Paul Tan on the Automotive Industry
When I was in Detroit I provided you guys some ‘pirated DVD style’ footage of the unveiling of the Ford Focus. Readers got to see the car’s world unveiling just an hour or so after it actually happened through the lens of my mobile phone. But admittedly quality was not great, so I’ve actually managed to source some better professionally recorded footage of the unveilings as well as that “action footage” of the new Focus in motion.
Enjoy the videos after the jump!
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Audi’s recent e-tron which is now smaller than the version that was showcased at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show may carry the R4 designation when it goes into production in late 2012. The R4 is also expected to feature more conventional fuel-powered versions apart from an all electric version previewed by the e-tron. This reworked e-tron that is being showcased at the Detroit Motor Show has shrunk in size and definitely resembles the size of an Audi TT.
Instead of four electric motors that were used in the Frankfurt 2009 version, this concept has only half of that and both are mounted on the rear axle. Total output is rated at 201hp and a massive 2,650Nm of torque. The torque figure is definitely mind-boggling however a report by Automobile Magazine revealed that the original e-tron’s 4,500Nm figure was based on different set of calculation.
Usually torque is measured at the output shaft but the magazine reported that the e-tron’s torque figure is measured at the wheels which multiplies the output shaft-based figure. The magazine estimated that the torque, if calculated according to the industry standard should be about 341Nm of torque. This means that the 2,650Nm of torque figure above is about 200Nm if measured at the output shaft.
Nevertheless the compact e-tron can hit 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and can return a governed top speed of 200 km/h. The e-tron can deliver 250 kilometers over a full charge. You can enjoy an array of live pictures after the jump.
MINI recently revealed the rugged-looking Beachcomber Concept which is a compact SUV that makes you think of the bare Mini Moke from the sixties whenever you look at it. The concept made its debut at the Detroit motor event and we have some live pictures to share with you. As mentioned earlier the Beachcomber has been confirmed for the assembly lines and that it will be launched by the third quarter of this year.
The concept that is rumored to be called the Countryman when it is revealed in production form has an “open-body concept” meaning there are no doors. It also does without a roof but in case of a wet weather, the Beachcomber can be fitted with a removable roof. Along with its rugged demeanor the concept has a four wheel drive configuration and sits further away from the ground. Do enjoy the live pics after the jump!
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As reported earlier the CR-Z hybrid coupe by Honda was revealed at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. On top of some official high-res images that were shown to you, we now have live images of the new vehicle that were taken at the event. The two-seater 2011 Honda CR-Z is powered by a hybrid system that is made up a 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine and an IMA electric motor. Potential buyers can also select a CVT or a 6-speed manual cog box.
Total power output is rated at 122hp at 6,000 revs and 173Nm of torque available between 1,000 revs and 1,500 revs, which sounds pretty good. Other technologies that will enable you to reduce precious consumption of fuel include brake energy regeneration as well as auto start-stop for the engine. You can also choose between three driving modes: Economy, Normal and Sport where the third mode is more suited for spirited driving.
Look for an image gallery filled with live pictures after the jump.
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The new batch of Audi cars all look good – you name it and it’s sure to be an eye catcher – the A4, the A5 both coupe and sportback, the R8 and even the cute A1. They’re all pretty good looking. So when their unbelievably boring flagship Audi A8 came out, I was thinking maybe it looked better in the metal. I was wrong. It was just as boring. Just a big fat and sparse inflated version of the Audi A4. The interior is gorgeous though, perfect to take a little nap in after looking at the sleep-inducing exterior. Check out the live photo gallery after the jump, or read more about the new Audi A8.
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Day 2 of the Detroit Motorshow was certainly more interesting than the first day, as alot of the world premieres that were held on the first day are now in the hall. Cars like this Volkswagen New Compact Coupe concept were only revealed in private halls on Day 1, so they could only move it to the main hall where everyone is on the second day.
So here we are, live photos of the new “Jetta Coupe” which most probably also previews what the 4-door new Jetta will look like. The coupe is gorgeous, though in real life I feel it would probably look nicer if the roofline were a little lower.
The Hybrid badging on the front grille refers to its combination of a 1.4-litre TSI engine with 148 bhp and 220 Nm and a 27 bhp electric motor VW calls E-motor. The motor is sandwiched between the TSI engine and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, and everything goes to the front wheels. Interestingly, the car has a “coast mode” where only the motor powers the car during situations like low RPM highway cruising.
