Sport Cars: June 2011

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept

2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept

Twelve modified 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupes are featured prominently in the Honda booth at the 2010 SEMA Show, LAS VEGAS, which opens today. The 2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept is the sporty evolution of the Honda CR-Z, prepared by the Japanese Mugen Motorsports, officially associated with Honda. Honda has teamed up with Mugen again for a new hotrod special - but this one's a hybrid. The new 2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept is a slightly more ecologically sound proposition than the banzai 2009 Civic Type R Mugen, and brings the race car treatment to Honda's hybrid coupe.

2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept

As the first available sport hybrid, the 2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept demonstrates new opportunities for vehicle personalization among the import tuner community. Several significant vehicles are being unveiled at the show, including a 2011 CR-Z equipped with MUGEN* accessories, the Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HPD) CR-Z Hybrid R Concept, the HPD CR-Z Racer and several vehicles equipped with Honda Genuine Accessories.

2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept

Also unveiled today were two concept vehicles from HPD: the CR-Z Hybrid R Concept and the HPD CR-Z Racer. Though neither vehicle is intended for sale, HPD, Honda’s North American racing company, was determined to demonstrate the potential of the CR-Z for both street and racing performance. Both vehicles share many performance enhancements, with the CR-Z Hybrid R Concept highlighting Honda-designed street styling and the HPD CR-Z Racer opting for serious racing capability. To demonstrate that capability, HPD will campaign two HPD CR-Z Racers at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race in December. HPD enhancements to both cars include: a turbocharger and upgraded IMA™ hybrid system, resulting in an estimated combined 200 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. of torque; performance clutch; limited-slip differential; ‘circuit-tuned’ suspension; upgraded brakes and aerodynamic components.

2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept

Two vehicles were on display to demonstrate currently available Honda Genuine Accessories. For the 2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept, Honda displayed a vehicle equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels; side, front lip and tailgate spoilers; a rear diffuser; an illuminated door-sill trim and an interior armrest. Additionally, a 2010 Accord Coupe equipped with dealer-installed Honda Factory Performance™ (HFP™) components melded a distinctive, custom appearance with an enhanced level of handling performance. All Honda Genuine Accessories offer the same 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty as the rest of the vehicle, when installed at the time of new vehicle purchase, and are engineered to be fully compatible with each Honda vehicle.

2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept

Mugen Euro has developed a highly-tuned version of the Honda CR-Z that aims to deliver up to 200PS and 215Nm of torque by boosting the hybrid's petrol-electric powertrain. The goal of the project was to prove hybrid cars can be exciting to drive, by producing "Civic Type R-like" performance from the hybrid coupe while remaining sympathetic to the original Honda direction for the CR-Z. Torque Mugen Honda crz provide 50 percent greater power and use electric as the fuel. Obviously this is a good concept for a Honda hybrid sport cars. 2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept uses a 5-speed adjustable front and mounted on the back, which would increase the width base and weight of the settlement.

2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept

Colin Whittamore from Mugen Euro explains the philosophy behind the creation of the CR-Z Mugen: “We wanted a car that has genuine performance available at the touch of a button, but can perform just like a standard CR-Z and offer good fuel economy when the driver wishes. For that reason, we’ve kept the three driving modes, so the driver can select “eco” or “normal” to switch to economy and low emissions for daily driving, but press the Mugen button for the full-blown weekend-warrior settings”.

2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept

In addition, Mugen’s engineers also widened the 2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept’s front and rear tracks and fitted stiffer 5-step adjustable dampers and a limited slip differential to maximize traction. The Honda CR-Z Mugen stops courtesy of larger brake discs and 4-pot calipers. 2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept comes with sporty interior, there are Recaro sports seats, a different gear knob and a carbon rear view mirror cover, but your attention will be instantly drawn by the addition of three gauges that display water and oil temperature and pressure.

2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept

Among factors that features the sportiveness stands out the lowered bumper, a large roof spoiler and the carbon-fiber bonnet which, according to Honda, is an important technical detail. The weight of the 2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept then was reduced by more than 50 kg, through the use of lightweight materials as, again, the carbon-fiber, and first tests seem very positive.

2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept

The 2011 Honda Sport Cars Hybrid CR-Z Mugen Concept is purely a concept car at this stage, designed to demonstrate the potential and versatility of the Honda IMA system, with no confirmed plans for further production. Mugen and Honda (UK) will consider media and customer feedback before deciding on any next steps.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel

2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel

Porsche has finally launched the long-awaited Panamera diesel, with sales starting in August. The Panamera range extends with the introduction of the new 2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel, further enhancing the model's appeal to UK customers. A luxury Gran Turismo, the 2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel is capable of taking four passengers in sporting comfort from Lands End to Loch Ness without refuelling.

2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel

The New Porsche Panamera this time further improve the model for English, 2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel is able to take four passengers in comfort sport. sporting performance is delivered by the smooth-running 3.0-liter V6 engine with a rated output of 250 hp (184 kW) achieved Between 3.800 rpm and 4.400 rpm.

