All posts by IMichailidis

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Honda NSX : The return of the myth

This time it's not just a concept car. It is the final model and according to what Honda announced / Acura, the Acura Concept NSX which premiered at the Detroit Auto Show a few hours ago, will go into production by – at the latest- the 2015.
The Japanese car industry (for those who are confused let us clarify that Acura is nothing but Honda's US based subsidiary) has shown many experimental models over the years, which were rumored to replace the Honda / Acura NSX, which was manufactured by 1990 up to 2005. For some reason though, none of these concept cars made it to the production stage
This time, Nevertheless, Acura says the NSX concept seals the company's decision for the production model, which will debut within the next three years.
Just like the original model, so the new NSX will have a mid-mounted engine. The engine will be V6 naturally aspirated while Acura engineers have added Hybrid SH-AWD. This is a hybrid system that uses three electric motors and gives the car a four-wheel drive concept. Two of the three electric motors are mounted on each of the front wheels and provide the required torque during cornering for better traction results.
"This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make the NSX the ultimate expression of Acura's concept of creating a car that will help elevate the relationship between man and machine", said Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor.
“Like the first NSX, we will once again express high performance through engine performance", Ito added, who led the development of the first Acura NSX . “In this new era, we also focus on the enjoyable driving spirit of the NSX, while at the same time I believe that a supercar must meet modern environmental requirements.”
While in most supercars the reference point is the very high horsepower, the NSX Concept is an advocate of the genuine racing philosophy of an excellent power-to-weight ratio.
Using a drive unit with 2 electric motors (2 Electric Motor Drive Unit) with adaptive bi-directional torque control system, the new hybrid AWD system can directly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels when the vehicle turns. According to Honda's estimates it is superior to all previous AWD systems. Beyond the advantages of the excellent driving behavior of the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD®, a powerful next-generation VTEC® V-6 engine with direct injection will work with the dual-clutch transmission, which has a built-in electric motor, managing to combine acceleration befitting a supercar with excellent performance.
With the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, the NSX becomes the ultimate expression of "the collaboration between man and machine," added Ito. “The NSX will make the driver one with the car, promoting dynamic driving experience without unnecessary interference”.
Except for the new NSX Concept, Honda of America introduced the Accord Coupe Concept, which gives a first insight into the design direction of the ninth generation of the American Accord – it is expected to be released in the US in the fall 2012. This model is designed exclusively for the American market and is not intended for Europe.
Already in its second 25 years as a representative of Honda in the premium category, high performance luxury cars, Acura also introduced a concept version of the Acura ILX compact sedan and a prototype 2013 RDX crossover SUV.
The Acura ILX Concept is the harbinger of Acura's new luxury compact sedan set to launch this spring 2012. Intended to be the brand's introductory model, the ILX will be available with three engines, including Acura's first hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain.
Source : auto24.gr
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DAKAR RALLY : The Greeks who crossed the desert...

It may be that the traditional Dakar rally has left Africa, due to fear of terrorist attacks and has been going on for two years (this year's race in progress) in Argentina and Chile (this year also in Peru), however race from Paris to Dakar, as a revival of the original struggle, done and just finished. The Greeks of Palaskas/Zachariou also participated in it, who arrived in Dakar after 13 days.

They finished 34th overall, 26in the T1 category and 7th in the class 1.1. This performance could have been better, if it weren't for the misfortune of New Year's Eve (stuck in the sand along with approx 20 vehicles for many hours) and if the crew had more desert experience.
He won the match, for one more time, the experienced Jean-Louis Schlesser, with the buggy vehicle he has designed!

Termination was not such an easy task after all. The initially good appearance was followed by the New Year's adventure. Then the winds made the desert in Mauritania very difficult. They were forced to make repairs under unimaginable conditions, with a lot of wind and sandstorm. In the 9th special, the ball carriers broke and were forced to continue with two "simple" ones, whom they "married" with the sophisticated ends. The road was very bad, to the point of running the risk of abandoning the service car!
Hopefully next year with more luck.

Source : sport-fm.gr
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Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid…

Text by Dimitris Bali

A few days ago I wrote that Volvo will start within it 2012 sales in Europe of its first V60 plug-in hybrid. It has a diesel engine and an electric motor that is charged from a socket.

However, the Swedish brand that innovates in many areas, will present in a few days at the Detroit International Auto Show, a prototype application – yet very close to becoming a production model – in an SUV body.

It will be the third brand, after Porsche which has a hybrid Cayenne, and BMW with the ActiveHybrid X6, which will have a hybrid SUV, as is the XC60, but this one will stand out because it will also charge from an outlet.

Innovation

The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid has three operating modes. In Pure mode the vehicle only moves electrically with a range of approx 45 km. In Hybrid mode which is also the basic function of the vehicle, the petrol engine and the electric motor work together to offer normal driving pleasure with autonomy 960 km. – in this mode the average consumption is just 2,3 liters of petrol per 100 km. and carbon dioxide emissions 53 gr / km.

