BYD are staffed by a clever bunch of people, despite their set backs in the past few months which were largely out of their control they are still on track in producing tomorrows cars. One day when the rest of the world are fighting over the left overs of hydro-carbon deposits, BYD owners will be wafting along silently in their dual mode and pure electric models, of which BYD has so far developed the F3DM, the E6 pure electric and the forth coming S6 DM SUV.

To further wet America’s appetite for sensibly priced electric vehicles, BYD will be showing off their S6 SUV in dual mode form, i.e. it can be powered by battery power or regular gasoline engine.BYD are saying that this is the world’s first AWD dual mode SUV (perhaps Lexus might argue that point). The S6DM actually has two motors, both 14bhp which power the front wheels and a 102bhp traditional gasoline engine to power the rear, both the electric motors and the gasoline engine can be utilized at the same time to get AWD traction. The S6DM will be able to travel 60km on a single charge and with a mixture of a full gas tank and full battery the S6 should be good for around 500km.

Look out for the S6DM at the Detroit Auto Show, we recently caught up with at the Guangzhou Auto Show and believe it to be one of BYD’s next big hits, assuming the pricing is kept sweet enough to tempt people over to the BYD brand.

E6 INTRODUCTION

The BYD e6 is a 5-seat, crossover all-electric vehicle with an extended wheelbase of 111.4 inches. It is the generous size and comfort of the BYD e6 that sets it apart from other electric vehicles in any current classification. In contrast to the competitors' electric vehicles, the e6 features a spacious interior cabin with substantial legroom and headroom for passengers, as well as ample luggage space in the rear. Meanwhile, the e6 boasts a powerful drive-train, adopting BYD's revolutionary new EV battery – the Iron-Phosphate or"Fe" battery.

POWER AND PERFORMANCE

The e6 will be equipped with a 75kW motor and the BYD-developed Fe battery, powering the e6 to a range of 186.4 miles on a single charge in urban conditions. This makes it one of the longest-range, pure EVs in the world. The projected top speed is 87mph. These characteristics make the e6 ideal for daily commutes, city driving and even long distance travel. In addition, during braking, deceleration and downhill coasting, the vehicle's kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy and stored in battery packs through regenerative-braking functions, further improving energy utilization to increase the e6's range.

DEFINITE SAFETY

Resistant to high temperatures, high pressures and severe impacts, BYD's internally developed Fe battery boasts excellent reliability and a 10-year warranty. The system can automatically detect leakage currents in the high voltage power supply system and damage to the battery housings. An emergency maintenance switch disconnects the high-voltage battery pack to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers in case of system failures or when the car needs to be repaired. The parking gear motor controller receives the lock/ unlock order sent by the driving motor and performs the relevant operations to ensure maximum safety while parking or starting.

CONVENIENT CHARGING

Charging the e6 is convenient and fast. It only takes 40 minutes to fully charge the e6 using the 100kW fast charging cabinet; it takes 6 hours with a standard 10kW standard charging pole (like a residential garage over-charging scenario).

ECO-FRIENDLY

The environmentally friendly e6 is a zero-direct-emission electric vehicle, which means that it emits no harmful toxic emissions, criteria pollutants or harmful greenhouse gases. BYD's new Fe battery takes the green philosophy a step further by using the only completely recyclable/disposable chemical formulations in a battery.

Very recently, we wondered what was what I was trying Audi? From that initial doubt this confirmation: it is the Audi Urban Concept, an electric vehicle is the epitome of the future of the brand.

This car, which recently saw camouflaged by the streets of Germany to the astonishment of friends and strangers, has a feature that somehow resembles the Hyundai Veloster: its asymmetry so special.

Another of its main features is that it is not a two-seater model, but setup is a 1 + 1 (seen in one of the images in this note) with the driver’s seat a little later than the passenger and slightly off to one side. The role of companion is that … that of being a mere passenger conductor without having access to almost anything. While handling the car in front of a board very brief and almost minimalist, without the least harshness.

