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December 2011

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Ford Fiesta SUV Concept

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We’ve seen early prototypes and heard rumours of a Ford Fiesta-based SUV but now we’ve got our first look at how the new model is shaping up thanks to this teaser shot.
The picture reveals a model thought to be called the EcoSport Concept that will be unveiled at the New Delhi Auto Show in January. Its world debut in India is no surprise as Ford is planning on making it only the second of its models available there.
As part of the ‘One Ford’ strategy, which sees almost identical cars sold the world over – much like the most recent Focus – the EcoSport will be the same in India as it is when it reaches Europe in late 2012. Expect to see a higher level of standard specification for European models though.
Judging by this teaser, much of the styling is inspired by the Vertrek concept seen at January’s Detroit expo. It gets the same multi-layered headlights, sculpted bonnet and lowered roofline.
There will also be a wide range of petrol and diesel engines. The petrol line-up will include two versions of the firm’s efficient EcoBoost turbo engines: a new three-cylinder 90bhp 1.0-litre unit, and the powerful 1.6-litre from the bigger Focus.
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New Nissan Pathfinder

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This is our best look yet at the new Nissan Pathfinder, which has been teased in this shadowy silhouette ahead of its unveiling at the Detroit Motor Show in January.

As you can just about make out from this image, it gets a far more sweeping look than before. Nissan says the flagship 4×4 “takes all of the Pathfinder’s traditional SUV hallmarks and wraps them in a new platform and dramatic new aerodynamic body”.

That means the new Pathfinder will swap its traditional ladder frame chassis – where the body is bolted to a seprate ladder frame – for a more modern monocoque chassis, where the body and chassis are one.

Together with a more stylish look, the new Pathfinder should be a far more upmarket and refined SUV, able to act as a cut-price Land Rover Discovery rival. It will have seven seats, a much higher quality cabin and is likely to get a powerful diesel for the UK, in addition to plenty of off-road ability.

We’ll learn more about the new 4×4 early in 2012, but an on-sale date of the summer is likely with a starting price tag of around £32,000.

 

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Audi A1 quattro

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With concepts like the 501bhp Clubsport quattro, Audi has always hinted at producing a high-performance version of the A1. So we were patiently waiting for the S1 to arrive when the German firm revealed this, the Audi A1 quattro.

It’s not the S1 we were expecting and nor is it the extreme RS1 but, instead, it seems to sit somewhere between the two. Power comes from the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine found in the S3, which produces 252bhp. Combined with four-wheel drive and a low kerbweight, the A1 quattro can sprint from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds.

According to our German sources, the A1 quattro only comes in the Clubsport quattro-inspired trim you see here. That includes the stylish alloys, white metallic paint, black roof and large rear spoiler. There’s no word on changes to the interior but expect high quality materials like carbon fibre, Alcantara and aluminium to feature.

For the time being the A1 quattro seems to be just a small limited-run model, produced in left-hand drive only to see if people will be willing to buy an RS1 model should it eventually go into full-scale production. An Audi insider told us a decision will be made in January as to whether right-hand-drive models will be built at all.

The latest reports suggest the A1 quattro will cost around £40,000 and will be available from the middle of 2012. The S1, with around 220bhp, will follow in the middle of 2013.

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Kia Ray EV

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Kia has revealed its first electric car, the Ray EV, based closely on the petrol-powered Ray which went on sale in Korea last month. The zero-emissions city car can travel 86 miles on a single charge and takes six hours to top up the batteries from a standard socket.

Power from the 68bhp electric motor is sent to the front wheels through a single speed gearbox. Weighing 187kg more that the petrol model, but with 167Nm of torque from zero rpm, the Ray EV covers 0-62mph in 15.9 seconds and hits a top speed of 81mph.

Inside, it features a sat-nav system optimised for EVs. The seven-inch screen provides information on the location of charging stations and a circular outline on the map showing the maximum possible range. A unique instrument cluster shows remaining range and battery status.

To warn pedestrians when it’s approaching, the Ray EV is fitted with a Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS). At speeds below 12mph, and when in reverse, it emits a soundtrack recorded from a petrol-powered car.

During 2012 Kia will build 2,500 Ray EVs, which will be provided to Government departments and public offices as part of a long-term research project into electric cars. There are no current plans to bring the boxy EV to the UK, although the lessons learned here will influence all Kia’s future electric vehicles.

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Ferrari President Luca Di Montezemolo Wants To Be President Of Italy

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Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is a very ambitious man. So ambitious, in fact, that he wants to trade in his Ferrari presidency for another of its kind, albeit on a much larger scale.

In an open letter he sent to Italiafutura, a liberal-centrist think-tank that he himself formed in 2009, Montezemolo finally pulled the cat out of the bag, declaring his intention to run for the highest seat in all of Italy in 2013.

