2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette
Chevrolet is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary by creating a tribute to racing driver turned entrepreneur, Louis Chevrolet. The founding father of Chevrolet was raced in Indianapolis 500s for four times since 1915 to 1919. Although he was never achieved victory, his experience in motorsports has helped Chevrolet to grow.
As a tribute, the 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette brought a Carbon Flash black paint with logos on the B-pillars with the number 100. You can also see that there is some Alcantara with contrasting red color which is combined with the black trim. The headrests were also has the same 100th anniversary logo. The Centennial Edition has a special 18 or 19 inch wheels for the Grans Sport and standard Corvette, while the 19 or 20 inch for the ZR-1 and Z06.
The Centennial Edition will be available on any Corvette model that they sell, including the Z06, ZR-1, and Grand Sport. For all models, this anniversary car will has red painted brake calipers with Corvette’s optional adjustable suspension with its magnetic technology. The Centennial Edition Corvettes will be going on sale this summer, while the first unit will be auctioned at Barret Jackson in West Palm Beach, Florida.
2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette is a post from: Automotive News and Review
BMW 5 Series Plugin Hybrid Preview
Prior to the Shanghai Motor Show, BMW has shown another teaser for the upcoming plugin hybrid 5-Series which will be sold exclusively to the Chinese market. The prototype version of this environmentally friendlier BMW midsize sedan is based on the long wheelbase 5 Series platform which is only available in China.
This car will be the part of a joint venture between BMW and the Chinese automaker, Brilliance. This car will be the tip of the eco friendly iceberg from BMW which is only aimed to China. China is currently the country with a growing consumers for premium segment cars and also has a serious need for a really green, energy efficient vehicles.
Despite its big size, BMW claims that this plug in 5 Series vehicle is able to reach 250 miles with a single charge and a full tank of gas, while the electric power itself is capable of 47 miles with a top speed of 37 miles per hour. Those figures maybe not that impressive, but those are indeed has gone further for a major help in the thick traffic in China. The full plugin 5 Series is unlikely coming to the U.S. today, but BMW will bring another mild hybrid version for the American.
BMW 5 Series Plugin Hybrid Preview is a post from: Automotive News and Review
Jaguar XFR-S officially Under Development
Jaguar seems to be trying to show to the world that they are the top in the industry by promoting some of their new technologies, models, and new variants which is on the pipeline recently. While lately, there comes a confirmation on the new four cylinder diesel engine on the XF for the European buyers as well as the report that an all wheel drive version of XJ flagship car for North America, this latest report gives us something new to anticipate from the automaker.
The first news is about the rumors that the UK indicate the much awaited rival for the 3-Series which is possibly to be called the XS, has been confirmed by the global brand director for Jaguar, Adrian Hallmark. He claims that if they want to compete with other European luxury manufacturers, they have to do this on all fronts.
The next one is probably more interesting. It is the news about the development of the even hotter version of the XFR like you see in the picture above. This project is said to be transplanting the upgrades from the XKR-S to the XF to make a 550 horsepower output for the super sedan.
Jaguar XFR-S officially Under Development is a post from: Automotive News and Review
BMW is Developing Eight Speed Adaptive Transmission
BMW is currently conducting their annual Innovation Days in Munich. Beside for revealing more details on their new modular engine like the turbocharged three, four, and six cylinder, they also showing off some lightweight components. The latest report said that BMW has revealed their plan for the adaptive transmission which is based on the current eight speed gearbox.
By using the GPS mapping, wireless data connection, front and rear side cameras and radar sensors, and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), their new transmission will be able to adapt the shifting and power delivery to be more suitable to the road condition.
For example, if you are going through the rainy weather with your car. The data connection will receive the latest weather information and the DSC count the coefficient of friction at the road, then restricts the power to avoid slipped wheel. With the GPS, the system will detect the next turn, and downshift into the lower gear to adapt the bend. Unfortunately, this application is still limited to the amount of data that the system is able to pull in and process. BMW also hadn’t revealed the production date for the system.
BMW is Developing Eight Speed Adaptive Transmission is a post from: Automotive News and Review
Audi Quattro Getting Closer to Production
When Audi was revealed the Audi Quattro concept at the Paris Motor Show last year, we can say that there are so many people looking and paid attention. Since that debut, there are some reports about the production potential. Now, the latest report has said that the Quattro coupe with five cylinder turbocharged engine with all wheel drive is getting closer for production.
According to the trusted source, the Quattro division from Audi which is also working on the S, RS, and the R8 projects, has working on a prototype that is based on the S5 coupe. But this prototype will be lighter thanks to the massive amount of aluminum and carbon reinforced plastics material. It is said that the car will weighing 2,866 pounds. It means that this car will be 660 pounds lighter than the RS5 and 500 pounds lighter than the R8.
This prototype is said to be driven by Audi’s board member before they sign off for the production. However, there is still no words on what strategy will be taken for this new product. But the rumor said that the price for this car may be similar with the Audi R8.
Audi Quattro Getting Closer to Production is a post from: Automotive News and Review