Chevrolet Beat – Comfort made cool

Reflecting on the type of driver who would choose the Beat, design team assistant manager Injo Kim said the inspiration came from every day heroes. “People who wake up every morning and yearn to make a difference. Like them, the Beat is simple, free and casual, with a strong heart.”

GM has launched the Chevrolet Beat in India ahead of the Delhi Motor Show. Production started mid-December 2009 at GM’s Talegaon plant, which will export 20% of its output by the end of this year.

Now add an economical 1.2 litre engine and a premium Alpine 6-speaker sound system with boot-mounted subwoofer, and you’re ready to drive to your own Beat. It is capable of 18.6 km/l fuel consumption. The engine features what GM calls PDA (Port De-Activation) which ensures high exhaust gas recirculation for combustion stability at low speeds, improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

One of the hottest trends in the mini segment is the ability for drivers to personalise their car. For the Beat, our designers focused on taking this desire a step forward

2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo Live and latest image update

BMW took to the stage at the Frankfurt Motor Show to officially introduce its 5-Series Grand Turismo. As expected, the production 5-Series GT doesn’t stray far from the show car first shown at the Geneva Motor Show – and it gives us a glimpse of the next-generation 5-Series sedan and wagon.

Showing its love for new acronyms, BMW has dubbed the vehicle a “Progressive Activity Sedan.” We suppose “luxury hatchback” is simply too bland a label for the German automaker. The 5-Series GT will be the first of several variants for the model, which will also see traditional sedan and wagon options.

Combining the attributes of a wagon and crossover, the 5-Series GT offers loads of space for people and cargo. In its standard configuration, the GT offers the same rear-seat legroom as the 7-Series sedan and the same rear-seat headroom as the X5 while still maintaining 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space. If more cargo room is needed the rear seats can be moved forward four inches — leaving the same rear-seat legroom as the 5-Series sedan — creating 20.7 cubic feet of cargo room. For all-out hauling duties, the rear seats can be folded flat, revealing a cavernous 59.5 cubic feet of space.

Depending on the options and packages, the GT will be riding on 18- to 21-inch wheels. The GT will be offered with three engine choices — a twin-turbo six-cylinder generating 306 horsepower, BMW’s 407 horsepower 4.4L twin-turbo V8 and a turbo-diesel making 245 horsepower. Not surprisingly the V8 model will be the hot rod of the bunch, checking in with a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph.

All models will use an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels.

In order to ensure the 5-Series GT handles like a true BMW, the new SAV will come equipped with the automaker’s Dynamic Drive Control. Optional Adaptive Drive will further ensure the GT’s sporty nature.

Overall styling is similar to the X6, but the 5-Series GT has a decidedly sportier look, thanks to its lower profile.

Interior touches include an optional panoramic sunroof, fully adjustable rear seats and a dual-function trunk lid — the latter intended to open wide for larger object but keep the cabin isolated when a standard trunk opening will do. In many ways, the 5-Series GT is like a scaled-down X6.

In true premium car fashion, the 5-Series GT will be available with a number of features, including BMW’s ConnectedDrive, a unique feature that includes Cruise Control with Stop & Go, a High-Beam Assistant, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit Info, BMW Night Vision with detection of individual persons, Side View, Top View, and a back-up camera.

Earlier reports said BMW’s next MPV would go head-to-head with Mercedes‘ R-class, but BMW instead decided to build a sedan-like crossover. This is probably a good decision for BMW as it better suits the automaker’s values and the R-class has been met with a lukewarm reception at best.

Free Latest 2009 VW TDI Upgrades – Advanced Flow Engineering

The 2009 VW TDI Performance Upgrades are finally here! If you’ve been waiting patiently for the chance to modify your 2009 TDI, your wait is over.

True Volkswagen TDI enthusiasts have something to cheer about as new Performance and Upgrade product releases are here for the 2009 VW JETTA 2.0L TDI Sedan and Wagon. After Volkswagen’s decision not to manufacture 2007 and 2008 VW TDI’S, many TDI enthusiasts have pounced on the chance to buy a factory fresh 2009 TDI Jetta. With no TDI vehicles coming off the VW assembly line for a few years, manufacturers of VW TDI upgrades had to turn their attention to other product lines. Now, however, with the popularity of Volkswagen’s new 2009 TDI Jetta’s, upgrade and modification companies have taken note and are again giving car owners the types of Performance products they crave – products that until only recently had been reserved for older model VW TDI’S.

