China's Ho-Pin Tung tests fully-electric Formula E Car

MONTEBLANCO, SPAIN - May 1, 2014: Ho-Pin Tung – the first Chinese driver to ever test a Formula 1 car – reckons that the all-new FIA Formula E Championship will feature ‘super-close’ racing, after testing the fully-electric Spark-Renault STR_01E race car for the first time last week.

Tung, who has tested F1 cars for Williams and Renault, piloted the single-seater at the Circuit Monteblanco in Spain. He completed three race simulations and was impressed by what he experienced.
“There’s going to be super-close racing because you can brake really late,” he said. “Having seen the Beijing track layout, it looks like there’s going to be lots of overtaking opportunities and with the Fan Boost system you will have to be really strategic with the way that you use it. Obviously you can save on some laps and then use extra energy on the other laps, so an energy saving strategy is going to be very important during the race and I think you’ll see a lot of drivers looking for and creating chances and making an opportunistic move on the inside into a corner.”

The 31-year-old, who currently races in the Asian Le Mans Series and the Asian Carerra Cup, was surprised by the performance of the first ever all-electric single-seater which will be used by all 10 Formula E teams when the season gets underway in Beijing on September 13 2014.
“It’s very different from what I expected and I think the main reason being that I didn’t really know what to expect! Obviously everything is different from every other Formula car you’re used to. It’s got a very different type of tyre, which is a significant difference. It’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t driven Formula cars, but the construction of the tyres make the tyre very stiff, which I would say is even more influential than the fact that it’s a grooved tyre. It’s got no sidewall and has a very big diameter – 18 inch – and so the sidewall is very stiff and that makes the car very stiff.”
Having raced in A1GP and Superleague Formula, Tung reckons the Formula E concept has great potential.
“I think Formula E might well be the future of racing,” he said. “Sustainability and environmental responsibility is something that is very high on the agenda for racing but also in daily life and I think this is a great initiative. Now it’s something I’ve had a chance to get a taste of after driving the car I’ve become more excited and convinced about having such a series.”
Formula E is a new FIA championship and the world’s first fully-electric racing series. Beginning later this year, the championship will compete on 10 city-centre circuits around the globe including London, Buenos Aires and the opening round in Beijing. Ten teams, each with two drivers, will go head-to-head to create a unique and exciting motor racing championship designed to appeal to a new generation of fans, whilst accelerating the electric vehicle market and promoting sustainability.
After more than 3,000km of running, testing for the SRT_01E is now complete with the first delivery of cars arriving at the new Formula E Donington Park headquarters on May 15 when the doors to the new facilities will officially be opened.

Tesla Model C - coupe concept renderings

The Tesla C Concept is a study of a modern compact electric city car with an original door opening system and a focus on versatility. 

The author is Macedonian Dejan Hristov.

Hristov describes his design this way:
"This is a modern, harmonic, unique design, with a sports image, for a city car equipped with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery. This car has a glass top, which covers the metal parts of the construction, offering a futuristic view on the design.
The side doors are big offering an effortless entry to the back seats. The doors are equipped with innovated mechanism for opening, ideal for conditions with restricted space (the mechanism is shown in one of the pictures). The opening and closing is automatic; actually, the mechanism of the doors would be maneuvered by electric motors.

The doors open by automatically sliding forwards: an automatic system powered by electric motors which helps when parking in narrow spots. The tail gate has a similar opening mechanism.

The tailgate is connected to an original mechanism. Besides that, it is wide and allows easy use of the trunk.
The rear bumper is attached for construction and holds the spare wheel. It pulls out like a drawer, something that allows for a trouble-free reach of the spare wheel. The same construction can be used for transporting bikes or any other kinds of belongings.
Beside the standard design, I also designed a sportier version with a bigger kw/h battery-pack. This variant is wider and features sports bumpers with bigger vents for cooling, 1-inch bigger wheels and a rear spoiler. This version would likely be called the Tesla Model C GT."

To our knowledge, Tesla has no plans to built this car, though if it isn't thinking along similar lines, we would question their long range strategic thinking.

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Fisker Can Become Operational By 2015

The Chinese company Wanxiang Corporation, which saved Fisker through a purchase worth around $147 million has expressed its plans to resurrect the company by mid-2015.

Fisker Atlantic

The plan is to restart production of the Karma by mid-2015, which will be followed by a Karma-based Wagon called the Surf in 2016 and then the Atlantic sedan in 2017. The company already has a new website up and running.