The secret (if I may say so) of this car that Audi is developing based on two fundamental points: first we have sought absolute simplicity and … go if they have succeeded. And secondly, has sought to give the car as light as possible, demonstrating once again what the brand (as well inclined to make cars lighter) can be achieved. And if one of the objectives, one of the premises is to achieve a weight just unbelievable, then it becomes necessary to use appropriate materials for that, so Audi uses elements such as polymers reinforced with carbon fiber, to search for such desired weight reduction, but without giving up anything at all to security.

Another important thing: the Urban Concept Audi is not based on any other model of the brand, is a copy of living for himself and for the moment we do not know either if it is indeed the anticipation of a future model home. Many unknowns and only a few confirmations. In this connection, is known to have a pair of electric motors (of which no one knows your disposal) and carries lithium ion batteries. From the brand so far have not provided many details, not even said anything about their autonomy, limiting the explanation that the car will be ideal for touring city.

Another thing that is rumored is that electric motors could well be located inside the wheels, which in this car are “loose” body or rather, uncovered. The idea is not bad and does not sound outlandish.

Finally: the rebirth of an old idea, updated to the best car … simple, lightweight, simple, with wheels in the air and the driver and its absolute protagonist. That’s what Urban Concept Audi, the car you are testing the brand of the Rings.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

CHASSIS AND BODY

Frame:

Carbon fiber monocoque with Aluminium front and rear frames

Body:

Carbon fiber engine bonnet; movale spoiler and side air inlets; Aluminium front bonnet, front fenders and doors; SMC rear fender and rocker cover

Mirrors:

External mirror electrically foldable

Rear spoiler:

Moveable -3 positions depending on speed and drive select mode

SUSPENSION

Suspension:

Front and rear horizontal monotube damper with push-rod system

TYRES AND WHEELS

ESP:

ESP/ ABS with different ESP characteristics managed by drive select mode

Steering:

Steering Gear with 3 different servortonic characteristics managed by drive select mode

Front tyres:

Pirelli 255/35 ZR19

Rear tyres:

Pirelli 335/30 ZR20

Front wheels:

19’’ x 9J

Rear wheels:

20’’ x 12J

Kerb-to-kerb turning circle:

12,5 m (41,0 ft)

AIRBAGS

Airbags:

Front dual stage driver airbag and front adaptive passenger airbag; seats with side “head-thorax” airbags; passenger and driver knee airbags

BRAKES

Brakes:

Dual hydraulic circuit brake system with vacuum brake booster; front and rear CCB, 6-cylnder brake callipers, 4-cylinder brake callipers Ø 400x 38 mm – Ø 380 x 38 mm

ENGINE

Type:

V12, 60°, MPI

Displacement:

6.498 cm³ (396,5 cu.in.)

Bore and stroke:

Ø 95 mm x 76,4 mm

Valve gear:

Variable valve timing electronically controlled

Compression ratio:

11,8  (± 0,2) : 1

Maximum power:

700 HP (515 kW) @ 8.250 RPM

Maximum torque:

690 Nm (507 lbft) @ 5.500 RPM

Emission class:

EURO 5 – LEV 2

Emission control system:

Catalytic converters with lambdasensors

Cooling system:

Water and oil cooling system in the rear with variable air inlets

Engine management system:

Lamborghini Iniezione Eletronica (LIE) with Ion current analysis

Lubrification system:

Dry sump

DRIVETRAIN

Type of transmission:

4WD with Haldex generation IV

Gearbox:

7 speed ISR, shifting characteristic depending on drive select mode

Clutch:

Dry Double plate clutch, Ø 235 mm

Standard:

AMT

PERFORMANCE

Top speed:

350 km/h (217 mph)

Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph):

2,9 s

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase:

2.700 mm (106,30 in)

Overall length:

4.780 mm (188,19 in)

Overall width (excluding mirrors):

2.030 mm (79,92 in)

Overall width (including mirrors):

2.265 mm (89,17 in)

Overall height:

1.136 mm (44,72 in)

Front track:

1.720 mm (67,72 in)

Rear track:

1.700 mm (66,93 in)

Dry weight:

1.575 kg (3.472 lb)

Weight/Power:

2,25 kg/HP (4,96 lb/HP)

Weight distribution (front - rear):

43 % - 57 %

CAPACITIES

Fuel tank capacity:

90 l (23,8 gal.)

