Unofficial Picture: 2012 Toyota Fortuner

Toyota’s very successful SUV the Fortuner, has been comfortably leading the Indian SUV market since its launch two years ago. The Japanese manufacturer however is planning to give it a facelift, as is evident from these leaked brochure pictures.

The nose is now all-new and is designed to appear wider and more aggressive. It features new headlamps that are slightly stretched, a restyled and sculpted bonnet with a larger scoop for the air-intake, a re-profiled bumper and a wider redesigned chrome grille that makes it resemble the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Toyota hasn’t changed the side profile of the Fortuner, but the rear now gets new clear-lens tail-lamps that have a different profile from the current ones. The roof-rack and scuff plate, as seen in the picture, however are likely to be optional extras, which may or may not come with this updated version of the car.

The current Fortuner is powered by a 3.0-litre common rail diesel motor that churns out a respectable 169bhp. This is the same motor that does duty in the larger Land Cruiser Prado as well, although the Prado gets more torque, and the Fortuner may be given this step up as well as an automatic version could be on the cards too, along with imporved interiors.

Toyota has been planning to increase the local content on the Fortuner for some time now and this facelift may provide the perfect opportunity. And this could be accompanied by a correction in price that would make it more affordable. But its not clear when this is likely to happen.

Expect the updated Fortuner to reach our shores by early 2012.

Thanks to: Autocar India

New Concept Car: FPV Black GT

Ford Performance Vehicles today revealed its first-ever 'concept car' at the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Melbourne. The one-off, all-black GT-based FPV concept featuring a number of bespoke features and design treatments not seen before.

Powered by the same supercharged Boss 5.0-litre V8 found in the regular GT, the concept is finished in Silhouette black paintwork, topped by a unique matte finish stripe package that extends across the bonnet, rear wing, body sides and rear diffuser.

Up front, large brake ducts are incorporated into the modified front fascia, and at the rear, black framing is used to enhance the rear light graphics treatment. The show car also carries unique black GT badging.

The vehicle sits on 19-inch lightweight one-piece forged alloy rims, finished in black (of course). These are 8.0 inches wide at the front and 9.5 inches wide at the rear -- all are shod with Dunlop SP Sportmaxx GT tyres.

Underneath there's a track-tuned suspension specification and a full stainless steel high-flow twin exhaust system exhaust finished with quad black exhaust tips.

A performance brake package includes larger six-piston brake calipers up front and four-piston brake calipers at the rear, which are both also finished in black.

Inside, the all-black theme continues with black leather trim throughout and an all-black dash treatment that includes the interior command centre (ICC).

"Taking our iconic FPV GT, we have put together a package of performance and design enhancements to demonstrate what could be done by FPV in the future," said FPV general manager, Rod Barrett.

"The black-on-black treatment looks spectacular and it really changes the look of the car, so I'll be very interested to hear what FPV enthusiasts think."

"We've equipped the vehicle with the GT's 'most ticked' options, such as leather trim and reversing camera. That way, it's a reflection of what our buyers are choosing and gives us a 'real world' basis to get people thinking."

The FPV concept is joined by a supercharged Boss 335kW V8 GT-P and 315kW GS Ute on the stand at the Australian International Motor Show.

Thanks to: Car Point

Hot News: Audi Plans to Release 'Hot' Q3

The men behind the incredible 493bhp Audi Q7 V12 are cooking up another performance SUV, this time a version of the brand new Audi Q3 with turbocharged five-cylinder power.

Quattro GmbH technology boss Stephan Reil arrived at the press launch of the Q3 last week with a very early prototype of the car in question: a Q3 running the 335bhp turbocharged powertrain found in a TT-RS and RS3, which is currently under evaluation for low-volume production.

“This is just a temperature tester for us at the moment,” Reil told Autocar. “We needed some feedback on the idea, which is why I decided to bring it to the press. But the finished car will be very different: it will have adapted suspension and body parts, and so on.”

Although it shares some under-bonnet hard points with a standard A3, the five-cylinder engine doesn’t fit as neatly into the Q3 as you might expect.

“The engine mounts are 40mm further from the bulkhead in a Q3 relative to an RS3, so we can’t just slot the engine in,” Reil explained. “We’ve made prototype plumbing and wiring for the car, which we’ll have to investigate the cost implications of before taking the car forward.”

“So far the reaction to the car has been good,” the Quattro boss went on, “but we have to make the business case before going much further. Right now it’s a fun idea, but those don’t always turn into real production cars!”
Thanks to: Autocar

New Car: 2012 Ford Focus Estate

Ford has "attracted over 2000 UK customer orders" for its new Ford Focus estate, a model that joins the Focus five-door variant.

According to Ford, the outgoing Focus estate accounted for 12.5 per cent of sales since 1998, with the new version forecast to reach 18 per cent.

At 200mm longer and 100mm wider than the hatchback, the Focus estate has a maximum load capacity of 1502 litres (up from 1148 litres), therefore providing “generous interior accommodation for both passengers and their luggage.”

The new estate Focus is available with the same choice of engines as the hatchback, including Ford’s low Co2 diesel engine, the 109g/km 1.6-litre TDCi, which accounts for 43 per cent of UK sales.

Prices start from £17,100 for the all-new Focus estate, representing “over £1,000 additional standard equipment versus the equivalent outgoing model,” including Bluetooth, aluminium roof rails and torque vectoring control.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: Aston Martin's Next Cars

Aston Martin has finally secured the funds to start designing an all-new generation of sports cars for sale in 2015/16.

Engineers are understood to have conceptualised the new family, which will replace the VH-platform Aston Martin DB9, Vantage and Rapide models that Aston first started selling in 2003. The detailed design and production engineering will get under way in early 2012.

Funding for these vital new models was put in place last week when Aston announced that a £304 million bond was fully subscribed by global investors. “This will provide long-term financial stability for the next seven years and support Aston Martin’s continued development,” the firm said.

Aston will pay 9.25 per cent interest per year on the bond for the next seven years, which is higher than the five to six per cent that many bonds are paying.

Before Aston moves to all-new platform technology, the alloy VH platform will be re-engineered to comply with new Federal FMVSS pedestrian impact rules, due in autumn 2012.

Aston will also facelift the DB9, Vantage and Rapide with new skin panels, revised interiors and tweaked chassis and engines.

When Aston replaces the VH platform, the major question for the all-new models is which platform they’ll be engineered on.

Aston is courting Mercedes-Benz as a partner, possibly with a view to accessing the alloy platform that underpins the new SLS and SL.

Thanks to: Autocar

New Car: 2011 Audi R8 Limited Edition

Audi is celebrating in style – the German firm has launched a special version of its 4.2-litre V8 engined supercar, called the R8 V8 Limited Edition.

The car has been produced to mark Audi's victory at the recent Le Mans 24hr race – and will be restricted to just 100 units.

Helping it to stand out from the crowd are a titanium-effect paint finish option and a 'carbon package', which includes carbonfibresideblades, door mirrors, inlays and door sill trims.

As standard, the R8 V8 Limited Edition gets titanium-look 19-inch alloys and red brake calipers inspired by the flagship R8 GT, while on the inside, there is crimson red detailing on the seats, centre console and dashboard.