Fisker Karma

The first would be setting up a new headquarters. It will then have to find a new CEO, which could happen in a couple of months time and last, but not the least, it is looking to recruit an engineering staff of 200.

Fisker Karma, the only car which the company ever built, was a hybrid electric sedan powered by a turbo-petrol 2.0-litre engine coupled to two electric motors, with a combined power output of 397 bhp and 1300 Nm of torque. The Karma had range of 80 km in pure electric mode and could reach a top speed of 200 km/h.

Koenigsegg , Less Expensive Supercar?

In the 10 years that Koenigsegg has been manufacturing supercars, the company has only ever had a single model in production at any point during that time, although many of these came in a handful of variants

The company was founded in 1994 in Sweden by Christian von Koenigsegg, with the intention of producing a world-class supercar. Many years of development and prototyping led to the company's first street-legal production car delivery in 2002.

Koenigsegg Automotive AB is a non-listed free traded Swedish Public Company. The Company has around 90 shareholders. As the company is free trading the number of shareholders can vary. Christian von Koenigsegg is the CEO and a major shareholder.

In 2006 Koenigsegg began production of the CCX, which uses an engine created in-house especially for that vehicle. The CCX is street-legal in most countries.
Apart from developing, manufacturing and selling the Koenigsegg line of supercars, Koenigsegg is also involved in "green technology" development programmes beginning with the CCXR ("Flower Power") flexfuel supercar and continuing through the present with the Agera R. Koenigsegg is also active in development programs when it comes to plug-in electric cars' systems and next-generation reciprocating engine technologies.

The Koenigsegg One:1 was presented at the March 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Koenigsegg will build 6 cars apart from the car presented on the Geneva Motor Show. All the cars have already been sold.

The name One:1 comes from the power (1360 PS) to weight (1360 kg) ratio giving the car 1 PS per 1 kg weight. The 1360 PS power output is the equivalent of one megawatt, which Koenigsegg is claiming makes the One:1 the ‘world’s first megacar’.

The car is more focused as a track car than the previous cars made by Koenigsegg. Koenigsegg had to sacrifice a few things to be able to achieve their goal with the car

There is an airscoop on the removable roof, so it would not have been possible to stow the roof in the trunk like previous models. As such, Koenigsegg have taken advantage of this and modeled the front to create more downforce, which reduces trunk capacity by 40%

The Koenigsegg One:1 is fitted with a variant of the same 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine used in all Ageras. It produces 1,360 PS (1,000 kW) at 7500 rpm and 1,371 N·m (1,011 lb·ft) of torque at 6000 rpm

Total weight of the engine is only 197 kg (434 lb) thanks to a carbon fiber intake manifold and the aluminum construction. The transmission is a 7-speed dual clutch paddle shifters.

In September 2011 the Koenigsegg Agera R broke the Guinness World Record - 0-300 km/h with a time of just 14.53 seconds

Speaking with Motoring at the recent 2014 New York Auto Show, Koenigsegg CEO and founder Christian von Koenigsegg revealed that his company is looking to introduce a model costing between $600k and $700k to its lineup. That’s approximately half what it costs to purchase Koenigsegg’s Agera-based models and a bargain compared to the limited edition One:1, which the Koenigsegg boss revealed cost each of its six lucky customers a staggering $2.85 million.

Pagani Huayra Revealed at the Top Marques Monaco 2014.

The Pagani Huayra (pronounced: wai-rah) is an Italian mid-engined sports car produced by Pagani.Succeeding the company's previous offering, the Zonda, it cos £849,000 ($1,300,000).

It is named after Wayra Tata, which means "God of the winds" in Quechua, the official language of the Inca Empire. The Huayra was named "The Hypercar of the Year 2012" by Top Gear magazine and received a very positive review when tested by Richard Hammond on Top Gear.

The Huayra is currently the fastest car to go around the Top Gear Test Track, setting a time of 1:13.8, beating the previous record of 1:15.1 set by the Ariel Atom V8 in January 2011.

