2013 New Audi R8 with 550hp

Audi sharpens his supersport: Release the end of 2012 Audi R8 gets a facelift. The optical changes remain marginal, important innovations are a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the flagship R8 V10 plus. Its 5.2-liter ten-cylinder engine delivering 550 hp and maximum torque of 540 Newton meters at 6,500 rpm to. The sprints only available as a coupe R8 V10 Plus in combination with the S tronic in 3.5 seconds from zero to 100 kph and a top speed of 317 km / h As Audis consumption of 12.9 liters per 100 kilometers, with a manual transmission, there are two more liters.

In 3.6 seconds to 100
The other two engines - available for the Coupe and Spyder - remain as before. In the second, slightly weaker performance level of the V10 engine 525 hp and a maximum torque of 530 Newton meters is available. The Audi R8 V10 Coupe accelerates in 3.6 seconds with S tronic from zero to 100 km / h and up to 314 km / h. Acts as an introduction of the R8 with a 430-hp 4.2-liter V8. The maximum torque of 430 Newton meters at 4500-6000 rpm. The sprint from zero to 100 km / h, the Coupe done in combination with the dual-clutch transmission in 4.3 seconds, and acceleration continues at pace 300th The average consumption will be 12.4 liters.

For the first time with a double clutch transmission
In addition to the six-speed gearbox for the R8 is the first time, a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission available. In the ten-cylinder models is the newly developed S tronic as standard on board. Audi promises sporty, closely graded courses and a long last designed gear. About the selector lever in the center console and paddles allows the driver to change gears and independently. In addition to a sport mode can also be a Launch Control is activated, which brings about a button to start with increased starting speed and optimum tire slippage. Audi speaks of up to 22 grams less CO2 per kilometer - - except for reduced emissions could be reduced with the double clutch transmission, the sprint times from 0 to 100 km / h by up to three tenths of a second. The mid-engined R8 sports comes as standard with quattro all-wheel drive. Under normal driving conditions around 15 percent of the torque can be directed to the front axle. Begin spinning the rear wheels, a maximum of another 15 percent are sent to the front. At the rear of the R8 does a mechanical limited slip differential.

New front end with LED lights
From the outside, the R8 has been changed only with caution. The modified front section is identified by a new bumper, radiator grille with angled top corners now, differently shaped air intakes as well as the future standard LED headlights. Optionally, a front splitter made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), mounted on the R8 V10, plus it is always there. In the ten cylinders are the side blades exhibited more than the V8 and equipped with a special edge. There is a modified rear diffuser and new rear lights with LED technology. A special feature is the turn signal indicator with dynamized - its light passes from inside to outside in turning direction. The tail also adorns the new red and silver R8 logo. The exhaust system flows to all engine variants in two round, shiny tailpipes. These are held on the Audi R8 V10, plus black. The top model is exclusively available on request in a matt finish paint.

New R8 logo is also found inside
The optional multi-function sports leather steering wheel with flattened lower rim also helps the new R8 logo. It is also found on the selector lever or switch, the door sills, back in the instrument cluster and on the home screen of the monitor board. The sports seats are optional on the V8 engines in the V10 and set options as standard electric. Depending on the model are the covers from an Alcantara / leather combination or in Fine Nappa leather. As an extra bucket seats with more pronounced side bolsters are available.

Market launch of the revised Audi R8 end is 2012. Standard equipment on all models include a navigation system and a sound system from Bang & Olufsen. As an extra element, a high beam assistant, different complete sets, including a mobile phone preparation and voice control belt microphone and a parking aid with rearview camera are available.

Read More..

2013 New Honda CR V

Since its debut in 1995, the Honda CR-V is sold in over 160 countries over five million copies. On 3 November rolls manufactured in the UK fourth generation in the trade. The 2013 Honda CR-V appears more compact: It is 4565 millimeters by five millimeters become shorter than its predecessor, the height shrank by as much as 30 to 1790 mm. However, the newcomer will offer more interior space for passengers and luggage. The storage volume in the trunk grows from 589 to 1,669 liters, while the latter value increases to 147 liters compared to its predecessor. The spatial extension can be done thanks to the "Easy-Fold-Down" system according to the manufacturer with a single handle.

