New Car + Vintage Parts + Genius + Steve Heller = Heller on Wheels

I wrote about Steven Heller some time ago when I featured his 1960 Cadillac Fin Attaché Case. He has spent many years building furniture out of vintage cars parts and now his journey heads off in a new direction. Most people who restore old cars stick with old cars, but Steve modifies new cars and adds vintage car parts like fins, grills and other accessories from cars made in the 50's and 60's. Steven has been busy building and receiving awards for his work and is working towards his TV show, Heller on Wheels. His has an amazing passion for what he does and says in his video that he was put on earth to build custom cars and rocket ships. I am looking forward to seing his new creation the Cro-Magnum.

Comming soon - The Cro-Magnum by Steve Heller

via
Take a 2006 Dodge Magnum and add 25 1950's car parts to it and what do you get? The "Cro-Magnum!" It was started in March of 2009 and will be finished in the spring of 2010. It is really cool and will be entered into several of the most important auto shows. This car is featured in the promo and the build will be featured in the season 1 series.

The Marquis Desoto by Steve Heller

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Winner of the 2009 New York Times Award for Collectible Car of the Year. This started out as a 2004 Mercury Marquis. Steve customized it using 22 1950's car parts and it was later purchased by a collector who lives in California. The car will be in the Grand National Roadster Show this January, 2010 in Pomona, California and will also be at the Sacramento Auto-Rama in February, 2010. It will be featured in season 1 of the show.

HELLer ON WHEELS DOC SERIES PROMO from aaron weisblatt on Vimeo.

New Car + Vintage Parts + Genius + Steve Heller = Heller on Wheels

I wrote about Steven Heller some time ago when I featured his 1960 Cadillac Fin Attaché Case. He has spent many years building furniture out of vintage cars parts and now his journey heads off in a new direction. Most people who restore old cars stick with old cars, but Steve modifies new cars and adds vintage car parts like fins, grills and other accessories from cars made in the 50's and 60's. Steven has been busy building and receiving awards for his work and is working towards his TV show, Heller on Wheels. His has an amazing passion for what he does and says in his video that he was put on earth to build custom cars and rocket ships. I am looking forward to seing his new creation the Cro-Magnum.

Comming soon - The Cro-Magnum by Steve Heller

via
Take a 2006 Dodge Magnum and add 25 1950's car parts to it and what do you get? The "Cro-Magnum!" It was started in March of 2009 and will be finished in the spring of 2010. It is really cool and will be entered into several of the most important auto shows. This car is featured in the promo and the build will be featured in the season 1 series.

The Marquis Desoto by Steve Heller

via

Winner of the 2009 New York Times Award for Collectible Car of the Year. This started out as a 2004 Mercury Marquis. Steve customized it using 22 1950's car parts and it was later purchased by a collector who lives in California. The car will be in the Grand National Roadster Show this January, 2010 in Pomona, California and will also be at the Sacramento Auto-Rama in February, 2010. It will be featured in season 1 of the show.

HELLer ON WHEELS DOC SERIES PROMO from aaron weisblatt on Vimeo.

Easy A Team Art Car Project

The new A Team movie is coming out in June and with it will follow another wave of home made A Team vans. What's great about this particular art car project is that its easy to make and all you need is a black vehicle to start with. The only painting you have to do is the red stripe down the side and all you have to worry about is getting the angle right at the elbow, easy peasy.








Here is the original A Team intro video to get you psyched

Easy A Team Art Car Project

The new A Team movie is coming out in June and with it will follow another wave of home made A Team vans. What's great about this particular art car project is that its easy to make and all you need is a black vehicle to start with. The only painting you have to do is the red stripe down the side and all you have to worry about is getting the angle right at the elbow, easy peasy.








Here is the original A Team intro video to get you psyched

Audi A1: Premium car for new target groups[Video]

• Audi moves into subcompact segment for first time with A1

• Schwarzenbauer: "The A1 fulfills the requirements of urban mobility"

• Sales target: 80,000 units in its first full year

The new Audi A1 is the first premium car in the subcompact segment. The agile, sporty Audi is perfect for use in big cities owing to its compact dimensions and its excellent fuel economy. Its wide range of customization options helps its young, urban target group in particular to express their own personal style.

