carsmodellist

Thursday, 7 July 2011

toyota camry

Toyota originally introduced a Camry running on compressed natural gas (CNG) back in 1999, but a limited refueling infrastructure (and cheap gas) meant demand for the model was low. Now that commuters are seeking alternative powertrains that save money at the pump, the automaker feels the market for such a vehicle is improving. Details on the new Camry are limited, but the concept combines an internal-combustion engine reworked to run on CNG with the company's signature hybrid system, which should yield excellent gas mileage with extremely low emissions. That said, some of the impediments to CNG from 1999 still exist today -- around 1000 refueling stations are sited nationwide, and just 500 are open to the public. Toyota hopes increasing the availability of CNG will highlight the need for more green infrastructure and provide a model for a future switch to hydrogen.

toyota camry

spyker c8 laviolette lm85

The C8 Laviolette LM85 is a mid-engine coupe featuring all-aluminum construction, a 4.2L V-8 sourced from Audi good for 400-hp, a manual six-speed gearbox (the Aileron is also available with an automatic), and impressive power-to-weight ration due to its extensive use of lightweight materials. With an exterior based on the Spyker's GT2 car, the LM85 includes several race-inspired features such as Burnt Almond Orange paint accented by large Gun Metal "S" logos, body color aluminum side mirrors, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, and GT2 windscreen streamer. In addition the car includes black alloy wheels, black AP Racing six-piston brake calipers, and optional LeMans sticker sets.
Spykers are known for their high-end interior appointments, and in this department the LM85 does not disappoint. Covered in black leather and alcantara offset by orange stitching, the car's instrument panel is made of aluminum, and buyers can select optional Chronoswiss dials and switches that match a complimentary Chronoswiss 24 Hours Pilot watch that comes with purchase. Matching the leather trim, each car also includes black floor mats made from fire-retardant material and finished with orange piping and an embroidered LM85 logo.
While the C8 Laviolette LM85 will come in both left and right-hand drive variants, a maximum total of just 24 will be made in all. Pricing has yet to be announced, but given that the more common C8 Aileron stickers for $313,175, don't expect a bargain.

spyker c8 laviolette lm85

spyker c8 laviolette lm85

mini e

After the Mini E makes its debut here in Los Angeles, 500 of the vehicles will be distributed to customers in California, New York, and New Jersey early next year as part of a pilot project to road-test the car. Select private and corporate customers will lease the cars for one year with the possibility of an extension, during which the Mini Es will be inspected every 3000 miles or six months. Powering the Mini E is a lithium-ion battery containing 5088 cells grouped into 48 modules that can store 35 kW-hrs of electricity and transmit up to 380 volts to the electric motor under maximum acceleration. The 201-hp electric motor is coupled to a single-speed gearbox driving the front wheels with 162 lb-ft of torque. Range is expected to be 150 miles or more.

mini e

mini e

lotus evora

The first new Lotus since the introduction of the Elise in 1995, the Evora is being billed by Lotus as the world's only mid-engine 2+2, but don't expect to be putting two adults in the back seats. The Evora is powered by a Toyota-sourced 3.5L V-6 massaged by Lotus to produce around 276 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque, which will more than likely move the Evora's 2976 lb with authority. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Lotus estimates the Evora will hit a max speed of about 160 mph, with the 0-60 mph sprint coming in under 5 sec. Lotus is also billing the Evora as one of its most comfortable and well-appointed models ever, with a cockpit designed to fit drivers up to 6 ft, 5 in. in height, along with numerous creature comforts and cabin appointments you don't normally find in Lotus's track-focused vehicles. The goal was to make Evora more of a daily driver than its other offerings.

lotus evora

kia borrego fcev

Kia says that the Borrego FCEV features a new hydrogen fuel cell with a 44% higher output than previous generations. The new fuel cell puts out an additional 47 hp, bringing total output up to 154 hp, or 115 kW. The fuel cell is coupled with a 450-volt, 100 kW supercapacitor that can put out 134 hp, and the whole vehicle is driven by a 147-hp electric motor. Kia says the system's 62% efficiency is the best in its class.
Thanks in part to a curb weight of just 4960 lb, the new-and-improved Borrego FCEV can now hit a top speed of 100 mph and will reach 60 mph from a standstill in 12.8 sec. According to Kia, the Borrego FCEV retains a power-to-weight ratio similar to that of gasoline-powered models. The Borrego FCEV can be equipped with two or three 10,000psi hydrogen tanks and boasts a range of 426 miles with three tanks. Kia estimates the fuel economy will be roughly equivalent to a combined average of 54 mpg.