Standard equipment includes sat-nav, Bluetooth and Audi's magnetic ride suspension system.
Prices start at £93,935 when the car goes on sale in July. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Spied: 2012 Hyundai Elantra Coupe

It wasn’t long ago that two-door variants of compact cars were both expected and somewhat popular, but the options lately have dwindled. Even the Americans—once mainstays in the segment—have backed out, with the new Ford Focus and the Chevy Cruze eschewing the formula, while Chrysler hasn’t had a little coupe since the first-generation Neon. Absent those, in which cars will high school girls of the future hang leis and plastic necklaces? A two-door Honda Civic or a Kia Forte Koup? No way. Those, like, aren’t even that cute.

Luckily, Hyundai is readying an Elantra coupe that should be totes cute. We confirmed this model’s existence back in February, but an eagle-eyed reader has sent these exclusive spy photos that provide a first look at the car testing here in the States. A bit of camouflage leaves something to the imagination, but the shots clearly show the two-door’s new roofline and fixed rear windows. Peeking through the black vinyl out back, the taillamps appear to be very similar—if not identical—to those of the sedan, and the decklid shape should follow suit as well. We expect that the front clip will go essentially unchanged, too, so the stylish design of the four-door should carry over nicely to this version.

Our previous speculation stated that the coupe will use the same 138-hp, 1.8-liter inline-four and pair of six-speed transmissions as the Elantra sedan, and we’re sticking with that theory for now. Other options that might show up include the Kia Forte Koup’s larger fours (a 156-hp 2.0-liter and a 173-hp 2.4-liter are offered), or the 210-hp, 1.6-liter turbo four that’s currently in development for Hyundai’s Veloster, but we don’t expect hot performance to be the Elantra coupe’s thing. The Korean company must, after all, protect both the funky-doored Veloster and the rear-drive Genesis coupe. This one will be all about two-door style, and that combined with the Elantra sedan’s engine should be enough for the high-school cheerleader set. (Well, at least until VW gets around to building a Jetta coupe.)

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Toyota Camry tops Cars.com American-made index for 3rd straight year

For the third straight year, the Toyota Camry mid-sized sedan tops the 10 vehicles in Cars.com's annual American-Made Index.



The index ranks U.S.-assembled vehicles based on the percentage of their parts made in the United States and the number of vehicles sold to domestic consumers. At least 75 percent of the parts in every vehicle on the list were made in the United States.



"The Camry remains an incredibly popular vehicle, and higher total sales require a higher number of U.S. factory workers and a larger number of U.S. suppliers -- all of which contribute to Toyota's ranking," Cars.com's editor-in-chief, Patrick Olsen, said in a statement.



Most Camrys are assembled at Toyota's Georgetown, Ky., plant, which employs 6,429 people.



About 25 percent of Camrys are made at Subaru's plant in Lafayette, Ind., Toyota spokesman Jim Wiseman said. Toyota contracts with Subaru to make the vehicles, Wiseman said.



Through May 31, Toyota sold 125,218 domestically made Camrys in the United States and about 80 percent of the parts in the Camry are made domestically, Olsen said.



Wiseman said today that the company was committed to using locally made parts.



"Part of Toyota's guiding principles is to support the communities where we're based," Wiseman said. "The best way we can do that is by using locally made parts."



While it's advantageous for foreign automakers to use U.S.-made parts, Olsen said the Detroit 3 use fewer locally made parts to cut costs and better compete globally.



"They've lessened their domestic parts content but strengthened their bottom line," Olsen said in a telephone interview.



Two other Toyota vehicles cracked the top 10: the Sienna minivan at No. 6 and the Tundra full-sized pickup at No. 9 . With three vehicles in the rankings, Toyota tied General Motors for the most vehicles in the top 10.



GM's Chevrolet Malibu mid-sized sedan ranked third, up from fifth last year. The Chevrolet Traverse crossover was No. 8 and the GMC Acadia crossover rounded out the list at No. 10. Neither the Traverse nor the Acadia was on the list last year.



For the second straight year, the Honda Accord claimed the second spot in the rankings. The Accord is built at the automaker's Marysville, Ohio, plant and 120,035 American made units were sold in the first five months of 2011.



Honda's Odyssey minivan also made the list, coming in at No. 5.



The Chicago-made Ford Explorer made its debut on this year's list at No. 4 and is the only Ford Motor Co. vehicle to make the rankings. According to Olsen, 85 percent of the Explorer's parts are made in the United States.



The Jeep Wrangler, ranked No. 7, is the only Chrysler vehicle on the list.

Spied: 2014 Volkswagen Golf GTi/R

Here in the U.S., we’re still waiting on the Volkswagen Golf R, the 270-hp, all-wheel-drive über-GTI, but VW already is working on its replacement. The current, sixth-generation Golf, after all, is not much more than an extensive face lift of the previous generation, and the U.S. is chronically late to receive new VW product.

While we fully recommend that those searching for a hot hatch take a close look at the GTI—and that patient shoppers wait to drive the Golf R—the Golf VII is a good reason to extend the wait perhaps a bit more. Built on the Modularer Querbaukasten (or MQB) platform, the Golf VII will share its architecture with a large number of VW Group models, including the third-gen Audi A3. The next Golf not only will be more angular and aerodynamic, it will be entirely new under the skin, which means lighter and more agile.

These characteristics also pertain to the next GTI and R. Our photographers caught these two mules—wearing Golf VI bodies—testing in Europe. The new car will be slightly longer and wider, the latter evidenced by the plastic fender flares needed to accommodate the swollen rear track on these cars.

VW won't tinker with the formula of the GTI and the Golf R. The GTI will keep its EA888 engine, a 2.0-liter turbo four that drives the front wheels. It currently makes 200 hp in the U.S.—210 in most other markets—but could see a slight bump to 220 hp or so. That boost will be a welcome (and small) step in lessening the gap between the GTI and competitors such as the 263-hp Mazdaspeed 3. The XDS, a function of the stability control that mimics a limited-slip differential, will stay in place.

The changes to the Golf R are slightly more significant, in that this model will lose its current 2.0-liter EA113 engine and move to the coming third-generation 2.0-liter EA888 architecture. The EA113 is an older and somewhat sturdier design, but the next EA888 will easily handle the 300 hp that VW has envisioned for the Golf R. This model will remain all-wheel-drive, its 300 hp bringing it into the rally-bruiser territory occupied by the Mitsubishi Evolution and Subaru WRX STI. The Golf R, however, should be the most refined of the group.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

The scramble for scarce tires

Automakers pay more as supply tightens

North American automakers are struggling with a nagging shortage of tires, caused in part by tire plant closings and rising demand for low-volume specialty tires.



Automakers are paying much higher prices -- double-digit percentage increases from a year ago -- as tire makers gain pricing power.



"We have been bombarded from every side for additional tires, and we can't keep up," said David O'Donnell, Continental Tire's vice president of original equipment in the Americas. "We are at maximum capacity, and all shifts are maxed out."