2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel offers a very attractive driving range of more than 745 miles on one tank of 80 liters, emits 172 g / km and gives 43.5mpg combined fuel economy (6.5 l/100 km). With optional low rolling resistance tires, improved efficiency further still, to 167 g / km and 44.8mpg on the Combined cycle. Available with rear-wheel drive and uses a highly efficient eight-speed Tiptronic S as standard. Six-cylinder turbo diesel engine power of new Gran Turismo 0-62 mph (0-100 km / h) 6.8 seconds, with a top speed of 150 mph (242 km / h).

The 2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel copes effortlessly with short bursts of speed and alpine transits. This is delivered by the three-liter V6 engine with a rated output of 250 hp (184 kW) achieved between 3,800 rpm and 4,400 rpm.

2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel

The maximum torque of 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) available all the way from 1,750 rpm to 2,750 rpm delivers high pulling power. Married to the highly efficient eight-speed Tiptronic S, the six-cylinder turbo diesel powers the new Gran Turismo from a standing start to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with a top speed of 150 mph (242 km/h). The Panamera Diesel is exclusively available with rear-wheel drive.

2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel

The model’s 3.0-litre V6 engine is state of the art in diesel technology: common rail direct injection through piezo valves at a pressure of 2000 bar, turbocharging employing electrically controlled variable geometry turbochargers (VGTs) and emission control achieved by controlled exhaust gas recirculation, oxidation catalyst and particle filter.

2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel

Every Panamera, including the new Diesel model, has a high level of standard specification that includes leather interior, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Bi-Xenon headlights, front and rear ParkAssist, tyre pressure monitoring, automatic dimming rear view mirrors, Porsche Communication Management with touch-screen satellite navigation and audio controls, cruise control and a three year warranty.

2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel

Fitted to every Panamera is a Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), a sophisticated vehicle security package approved to Thatcham Category 5 standard, and customers will also be able to explore the potential of their new car by participating in a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.

2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel

Developed from the outset as a four-seater vehicle, in terms also of interior design and the individual comfort of each and every occupant the Gran Turismo ploughs its own furrow. Notwithstanding its distinctive flat and stretched silhouette, 4.97 meters in length and a mere 142 centimeters high, the Panamera Diesel affords generous accommodation for all four seats. The new model can be recognized by the lettering "diesel" on the front doors.

The 2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel costs ( £62,134 ) 80,183 euro in Germany including VAT and country-specific equipment and will be available for delivery from August 2011. At this time, there is no information about a possible introduction of this model on the North American market.

2012 Porsche Sport Cars Panamera Diesel

2011 Honda Jazz

2011 Honda Jazz

The original Honda Jazz model was launched in 2002 and since then has proven to be the leader in its class. The name itself invokes a sense of fun and coolness as for its namesake. The original model won numerous awards and attracted customers from a wide spectrum of drivers, ranging from teenagers to geriatrics this car had supreme mass market or universal appeal.

Thus the new model for this year has some big shoes to fill and although Honda hardly advertised it, the preorders were already piling up by the time the new model was first announced. Word of mouth and the strength of the Jazz reputation as well as branding were already so strong Honda managed to save a pretty penny on advertising. So what’s new in the new Jazz? How can one improve on an already near flawless design? Well to tell the truth, not much, the new Honda Jazz retains most of the features that made the original so widely popular amongst a large demographic whilst updating the exterior façade to keep up with current market preferences.

2011 Honda Jazz

The engine from the original has been retained in its 1.4 liter form with minor tweaks and adjustments to pass stricter emission and pollution legislations in place in most countries as well as ensure acceptable fuel economy. All different models in the Jazz range retain the legendary steel heart engine of the original. As they say if it’s not broken don’t fix it. The already bulletproof engine required little change if any to improve it and it was a wise and sound decision by Honda to stick with it.

It is the bodywork that truly sets the new Honda Jazz apart from previous models. Although the silhouette of the original remains, closer examination of the car reveals a surprisingly sleeker aerodynamic body with a wind cheating shape that serves to reduce drag coefficient and increase fuel efficiency. Also the latest Jazz boasts twin projector headlamps and new improved rear led lighting echoing Honda’s current line of cars such as the Honda City and Honda Civic. Another major improvement over the previous model is of course the as the clever use of space to increase boot capacity whilst retaining a petite profile. The boot compartment of the new Jazz model is noticeably larger than the previous Jazz.

2011 Honda Jazz

2012 Nissan gtr

2012 Nissan gtr

The North American market version of the revised Nissan GT-R supercar will make its first public appearance on this side of the Atlantic at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 17th, the Japanese automaker announced today.

Semi-revealed at the Paris Motor Show earlier this month, the latest version of the GT-R gains a barely noticeable exterior makeover with a new front bumper featuring some rather tacky LED daytime running lights, a revised rear diffuser and new alloy wheel designs. Nissan says the exterior revisions improve the car's aerodynamics.

The GT-R also benefits from a refreshed interior and according to Nissan, enhanced performance with full details on the North American version to be released at the Los Angeles show.

The Japanese supercar will be designated as a 2012 model when it reaches Nissan showrooms in the United States and Canada early in the 2011 calendar year.