Automotive
Sortimo’s passenger seat organiser with swivel laptop stand
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September 12, 2007 Sortimo have made a business out of configuring work vehicles for effective storage and usability – like these click-in, click-out van racks for tools and equipment. Their latest utility device is a passenger-seat organizer for travelling sales agents and the like that gives you access to your laptop, files and samples whilst lashing securely and locking into the car, and easily mounting on a trolley for portability.
1 million euro Lamborghini Reventon – 20 only
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September 12, 2007 Lamborghini yesterday unveiled the Lamborghini Reventon at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Only 20 cars will be produced and they come with a very exclusive price tag - EUR1 million (US$1.38 million) plus taxes. Although it is based on the Murciélago LP640, the exterior design of the Reventón is completely new and combines extraordinary styling with its limited edition status and price tag to make the supercar a symbol of extreme exclusivity.
World’s first Ferrari stretch limousine
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September 12, 2007 Now here’s something very much out of the ordinary. This unique black Ferrari 360 Modena carbon fibre stretch limousine will undoubtedly spin heads when it’s unveiled at the European Limousine and Chauffeur Show in the UK this month. The fastest limo in the world according to owner Dan Cawley, the 23 feet long, 400bhp vehicle achieves 0-60mph in less than six seconds and has a top speed of 170mph.
The awesome Mercedes-Benz F 700 Research Car
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September 12, 2007 Unveiled yesterday at the Frankfurt Show, the Mercedes-Benz F 700 research car is arguably what a luxury touring sedan might look a few years from now. A small (1.8 litre) new design for the internal combustion engine in the form of the DIESOTTO motor (which combines the best properties of the spark-ignition engine and the diesel engine), a seating design that breaks with tradition to enable a spacious interior and a plethora of innovative technologies designed to create an exceedingly comfortable mode of travel. The technology which really interested us most was the suspension system - the car can anticipatively recognize the condition of the road and level out the uneven spots with its active PRE-SCAN suspension, further improving suspension comfort substantially. Click here to see more highlights from the 62nd International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.
GM Flextreme offers integrated personal transport
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September 12, 2007 Now here’s an idea that might well catch on – personal transport integrated within a larger vehicle, all of it cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. GM’s Flextreme carries two Segways below the cargo floor, allowing a further 38 km of electric mobility and completing the city commute or extending mobility into environments where cars cannot go.
Digital car radio with surround sound
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September 11, 2007 Billed as the next generation of automotive radio technology, DAB Surround was presented by the BMW Group in collaboration with the Fraunhofer IIS and Deutschlandradio at the IFA in Berlin. Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) offers CD quality sound and enables several radio programmes along with additional data to be broadcast on a single frequency, meaning cars can be fed with real-time information including traffic reports and local hazard warnings.
Renault Laguna Coupé Concept
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September 11, 2007 Described as embodying Renault’s vision of a top-of-the-range grand tourer Coupé, the Laguna Coupé Concept strives to exude a mix of power and refinement through its flowing profile, long-nose and very short rear overhang backed by a newly developed 170-195kW (230-265hp) V6 dCi powertrain and Four-wheel Active Drive chassis.
The 224mph, 720hp BRABUS BULLIT
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Yet another eye-catching supercar will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in the form of the BRABUS BULLIT – a 720 hp (537 kW), 224 mph (360 kmh) automobile based on the new Mercedes C-Class that features the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo displacement engine originally designed for the car that claimed the title of the world's fastest sedan in 2006, the BRABUS ROCKET. And the impressive numbers don’t stop there – the car achieves 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds, reaches 200 km/h (124 mph) after just 10.49 seconds and breaks 300-km/h (186 mph) in 24.5 seconds.
Peugeot's Second Life showcase
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September 10, 2007 Second Life hosts 7000 businesses and boasts a GDP of $64 million (as of September 2006) and with estimates of this year's GDP running as high as $600 million, it's no surprise that the corporate world is making its presence felt. The latest foray by car manufacturer Peugeot, will see the company presenting a virtual showcase of its new 308 RC Z concept car on September 11.