The Huayra uses a twin-turbo Mercedes-AMG 60° V12 engine.The Huayra's 6.0-litre engine, the M158, produces 730 metric horsepower (720 bhp (539 kW)) and 1,000 N·m (740 lb·ft) of torque. Its top speed is about 231 mph (372 km/h)  and it has a rating 0–60 miles per hour (0–97 km/h) acceleration time of 3.2 seconds. Using Pirelli tires, the Pagani Huayra is capable of withstanding 1.66 g of lateral acceleration at speeds of up to 230 mph (370 km/h)

The Pagani Huayra uses a seven-speed sequential gearbox and a single disc clutch. The choice not to use a dual-clutch in an oil bath was due to the increase in weight of over 70 kg (154 lb), negating the advantage of the faster gear changes in those transmissions. As a result, the entire transmission weighs 96 kg (212 lb).The car is equipped with bespoke Brembo brake calipers, rotors and pads. The calipers have four pistons in front and four in the rear. The rotors are drilled carbon ceramic, 380 mm (15.0 in) in diameter and 34 mm (1.3 in) thick. There are also four independent flaps which can act as air brakes or produce downforce

Pagani Automobili is proud to display at the 2014 Geneva Autoshow a yellow Pagani Huayra and, as a world premiere, the Zonda Revolucion 5 of 5.

Pagani have a yellow Pagani Huayra showing here at the Geneva Motor Show 2014. This China-bound customer car features the same 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged AMG V12 engine as other Pagani Huayra’s. This powerplant delivers an impressive 720 hp with all that power being sent to the rear wheels. While you may think such a powerful car wouldn’t have any traction, the Huayra is an extremely easy car to drive and when driven at full throttle, hits 100 km/h in around 3 seconds flat!
Other than this yellow Pagani Huayra, there is the final edition of the Pagani Zonda Revolucion on display. Limited to only 5 pieces the Pagani Zonda Revolucion is the ultimate edition of the non-street legal Zonda R. It is among the most exclusive and expensive track toys you can buy with a price tag of 2.2 million Euro excluding taxes. The last Zonda Revolucion on display in Geneva is heading over to Japan after the show to be delivered to its owner.

Like many high-performance cars, the Huayra uses dry sump lubrication. This has several key benefits including guaranteeing oil flow even when the car is subjected to extreme lateral acceleration, preventing "oil surge" which allows the engine to operate more efficiently while the lack of an oil pan allows mounting the engine lower, lowering the car's center of gravity and improving handling. The fuel consumption of the Huayra is 10 mpg (23 l/100 km) in city and 14 mpg (17 l/100 km) in highway (EPA testing).
A water / oil heat exchanger reduces engine warm-up times on cold days and helps maintain a stable temperature for refrigerants and lubricants.
To minimize the use of pipes and fittings (and the overall weight of the vehicle), the expansion tank is mounted directly on the engine. Intercooler fins act as an expansion tank circuit at low temperatures.The titanium exhaust system was designed and built by MHG-Fahrzeugtechnik. Hydroformed joints were developed to reduce back pressure and ensure a free flow exhaust. Titanium reduces the weight of the exhaust system while the Inconel silencers improve reliability in the most exposed parts of the exhaust at high temperatures. The entire system weighs less than 10 kg (22 lb).

China now has a luxury electric car brand

Failed US electric/hybrid car-maker Fisker is now owned by China’s Wanxiang Group after a $149 million bid at Fisker’s bankruptcy auction. That’s six times more than Fisker was seeking to recover from bankruptcy, reports Bloomberg.

The Chinese conglomerate – which makes automobile parts, solar tech, and has a large US HQ in Chicago – now owns 18 Fisker patents covering things like electric-vehicle drivetrain technology and Fisker’s distinctive grille design. Other assets include an abandoned General Motors plant in Wilmington.
Wanxiang already owns EV battery-maker A123 Systems, which supplied power units to Fisker.

Toyota @ new TE-Spyder 800 Plug-In Hybrid concept [VIDEO]

A skunkworks engineering team at Toyota unveiled its intriguing TE-Spyder 800 plug-in hybrid sports car concept at the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon.

What do Toyota’s greatest engineering minds get up to when the working day concludes?
Members of the Toyota Engineering Society, a skunkworks team of engineers dedicated to the adoption of new technologies, laboured after hours to create this exciting sports car concept. Unveiled at the recent Tokyo Auto Salon, its expressed aim is to change people’s perception of hybrid cars by applying current technology in new, innovative ways.