The shortage doesn't appear to have significantly crimped production plans, though automakers are scrambling to secure supplies. Earlier this year, Dan Knott, Chrysler Group's senior vice president of purchasing and supplier quality, said the company was short of premium tires for some nameplates.



"The tire shortage will not clear up over the next year," Knott predicted. "It's going to take awhile."



Automakers pay as little as $75 per tire for low-end models to as much as $300 or more for high-performance tires.



To meet demand, Continental will expand plants in Illinois and Brazil and will build a factory somewhere in North America. But this will take time. The new lines in Illinois and Brazil won't hit full production until 2013, O'Donnell said.



Continental is investing $224 million to expand its plant in Mount Vernon, Ill., plus $210 million to expand its plant in Camacari, Brazil.



Other tire makers also are maxed out. Michelin is running its North American plants at full capacity, although it has met some requests for more tires, Vice President Rob Murray said in a recent interview.



The shortages come at a time when demand is rising. According to a forecast by consulting firm IHS Automotive, automakers in the United States and Canada will buy 62 million tires for new vehicles this year.



That's up from 55 million tires in 2010. By 2016, North American demand for original equipment tires will rise to 79 million units, IHS estimates.



Fewer tire factories

Bruce Harrison, IHS Automotive's director of North American consulting, says the shortage won't be solved any time soon.



"There are a lot more tire sizes in the marketplace now, and it doesn't look like that trend is slowing," Harrison said. Producing extra tire sizes and low-volume specialty lines reduce a standard tire plant's capacity.



To make things worse, tire makers had been cutting back on North American production capacity before the recession. In 2006 and 2007 alone, four U.S. tire plants were closed, according to The New York Times.



Plant closures eliminated about 71 million units of U.S. capacity, John Baratta, president of replacement tire sales for the United States and Canada at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, said in a June article in Automotive News' sister publication Tire Business.



Meanwhile, tire manufacturers were opening factories in China that flooded the U.S. market with cheap tires. But in September 2009 the Obama administration slapped a three-year tariff on imported Chinese tires.



The tax started at 35 percent of a tire's value declining to 30 percent and 25 percent in the second and third years. The import tax expires in September 2012.



Tire prices have "moved up very sharply" since 2009, said Saul Ludwig, an auto analyst at Northcoast Research, an equity research firm in Cleveland. Increases in the cost of rubber and other materials used in tire manufacturing, including steel, have tightened supplies and driven costs higher.



Soaring costs

Since 2005, the combined prices of natural and synthetic rubber, carbon black, steel cord, fabric and other materials have risen nearly every year, with jumps of 56 percent in 2010, and 47 percent in 2009, Bridgestone's Baratta said.



Continental, Michelin North America Inc., Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and other major tire makers have raised prices several times in the past few years to offset rising raw-materials costs.



Automakers and tire companies don't disclose original-equipment prices. But rising prices for replacement tires suggest what's going on in the original-equipment market.



For example, Michelin said the company has raised prices three times over the past year on car and light-truck replacement tires: an 8.5 percent increase on May 1; a November 2010 increase that the company wouldn't quantify; and a 6 percent increase last June.



Despite the headaches, automakers appear to be muddling through. During an interview last week, Tony Brown, Ford's group vice president of global purchasing, said Ford's vehicle production plans this year will not be affected by tight supplies of tires or other components.



"We have enough tires," Brown said. "We will deliver the production plan, with the tires to support those plans."

Chrysler prepares to build Dodge small car

Chrysler Group LLC said it plans to begin test production in the second half of this year of the small car that will trigger U.S. government requirements to increase Fiat S.p.A.'s ownership stake.



Tooling for the small Dodge brand car will be installed at Chrysler's Belvidere, Ill., assembly plant in August, said Fred Goedtel, head of Chrysler's vehicle assembly operations.



"We'll start pilots in the fall" and official production begins "sometime" in the first quarter, he said.



Design work on the car, which is the vehicle Chrysler expects will trigger the final government ownership milestone, is done, said Ralph Gilles, head of Chrysler design.



"The company is really focused on it," he said of the vehicle.



Fiat is moving fast to consolidate control over Chrysler.



The Italian automaker is buying the U.S. Treasury Department's final stake in the U.S. automaker that was acquired as part of Chrysler's 2009 bankruptcy reorganization.



That purchase will raise Fiat's stake to 52 percent. Chrysler must test and commit to building a vehicle in the U.S. that achieves 40 mpg for Fiat to gain another 5 percent stake.



Its deal with the U.S. and Canada allowed Fiat to gain as much as 35 percent in Chrysler without paying cash in exchange for giving management experience and technology to Chrysler.



Fiat was also required to achieve various performance milestones.



The 40 mpg vehicle is the final such milestone. Fiat also exercised an option to purchase 16 percent of the company after Chrysler repaid the U.S. and Canadian government loans in May.



Sergio Marchionne, chief executive officer of both automakers, has said he expects Fiat will get its final 5 percent tied to the 40 mpg car by year's end.



The small Dodge car is based on Fiat's Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Marchionne has said. Gilles said the new Dodge model's name was decided earlier this week.



But he declined to provide the name.

Car, truck demand rebounding in June after May dip

U.S. sales of cars and light trucks are rebounding in June after falling for the first time in nine months in May, analysts said.



June increases projected by three research firms range from 8 percent to 14 percent. May's sales dropped 4 percent from a year earlier as consumers confronted rising gasoline prices, reduced incentives, and vehicle shortages caused by the March earthquake in Japan.



June's seasonally adjusted annual sales rate will be in the 12 million range when automakers' results are announced on July 1, according to the forecasts.



The SAAR had been above that mark for seven straight months before consumers scaled back purchases in May.



"There has been some easing of negative variables in June, as the inventory shortage has not been as severe as expected, and gas prices have dropped noticeably from higher levels in April and May," Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting at J.D. Power and Associates, said in a statement today.



"Provided that the economy decides to cooperate, the automotive summer slowdown will only be a speed bump, and a return of a measurable recovery pace is still expected in the second half of 2011."



Overall, light vehicle demand is forecast to rise 8 percent this month from June 2010 to 1.1 million units, or at an annualized rate of 12 million, J.D. Power said.



Trucks, small cars pace gains



Retail sales of new vehicles are projected to come in at 884,800 units in June, which represents a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 9.9 million units, J.D. Power said.



That's an improvement from May's 9.3-million-unit rate.



Large pickup and compact car demand are driving the increase in June sales.



J.D. Power said big pickup trucks represent 10.6 percent of retail sales month-to-date — the highest level since February.



Compact cars comprise 17.6 percent of retail sales this month, up from 17.2 percent in May.



May sales dropped to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 11.78 million units - the lowest level since August 2010 – after topping 13 million units for three straight months.



U.S. light vehicle sales are up 14 percent through May, to 5.28 million units.



May dip



On Thursday, TrueCar.com estimated June new light vehicle sales, including fleet, will climb 13.5 percent to 1.12 million units from a year ago.



June retail sales are forecast to rise 2.1 percent from a year earlier, TrueCar said.



"Uncertainty in the economy as well as high gas prices and shortages in small car inventory contributed to the limited gains in sales in June." TrueCar analyst Jesse Toprak said in a statement. "May appeared to be the low point in vehicle sales this year and we don't expect sales to go below 11.9 million SAAR level."