"The subcompact segment is forecast to grow in Europe by the year 2015 - in Germany alone growth of 30 percent is anticipated. We're currently expecting to sell 80,000 units of the A1 in its first full year," says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG. "People who for practical reasons choose a small car want not only the basic functions, but an exciting design and the latest technology as well. With the A1, we're giving these customers what they want by launching the first premium car in the subcompact segment."

The new A1 also benefits from innovations taken from larger Audi models, such as the A3 and A8. As well as its state-of-the-art engines, examples of what the A1 has to offer include a start-stop system, brake energy recuperation and an on-board computer with efficiency program. These technologies are complemented by an array of infotainment items which are otherwise only found in luxury-class models. There is also the option of customizing various details of the car.

"The A1, as is only to be expected, is a true Audi through and through with the usual high standards of quality and emotion," emphasizes Schwarzenbauer. "It's the perfect entry-level model for young customers in particular. And of course we're confident that we'll be able to delight these customers with the new A1 so that they will stay with the Audi brand and will later want to drive our larger models."

Video: MINI Beachcomber Concept Unveiled in Detroit

-MINI unveiled the open-air MINI Beachcomber Concept in Detroit. The SAV is a hint at the design of the upcoming MINI Crossover, which will likely debut in production form at Geneva.





Speaking on behalf of the brand, BMW board member Ian Robertson said, "The inspiration for the MINI Beachcomber Concept is clearly born from the MINI Crossover, combined with the vision of a radically open body concept." He went on to audaciously compare the concept to the classic Mini Moke, though the two vehicles have nothing in common beyond a lack of doors.





After all, the Moke measured in at 3,050 mm, while the Beachcomber stretches to 3,988 mm.

Robertson also claimed that the two vehicles share a common element in the grille, but one look at the Moke's unusual grille proves otherwise. The Beachcomber retains none of the Moke's buggy feel, serving as little more than a teaser for the Crossover.





The Beachcomber Concept also has a soft roof and lightweight doors if the driver were to experience bad weather. Look for the concept's ALL4 all-wheel drive unit to appear on the Crossover, as well as the four dedicated seats.









Robertson did say that more information about the MINI Crossover will be revealed in February.

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DYNAMIC NEXT-GENERATION FORD FOCUS DEBUTS

• Next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut at 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit

• Focus spearheads Ford's new generation of global C-cars, all based on a common platform that will underpin up to 10 vehicles around the world and account for 2 million units of annual production by 2012

• Stylish new range provides customers with class-leading new technologies, features and craftsmanship

• New Focus targets exceptional fuel economy, and advances acclaimed levels of driving quality

• New range will start production simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010 and go on sale early in 2011. Asia, Africa and South America production will follow

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2010 - The next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut providing customers with more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, as well as detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality.
Sleek, stylish and sporty, both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011.
The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world.
"The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company," said Alan Mulally, Ford's president and CEO.
"The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations," he added.



Simultaneous launch in Europe and North America

Production of the next-generation Ford Focus will begin simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010, with individual market launches starting early in 2011. Launches in Asia, Africa and South America will follow. Initial production will be concentrated at the Saarlouis (Germany), Michigan (United States) and Chongqing (China) Assembly Plants.
The new Focus will be one of up to 10 unique models to be built from Ford's new C-car platform, which is expected to generate total sales in all regions of 2 million units annually by 2012. The first of these will be the new Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX - unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show - for launch in Europe in the second half of 2010.
"Global customers increasingly want smaller cars with outstanding fuel economy, but without sacrificing any of the style, technology, connectivity and driving quality they demand from larger vehicles," explained Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development.
"Our next generation of C-cars - led by the exciting new Focus - will clearly show that Ford is ready to meet that challenge," said Kuzak.