Engine oil capacity:

13 l (3,4 gal.)

Engine coolant capacity:

25 l (6,6 gal.)

FUEL CONSUMPTION *

Urban cycle consumption:

27,3 l/100 km

Extra urban consumption:

11,3 l/100 km

Combined consumption:

17,2 l/100 km

CO₂ emission:

398 g/km

The Lamborghini Ankonian Concept was done in my second term as part of the Lamborghini Raw Materials Project led by Prof. Dr. Othmar Wickenheiser, where all students at the school could take part in.

Following the Lamborghini tradition I named the car “Ankonian” after the bull type which is famous for his black hair (that’s why I chose black).

The concept is a mid-engined supercar that is not “green”, but yet shows environmental responsibility, and therefore is downsized.

I didn’t choose the today’s midengine supercar clichés (extreme width, cab forward, aggressive graphical elements), but a rather narrow body, cab backward classical GT silhouette, and complexity/combination of soft and angular surfaces. Instead of showing power and aggression through some wild graphical elements (for example headlights) I achieved the same through the complexity of the main body which is rather softly designed, (and has a flair of the Italian elegance), and the angular, stealthy and sharp elements which remind of shields.

Concerning the design language, I put the Reventòn style to the next level, even more aggressive and crazy, but yet elegant, and more harmonious.

The main themes behind the concept, which actually make the chosen design language even stronger, are ‘underground’ and ‘hardcore’. This is achieved by the triangular forms, for example, but mostly with the color combination of shiny black and matt dark grey.

During the design process we brought back the tradition (we did it old school)-clay modeling instead of CAD modeling. It took approx. 6 months to actually build the model and it was a great opportunity to try different possibilities concerning the surface management and the proportions. This how the design doesn’t look ‘artificial’, but mature, and due to the fact that we had constant support by Lamborghini and Audi Advanced designers, the final designs have professional touch.

Even though very crazy and on first glance complicated, all Ankonian lines and intersections work together. Due to the tension in the lines and the concave and convex surfaces there is an impression of a strong and dynamic body. The big canyons and the fact that the tail was put on a diet give it a very light appearance. In addition, the hot-rod stance gives it a push forward, and the symbolic presence of wings and the arrow-like door graphic make the car very dynamical, even when it is in standing position.

Toyota is launching its Fun-Vii Concept under the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show's slogan of "Mobility can change the world".

We can't help thinking that mobility has already changed the world - after all, Toyota and its competitors already produce vehicles that allow millions of people to travel from one place to another every day, which seems like fairly world-changing mobility.

Maybe it's not all about movement, though. Maybe Toyota's vision of a near future when people, cars and society are linked will bring that 19th-century invention, the car, together with the computer of the 20th century into a real 21st-century world-changer.

Flippancy aside, the Fun-Vii has some neat features. Toyota sees it as the ultimate in vehicle personalization, effectively downloading a color scheme like an app which can then be displayed across your car. You can go for simple colors or even messages, but the idea is that the body can reflect your personality.

The interior features augmented reality navigation and Toyota says the interior features are freely adjustable to "match the mood of the moment". We expect this means the three seats can be moved around into any position or shape you choose, depending on requirements.

It also implements technology already in development to let the car speak with other vehicles and its surroundings, and a network update function ensures the car's software is all kept up to date.

Most importantly of all, Toyota wants the Fun-Vii to be... well, fun. With the Toyota GT-86 due to be officially launched at Tokyo  , Toyota's own slogan, "Fun to Drive, Again" seems more exciting in the context of world-changing mobility.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4h-SRXaEcQ&feature=player_detailpage

With Aston Martin’s recently acquired £304 million bond - about $440 million at the current rates - the brand is full speed ahead on supplying an all new platform for their full line of sports cars, including the DB9, Vantage and Rapide models. In fact, the new DB9 has already been caught testing for the first time, under heavy camouflage of course. The highly decorated model doesn’t exactly tell us much, but at least we’ve got an official confirmation of the car’s current development.

