at Ford have also prepared an impressive list of standard features and technologies on the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, which are either not offered on the Lexus HS 250h or are available only at an extra cost.

via:carscoop






Press Release

LINCOLN INTRODUCES FIRST HYBRID; NEW MKZ HYBRID TO BE MOST
FUEL-EFFICIENT LUXURY SEDAN IN AMERICA

• New 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid expected to be most fuel-efficient
  luxury sedan in America

• Lincoln MKZ Hybrid takes SmartGauge^TM with EcoGuide to
  next level, offering drivers enhanced positive feedback on long-term
  fuel efficiency and driving performance

• More standard luxury, technologies and segment-exclusive safety
  features in the new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid help it top its nearest
  competitor, the 2010 Lexus HS 250h

NEW YORK, March 31, 2010 - Lincoln today introduces its first hybrid -
the new 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - a premium midsize car poised to be the
most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America.

Ford Motor Company - America's largest domestic hybrid seller - is
further broadening its aggressive electrification plan and second generation
of hybrid technology with the new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The vehicle is
revealed today at the New York International Auto Show.

"Lincoln's hallmarks are design, technology and comfort. Now, Lincoln
also delivers the best fuel efficiency of any luxury sedan in America," said
Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas.

Lincoln's first-ever hybrid is expected to deliver at least 41 miles per
gallon in the city when it goes on sale this fall.

The new premium midsize sedan hybrid joins Ford Motor Company's growing
lineup of hybrids, including the Ford Fusion Hybrid - 2010 North American
Car of the Year and America's most fuel-efficient sedan - plus the Ford
Escape Hybrid and Mercury Milan and Mariner Hybrids.

Introduction of the new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid also complements Ford's
aggressive global electrification plan. Ford is introducing five new
electrified vehicles by 2013. They include the Transit Connect Electric in
late 2010, the Focus Electric in 2011, a next-generation hybrid electric
vehicle and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in 2012, followed by
another next-generation hybrid electric vehicle in 2013.

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid's projected fuel economy tops its nearest
competitor - the 2010 Lexus HS 250h - by 6 mpg. It also trumps the Lexus
with room for one more passenger and more standard luxury and
segment-exclusive safety features.

"Today's luxury customers do not want to make sacrifices. Lincoln has
found a way to deliver a luxury sedan with the comforts they expect, the
technology they want and the environmental responsibility society demands,"

said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president, Global Product Development.

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid uses Ford's second-generation hybrid
technology - the 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle I-4 hybrid engine, named one of
Ward's 2010 "10 Best Engines."

The system combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and
electric battery-driven motors to deliver optimal performance and fuel
economy.

Industry-leading fuel economy comes without sacrificing power. The
combined gasoline engine and electric motor provide 191 net horsepower.
Plus, the pure electric mode on the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid extends to 47 mph -
compared with the Lexus HS 250h battery-only mode, which reaches just 25
mph.

More standard luxury

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid comes standard with features and technologies
that are either not offered on the Lexus HS 250h or are available only at an
extra cost. They include:

• SmartGauge with EcoGuide - Ford's highly successful interactive
  technology provides real-time information to help drivers maximize fuel
  efficiency, and coaches drivers on how to optimize hybrid performance.
  Lincoln takes SmartGauge to the next level of engagement by giving
  drivers enhanced positive feedback on long-term fuel efficiency and
  driving performance through the "growth" of virtual small flowers on the
  system's right-most screen. Lincoln's white flowers, inspired by apple
  blossoms, remain permanently unless long-term fuel economy is reset.

• Lincoln SYNC® - The Lincoln-exclusive voice-activated communications
  and entertainment system provides an omnipresent link to contacts and
  information. In addition to Bluetooth® phone, audible text and MP3
  player capabilities, Lincoln customers also can access Vehicle Health
  Report and 911 Assist^TM.

• 10-Way Power Passenger Seat - This seat is designed to accommodate a
  diverse group of passengers. Memory functions enable passengers to
  fine-tune and recall their positions.

• Power Driver Memory Seat Settings - The driver seat memory feature
  helps ensure personal seating preferences anytime, with the touch of a
  button.

• Heated and Cooled Front Seats - This uniquely engineered system
  delivers exceptional heating and cooling comfort.

• Genuine Wood Trim - In addition to their exquisite appearance, the
  Swirl Walnut and Olive Ash wood trims offered in the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
  are eco-friendly as well. The veneers come from well-managed forests, as
  defined by strict environmental, social and economic standards, and from
  other rigorously controlled sources.

• Reverse Sensing System - This system senses what drivers might not
  see behind them and relays an audible alert if objects are near, which
  increases in frequency the closer a driver gets.

