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Audi is honing the character of its flagship: from September, the Audi A8 will exhibit notably enhanced qualities. An even more precise driving feel, superior ride and acoustic comfort and subtle refinements to the design and interior underline the exceptional position of the sportiest saloon in the luxury class. Just how well the A8 combines sporty, elegant design with superlative handling characteristics, supreme comfort and exemplary eco-friendliness is illustrated by the Audi A8 2.8 FSI: with CO2 emissions of 199 grams per kilometre it is the best by far in its class.

Impressive handling characteristics, pioneering technology and exclusive design and equipment – the Audi A8 defines the notion of sports appeal in the luxury segment in a distinctive, masterly way. As the flagship of the brand, the A8 embodies the progressivenees of Audi: its extremely rigid lightweight aluminium body built according to the Audi Space Frame principle, the potent FSI and TDI powerplants with direct injection, quattro permanent four-wheel drive and the highly praised MMI operating system are only some of the elements employed by Audi to demonstrate its proverbial Vorsprung durch Technik in the luxury class.

The best fuel consumption figures in its class
New in the model range is the Audi A8 2.8 FSI. With FSI petrol direct injection and the innovative Audi valvelift system AVS, this engine develops 154 kW (210 bhp), producing its maximum torque of 280 Newton-metres across a wide speed range from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm. These ample reserves and – thanks to the aluminium Space Frame body – remarkably low vehicle weight of only 1690 kilograms ensure supreme acceleration in every situation. The A8 2.8 FSI sprints from 0 to 100 in 8.0 seconds, its top speed being 238 km/h.

Despite these convincing performance figures the A8 with the 2.8-litre FSI engine achieves top marks in its class in terms of fuel consumption: an average of only 8.3 litres per 100 kilometres, according to the standard test method. This corresponds to a CO2 figure of only 199 grams per kilometre.

Saloon for a unique driving experience

The entire model range offers a new driving experience: To this end, the A8 has been consistently developed in many areas and refined in terms of its unique blend of sportiness and elegance, superiority and sophistication. The rack-and-pinion steering with variable steering gear ratios and servotronic speed-dependent power assistance has been optimised and is more direct. Shock absorbers, bearings and adaptive air suspension settings have been modified. As a result, the A8 responds more spontaneously to steering inputs, tackles winding country roads with precision yet – seemingly of its own volution – maintains calm and supreme straight-line stability at high speeds.

Exceptional comfort in terms of suspension and acoustics
Similarly to the handling characteristics, ride comfort has also been improved: the standard adaptive air suspension is now more responsive to minor irregularities in the road surface. The continuously variable shock absorbers feature new seals to reduce friction, new valves optimise the characteristics and the entire hydraulics system has been retuned. The A8 even moves smoothly over transverse joints, with no vibration whatsoever. Together with the package designed to insulate rolling and road noise, the luxury saloon from Audi offers outstanding comfort.

The acoustics of the A8 have been enhanced and optimised throughout by using innovative materials – after all, noise insulation at Audi is always viewed under the aspect of intelligent lightweight construction. The result: without any additional weight, the Audi A8 exhibits the lowest rolling, road and ambient noise level in its class. The Audi A8 is one of the quietest cars in the world – an important element for relaxed comfort on long journeys in the saloon.

Comfort and safety with assistance systems

The Audi A8 supports the driver with state-of-the-art assistance systems. These provide comfort and convenience on long journeys, helping to keep the driver fit and alert – and are therefore decisively important for safety, too. Audi side assist utilises intelligent radar technology. The system is specially designed for lane-changing manoeuvres, alerting the driver to hazardous situations: if another vehicle moves into the critical zone, yellow LEDs in the housing of the exterior mirror light up permanently. If, despite the warning, the driver of the A8 sets the indicator lever to change lanes, the LEDs become brighter and flash rapidly for about one second. It is virtually impossible to overlook this impulse because the human eye is highly sensitive to changes in contrast in the peripheral field of vision.

Audi lane assist alerts the driver if he/she inadvertently moves out of the lane. A small camera, located on the windscreen above the rear-view mirror, monitors the road in front of the vehicle; a high-performance computer identifies the lane markings. If the driver drifts on to one of these lines without indicating, Audi lane assist signalises this accordingly by causing the steering wheel to vibrate.

