First Look Ford B-Max

First Look Ford B-Max

First Look Ford B-Max

By removing the B-pillar on its B-Max microvan, Ford not only widened the entryway into its new people-mover, but also hopes the innovation will help Ford widen the distance between itself and the competition in the European-market microvan space. The B-Max making its world debut at the Geneva show is serving as a showcase of the versatility of Ford's B-segment platform, which underpins the new Fiesta.
The B-Max's pillarless construction, combined with the twin sliding doors a la the Mazda5, offers an opening that's nearly 5 feet wide when the traditional front doors are open and the rear doors are slid fully back. According to Ford, that's around twice the size offered by the competition, making it easier to strap in child seats, and easier for full-size adults to get to the back row without convoluted gymnastics. And the best part is, the pillarless design is production-ready - it's clear Ford intends to use it.
The B-Max is built off the same chassis as the Fiesta. It's about 4 inches longer than the Fiesta hatchback and a foot shorter than the C-Max crossover currently on its way to the U.S. Ford is aiming the B-Max at the urban dweller who finds the S-Max too large but still wants similar interior space and packaging.
"With the B-Max we set out to create a vehicle that captures the spirit of a smaller S-Max," Martin Smith, Ford of Europe's executive design director, said in a statement. "We wanted to show that a small car could be very spacious and practical inside, while still having the sleek, dynamic appearance that has made the S-Max so popular." Ford says the B-Max can swallow objects nearly 8 feet long when the front passenger seat and the 60/40 split rear row seats are folded down. Finally, with more than 4 inches of additional headroom compared with the Fiesta, drivers get a more commanding view of the road.

 First Look Ford B-Max

First Look Ford B-Max

 

First Look Ford B-Max

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini has always been known for building hairy-chest-pounding, unapologetic supercars. The kind of cars that make enthusiasts tingle and environmentalists draw on posterboard with big black markers. It was a bit of a shock when Lamborghini recently announced an initiative to increase the efficiency of its Raging Bulls, and fans of Sant' Agata's creations cringed at the thought of smaller, less-powerful cars. Well, they can put their fears to rest, because the new Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador is as monstrous as any Lambo in history -- and it's more efficient to boot.
The Aventador follows the traditions of the Countach, first produced in 1974. The body is sculpted around the passenger compartment, with the longitudinally mounted 6.5-liter 690-horsepower naturally aspirated V-12 situated in the middle. The look is modern and aerodynamic, but still purely Lamborghini. Driver and passenger enter through scissor doors and the optional clear engine cover allows owners to show off the heart of the beast. The roofline is sculpted to allow for maximum headroom for passengers while tying in the character lines on the hood and minimizing the aerodynamic frontal area. Mechanically operated side intakes are carried over from the Murcielago, allowing air flow to be adjusted based on the engine's current needs.
6.5-Liter 12-Piston Heart
The clean sheet, aluminum block V-12 features direct injection, variable valve timing, four individual throttle bodies, dry sump lubrication, and an 11.8:1 compression ratio. The big engine has a screaming high 8250 RPM redline accomplished using lightweight internal components and a high bore-to-stroke ratio of 95mm and 76.4mm respectively. Maximum piston speeds have been reduced from almost 24 m/s at 8000 RPM, the Murcielago's redline, compared to 21 m/s at 8250 RPM at the Aventador's redline, resulting in fewer frictional losses. It also uses a new dry sump lubrication system that requires less power, provides better oil scavenging under high cornering loads, and decreases the size of the oil pan. The new system also allows the 518-pound engine to sit 2.36 inches lower in the car, reducing the center of gravity height.

 Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

 

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

After months of testing spy shots, teaser images, and a full-blown official Web release, we finally bring you live shots of the limited run Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package. And, oh yeah, it is coming to the US.
According to Lexus, no fewer than 15 units will arrive on American shores. Considering there will only be 50 units available in the world (out of 500 total LFAs), that’s a significant chunk headed to US dealers. Production of the Nurburgring package LFAs begins in 2012.
The edition is aimed at very well heeled buyers wanting an aggressive factory tuned and warranted, track-capable LFA. Or if said buyer just has enough dough and doesn’t really care for track prowess, it’s the edition that looks cooler, is ultra-rare, and is guaranteed to make your equally wealthy neighbor extremely jealous.
Slapping a Nurburgring label onto the LFA means that it gets a number of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) parts, including revised front splitter and canards, sculpted side sills, and a fixed rear wing. Ride height drops by 0.4-inches for a better center of gravity. Mesh forged magnesium BBS wheels wrapped in stickier Bridgestone rubber provide a Gorilla Glue grip on tarmac.
To compensate for the newfound downforce (which bumps up drag and cuts speed), engineers squeezed 10 more horses from the Formula 1-derived 4.8-liter V-10 engine. All 562 horsepower is routed through a six-speed auto-clutch manual transmission that now blips off shifts in 0.15-seconds.
Like the car itself, exterior paint options are quite limited; only matte black, black, white, and orange can be had, while inside, buyers can choose between black/red, black/purple, or black/black themes. Unfortunately for Yankee buyers, only European and Japanese-spec rides will get a carbon fiber center console, door panels, and a pair of Recaro buckets wrapped in plush Alcantara.

 Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

 

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package