Engineered without compromise

The new Ford Focus has been developed by a global team, led from Ford's European small and medium vehicle center of excellence in Merkenich, near Cologne, Germany, with powertrain development led by a similar team at Ford's technical center in Dunton, England. The vehicle has been engineered without compromise to meet all customer and legislative requirements of the major worldwide markets.
In developing the vehicle for global markets, the product team in Europe was able to call on the experience acquired from recent programs like the much-acclaimed new Ford Fiesta, and was supported by the expertise of vehicle and powertrain technology specialists located in Ford's engineering center in Dearborn, Mich.
Ford's global development and sourcing strategy made it possible to provide a level of performance and feature content that is unrivaled for this vehicle segment and surprising even to drivers of larger, more premium vehicles.


Taking kinetic design to the next level

The no-compromise approach to the new Ford Focus is immediately evident from the striking exterior design of the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models that take center stage at the 2010 NAIAS.
"The all-new Focus is at the center of convergence for automotive trends," said J Mays, Ford group vice president of Design and chief creative officer. "We've designed it with an acute understanding of global customers, yet it's tailored for each individual region. Focus combines the best from Europe, North America and Asia to deliver a level of emotional driving enjoyment never before experienced in a car this size."
The two models share a sporty and dynamic character, marking the next evolution of Ford's acclaimed kinetic design form language, which has contributed to the growing popularity of the company's latest small and medium cars.
The kinetic design approach uses bold vehicle designs to capture the feeling of energy in motion, so that cars look like they are moving - even when they are standing still.
With its striking front end, sleek profile, dramatic rising beltline and athletic stance, the new Focus clearly telegraphs the rewarding driving experience that awaits customers when they take to the road.
This dynamic quality is reinforced by the distinctive design of the interior. The new Focus has an extremely modern, cockpit-style interior, with the stylish center console wrapped around the driver and providing outstanding access to the vehicle's major controls and display panels.
A key element of the interior is the quality of craftsmanship. The cabin's bold and contemporary graphics, the sculptured shape of the soft-touch instrument panel and the choice of superior trim materials all help to give occupants the feeling that they are traveling in a premium-class car.

Unmatched driving quality

When it was introduced in 1998, the original Ford Focus brought new levels of agility and responsiveness to the C-segment. The all-new Focus plans to raise the benchmark once more, targeting class-leading driving quality that blends outstanding steering precision and road feedback with significantly improved refinement and ride control.
To deliver this performance, engineers have updated the innovative suspension concepts from prior models, developing optimized new designs for the "control blade" multilink rear suspension and the semi-isolated front and rear subframes.
The chassis design is complemented by a completely new Electric Power Assist Steering system, which has been carefully tuned to deliver pure and precise responses at high speed while remaining light and maneuverable for parking.
Ford's European driving dynamics specialists have also enhanced cornering stability and agility with the introduction of an advanced Dynamic Cornering Control system, which uses "torque vectoring" techniques to transfer power between the drive wheels to deliver reduced understeer, improved traction and better turn-in.
All global customers will benefit from the same quality of dynamic performance in the new Focus. Identical chassis and suspension architecture is being used for all markets, except for minor regional tuning differences, such as local tire specifications.