Performance Cold Air Intake Systems and Rapid Power Module’s, or “Chips” as they are often called, are two of the easiest, least expensive, and most effective upgrades you can make to your 2009 TDI Jetta. Diesel engines want cold air to breathe and properly atomized fuel to burn, and an upgraded intake and module will give your TDI just what it needs. If you are interested in maximizing the full potential of your VW TDI, read on.

To give your Turbo Diesel more cold air, a high-quality choice comes from Advanced Flow Engineering, or AFE Power as they are commonly known. AFE has recently released a Performance Air Intake System for the 2009 Jetta TDI 2.0L with an impressive list of benefits and performance data. The system is 100% bolt-on, mounts to the lower airbox housing, and no drilling or cutting is required. After a simple 15-30 minute installation, you can expect air flow to increase 56% over stock. Horsepower gains average +10 at 3150 RPM, and expect Torque to increase by 23 lbs. at 3050 RPM. The system comes with a high efficiency, low restriction air filter in your choice of either a Pro Dry S or a Pro 5R. Most people choose the Pro Dry S for ease of use with filter cleaning being a simple wash and air dry.

Performance modules improve TDI fuel economy and provide extra horsepower at the same time by improving the efficiency of the vehicle fuel injection system. Performance market manufacturer and TDI stalwart Bully Dog now markets a “Rapid Power Performance Module” for the 2009 VW TDI Jetta which effectively improves fuel economy and horsepower. This module is a simple inline, between wiring harness, plug-in chip designed for safe and long lasting use. It is adjustable on-the-fly, allowing you to choose between three power levels; Stock, +10% and +15% horsepower via a simple toggle switch that can be left in the engine bay or installed within the interior of the vehicle for easy access. The total horsepower increase from this module on the highest setting according to Bully Dog’s Dyno testing is +25HP and a torque increase of 30 ft-lbs. If you can keep your foot of the gas pedal you should even see some impressive fuel economy gains on a car that already gets remarkable mileage.

Combine the Performance Cold Air Intake System with the Rapid Power Module and you’ll see tremendous gains in horsepower, torque and economy; perhaps most importantly, though, will be the increased fun you’ll have driving your modified 2009 VW Jetta TDI!

Toyota Leading to Number 1 Position

In the last few months, it had been in the news report that some of the world’s largest automakers are facing the declining period. General Motors is one of them and on the other hand Toyota is getting extreme primacy in the market. It is the belief of some of the experts that by the end of this year, Toyota will lead the General Motors is number of sales but there are some who are expressing a caution in regard of this assessment. So the question still remained unanswered, whether Toyota will rule the auto-market or General Motors will be able to maintain its positions and authority.

Another new technology which is engraved by Toyota is the Hybrid Synergy Drive which always keep the engine in the first gear if the speed of the car changes. The best thing about Toyota is that all the car models are based on perfect reviews and test drives and then only launched in market. This results in fine acceleration about the models particularly in heavy traffics.

Neck to neck competition between Toyota and General Motors: -

The main thing that matters in this world which tells about the number one position of the company is the prestige. If a company is holding the top place, then it means that consumers will be attracted by the reputation of the company and all the company is laying at the top of the game. So when experts talk about Toyota then it was revealed that they are working very hard to reach the heights of success. So, if one is trying is so hard then why must devoid the first rank.

Enhancing features and technologies of Toyota: -

Another reason for the popularity of the Toyota is the company had already moved to the hybrid technology which is proving to be much superior to the average model cars. It had been noted that the cars which are running on the hybrid technology from Toyota are able to produce an average of 40 MPG gas mileage and this average moves to 38 MPG on highways.

The engine in the present Toyota models is 4-cylinder engine which is mainly using gasoline as the main fuel. Besides this, the maximum capacity is 30 KW on 245V battery or 40 horsepower. Maximum power can peaks up to 192 or 140 kilowatts. Besides the capacity of the gasoline engine can be 2.4 liters. On the other hand the electric motor is of 45 horsepower. Another good thing about the latest engine technology in the Toyota car models is that engine can maintain the power band efficiently and this can be done with the help of CVT which constantly transfer front wheels.