Enjoy the live photos after the jump.
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The new 5.0 litre Ford Mustang will be featured on Nelly’s upcoming album, but not just any other Mustang. This is a special Mustang modified by DUB Magazine commissioned by Nelly. The Mustang 5.0 V8 is a new variant, replacing the version with the 4.6 litre Ford Modular engine. The new motor makes much more power – 412 horses and 530Nm of torque from a 5.0 litre engine, which are really quite impressive numbers for an engine that isn’t a particularly high-revving one. That’s a whole 97bhp and 90Nm increase over the 4.6 litre, but with only a 400cc displacement increase.
Check out Nelly’s little speech at the 2nd press day of the NAIAS, which I managed to record with my mobile phone:
DUB Magazine took a Mustang 5.0, gave it a gloss black paintjob, a custom widebody design, flat black racing stripes, 22 inch wheels at the front, 24 inch wheels at the rear all wrapped with Pirelli tyres, a Borla exhaust system, a Street Scenes bodykit, Eibach springs and shocks to lower the car, custom window tint, colour-matched exterior parts, a full suede and leather interior with DUB logos, tinted tail lamps, headlamps with integrated “angle eyes”, a billet grille, a hood scoop, a custom JL audio system with dual 12 inch subs, and finally a custom luggage trunk interior wrapped with leather and suede.
Now here’s something quite worth looking at from BYD. This large hatchback is the BYD e6, and with a wheelbase of 2,830mm, its placed smack in the middle of the D-segment, making it about the same size as an Asian market Honda Odyssey. That should mean lots of space inside and a decent boot (not much of a rear overhang there), considering it is a 5 seater. I believe you can compare this to a Toyota Venza.
The e6 is an electric car, but what’s particularly amazing about it is that BYD claims a range of 330km (based on the spec sheet given at the NAIAS, there were also reports of 400km before this) before you have to get the e6 to a charger! That should solve any issues people have with electric car range.
Sure, it might still not be able to do cross-state journeys with completely no worries but the range is surely enough for regular daily commutes without even needed to recharge everyday. BYD themselves are a battery manufacturer so this must have helped them with the know-how of how to make an EV that’s ready for day-to-day needs.
The BYD e6 uses two electric motors. In this particular model, there is only a front motor and the front motor has a power and torque output of 101hp and 450Nm. Apparently there is also a version with a rear motor for all-wheel drive. The rear motor adds another 54hp to the total output. A higher-grade option has also been mentioned, upgrading the front motor to 215hp either in front-only or front+back (215+54) configuration.
Look after the jump for a live gallery from Detroit.
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Other than the XTS concept, the usual fare of Cadillacs were there including the CTS Coupe, which has just had its CTS-V debut. Alot of North American media seem to like how the CTS Coupe looks like but I don’t know, blame regional tastebuds but despite the sharp clean lines it still just looks like a boxy hunk of metal with doors cut into the sides to me. Too much chrome and too much blank sheetmetal. Look for a live gallery after the jump or read more about the CTS-V.
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Cadillac has of late been quite successful in ditching its old man’s car image, spearheaded by hip-hop’s favourite SUV, the Escalade, and the sharply styled CTS sports sedan. But some remnants of its conservative past remains in the range, such as the DTS, which looks stuck in the 90s and totally out of sync with Caddy’s new image.
For Detroit, GM’s luxury brand shows off the XTS Platinum concept, a big car application of Cadillac’s “Art & Science” design language which would complete the brand transformation should it replace the STS/DTS. It’s pretty much the big brother of the CTS – carrying the same sharp, angular lines, but with more restraint.
The XTS is powered by a 3.6-litre direct injection V6 paired with a plug-in hybrid system, which is estimated to produce 350 bhp and 400 Nm. The concept uses an AWD chassis. The XTS’ Magnetic Ride Control uses shocks controlled by magneto-rheological tech, rather than mechanical valves, to govern body control and ride comfort.
Like current Platinum Edition Caddys, the concept’s interior is full of hand cut-and-sewn materials. The XTS injects more contemporary forms and themes into the cabin, including the use of Organic LED displays in place of traditional gauges and screens, which contrasts the warm wood trim. “We envisioned this concept as an automotive personal headquarters, using advanced technology to enable new levels of connectivity and luxury,” said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac’s GM.
More pictures after the jump.
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