Efficient powertrains deliver performance with outstanding economy

The engaging driver appeal of the new Ford Focus is magnified by a powertrain range that delivers spirited performance and targets outstanding levels of fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
The global powertrain lineup for the new Focus will include a range of state-of-the-art Ford EcoBoostTM four-cylinder turbocharged direct injection (DI) engines - including the 1.6-liter unit in Europe and a choice of advanced and improved Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engines, all of which offer reductions in fuel consumption of between 10 and 20 percent compared to the outgoing models.
For the NAIAS preview, Ford is showing a completely new 2.0-liter gasoline engine for the North American market that features DI and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency. The new 2.0-liter DI Ti-VCT engine is up to 20 horsepower more powerful than the current 2.0 Duratec I-4 unit while contributing to projected fuel economy gains of more than 10 percent.
To maximize the performance and economy advantage enjoyed by the new Focus, the 2.0-liter DI Ti-VCT engine is mated with the latest dry-clutch six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission. This transmission uses an advanced dual-clutch design, which alone can help to reduce fuel consumption by up to 9 percent compared to a traditional four-speed automatic.
The dry-clutch PowerShift transmission is based on more efficient manual gearbox technology, and does not require the additional weight and complexity of torque converters, planetary gears and oil pumps used in conventional automatics. Electronically controlled twin clutches shift gears quickly and smoothly, providing the seamless flow of torque plus the refinement and ease of operation customers expect from a premium automatic transmission.
Ford also has confirmed plans to begin building a full, battery electric vehicle in 2011 at its Michigan Assembly Complex, for sales in North America. It will be the company's first battery electric passenger vehicle.

Intuitive technology enhances convenience and safety

The next-generation Focus will bring C-segment customers around the world an exciting array of advanced technologies generally found in larger, more premium vehicles. The global scale of Ford's C-car program makes more technologies and features economically viable than ever before for cars in this segment.
The technology package of the new Focus promises not only clear leadership in the C-segment, but also includes features customers in larger, more premium segments would find surprising.
The new technologies have been designed to be simple and highly intuitive to use, while enhancing both convenience and safety for the vehicle occupants.
Within the cockpit, the most significant innovation is the company's next-generation driver connect technology, MyFord, which provides the driver with a state-of-the-art combination of controls and display screens to operate the key vehicle features. On high series vehicles, the MyFord system includes an 8-inch touch screen, allowing the driver to control a wide range of functions via a clear and intuitive color display.
MyFord is complemented by a new generation of Ford's powerful SYNC® connectivity package, which includes a sophisticated voice control system, Bluetooth and satellite navigation, along with connection points for a wide variety of external devices and media players.
Other available safety and convenience technologies include keyless entry and "Ford Power"
start button, a rearview camera and a semi-automatic parallel parking system that automatically steers the vehicle into a parking spot.

Strength and safety

The Focus platform provides an incredibly strong and stiff structure, which not only benefits vehicle dynamics and refinement but also provides the basis for enhanced crash performance.
High-strength steels are used extensively in the next-generation Focus body shell. High-strength steels comprise 55 percent of the body shell, and more than 26 percent of the vehicle's structure is formed from ultra-high-strength and Boron steels - significantly more than any other Ford product. These advanced materials help the structure meet the most stringent crash legislation across world markets, while minimizing the vehicle's weight.
The structural integrity of the body shell is also reflected in its torsional rigidity, which is 25 percent greater than the current North American Focus.

Quality and craftsmanship in every detail

With global customers now demanding a more premium experience from small- and medium-sized vehicles, achieving outstanding levels of quality and craftsmanship was a primary objective for the new Focus.
The new Focus will make significant strides in reducing cabin noise, promising a quiet cabin environment. This refinement complements the fresh new interior design and higher craftsmanship levels to create a premium feel akin to larger vehicles.
Each component in the vehicle that the customer will touch, see, hear or even smell has been subjected to rigorous analysis to ensure that it will exceed an owner's expectations. Particular attention has been given to the quality of interior trim materials, and the color matching, gaps, flushness and tolerances where one part meets another.
Across the majority of vehicle attributes, Ford has developed a global DNA standard that defines the exact attributes a part should have to meet the quality requirements of the brand. Examples include the sound the door makes when it is closed, requiring special attention to the door structure and latch mechanism, and the design of a steering wheel, right down to the thickness of padding and size of stitching on the rim.
This meticulous attention to detail is also reflected in Ford's global manufacturing strategy for the Focus, with consistent standards and processes being applied in every one of the assembly plants, wherever they are located in the world.
"We believe the new Ford Focus will provide consumers with an unmatched driving experience, together with an unrivaled ownership experience," said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Global Marketing. "The Focus brand always has been very special to Ford, and this new global model shows our commitment to developing another generation of exciting and appealing cars."