• Keyless Entry Keypad - This Lincoln-exclusive feature provides
  secure entry at a driver's fingertips. A personal combination holds a
  memory for driver preferences. So if an owner is out for a run and
  doesn't want to take the keys along, the vehicle can be opened with the
  touch of a few buttons.

• Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel-Filler - This Lincoln-exclusive feature uses
  an integrated spring-loaded flapper door to eliminate the need for a
  fuel tank screw cap. That means no more fumbling to remove and tighten
  the cap and less fuel odor on a driver's hands at the pump.

• Personal Safety System^TM - A Lincoln-exclusive suite of
  seven protection technologies works together as a system to help protect
  vehicle occupants. The system includes dual-stage front air bags and an
  occupant classification system to sense whether the passenger seat is
  occupied. It tailors - or suppresses - air bag deployment to help
  provide an appropriate level of protection. It also features the Ford
  Belt-Minder® system to remind front-seat occupants to buckle up.

• MyKey^TM - This Lincoln-exclusive feature allows parents
  to program a key to limit speed and audio volume to encourage teens to
  drive safer and improve fuel efficiency. It also encourages seat belt
  usage, provides earlier low-fuel warnings, and can be programmed to
  sound chimes at 45, 55 and 65 mph.

• Integrated Spotter Mirrors - The traditional side-view mirrors are
  designed with a secondary convex spotter mirror in the top outer corner,
  which provides a view of the driver's blind spot. When traffic enters
  the driver's blind spot on either side of the vehicle, it is visible in
  the secondary convex mirror, alerting the driver of obstacles.

• Acoustic Laminated Windshield - This windshield features a layer of
  sound-absorbent vinyl sandwiched between two sheets of glass, which
  enhances interior quietness.

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid also includes standard Bridge of Weir leather
seats. The world-renowned luxury leather from Scotland is unembossed,
allowing the natural beauty and character of the grain to shine through. The
leather is milled for up to 12 hours to ensure a soft hand, and Bridge of

Weir uses a chromium-free tanning process, which makes it easier to recycle.

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept

Porsche has just announced that it's putting the 918 Spyder into production. First unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year,

The 918 Spyder offers the performance of a super sports car, with a top-end speed of 198 mph and acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in just under 3.2 seconds. Its high-revving V8 combustion engine pumps out more than 500 horsepower, and is paired with two electric motors: one on the front axle, and one on the rear, which add an additional 218 horsepower to the mix.

The petrol part of the 918's drivetrain is a 500bhp mid-mounted V8 engine that is shared with Porsche's RS Spyder race car. This is combined with a pair of electric motors that add another 218bhp to the 918's tally. One motor drives the front wheels while the rears are powered by both the petrol engine and the remaining electric unit.

The Spyder is planned to provide an outstanding 78 mpg, putting even your Prius to shame. What kind of price tag does a car with this unique combination of supreme performance and low fuel consumption come with? A starting price of $630,000.




Press Release

Decision taken by the Porsche Supervisory Board

Green Light for Series Development of the 918 Spyder

Stuttgart. In its session today, the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, gave the green light for series development of the Porsche 918 Spyder. Reflecting the overwhelming response from the public and customers to the Concept Study, the Supervisory Board gave Porsche's Board of Management the mission to develop a production model based on the car already presented. This concept version of an ultra-high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and at Auto China in Bejing, hitting the headlines worldwide.

Michael Macht, President and Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG: "Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts. We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base."

The Concept Study of the 918 Spyder allows CO2 emissions of just 70 g/km, corresponding to fuel consumption of 3.0 litre/100 km (94.1 mpg imp) in the NEDC, on the one hand, and the performance of a super-sports car, on the other. This extremely efficient drivetrain technology then forms a symbiosis in the 918 Spyder with truly outstanding design and high-tech motorsport achievements. Further product details of the 918 Spyder will be disclosed in the months to come.

Porsche Cayenne S speedHYBRID 450 by speedART

German tuner speedART has a new tuning kit for the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid.

SpeedArt now offers a power enhancement package that adds an additional 70 HP, so that the total output (gas engine with electric motor) rises up to 450 HP. The performance of the speedHYBRID 450 is much better than the one of the Cayenne S and the 0-60 time is improved to 6.0 Sec. and the maximum speed rises up to 156mph. This means a plus of 6mph compared to the original Cayenne S Hybrid and a plus of 13mph compared to the usual V6.

