2011 Audi TT-RS Roadster

The Audi TT-RS will soon be headed to US shores and what’s better is that tuners are coming up with all kinds of packages for the luxury sports car that we will soon be able to take advantage of as well. The latest package comes from O.CT Company and takes the German sports car to a higher power with some handling improvements and an aesthetic upgrade.

While in its standard version, the Audi TT-RS develops a total of 340 HP and 450 NM of torque out of its turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, but O.CT has taken that power to a total of 420 HP and 570 Nm. In order to get this 80hp bump, the tuner opted for changing the hardware components in conjunction with the reprogramming of the vehicle’s electronics. The conversion kit used includes a stainless steel exhaust system including silencer and rear silencer with control valve, a charge air cooler kit, and a revised management of the TFSI engine.

For the exterior, the package adds forged 20-inch 5 twin-spoke alloy rims that only weigh 13.8 kg. There is also a new KW coilover suspension V3 that provides "agility in (almost!) any situation."

The makeover by O.CT Company is good, but we prefer the 472 HP engine update provided by MTM in their Audi TTRS Clubsport solely for the higher power output. If it was based on looks, then the O.CT package would win hands down.

Article sources: http://www.topspeed.com/

Lamborghini Aventador Roadster rendered

The Lamborghini Aventador just made its debut a couple of days ago and already artists are at work rendering a different version of the sports coupe. What we’re looking at is an Aventador roadster version, and we like what we see. Don’t get too excited though; an actual production roadster version isn’t expected until 2014.

 

The Aventador Roadster will look similar to the coupe version, except that the engine cover and roofline will be adapted to fit the roadster style. This rendering shows it in a silky, pearly bright-white finish with a two-tone black/white leather interior, making it look absolutely stunning.

The Aventador is powered by a new 6.5-liter V12 engine with an AWD layout that produces 700 horsepower and 479 lb/ft of torque. This engine hits 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds while blasting off a top speed of 217 mph and a redline of 8,250 RPM. With a total weight of 1575 Kg, it will deliver a power to weight ratio of 2.25 Kg/hp.

Articles sources:  topspeed

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Ford's voice-controlled car goes on show

Next year Ford will introduce an in-car computer system that will allow drivers to use voice commands to make calls, navigate and choose music.

The Ford Sync system, which is built on Microsoft's Windows Embedded Automotive platform, will be available in Ford cars sold in Europe from 2012, starting with the Ford Focus, as seen here.

The computer system can be controlled using one of 10,000 voice commands in 19 different languages, through the touchscreen console on the car dashboard or buttons on the steering wheel.

The steering wheel has a five-button panel on each side that can be used to browse through the Ford Sync menus without the need for drivers to take their hands off the wheel.

 

A shot of the Ford Sync's in-car phone system, which will allow drivers to use voice commands to access their contacts and make or answer calls.

When the driver is on a call, Sync automatically reduces the volume of in-car music, then returns it to its previous volume once the call has finished.

Sync will also read out text messages and enables the driver to reply to text messages by choosing from a list of potted phrases such as, "I'm on my way".

The system will also automatically call the local emergency services number and announce there has been a crash, communicating the car's location, in the event of an accident where the car's airbag is deployed.

Drivers will be able to connect their smartphones wirelessly to the Ford Sync system via USB or Bluetooth.

Sync's navigation system provides turn-by-turn directions to a destination, both reading them out and displaying them on a map on the touchscreen.

Destinations can be set via voice commands or by using the touchscreen.

Voice commands can also be used to find the nearest relevant business or place of interest. For example, saying "I'm hungry" will prompt the car to read out and display information on nearby restaurants, using information from The Michelin Guide. Once the driver selects a restaurant, the Sync will provide contact details for the outlet and directions.

Sync's other navigation abilities include being able to select the shortest or fastest route to a destination, or the route that it estimates will use the least fuel.

Sync can access music stored on MP3 players, smartphones, USB sticks and memory cards, alongside the car's built-in radio.

Drivers will be able to select the music or radio station they want to listen to via voice commands or buttons on the steering wheel, with Sync capable of recognising spoken album, band and track names.

Voice commands or touchscreen controls can also be used to set the temperature inside the car and adjust various fans and heaters, as well as the air con.