Mercedes-Benz Design: Automobile design as an art form: sculpture [Video]

• A jewel of automotive artistry

• Artistic imagination and the forces of nature

Mercedes-Benz is not only treating visitors to the North American International Autoshow 2010 in Detroit to the world premiere of the new E-Class Cabriolet and innovative technology, but also placing a beautifully executed automobile sculpture at centre stage. It represents a vehicle body taking soft, flowing form from a level surface - as if an automobile of liquid silver was being created, or a shimmering cloth was gently draped over a newly conceived design. As if by a natural process, clearly contoured surfaces are ordered and delineated by sharply drawn, curved lines. They lend the sculpture an organic appearance, giving it a future and origin.


The sculpture is an exclusive, sensuous creation and extraordinarily eye-catching. But it also transports car design into a new, artistic reality. "To us, automobile design means artistic, aesthetically and sensuously oriented creation", says Head of Design Prof. Gorden Wagener. "Mercedes-Benz designers translate their artistic inspiration into the modern idiom of Mercedes-Benz automobile design, which combines dramatic details with harmony, style and passion. Mercedes-Benz design is clear, calm and consistent, but yet emotional and highly sensuous. Mercedes-Benz is the brand best able to present automobile design as an art form in an authentic way."
As an extraordinary jewel of automotive artistry, the sculpture uses its flowing, cloth-like connection to its surroundings and the resulting pattern of folds to symbolise the positively and negatively curved surfaces of the modern Mercedes-Benz design strategy. This is characterised by dramatic, full surfaces whose proportions are attractively defined by fine, softly emerging but sharply contoured lines.


Viewing the sculpture can conjure up many associations. Perhaps a sand dune or a snowdrift, a viscous substance such as hot lava or mercury from which an automobile is being created. The sculpture imitates the formative power of nature: flowing elements change their shape as the form of a new automobile emerges in line with the dynamic laws of gravity and aerodynamics, making this form vaguely visible and solidifying into a work of art with the appearance of a casting possessing contours and clear definitions. It shows shapes and lines that appear natural gradually taking the form of a vehicle body, a sensuous basic structure on which curving, sinewy lines create emotional contours. An aesthetic transformation, "shaped by nature" and the artistic imagination of the designer.


Inspired by and taking its origin from the forces of nature, this artistically executed sculpture also symbolises the key basic values of the Mercedes-Benz brand - intelligent technology and quality, sensuous beauty, style, dynamism and innovative strength for well over a century. Coupled with respect for man and nature. Mercedes-Benz is one of the few automobile companies able to communicate this credibly as a work of art.
This is also reflected in the shining Alubeam silver paint finish, which interacts with the contours of the sculpture to create multi-facetted areas of light and shade. At the same time this Mercedes colour is a reference to the glorious motor racing history of the Mercedes-Benz brand, but also suggests visions of the day after tomorrow and promises the innovations of the future.


This high-quality sculptural depiction was essentially created as an attempt by Mercedes-Benz Design to show the cultural feeling and creativeness of its designers in the five international design studios in Germany, Italy, the USA, Japan and China, to further their artistic ideals and develop a design for Mercedes-Benz. "Many of our designers come from artistic families, carry artistic ambitions in their genes, so to speak, and found their way into automobile design via their artistic talent," is how Prof. Gorden Wagener explains the potential.


With this sculpture, Mercedes-Benz provides an insight into the thinking and perceptions of its team of designers and model-makers. While a design idea initially takes shape on paper, it is subsequently modelled in clay. This is sculptural work in its purest form, and eminently suitable for finding new shapes and creating sensuousness. The automobile as an art form, with heavy concentration on attention to detail that also includes the interior design and choice of materials.


