Author: Martin D'Anjou

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Honda Makes Way for the New

Honda will begin its presentation of novelties with the CR-Z sport hybrid coupe. As it nears its debut on the market, this 409-cm long prototype is 95% ready to be put into production. The finished product may be ready in time for the Detroit Auto Show in January.

The CR-Z comes with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, coupled with an IMA hybrid motor and a six-speed manual transmission. It is set to hit the Japanese market in February and then America shortly afterwards.


The Skydeck is a six-passenger hybrid minivan. Truly still a concept, since it is far away from being put into production, the Skydeck represents Honda’s futuristic vision of transporting several passengers.

Equipped with three doors, the Skydeck is smaller than the current Honda Odyssey. It is equipped with a new generation of the Honda hybrid IMA system.

Finally, the EV-N is a small electric car for the city, inspired by the N360 of the 1960s.

The EV-N is powered by a lithium-ion technology. It also unveils a new technology by Honda called HELLO, which is a two-way communication system.

 

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Subaru’s New Hybrid

The Subaru Hybrid Tourer will officially be unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show in a few weeks.

The Japanese brand described the four-passenger prototype as a new proposition for the future.
A four-wheel drive, 2-litre direct injection turbo engine and an unconventional two-motor hybrid with lithium-ion battery pack are on the menu for the Hybrid Tourer.
Subaru has not yet revealed details on the hybrid’s fuel consumption. The fact that each motor is responsible for running two wheels could equate to increased fuel economy.

 

 

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Mazda Unveils New Motors

Another Japanese automaker is now entering the hybrid engine race.  Mazda has introduced the SKY family of energy efficient motors.

The new engines will be on the market in 2011.  Mazda announced that the SKY range would be approximately 30% less expensive than current engines.  The SKY line consumes less fuel and delivers more power, says the Asian carmaker.

Several engines are offered.  The SKY-G, for example, is a gasoline engine that will be offered in 1.3 to 2-litre versions.  This engine will be 15% cheaper than other engines in its class.  The SKY-D version is a diesel engine that will be 20% cheaper.

In both cases, Mazda announced that the engines will be paired with a new six-speed automatic system called SKY Drive.

The official unveiling of the new SKY line will take place at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Show.

 

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Land Rover Puts the LRX into Production

Presented at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, the LRX Concept appeared as a mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Land Rover has just announced that it will be going through with production of the concept, which will go on sale in 2011. The LRX will contend with the Audi Q5, BMW X5 and others, like the Mercedes-Benz GLK.

During its unveiling, the LRX’s dimensions were listed as 4.35-metres long and 1.55-metres tall. At the time, Land Rover was planning to construct its new SUV on a Volvo platform, while the two brands were under Ford’s control. Since then, Land Rover has been sold to the Indian company Tata, though no technical details have been disclosed.

However, some drastic changes in design aspects are being anticipated, such as the doors, which are being revamped for production.

 

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Mercedes-Benz Gets Electric

Wilfried Steffan of Mercedes UK revealed during
an interview with Auto Express that new types of cars will soon be offered to their clientele.  He said, “It won’t be long before you see a Mercedes that offers all three forms of propulsion. That’s electric, hybrid-electric and fuel only.” 

Last January, at the Detroit Auto Show, Mercedes presented the B-Zero concept, which is expected to reach the market in 2011.  The hybrid can run solely on electricity for 100 kilometres.

According to the magazine, Mercedes could make the car even more economical by integrating a high performance diesel engine, although the brand has not confirmed intentions as such.

 

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The Corvette Goes Retro

With the success of several other car models that feature references to the past, General Motors is considering adding nostalgic elements to the next Chevrolet Corvette.

In an interview with Inside Line, the head of GM design, Ed Welburn, referred to the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray as the inspiration for the future model.

Welburn, who brought us the new Camaro, was also inspired by the muscle cars of the 1970s, and the future Corvette even made an appearance in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.  "That car is not the next Corvette," said Welburn. "But the split window is something that I expect for the next Corvette."

Welburn added, "With the back-up cameras and blind-spot detection systems that we have these days, the visibility issue is much less of a problem."

The particular body style of the rear of the Corvette Sting Ray was only manufactured for one year.  In 1964, the automaker abandoned the original idea.

 

 

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Chrysler Swaps Paper Manuals for DVDs

In order to avoid using 930 tons of paper per year, Chrysler Group will be offering an informational DVD to its future customers in addition to hard copy of an abridged owner’s guide.

For the American manufacturer, this measure is expected to translate to significant economic savings. A complete owner’s manual generally requires up to 500 pages.

The change will gradually be applied on new 2010 models, and the DVDs will be accessible at home or in certain multimedia systems that come equipped in Chrysler vehicles. The information will include details on warranties, 24-hour roadside assistance, and all other information pertaining to the vehicles. An abridged 60- to 80-page guide will also be offered.

However, owners who wish to receive a complete owner’s manual in paper can do so upon request.

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Hyundai Unveils the 2010 Sonata

The 2010 Sonata sedan is now on sale in Asia, backed with an array of aesthetic and mechanical improvements.

The 2010 Sonata will be available in Canada beginning in 2010. Production of the new Sonata is currently underway at Hyundai’s Alabama plant.

This sixth-generation Sonata is the result of 372 million dollars pumped into research and development over four years.

According to preliminary information, the North American base model will come equipped with a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder direct injection engine. An all new six-speed automatic transmission is also on the menu.

The Korean version is packed with plenty of gadgets, including a Parking Guide System, panoramic sunroof, navigation system, an anti-theft tracking system, heated seats, a JBL audio system and six airbags.

 

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The Mazda2 Coming Soon

The Mazda2, a small 5-door hatchback, will be imported this summer in time to roll out of the dealerships in the fall.

Smaller than the Mazda3, the newcomer is set to compete with the Toyota Yaris, the Honda Fit, the Chevrolet Aveo and other popular sub-compact vehicles that eco-savvy consumers are after.

The Mazda2 shares the same platform as its big sister, the Mazda3. The Mazda2 hit the European and Japanese market in 2007, and won the title of World Car of the Year in 2008.

When it arrives in North America, the Mazda2 will come with a slightly new look, including a redesigned grille.

With its four-cylinder 1.5-litre engine, the city slicker will deliver around 103 horsepower. Official details and specifications will be announced during the Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

 

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Optismism at Fiat-Chrysler

Sergio Marchionne, the company’s chairman, revealed that Fiat-Chrysler plans to sell between 5.5 and 6 million vehicles each year.

Marchionne revealed his thoughts at the Frankfurt Auto Show.  Currently, the carmaker sells roughly 4.2 million cars per year, but for Marchionne, if the company is to survive, it must increase that number to 5.5 million.

The president also said that the company’s restructuring was slower and more difficult than he thought it would be.  However, he sees some significant improvements in store for 2010.

In November, a new five-year business plan will be unveiled, with Fiat expected to invest more money into the American manufacturer, which emerged from bankruptcy last June.