This just in from Hyundai: the South Korean automaker published a pair of teaser sketches previewing the all-new 2011 Sonata YF. Unfortunately for Hyundai, the drawings were released only a few hours after a set of official shots leaked all over the internet. And even though the actual production model is very close to the vehicle depicted on the drawings, let's just say that it's not as aggressively styled as the design sketches imply.
But, you shouldn't just take our word for it, so click here to check out the leaked photos and judge for yourselves.
According to Korean media, the next-generation model of Hyundai's mid-size sedan will be fully revealed on September 10, so stay tuned for more details.
Not that we're expecting anyone to soil their pants from the excitement, but a Lexus GS 450h will make its debut as Australia's first ever hybrid pace car at the annual Muscle Car Masters, which will be held at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway on September 6, 2009. The Japanese luxury hybrid sedan will take a permanent role as the Eastern Creek Raceway's official safety car.
According to Lexus, aside from the special livery and the safety car lights, the GS 450h features no other modifications over the road-going model.
"Our partnership with Eastern Creek is a great way to showcase Lexus' hybrid range of vehicles and demonstrate its compromise free mix of economy and power," commented Lexus Australia Chief Executive, John Roca.
Named after the original Aussie model from the late 1960s, the Falcon GS sedan and ute models are the new entry-level products of Ford Performance Vehicles, otherwise known as FPV. Available in limited numbers, the new FPV GS is the budget series of the Falcon GT with both the sedan and ute being powered by a detuned version of the 5.4-liter V8 engine that now produces an output of 405HP (302kW) instead of 423HP (315kW). Peak torque remains the same at 551Nm or 406 lb-ft.
Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a standard six-speed manual gearbox or optionally, a six-speed automatic transmission. Ford did not release performance specs for the GS Falcons.
Both Falcon GS models get specific race stripes, a charcoal cloth interior, FPV GT instrumentation, gear knob, starter button and badging while a premium sound system with iPod and Bluetooth integration, and dual zone climate control are also standard.
In addition, the GS sedan features 19-inch Graphite alloy wheels and a choice of six exterior color/stripe combinations, while the GS Ute gets 19-inch Alpine Silver alloys, an FPV soft tonneau and a choice of three exterior color/stripe combinations.
FPV said that production of the GS Series is limited to 250 sedans and 75 Utes, with prices set at $54,950 AUS and $49,950 AUS respectively.
"GS is another iconic badge in Ford's family history in this country," said FPV General Manager, Rod Barrett. "Our aim was to develop a model that provides the performance, prestige and individuality that is a signature of the FPV brand, with its own identifiable model personality, and all at a great price."
The first set of official photos of the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata YF made the rounds today on several Korean forums revealing more details on the mid-size sedan's styling. As predicted, Hyundai's Mazda6 and VW Passat challenger incorporates a more dramatic design language than the current model featuring a four-door-coupe-like roofline and a stubby rear-end.
Although it is most likely that these photos depict the U.S. and Asian market model, the European version that will potentially be named ix40, shouldn't differ much - we suspect that the only significant change will concern the replacement of the Klingon-like front grille with something more in the lines of the new Tucson / ix35's grille.
The single interior photo shows the 2011 Sonata's instrument panel that houses a pair of deeply set gauges separated by small color screen.
We'll have to wait for the official reveal to learn details about the engine range, but four-cylinder and V6 gasoline units are almost guaranteed while the European range will also include Hyundai's a choice of four-banger turbo diesels such as the 2.0-liter four-pot with 185 horsepower.
We expect to see the new Sonata making its world debut before the end of the year and to arrive in dealerships on both sides of the Atlantic sometime during the first half of 2010.
General Motors has released a new 60-second spot for its Cadillac brand called "Re-ignition", which showcases the firm's forthcoming models including the CTS Sport Wagon, the new 2010 SRX crossover and most importantly, at the final segment of the clip, the production version of the CTS Coupe that is due to arrive in U.S. showrooms the summer of 2010.
We only get a quick glimpse of the two-door sports coupe, but from what we can tell, the vehicle's exterior styling has remained remarkably close to the concept car that was shown at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.
According to a recent announcement from GM, the CTS Coupe's range will include a BMW M3-challenging (we doubt that it will target the more expensive M6 Coupe) "V" model boasting the same 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 556-horsepower as the CTS-V Sedan.