Otto, now with 155 hp
Under the hood of the new Honda SUV uses either a two-liter i-VTEC gasoline engine or a 2.2-liter diesel iDTEC. The output of a petrol engine has been increased from 150 to 155 hp and torque to 192 Newton-meter by two. Despite the power increase, CO2 emissions are the models with manual transmission at 173 instead of getting 192 grams per kilometer and the automatic version at 175 instead of 195 grams, the models with manual transmission is now also a start-stop function at the factory.


Gasoline for the first time with front-wheel drive
Power and torque of the diesel remains at 150 hp and 350 Newton meters, but the CO2 emissions are in the variant with manual transmission by twelve percent from 171 to 149 grams per kilometer, and in models with five-speed automatic transmission from 195 down to 174 grams. The petrol models are also available for the first time with front-wheel drive. The new version emits 168 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Econ mode and Eco-Assist
All Honda CR-V now get the Econ mode and Eco Assist as fuel-saving helpers. Upon activation of the Econ-switch to fit the throttle and the air conditioner automatically in order to minimize fuel consumption. The Eco Assist provides the driver using the ambient lighting of the speedometer, as his driving style affects fuel consumption.

All-wheel drive brought up to date
Revised is also the all-wheel drive. The new, electronically activated "Real Time All Wheel Drive system" should now react faster to a loss of traction. It has been compared to the previous hydraulically activated by 17 percent lighter, the internal friction was reduced by 59 percent. Thus, the system should contribute to lower fuel consumption.

Collision warning system in case of emergency braking
The assistance systems in the new Honda CR-V 2013, the VSA electronic stability program and the Advanced Driver Assist System by Honda (ADAS). This is a combination of an active lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and collision warning system that warns of an impending accident, and even slow down to minimize the impact. For the first time is also the Emergency Stop System (ESS) is used, which automatically activates during emergency braking the hazard lights.

Mitigate whiplash
If this does happen to crash into the front seats, a system to mitigate whiplash is integrated. For safety and to enable the development of Hondas ACE Body Structure (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) contribute. It improves occupant protection by the impact forces wegleitet the accident from the passenger compartment.

No prices released
The prices, Honda has not yet been addressed, they will be announced at a later date.

Read More..

2014 New Jeep Cherokee

Jeep has presented in New York, the new generation of Cherokee, which will usher in a new era in the mid-size SUV.

The Jeep Cherokee returns with the 2014 model year back to the offer of U.S. off-road brand. With the all-new mid-size SUV Jeep would also immediately set new standards and offers plenty of latest technology for the off-roaders.

Visually, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee is very futuristic and so should also signal the dawn of a new era for the brand. Narrow headlights and a large grille featuring the front end.

For the new Jeep Cherokee and innovative three-wheel drive systems are available. The "Jeep ACTIVeDRIVE I" four-wheel drive with single-stage transfer case is the basic equipment for the sports models, Latitude and Limited.

The next level represents the "Active Drive II Jeep" all-wheel drive, which has a two-stage transfer case and an off-road ratio.

Who wants to cope with rougher terrain, the new Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk can grab that has the "Jeep Drive Active Lock" all-wheel drive with two-speed transfer gearbox, rear-range gearbox and limited slip differential as standard on board.

Even the look of the model differs by an even more common ground interpretation of the other Cherokee models. So it has specific front and rear aprons, which can handle larger slope angle and a body lying higher by 2.5 cm.

Another highlight of the new Cherokee also features the Jeep Selec-Terrain traction management, which provides up to five modes. The driver can choose between Auto, Snow, Sports, sand / mud and rocks, the last mode is only the Cherokee Trailhawk available.

For the first time there will be for the Jeep Cherokee and a new 9-speed automatic, which should provide for a special efficiency. The U.S. market at the start are a new Tigershark 2.4 petrol engine with 184 hp (137 kW) available, which is to consume only 7.6 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers on average.

Upon request, a new 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 gasoline engine with an output of 271 hp (199 kW) available, which is recommended as an ideal engine for customers who need a higher towing capacity.

