cars usa today
Car USA Magic
Its a been a long time since I made a blog entry here on ACC, But its great to get back into the game with this amazing Magic Bus, Byron Bay, the world's most colorful double-decker bus that is is now in service. This bus was painted by Andrea Davies also creator of the "Car" Golf featured a while back here on CC.
Car USA VeggieStreamer
Renault Koleos crossover to be launched this weekend – full details and image gallery here!
The Kolas is a product that draws the best out of the Renault-Nissan Alliance – drive train and 4X4 system from Nissan; design, ride, handling and ergonomics from Renault; manufactured by Renault-Sam-sung in Susan, Korea for its relatively lower cost. The Koleos is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 170 b hp and 226 NM of torque paired to a CUT with six virtual ratios – good for a 0-100 km/h time of 10.3 seconds and a 188 km/h top speed. The decision to source this particular pairing from Nissan is a good move as the Japanese company makes some of the best CRTs in town (we’d prefer it over a French auto ‘box!), not to mention that in general, customers in our market seem to trust Japanese engines better.
The official combined fuel consumption figure is 10.5 km/l. Would be better with Renault’s fine 2.0 Ci engine, but that won’t come anytime soon, and you know the reason why. The chassis of the Kolas is modified from the second-gen Nissan X-Trail (not sold here), which is pretty decent off-road for its kind. This, plus the fact that the Renault also gets the X-Trail’s All-Mode 4X4-i system means that the Kolas should be better off the beaten path than many of its classmates although it doesn’t look the part. Instead of transferring torque to the rear wheels only when slip is detected, All-Mode 4X4-i “predicts” the moment WAD grip is required by measuring lateral and side acceleration, yaw rate, steering angle and accelerator pedal position among other parameters, and divides torque accordingly even before ESP intervenes.
That’s the default Auto mode; you can also choose 2WD (front-wheel drive) or Lock mode, where torque is split 50:50 between axles. Also beneficial is Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist – the latter prevents backward movement on inclines of 10% and above. While much of the hardware is from Nissan, the interior is appointed like a Continental model, with some clever French touches such as the lever in the boot that folds flat the split rear seats when you pull it. Other comfort and convenience features include airplane style fold down “tables”, chilled glovebox, B-pillar air vents for the rear passengers, three rows of flat folding seats, a split tailgate that you can sit on (max load 200 kg) and two 5-litre secret “lockers” under the rear floor. All very thoughtful. Equipment include an 8-speaker Bose stereo as used in the Infiniti FX, ABS/EBA/ESP, six airbags, cruise control, auto headlights and wipers, auto parking brake, dual-zone climate control and start/stop button, among others. An optional panaromic sunroof is available for RM9,000. The most important safety “feature” is also here – a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
Infiniti celebrates 20th birthday with special G37
Prices range from $43,350 to $54,900 in the States. Infinite seems to be doing a better job as “the Asian BMW” than Lexus. Established in America but new to Europe, the former’s current cars are widely regarded as driver’s machines. I remember the G37 coupe beating the 3-Series Coupe in an Autocar UK shootout; a BMW coming in second best is a rare event.
Honda CR-V facelift in Malaysia adds VSA stability control and side airbags
- VSA stability control has been added to the vehicle.
- There are now a total of 4 airbags, up from the previous 2. The additional 2 are the two Occupant Position Detection System side airbags.
- New engine hood, fog lamps, upper and lower front bumper, front grille and 17 inch alloy wheel design.
- Four reverse sensors instead of two previously.
- A new in-car entertainment unit featuring USB input – which is found neatly tucked in the upper glove box.
- New fabric design for the seats.
- New seat-mounted fold-down arm rest which is wider.
- LCD screen in the middle of the meter cluster now has blue back lighting.
- Sound insulators enlarged and new seals added in dashboard, hood, inner fender, fender enclosure, rear door lining, rear side lining, cargo lid and wing mirror garnish.
- Revised suspension geometry – front caster trail from 20mm to 15mm, rear double wishbone damper settings revised and rear compliance bush shape improved.
F11 BMW 5-Series Touring
Car BMW 5-Series Touring, which I find amusing because the “Touring” seems to have a larger storage area than the “GRAND Touring” model. Less is more? This is the proper estate with a huge boot space – starts at 560 liters and goes up to a maximum of 1,670 liters by folding down the 40:20:40 split rear seats, which are also individually indeclinable by 11 degrees in 7 stages by the way!
Electric Power Steering on all models and the new 8-speed automatic transmission that is optional in Europe but will no doubt be standard here in Malaysia as at that price point, not many people are interested in manually operating the clutch! I’ve also found out that the i Drive system’s feature set has been expanded in the latest version. There are news and RS reader functions with text to speech so you can listen (and not read) the latest while driving. Your navigation point of interest database can now be supplemented by Google Maps, though without the option of BMW Connected Drive wireless EDGE model here in Malaysia you probably won’t be able to use this. The audio system can now also play audio from a Blue tooth Audio Streaming source other than the existing CD, USB, i Pod and aux in sources.The Bluetooth featureset has also been expanded beyond the new audio streaming feature – iDrive can now display SMS, tasks, memos and calendar entries all from your mobile phone through the new “Office” function.
