The Auto Car Lover's

Friday, November 18, 2011

LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2012 Hyundai Azera

The latest car to feature Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture design language, the Hyundai Azera saloon, has been unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show today.

The Hyundai Azera – which is based on the same platform as the Kia Cadenza – is the latest vehicle to adopt Hyundai’s new design language, currently used on its i40 and ix20 models.

It is also the last car in Hyundai’s ‘24/7 version 2.0’ product initiative, which has resulted in seven new models being released in the past 24 months.

In the US market the Azera will compete against models such as the Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus, Lexus ES350 and Buick LaCrosse V6.

The saloon will be offered with a 3.3-litre, V6 GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine and six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual control. The engine produces 293bhp at 6400rpm and 255lb ft at 5200rpm.

Azera's powertrain has an active eco mode, which modifies engine and transmission control for improved fuel economy. It produces a combined 23mpg on the combined US cycle.

The Azera, which weighs 1638kg, is fitted with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension. It rides on a 2844mm wheelbase, with an overall length of 4909mm and width of 1859mm – dimensions that pitch it between the Sonata and Genesis models in Hyundai’s US range.

The Hyundai Azera goes on sale in the US early next year, but there are no indications that it will reach the UK market.

Thanks to: Autocar

2013 Ford Flex

2013, the Flex's base 3.5-liter V-6 engine, gains Ti-VCT variable valve timing. As a result, power jumps from 262 hp to 285 hp, torque climbs from 248 lb-ft to 253 lb-ft, and the redline is increased from 6700 rpm to 7000 rpm. The changes are expected to improve fuel economy ratings by 1 mpg, to approximately 18/25 mpg (city/highway) for front-wheel-drive models and 17/24 mpg for all-wheel-drive models. There are no changes to the 355-hp, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, which is available only with all-wheel drive.

Because the three-row Flex is meant for hauling families, Ford has outfitted it with several new safety technologies. The 2013 model can be optioned with adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot warning system, and seat belt airbags for the second row of seats. The seat belt airbags first debuted as an option for the 2012 Explorer, on which they purchased by about one-third of customers. Other new gadgets include push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, and the latest version of the MyFord Touch infotainment system.

Visual changes for the 2013 Flex begin with a new front end, which has restyled headlights, a new grille, and a more rounded fascia that softens the car's face. The grille-mounted Blue Oval emblem has been removed and replaced by bold "FLEX" lettering above the grille. At the rear, dual exhaust tips become standard. The interior receives updated instrument clusters, new seat trims, and a revised steering wheel.

Also available is a new appearance package for Flex SEL and Limited models, which bundles 20-inch wheels; leather seats; white, gray, or black contrast coloring for the roof and mirrors; and unique interior trim pieces. The new model year adds three paint colors, Ruby Red, Deep Impact Blue, and Kodiak Brown.

2013 Ford Escape

2013 Ford Escape, which makes its public debut at the Los Angeles auto show, is even more appealing to consumers than the outgoing product.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine debuted here in the Edge and Explorer, where it is chosen by about 15 percent of those cars' buyers. In the Escape, it will produce 237 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. It is positioned as the top-spec powerplant, and Escapes so equipped are rated to tow 3500 pounds.

EcoBoost engines get several other drivetrain components not offered for the 2.5-liter engine. The first is a new, "intelligent" four-wheel-drive system is an internal Ford design that can shuffle torque between wheels depending on traction, with the current torque split shown on a display in the instrument cluster. It measures 25 different variables to determine the best torque distribution. EcoBoost engines also feature active grille shutters, which can close under certain conditions to reduce drag or help the engine warm up more quickly. The shifter for the six-speed automatic transmission also receives a small toggle switch, which allows drivers to manually select gears.

The Escape's "kick to open" power liftgate. Owners simply wave their foot beneath the rear bumper, and the liftgate opens or closes. The idea is that owners lugging lots of shopping bags won't have to set them down and fumble for keys before loading groceries into the Escape. It uses two capacitive sensors mounted in the rear bumper to detect the presence of both a shin and a foot, safeguarding against the hatch popping open unexpectedly.

2012 Ford Fiesta ST

Fiesta ST concept at the Frankfurt show earlier this year, touting the three-door concept as a go-fast version of the popular global subcompact. Now Ford has unveiled a five-door version of the Fiesta ST, which will go on display at the Los Angeles auto show later this month.

Motivation comes from a 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four, rated at 177 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, with power channeled to the front wheels via a six speed manual transmission. The Fiesta ST gets a racy new body kit, which resembles that of the Focus ST, as well as unique 17-inch wheels, Recaro seats, and upgraded suspension components.

"The suspension is designed to reward excellent drivers, and flatter novices," said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief nameplate engineer.

