Car News
Nissan Ellure Concept unveiled
A second world premiere from Nissan at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, this time we’re talking about the Nissan Ellure Concept which comes as a confirmation of Nissan’s intention on beeing a strong player in the sedan segment.
The Nissan Ellure Concept uses a 2.5-litre supercharged 4-cylinder engine with Intelligent Dual Clutch Control (one motor/two clutch design with lithium-ion battery) a 25 kW electric motor, matched with an Xtronic CVT and front-wheel drive. The Nissan Ellure Concept also uses an independent suspension, regenerative braking, and advanced drive-by-wire electric/hydraulic steering, however at this point performance figures remain secret.
2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet price
Official photos and details with the 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet have just been released, and the world’s first all-wheel drive crossover convertible will go on sale early next year.
The 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet price will start at 46,390 USD and power will be extracted from a 3.5-litre DOCH V6 engine which packs 265 HP and 248 lb-ft of torque. This engine features Nissan’s variable Induction Control System (NICS), twin knock sensors, low exhaust pressure, a 10.3:1 compression ratio, and 6,000 rpm redline.
Mercedes BIOME Concept
Another concept participating in the Los Angeles Design Challenge at the 2010 L.A. Auto Show is the Mercedes BIOME – a 2+2 coupe inspired by nature and designed to integrate the ecosystem, as it only uses organic materials.
The Mercedes BIOME Concept is a natural technology hybrid which emits pure oxygen and at the end of its lifespan the car can be used as building material or simply be composed. Tipping the scale at just 394 Kg (875.5 lbs) the Mercedes BIOME Concept is made from BioFibre, which is much lighter than metal or plastic and runs on a chemical liquid called BioNectar4534.
Maybach DRS Concept
Daimler is participating in this year’s Los Angeles Design Challenge which is part of the L.A. Auto Show, with an unusual concept : an electrically driven luxury rickshaw.
The Maybach DRS Concept stands for ‘Den-Riki-Sha’ and it combines ultralight design with the latest automotive technology, comfort and highest safety levels.
The Maybach DRS Concept is powered by two 20 kW electric motors placed in the wheel hubs which are self-balancing, and which are linked to a lithium-ion battery in the tail end. Travelling though the city is easy as the Maybach DRS Concept communicates with the metropolis’s transport infrastructure through an on-board computer, and in case the vehicle’s range exceeds the battery’s capacity, then the DenRikiSha allows additional pedal force produced by the driver.
Video: Renault DeZir review
Another review video, this time from Autocar who got their hands on the Renault DeZir concept, which was introduced at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year.
The Renault DeZir is an electric sports car packing 110kW (150 HP) and 226 Nm of torque, with a total weight of 850 Kg and able to hit 60 mph in about 5 seconds. The 100 mph mark can be reached in close to 10 seconds, and even though these figures look promising, the Renault DeZir concept will not go into production and is more about styling, offering a preview of a real production car that will be launched in the future.
Video: 2011 Mercedes CLS review
One of the latest review videos from AutoExpress involves the 2011 Mercedes CLS, which got driven through some twisty public roads.
The 2011 Mercedes CLS version featured in this review is the 350 CDI diesel, which uses a V6 plant developing 265 HP and which returns 47 mpg (combined UK rating). This makes the new Mercedes CLS 21 percent more efficient than the old car and in terms of performance, the 350 CDI takes 6.2 seconds to sprint from 0 to 62 mph.
Video: Audi S4 vs Vauxhall Insignia VXR
In a battle between four-wheel-drive saloons, Tiff Needell from FifthGear gets to drive both the Audi S4 and the Vauxhall Insignia VXR around the track as he wants to see which of the two is faster.
The Audi S4 packs 328 BHP and is 150 Kg lighter than the Vauxhall Insignia VXR but it is also 5,000 GBP more expensive, and according so some, its design is not as exciting as the one on the Insignia.
When put to the test around the track the Vauhall Insignia VXR proves 2 seconds slower than the Audi S4, so it looks like each second gained in terms of performance by the Audi costs 2,500 GBP.
Unichip VW Passat 2.0 TDi 140
Unichip has launched a performance upgrade kit for the VW Passat 2.0 TDi 140 which can also be applied to models like the Golf, Jetta, and Touran, for increased power at an affordable price.
The ECU remapping through this U-connect plug and play installation enables the Unichip VW Passat 2.0 TDi 140 to develop and additional 19 bhp and24 lb-ft of torque, which means total output is now 163 bhp @ 3,330 rpm.
The Unichip VW Passat 2.0 TDi 140 has no electronic footprint, is reversible and it tamperproof as it can only be installed ot one of Europe’s 35 Unichip dealers.
Volvo Air Motion
The Swedish brand has just released photos with the Volvo Air Motion, an ‘an ultra light clam shell sculptured vehicle’ that is lighter than an F1 car, in which up to three passengers can experience hear pumping experiences without the use of gasoline.
An 1/4 scale model of the Volvo Air Motion will be showcased at the 2010 Los Angeles Motor Show, and as far as the actual vehicle, it weights 1,000 lbs and has been designed to maximize driving enjoyment.
2011 Chrysler 200 Sedan
The 2011 Chrysler 200 Sedan has been fully revealed by the North American car maker, through photos and a new video that have recently been released.
Expected to go on sale across U.S. in December the 2011 Chrysler 200 Sedan will extract power from a base 2.4-litre I-4 engine rated at 173 HP and 166 lb-ft of torque or an optional 3.6 litre Pentastar V6 that can output 283 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission choices will include a 6-speed or a 4-speed automatic for the 4-cylinder engine while the V6 plant is only available with the 6-speed automatic.