Four new Chryslers for the UK in 2008
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September 10, 2007 Chrysler Group will use the Frankfurt IAA Motor Show to launch four new models into the UK market for 2008. Europe will get its first look at the new Grand Voyager, Sebring Cabrio and Dodge Journey next week, as well as the all-new flagship Jeep Cherokee.
New Porsche Cayenne GTS showcases on-road dynamics
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September 8, 2007 A new version of the Porsche Cayenne GTS, which makes its world debut at the IAA Auto Show in Frankfurt, Germany, on September 11, features a specially developed chassis: it is the first Cayenne to offer the electronically-controlled damping system, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), with steel springs. This combination, which also lowers the Cayenne by 24mm, was previously reserved exclusively for Porsche sports cars. The car boasts an enhanced version of the direct fuel injection (DFI) 4.8-litre V8 petrol engine. The engine in the Cayenne GTS yields 405bhp (298 kW) at 6,500rpm – 20bhp more than in the Cayenne S.
Mitsubishi’s innovative i MiEV SPORT electric vehicle
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The Tokyo Motor Show is seven weeks away, but as the home of the all-powerful Japanese industry it is where the most advanced technologies go on display first. Accordingly, Mitsubishi has announced a show car for Tokyo we won’t see in Frankfurt next week. The i MiEV Sport looks like a 21st century Goggomobile but promises genuine sporting capabilities with a whopping 680 Nm of torque pushing a small lightweight electric vehicle. Based on the i MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle), the car features a 20 kW motor inside each front wheel another 47 kW at the rear, plus the company's S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) vehicle dynamics system, all in a lightweight, rigid aluminium space frame with the batteries and inverter tucked underneath for a low centre of gravity and plenty of interior space.
F 700 with DIESOTTO leads Mercedes-Benz clean fuel showcase
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September 7, 2007 Spearheaded by the F 700 research car – a vehicle that achieves low-emission economy at 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres via its hybrid drive and innovative DIESOTTO engine - and joined by a range of hybrid and clean diesel BLUETEC models, Mercedes-Benz has placed the emphasis firmly on economical and environmentally-friendly vehicles in its line-up for the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt.
Aston Martin to show two DBS special editions in Frankfurt
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September 7, 2007 Coinciding with the first European showing of the DBS, Aston Martin but will showcase two new special editions – the Aston Martin DB9 LM and the V8 Vantage N400 at this month's 62nd International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.
The Project Kahn SLR
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September 6, 2007 We’ve written about Project Kahn’s creations previously and the new Mercedes SLR makeover is spectacular enough to warrant more coverage. The Kahn SLR includes a sports exhaust system, lowered sports suspension, the soon to be released Kahn SLR body styling package, Kahn 9” x 20” front and 10.5” x 21” rear RS-X alloy wheels and a 60 bhp engine upgrade all built on a very impressive standard SLR specification. Then there’s the option of custom paintwork and custom leather interior, and …
The Volvo Recharge Concept – electric car with a 1.6 litre Flexifuel back-up motor
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Volvo is set to unveil an interesting plug-in hybrid at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The ReCharge Concept is a Volvo C30 with electric wheel motors and batteries that can be charged via a regular electrical outlet. When fully charged the Volvo ReCharge Concept can be driven approximately 62 miles on battery power alone before the car’s four-cylinder 1.6 Flexifuel engine takes over to power the car and recharge the battery. As the vast majority of us drive less than 60 miles a day, the ReCharge is effectively a permanent electric car with an acceleration figure of 0-62mph in 9 seconds and a top speed of 100mph.
Lexus active driver safety system prevents accidents caused by innattention
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September 6, 2007 With the aim of reducing the many road accidents caused by simple inattention, Lexus has introduced an active and intelligent new driver safety system using six cameras that monitor your face as you drive. If there’s an obstacle in your path and your head’s turned the wrong way, this clever car will hit the anchors for you. The system also incorporates active headrests designed to minimize injury in the event of a rear-end collision.