Our calendar says August 31, meaning that in less than 24 hours from now, Honda will (supposedly) reveal the all-new 2010 Accord Crosstour to the world. We found the fourth and apparently last photo of the teaser set that shows the vehicle's front alloy wheel. The four shots combined give us the result you see above. Other than it is based on the U.S. market Accord sedan, details remain scarce on Honda's crossoverish liftback model that is pegged to go on sale in the States this fall.
This is BMW's vision of the sports car of the future; a lightweight 2+2 coupe with plug-in hybrid drive technology that promises to offer 'M' car-level performance and driving dynamics with Toyota Prius-like fuel economy and emissions figures. Set to take center stage at the Bavarian automaker's stand at the 2009 Frankfurt Show in September, the Vision EfficientDynamcis showcases an array of technologies many of which are said to be planned for use on upcoming BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce models.
At the heart of the concept is a high-performance diesel-electric hybrid system that combines a small diesel engine with two electric motors and a newly-developed version of BMW's double-clutch transmission (DCT) with six speeds.
Mounted in front of the rear axle (behind the back seats), the 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo diesel engine that drives the rear wheels delivers an output of 163HP and 214 lb-ft of torque. The compact-sized electric motor that is positioned between the diesel engine and the DCT produces 33HP and 214 lb-ft but can supply momentarily up to 51HP.
The second electric motor is situated on the front axle offering continuous output of 80HP and peak torque of 162 lb-ft but it can produce 112HP for a period of up to 30 seconds, and, for a 10-second "burst," 139HP.
The overall system output is 356 horsepower and 800Nm or 590 lb-ft of peak torque. The arrangement of the two motors and diesel engine allows all-wheel drive when driving in all-electric mode.
BMW says that the Vision EfficientDynamics concept can accelerate to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.8 seconds and has an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h or 155mph. The Bavarian automaker claims that average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is a mere 3.76 lt/100 km which is equal to 62.6 mpg US, and the CO2 emission rating are just 99 grams per kilometer - however, let's not forget that we're talking about a concept car...
The electric motors are powered by a lithium-polymer battery pack that collects energy either from regenerative braking or by plugging the car into the mains. When connected to a standard EU power outlet (220 V, 16 Amps), the system requires a maximum of 2 and-a-half hours to fully charge and 44 minutes if there's a source with higher voltage and amperage (380 V, 32 Amps).
The concept can run completely under electric power, with the turbodiesel engine alone, or a combination of both power sources. The diesel engine offers a range of around 650 km or 430 miles while in all-electric mode, the range is 50 km or 31 miles. The overall range is close to 700 km or 431 miles.
As a technological showcase, the Vision EfficientDynamics concept car features an array of innovations including a thermo-electric generator in the exhaust system that converts thermal energy contained in the exhaust emissions into electrical energy which is then used to power features such as the steering and air conditioning.
The chassis and suspension of the 2+2 coupe are made out of aluminum while the roof and the outer skin on the Gullwing-style doors are made almost completely of a special polycarbonate glass that automatically darkens as a function of the light shining on the car.
The overall weight of the coupe that measures 4.60m (181.1-in.) in length, 1.90m (74.8-in.) in width and 1.24m (48.8-in.) in height, is 1,395kg or 3,076 pounds. BMW says that the car can carry a maximum load of 445kg or 981 pounds and has a luggage capacity of 150 liters or 5.3 cu ft.
Created under BMW Group design boss Adrian van Hooydonk, the concept's shape was largely dictated by aerodynamics with the company claiming a drag coefficient of just 0.22. As for the interior, BMW says that the focus was likewise on both the "fascinating driving experience" and, in particular, "on transparent, hands-on technology and maximum reduction of weight."
Understandably, the Vision EfficentDynamics overly futuristic styling does not point to a specific model, but expect to see some ideas such as the design of the front end which is reminiscent of the M1 Hommage to influence BMW's future cars.
This just in from Hyundai: the South Korean automaker published a pair of teaser sketches previewing the all-new 2011 Sonata YF. Unfortunately for Hyundai, the drawings were released only a few hours after a set of official shots leaked all over the internet. And even though the actual production model is very close to the vehicle depicted on the drawings, let's just say that it's not as aggressively styled as the design sketches imply.