The Toyota Sports 800 was essentially a new sports car born out of economy car ingredients. Similarly, this TE-Spyder 800 concept was created by reworking economy-focused hybrid components from the Prius to deliver sports car performance.
Beneath the concept car panels is actually a third-generation MR2 Roadster, though its original mid-mounted 1.8-litre engine has been exchanged for a 1.5-litre NZ family unit. Interestingly, instead of running the simulated Atkinson cycle engine found in the second-generation Prius, the team fitted the closely related and more performance-oriented 1NZ-FE Otto cycle version to increase peak torque and top end power. Breathing modifications such as a free-flowing intake and four-branch exhaust manifold have increased engine power to 116PS at 6400rpm.

The transaxle and 102PS electric motor comes from the third-generation Prius and is linked to the familiar E-CVT transmission. Meanwhile, the battery has been located longitudinally within the confines of the floor tunnel, contributing to the car’s low centre of gravity and favourable weight distribution. And just to complete the arsenal of adapted technology, the TE-Spyder 800 also makes use of the external charging facility from the Prius Plug-in.
Despite all this technology, weight has been kept below one tonne, which means the TE-Spyder 800 offers authentic sports car performance that can dispatch the 0-62mph dash in just 5.8 seconds.

There are no plans to bring the TE-Spyder 800 into production but if this is what Toyota’s engineers can accomplish in their unpaid spare time, imagine what they can accomplish with funded development.

The Toyota Sports 800 was essentially a new sports car born out of economy car ingredients. Similarly, this TE-Spyder 800 concept was created by reworking economy-focused hybrid components from the Prius to deliver sports car performance.

Reva unveils Halo EV, Formula E at New Delhi Auto Show

Mahindra is being busy at the New Delhi Auto Show, unveiling two electric cars: the Mahindra Reva Halo EV concept sports car and the Mahindra Racing Formula E electric race car. If reports are to be believed, the Indian company wants to build the Halo as, well, a halo electric car for the brand. Reva could use it, since long-time electric vehicle fans will most likely associate the Reva name with the unloved G-Wiz.

The Halo looks light years ahead of the company's previous offerings (which also includes the E2O). Powered by an all-electric powertrain that can move the two-door "everyday sports car" to 62 miles per hour in under eight seconds and has a top speed of over 100 mph and a range of 124 miles, the Halo is compact and clean, with nice design touches like the bright red by the front wheels. A production version, which could come in early 2016, could also take the shape of a four-door sports car. Mahindra is promoting the Halo on social media using the HaloSelfie hashtag on Twitter and we've got two videos available below.

The Formula E racer, on the other hand, is the same all-electric Spark-Renault SRT_01E vehicle that we've seen before, but now it's gussied up in Mahindra livery. The 10-city global EV race series starts in September.

Audi abd new Sport Quattro GT

The Audi Sport Quattro concept car, after several re-thinks, finally seems likely to get the nod for production. Come to that, the company has recently re-jigged several pieces of its sports-car jigsaw.

Audi chief engineer Ulrich Hackenberg has confirmed several details surrounding the Sport Quattro GT, while hinting at the company's other sports cars in the pipeline.
Confirming earlier reports, Hackenberg told Top Gear the Sport Quattro GT will drop the concept's 700-horsepower hybrid drivetrain in favor of a traditional powerplant to bring costs down. Unconfirmed reports point to the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine from the RS Q3 as a likely choice, tuned for 360 horsepower.

"We used a powerful powertrain to position it," the engineer said. "But the potential is to have more volume. It needs a high investment so it makes sense to use other engines."
Despite the presumable drop in power, the car will still be positioned above the TT but below the R8 as a "comfortable GT" four-seater. It is expected to be built upon the company's next-generation modular longitudinal matrix (MLB) platform, with extensive use of lightweight materials.