2011 Infiniti M56 and M37 – The Latest Technology "Blind Spot Alert System"

Infiniti gave a “virtual” preview of the upcoming 2011 M at 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours with screening true-to-scale clay model was. Meantime, it released “M” Interior and Exterior photos.

Infiniti offered 2 models which is the M37 and the M56 comes with a V6 and V8 engine respectively. The M37 has been powered by Nissan’s new 3.7 liter V6 engine while the M56 will be powered by the 5.6 liter VK56DE twin-cam V8. The 5.6-liter V8, which pounds out “more than 400 horsepower,” does so as well. Infiniti’s stout 3.7-liter V6 will also be available.

M revealed the technology highlight of the car is a new blind spot alert system. It’s called a blind-spot “intervention” system, as it will actually piloted help bring the M back into its lane if it has veered off-course.

MPG or Power? New technology will deliver both power and economy.

Car makers are being forced by legislation to cut emissions. We are now judged by other motorists on the percieved greenness of our cars. Enviromentally friendly motoring has become a media obsession. We could argue that the major cause of our pollution is not the humble motor car but rather our consumer led lifestyles, frequent flights and need for ever more power to drive the gadgets and devices we put in our homes.

We shall look briefly at trends in car production over the last few years and see what the future is likely to hold.

Over the last 20 years cars have got heavier, average power output has increased and cars are also larger. Take an average 20 year old hot hatches putting out about 150bhp being able to keep up with modern cars with 200bhp. When you look into this seeming anomoly you realise that all of the additional crash protection adds weight to the car and the average weight of a family car has increased from 1200kg to 1500kg. The final gearing is also longer with the introduction of heavier 5 and 6 speed gearboxes to reduce fuel consumption further. We also demand things like power steering and air conditioning which also add to the weight and reduce the real life power output of the engine.

In a bid to make car engines more efficient we are going to see more turbo charged vehicles, which allow relatively small engines like the 1.4 to put out similar power to a 2.0 engine. Engine management systems are also evolving and will start to control the shape of the fuel spray and we are likely to see systems that control the shape of the intake valve and aperture and many other things which are at the moment not directly controllable by the engine management computer.

Power or economy - makers are getting wise to the fact that we want both.

Luxury car makers and also performance car makers are also looking to cut the weight and size of the cars they produce. Ferrari have disclosed in a recent interview that they plan to cut weight and produce cars with a higher power to weight ratio. The power to weight ratio is an interesting measure of a car for example a 2000kg car with 1000bhp will not be as fast as a 1000kg car which has a more modest 600bhp engine.

All makers are jumping on the power/economy development train with companies like VW which have realeased an engine powered by both a supercharger and a turbocharger which they refer to as the twingcharger. Innovations like this will increase the efficiency of engines and allow makers to increase power, or improve fuel economy. Years ago Rover produced the VVC engine with very clever control of the cam and intake valves which was an economy driven development but many saw the performance possibilities and the engine has been tweaked and tuned to over 200 bhp.

SAAB also released an engine which was able to adjust its volumetric capacity to increase efficiency and BMW are producing M models with driver selectable parameters allowing you to decide how much power/torque/mpg you want from your car. We betting is that most car manufacturers will go for better fuel economy and this is fantastic from a tuners point of view as a simple remap can alter those parameters and produce a higher powered engine for track day use. In car engine management is also going to be a big thing, allowing the driver to choose between economy for the family holiday or performance when he is wanting a bit of fun in the twisty roads.

Recent developments from motorsports are finding their way into production cars. Materials such as Carbon fibre finds its way into the chassis, panels, light weight high friction brakes, low drag tyres, light weight suspension components, and more efficient engine designs. Taking all of this into account we can start to get some ideas on modifications of our cars. Weight reduction should be our aim and we will need to start asking questions like, which are the lightest tyres you do and looking at the weight of components. A big weight saving can come from adding a carbon fibre bonnet which is substantially lighter that most standard metal ones. You will hear more noise from the engine but that adds to the driver experience.