Showing posts with label cars news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cars news. Show all posts

2012 Toyota Camry

It is finally here; the car many Americans love to hate buying, the brand-new, seventh-generation Toyota Camry, which was officially unveiled today ahead of its sales launch in States in the beginning of October.If we wanted to highlight the most important features of the new 2012 Camry here's what we would go with: it's more powerful yet delivers better fuel efficiency, has a more upscale interior with higher quality materials, its styling is sharper but continues to be bland and will definitely not excite (on the other hand, it won't offend either), and finally, in some cases its priced lower than the outgoing model.
In more detail and starting from the engine range, the 2012 Camry will be offered with a choice of three powerplants. The base engine is a revised 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit delivering 178-horsepower, an increase of 9HP, and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque. Toyota says EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are 25 mpg city/35 highway, and 28 mpg combined, an increase of 2mpg over the previous generation Camry.
Next up is a subtly refined 3.5-liter V6 that generates 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700 rpm. According to the Japanese carmaker, it returns EPA-estimated ratings of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway (previous model: 20mpg/29mpg respectively).
Both the four- and six-cylinder engines are offered with a six-speed automatic transmission that offers a sequential manual shift mode using the console shifter.


The third option is the 2012 Camry Hybrid that gains a overhauled version of the brand’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, including a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson engine that replaces the 2.4-liter unit.
Together, the gasoline and electric motors produce a combined output of 200 horsepower allowing the Camry to accelerate from 0-to-60mph (96km/h) in 7.6-seconds, which places it between the four-cylinder and V6 models.
Toyota says the new Camry Hybrid delivers an EPA-estimated 43 mpg city/39 mpg highway/41 mpg combined, which accounts to a more-than-30 percent boost in fuel economy in the EPA city and combined driving cycles, compared to the previous model.
According to Toyota, the improved fuel economy can be attributed largely to the new hybrid powertrain, but also due to lighter vehicle weight and optimized aerodynamics.
Also new for the 2012 Camry Hybrid is the EV Drive mode that allows the driver to operate the car on the electric motor alone for up to 1.6 miles at lower speeds (below approximately 25 mph or 40km/h).
The Hybrid version is identified by select exterior features such as the blue-hued Toyota logos and the model-specific alloy wheels and lower grille, while inside, there's exclusive trim and upholsteries along with a three-dial Optitron gauge panel.
While similar in size with the outgoing model, Toyota says that thanks to some changes including but not limited to, moving the accelerator pedal and front seats forward, repositioning the rear-seat hip point rearward, and reshaping the front seatbacks, rear-knee room has been increased by 1.8-inch while rear middle seat legroom has grown by two inches.
The company also claims to have reduced noise throughout the entire cabin.
The new Camry features a more rigid body structure, revised front suspension and redesigned rear suspension, while it's also the first Toyota to feature the firm's latest electric power steering (EPS) control system. The automaker says these changes instill the new Camry with "greater straight-line stability and crisper steering response, while also enhancing overall ride comfort".
For the 2012 model year, the new Camry and Camry Hybrid will be offered with six-different grades. Tech highlights include the introduction of Toyota's new Entune multimedia system that debuts support for mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, and sports.
Surprisingly, Toyota has dropped pricing of some trim grades to lower levels than its predecessor.
“Despite all of the enhancements to the all-new Camry, prices for all popular models have been reduced with dramatic repositioning on SE, XLE and Hybrid models, representing the best value in the segment,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Group Vice President and General Manager.
The base Camry L with the 2.4-liter engine, however, is priced from $21,955, or $710 more than the previous model.
The Hybrid LE carries an MSRP of $25,900, decrease of $1,150 or 4.3 percent compared to the 2011 model. For more details on pricing, check out the list below. 





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Mercedes-Benz with LEGO to Create the Largest TECHNIC Model

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif""When it comes to building LEGO, size does matter and with an impressive length of 38.6 cm (15.2-inches) from bumper to bumper and more than 2,000 pieces, the 1:12-scale Mercedes-Benz Unimog will surely be one heck of a challenge to build.
The LEGO Unimog 4000 was created to celebrate the Mercedes-Benz truck's 60th anniversary this year and it is available to buy from Argos and LEGO stores with pricing in the UK set at £154.99 (about €177 or US$255).
According to the Denmark based toy company, the TECHNIC series model is fully functional and features a front winch, optional snowplough, suspension, differentials, a four-wheel drive chassis, a gear block for increased ground clearance, and a detailed reproduction of the engine right down to the moving pistons.
Mark Hopkins, Unimog UK Sales Manager, commented: “While the Unimog is a necessity ‘workhorse’ for some operations, it is also a vehicle that captures the imaginations of those who drive and work them daily, so we are delighted to be celebrating our 60th birthday by creating the most complex model in the TECHNIC range for Unimog enthusiasts to create and enjoy!"


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New BMW M5 Filmed on Track

More than 30 years after BMW slapped the iconic "M" badge on the deck lid of the first generation 5-series saloon (then called the M535i), the Bavarians continue to evolve the sports sedan concept with the introduction of the all-new 5th generation M5.
The new M5 won’t be going on sale Stateside before 2012, but BMW has released a new promotional video that takes us for a ride around the Laguna track.
The latest M5 is the first turbocharged model of the series fitted with a high-revving V8 engine capable of delivering 560-horsepower and 500 lb-ft of peak torque for 0 to 60 mph sprint time well under 4.5 seconds.