Not in Power mode, the arrangement of the joint operation of the two engines is such that it catapults the performances. The four-cylinder petrol engine of the 280 hp with torque 380 Nm, cooperates with their electric motor 70 hp with 200 Nm of torque, giving acceleration 6,1 sec. στα 0-100 km / h!

Briefly…

Recyclable parts, new engine, lighter and 35% more economical. Without conventional starter and voltage alternator. With complete starter and generator (ISG) which offers extra 45 hp on acceleration, while charging the battery under braking. The petrol engine drives the front axle and the electric motor drives the rear (four wheel drive).

The torque distribution on the two axles is adjusted with a switch. The battery is also at the back 12 kWh. It is fully charged from a 220V outlet 3,5 by Dimitra Papanastassopoulou is published by Dioptra Publications. If it is empty, in motion it is charged by the generator, by pressing the Save switch.

Source : sport-fm.gr
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The new VW E-Bugster Concept is impressive

Electric and with a very intense personality, Volkswagen's new E-Bugster midsize coupe concept shows the German brand's intentions to invest in something very special.
The increased interest of the Detroit auto show that is being held these days is expected to gather VW's E-Bugster concept. This is a special proposal from the German brand based on the new generation of the Beetle to create a car with a distinct personality.
The greatest interest is obviously found in the coupe finish of the roof of the model which is significantly lower than that of the regular New Beetle. Nouns, this sporty model is strongly reminiscent of the Ragster prototype presented by VW 6 years ago and never went into production. On the contrary, this new prototype we expect to see at some point in production as the sportiest version of the new "Scarab". As an original, of course, carries an electric power motor 116 horsepower and torque 270 Nm. Its battery is located at the rear end of the body and to charge in percentage 80% is needed 30 minutes.
Source : autotriti.gr
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New Dodge Dart: The American Giulietta!

Just 24 hours before its official premiere in Detroit, we reveal to you the new Dodge Dart, a "small" by the standards of the American sedan market based on the floor of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
To the point, this is the first product of the American Dodge to make its way to the production line and use as a basis a model of the "mother" Fiat, which, as known, now controls Chrysler's fortunes, which also includes Dodge. The new Dodge Dart is a small, for the lowlands of the opposite shore of the Atlantic, four-door family model, by the standards of the forgotten Chrysler Neon, with which the now-merged Chrysler/Fiat group hopes to increase its influence in the domestic market, where proven the… races are still on - along with the big SUVs of course- to fascinate the Americans by having a special commercial appeal. By design, simple lines are adopted, without exaggeration, extremes or sophisticated forms, just as was the case with Caliber, which effectively now hands over the baton to Dart. Beneath the metal surfaces of the car lies the familiar, but except, especially for the occasion, enlarged in its dimensions, Alfa Romeo Giulietta floor, from which it also borrows the architecture of its posts.
 For now, the official technical details of the car have not been announced, as all that has been leaked are the photos we are listing for you. Sure, given our information so far, it is a given that the new Dart will be available with three petrol engine sets, two naturally aspirated and one turbocharged. Regarding the first, these are two engines of Chrysler's Tigershark generation, with capacity 2,0 and 2,4. The latter will integrate, according to all indications, the well-known Fiat MultiAir system, while its returns are rumored to be similar 160 and 184 horses. As for the supercharged one, it's about the familiar 1,4 MultiAir by Fiat, the performance of which will probably fluctuate around them 160 horsepower. It is worth adding that the Dart will initially be equipped with two gearbox options, a 6-speed manual and also a 6-speed dual-clutch, while later it will be available with a new automatic transmission 9 relations.
 Closing, to recall that with the new Dodge Dart the Fiat group managed to acquire an additional one 5% of Chrysler's stock, as with its presentation the condition set between the Italians and the American Environmental Protection Agency was reached and it concerned the construction of a car with an average fuel consumption of around 5,9 lit./100 km.

Source : 4troxoi.gr
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An excellent year 2011 for Rolls Royce

The demand for luxury cars is on the rise
The British car manufacturer Rolls-Royce, which belongs to the German BMW, sold more than ever before 2011, as the demand for luxury cars reached record highs last year, according to data released today.

Based on the data released by the company itself, the 2011 were sold 3.538 cars, increase by 31% compared to last year.

Most sales are for the luxury Ghost and Phantom models, the company emphasizes in its announcement, which characterizes last year as "excellent".

Sales of Rolls-Royce's luxury models increased particularly in Germany and Russia, where they were double and now the 2011.

Sales in the Asia-Pacific region increased by 47%, in Britain v 30% and in Middle Eastern countries vs 23%.

However, the US and Chinese markets remain the most important, underlines the British car industry in its announcement.

Source : newsbeast.gr
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WRC : Ostberg... 2012!

Mands Ostberg has renewed his collaboration with the Ford team for the next season. The Norwegian driver has been with the team since 2010, year he took part in two rounds.

However, this year started the year very strong, climbing the second step of the podium, in the opening match in the Sweden match. The 24-year-old driver finished in sixth place, winning 88 degrees.

«It is important to me that we continue the development, with a good program, a competitive car and with many chances to try for the best possible result», Ostberg said.

Source : sport-fm.gr