The new V10 Biturbo RS 6 Quattro
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September 5, 2007 Successor to the revered V8-powered Audi RS flagship, the new RS 6 quattro Avant will go on show for the first time at Frankfurt next week with ten cylinders, twin turbochargers and 580PS, making it the most powerful production Audi of all time. Features include a six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, the latest generation quattro system with 40:60 front-to-rear torque split and an hydraulically controlled Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) system that minimizes pitch and roll.
The new Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Estate
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September 5, 2007 If you wish to see the rare sight of a Mercedes executive fighting for control, just refer to the brand's Estate versions as "station wagons" and watch those pupils dilate and the veins pop out on the forehead. Station wagons derived their name from the forerunners to the modern taxi that plied their trade outside rail stations a century ago and are perceived as somewhat down-at-heel terminology for such fine machinery and quite right too. Mercedes much prefers the term "Estate", though in the case of the new Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Estate , perhaps the term "Shooting Brake" would be more appropriate. Under the distinctive power domed bonnet lies an AMG 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine delivering 336 kW/457 hp and 600 Nm of eyeball-compressing torque through a 7G-TRONIC transmission with F1-style steering wheel paddle controls. The unique high-performance estate will rocket you to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and were it not electronically limited to 250 km/h, it'd do well over 300 km/h. Not bad for a station wagon, heh what? ; )
Ford Kuga Crossover – it’s NOT a concept vehicle
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September 5, 2007 Crossover vehicles are certainly the flavour of the month, with Ford is releasing the first details of its new Kuga crossover at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, where the car will be previewed ahead of production early in 2008. Inspired by the iosis X Concept that was revealed at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, the Kuga is the latest showcase for Ford's 'kinetic design' and features 'intelligent' 4WD and FWD systems, a 2.0-litre 136 PS Duratorq TDCi diesel engine
Behr announce draft-free "comfort" vent
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September 5, 2007 Behr GmbH & Co. have announced a new type of in-cabin air vent that provides three individually adjustable air-flow options, delivering what's billed as world first draft-free air current through the vehicle interior.
i-Blue – Hyundai’s third generation Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
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September 5, 2007 The Frankfurt Motor Show is the premier European show of the year this year and not surprisingly, the manufacturers are all putting their best environmental foot forward. For relatively new international auto companies such as Hyundai which don’t have a history of premium design to fall back on, they have to work much harder to make waves in an international showcase and from the photos at least, this work appears to have paid off. Three new cars will be unveiled by Hyundai at Frankfurt, and the two concept cars are beauties.
Volvo introduces voluntary Alcolocks from 2008
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September 5, 2007 One in three traffic fatalities in Europe is alcohol related and around 3,000 people in the UK are killed or seriously injured each year in drink drive collisions. In an effort to help drivers make responsible choices, Volvo is the first manufacturer to launch a fully integrated, voluntary in-car breathalyzer/alcolock system called Alcoguard as an option to its 2008 range, which prevents the car from starting if the driver is over the blood alcohol limit.
Google Local Search now available in BMW navigation systems
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September 4, 2007 BMW has announced it’s enriching its ConnectedDrive in-car navigation system with a direct hookup to Google's Local Search. The console on your Beemer will soon be a virtual Yellow Pages that lets you search for businesses, restaurants and places of interest, then select one and have it automatically entered into your GPS nav system as a destination.
Toyota introduce iPod integration kit
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September 4, 2007 Toyota has released an iPod integration kit which provides a direct link between your car’s audio system and an Apple iPod. The connection is housed inside the glovebox of the car, providing a simple plug and play option from iPod to stereo that also act as a charger. The iPod can then be completely controlled by using the car’s audio head unit, or (where fitted) the controls on the steering wheel. The integration kit can be installed into any current Toyota and Lexus model, and is compatible with most versions of iPod.