Edmunds.com estimates June sales of 1.09 million new vehicles, up 11.2 percent.



Low supplies of small, fuel-efficient models and price increases have prompted consumers to delay purchases, Edmunds said.



"As prices and inventory return closer to normal levels by September, many of those lost sales can be made up by the end of this year when consumers return to the market," Edmunds.com chief economist Lacey Plache said in a statement.



Lower outlook



While some of the external pressures on new car and truck demand have lessened in recent weeks, some analysts and automakers have grown more cautious about the industry's outlook.



The Federal Reserve, citing slow job growth, fuel prices and the weak housing market, this week lowered its forecast for U.S. economic growth for the remainder of the year.



J.D. Power has reduced its forecast for 2011 retail sales to 10.5 million units from 10.6 million units. And the company's forecast for total sales, including fleets, has been revised to 12.9 million units from 13 million units.



"Conditions for light-vehicle sales are improving, but the automotive market remains fluid and susceptible to a slower economic recovery or external shock," John Humphrey, senior vice president of automotive operations at J.D. Power, said in a statement. "This risk is driving a more cautious approach to the market outlook for the remainder of 2011 and into 2012."

Nokia N9 features, review and specifications

Nokia mostly will regain its market back with the N9. It comes with an impressive 3.9" curved FWVGA (which is 480 x 854 pixels in portrait format, and 854 x 480 pixels in landscape) resolution AMOLED capacitive Touchscreen display. The display has the following features also Gorilla Glass, anti-glare polarizer, curved display, multi-touch input.


The Nokia N9 is powered by 1GHz Cortex A8 CPU, PowerVR SGX530 GPU, TI OMAP 3630 chipset and has 1GB RAM. It runs on MeeGo v1.2 Harmattan OS. it has options of 16/64 GB storage without microSD slot.

Coming to creative side the N9 is equipped with 8MP auto-focus HD camera having Carl Zeiss lens with face detection, touch focus, LED flash and geotagging, capable of recording video in 720p HD quality at 30fps. it also has a front facing camera.
On the connectivity side it has Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot, BT-PAN, Bluetooth 2.1, standard microUSB port, GPS receiver with A-GPS, 3.5mm audio jack, TV-out, NFC and has the following sensors built-in accelerometer, proximity sensor along with microSIM card slot.

The network option provided are GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz, HSDPA 14.4 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps


The formfactor is touchscreen bar with 116.5 x 61.2 x 12.1 mm and weighs 135gm. It is made of made of premium-quality hard plastic (polycarbonate). Nokia N9 16GB has a price tag of $660 and the 64GB will go for $749. It is available first in Sweden from September 23 and soon to other parts of Europe, US etc...
Features at a glance:

• 3.9" curved FWVGA AMOLED capacitive Touchscreen curved display
• Gorilla Glass
• 1GHz Cortex A8 CPU
• 1GB RAM
• MeeGo v1.2 Harmattan OS
• 16/64 GB storage
• 8MP auto-focus rear camera
• front facing camera
• Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 2.1
• microUSB port, GPS with A-GPS
• 3.5mm audio jack, TV-out, NFC
• accelerometer, proximity sensor
• microSIM card slot
• 116.5 x 61.2 x 12.1 mm
• 135gm
• Nokia N9 16GB has a price tag of $660
• Nokia N9 64GB will go for $749
• available first in Sweden from September 23

Tags:Tags:Nokia N9, Nokia N9 features, Nokia N9 specifications, Nokia N9 review, Nokia N9 details, Nokia N9 availability, Nokia N9 specs, Nokia N9 images, Nokia N9 pics, Nokia N9 pictures, smartphone, MeeGo v1.2 Harmattan OS, Nokia N9 Network options, Nokia N9 Connectivity options, Nokia N9 Sensor options.

Spied: 2013 Peugeot 208

Peugeot’s all-new 208 supermini — spied here in summer testing for the first time — will be smaller and lighter than the 207 it replaces when it is launched next year.

Peugeot insiders say the 208’s smaller exterior dimensions will not impact on interior space and it could even grow in size inside. Up to 100kg could be shed compared with the current heavyweight 207.

The 208’s styling will be influenced by the firm’s SR1 sports car concept. The new car will ditch the 207’s oversize nose and grille in favour of the SR1’s sleeker, more elegant look. Indeed, the spy shots reveal a car with a lower nose and more elegant proportions despite the disguise.

Interior quality will also be greatly improved, with the focus on simple style and high-quality materials.

Engine development has centred on downsized turbocharged powerplants, with the star being a near-200bhp 1.6 unit powering a GTI model that Peugeot hopes will reclaim iconic status for the badge. A warmer — and cheaper to insure — GT version is also planned to appeal to younger drivers.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: Porsche 550 Gets Reborn?

More details on the much-rumoured 'baby' Porsche have emerged, courtesy of our sources in Germany. The new model, which will be based on a mid-engined platform debuted by the VW Bluesport concept, is set to carry the legendary 550 tag of the original 50s Spyder.

It is also set to feature an all-new engine – a 1.6-litre flat-four-cylinder 'boxer' unit. This will be turbocharged giving a power output of around 200bhp. Driving the rear wheels through a conventional manual gearbox – although a PDK twin-clutch could be offered too – the new sub-Boxster machine will arrive in 2014.

There are no details regarding performance, but weighing around 1,200kg, the two-seater should be able to do 0-60mph in around 6.0 seconds and hit a top speed of 145mph. But it will also be efficient, returning 40mpg and emitting less than 160g/km of CO2 thanks to start-stop.

With a manually operated folding canvas roof, the two seater 550 will be a very back-to-basics Porsche. Smaller than the Boxster, it will be even more agile and one of the most driver-focused cars in the line-up.

The same mid-engined platform will spawn a production version of the VW Bluesport – which was revealed at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show – and an Audi-badged roadster to sit below the TT, badged R4. The latter will move the TT upmarket in terms of price, and the same will happen with the 550 and Boxster, with the new entry-level model starting at around £35,000 pushing the Boxster to £40,000+.

While we'll have to wait until the summer of 2014 for the new 550, plenty of Porsche sports cars will be launched beforehand. The wraps will come off the all-new 911 at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September while the new Boxster and Cayman are due in 2012.For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

New Car: 2011 Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette

Aston Martin has joined forces with boutique French fashion brand Collette to create an exclusive limited edition of it's tiny city car.

Strictly limited to just 14 examples, the Cygnet & collette special edition will be hand finished by the British brand's elite 'Works Tailored' personalisation service, and features a variety of extras to set it apart from the standard car.

The first of a series of Cygnet special editions, the exterior styling gets a race inspired, blue-rimmed grille and door mirrors, and custom blue alloy wheels and stripes reminiscent of Renaultsport's Gordini range.

Inside, the seats and doors are wrapped in quilted 'Bitter Chocolate' leather with blue stitching, there's a set of occasional scatter cushions for the rear seats, special badging and a bespoke solid aluminium key.