This power boost allows the speedART Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid to hit 62 mph (100 Km/h) from a standstill in 6.0 seconds instead of 6.5 seconds, while the maximum speed increased with 6 mph (10 km/h) more than the standard version, now being rated at 156 mph (252 km/h).

The looks of the car apart from those blue graphics, is most affected by the new wheels. They are type LSC-FORGED 22-inch, and you can choose the color for them. They come in size 9,5×22“ and 275/30 ZR22“ tyres for front and for the rear axle with 11×22“ and 315/30 ZR22“. speedHYBRID also features electronic lowering module for its air suspension.

Interior upgrades are limited to a new turbo pressure gauge mounted on the dashboard and a grey finish for the rev counter on the instrument panel.




Press Release

speedART speedHYBRID 450

The latest innovation of the Porsche Tuner speedART from Rutesheim near Stuttgart is called speedHYBRID 450 which is based on the new Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid. Please find attached an overview on the Tuning activities done by speedART:

Performance:

speedART offers for the V6 compressor engine a power enhancement with additional 70 HP, so that the system effort (petrol engine with electric motor) rises up to 450 HP and 570 NM. Regarding the performance, the effort of the speedHYBRID 450 is much better than the one of the Cayenne S. The speed-up decreases from 6.5 Sec. down to 6.0 Sec. and the maximum speed rises up to 252 Km/h. This means a plus of 10 Km/h compared to the original Cayenne S Hybrid and a plus of 22 Km/h compared to the usual V6.

The electric mode stays unaffected by the power enhancement. The speedHYBRID can be driven in the Zero-Emission-Mode as economical and as efficient as the original Cayenne Hybrid. Of course the function of the Sport- and the E-Power-Button stays the same, only that, when needed 70 hp more power for a sporty drive are available.

Sound:

speedART offers for the Hybrid a sport exhaust with sound switch and 2x100 mm tail pipes. This highlights the sportive sound of the V6-compressor and the power enhancement gets also acoustically underlined. The sport exhaust system with sound switch can be ordered for all Cayenne models with petrol engine. A sport exhaust system for the Diesel is also availiable.

Wheels:

In combination with the sporty driving performance 22“wheels, type LSC-FORGED will be mounted. This forged and weight optimized modular 3-piece wheel set is available for the front axle with 9,5x22“ and 275/30 ZR22“ tyres and for the rear axle with 11x22“ and 315/30 ZR22“. The painting of the centre star can be individually chosen by the customer. Due to the special forging technology the weight of the LSC-wheels is on the same level as the weight of a cast 21“ wheel, so that there is no higher consumption caused by the bigger wheels.

Aerodynamic:

The innovative speedHYBRID?-concept is underlined by the sporty blue foliation, which causes together with the white base colour a sporty, modern and environment friendly image.

Two different body kits for the new Cayenne models are in preparation and will be presented contemporary, so that individual customer choices can be satisfied.

Suspension:

For cars with air-ride system an electronic lowering kit module will be offered and for cars with conventional suspension lowering springs can be ordered.

Interieur:

For the compressor motor a special turbo pressure gauge will be mounted on the car dashboard, so that turbo pressure can be observed all the time. Of course this is used in combination with a blue instrumental dial, which replaces also the grey instrumental dial of the centre rev counter from the original tachometer.

Toyota to revise design language

Future Toyota vehicles will get a new grille and ‘family face’, as part of company boss Akio Toyoda’s aim to give his cars more emotional appeal. Even though the front-end look is still being decided, Toyota Europe boss Didier Leroy says it will be regular and more recognisable than the current line-up.

Smaller cars will be made to look bigger, rather than vice versa, yet, there will still be differences between ranges to differentiate them, with product groups such as SUVs and sports models obtaining their own look.

The Geneva motor show debuted FT-86 Coupe Concept will show a possible new front-end look for Toyota.

Fiat Linea production allocated to Russia

One of Russia's biggest car companies, Sollers, plans to start production on the Fiat Linea sedan in August/September at its plant in Naberezhnye Chelny, CEO Vadim Shvetsov has declared. The car will on sale during September.

Localization of production will reach 35%. Sollers has no plans to boost this figure since it wants to launch a new car line in 2015-'16. This is the second go by Sollers at producing the Linea sedan. Back in 2008, Sollers announced plans to build the car in the Alabuga economic area of Tartarstan but abandoned the idea.

Prices and specifications for the Linea in Russia were not released but local analysts think that the entry-level model will start at less than $16,000. The Russian Linea sedan is likely to be powered by a 1.4 litre 77bhp & 120bhp petrol engine, in addition to a 1.3 MultiJet diesel engine.

Shvetsov said that the Linea will primarily contend with the popular Ford Focus in Russia.