Present themselves as modern, the body and the art so modern, the interior is designed without sacrificing high functionality. A 7 "color display instruments, the driver is informed about the key driving values ​​on request there is also a 8.4-inch touchscreen multimedia center in the center console.
In addition to navigation, climate control and the audio system can be controlled. In addition to the superior comfort features of the Cherokee also offers a comprehensive safety package.

Standard features include ABS, ESP and 10 airbags on board, on request, but there are also a variety of assistance systems, such as the new "Park Sense" to Park Auto, a rearview camera with guide lines "Rear Cross Path Detection", an adaptive cruise control , a collision warning or lane departure.

In North America, the new Jeep Cherokee will start in the third quarter of 2013, Europe will probably come only in 2014.

Read More..

HyperFerrari The new Ferrari in Geneva

Ferrari decided in a rather unusual way to announce a new model. Service via Instagram teaser showing the Ferrari Enzo successor.

Auto appears on the Geneva motor show, but we do not know yet what the name will receive. Earlier rumors said about the F70, but in the meantime, was also provided with the name F150.

Italian stable sets this car as "HyperFerrari". Car is equipped with technologies transplanted straight from Formula 1 Also, you will reap the aerodynamics of high-speed cars.

The vehicle is to be driven by V12 engine with a capacity of 810 horsepower. This unit will work with the KERS system, which will provide about 150 hp. The whole structure has to weigh 1.3 tons.

Beats car Nurburgring in less than 7 minutes. Sprint to hundreds of takes him 3 seconds and a top speed of 370 HP.

Read More..

The new 2013 Lexus LS 600h F Sport coming soon

The new 2013 Lexus LS 600h will be offered with the F SPORT package in Europe. 

Here are some characteristics of a new car:
 - Both the LS 460 F SPORT & LS 600h F SPORT will be lowered by 10mm compared to the standard model, with Brembo front brakes and paddle shifters.
 - The RWD LS 460 F SPORT will be equipped with a Torsen limited slip differential, an Active Stabilizer System, and the paddle shifters will incorporate automatic throttle blipping on downshifts.

 - The new LS 460 F SPORT will also have an intake sound creator installed, which will feed engine sound into the cabin.

The purpose of the Torsen LSD is to distribute torque between the rear wheels — not exactly an important feature when the new Lexus LS 600h is only available in All Wheel Drive and weighs over 400 lbs. more than the LS 460.

Original at lexusenthusiast.com

Read More..

New Cars and Their Warranties

Ask around and the oft-repeated consensus on the subject of automobile quality is: “They don’t build them like they used to.”

It’s true. They build them better.

The evidence is in the number of independent repair shops that are closing, fewer parts sales by jobbers, and new-car dealers that are having trouble keeping their service departments busy.
Mechanical issues reported by owners of three-year-old vehicles have plunged from an industry average of 273 problems per 100 vehicles in 2003 to 155 problems in the latest J.D. Power and Associates dependability survey.

Hand in hand with better cars are the improved warranties that come with them. New-car guarantees were just 90 days long in North America until the early 1960s, when the one-year comprehensive warranty was introduced.

The burgeoning import-car industry unveiled three-year, bumper-to-bumper coverage in the early 1980s, a new standard every manufacturer was compelled to adopt or perish.

Today, the three-year/60,000-km comprehensive warranty remains the basic standard warranty, but many automakers have gone further. Virtually every premium brand, from Acura to Volvo, has adopted four-year/80,000-km coverage as standard, while four brands have gone to five years: Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi and, most recently, Jaguar.

Experts agree no automaker can afford to offer such lengthy warranties without building high-quality products. But some buyers are unaware of the limitations of a comprehensive or bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Commonly not covered are “wear items”, such as brake pads, shoes, rotors and drums, the manual clutch assembly, tires, batteries and any aftermarket items installed once the vehicle leaves the factory. Also not covered are malfunctions resulting from misuse — for example, if the CD player stops working because there’s a cookie inside.

“The warranty addresses defects in material and workmanship,” says Jim Seidel,
president of Carolina Tire & Auto Repair in Charlotte, NC. Not only have comprehensive and powertrain warranties gotten longer, but there are other no-cost benefits that accrue to warranty holders these days — services such as roadside assistance, towing and courtesy transportation.
The added benefits, including no more deductibles or warranty transfer fees, help differentiate the automaker in a hotly contested marketplace.