The Ford Sync can also function as a wi-fi hotspot, allowing passengers in the car to use the internet.

The system creates a wi-fi hotspot using a USB modem plugged into Sync, or through the phone connection of a mobile linked to Sync via Bluetooth.

Drivers will be able to customise the Ford Sync system by setting the homescreen wallpaper, for example, as seen here.

When it launches in Europe, Ford Sync is also expected to include AppLink, a feature that will allow smartphone apps to be developed that can be controlled via Sync.

Specially developed apps for Apple iOS, BlackBerry and Google Android handsets are expected to be supported

Sync can also provide a selection of general information such as nearby traffic, weather and local film showing times.

article and pictures sources: Nick Heath/silicon.com

Hyundai brings to life ‘New Thinking. New Possibilities.’ at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Hyundai today unveils three new models to a European audience at the 2011 Salon International de L’Automobile in Geneva.  All three cars encapsulate the spirit of Hyundai’s new brand slogan, ‘New Thinking. New Possibilities.’ ? which itself is launched in Europe today.

Making its world premiere at the show, Hyundai’s all-new, Europe-specific D-segment model, the i40, takes centre stage.  The i40 was designed and engineered at Hyundai’s R&D headquarters in Russelsheim,Germany, to meet the exacting demands of European retail and fleet buyers.  It is being unveiled in wagon form at the Show.

With the i40, Hyundai sets out to make premium quality accessible to everyone, in line with its ‘modern premium’ philosophy.  A number of features on i40 are not yet available on competitor cars, including heated, folding rear seats; an auto-defog system that automatically detects and clears mist on the windscreen; and a heated steering wheel.

 

Furthermore, the i40 demonstrates Hyundai’s commitment to global leadership in eco-friendly technology, with its 1,7-liter ‘U-II’ diesel engine emitting as little as 113 g/km of CO₂ ? a best-in-class figure.  In addition, the ‘Nu’ 2,0-liter petrol engine makes its debut, delivering higher torque for enhanced driveability, improving fuel economy, reducing emissions, and providing greater refinement and durability compared to the outgoing 2,0-liter unit.

The industry-leading Five Year Triple Care assurance package comes as standard on i40, featuring a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, five years’ roadside assistance and five years of vehicle health checks.

The i40 is joined on the Hyundai booth by the new Veloster, the company’s groundbreaking all-new three-door coupe that makes its European debut.  The Veloster features a unique 1+2 door configuration, which includes a rear door on the passenger side for greater useability, giving safe and easy access to the spacious interior without compromising the style and aesthetics of the coupe form.

The Veloster redefines the sports coupe segment, with its unparalleled combination of real-world practicality, sporting looks and cutting-edge technology.  With Hyundai’s new six-speed double-clutch transmission and an efficient 1.6-liter GDI engine, the Veloster has lowest-in-class CO₂ emissions of just 132 g/km, completing the car’s innovative package.

Another model making its European premiere is the Curb concept.  Codenamed HCD-12, the compact Urban Activity Vehicle (UAV) features next-generation styling influenced by Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ form language.  The Curb serves as a test bed for future Hyundai Blue Link™ telematics technology, offering a broad range of connectivity options, and runs a 1.6-liter, 175 ps petrol engine.

 

Hyundai will also showcase the latest products to be developed under its Blue Drive^TM sub-brand, further demonstrating the company’s efforts to minimise its global corporate environmental impact.  The ix35 FCEV is Hyundai’s third-generation fuel cell electric vehicle that includes a 55% improvement in driving range, a 15% increase in fuel efficiency and an 80% reduction in manufacturing costs compared to the previous generation.  These enhancements help the SUV to cover 650 kilometers on a single charge

Another Blue Drive innovation on the Hyundai booth is Sonata HEV, the company’s first full hybrid, that was developed entirely in-house by Hyundai and includes several technical firsts.

The Hyundai BlueOn, powered by an innovative 16.4 kWh LiPoly (lithium-ion polymer) battery, is also on display.  Advantages of Li-Poly battery power include 30% less weight, 40% less volume, and 15% increase in efficiency compared to other competing technologies.   Its maximum power of 81 ps (61kW) and maximum torque of 21.4 kg/m (210Nm) carry the BlueOn to a top speed of 130 kph.

Article sources: http://worldwide.hyundai.com