Progressive design language, with specific refinements

The clear and progressive design language of the Audi A8 is characterised by its timeless quality. New touches were added to the exterior, for instance, but only in specific yet effective areas – from the single-frame grille to new exterior mirrors with integrated indicator and new wheel designs through to new-look LED taillights. New paint finishes complete the range as do high-quality aluminium applications, new colours and inlays for the interior.

Continuing on the road to success

Hence the Audi A8 is clearly on the road to success. With over 100,000 vehicles sold so far the current-generation model including both top-of-the-range versions, the Audi A8 W12 and Audi S8, has already surpassed the sales total of its predecessor.

Year for year, it continues to achieve sales growth in an overall stagnating market segment. The reason: while the A8 constantly attracts customers of other brands with its clear personality, the product loyalty and repurchase rate among A8 drivers is at the same time higher than average.

When it comes to the trade press and its readers, the A8 also has much to celebrate. It regularly picks up awards as the best car in the luxury class – from "auto, motor und sport" in Germany, for example, from "Auto Express" in the UK or "AutoWeek" in the US.

While the first competitors to bring their very first models with full hybrid drive on the road, sending the Lexus RX 450h already the second generation into the race.

Like its predecessor, the new RX 450h combines the power split full hybrid with an electric motor on the rear axle and realized as a (limited) four-wheel drive ("E-Four").

The hybrid drive of the RX 450h is a further development of the Lexus RX 400h represents the new model, the engineers achieved but through a comprehensive development of all the details of the hybrid drive components a significant increase in efficiency: With ten percent higher system performance uses the RX 450h 23 percent less fuel. In addition, the SUV unlike his predecessor also be driven on electric power.

With a system output of 220 kW (299 hp), the RX 450h to factory specifications in requirement 200 km / h. The 100-km/h-Marke to the "Recreational Crossover" ("RX") break through in 7.8 seconds. Lexus postulated with a consumption of 6.3 liters per 100 kilometers - equivalent to CO2 emissions of 148 g / km - the lowest fuel consumption of all crossovers in this segment.

Configuration of the hybrid drive

The hybrid drive system includes two separate drive systems for front and rear axle. The front wheels are driven by a power-split hybrid system, which distributes the flow of force between the V6 petrol engine, the front electric motor and the generator according to the respective operating conditions.

Electric motor, generator, planetary gears and the reduction gear for the electric motor are housed together in a compact housing. This integration reduces the size to the size of a conventional gearbox and loud Lexus is a crucial prerequisite for the deployment of the hybrid system in a crossover platform with front engine. The hybrid control unit is also located in the engine compartment, the high-performance battery is installed on the other hand under the rear seats.

A second electric motor on the rear axle, the front wheel drive system added to a four-wheel drive. From the hybrid control unit in conjunction with the integrated vehicle dynamics management VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) variable rear drive unit operates without mechanical connection to the front-wheel drive. Whose seamless and imperceptible interaction ensures the hybrid controller.

New V6 petrol engine

The 3.5-liter DOHC V6 based on the engine of the RX 350th The Lexus engineers have him but optimized for use in hybrid vehicles. The power of the engine increases to 183 kW (249 hp) at 6,000 rpm, with maximum torque of 317 Nm at 4800 rpm.

In addition, records from the motor through three innovations: the Atkinson cycle, the cooled EGR (Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and the exhaust heat EHR (Exhaust Heat Recovery), which all lead to a reduction in fuel consumption.

When Atkinson cycle, the intake valves close later in the compression stroke than with a conventional gasoline engine, whereby the force required for compression is reduced. In the working cycle on the other hand, the exhaust valves remain closed for longer than in conventional four-stroke engines, so that the full combustion pressure may be longer acting on the pistons. This more combustion energy is converted into motion.

The EGR supplied via a separate conduit system a precisely regulated amount of exhaust gas again into the combustion chambers. Before it is cooled by up to 880 ° C maximum temperature to below 150 ° C. The motor can be operated unthrottled, which reduces fuel consumption, especially in high-load range.

The exhaust heat EHR uses the heat of the exhaust gases to rapidly warm up the engine and allows to switch off the petrol engine and the earlier purely electric driving mode to move. As a result of the consumption of the RX 450h is reduced compared to the previous model at low ambient temperatures by more than 30 percent.

Hybrid transmission

The new RX 450h is equipped as the first hybrid vehicle with intelligent shift control AI-SHIFT. This system determined from a comparison of the speed with the accelerator pedal position, whether the route is uphill or downhill. The transmission automatically selects the optimum gear and keep it constant, in order to keep the engine speed within the optimum range for the acceleration uphill or downhill exploit the engine braking effect.