Other goodies to keep the Colette's fashionable buyers entertained in traffic include special sweets, a Paris city guide and a custom Sigg water bottle.

The Cygnet & colette is only available to order from the French firm's high tech flagship store, for £43,685 (€48,995) - around £13,000 more than the standard car. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Spied: 2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe

If you liked the BMW Concept Gran Coupé at the Beijing auto show last April, prepare your checkbook: The Bavarians are readying it for a production launch next year. Our spy photographers caught what will be called the 6-series Gran Coupé looking remarkably showroom ready, with only a few camo stickers plastered over the side and rear.

Actually, BMW had plans to launch a large, elegant four-door a few years ago. Previewed by the Concept CS from 2007, the “four-door coupe”—a marketing phrase that makes as much sense as ”fixed-roof convertible”—was going to be longer, wider, and lower than a 7-series, and propelled by super-powerful V-8 and V-12 engines. But the project was killed when the economy turned turtle, and the man in charge, BMW M development guru Gerhard Richter, retired.

But the idea of a graceful, low four-door lived on at BMW. In Beijing last year, the company showed the Concept Gran Coupé, a sedan with the basic shape of the 6-series coupe. Aside from the number of doors and stretched roofline, it varied from the coupe only in minor details: larger air intakes, smaller side mirrors, a metal accent strip on the front fender, and rectangular exhaust pipes. Close inspection of the prototype seen in these shots shows that all of these details are gone. The front fascia is interchangeable with that of the 6-series coupe and convertible, and this car has a regular 6-series exhaust system.

A large panoramic sunroof is new, and hopefully doesn't add too much weight to the top of this already heavy car. The lightweight future that BMW loves to talk about will have to wait: Even though the company uses aluminum and composite materials for some exterior panels, we expect the Gran Coupé to tip the scales at around two tons. The previous 6-series was more consistent in its use of lightweight materials, with a complex front structure made entirely from aluminum.

Under the skin, the Gran Coupé shares virtually everything with the 6-series coupe and convertible— and, of course, the 5-series, which serves as the technological basis for the 6. Thanks to those roots, the Gran Coupé could theoretically be equipped with a large number of engines, including numerous inline-sixes and the super-powerful twin-turbo V-8 from the recently announced M5. But we suspect the lineup will be limited to remain in character with this model's elegant and discreet personality. Likely choices are the 300-hp, 3.0-liter, single-turbo inline-six; the 400-hp, 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8; and—in Europe—a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel six. Eight-speed automatics will be standard. The U.S. might get a six-speed manual, although we expect that option will remain confined to the two-door 6-series and the M5. All-wheel drive is technically possible, but unlikely.

Recently, BMW has ventured into perhaps a few too many niches—the so-called 5-series “Gran Turismo” comes to mind. But the Gran Coupé is a beautiful entry in a burgeoning segment that offers style and sophistication without the ostentation of a full-fledged luxury flagship like the 7-series. Direct competitors will include the Audi A7, Jaguar XF, and Mercedes-Benz CLS, while fully loaded Gran Coupés will encroach upon the territory of the Maserati Quattroporte and Porsche Panamera. Even in these spy photos, we can see that BMW's offering in this chic class will come with very few aesthetic compromises.
Thanks to: Car and Driver

New Car: 2012 BMW M3 CRT Lighweight Sedan

We first told you about BMW’s upcoming lightweight M3 sedan when it debuted as a concept car in April, following that up with a series of spy photos in May. Well, June is nearing its end, and we’d feel just horrible if we missed a monthly installment, so today we’re on to the thrilling conclusion in this three-part series. (At least until the surprise follow-up, when we drive the thing.)

In the lead-up to the Nürburgring 24 Hours race, BMW used its “M Night” celebration to debut the production version of this supersedan, officially called the BMW M3 CRT Lightweight Sedan, CRT standing for Carbon Racing Technologies. Unless you think every sports car needs a roll cage, which appeared on the M3 GTS coupe, the CRT won’t disappoint. (BMW has released video of the car; you can watch it here.)

Our earlier reports speculated that the sedan would make use of a standard M3’s 4.0-liter V-8, making a healthy 414 horsepower, but that won’t be the case. The CRT instead shares the GTS’s 4.4-liter, delivering 450 hp at a screaming 8300 rpm and 324 lb-ft of torque peaking at 3750 revs. Its crankcase is constructed out of an aluminum-silicon alloy, it has individual throttle butterflies, and its exhaust gasses exit through a sport exhaust system with a lightweight titanium muffler.

This car isn’t called the M3 CRT Big Horsepower though, so let’s get to the things that make it lighter than a standard M3 sedan. Benefitting from new manufacturing processes developed for the carbon-intensive BMW i3 and i8 models coming in 2013, the M3 CRT has a hood that consists of two carbon-fiber sheets encasing an aramid composite honeycomb for added rigidity. As a result, it has the strength of a traditional steel hood with just a quarter of the weight. Compared to a normal M3’s aluminum piece, the weight is halved. Inside the cabin, the front bucket seats use the same process and therefore benefit from the same weight savings. The result is a car that weighs just 3483 pounds despite standard equipment that includes a dual-clutch transmission, navigation, a high-end BMW Individual audio system, and parking sensors. BMW says that, while the official weight savings is 100 pounds, if all this equipment is considered, the real savings is over 150 pounds. And considered alongside the car’s added horsepower, the cuts are good for a ratio of 7.7 pounds for each pony to carry, an improvement of roughly one full pound over the regular M3 sedan.

The M3 GTS carry-overs continue behind each of the car’s 19-inch lightweight wheels (wearing 245/35 rubber up front and 265/35 at the rear), with a set of more-rigid subframes and individually-adjustable dampers. The six-piston front brakes, also from the GTS, use calipers made of a special low-weight compound construction and, in the name of consistent pedal feel, stainless steel brake lines have been fitted.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

04 Explorer a/c burnt?

I have a good one for you! I knew sooner or later this would happen.It could have easily burned and totalled the vehicle.

My son's 04 Explorer which was having earlier problems with the a/c compressor not powering on, now it is a bigger problem. Previously he was jumpering directly from the a/c clutch wire connector to the battery, to engage the a/c compressor clutch.

Well,he decided to hook up a toggle switch to the suv interior. After doing that, it wasn't long before the a/c clutch two wire connector shorted together and caused melted black electrical tape and the toggle switch to burn up, taking out the battery in the process.

He had to replace the battery and now when he tries jumpering directly to the battery again,it just causes sparking.

My question is the a/c compressor clutch coil

possibly shorted out or could it be the old original wire connector itself causing the arcing? How can you test the a/c clutch coil?

I am presently trying to locate and buy a new a/c clutch wiring connector pigtail. It is a two spade/two wire connector. I called A/Z and Oreilly's and they either don't have it or unsure which connector is the proper one.

I may have to call a local Ford dealership.

I do understand all of this is a bone head way of powering the a/c compressor and shouldn't have been done.

Does anyone know a part or oem # that would help to find the correct replacement wire connector.

That is the first priority right now and then get it repaired properly at a mechanic shop.