Anti-pinch protection for sliding car doors
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September 4, 2007 Mayser has applied its experience in the production of safety sensors to help mitigate the risk of pinching or jamming posed to passengers by the emergence of power operated sliding doors. The company is supplying anti-pinch protection sensors to protect power operated sliding doors on the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and KIA Carnival.
Volkswagen squeeze 52 miles from a gallon with new Golf BlueMotion
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September 4, 2007 Toyota needed two whole engines to get 46mpg from their famous Prius hybrid, but Volkswagen have achieved over 52mpg by simply tweaking a few characteristics of its popular Golf diesel compact in the latest addition to the company’s environmentally-focused BlueMotion initiative. The Golf BlueMotion makes over 1200km from a 55-liter tank, showing that there’s further room for development from the combustion engine.
The Citroen C-Cactus ecological concept car
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Citroen never fails to produce something special for the major European motor show of the season and this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show will see the unveiling C-Cactus. The concept is a new take on vehicle design, and the Marque's ambitious aim is to market an ecological hatchback with cheerful, attractive styling, equipped with a hybrid HDi drivetrain and sold at the same price as an entry-level C4. To square this complex equation, Citroën is exploring new forms of design. It has decided to abandon features that are not essential to comfort and to focus instead on technology, styling and equipment that are positive, ecological and valued by users.
Peugeot 308 SW Prologue Concept
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September 2, 2007 Peugeot will provide a preview of the new 308 at the Frankfurt International Motorshow under the guise of the 308 SW Prologue. Equipped with an additive-enhanced diesel particulate filter system (DPFS), that reduces CO2 emissions, the 308 SW Prologue combines the strengths of the new 308 hatchback with innovative SW features like the new “wrap-around” rear end which allows for the installation of a third row of seats and improves rear vision.
High-tech redesign for AUDI A4 compact executive saloon
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August 31, 2007 A new version of the Audi A4 compact executive saloon has been revealed to the world in pictures this week, ahead of its debut on the show stand at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. The all new Audi A4 Saloon has been completely redesigned and includes new sports chassis.
Mitsubishi Concept-cX compact SUV
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August 30, 2007 Yet another gem set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt International Motor Show is Mitsubishi’s Concept-cX – a new generation compact SUV that aims to strike a balance between environmental and everyday practical performance.
Maserati to premiere Quattroporte Sport GT S
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August 30, 2007 Maserati have announced the worldwide preview of the new Quattroporte Sport GT S at the upcoming Frankfurt Motorshow. Labelled the “ultimate expression of Maserati’s saloon sportiness”, the Quattroporte Sport GT S is equipped with an automatic 6-speed gearbox, racing suspension, a unique braking system strengthened by dual-cast discs and an aggressive facade marked by black double exhaust pipes and 20”, seven-spoke chrome wheels.
Nissan’s stunning Mixim all-electric concept
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August 29, 2007 At this year’s 62nd Frankfurt Motor Show, Nissan will be showing its Mixim Concept Car - a compact vehicle for young drivers who are mostly engaged by their computer and the world via the internet. The driver sits centrally, with two seats either side, while the steering wheel and controls are inspired by the interfaces so familiar to computer gamers.
Ford to debut active suspension system on Mondeo
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August 29, 2007 Ford is set to make a major production milestone with the launch of an active suspension system on the new Ford Mondeo. Available as a UKP650 option in the UK, that not only provides a comfortable ride but combines this with sportiness and safety. Ironically, sound pioneer Amar Bose was the first to devise a suspension system designed to do exactly what it should do rather than approximating it with springs and dampers, but Ford looks set to be the first to offer it on a regular production car. Called Interactive Vehicle Dynamic Control (IVDC), the system offers near constant suspension adjustment to match desired ride with road conditions and driving style
Volvo to unveil new safety technology at Frankfurt Motor Show
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August 29, 2007 World-first driver alertness technology that includes automated lane departure warnings and a new collision warning system with auto braking will be among the innovations unveiled by Volvo at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