In the letter, Montezemolo wrote: “Italiafutura, with its 40,000 members will be actively engaged in 2012 to try and change politics in Italy. The Second Republic has failed. When the Italian voters return to the polls, they must be offered a whole series of new ideas and new leaders in the elections, so that they can turn their backs on what has been a period of total failure in Italian politics.”

It’s no secret that Italian politics have, in fact, been a complete mess in the past couple of years, punctuated by the blackest of black eyes when former president, Silvio Berlusconni, resigned amid growing accusations of being involved in numerous scandals that completely undermined his position as the Italian president.

We don’t know the schematics on the political climate in Italy, but considering that Montezemolo has made his intentions clear of seeking the highest seat in the land, we’d venture a guess that it’s a lot more complicated than what we think.

The question now is, will he win?

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Top Gear Awards 2011: cabrio of the year

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Most of the Ferrari 458 Spider was not a surprise. We knew it’d be gloriously noisy, with that 4.5-litre V8 searing its way to 9,000rpm, slicing open aural nerves and dipping the ends in sonic salt. We knew it would be fast and dynamic, with a mid-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive, 568bhp and Ferrari voodoo sprinkled over the vital mechanical bones. We assumed that, shorn of its roof, it might well be a bit bloody intense. And we were right. It is all of those things.

But we weren’t prepared for being quite so enamoured with the assimilation – roof up or down – of the retractable hard-top. And we were joyfully surprised by the ability of the Spider to ape the Coupe’s dynamics, its complete understanding of what elevates a mid-engined supercar from the merely good to the definitively great. Not perfectly: it will shudder slightly over rough surfaces, and you lose the ability to peruse the seminal engine through a transparent cover. But these are small things when you realise this is the first time you should be considering the Spider variant over the Coupe. It really is that good. A no-compromise convertible? It’s real. It’s here. It’s the Ferrari 458 Spider.

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Winter Driving Tips

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The leading cause of death during winter storms is transportation accidents. Preparing your vehicle for the winter season and knowing how to react if stranded or lost on the road are the keys to safe winter driving.

Before Heading for Snow Country:

  • Make sure your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust system are in top condition.
  • Check your antifreeze and be ready for colder temperatures. You may want to add special solvent to your windshield washer reservoir to prevent icing.
  • Check your tires. Make sure they are properly inflated and the tread is in good condition.
  • Always carry chains. Make sure they are the proper size for your tires and are in working order. Carry a flashlight and chain repair links. Chains must be installed on the drive wheels. Make sure you know if your vehicle is front or rear wheel drive.
  • Other suggested items to carry in your car are an ice scraper or commercial deicer, a broom for brushing snow off your car, a shovel to free your car if it’s “snowed in,” sand or burlap for traction if your wheels should become mired in snow; First Aid kit; and an old towel to clean your hands.
  • It is also a good idea to take along water, food, warm blankets and extra clothing. A lengthy delay will make you glad you have them.
  • Put an extra car key in your pocket. A number of motorists have locked themselves out of their cars when putting on chains and at ski areas.
  • Allow enough time. Trips to the mountains can take longer during winter than other times of year, especially if you encounter storm conditions or icy roads. Get an early start and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
  • Keep your gas tank full. It may be necessary to change routes or turn back during a bad storm or you may be caught in a traffic delay.
  • Keep windshield and windows clear. You may want to stop at a safe turnout to use a snow or, ice or scraper. Use the car defroster and a clean cloth to keep the windows free of fog.
  • Slow down. A highway speed of 55 miles an hour may be safe in dry weather – but an invitation for trouble on snow and ice. Snow and ice make stopping distances much longer, so keep your seat belt buckled and leave more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Bridge decks and shady spots can be icy when other areas are not. Remember to avoid sudden stops and quick direction changes.
  • Be more observant. Visibility is often limited in winter by weather conditions. Slow down and watch for other vehicles and for snow equipment.
  • Even though snow removal vehicles have flashing lights, visibility may be so restricted during a storm that it is difficult to see the slow moving equipment.
  • When stalled, stay with your vehicle and try to conserve fuel while maintaining warmth. Be alert to any possible exhaust or monoxide problems.

Drive safely!

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Most Stolen Cars

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The Highway Loss Data Institute has updated its list of the most popular (and least popular) U.S. cars for thieves to steal.