Designing and modelling at Mercedes-Benz Design has a great deal to do with creativity and the work of artists - though art for art's sake is certainly not the intention behind this sculpture! The form of an automobile that suggests itself here in such an artistically sophisticated and encoded way is only vaguely perceptible. Nonetheless the basic proportions challenge the onlooker to interpret the shape of the future, real product that may be nearing the end of its flowing design process. Amazement and speculation in equal measure.
via:worldcarfans

Kia and Microsoft's Uvo... [Video]

Tucked in between Google's hot new smartphone and a variety of other computer peripheral equipment at this year's CES show is a crossover. Not the jacked-up, tricked-out, neon-dragging customized type that we typically see around the Consumer Electronics Show, but a bone-stock, 2011 Kia Sorento. Well, stock except for one option: UVO.





We recently got a chance to try out the newly-announced system in the plastic, and while impressive in its own right, just hours after sitting down with Ford to check out the latest Sync and MyFord Touch, it's somewhat less than stunning.





But, ignoring that for now, Kia's offering looks good and still ahead of the rest of the curve. It's functionally comparable to early Sync, enabling easy access to media on 1GB of internal storage, on a USB-connected drive or even on a CD.





You can rip from CD straight to internal memory or to a thumb drive, an interesting feature we're not sure is particularly useful. The touchscreen display is a nice improvement over Ford's two-line Sync readout, but remember that if you get this system, you'll have to opt out of in-dash GPS. Good thing you splurged and got that Droid, right?

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WESTFIELD SPORTSCARS JOIN EV CUP [Video]

Westfield Sportscars join EV Cup with their innovative electric race car, the iRACER.

Westfield's iRACER is a track focused electric vehicle designed and engineered to support a growing demand for zero emission sports cars. With a target total weight of 600kg, powered by two motors delivering 80kW, the final vehicle will have a sub 5 second 0-60mph time, with an electronically limited top speed of 110mph.

Using an intelligent and flexible design, over half (approx. 100kg) of the state of the art Lithium Phosphate batteries will be stored under the floor to lower the centre of gravity. For a greater range and for better weight distribution, additional batteries can also be positioned towards the front of the vehicle. While this flexibility presents a number of practical and financial benefits, it also offers an additional competitive element for optimal vehicle setup for different circuits on the EV Cup calendar.


Westfield's iRACER joins an already exciting SportsEV class line up. Dr. Paul Faithfull, Technical Director of Westfield Sportscars, "we are excited by the prospect of racing against other electric vehicles at circuits across Europe and beyond. EV Cup represents a great opportunity for us to develop vehicle technology on the back of this direct competition, a way to benchmark and to show that electric racing can be as dramatic and exciting as conventional motorsport."

Says Managing Director Sylvain Filippi: "Westfield's iRACER is another example of the excitement behind performance electric vehicles, this time, open top and very lightweight. We look forward to working with Westfield and witnessing the success of their iRACER."


The iRACER is the result of a collaborative project between Westfield Sportscars, and Niche Vehicle Network partners Potenza Technology, Delta Motorsport, RDM Automotive, and Coventry University. Funded through an Advantage West Midlands programme, the vehicle has been styled by upcoming designer Elliott Hawkins from the Royal College of Arts.

Westfield's iRACER is a track focused electric vehicle designed and engineered to support a growing demand for zero emission sports cars.


Westfield iRACER Specs

General:

• Kerb Weight - 600kg

• Length - 3600mm

• Width - 1635mm

• Installation - Rear, rear wheel drive

• Bodywork - Lightweight and recyclable

Technical:

• Drive motor - Oxford Yasa Motors, 80Kw, 1000Nm @ the wheels

• Battery - 170kg, Lithium Phosphate

Performance:

• 0-60mph - under 5 seconds

• Top speed - 110mph (electronically limited)

• Range - 55 race miles on a single charge (extendable)

• Recharge - 2 hours charge time from three phase generator

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Toyota Etios Teaser [video]

The Toyota Etios small sedan concept will be unveiled at the New Delhi Auto Expo. scheduled to begin next week. Toyota will also showcase the hatchback version of the Etios at the show and both the vehicles will go into production at the end of 2010.