Audi is also said to be seriously considering a crossover TT similar to the Allroad Shooting Brake concept that was previewed in Detroit earlier this year. Hackenberg suggests such a vehicle would have a "big group of fans" as smaller crossovers continue to gain in popularity.
The chief engineer also raised hope that the R8 e-tron will make it to market, noting that the company has worked to resolve two limiting factors that stalled the project: range and price. Part of the solution is claimed to focus on improvements to the modular batteries.
The plug-in hybrid drive makes the Audi Sport quattro concept makes it a special performance car. System output is 700 hp, with torque at 590 lb-ft. Power flows through a modified 8-speed Tiptronic to the quattro powertrain, which features a sport differential on the rear axle. According to the applicable standard, the show car consumes on average 94.09 mpg, a CO2 equivalent of 59 grams per kilometer (94.95 g/mile).
The combustion engine is a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that produces 560 hp and 700 516 lb-ft of torque. The cylinder on demand (COD) system, which deactivates four cylinders under part load, and a start-stop system make the sonorous eight-cylinder unit very efficient.
Located between the 4.0 TFSI and the transmission is a disc-shaped electric motor producing 110 kW and 295 lb-ft. It draws its traction energy from a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery in the rear with a capacity of 14.1 kWh. The show car is charged via an Audi wall box, which uses intelligent charge management to ensure the optimal feed of energy to the lithium-ion battery. The Audi Sport quattro concept can cover up to 32 miles on electric power alone. An intelligent management system controls the interplay between the two drives as needed, and the driver can choose between various operating modes.
The customer can choose between various characteristics for the Audi Sport quattro concept depending on the operating and driving strategy. A choice of three modes is available. EV mode is for purely electric driving; Hybrid mode for maximum efficiency and Sport mode for maximum performance.
In Sport mode, the operating strategy sets the drive system for maximum power and performance. The electric boost function supports the combustion engine in all driving situations. The energy management system ensures that the battery always has sufficient charge. When the V-8 and the electric motor work together, the Audi Sport quattro concept accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.7 seconds – much like the powerful Audi rally cars once did. Its top speed is 305 km/h (189.52 mph).

2015 Ferrari California T turbo revealed

The California T is motivated by a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 that makes 552 horsepower and 557 pound-feet of torque. These numbers are quite significant, too. Power is up 62 horses and torque is up 49 percent over the current California. All that power – when routed through the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission – is good for a 0 to 62 mph sprint in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph.

The steering ratio is up 50 percent and – thanks to beefier brakes – a slamming stop from 62 mph is accomplished in 111.5 feet. This sort of stopping force is enough to cause you to see through time, albeit for a split second.

If a direct-injection turbocharged V8 sounds familiar, it should. Maserati is playing with a similar configuration right now, but Ferrari insists that this engine is a different project entirely. With a flat-plane crank and different displacement, the only thing the two V8s officially share is a manufacturing facility. But something tells us there may be more than a little commonality between the two blocks.

Look for the 2015 California T to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Mahindra Halo Electric Sports Revealed

Electric cars are gaining popularity at least in terms of news coverage. We may be in awe of Tesla, but Mahindra is looking to expand into the green market and has showcased its ambitions with the all new Halo concept sports car. Mahindra has gone all out at the 12 biennial auto expo. 

They have showcased their two wheeler range including the Mojo and all new Centuro, their new range of trucks and technologies, the adventure sports range of SUV’s, not to mention the XUV hybrid, the Mahindra Ssangyong range and their range of electric cars including the Verito.

The Halo concept sports car is an ambitious brand image building model which is of course far from going into production. Mahindra claims the Halo will do the 0-100 km/h run in under 10 seconds, has a range of over 250 kms on a full charge and will hit a top speed of 160 km/h. This may not be much considering it’s a sports car and even most hatch-backs will hit that speed, but for a Reva electric motor it is decent.

They also added the smart charging port to the e20. The point comes in behind the car next to where the number plate is placed and the functionality is similar to any regular petrol pump nozzle. Pravin Shah CEO, automotive sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd said, “We haven’t received the reaction we hoped for with the e20. It is a tough market to penetrate into, but we will continue to work towards strengthening the segment and building better and more accessible cars

Electric Audi Q8 e-tron @ Nears Production, Again

‘Tesla-fighter’ confirmed: Electric Audi Q8 e-tron gets production green light with 370-mile range

The saga of the Audi R8 e-tron stretches all the way back to the 2009 and now all the Audi R8 e-tron needs is a signature to make it to production. Since the first e-tron concept debuted in 2009, a production-intent version has set Nurburgring records, been cancelled, and made a comeback thanks to new battery chemistry. Now all the Audi R8 e-tron needs is a signature to make it to production.

The Audi R8 e-tron had been cancelled due to cost and range concerns, and a limited run of just ten vehicles for research purposes was to be built. But a last-minute reprieve was granted thanks to improved batteries, which supposedly doubled the range without making the final product ridiculously expensive. Reports suggest the finished Audi R8 e-tron has a range of 250 miles per charge, and about 376 horsepower from twin electric motors.

The final piece of the puzzle is a signature from Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi’s technical director and the man who most likely snuffed the project in the first place. I can understand the reasoning in light of vehicles like the Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive. Besides being a pain in the ass to type, the $537,000 electric supercar has a driving range of just 155 miles per charge. Sure, it’s fast, but you’re looking at maybe two hours of aggressive driving followed by eight or more hours of charging. I doubt a lot of people are lining up for such a limited supercar, and the range and top speed of the Audi R8 e-tron probably put the kibosh on the project.