Hameedi said the Fiesta ST should manage the 0-to-60-mph sprint in about seven seconds, and would be capable of a top speed of at least 140 mph.

Ford stresses that the Fiesta ST is only a concept car, and that there are no announcements about plans for production -- "but it does demonstrate how we could extend the global ST lineup," hints Hameedi.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

LA Show 2011 Highlights: Subaru BRZ STi Concept

This Subaru BRZ Concept STI, revealed at the Los Angeles motor show today, could form the basis of a hardcore version of the manufacturer’s forthcoming sports car.

The concept shown at the American event marks the first time the rear-wheel drive Subaru BRZ has been seen fully clothed, although it still doesn't have an interior. Toyota, which is building the car as a joint-project with Subaru, has shown off its version, the FT-86, with bodywork, but the BRZ has only been seen in less-finished form.

The car displayed at Los Angeles bears the name of STI, Subaru’s performance brand, and could end up forming the basis of a ‘hotter’ BRZ variant, rather than the standard car.

In tandem with the unveiling of the car, Subaru issued some more details of the BRZ Concept STI.

The ‘boxer’ engine in the BRZ has been installed as low as possible, enabling the car to feature a low hood and sleek roofline. The hexagonal lower front grille, hawk eye headlights and fin-shaped fog lamps are designed to evoke other cars in the Subaru family.

The lower front spoiler and rear wing are STI-made, as is the carbonfibre roof that keeps the weight and centre of gravity down. The bold rear design features rear fender flares, a large rear-diffuser, and twin dual tailpipes to enhance the performance feel.

The Subaru's rear lights feature more aggressive square-edged styling where Toyota uses curvier shapes, also more clearly distinguished by clear lenses. And it gets quad exhaust pipes on the Subura, compared with the pair in the Toyota.

The car is finished in WR Blue Pearl II, similar to the colour feature on many of Subaru’s world rally cars in the 1990s and 2000s.

The two-litre horizontally-opposed four-cylinder direct fuel-injection gasoline engine has been developed exclusively for BRZ. The engine has been designed with a square bore and stroke of 86x86 mm. It is combined with Toyota's D-4S direct injection technology.

Thanks to: Autocar

LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2013 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible

The new Jaguar XKR-S convertible is being billed as “the most powerful and fastest open-topped GT model” that the company has ever built. The Jaguar XKR-S convertible has made its public debut at the Los Angeles motor show today and joins the XKR-S coupé at the top of the XK range. Although it weighs 1800kg, the XKR-S can sprint to 62mph in just 4.2sec and has a (limited) top speed of 186mph.

The cabrio has the same aerodynamic changes as the coupé, including the new nose, revised sills and prominent rear wing. The interior has the same carbonfibre trim, too.

Like the XKR-S coupe, it uses a 5.0-litre V8 fitted with a Roots-type twin-vortex supercharger and breathes through twin intercoolers. It develops 542bhp and 502lb ft of torque, up 38bhp and 40lb ft on the XKR’s engine, and drives the rear wheels through an active differential.

Jaguar says the car is also the stiffest in its class (at 16,500Nm per degree), which has allowed it to carry over the uprated suspension system used on the coupé.

The new aluminium front steering knuckle, revised steering, stiffer springs and dampers, and revised rear suspension geometry is re-utilised, although the cabrio’s rear damper mounts have been further stiffened to offset the lack of a roof structure.

Mike Cross, head of vehicle integrity and Jaguar’s chassis guru, said, “Because the XK was designed as a convertible, it has great structural integrity. This allowed us to apply the XKR-S coupé’s sporting suspension settings to create a convertible with no compromises.”

Jaguar predicts the price will be about £103,000.

Thanks to: Autocar

LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2012 Volkswagen Passat CC

A facelifted version of the Volkswagen CC has been unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show. Volkswagen wants the revised CC to take a significant step upmarket. The car features new front and rear styling and an extended range of standard equipment.

The new version will be known in Europe as the VW CC, dropping the Passat monicker. In making that move, VW in Europe has followed the lead of its US marketing department in a bid to raise the car’s appeal.

“The CC is a premium, design-led desirable car and that doesn't sit comfortably with the more utilitarian Passat models,” an insider told Autocar. “The models are separated on price, so separating them by name made sense. Many in the company wish we had never emphasised the CC association.”

A choice of three direct-injection petrol engines will be offered, producing 158bhp, 208bhp and 295bhp. The first two will have an option of a dual clutch gearbox and the most powerful variant will have the dual clutch ‘box as standard, and all-wheel drive. All petrol engines have battery regeneration functionality.

Diesel options include 138bhp and 168bhp units, both of which are equipped with stop-start and battery regeneration. The 138bhp variant will return 60.1mpg and 125 g/km when mated to a manual six-speed gearbox, with the DSG-equipped car will offer 53.3mpg.

Thanks to: Autocar