Happy Halloween!

 

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy Halloween! Be safe and try not to eat too much candy!

GM Debuts New Front Center Airbag

"Just when you thought automakers couldn't shove any more inflatables into a vehicle's cabin, General Motors has introduced yet another new airbag. The company's new front center airbag is basically designed to keep the driver in place during a solo far-side impact, as well as prevent occupants from bouncing off of one another if there is more than one person in the car. The new device is set to be introduced as standard equipment on models like the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia with power seats beginning in the 2013 model year. The tethered, tube-shaped airbag deploys from the right side of the driver's seat and positions itself in the center of the vehicle.

GM says that the company's analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data revealed that far-side impact crashes accounted for 11 percent of the belted front occupant fatalities in non-rollover incidents between 2004 and 2009, and that those deaths represented 29 percent of all fatalities in all side-impact crashes." [Continue reading...]

Nissan Announces Latest Hybrid, CVT Advances

 

"In addition to selling the only mass-market all-electric no-emissions vehicle in the world – the LEAF – Nissan is continuing its efforts to bring innovation to all with notable tech enhancements to its vehicles powered by internal-combustion engines. This includes recently unveiling two next-generation powertrain systems that will help U.S. drivers achieve higher levels of fuel efficiency beginning in 2012.

The automaker’s all-new XTRONIC continuously variable transmission (CVT), designed specifically for engines with 2.0 to 3.5 liters of displacement, is set to reach North American products starting next year. The advanced transmission builds on Nissan’s longtime industry leadership role in CVT technology with:

• Ratio coverage of a full 7.0 – the widest of any CVT in the world for the aforementioned engine sizes – providing enhanced drivability
• 40 percent less friction for further fuel-economy gains
• The latest version of Nissan’s Adaptive Shift Control, which adapts a vehicle’s shifting patterns to better match different driving styles and road conditions

Thanks to upgrades like these, the new transmission is expected to significantly reduce unwanted powertrain noise and help eliminate over-revving, while also reducing fuel consumption by up to 10 percent – and more when mated to the automaker’s affordable new hybrid propulsion setup. It’s a system that integrates a compact lithium-ion battery, two separate clutches, a leading-edge electric motor and a 2.5-liter supercharged engine, all in a streamlined package that affords the same power as a 3.5-liter V6, but with much better fuel economy." [Continue reading...]

The Ultimate Performance SUV Lands Front and Center on Chrysler Group’s World Headquarters

 

"The most powerful, technologically advanced, high-performance Jeep® vehicle ever has made its way on to Chrysler Group LLC’s Headquarters building in Auburn Hills, Mich. 

Early this morning, workers put the finishing touches on a massive building wrap featuring an image of the all-new 2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8®. The wrap covers 10 floors on the front of the company’s world headquarters building.

“The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 takes performance to a new level by combining the brand’s legendary capability and utility and merging it with the renowned advanced performance engineering from the company’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO - SRT Brand. “This vehicle not only represents the newly formed SRT brand, but the hard work and determination given by the designers and engineers who continue to bring world-class performance, luxury and refinement to a vehicle that is fast and fun to drive.”

Designed and built using the proven SRT formula that raises the performance to astonishing levels, the new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 runs from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the mid-16 second range, can cover the quarter mile in the mid-13 second range, has a top speed of 160 mph, and brakes from 60-0 mph in 116 feet." [Continue reading...]

VW Announces Pricing for the New Golf R

 

"Intelligent downsizing. That’s what the new Golf R represents. The heir to the 2004 and 2008 Golf R32 models, the new R manages to have more power, more performance, and consume less gasoline than its illustrious iconic performance forebears. And it offers all this for just $33,990, plus destination, for the two-door Golf R model.

Whereas the R32 models used 3.2-liter VR6 engines, the new Golf R is fitted with a high-output version of the award-winning turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI® engine. This engine makes 256 horsepower, six more than the VR6 fitted into the 2008 R32. As well as offering more power and performance, the Golf R is also more economical, with manufacturer estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared with EPA estimated mileage of 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway for the prior model.