“The consumer is buying a comprehensive package, designed to take the stress out of owning a vehicle,” says Seidel. Industry observer Mohamed Bouchama of CarHelpCanada.com agrees vehicle quality and warranties are getting better, and so are the dealers who ultimately deliver the warranty service.

“Dealer response is better now than it used to be; dealerships are making an effort to appease their customers,” Bouchama says. But what consumers may not know is that there’s a delicate dance that takes place behind the service counter, as the dealership weighs the costs of submitting each warranty claim to head office. “Manufacturers watch who has the highest claims, so it’s in the dealer’s interest to manage warranty issues,” says Bouchama. Submit too many head-gasket repairs, for example, and the dealer may be sanctioned by receiving fewer deliveries of a hot-selling model.
George Iny, president of the Automobile Protection Association (apa.ca), says some dealers have told him they are tied to a warranty-claims quota, which lets them submit only so many of each type of repair per month, effectively making the dealer a gatekeeper for the manufacturer.

Iny says not every manufacturer operates in this manner, but the prospect of a quota system may help explain why auto dealers don’t always seem keen to do warranty work. There are other reasons, as well.

Manufacturers generally don’t recognize the labor rates specified in shop-standard manuals, which are considered to have a lot of fat in the estimated repair times (to be fair, these rates take into account seized bolts, etc.). Head office pays for a 60-minute hour, which means the technician and dealer make less money from a warranty claim than from a consumer invoice.

In addition, Iny says, most manufacturers will not pay for diagnostic time, considered the hardest part of an automobile repair. The time invested in finding the problem is not compensated by the factory, which makes warranty repairs especially unappealing.

It helps explain why service writers give Academy Award-worthy performances when customers complain about slipping transmissions and leaky head gaskets. “Most of the time, you’re being lied to when the dealership service manager says they’ve never heard of that problem in your model before,” Iny suggests. A quick check on the Internet for common faults with that model can provide the corroborating evidence. Reluctant to submit another warranty claim, the service writer may defer the inevitable by providing a stop-gap repair or adjustment until the vehicle’s warranty period ends, at which point the consumer gets the brunt of the complete repair cost, usually amounting to thousands of dollars.

It’s enough to make an automobile owner lose sleep at night, which may be why the proportion of new-car buyers who opt for an extended warranty is climbing, despite all the good news about better-quality vehicles and longer warranties.

Chris Travell, vice-president of Maritz Research’s automotive group, says 29 per cent of new-vehicle buyers this year have sprung for an extended warranty beyond the already generous coverage manufacturers provide, compared to 26 per cent three years ago.

“Given the economic challenges presently, a lot of buyers may be expecting to keep their cars longer, so an extended warranty makes sense to them,” Travell reasons. “The peace of mind argument is valid.”

Maritz scrutinizes purchase reasons in its consumer surveys, and Travell says warranty coverage is a significant part of the picture. “Roughly 47 per cent of buyers said the warranty package was extremely important to their purchase decision.” Iny recommends extended warranties for European models and domestic luxury SUVs.

“The concern with modern vehicles is not the powertrain, but rather the electronics. A seat heater for a Porsche Cayenne costs $1,200 and they are prone to failure. A radio costs over $2,000 and is wired to a universal bus, which makes other solutions incompatible.”

But as many seasoned car owners will testify, what the warranty spells out on paper and how it actually performs in the harsh light of the service counter are two separate things.

Seidel adds that new car owners can bring their cars into Carolina Tire & Auto and preserve 100% of their new car warranty. The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act passed by Congress in 1975 ensures to general public that they do not have to take their cars back to the new car dealer for general maintenance and scheduled service as long as that service is kept up per the owners manual. So instead of paying through the nose for your scheduled maintenance of 30,000, to 60,000 to 90,000 mile service, you can with 100% confidence take it to Carolina Tire & Auto and know that your new car warranty is still intact.

Stop by or call Carolina Tire & Auto today at http://www.carolina-tire.com/ or 704-553-9800

Read More..