Cars 2011

Cars 2011

2012 Toyota Camry Videos

We have covered the 2012 Toyota Camry extensively these past few weeks, from the moment we first laid our eyes on an unofficial video from the dealer presentation in Las Vegas up until today when the Japanese automaker officially revealed the car.
And now, following our detailed report on the ins and outs of the new Camry, we have a plethora of videos including a walkaround with Toyota Senior Product Education and Development Specialist David Lee who talks about the features of the mid-size sedan and a promotional clip with NASCAR driver Kyle Busch spinning the Hybrid model around Daytona.
To check them all out for yourself, just follow the break.

VIDEOS

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New Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 CDI

For the first time in the SLK's history, Mercedes-Benz is offering a diesel-powered version of its small hardtop roadster that will be available for order in Europe from September 13, 2011.
The new SLK 250 CDI makes use of the Stuttgart-based automaker's 2.1-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine delivering 204-horses (150kW) and a hefty 500Nm (368.8 lb-ft) of peak torque.
Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a standard 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, but Mercedes said a six-speed manual gearbox will also be available in the second quarter of next year.
With the 7sp auto, the SLK 250 CDI can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.7 seconds, accelerate from 80 to 120km/h in 4.3 seconds, and reach a top speed of 243 km/h (151mph).
And while performance is on par with the gasoline-powered SLK 250 BlueEfficiency that features a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-pot with 204HP (0-100km/h in 6.6 sec, 243 km/h top speed), the diesel SLK really shines when it comes to fuel economy.
According to Mercedes, the SLK 250 CDI returns a combined fuel consumption of 4.9lt/100km (48mpg US or 57.7mpg UK) versus the SLK 250 BlueEfficiency's 6.2 lt/100 km (38 US mpg or 45.6mpg UK).
Like all third-generation SLK models, the SLK 250 CDI also features a start/stop system as standard, and is available with a choice of three versions of the vario-roo, including the panoramic glass roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL that allows it to be changed from dark to transparent at the touch of a button.
In Germany, the new Mercedes SLK 250 CDI is priced from €41,828.50 (US$60,065). Mercedes did not say if it has any plans to offer the diesel-powered SLK in the States, but we wouldn’t hold our breath. 

 PHOTO GALLERY

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Rolls-Royce Expanding Operations of its Bespoke Division

Good news for Roll-Royce's 'Bespoke' division which is responsible for the creation of unique automotive parts as well as life style items such as custom picnic sets for the brand's clientele, as due to growing customer demand, the British company has decided to expand its operations.
Rolls-Royce said the 'Bespoke' division, which is based at the firm's headquarters in Goodwood in West Sussex, will see a flow of team members, including designers, engineers and project management staff, doubling the headcount to over 50 people by the end of 2011.
“The ability to bespoke one’s vehicle has always been at the heart of Rolls-Royce so it is very encouraging to see that after more than one hundred years at the very pinnacle of the automotive world, our Bespoke services are still very much in demand from customers all over the world today”, said Rolls-Royce Member of the Board and Director, Sales and Marketing, Jolyon Nash.

PHOTO GALLERY

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All-New Hyundai i30 At the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

Hyundai plans to unveil a brand-new C-segment model to replace the first-generation of its i30 at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Like the current model, the 2012 i30 is a product of Hyundai’s design and engineering center in Russelsheim, Germany and is designed exclusively for the European market.
Hyundai's European design boss Thomas Burkle says the i30's styling represents the next evolution of the firm's form language, ‘fluidic sculpture’. What this means is that it shares a lot of common design features with Hyundai's more recent models like the ix20, the ix35, the Veloster and the i40.
Recent spy photos suggest that the interior will also share many elements with the i40 and the Veloster coupe.
“When designing the new i30, we used strong, fluid lines to sculpt a car which looks athletic while exuding a sense of constant motion, even when stationary," said Burkle.
"From the rendering, you can see how we managed to give the car a bold stance, transmitting a confident attitude through sporty characteristics and dynamic proportions. In this way, the car is very close to the recently unveiled i40, and we want people to recognise the Hyundai design DNA on those two models,” continued Burkle.
Under the fresh sheetmetal, the i30 will likely feature MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. Even though Hyundai is keeping its cards close to its chest, the engine line-up is believed to include the 140HP direct injection 1.6-liter gasoline unit from the ix35 as well as a more fuel efficient "Blue" edition.
Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe, commented, “We expect this next-generation i30 to play a significant role in developing our brand image in Europe and strengthen the vehicle’s position as our best-seller in Europe.
Hyundai's Ford Focus and VW Golf rivaling i30 will be manufactured at the firm's plant in the Czech Republic before going on sale early next year.













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Alfa Romeo 4C at 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

The countdown for the highly anticipated 2011 Frankfurt auto show in the second week of September has begun and carmakers are trying to keep us on our toes with enticing teasers like this invitation from Alfa Romeo.


Shown on the Italian firm's Facebook page, the teaser is about the new 4C mid-engined sports car that was previewed as a thinly disguised concept study at this year's Geneva Salon.
Being that the Sergio Marchionne, the head of the Fiat and Chrysler groups, has said the Alfa Romeo 4C will hit European showrooms during the first half of 2012 with some examples reaching U.S. hands by the end of the same year, there's a very good chance we'll see the car in its final production form.
If that's not the case, then it could be that Alfa Romeo may show either a roadster version of the 4C or a more powerful version.
We'll remind you that the 4C concept study in Geneva was fitted with a 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine pushing 200-horsepower towards the rear axle via a twin dry clutch automatic transmission dubbed “Alfa TCT”.

VIDEO

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2011 Australian International Motor Show Photo

Even though it’s not as famous as its Frankfurt, Paris, Tokyo or Detroit counterparts, this year’s edition of the Australian Motor Show, which takes place in Melbourne from July 1 to 10, has some interesting debuts including the Mad Max Concepts pictured above as well as a number of new production and prototype models from the local divisions of General Motors (aka Holden) and Ford.

You can take a look at all the vehicles in our comprehensive photo gallery right after the break. For those of you interested in learning more about the Ford-badged Mad Max Interceptor prototypes

PHOTO GALLERY

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Audi A1 Production Reaches 100,000 Units in its First Year

The Audi A1 premium supermini is proving to be a flying success for the brand with the four rings. Just after a year from launch and without the car being sold in the all-important North American market, the 100,000th A1 rolled off the assembly line at Audi’s plant in the Forest district of Brussels in Belgium.

To mark the occasion, Audi invited King Albert II of Belgium to visit the facility with the German firm’s boss Rupert Stadler taking on the role of the tour guide.

“We are very honored that the King of Belgium has taken such a great interest in Audi and that he has visited our plant,” said Rupert Stadler. “The Forest site has been part of the Audi family – and the Company’s success story – for four years now. With the Audi A1, Audi Brussels is making a major contribution to the dynamic growth of our brand.”

Audi acquired the Brussels plant from VW in 2007 and has since poured roughly €300 million to bring it up to date.

It is believed that Audi’s future plans for the A1 include the presentation of all-wheel drive Quattro model(s) and more sportier editions such as the S1.

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