The most stolen cars are:

 

  • All four versions of the Cadillac Escalade (10.6 are stolen per every 1,000 cars on the road)
  • Ford F-250 crew 4WD (9.7 are stolen for every 1,000 cars on the road)
  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew (9.2 stolen per 1,000)
  • Ford F-450 crew 4WD (7.9 stolen per 1,000)
  • GMC Sierra 1500 crew (7.3 stolen per 1,000)
  • Chrysler 300 (7.1 stolen per 1,000)
  • Ford F-350 crew 4WD (7 stolen per 1,000)
  • Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 (6.4 stolen per 1,000)
  • GMC Yukon (6.4 stolen per 1,000)
  • Chrysler 300 HEMI (6.3 stolen per 1,000)On the opposite end of the spectrum, some luxury vehicles are among the least likely to be stolen:
  • Audi A6 4WD (0.5 are stolen for every 1,000 cars)
  • Mercury Mariner (0.5 stolen per 1,000)
  • Chevrolet Equinox (0.6 stolen per 1,000)
  • Volkswagen CC (0.6 stolen per 1,000)
  • Chevrolet Equinox 4WD (0.6 stolen per 1,000)
  • Lexus RX 350 (0.6 stolen per 1,000)
  • Saturn VUE (0.6 stolen per 1,000)
  • Chevrolet Aveo (0.6 stolen per 1,000)
  • BMW 5 series 4WD (0.7 stolen per 1,000)
  • Mini Cooper Clubman (0.7 stolen per 1,000)The data come from insurers representing about 80 percent of the market for privately insured vehicles. Thefts of cars that aren’t insured or are insured by nonreporting companies are not included.
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How To Save Gas

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Gas prices are on the rise. Here are some tips to help you conserve gas and save money as we approach summer gas prices.

1. Keep your car tuned up. Cars in poor running condition use more gasoline.

2. Plan trips well to avoid unnecessary driving.

3. When you run your air conditioner you get much worse gas mileage. Use your air conditioner sparingly. If you have a lower setting, use it. Turn it on until the car gets cool, then turn it off and let the fan circulate the cool air. Never run your air conditioner with your windows open!

4. Keep your windows closed when traveling at high speeds. Open windows cause additional drag and lower your gas mileage. At high speeds, an open window can use more gas than many air conditioners (especially if they are on a low setting).

5. Check your tire pressure. Over-inflated tires can actually reduce your fuel efficiency, so don’t overfill.

6. If at all possible, change your work start time to avoid gridlock. Stop and go traffic hurts your gas mileage.

7. Take unneeded items out of the car. You don’t need to carry snow chains around with you in the summertime. Just make sure to put them back in when winter comes around.

8. Try not to idle your engine for long periods of time. If you are stuck in traffic and you don’t think you are going to go anywhere in the next five minutes, you may want to turn your car off.

9. You no longer need to warm your car up for long periods of time, especially new cars. New cars are made to run when cold.

10. Don’t travel at fast speeds in low gears unless you need the compression to slow down.

11. Try to drive the speed limit.

12. Try to accelerate slowly when leaving the stop light. It’s not a competition with the driver in the lane next to you. The fastest person through the intersection just gets to spend more on gas.

13. No need to buy the highest priced gasoline. Most cars are built to run on regular unleaded. Check you owners manual or consult a mechanic. I have had many tell me that the more expensive gas is a waste of money.

14. Revving the engine needlessly wastes gas. There is no need to rev before you turn your vehicle off.

15. If at all possible, try to arrange car pools with co-workers to share the cost of commuting to work.

16. Walk, bike or run to your intended location whenever possible.

17. When the price is sky high, don’t fill up. Wait for the price to go down before you fill up your tank. Filling up your tank when the price is peaking lets gas companies know that you are willing to pay ridiculous prices for gasoline.

18. And last, the biggest and most important step towards saving money on gas is always try to purchase vehicles that get good gas mileage. The difference between 20 miles-per-gallon and 40 miles-per-gallon is huge.

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Mercedes E300 BlueTEC HYBRID

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This is the Mercedes E-Class E300 BlueTEC HYBRID – not only the most efficient E-Class ever but the most efficient large executive car in its class too.

Making its worldwide debut at the Detroit Motor Show next month and going on sale in the UK in the summer, it features a 201bhp 2.1-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine boosted by a 20kW electric motor.

Together with a lithium-ion battery pack, it can return 67.3mpg and emit just 109g/km – by comparison the current class leader, the non-hybrid BMW 520d Efficient Dynamics, does 62.8mpg and 119g/km.

However, while the 520d ED costs £30,435, the E300 BlueTEC HYBRID is likely to cost around £40,000. No acceleration figures are available yet but expect a 0-60mph time of around seven seconds.

The hybrid features stop-start and a ‘sailing mode’, whereby the engine is switched off when up to cruising speed on the motorway, allowing the electric motor to silently power the car. Available as a saloon and an estate, the installation hybrid pack is so compact that there’s no impact on boot space at all.

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