The Etios series would be produced first in India and then across the world. Codenamed EFC (Economical Family Car) it has been in development for the last few years in Japan. Through Etios, Toyota is trying to establish a better footprint in emerging markets like China, India, Brazil and probably Russia.

Etios, which means ‘the origin of’ unlike many other concept cars, is 90 percent the production model. It will come in both petrol and diesel engines – 1.4-liter diesel engine adopted from the Yaris hatchback and 1.2 or 1.3-liter petrol engine.

Set to be priced from $10,000 USD (roughly), the Etios will feature limited sound-proofing, a basic interior (with hard plastics) and one windshield wiper. Despite sounding like a rental car from hell, Toyota says the Ethios' real assets will be its build quality and resale value.
via indianautosblog

Video: Chrysler Group LLC Introduces New "Coming Home" Corporate Campaign

• New advertising campaign features Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep® and Ram vehicles throughout the years

• Aimed to inform consumers, suppliers and partners that Chrysler Group LLC is now a different company with a new alliance partner and a healthy product plan

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan 1, 2010 - Chrysler Group LLC introduced today a new corporate advertising campaign designed to reach out to consumers as well as the company's many suppliers and partners.

The new corporate campaign, "Coming Home," was created in response to requests from Chrysler Group dealers and research conducted which found that consumers do not realize that Chrysler Group has emerged from bankruptcy and is now a different company with a new alliance partner and a healthy product plan.

"This ad tells a story of Chrysler products bringing home loved ones throughout the years and our commitment to continuing to bring them home. It was important to tell this story during the holiday season because it is a time when families come together," said Olivier Francois, Head of Marketing, Chrysler Group LLC. "We want current and future customers, suppliers and partners to know that we are here and we are committed to earning their trust and restoring our reputation."


The ad features a driver bringing home a leather travel bag throughout the years in various Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® vehicles. The travel bag symbolizes the continuation of life with all Chrysler Group brands and is the string that ties the entire story together. While various Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles are featured throughout, the ad begins with a 1930's Chrysler Airflow and ends with a 2010 Chrysler 300 sedan.

The 60-second ad was created and produced by the Chrysler brand's advertising agency of record, Fallon, and is scheduled to air beginning January 1 – 4, 2010 during the following bowl games as well as the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brand web sites:

• Jan 1 – Rose Bowl, ABC

• Jan 1 – Outback Bowl, ESPN

• Jan 1 – Sugar Bowl, FOX

• Jan 2 – Liberty Bowl, ESPN

• Jan 2 – Liberty Bowl (Repeat), ESPN2

• Jan 4 – Fiesta Bowl, FOX

About Chrysler Group LLC

Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep, Ram Truck, Dodge, Mopar® and Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler's culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat's complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.
via:autoblog

Video: Rossion Q1 American Supercar Arrives in Ferrari Land

The American-built Rossion Q1 supercar arrived on the Italian scene for a promotional video shoot meant to showcase the vehicle's abilities and announce European distribution by Hybrid UKGARAGE of Bergamo. Racing around the Italian coast, the car looks just as capable at tackling the roads of Ferrari's home country.


The engine is mated to a Getrag six-speed manual transmission. The Q1 also uses a Quaife limited-slip rear differential. Differences between the Q1 and the M400 abound; exterior styling on the two cars is quite different, and the Q1 did away with the gigantic rear spoiler. The Q1 focuses on further interior refinement.


Assembled by 1g Racing and Rossion Automotive the Q1 is based on the Noble M400 model. Rossion Automotive acquired production rights from Noble Automotive in 2007. Using a 450-horsepower 3.5-liter biturbo V6 the car sprints from a standstill to 60mph in just 3.1 seconds, reaching 100mph in 7.7 seconds. The mid-mounted Ford engine produces up to 390 ft-lb of torque, and gets the car to the quarter-mile marker in 11.3 seconds at 123mph. Top speed is listed at 189mph.


In the end, the Rossion Q1 is somewhat less splashy than its predecessor, which is not bad at all. ..




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