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

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

An international spiral has vandalized Picasso's paintings

Among the questions raised by yesterday's theft of Picasso's work from the National Gallery, the possible involvement of robbers with an international network that "specializes" in specific thefts are also reasonable.

Since the theft of important works of art has increased worldwide—as has the demand for specific paintings and signatures—it is only natural that suspicions turn to the international milieu.. Suffice it to say that just last summer the thief of the famous "Woman's Head" - by tragic coincidence the painting stolen from the Gallery is titled "Woman's Head" - that was stolen from a San Francisco gallery was arrested.

It should be noted that the perpetrator who was released after his arrest posted bail 5 millions of dollars without anyone ever questioning their origin! Equally paradoxical was the attempt made to disassociate the name of the robber in question from an international network of art smugglers.

Two years before the San Francisco robbery there had also been a major robbery at the Picasso Museum, noon day, by two armed robbers. The robbers had then escaped with two large ones, expensive and valuable Picasso works under dispute, the: “The painter and the model” (1963) and “Minotaur, drinker and women” (1933) as well as a pad with drawings by the Spanish painter. Suffice it to note that the Picasso Museum is located in the bustling Marais area of ​​Paris, in narrow and difficult alleys - which are not suitable for such escapes.

However, the biggest heist of Picasso's works, had noted the 1993 from the Stockholm Museum of Modern Art,  where they had, among others, eight are stolen (;) works by Picasso and one by the French cubist Georges Braque, value 40 million dollars. Some of them were found, some others remain unclaimed, like so many others bearing the signature of the famous Spanish artist. Be that as it may, in times of crisis, Picasso's name remains high on the international art market, and it is natural that it is at the center of experienced - and not only - art robbers.

The scenarios that the Police are considering

From their side, the security police have come up with two possible scenarios for what really happened in the early hours of yesterday at the National Gallery. Given that the perpetrators "struck" in just seven minutes, they knew details and possibly even had insider information about the big job, these lead to the conclusion that they are professional burglars who have been planning the trick for a long time.

Absolutely valid information states that the first scenario wants:

–    The perpetrators are members of an international ring, "bad works of art", who after stealing the paintings, they dump them on the black market. After all, all over the world and especially in Russia, China and America there are avid collectors who would pay a lot of money to acquire a Picasso, even through underground black market connections.

"We have already informed the international security authorities about this particular one and the other two that took flight", stresses to protothema.gr a ​​police officer dealing with the case and adds: “Indeed, we are trying through informants to find out if there is specific information on the specific paintings in the black markets of art".

–    The theft was made to order. That is, a collector made a deal with mice for a large sum to enter the National Gallery and disappear the works. In this case, the work of the Police is more difficult, as the three stolen paintings and especially the only Picasso that existed in Greece will not go under the hammer.

Either scenario is ultimately verified, The work of the Police is particularly difficult, as the perpetrators left little traces behind them…

Source : protothema.gr

An international spiral has vandalized Picasso's paintings

Among the questions raised by yesterday's theft of Picasso's work from the National Gallery, the possible involvement of robbers with an international network that "specializes" in specific thefts are also reasonable.

Since the theft of important works of art has increased worldwide—as has the demand for specific paintings and signatures—it is only natural that suspicions turn to the international milieu.. Suffice it to say that just last summer the thief of the famous "Woman's Head" - by tragic coincidence the painting stolen from the Gallery is titled "Woman's Head" - that was stolen from a San Francisco gallery was arrested.

It should be noted that the perpetrator who was released after his arrest posted bail 5 millions of dollars without anyone ever questioning their origin! Equally paradoxical was the attempt made to disassociate the name of the robber in question from an international network of art smugglers.

Two years before the San Francisco robbery there had also been a major robbery at the Picasso Museum, noon day, by two armed robbers. The robbers had then escaped with two large ones, expensive and valuable Picasso works under dispute, the: “The painter and the model” (1963) and “Minotaur, drinker and women” (1933) as well as a pad with drawings by the Spanish painter. Suffice it to note that the Picasso Museum is located in the bustling Marais area of ​​Paris, in narrow and difficult alleys - which are not suitable for such escapes.