The first details for the 2013 Aston Martin DB9 suggest that it will get new lights like the ones found on the Rapide and Virage, a new side profile, new side skirts, a more aggressive front spoiler, and a rear trunk lid lip. The rear end also looks to be a bit wider and taller than the current DB9 and there will also be new mesh-grilled hood vents and side mirrors that stand farther away from the doors, mounted on thinner, more aerodynamic stalks. Under the hood, the new DB9 will feature the same 6.0-liter V-12 engine that delivers 510 HP and is mated to a a choice of six-speed manual or shift-by-wire six-speed automatic.

Expect the 2013 Aston Martin DB9 to make its debut sometime next year.

The Aventador J is not the first one-off model offered by Lamborghini. This tradition began back in the 1970s with the unveiling of the one-off Jota - a Lamborghini Miura with improved performance and virtually redesigned in every detail. The car takes its "J" letter from the sporting rules of the FIA world motorsport organization: "Appendix J" defines the technical specification of race cars in the various classes.

The Aventador J’s exterior and interior meld into each other in an attempt to obtain a two-seat sport-bike effect. Elements like the climate control and nav systems have been removed in order to make the car faster. High quality materials also help in the speed department. Carbon fiber has been used for the car’s bumpers, the front air scoop, the winglets, and for that huge rear diffuser. Inside, the sports car boasts of seats covered in a new carbon fiber fabric called "Carbonskin."

Just like the standard Aventador, the one-off J version will be powered by a 6.5-liter V12 engine that is capable of delivering a total of 700 HP. Top speed goes up to an impressive 186 mph - a little less than the standard Aventador, but the J has to take into account it’s missing roof.

UPDATE 03/15/2012: There’s no doubt that the Aventador J had an impressive presence at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, but how long did it took to create such a masterpiece? A year, half a year, a month, a few months? In an interview with Top Gear, designer Filippo Perini admitted that the Lamborghini team only needed six weeks: "It was the 14th of January that Mr Winkelmann asked us to do something for Geneva," says Perini. "A blank sheet. Do what you want. I drew up this car in a weekend..." Absolutely amazing!

UPDATE 04/22/12: For a car that was built for one customer, Lamborghini really spared no expense in the Aventador J. So much so that they even made a promo film for it. Check it out by clicking on the photo above.

Hit the jump for more details on the Lamborghini Aventador J.

Exterior

Despite the fact that this one-off model carries the Aventador name, it is very different from the coupe version. The most obvious difference is the fact that there’s no roof, but the monocoque also has a new design, with a large windshield and two safety bars behind the seats. The decision of dropping elements like the air conditioning system and the navigation system make the car even faster.

Every part of the car has been redesigned in order to make every mile the owner spends behind the wheel an entertaining experience. The car measures 4890 mm long, 2030 mm wide, and 1110 mm tall. The classic front windshield has been replaced by two small wind deflectors and the rear view mirror is perched on an arm like a periscope.

Compared to a standard Aventador, the J’s front is somewhat narrower and is dominated by a highly distinctive carbon fiber air scoop, with central fixing braces and upward tilting winglets on the outer edges. At the rear, the vehicle gets a carbon-fiber rear diffuser, four huge tail pipes, rear lights with the typical Lamborghini light signature in the form of a Y, and an enormous fixed spoiler mounted on the bodyshell by two arms. There are also special, new front and rear bumpers that have been supplemented with carbon fiber fins that act as flow deviators. Their purpose is to achieve a significant increase in the vehicle’s downforce at both the front and the rear.

The Aventador J is painted in a very cool red developed specifically for this Aventador. That paint is combined with black carbon fiber parts and a new set of aluminum wheels - 20" at the front and 21" at the rears - with an additional carbon fiber insert that functions like a small fan for optimum brake ventilation. The doors also open upward and are considerably thinner than on the Aventador.