If the Audi R8 e-tron is capable of delivering 250 miles of driving per charge, however, that puts it on par with the Tesla Model S. What Audi will deliver in terms of fast charging could be what makes the Audi R8 e-tron a “practical” electric supercar, and just another toy for the “coulda been cool” collection.

Carlos Lago of Ignition tests Porsche 918 Spyder = The Future of the Hypercars is here

The 918 Spyder might pay homage to Porsche’s illustrious past, but its real mission is redefining supercar possibilities. Smart use of advanced technology works to eliminate the traditional conflict between performance and efficiency. Faster, and theoretically more fuel stingy than any past Porsche, the 918 ventures beyond today’s expectations of hybrid technology to ensure that driving fun and extreme performance continue to thrive. This is the Porsche for the age of environmental responsibility.

On this very special 100th episode of Ignition, Carlos Lago tests the Porsche 918 Spyder in Spain. Boasting an electric motor on the front axle and a parallel hybrid setup for the rear, this hypercar produces a combined 874 hp and 944 lb-ft of torque and aims to set a new precedent for performance and efficiency. To this end, it has dizzying amount of motorsports-derived technology -- its carbon fiber passenger tub, engine, and chassis are derived from the concepts that created the RS Spyder ALMS racecar -- but its European test cycle fuel economy results are comparable to the Toyota Yaris Hybrid's. How well does this immensely complex hypercar work?

2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD

When the first Honda Insight beat the first Toyota Prius to market a decade and a half ago, Big H created a new vehicle segment in the U.S. and catapulted gas-electric vehicles into the mainstream. We probably don’t need to tell you that sales of such fuel sippers subsequently exploded or that the Prius became the darling of the segment, likely because it offered buyers the double bonus of having a back seat and not looking like a bionic tadpole

At the 2013 LA Auto Show, Acura have shown the 2014 RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, which the company say is the most powerful and technologically advanced Acura sedan ever made.

The RLX Sport Hybrid combines a 3.5-liter SOHC direct-injected i-VTEC V6 engine with three high-output electric motors. Combined, the Sport Hybrid produces 377 hp and Acura rates its fuel efficiency at 30 miles per gallon combined (12.75 km/l). A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is offered as standard.
As a result, Acura says that the RLX combines V8-like performance with the efficiency of a four-cylinder engine. To continue the sporty theme, the RLX also gets a torque-vectoring system with Acura’s Super-Handling all wheel drive system (SH-AWD).
The Sport Hybrid would be positioned as the range-topping variant in the RLX lineup. Currently, the RLX range starts at USD 48,450 (INR 30.57 lakhs) and extends to USD 60,450 (INR 38 lakhs).
And it’s in the around-town driving where SH-AWD, like every AWD system, has its drawbacks. Its extra weight and drag means slower acceleration and more fuel consumption.
Until now. Honda has just solved those two dilemmas by taking the SH-AWD torque-vectoring philosophy and adding electricity. The system debuts on Acura’s new flagship, the RLX, and it’s called Sport Hybrid SH-AWD.
Up front, things change around a little. The front-drive RLX’s new 3.5-liter direct-injection V6 stays but earns revised cam profiles for smoother start/stop. The base car’s six-speed automatic is ditched in favor of Acura’s first dual-clutch auto. The unit, which is the same size as the automatic, also contains a 47 hp motor/generator that replaces both the starter and the alternator. And, of course, works to assist the V6’s output.
Energy is stored in a 66-lb, 1.3-kWh lithium-ion battery stored over the rear wheels (and reducing trunk space considerably.) The battery is also connected to the TMU at the rear, the Twin Motor Unit, which is the most important piece in the new RLX.
Weighing only around 130 lbs, the device contains two 36 hp electric motors, each connected to a rear wheel. The system can operate the two motors independently, which means they can both accelerate the car or slow it down and regenerate electricity in the process. But they can do one thing no other hybrid-electric system can: continually vary the power of the wheels independently from one another.