However, the biggest heist of Picasso's works, had noted the 1993 from the Stockholm Museum of Modern Art,  where they had, among others, eight are stolen (;) works by Picasso and one by the French cubist Georges Braque, value 40 million dollars. Some of them were found, some others remain unclaimed, like so many others bearing the signature of the famous Spanish artist. Be that as it may, in times of crisis, Picasso's name remains high on the international art market, and it is natural that it is at the center of experienced - and not only - art robbers.

The scenarios that the Police are considering

From their side, the security police have come up with two possible scenarios for what really happened in the early hours of yesterday at the National Gallery. Given that the perpetrators "struck" in just seven minutes, they knew details and possibly even had insider information about the big job, these lead to the conclusion that they are professional burglars who have been planning the trick for a long time.

Absolutely valid information states that the first scenario wants:

–    The perpetrators are members of an international ring, "bad works of art", who after stealing the paintings, they dump them on the black market. After all, all over the world and especially in Russia, China and America there are avid collectors who would pay a lot of money to acquire a Picasso, even through underground black market connections.

"We have already informed the international security authorities about this particular one and the other two that took flight", stresses to protothema.gr a ​​police officer dealing with the case and adds: “Indeed, we are trying through informants to find out if there is specific information on the specific paintings in the black markets of art".

–    The theft was made to order. That is, a collector made a deal with mice for a large sum to enter the National Gallery and disappear the works. In this case, the work of the Police is more difficult, as the three stolen paintings and especially the only Picasso that existed in Greece will not go under the hammer.

Either scenario is ultimately verified, The work of the Police is particularly difficult, as the perpetrators left little traces behind them…

Source : protothema.gr

The most expensive photo in the world

Reading this title, you would definitely expect to see something impressive and original (ate famous nude). And yet things are a little different…
You will tell me, what everyone considers art and point of view is completely subjective and vague. However, it is a bit difficult to digest how -and officially- moreexpensive photo of all time is just a beautiful and well-balanced photo of the river Rhine.
Yes, his photoAndreas Gursky with Title "Rhine II”Was sold by Christie’s auction house in New York for $4,3 millions or to be exact against$4,338,500 (the previous photo record had cost $3,9 million).The owner who bought it, if nothing else serene, The work of art is from Germany and for obvious reasons remained anonymous. The impressions are yours.
By Aris Vourvoulias
Source : pkool.gr

Ava Galanopoulou – Bessie Malpha :"Infidelity is charged to both"

Shortly before they met again on the stage of the Lambeti Theater, in the political review Long live Greek children, they are photographed together for OK! and they talk about marriage and infidelity.
You would forgive infidelity;
Ava: I don't believe in ownership. I had been cheated on in the past and I knew it. I had been told by my partner that he would stay at home, but my instincts told me that he was cheating on me. The next day we went out to eat and I told him: “Because I know you cheated on me, if you admit to me that you did it you will be a jerk. If you lie to me, we will break up". He makes the mistake and tells me the truth. So I get up too and leave and I had him running after me and yelling at me: “You're not okay. You said if I admit it you'll forgive me"! We have remained friends with this particular person.
Bessie: One is not led to infidelity alone. For me it is charged to both, that's why I have to forgive two people. I have not realized that I have been cheated, but it's not something I'm even looking for, because I'm not jealous.
That is, if your husband Gerasimos Skiadaresis told you he cheated on you would you forgive him;
Bessie: I might have lowered the notes of my voice a bit and spoken to him in the "Epidaurian" voice I use when I argue with my son, I wish I had kept his face for a while. What unites two people cannot be broken on the whim of a moment. The important are far more powerful than the unimportant, therefore infidelity should not be treated as a monstrous act that will define your life, but as an event.
Ava, why are you not married yet?;
(He chokes and knocks on wood). Oh bye bye! I'm sorry that some people think that way, because marriage is something completely temporary. Man has fought for years to maintain his freedom. What they do next and get stuck in a marriage; Most married people are deeply unhappy or lead double – if not triple – lives. Marriage in our time is completely passé. Even the "forever" they used to say, once upon a time it made sense because back then people died in their forties.
Bessie, you agree that marriage traps people;
Ava may be right, but my own life proves otherwise. It depends on how one understands the concept of freedom. For me the most important freedom is the freedom of the spirit and I consider that I have it secured.
More on OK! which circulates.
Source : yupi.gr

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