Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Mitsubishi Electric i The Evo is gone, the Ralliart is dead.

Mitsubishi Electric i
The Evo is gone, the Ralliart is dead. Going forward Mitsubishi is going to become a builder of pure EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). So much so, that the new Mitsubishi North American president Yoichi Yokozawa just announced that no less than 8 EVs or PHEVs will be on sale by 2015. Mr. Yokozawa said that Mitsubishi will, "Become the kind ofcar company that society expects us to be, that the planet needs us to be." But what about the kind of company that consumers want? That remains to be seen, of course.
What is clear, is that the long awaited i (formerly known as the i MiEV) will be going on sale. How much? $27,990. A biggish chunk of change, for sure. But remember that electric vehicles get a $7500 federal tax credit, the price drops to a more likeable $20,490, making it the cheapest EV you can buy. And depending on which state you live in, this price could drop even further. In California, the i will most likely qualify for the full monty CRVP $5000 tax credit, effectively dropping the price to $15,490, making the i by far the cheapest EV there is. Nice, right?
When can you buy one? Tomorrow! No, really - it is Earth Day after all. Simply go to i.mitsubishicars.com and give them a $299 PayPal deposit plus $99 for a mandatory home electric inspection. But if you're one of the first 2000 people to put down a deposit, Mitsubishi will wave the $99 fee. Demo cars will show up at dealerships in November, and actual cars will be charging away in customers garages come January of 2012. With the high price of gas and the now seemingly inherently unstable nature of the petroleum market, Mitsubishi's i will probably find a few good homes.

Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i
It's no secret that BMW's been plotting to return a four-cylinder engine to its U.S. lineup post-haste, and we've finally seen the first result as BMW debuted the Z4 sDrive28i at the New York auto show today. Though the engine hood release was disabled on the display car, within that yellow snout should reside an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
While you might guess that the new four-cylinder Z4 would slot underneath the current naturally-aspirated inline-six in the lineup as a bargain-priced, entry-level model, but we're wagering that's not the case. With 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, the new turbo-four should be more than a match for the current 255-horse, 220-lb-ft six, especially when considering the four's lighter weight. The four's smaller size also allows it to be mounted further back and lower in the Z4's chassis, providing both better weight distribution and a lower center of gravity. With that in mind, expect the new turbo-four, already slated for the upcoming X1 CUV, to gradually replace the naturally-aspirated six across BMW's model range.
The new engine is a smorgasbord of BMW's latest technology, including high-pressure fuel injection, BMW's proprietary double VANOS variable camshaft control system, and Valvetronic, BMW's variable valve timing setup. The turbocharger, BMW says, is also an impressive piece, being driven by two exhaust ducts rather than one (hence its TwinPower Turbo name). This technology is partly to thank for the turbo-four's improved fuel economy over the six, which according to BMW could be a 20-percent improvement. That potentially means a bump from the six's current 18/28 city/highway mpg rating, to 22/34 mpg.
While final EPA figures and pricing information will be announced closer to the car's launch later this year, we predict that the return of a four-cylinder engine could mean big things for the small Z4.

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpaper Gallery

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpaper Gallery

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpaper Gallery

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpaper Gallery







2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpaper Gallery

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpaper Gallery

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpaper Gallery

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpaper Gallery







2012 Kia Soul released the second-generation xB in 2008

2012 Kia Soul
When Scion released the second-generation xB in 2008, many fans of the original, smaller xB were disappointed and upset at the larger, heavier replacement. Ever the opportunist, Kia seized the moment and introduced its Soul urban crossover/tall mini-wagon/CUV/whatever around the same time, and offered fans of the genre something a little closer to the original xB in spirit. While we don't have any solid data on how many first-gen xB buyers opted for the Soul over the second-gen xB, we'd venture to guess it was more than a handful.
Well, fans of the Hamsters' favorite ride will have even more to get excited about for the 2012 model year, as Kia is introducing two brand-new engines to the Soul, both direct-injected, and offering solid improvements in power and fuel-efficiency over their predecessors. The base engine will be a 1.6 liter direct-injection four-cylinder producing 135 horsepower and 121 pound-feet of torque. Mated exclusively with a new six-speed manual, this combination is good for 28 city and 34 highway miles per gallon. Not enough power for you? Try the 2.0-liter direct-injection engine, good for 160 horsepower and 143 lb.-ft., offering a still very good 27/33 rating. The added bonus with the bigger engine is the availability of a six-speed automatic transmission for the three-pedal-challenged.
In an update that's sure to be a hit with the Soul's target demographic, available LED running lights and taillight clusters on the Soul! (Exclaim) model add a touch of high-tech class to the exterior, along with projector-beam headlamps. New for 2012 is an Infinity premium audio system, and Kia's UVO (think Sync) system on the Soul! and Sport trims. An available premium package adds heated leather-trimmed front seats, automatic climate control, navigation, and push-button start. All Souls feature standard air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, and Sirius-ready radios.
Pricing info was not released, but prices are expected to be close to current models, comparably-equipped.

2012 kia soul new engine

2012 kia soul changes

2012 kia soul release date

2012 kia soul updates

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2011 kia sportage review edmunds

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid performance is always paramount,


Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
For Porsche, performance is always paramount, but now it must also be “intelligent”. Apparently, hybrids = intelligence, as evidenced by Porsche’s new Panamera S Hybrid, which its debut today at the 2011 New York show and is another showcase of the German automaker’s emerging Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy.
As far as we’re concerned, with 380 horsepower, a 0-to-60 time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 167 mph, you can call it a dunce and we’ll still drive it. Fast.
Essentially the same system as found under Cayenne S Hybrid, the Panamera S Hybrid employs a 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 engine with 333 horsepower, augmented by a 47-horsepower (34 kW) electric motor, which also doubles as the generator and starter. Porsche says it can roll for approximately one mile on battery juice alone and speeds of up to 50 mph in around town driving situations. Final EPA fuel economy ratings are yet to be announced, but expect it to be close to the Cayenne hybrid’s 20/24 city/highway mpg rating.
The Panamera S Hybrid is a higher-spec version of the conventional V-8 S model and comes with the automaker’s adaptive air suspension and PASM adaptive shock absorber system, as well as variable-assist power steering among other options. In addition, there’s a special display setup that highlights several of the hybrid system’s operations.
All of this intelligent performance stuff doesn’t come cheap. The Panamera S Hybrid’s base price is $95,000 (excluding destination) and is set to hit dealerships later this year.



Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid