Hyundai i-Oniq Revealed

Posted on 03/05/2012 by tiRo
hyundai ioniq Hyundai i Oniq Revealed

Hyundai reveals the i-Oniq concept before the Geneva Motor Show

Back in December Hyundai sneaked a peak at it’s next step of evolution in it’s “fluidic sculpture” design, the Hyundai i-Oniq concept. Hyundai is set to debut the i-Oniq at the Geneva Motor Show this week; however, Hyundai has been in the habit of releasing information before they debut their product.

Along with the attached images of the i-Oniq, Hyundai also stated that the i-Oniq is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. Hyundai is saying the i-Oniq will be able to dive 74.56 miles (120 KM) on just the electric motor, and with the use of the gas the i-Oniq will be able to travel 434 miles (700 KM).

There’s no word yet if the i-Oniq concept will be brought to life for mass production, or if it will come to the States; but it is still exciting to see the direction Hyundai is heading in with their “fluidic sculpture” design, and the steps they are taking in producing more economically efficient products.

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Nissan Juke-R the next Shelby Cobra

Posted on 02/01/2012 by tiRo
nissan juke r Nissan Juke R the next Shelby Cobra

The Nissan Juke-R contains the Nissan GT-R 485 HP engine.

Let me start by saying in no way am I putting the Nissan Juke-R up against the legendary Shelby Cobra. What I am saying is that Nissan is living vicariously through the same spirit of Carrol Shelby.

Roughly 50 years ago Shelby decided to put an American muscle V-8 engine into a British Auto Carrier; the result was a tiny yet powerful sports car that would go on to out perform many of the super cars of the day. Nissan is following the same formula by putting a 485 horse power, twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter, V-6 engine from the Nissan’s flagship GT-R into it’s compact Juke.

Stuffing the Godzilla sized engine into a compact was no easy task though. Nissan hired UK motorsports specialist, RML, to build the Juke around the GT-R engine. The result, Nissan gets the “world’s fastest crossover” that will go from 0 – 60 in 3.6 seconds, a top speed of 160 MPH, and with a short wheel base that makes hard angle turns seem second nature.

To show how the Nissan Juke-R would perform, Nissan put Juke-R up against an all-star cast of super cars: a Mercedes-Benz SLS, Ferrari 458 Italia and a Lamborghini Gallardo. A street race was set up in Dubai on a custom built circuit at the International Marine Club. The course, with almost 90 degree turns, looks more fitting for a go-cart race then an actual car race. Given that the super cars were not able to unleash their powerful potential, the Nissan Juke-R was easily able to turn and slide into a victory.

Nissan Juke-R vs. Super Cars

Seeing the Nissan Juke-R beat the super cars wasn’t surprising, especially since Nissan put together the event; but it was still impressive to see how the little wonder with ATTESA E-PRO all-wheel-drive system performed. If this race had contained more straight aways, and curved turns, the race would have been very different.

Will the Nissan Juke-R become as legendary as a Shelby Cobra, most likely not; but it still looks like a fun car to drive, that will definitely reach a targeted crowd.

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Super Bowl 46 Commercials

Posted on 01/31/2012 by tiRo

Super Bowl 46 is on the horizon. Many of us will sit around and watch the New England Patriots play the New York Giants in Indianapolis, Indiana; and many of us will also watch the high budget, high profile commercials.

According to NBC a 30 second spot for this year’s Super Bowl is going on average of $3.5 million, and some of those spots are going for $4 million. Car companies don’t tend to mind spending the big money as they are getting their product in front of over 100 million people. Last year, Super Bowl 45 was the most watched television program ever in America, with 111 million people watching.

For those who don’t want to wait, or may miss the commercials to get more snacks and drinks, below we have the Super Bowl commercials for Hyundai, Acura, Toyota, Suzuki, Honda, the Lexus teaser and Kia’s teaser.


 


 

















Even though Audi isn’t an Eastern Asia import, here’s a little bonus.


Some might say that the early release of Super Bowl commercials will be ruin the aesthetics of the commercials, I some what agree with that. VW must agree as well. As another added bonus here is the VW teaser of their Super Bowl ad.

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Nissan 370Z

Posted on 01/30/2012 by tiRo

nissan 370z Nissan 370Z

Nissan has a little secret, and it’s done a great job on keeping quiet. Such a good job that there are no leaked images (hard to image with how the internet works). Nissan will unveil it’s refreshed Nissan 370Z (known as the Fairlady Z in Japan) at the Chicago Auto Show next week.

The last time the 370Z saw a refresh was in 2009. As the name suggest the Nissan 370Z will contain a 3.7 liter, V6 engine that pumps out 332-hp. The Nissan 370Z is set to compete with the Hyundai Genesis Coupe that was highly anticipated (probably because Hyundai leaked images of it) and unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year.

On top the Nissan 370Z, Nissan is set to unveil another vehicle, a NV commercial vehicle. It is rumored that it will be the Nissan NV2000, that is already in 40 other countries. Nissan unveiled the e-NV2000 at the Detroit Auto Show. The NV series are popular commercial vehicle line that is popular world wide.

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Acura NSX Concept

Posted on 01/27/2012 by tiRo

acura nsx concept Acura NSX Concept

In 2005 Honda’s sister company Acura put to rest the popular Acura NSX. In early 2012 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI, Acura introduced the world to the Acura NSX concept.

The Acura NSX was originally introduced to the world in 1990. It had the look of a futuristic super car, but when it came to performance the NSX was lacking. Packed with a V-6 engine that pumped out 270-horsepower, the NSX did not reach the status of super car, that is until 2005 when Acura was going to install a V-10 engine. The project of Acura making the NSX that super car it was supposed to be came to a halt, due to the fact that Acura was only selling a few hundred NSXs a year and the high production cost.

The Acura NSX left quite the legacy with it’s revolutionary, futuristic design. The NSX also featured a mid-engine and rear wheel drive. Even though the NSX drive power, it still had enough of an impact to inspire Gordon Murray for the design of the McLaren F1.

mclaren f11 Acura NSX Concept

The McLaren F1 was inspired by the Acura NSX

Acura has brought the NSX back, and just like how the design was revolutionary in the 90s, now the drive system revolutionary. Acura introduces the Sport Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SPHSHAWD) in the NSX concept. Yes, the Acura NSX is a hybrid. The SPHSHAWD in the NSX utilizes a pair of electric motors to generate torque and apply it to the front wheels for better cornering control and improved handling. Just like the 1990 – 2005 versions, the NSX is a mid-engine coupe; but unlike the older version that had rear wheel drive, the new NSX is all-wheel drive.

The Acura NSX concept turned a lot of heads at the Detroit Auto Show, any many people questioned when would the NSX be available? Acura stated the NSX will be available in the next three years; and as an added bonus, the NSW will be built in Honda’s production plants in Marysville, Ohio.

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Hyundai Veloster Goes Turbo

Posted on 01/11/2012 by tiRo

Ever since Hyundai unveiled it’s Veloster, people have been waiting for the Veloster Turbo. Good news, those people don’t have to wait too much longer. The 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo got it’s official debut at the North American International Auto Show aka the Detroit Car Show.

The Veloster Turbo sports a turbocharged 1.6 liter direct injection, 4 cylinder Gamma engine that is pumping out 201 horsepower. The turbocharger makes all the difference in the Gamma engine, as the regular 1.6 liter, 4 cylinder Gamma engine pumped out 138 horsepower.

hyundai veloster turbo Hyundai Veloster Goes Turbo

Alongside the Veloster Turbo, Hyundai also unveiled the standard 2013 Veloster and the much anticipated 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Check out the unveiling of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

As an added bonus, if you are a gamer and own Forza Motorsport for XBox 360 you can now download the Hyundai Veloster bonus pack for free. The Veloster bonus pack features the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo and the Rhys Millen #67 Racing Veloster.

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Hyundai Genesis Coupe Unveiled

Posted on 01/11/2012 by tiRo

hyundai genesis coupe Hyundai Genesis Coupe Unveiled

After much anticipation Hyundai has unveiled it’s 2013 Genesis Coupe at the North American International Auto Show aka the Detroit Auto Show. I’m not going to go much into detail, so check out the videos below. To read more check out the original Hyundai Genesis Coupe article.

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Hyundai Elantra, NAIAS Car of the Year

Posted on 01/09/2012 by tiRo

hyundia elantra Hyundai Elantra, NAIAS Car of the Year

Hyundai had a great 2011 year, especially with it’s “fluidic sculpture” design, award winning Hyundai Veloster. Hyundai steamrolls into the 2012 year and picks up the illustrious “Car of the Year” award from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra.

The Hyundai Elantra beat out the Ford Focus and the 2012 Motor Trend “Car of the Year,” Volkswagen Passat. There are numerous reasons to why the Elantra beat out it’s competition.

The Elanta, which entails Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture” design, is a compact car that gets an estimated 40 miles-per-gallon (MPG) during highway driving, and 29 MPGs while driving in the city. Hyundai has even given the Elantra the new 1.8 liter four cylinder Nu engine, that puts out 148 horsepower and 131 lp-ft of torque. Along with being an economical car, the Elantra is a “green” car’

The Elantra has been certified as a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) in “green” states by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Outside of the “green” states, the Elantra is labeled as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).

With impressive specs and a great design, it is no wonder how the Elantra took home the acclaimed award for Hyundai. There is one other feature that sets the Hyundai Elantra apart from the competition, it starts at $16,445.

The North American Car of the Year award is a great award to have, but isn’t new to the South Korean car maker. The Hyundai Genesis won the Car of the Year award in 2009. With Hyundai continually bringing in awards, how many awards will Hyundai see this year?

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Hyundai Genesis Coupe Teaser

Posted on 01/07/2012 by tiRo

As stated in previous post, many car makers are releasing teasers of their up coming cars and concepts for Auto Show season, especially for the North American International Auto Show, better known as the Detroit Auto Show. We have seen teasers from Nissan, Toyota and probably the most teasers from South Korean car maker Hyundai.

Hyundai has been teasing the i-Oniq concept, new designs from their “fluidic sculpture” series, and possibly the most popular teasers have been those of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Hyundai is at it again, giving us another taste of the Genesis Coupe.

To view more of pictures, videos and details of the Genesis Coupe read the Hyundai Genesis Coupe article from East Auto Imports.

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Toyota Revamps SUV

Posted on 01/06/2012 by tiRo
toyota land cruiser Toyota Revamps SUV

Toyota slightly modified the body of the 2013 Land Cruiser, however much of the Toyota's Land Cruiser came to the standard interior.

Sport-Utility-Vehicles (SUVs) are one of the top selling vehicles in the US, even with high fuel prices; and Toyota is one of the top selling car makers in the United States. However the Toyota Land Cruiser was one of the top ten worst-selling vehicles of the year, with only 1,662 units sold. Maybe the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser can help boost these numbers with it’s new updates.

Toyota has made slight visual modifications to the exterior of the Land Cruiser. Adding LED running lamps, a redesigned grill and HID low-beam headlights, the Land Cruiser doesn’t see much of a facelift. If you think those changes are minor, Toyota did even less to the engine.

Toyota decided to keep the same engine in the Land Cruiser, a 5.7 liter V-8 engine with 381 horsepower (hp), six-speed automatic transmission and, of course, four-wheel drive. To add to the list of things that have stayed the same, the Toyota Land Cruiser seats eight and has 10 standard airbags. Where Toyota did make changes was to the Land Cruisers’ interior.

The Toyota Land Cruisers major changes come in the interior, notably in the standard features. The Land Cruiser now comes standard with a rear-seat DVD player, Bluetooth technology, leather steering wheel, heated rear seats, headlight washers, adaptive cruise control, and an updated navigation system.

These same slight modifications are expected to be seen in Toyota’s sister luxury company, Lexus, in their LX 570. The Lexus LX 570 will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show.

Are the slight visual modifications, and newly standard interior features enough to bring the Toyota’s Land Cruiser back up to it’s popularity?

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