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Electric Merc SLS – more details

The electric SLS supercar by Merc is aiming for the release in the year 2013, said AMG chief Volker Mornhinweg.

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Further, Mornhinweg said that AMG engineers are positive that the electric SLS will satisfy all of its performance objectives which include a 0-60mph time of 4.0 seconds with a battery range of about 110 miles.

He was also sure that it would be as exhilarating to drive as the newly released petrol version.

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It is vital to obtain the emotional level of an EV right and the company has some solutions. Mornhinweg refused that Merc was expecting at noise generation systems, releasing them as too artificial.

Moreover, the electric SLS is motorized by three batteries that include the power of 525bhp and 649lb ft of torque. However these will have a weight penalty on the production car and it will come in at 1900kgs as evaluated to the 1620kg petrol version.

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The company has not made an expected price for the electric SLS.

New flagship Dodge Viper racer

Dodge has released a novel Viper race car for the iconic supercar’s previous year of production. Adding, the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X has been intended to compete in a new 10-race, single-make race series in the US from 2010 July, the Dodge Viper Cup.

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Further, it is based on the street-legal Dodge Viper ACR (American Club Racer), however it is more influential and features a range of upgrades which make sure that it cannot be used on the roads. And its 8.4-litre V10 engine has been tuned to turn out 631bhp, 39bhp more than the production model. With the inclusion of a new low-friction exhaust system, the power boost has been accomplished.

And for the tracking purpose, the ACR-X’s suspension has been specially tuned while 72.57kg has been shed from its kerb weight. To increase downforce and cornering speeds, the aero upgrades have been included.

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The car would make certain the Viper’s previous year in production would be a memorable one with the new racing model being the result and flagship for all its practice in developing the Viper, said Ralph Gilles, Dodge’s CEO and president.

Moreover, the ACR-X was consistently three seconds a lap faster about Laguna Seca than the road-going version that presently holds the record for the fastest lap from a production car at the circuit.

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For the ACR-X, the prices start from $110,000 (£68,000).

Scirocco R pricing announced

It is confirmed by Volkswagen that the ‘R’ versions of the Scirocco and Golf will cost £26,945 and £28,930 correspondingly.

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Further it is en-suited with a 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder engine and a six speed manual gearbox as standard, the Scirocco R develops 261bhp and the Golf R produces 266bhp.

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Through the front wheels, the Scirocco channels its power and the Golf comes with a version of Volkswagen’s 4Motion four-wheel drive system.

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On both models, a six-speed DSG gearbox is available as a choice from £1300. And the first instance of both cars is anticipated to arrive at showrooms by 2010 February.

Nissan Qazana will be electrified

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Nissan Qazana

Nissan’s upcoming Qazana will be an all-electric version. The electric version of the Qazana and the production version of the Nuvu electric supermini coul go on sale in the early 2013.

Nissan will unveil its first battery-powered car this weekend. The electric version of the Qazana, a supermini-sized crossover could even be built alongside the regular Qazana in Sunderland. Sources say that Nissan is planning to build seven lithium ion battery production lines around the world. Each production line will have a capacity to build 50,000 batteries a year.

The company is expecting to sell around 200,000 units of  its C-segment hatchback a year, which is being unveiled this weekend. The production version of the Nuvu is a certainty, although packaging the battery pack in such a small car is proving challenging.

The regular Qazana is expected to make its debut at the Geneva motor show in March 2010, alongside the all-new Micra. The Micra will be built in Nissan’s Chennai plant, India.

Mazda’s new MX-5 special edition

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Japanese auto maker Mazda has announced a special edition Mazda MX-5. The Mazda MX-5, also known as the Mazda Roadster is celebrating its 20th anniversary and to commemmorate this, the car’s special edition has been revealed.

The special edition model is based on either the RS soft-top version or the VS Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT) version of the sports car. The RS soft-top version comes with a 6 speed manual transmission while the VS Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT) version comes with a 6 speed automatic.

The car features The model features RECARO bucket sport seats that are finished in Black Alcantara and red leather. The car features a special “20th Anniversary” badges on the side fenders, clear front fog lights and bezel, seat heating with five temperature settings, 17-inch aluminum wheels fitted with 205/45R17 84W tires, a front strut tower bar (cowl connecting type), fabric soft top with glass rear window (soft-top model only), and soft synthetic leather padding on door armrests and on the center console lid.