VIDEO




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Ferrari 458 Italia Xbox 360 Steering Wheel Brings Maranello Magic to your Playroom

Chances are most of us will never have the opportunity to drive, let alone own, a Ferrari 458 Italia. But a racing game for a gaming console like Microsoft’s Xbox 360, is certainly within the reach of most.
Even though you will have to do without the hand-stitched cream leather of the interior, the actual G’s squeezing your body in corners and, of course, the gorgeous bodywork, Thrustmaster wants to bring the 458 experience closer to with the Ferrari 458 Italia Racing Wheel for the Xbox 360.
Apart from being sanctioned by Ferrari itself, the 11-inch diameter steering wheel features a rubberized grip, built-in paddles and the Manettino dial for changing certain game settings. In other words, it gets as close to the real thing as possible, even offering progressive “Bungee Cord” resistance to the driver’s inputs.
The 458 steering wheel comes bundled with a pedal base that features a long-stroke accelerator pedal, a resistant brake pedal and a wide footrest.
Now, if you already own a Sony PS3 or a PC instead of Microsoft’s console and feel left-out of all the fun, Thrustmaster offers the TH8 RS gear shift, which also connects via USB to the PS3 and PC-compatible T500 RS steering wheel. It offers a sequential or a traditional H-pattern as well as a 360o rotation feature in order to customize it according to your preferences.
The 458 steering wheel and the TH8 RS gearshift are expected to reach U.S. stores in October with a suggested retail price of $180 and $90 respectively. So, ladies and gentlemen, you have plenty of time to fasten your seatbelts…


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Maserati Joins Forces with Fendi to Create GranCabrio Special

At the upcoming Frankfurt auto show, Maserati will display a new special edition version of its sleek GranCabrio designed by Italian fashion house Fendi, which is best known for its expensive "baguette" handbags.
The Fendi treatment starts with a unique three-layered body color named Grigio Fiamma Fendiand which is described by the automaker as a special dark grey with an iridescent golden finish on the surface. The yellow brake callipers and the Fendi logo on the 20-inch Trident design alloy wheels complete the exterior touches.
There's a lot more going on inside as the special edition of the GranCabrio is all dressed up in bespoke materials and colors.
For starters, there's the Pergamena Fendi wood trim that runs across the width of the dashboard, on the doors and on the top of the gear lever, while the seats, instrument cluster cover, the gear lever and the floor mat surrounds are covered in Fendi's high-quality Cuoio Romano leather.
The Italian design house's logos make their appearance on the headrests, rocker panels, on the dashboard, in front of the passenger seat, and on both sides of the black cloth folding top.
Fendi has also designed a Limited Edition Travel Set of luggage and accessories for the GranCabrio.
Power comes from the standard Maserati's 4.7-liter V8 engine coupled with an automatic transmission.

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Video: New BMW Z4 sDrive28i

Starting from this fall, the Z4 roadster will no longer be available in the States with BMW's venerable 3.0-liter normally aspirated straight-six. Instead, the Bavarian company will replace the sDrive30i with the sDrive28i that features the new N20 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger.

Just for the record, the Z4 sDrive35i and sDrive35is with 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engines will continue.
With 240 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at just 1,250 rpm, the N20 four-pot is less powerful but has more torque than the normally aspirated inline-six it replaces and which is rated at 255HP at 6,600 rpm and 220 lb-ft at 2,600 rpm.
And while we don’t have any reasons to doubt BMW's claims that the N20 is more responsive, lighter and fuel efficient than the classic straight-six, we're sure going to miss the German firm's trademark engine. 
Take a look at the video of the new Z4 sDrive28i with the N20 unit below. 

VIDEO



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GM Refuses to Repair 400,000 Chevrolet Impalas

On June 29, a woman named Donna Trusky filled a class-action lawsuit against General Motors in Detroit. The subject was a defect in the suspension rods of the 2007-2008MY Chevrolet Impala, which caused the tires to wear prematurely – in Trusky’s case, after only 6,000 miles. As it turns out, GM had warned police departments about the issue and fixed the defective rods, but it did not do the same on the civilian cars.
General Motors seeks to dismiss the lawsuit, which could cost it millions of dollars as it potentially affects more than 400,000 cars. The company's argument is that the warranty claim was honored by its predecessor, General Motors Corp, which is now called Motors Liquidation Co – or “Old GM”, after its 2009 bankruptcy and the subsequent bailout by the US government.
The “New GM”, the company claims, didn’t assume responsibility to recall the Impala, only to make repair “subject to conditions and limitations stated in express written warranties”.
In other words, the “New GM” says that Trusky is after the wrong company: the one she should be after is the now bankrupt “Old GM”. This argument held in court earlier this year in a case about the OnStar navigation system.
John Penn, former president of the American Bankruptcy Institute and currently a partner at Haynes and Boon in Texas, comments: “The question of successor liability is common for companies that go through bankruptcy.” He is also not surprised by Trusky’s predicament: “This type of issue was widely discussed during GM’s bankruptcy. The court will need to evaluate the claims to see if they fit within any cubbyhole of liability that New GM assumed”.

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