Lexus LFA to compete in Nürburgring 24 Hours
Takeaway Kingship is a six-time winner of the Super Taiyuan Endurance Series and is the most experienced Japanese driver in the Burglarizing 24 Hours.
Akita Ida was overall winner of the Tokay 24 Hours in 1995 and 2007, and both Juicily Weakish and Kazakh Kagoshima race in Super GT. The Germans are Armin Hahn, winner of the Spa 24 Hours in 1982 and 1983; Jocelyn Nkrumah, who finished second overall in the 2008 Burglarizing 24 Hours; and Andre Totterer, reigning Super GT 500 champion. Se pang Super GT regulars will recognize Totterer as the man who drives for championship winning Team Petronia Tom’s.
The Lexus LA is powered by a 552 b hp mid-mounted V10 engine, and is capable of 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed beyond 320 km/h. More images after the jump.
Lexus LFA to compete in Nürburgring 24 Hours
The Lexus LFA is heading back to Burglarizing this May, the place where it clocked plenty of testing miles in pre-production form. This time, the mission is to challenge for glory in the famed 24 hours endurance race. It will be the first time the production LA enters a competition. However, the car isn’t a stranger to the Burglarizing 24 Hours as development versions of Lexus’ super car were entered in two previous occasions to help hone performance and handling. Toyota president Ario Toyoda took his turn behind the wheel in those outings. Gazoo Racing will prepare two Leas for the race. Led by top Toyota test driver Hiromu Naruse, the team will include four Japanese and three German drivers who between them have outstanding GT and endurance racing experience. Takeaway Kingship is a six-time winner of the Super Taiyuan Endurance Series and is the most experienced Japanese driver in the Burglarizing 24 Hours.
Akita Ida was overall winner of the Tokay 24 Hours in 1995 and 2007, and both Juicily Weakish and Kazakh Kagoshima race in Super GT. The Germans are Armin Hahne, winner of the Spa 24 Hours in 1982 and 1983; Jochen Krumbach, who finished second overall in the 2008 Nürburgring 24 Hours; and Andre Lotterer, reigning Super GT 500 champion. Sepang Super GT regulars will recognise Lotterer as the man who drives for championship winning Team Petronas Tom’s.The Lexus LFA is powered by a 552 bhp mid-mounted V10 engine, and is capable of 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed beyond 320 km/h. More images after the jump.
Supercharged Ferrari California by Novitec Rosso
The result is 606 bhp at 7,900 rpm and 603 Nam of twist. Now the 2+2 GT can complete the century sprint in under 3.8 seconds and reach maximum velocity of 325 km/h. The cogged belt driven mechanical charger’s boost pressure is at 0.4 bars. New components include a water-to-air inter-cooler, custom intake manifold and larger injectors. The Cali is also equipped with a Muscovite stainless-steel exhaust system with sport catalysts. An integrated flap mechanism activated by the steering wheel TELNETTing switch controls the intensity of the exhaust note. I must say that the white example seen here isn’t too over the top (can’t always say that for tuned cars), and the add-nos blend in nicely without looking like add-nos. Novitiate says that its front spoiler was wind tunnel developed and reduce front axle lift at high speeds. New rocker panels with integrated airfoils and black side markers are the changes to the side profile. For the rear, of course there’s a diffuser and a spoiler lip, but also here is a carbon-fiber strip surrounding the number plate. Novitiate springs lower ride height by 35 mm, but what’s cool here is a hydraulic lift system for the front axle that can raise the Ferrari’s chin by 40 mm at the push of a button. This will make it easier to navigate speed bumps or car park ramps. The front reverts to its original position at a second button push or automatically upon reaching 80 km/h.
Lastly, those pretty three-piece star spoke Novitec NF3 wheels of 21 inches up front and 22 inches at the back are wrapped with special order Pirellis measuring 255/30 and 315/25, respectively.
Nissan Patrol-based Infiniti QX56 leaked ahead of New York
Here are some leaked low-res images of the 2011 Infiniti QX56, which will make its debut at the New York Auto Show. The largest of Infiniti’s 4X4s is meant to be a rival to the Lexus LX, and is based on Nissan’s new Patrol that was unveiled in the Middle East last month. The Infiniti should also come with the Patrol’s Hydraulic Body Motion Control System, All Mode 4X4 system with four selectable presets, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. While the Patrol name conjures up images of UN peacekeeping forces in hostile terrain, the latest version is positioned upmarket – kit includes a new multi-screen DVD entertainment system and “curtain vents”. Here, the designers fused Infiniti-style headlights, rear lights and the wavy rear window line into a big, boxy SUV. And while all these cues work well on the marque’s smaller “coupe style” crossovers, we think that this is one of the most awkward looking 4X4s on sale. The current QX isn’t pretty, but at least it looks consistent.