This 2004 Ford Explorer is a 4 wd, 4.0L V-6, with Vin K

I just need to replace the wiring pigtail to eliminate a possibly burnt out/grounded out connector and hope that he didn't burn out the a/c clutch coil. I would appreciate your help with this very stupid problem.



Response:



1).. reminds me of putting the penny behind the fuse... or in modern times, tin foil around the fuse;-)



2)The A/C clutch coil is an electro magnet. Knowing that I suspect that the Compressor itself is probably bad causing excessive heat by dragging on the clutch surfaces. And I have seen the compressors start fires.



UPDATE

The 04 Explorer meltdown was when the vehicle wasn't running. It shorted out with the a/c clutch wire connector (where hot wired)the two wires touched. So I don't really think it was the compressor itself involved. It was operating well when jumpered due to inability to energize thru the OEM control system via the clutch cycling switch.

Can I check the a/c clutch coil with a multimeter for continuity and/or Ohms? I read that continuity would confirm a good complete circuit. I just want to get the car back to the point of a/c compressor able to engage properly and then get it repaired properly at a local mechanic shop.

I did call a Ford dealership and found a new a/c clutch wire connector pigtail.

Thanks guys for your assistance, will update you later.

Hot News: Think Global Bankrupt

Electric car manufacturer Think Global has filed for bankruptcy.

Under Norwegian bankruptcy laws, a court-appointed trustee will immediately take over the short-term operation of the Oslo-based company.

Think’s battery supplier, Ener1, which recently ended its four year deal with the firm will now begin recovering some £20m in unpaid loans and accounts receivable from Think Global.

Think's most recent product was the four-seat Think City micro car, an electric vehicle with a ‘100 mile’ range. It was due to hit UK soils this year carrying a price tag of around £23,000.

Think sold 'over 2500' city cars in Europe and the US since its introduction in 1999. The company has been in business for 20 years.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: The New Renault Twingo

Renault is planning a final round of changes for its Twingo city car before an all-new model is launched in 2014 as a sister car to the Smart Forfour.

The current Twingo, including the Renaultsport model, will get refreshed front and rear styling alongside some interior tweaks by the end of 2011.

But the biggest change to the range is likely to be the addition of Renault’s new 0.9-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, first seen in Renault’s R-Space concept at the Geneva show earlier this year.

The next-generation Twingo will increase in size to make way for a new, smaller Renault city car that will be based on the next-gen Smart Fortwo.

The two new Renault city cars are the latest stage in a wider co-operation between Renault and Daimler that was first announced last year.

Speaking to Autocar, Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche said the two firms “were moving forward on significant new projects” and both were exploring “more areas of mutual interest”.

Thanks to: Autocar

New Concept Car: Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid II

Is this a successor to the MR-2? Toyota will take the wraps off a new mid-engined hybrid convertible at the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race this weekend.

Called the GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II, it may not have as catchy a name as the MR-2, but it's certainly not lacking in visual aggression – or outright punch.

Originally shown at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon, this new version features far curvier and more cohesive bodywork while under the skin is an uprated hybrid system. The whole car has been developed by Gazoo Racing – the team behind the Lexus LF-A supercar.

It uses a four-wheel drive set-up with an electric motor at the front and a mid-mounted 245bhp 3.5-litre petrol V6 and another set of electric motors driving the rear wheels. Total power output is 295bhp and with a kerbweight of 1,500kg, the GRMN concept should be able to do 0-60mph in under six-seconds.

Toyota claims the hybrid AWD system improves manoeuvrability, increases driving enjoyment and provides enhanced stability. There are no plans to put this car on sale, but the firm says it will take lessons learned and apply them to its road cars.For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Spied: 2013 Mercedes A-Class

Mercedes-Benz released two prototypes of its next-generation small cars into the wild this weekend, and our spy shooters were able to capture heavily camouflaged versions of the A-class five-door and “four-door coupe” testing for the first time. The five-door hatch and Mercedes CLS–inspired sedan, along with the minivan-style B-class tall wagon and a possible crossover, are due to hit the U.S. market for the 2013 model year, and the four body styles all will share the same front-wheel-drive platform. The A-class will go toe-to-toe with Audi’s upcoming A3 sedan and hatch and the next-gen BMW 1-series while establishing a smaller and more affordable entry point for new Mercedes-Benz customers.

We have already seen images from European patent filings for the next-gen Mercedes-Benz A-class, and these spy photos confirm the small five-door’s look. Even though the A-class prototype is heavily armored with unwieldy camo, the side and rear glass, roofline, door-handle location, and basic proportions are dead on with what we saw in those drawings. The dramatic body line that sweeps up from the front wheel to the taillight is not visible through the prototype’s heavy camouflage, but its pinched butt and domed hood are.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Spied: 2013 Jaguar XE Roadster

As we left this year’s Geneva auto show, at which Jaguar kicked off the iconic E-type’s 50th birthday party, we were disappointed. After the music had stopped, the champagne flutes sat dry, and the confetti lay lifeless on the floor, we still had no E-type successor or tribute. Today, though, our spirits are lifted, as our crafty spy shooters have caught Jaguar testing a mule of what will become the modern version of the E-type, likely called XE.

Whether or not the future two-seater will be able to pick up the torch of the famed E-type, it’ll fill that car’s role within the Jag showroom. At first glance, this mule appears to be just a rough-bodied version of the XK, complete with its updated headlights, but upon further study we can clearly see that the wheelbase—and consequently, the sheetmetal—have been shortened. Note how the surface between the leading edge of the front of the rear fender and the door seam is smaller than it is on the XK, which is why the body lines no longer match. Additionally, the rear overhang has been compressed on this mule, displacing the fuel door. The tacked on fender flares could indicate a wider rear track than the XK has.

It shouldn’t take much Sherlock Holmes–ing to determine what lies under the hood. As this car will be based on the XK platform, we fully expect it to receive either a naturally aspirated or supercharged version of Jag’s spectacular 5.0-liter V-8. Additionally, we know Jaguar is working on a new V-6 for the XF sedan and a forthcoming BMW 3-series–size sedan, and anticipate that’ll find its way into a base model of the XE.

The XE will eventually be offered as both a coupe and a convertible. The ragtop should be the first to market, possibly entering production as early as 2012. Its primary targets will be the Porsche Boxster, Audi TT, BMW Z4, and Mercedes-Benz SLK. Figure on the XE being priced toward the pricier end of that segment, or around $60,000. Stay tuned for more details as the E-type’s party really gets rockin’.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Spied: 2012 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot isn’t as weird as a Citroën, nor is it as thrilling as a BMW M3. In spite of this—or perhaps because of it—Honda’s eight-passenger crossover SUV sells in substantial numbers, impressive work for a car that debuted in its second generation for 2008. (It joined our long-term test fleet soon after.) To keep shoppers interested, though, Honda’s making some tweaks for 2012, and our spy shooters have caught one of the face-lifted Pilots running around.

The most notable difference is the change in the grille. The current car’s cyborg-like front fascia was a bit of a styling risk from such a conservative company, and while it probably didn’t hurt sales, it didn’t win loads of fans either. It’s immediately apparent from these images that the flat grille will disappear, to be replaced with a three-slat insert. Tape on the rear bumper suggests some resurfacing there as well. Otherwise, the Pilot’s exterior remains mostly the same as it has been; it’s an inoffensive design and still looks fresh enough to satisfy families in the showroom.

Mechanically, the alterations to the Pilot will most likely be evolutionary. Honda has been upgrading most of its models’ five-speed automatic transmissions with six-ratio units; you can expect the Pilot to join the six-speed in-crowd. Between the new gearbox and—perhaps—some finessing of the engine’s greasy bits, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pilot gain an extra mile per gallon or two. For the folks who put cartoonish drawings of themselves and their pets on the rear window, this will be pleasant news.

We expect Honda to unveil the face-lifted Pilot sometime this fall, either at November’s Los Angeles auto show or at a less-full-of-fanfare venue. It’ll be a busy fall for the company’s crossover division, as we’re also expecting an all-new CR-V. We’ll bring you full info on both cars when it arrives.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Spied: 2013/2014 Ford Fiesta SUV

The new B-MAX isn't the only small Ford on the way – our spies have shot up close shots of another Fiesta-based prototype. And it drops the strongest hints yet that the B-MAX will be joined by an SUV brother rivalling Nissan's Juke.

Most obvious is the raised ride height and increased gap between the wheels and the wheelarches, hinting at greater ground clearance for rough roads. But look closely at the the tyres and you can just make out that this rugged-looking Fiesta rides on Pirello Scorpion ATR rubber – the Italian manufacturer's on/off-road tyre.

They may only be 16-inches in size but with chunky tread, this prototype looks like it'll be very capable in a variety of terrains. In addition, the wheels also protrude past each side of the car, showing the wider front and rear tracks.

Although this model wears a five-door Fiesta body, expect the finished article to get a stylish look simlar to that of the Kuga. Turbocharged Ecoboost engines will include a 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 1.6-litre four-cylinder, both with start-stop.

Developed under the One Ford strategy, the Fiesta SUV will be sold throughout the world, including the US and Far East. Expect to see a concept at a major motor show next year.For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Hot News: Lotus Confirms New V8 and City Car

British maker Lotus has confirmed that it will be building its own V8 engine for its upcoming range of new supercars. But at the other end of the line-up, it has also confirmed that a new city car will go on sale in the UK in 2014 too.

The new engine will be 4.8-litre V8, designed and built in Hethel, Norfolk. It will weigh around 170kg – that's 80kg lighter than the engine from the Lexus IS-F that was originally going to be used. The latter was vetoed by prospective buyers who thought the reborn firm should produce its own engines from the ground-up.

With a flat-plane crankshaft and a dry sump, the V8 will develop 570bhp and rev to 9,000rpm in standard tune. That figure will rise to 620bhp in even faster R versions.

The engine will be fired up on a test bench on August 18 and used in a new LMP2 racing car. It will then appear in the Esprit – due in 2013 in coupe and convertible form – and then the Elite 2+2 drop-top and Eterne four-door coupe. The engine will be a modular unit, so a four-cylinder unit (for the next-generation Elise) and a V6 will be produced from it too.

Lotus also confirmed it will build its city car concept, which will be based on the EMAS from parent company Prototon. Of the five sports cars revealed at last year's Paris Motor Show, the Elan has been shelved. Lotus boss Dany Bahar told Auto Express that the noses of the Esprit and Elan had been redesigned to distance the two cars from each other, but the Elan has now been put on ice completely. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Hot News: Audi Plans to Release 3 Sport SUVs by 2016

Audi will be adding three more SUVs to its portfolio, effectively doubling its current SUV lineup by 2016. Joining the odd-numbered Q3, Q5 and Q7 will be the sportier even-numbered Q2, Q4 and Q6. The new models are part of Audi’s strategy to meet the growing global demand for up-market SUVs.

“It’s clear that demand for SUVs and crossovers is still in an upswing phase and will remain so for some years to come. We want to make sure we have the coverage to satisfy it,” an Audi insider revealed to Autocar.

The new Q2 SUV will be the new baby in Audi’s SUV family. It will be based on an upcoming four-wheel drive version of the A1’s platform, which it will share with a Volkswagen cousin. The pair will fill the slot below the Q3/Volkswagen Tiguan and be about the size of the Nissan Juke – which “Audi designers admit to having in the design studio as a reference point,” according to Autocar. Although Audi is referencing the Juke design-wise the Q2 is set to compete head-on with the Mini Countryman. Expect engines to mirror those in the A1.

Built to rival Range Rover’s Evoque, the middle-of-the-pack Q4 will share platforms and most of its dimensions with the Q5. The one exception will be its roofline, which will be chopped just over two inches. Styling will be similar to the A5 Sportback, with more rake to its windshield than the Q5, shallower greenhouse and an angled liftback-style rear hatch. Fender flares reminiscent of 1980s rally Quattros are also a possibility. The interior will be similar to the Q5 but the middle seat on the second row is intended for limited use.

Expect engines for the U.S. market to include versions of the turbocharged 2.0 liter I-4 and the 270 hp naturally aspirated 3.2-liter gas V6. Other engine choices may include Audi’s 2.0-liter turbodiesel with 170 hp and 210 hp or a 240 hp 3.0-liter V6 diesel. An S-model for the North American market may feature Audi’s 328 hp supercharged 3.0-liter V6 gas-powered engine.

The top of Audi’s sporty SUV heap will be the Q6 which is set to rival BMW’s X6. Originally believed to be based on today’s Q7 it will utilize the MLB (‘modularen langsbau’ or modular longitudinal architecture) -based platform used by today’s Q5 and upcoming Q4 and Porsche Cajun. In an effort to reduce weight in all future Audis the big SUV’s body will be constructed mostly of aluminum and some composite plastic and carbon fiber.

Is six SUVs too many for Audi? Other manufacturers currently have several SUVs and crossovers: Ford has five (six if you count the Expedition EL separate from the Expedition) SUVs not including Lincoln versions (three); Toyota has seven not including Lexus (three) and Chevrolet has four not including GMC (four SUVs), Buick (one SUV) and Cadillac (two SUVs).How many SUVs are too many for one nameplate especially in today’s world of fluctuating fuel prices.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

New Car: 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe

Mini’s cars are known for their flingability, but the company is dragging its feet releasing info on its new Cooper Coupe. Last week, we got our first official photos of the car (albeit still partially covered in camouflage) and then got to drive a prototype (again, still partially covered in camouflage). This time, we’ve finally got photos of the whole car—not the concept, not spy shots of a camouflaged production car, not official shots of a camouflaged car, but official shots of a fully exposed production coupe, its thin quarter and rear glass uncovered, its helmet roof and racing stripes revealed in all their glory.

There is very little new information accompanying these new photos. For those of you who missed the last few stories, however, here is a recap of this re-capped Cooper: the Mini Coupe is a two-seat, trunk-ated (though not truncated) version of Mini’s feisty hatch, based on the Cooper convertible’s structure. It has the same footprint as the Cooper hatchback, but its roof is roughly an inch lower and it features a faster windshield angle. All three of the 1.6-liter engines offered on other Coopers sold in the States will be available in the coupe: the 121-hp naturally aspirated base four-cylinder, the raucous 181-hp turbocharged version of same, and the wild-child 208-hp John Cooper Works turbo four. Wheels will come in 15-, 16-, and 17-inch sizes, with plenty of different designs available as options.

Thanks to added bracing in the rear bulkhead and elsewhere, the Mini Cooper Coupe will be torsionally stiffer than the hardtop, but, at least in JCW form, it also will be roughly 55 pounds heavier. However, we already know that, thanks to bespoke suspension tuning and brake-based torque vectoring, the coupe is more fun to drive than any other Mini body style. (At least it is for now. Engineers on our drive of the JCW car told us the final calibrations could still change.)
Thanks to: Car and Driver

Ford plans hybrid-only models

Ford, like Toyota, aims to create a family of hybrid-only vehicles. But Ford and its dealers have to decide who will sell them.



Ford Motor Co. plans to offer the C-Max vehicles in hybrid-only versions, with no gasoline-powered version. The two vehicles -- the C-Max hybrid five-seat hatchback and the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid -- will join the Transit Connect Electric commercial van, Focus electric and an unidentified fifth vehicle that will arrive in 2012.



Ford now sells hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion and Escape and the Lincoln MKZ.



Speaking last week about the C-Max models, Jim Farley, Ford's global marketing chief, said, "I am convinced that customers will appreciate that Ford now offers a dedicated body style for electric vehicle choices."



He announced that Ford had cancelled plans to sell the European-engineered seven-seat gasoline-powered C-Max in the United States.



The C-Max plan appears to mimic Toyota Motor Corp.'s plan for a family of Prius hybrid vehicles. The Toyota Prius and Honda Insight are the only hybrids that are not derivatives of gasoline-powered models.



Ford plans to triple North American production of electric vehicles and hybrids to more than 100,000 units by 2013.



While all Ford brand dealers are expected to sell the C-Max hatchback hybrid, dealers can choose not to sell the C-Max Energi. They will have to decide by the end of this summer whether to commit to investing in service-department training and meeting other requirements to get the Energi.



Both vehicles will go on sale in 2012, but Farley would not say whether they will go on sale nationwide or whether Ford will launch them in a few markets, as was true for the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and the Nissan Leaf electric car.



"Dealers will have to do different things, in terms of financing, arranging for the installation of the plug-in at the customer's house" and handling service, Farley said.



Best Buy will install the charging stations, he said.

Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 features, review and specifications

Samsung Galaxy Ace features a 3.5-inch screen with (320 x 480)QVGA display and is powered by 800MHz processor and runs on Android 2.2 Froyo OS and comes with 153MB in-built storage and the phone comes with a 2GB card in the box.

Samsung Galaxy Ace comes with a 5MP camera at the back with LED flash and autofocus for sharp close-up shots but no HD video recording. With AllShare app you can stream the media on your phone to DLNA-enabled TVs. It has got 7.2Mbps HSDPA for fast downloads over 3G and 802.11n Wi-Fi. It provides facilities for easy to share your shots over email, Facebook and Picasa.


The Samsung Galaxy Ace has its power button on the right edge, on the left is the volume rocker, the microUSB and headphone sockets on the top edge, there’s a microSD slot on the side. The microUSB is hidden behind a ridged plastic slider and the card slot is hidden by a softer plastic bung.


It has a single physical button on its front, which will take you back to the homescreen, flanking it are touch buttons for Back and Menu, which disappear into the blackness of the bezel when the phone is powered down. The Galaxy Ace comes with a textured back which provides Extra grip and it keeps fingerprints and scratches well covered up.


The Samsung Galaxy Ace is currently available and the pricing includes a two-year contract for £15 per month or buy for £300


Features at a glance:

• 3.5inch QVGA display
• 800MHz processor
• Android 2.2 Froyo OS
• 5MP camera with LED flash and autofocus
• light at only 113g
• multi-touch support
• 802.11n Wi-Fi
• 3G
• 2GB card
• microUSB port and microSD slot
• £15 per month for 2 years or £300

Tags:Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830, Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 features, Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 specifications, Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 review, Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 details, Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 availability, Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 specs, Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 images, Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 pics, Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 pictures, smartphone, Android 2.2 Froyo OS.

The HTC HD7S features, price, info and specs

The HTC HD7S comes with a 4.3-inch Super LCD screen with 480x800 pixel display and has a four-point multi-touch which is powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon QSD8250 processor with 576MB RAM, 512MB ROM, and 16GB of storage and runs on NoDo version of Windows Phone 7.

HTC HD7S has a 5 MP camera with dual LED flash with the camera button on right side which has a half-press for focus and then a full press for shutter. The other button on the right side is the volume rocker buttons. On the top side we had the power button and on the bottom we have microUSB connector, a microphone hole, and a 3.5mm headset jack and on the back we had the speaker grill along with the 5MP camera and dual LED flash.


Other options of HTC HD7S includes Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, assisted GPS, 1230 mAh battery, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, and a microUSB 2.0 port. The device dimensions are 68 x 122 x 11.2 millimeters, and it weighs 162 grams.

The HTC HD7S is available on AT&T with 3G bands now for about $200 on a new, two-year contract and it should only continue to get better once it gets the Windows Phone Mango update later in the Fall.

Features at a glance:

• 4.3-inch Super LCD screen
• 1GHz Snapdragon QSD8250 processor
• 576MB RAM, 512MB ROM
• 16GB of storage
• Windows 7 NoDo Operating System
• 5 MP camera with dual LED flash
• Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1
• assisted GPS, 1230 mAh battery
• 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
• a microUSB 2.0 port
• form factor of 68 x 122 x 11.2 mm
• weighs 162 grams
• price tag of $200 with two-year contract from AT&T with 3G bands

Tags:HTC HD7S, HTC HD7S features, HTC HD7S specifications, HTC HD7S review, HTC HD7S details, HTC HD7S availability, smart phone, HTC HD7S specs, HTC HD7S images, HTC HD7S pics, HTC HD7S pictures, Windows 7 NoDo OS.

Packard Bell EasyNote TS notebook features, price, news and specifications

The EasyNote TS features 15.6 inch LED Backlight (1366×768) display and can be powered with either dual or quad core AMD APUs and can be configured with max 8GB of memory and up to 1TB HDD storage.It comes with a Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, 1.3MP webcam, USB 3.0 ports, HDMI out, a chiclet keyboard, multi-gesture touchpad,and Dolby Home Theater speakers.
The EasyNote TS laptop also offers one-click function keys and social networks 2.0 key, which links you to the most popular social networking sites. It has stunning rounded industrial design. It comes in Ebony Black, Garnet Red, Moonstone White and Sature Pink, and will be available on 26th June, starting at €499.Features at a glance

• 15.6 inch LED Backlight (1366×768) display
• dual or quad core AMD APUs
• upto 8GB of memory
• 1TB HDD storage
• Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth
• 1.3MP webcam, USB 3.0 ports, HDMI out
• a chiclet keyboard
• multi-gesture touchpad
• Dolby Home Theater speakers
• color options includes Ebony Black, Garnet Red, Moonstone White and Sature Pink
• available from 26th June with price tag of €499

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