Additionally, the transmission offers now in the driving position "S" a sequential shift mode. In this mode, the driver can select six fixed gear ratios for intermediate sprints or higher engine braking. Nevertheless, the transmission is the subjective weakness in the drive train, because everyone acceleration process is accompanied by clearly audible yelp.

The electric motors were taken from the RX 400h. The front comes to a power of 123 kW / 167 hp, the rear provide 50 kW / 68 PS. Thanks to optimized cooling and power electronics increases the yield strength: The front electric motor is now ready from the first rotation, 335 Nm, the rear contributes further 139 Nm. The speed range at which the maximum torque is applied, has been at the front electric motor extends to 15km / h, at the rear, even by 35 to 45km / h A value that represents just the best discipline of full hybrids, the regenerative braking (regenerative braking), a significant improvement. The more kinetic energy can be stored in the battery, the lower the fuel consumption.

Hybrid control unit

The RX 450 also underwent fine-tuning the details. So the power consumption of the hybrid control unit decreases by ten percent. The control unit is responsible for many important functions, such as the implementation of the battery voltage of 288 volts DC to 650 volts AC to operate the electric motors for the power control of electric motors and gasoline engines as well as for the conversion of the hybrid battery voltage in board voltage to supply the usual Consumers and the 12-volt battery.

The new hybrid controller falls with a volume of 18.2 instead of around 30 liters of significantly more compact and weighs only 22 instead of 30 kg. His new, multi-level inverter now allows cooling of both sides. Thus, the energy density increases by 40 percent, and the electrical losses are reduced by more than ten percent.

High Performance Battery

The 288 volt battery consists of three equal-sized blocks, each with ten modules of eight cells. The common sheet steel per block its own cooling fan, the common control unit, the relay for the positive and negative line and the safety plugs are housed.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive in practice

In coasting and braking, the Nitro is turned off. Both electric motors operate as a generator. Three new driving modes - "ECO", "EV" and "SNOW" - will also reduce fuel consumption and improve vehicle performance. In "ECO" mode, the performance of the automatic climate control and reduced the characteristic of the electronic accelerator pedal modified to support a particularly fuel-efficient driving style.

During soft start, the RX 450h runs up to a speed of about 40 km / h, the "EV" mode and so on electric power. Via a switch built into the steering wheel allows the "EV" mode (Electric Vehicle) also manually activate a function of speed.

New suspension

The new RX 450h has a longer wheelbase and wider track than its predecessor. The newly designed double-wishbone rear suspension ensures significantly reduced rolling and pitching movements of the body. The front suspension now performs under a revised geometry, new shock absorbers, coil springs and new stabilizers optimized their service.

Optionally available are electrically controlled roll bars. They reduce the lateral inclination of the vehicle body during cornering with 0.5 g lateral acceleration in comparison with a conventional suspension of almost 40 percent.

The system consists of centrally positioned in the stabilizers of the front and rear axle actuators consisting of direct current motors with an integrated reduction gear. You need to take control of two stabilizer parts torque: When driving straight ahead, they remain inactive in contrast to traditional, hydraulically-operated active stabilizers to save energy. Only when cornering they are activated. It calculates a control device based on the steering angle and vehicle speed, the required torque. The front and rear independently be controlled moments minimize the body roll of the car body and to thereby provide greater stability and responsive handling.

Optionally, also an electronically controlled air suspension on board. It varies the body height adjustment in four stages over a range of 60 millimeters.

Newly designed rear, advanced front

At the rear, a newly developed rear suspension with trailing arms and double wishbone suspension is used. To create more space in the cargo area, the engineers moved the coil springs under the floor and chose a low, angled mounting position for the shock absorbers so that the chassis components barely intrude into the luggage compartment.

The front suspension was newly developed shock absorbers. The two front coil springs are wound mirror images of each other, twist during compression so opposite. Thus the resulting rotational forces cancel each other out, which benefits the agility, driving stability and ride comfort to the good. In addition, a stronger front stabilizer bar for enhanced cornering stability.

Electric power steering

Compared to a conventional hydraulic system causes the electric power steering (Electric Power Steering), a fuel saving of around three percent because they Unlike hydraulic assisted steering when driving straight ahead does not consume energy. Even in situations with low steering angles, the energy consumption is considerably lower. Despite the wider track and longer wheelbase, the new RX is waiting on the same turning radius as its predecessor (12.20 m).