The car is only offered with a Crystal White Pearl Mica. The car comes with a price tag of 2,860,000 yen (soft top version with manual tranny) and 3,110,000 yen (retractable hard top version with the automatic gearbox). Both prices are inclusive of tax.

This car will be for sale only in Japan. A different special edition of the MX-5 will be there for the UK in the early next year.

BMW’s hybrid cars confirmed for IAA Frankfurt

The German auto maker BMW has officially confirmed the production 7-Series and X6 ActiveHybrids will be unveiled at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

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BMW 7-Series Hybrid Prototype

Image courtesy : worldcarfans

Details are limited about the hybrid cars. Both hybrids are expected to be powered by a small electric motor that develops 15 kW (20 hp) and 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) of torque. The motor will be coupled to the transmission housing, which will effectively replace drag inducing auxiliary components such as the alternator and starter.

Power is expected to come from a small lithium-ion battery. The battery will be recharged via a Brake Energy Regeneration system. This system will provide more than enough energy to run the various electrical systems when the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine is deactivated.

The company claims the 7-Series hybrid will achieve a 15% improvement in fuel economy, while the X6 hybrid will offer up to a 20% improvement.

X-Trail Adventure edition from Nissan

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Nissan Australia has added a special Adventure edition to its award winning X-Trail range.

This limited edition X-Trail Adventure is based on an enhanced X-Trail ST 2.5-litre petrol model. A choice of either six-speed manual or a CVT automatic transmission is available.

Only 600 units of the Adventure Edition will be available in Australia. The car is offered in three colors, Platinum, White Diamond and the new exclusive color Burning Red.Extra features of the Adventure Edition includes a nudge bar, 16-inch alloy wheels, roof bars, cargo blind, rear privacy glass, and special “adventure edition” badging on the tailgate.

The Adventure Edition will begin sale on August 1. The car will come with an expected pricing of $33,990 for the manual and $36,490 for the CVT auto transmission.

Suzuki Kizashi unveiled

Suzuki has officially pulled the wraps of their mid-size sedan, Kizashi. The Kizashi was designed with a combination of European styling and Japanese quality.

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The bold grille, stylish headlights, and a dynamic rear end give the Kizashi an attractive appearance.. The highlights of the car include 18-inch alloy wheels, an attractive dual exhaust system, and a short front overhang. The interiors of the car is not that attractive as the exterior. Leather upholstery, heated seats, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 425 watt Rockford Fosgate audio system can be added optionally.

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The car is powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine, mated to a standard six-speed manual or an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) that will deliver outstanding fuel efficiency. The Kizashi has a 107-inch wheelbase. The suspension system consists of a reinforced front suspension and multi-link rear suspension that uses several aluminum components.

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Safety features include eight airbags, electronic stability control, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution, projector beam headlights, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The car can be equipped with an all-wheel-drive system as an option.

BMW’s green sport car will be at Frankfurt

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BMW today confirmed that it unveil its high-efficiency sports car concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Rumours say that the model could be based on the now-defunct M1 Homage concept car unveiled at Italy’s Villa d’Este Concours last year.

A product of sustainable development can be seen at the International Auto Show in Frankfurt in a few weeks in the form of a concept car. The BMW EfficientDynamics Vision will demonstrate how efficient a sports car can be. It will also prove that sustainability does not apply to the drivetrain alone, but to design and materials as well.

The sports car might be a two-seat, mid-engined coupe with eco-friendly features. It is not known that whether the car will be electric, hybrid or diesel powered.

Chevrolet Agile design sketches released

General Motors has announced that it will launch a new hatch, the all-new Chevrolet Agile for the South American market. The company claims that the Chevrolet Agile is a “compact, versatile car with great design”.

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The Agile was developed entirely in Brazil, and production will be at GM’s manufacturing center in Rosary, Argentina. A few sketches of the new compact five-door car was released.

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The Agile has been designed with practicality and comfort with a fun-to-drive character. The Agile will have a wheelbase just over 98 inches and will be powered by a 105-hp 1.4-liter engine or a 129-hp 1.8-liter engine as choices.

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The Chevrolet Agile is the first vehicle of the Live platform, developed fully in the GM Design Center Mercosur. The Agile will compete with the 2010 Ford Fiesta.

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