Like the previous R32 models, the Golf R is equipped with Volkswagen’s 4Motion® all-wheel-drive system: the latest generation of this system can divert up to 100 percent of the torque to the rear wheels, if needed. All Golf R models sold in the U.S will be equipped with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission. For the first time, the Golf R will be available in two- and four-door guises as well as in two trim levels: well-equipped Golf R and luxurious Golf R with Sunroof and Navigation." [Continue reading...]

Chrysler Group: Under the Pentastar

Chevy Volt Update: Drivers Top 1 Million All-Electric Miles

 

"As demand for the groundbreaking Chevrolet Volt continues to grow, so does the number of owners who are letting Chevy know just how far they can go on a gallon of gas—or no gas at all. In fact, just part way through this summer, Volt owners had already covered more than 1.2 million miles on electricity alone.

They include Kory Levoy, a manufacturing manager from Yorba Linda, Calif., who had been spending $50-$60 every week putting gasoline in his Audi TT roadster. But since buying his new Volt, he has covered 7,500 miles and had to fill up the tank just three times. Today, Levoy—like many other Volt drivers—is averaging 40 miles of driving range on a single charge, allowing him to cover his 25-mile round-trip commute entirely on electricity.

“I was tired of spending roughly $200 plus a month on gas,” said Levoy. “The ability to not even consider finding a gas station or worry about fuel pricing is a phenomenal experience.”

Big-time fuel savings are part of the package for Volt owner Carey Bailer, too. An electrical engineer in Cottage Grove, Ore., Bailey has a 75-mile daily commute that used to cost him about $500 a month in gasoline. Now, driving his new Volt, Bailey has sliced that to just $100 per month—and he expects his fuel costs to come down even further." [Continue reading...]

Subaru Plans Product, Technology Blitz in MPG Hunt

 

"Subaru plans to introduce turbocharging, new transmissions, and hybrid drivetrains in a bid to boost its fleetwide fuel efficiency 30 percent between 2010 and 2015.

The technology blitz also includes a new, lightweight vehicle platform that will be introduced by 2015 and will replace the platform now used for all Subaru nameplates.

Motohisa Miyawaki, head of product planning and engineering, said there will be one full model change each year from 2012 through 2015 on top of this year's introduction of the XV small crossover in Japan and next year's debut of the BRZ sporty car.

The XV will come to the United States in the 2013 or 2014 model year.

Subaru's technology push comes as the company, best known for all-wheel-drive crossovers and SUVs, tries to respond to more stringent government emissions regulations and public demand for greener cars.

"By 2015, we aim to improve fuel efficiency 30 percent compared with 2010 levels to become top level in the industry," Miyawaki said at a September 29 press briefing.

Most of the improvement will come from new engines and transmissions, starting with a third-generation horizontally opposed engine dubbed the FB. It appeared last fall in a refreshed Forester SUV and goes into the new Impreza and XV before being introduced across the lineup." [Continue reading...]

2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport unveiled in Johannesburg

 

"Lexus has unveiled the 2013 GS 350 F Sport at the Johannesburg International Motor Show in South Africa.

Unfortunately, all we have to go on are the images as Lexus has left out any specs on the model.

From previous reports we can surmise that the GS 350 F Sport features a 3.5 liter V6, an adaptive suspension, bigger brakes and high-performance tires." [Continue reading...]

GM Confirms CNG Bi-Fuel Pickup For 2012

 

"General Motors will soon expand its offerings of alternative fuel vehicles with the launch of a compressed natural gas bi-fuel commercial pickup truck early next year. GM is the only manufacturer currently providing a single-source commercial option with the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana CNG cargo vans.

Many commercial vehicle buyers are looking for vehicles that run on alternative fuels from the factory. The new pickup will be able to enable business owners to focus on their business instead of the complexities associated with vehicle up-fitting." [Continue reading...]