On vehicles with conventional drive kinetic energy during coasting and braking goes wasted. The RX 450 h in the electronically controlled brake system (Electronically Controlled Braking) ensures that a portion of this kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy each wheel and stored in the high performance battery. The electronic switch while the hydraulic brake system to the rice only when the recuperation of the electric motors is not sufficient to apply the desired delay. The input signal for providing the way, such as the brake pedal is actuated.

To reduce the operating noise of the brake control, it relies on three plunger and a separate power supply. The brake system is networked with the dynamic driving dynamics management VDIM to ensure a linear braking force profile and optimum braking force distribution to each individual wheel, and to maximize the braking energy recovery.

Yamaha Introduced Four new shades on R15 version 2.0.Four new shades are Thundering Green,Raring Red,Invincible black and Racing Blue.Yamaha has given updates for all the products with a certain interval to keep the customer interest on the products.Thundering Green is the most appealing among new shades.New graphics on the side cowl looks super.Thundering green has mix of both black and green.This combination is so popular in Fazer and FZ.

Racing Blue comes with a mix of white,blue and black color.Invincible black comes with a mix of black and white.Raring Red comes with mix of White and Red color.Yamaha R15 follows the R series path.The YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 are equipped with under cowls that are based on the image of a diffuser, to give them the best form for aero-management. These are not cowls for simply enclosing the engine, but forms composed of blade surfaces that actively control airflow.

 

The YZF-R15 version 2.0 is a new model that has been developed under the concept of a “Graded Up R15.” While maintaining the proven ease of handling of the existing R15, the R15 version 2.0 boasts of spruced up looks and better performance in circuit riding. The design elements are borrowed from the supersport model YZF-R1 that is adapted from YZR-M1 MotoGP race machine.The YZF-R15 version 2.0 – is a 150cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke fuel injected bike.which makes 17 PS @ 8500 RPM and torque of 15 nm @ 7500 RPM.This engine is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox.

(click on the picture to see the High resolution wallpaper)

The British sports car manufacturer McLaren MP4-12C, which cuts off the roof. The open 12 C Spider with retractable hardtop can be ordered from the late summer - at a cost of 231,650 euros.

So the spider is well above the coupe, which is available in Germany for € 200,000. On the drive side will also benefit from the recent Spider power increase of 25 hp. The 460 kW/625 hp of the 3.8-liter V8 turbos are good for a top speed of 329 km / h (Coupe 333 km / h) sprint time of 3.1 seconds as well. Is the oil of the dry sump lubrication only once up to temperature, the sprint from a standstill to 200 km / h is done in 9.0 seconds at the Spider, the Coupé takes just 8.8 seconds. This is ensured by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which transmits the power to the rear wheels. A glass panel behind the cover flap, the transmission can be admired by the way. The fuel consumption of 11.7 liters with the British give to over 100 kilometers.


Thanks to the rigid carbon body weighs the open version only 1474 kg (1376 dry weight). The hardtop of 1.2 meters flat flounder can be opened at a speed of 30 km / h in 17 seconds and close. A rear electrically adjustable windshield serves as a wind deflector. The standard features include customized travel bags for the small trunk and a selection of different types of leather.

Honda Brio is the first volume product from Honda for India.Honda brio and city is the two best selling models for Honda.Honda brio top the sales charts in December 2012.People really like the design of brio which is very attractive.One of the primary reason for buying a hatch back.Then Honda brio is one of the spacious cars in the segment.Honda first introduced four variants for brio EMT,SMT,SMT optional and VMT.Couple of months back Honda launched two more variants for brio EX MT which is priced just above the base model and also automatic brio.City users just love the Brio Automatic.Effortless and easy driving also given lots of women buyers for brio.

But still the package was not complete.Brio had couple of missing things.So Honda decided to Introduce a new Top end Model for Brio.Honda will add rear defogger and driver seat adjustment in brio which is the two important features brio was lacking.But still Honda cannot introduce rear wash wipe on brio.Because of the all glass design at the rear.It is not possible to give the feature.Honda name the new variant as Brio VX..Honda will launch the new variant by April this year.

Customers are waiting for Honda to introduce diesel engine in Brio.Honda brio diesel has caught testing many times.But Honda will bring the diesel engine first on Brio Amaze.if its turn to be a success then Honda will introduce the diesel engine on brio also.Honda is currently selling around 2000 Brio per month.With the introduction of new variant Honda is expecting more sales for Brio.

source : Autocar India