Interior

The Aventador J was designed in such a manner that the exterior and the interior give the impressive of being just one unit: a red stripe runs from the front hood, between the two wind deflectors, over the dashboard, down the console to the center tunnel, and back up between the seat backs. From there, it goes out again to the engine cover panel.

Lamborghini has dropped elements like the navigation system and the audio system so that the only elements remaining are a small control panel housing the starter button and the switches for lights and transmission. The seats and the cockpit are made from a carbon fiber fabric called "Carbonskin" - an element made of woven carbon fibers soaked with a very special epoxy resin that stabilizes the fiber structure and keeps the material soft. All of these features, or lack thereof, contribute to the speed of the Aventador J.

Engine

The Lamborghini Aventador J is powered by the same 6.5-liter V12 engine found in the standard Aventador. This engine is capable of delivering a mind-boggling 700 HP. However, despite it being a lighter model, Lamborghini has decided to drop the top speed from 217 to 186 mph to keep those safety standards at a quality high.

Prices

No prices have been announced for the Lamborghini Aventador J, but considering it is a one-off model, the one lucky owner should expect to pay more that $1 million for it.

Competition

When it comes to competition, it will be a little difficult to find a model as impressive suitable of taking the reigns from a car like the Aventador J. There are plenty of other open top two-seaters out there, but none come close to the power of Lamborghini’s special one-off J. The closest we found is the Ariel Atom V8 500, which delivers 500 HP - 200 HP less than the new J model. That being said, the Atom only costs $225,000 - making it more affordable than the new Lamborghini model. Then there’s the fact that it is not a one-off.

The all-new Range Rover Evoque. A Range Rover with an altogether different spirit. The most exciting vehicle in a generation. Bold and sophisticated in design. With clever technology that’s innovative, relevant and always intuitive to use. Nothing else looks like it, feels like it, or drives like it. In fact, Range Rover Evoque is a quantum leap in the evolution of Range Rover. Available in two distinct body styles. Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Evoque Coupe. 2.0 litre Si4 petrol engine The Si4 petrol engine is a 2.0 litre engine in a lightweight all-aluminium unit with the latest direct injection technology, advanced turbocharging and twin independent variable valve timing. The engine is fitted with a 6-speed automatic transmission that has been engineered to improve fuel economy and that features Drive Select, an advanced rotary gearshift with steering wheel mounted paddle controls. 2.2 litre SD4 turbo diesel engine The latest 2.2 litre turbo diesel delivers superb torque, responsive performance and impressive refinement. The engine provides power on demand, a very broad torque curve.   Like every Range Rover vehicle, Range Rover Evoque optimises performance and capability in all on and off-road conditions. It does this by employing a suite of innovative technologies including Terrain Response®, which adapts Range Rover Evoque’s engine, transmission and electronic systems to maximize drivability, comfort and traction. There are four Terrain Response® settings: General Driving, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud & Ruts and Sand. Range Rover Evoque is packed with clever, relevant technology including state-of-the-art connectivity. This includes Bluetooth® for both hands free connection, with a compatible mobile phone.Essential connectivity for iPod®, MP3 and USB memory stick is also provided via direct inputs. The audio option on Range Rover Evoque achieves the highest possible sound quality.It offers unsurpassed performance and enjoyment for driver and passengers alike. By working with MeridianTM, a world leader in audio technologies and digital sound processing, Land Rover has also developed an advanced audio system to delight the most discerning music fans. The 380W Meridian Sound System features 12 channels and 11 loudspeakers including a dual-channel subwoofer. Range Rover Evoque’s Rear Seat Entertainment System (Optional) has the ability to play high quality DVD Video and route it through the 8-inch screens located in the back of the front headrests as well as to the front seat passenger’s display on the Touch-screen. Available in three distinct derivatives : Pure, Prestige and Dynamic – each one offering a tempting array of choices and technology. Pure The purest expression of the Range Rover Evoque design form and intent. Prestige The ultimate in Range Rover Evoque luxury with an exterior that offers excitement and an interior that is sheer indulgence. Dynamic The boldest expression of Range Rover Evoque with sports interior themes and daring gloss black detailing.