kia borrego fcev

hyundai blue drive hybrid powertrain

Hyundai didn't bring a finished version of its upcoming Sonata Hybrid Blue Drive to the L.A. Auto Show as we thought it might, but it did bring a mockup of the hybrid system it will be using. Hyundai's proposed Blue Drive will be a parallel hybrid system utilizing lithium polymer battery power - technology that Hyundai claims will "leapfrog" currently produced nickel-metal hydride batteries by offering more than twice the energy density, 175% greater volumetric energy density, and 30% less weight. The batteries are also said to be more durable and cheaper to produce than lithium-ion batteries.
Hyundai's Blue Drive hybrid system is comprised of a 2.4L Theta II engine, six-speed automatic transmission, and a 30kW electric motor. As a full hybrid powertrain, vehicles using the system - such as the Sonata Hybrid - will be capable of running in either full gasoline, full electric, or combined modes. Start/stop technology will also be employed, while using electric power for steering and air conditioning compressor will help conserve the powertrain's energy.
The upcoming Sonata Hybrid should appeal to hybrid shoppers who can't stand the shape of the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight. With Ford claiming the 2010 Fusion Hybrid will achieve mileage at least 5 mpg better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Hyundai should at least match the Camry to compete with those midsize challengers as well as with the Nissan Altima Hybrid and Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The production version of the hybrid Hyundai will benefit from the improvements made as part of the Sonata's recent refresh.

hyundai blue drive hybrid powertrain

honda fc sport concept

Honda says the driving idea behind the design of the FC Sport Concept was to showcase the possibilities of an electrically driven supercar using a powerful electric motor, perfect weight distribution, and lightweight materials -- all while producing zero emissions. American Honda executive vice president John Mendel sums up the concept best: "The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum. People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love them in a hydrogen-powered future."
Passengers in the FC Sport sit in a triangular pattern, similar to that of the McLaren F1 supercar. The driver sits in the middle of the vehicle, much as does a race-car driver, while two passengers sit behind and to the sides. The fuel cell has been moved from between the driver and passenger seats in the FCX Clarity to between the rear-passenger seats in the FC Sport and is mounted as low as possible to give the car a low center of gravity. The battery pack is also mounted low and amidships, while the electric motor is mounted just ahead of the rear axle. Two hydrogen tanks, likely the same 5000psi units as used in the FCX Clarity, sit directly above the rear axle and cooling radiators for the fuel cell hide in the rear bodywork.Honda claims that when the source and conversion of hydrogen for fuel-cell vehicles are taken into account, the FCX Clarity is responsible for just one-third the well-to-wheel emissions of a gasoline-powered car and half the emissions of a good hybrid. The FC Sport is likely to have a greater range, as well as better performance, than the FCX Clarity, thanks to the extensive use of

honda fc sport concept

bentley azure t

Bentley has injected a dose of twin-turbocharged power and style to its Azure convertible in the form of its new Azure T. Take a closer look at the Azure T and you'll notice its striking resemblance to the recently announced Arnage Final Series edition, which itself has taken much inspiration from the new Brooklands coupe. While the car's commanding presence will no doubt attract longing glances from the huddled masses, it's the Azure T's powerplant that's guaranteed to make each of its four passengers smile. No changes were made to the Arnage T's signature 6.75L twin-turbo V-8 and as such, it still produces a stout 500 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque -- about 11% more power and 14% more torque than the standard model (450 hp, 645 lb-ft). The brute horsepower and so-called "Bentley wave of torque" send the hefty 5699-lb Azure T to 60 mph in an impressive 5.2 sec. But that's just the start of all the hairdo-hating fun. Engineers claim that, with the revised six-speed ZF gearbox, the most powerful Azure can attain a top speed of 179 mph.

bentley azure t

bentley azure t