Abu Dhabi University Students Made First hybrid electric car

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - TAQA, the international energy company based in Abu Dhabi, today unveiled the 2014 TAQA Hybrid-Electric Challenge teams and cars at a media event held at The Galleria mall in Abu Dhabi.
TAQA is bringing the region’s first hybrid-electric car race to Abu Dhabi, for engineering students from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in coordination with its strategic partner, The Petroleum Institute (PI), a University & Research Centre. The event is founded by US-based Global EEE, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes education, energy efficiency and environmental consciousness.

The event is founded by US-based Global EEE, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes education, energy efficiency and environmental consciousness.
A total 120 men and women in 11 teams have been drawn from The Petroleum Institute; Abu Dhabi University; UAE University; Khalifa University and the Masdar Institute, all in Abu Dhabi, and the Nizwa College of Technology in Oman; the College of Technological Studies, Kuwait, and Qatar University.

The Challenge will be held at Abu Dhabi’s Al Forsan racetrack on 29 - 31 January and will be hosted by The Petroleum Institute University and Research Center, supported by the Emirates Foundation.
Dr Saif Al Sayari, TAQA’s Executive Officer and Head of Energy Solutions, said: “The next generation of engineers will play a critical role in developing a sustainable economy for the UAE and the region.
"This event gives engineering students the opportunity to try out what they have learned in the classroom in a competitive environment. TAQA is committed to supporting young engineers from the GCC and encouraging the development of alternative energy technologies.”

Dr Nabih Bedewi, the managing director of Global EEE, believes events such as the TAQA Challenge only help to boost the students' chances of breaking into the industry once they've completed their studies.
“Students tend to work in labs. They’ve never seen anything like this; an industrial process, working live. Being involved in this gives them crucial practical experience, under pressure," Dr Nabih said. "Companies love to hire people with this kind of experience; experience of working together in teams, against a deadline, where they have to project manage and delegate; where they have to make sure all the processes happen in the right sequence at the right time, and to budget.
“If you demonstrate that you have taken part in one of these competitions, any employer who ranks energy efficiency high on their agenda, is going to want to talk to you. One of the biggest recruiters of our past competitors is NASA.”

One of the competitors in the race, Ruqaya Al Noammani, a student of Mechanical Engineering, at PI said: “Obviously, bringing this competition to Abu Dhabi reinforces the UAE’s image as a developed country and highlights its efforts to diversify energy resources.
“But more importantly for us on the team, the competition gives us the chance to try out what we have learned in the classroom, and put it to work, as a team.
“It is also an opportunity to prove that the Emirati woman is capable of achieving excellence in all fields, and to play a vital role in the development of our country."
The teams, consisting of drivers and technicians, will race single-person, lightweight, hybrid motor cars built to stringent race design and safety rules.
The teams have received car kits and are currently working in teams to engineer, build and fine-tune the vehicles for the event with the aim of developing faster and more energy efficient vehicles.

Aptly named “ADU’s Green Gears” (ADU G2), the student team will compete against 11 other teams from Universities throughout the region in the 3-day challenge that will run from Jan. 29-31.
It will be held on Al Forsan International Sports Resort Race Track, racing hybrid petro and battery powered electrical cars to record the longest distance and fastest average speed wins.
ADU’s G2 Team Leader and 4th year Mechanical Engineering student at Abu Dhabi University, Abdullah Abdul Jalil said: “Hybrid electric cars are quickly becoming an essential part of the world’s future and in the long run they will be the norm. Hopefully this challenge is a step in the right direction towards spreading awareness on the impact hybrid electric cars will have on the environment”.

Lykan Hypersport is the first Arabian supercar

The Lykan Hypersport is a supercar produced by W Motors, a Lebanese based company founded in 2012. It is the first Lebanese supercar. W Motors plans to only produce seven units of the car. The first production Lykan HyperSport is scheduled to be launched at the International Dubai Motor Show 2013 in November

At US$3.4 million, the Lykan Hypersport is the most expensive car currently in production, over one million dollars more expensive than the Bugatti Veyron Supersport.It is the first car to have diamonds in its headlights.The front lights are made up of titanium LED Blades with 420 Diamonds (15cts).The buyer can choose which rubies and diamonds they want embedded in the headlights.

The Lykan Hypersport is powered by a flat-six 3.7-litre (3746 cc) engine, producing 740 bhp (552 kW; 750 PS) and 960 Nm of torque. The car is claimed to have a top speed of 240 mph (386.2 km/h) and accelerate to 0-62 mph (0–100 km/h) in 2.8 seconds.

The Lykan Hypersport will develop as much as 750 horsepower and is said to be capable of accelerating to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 245 mph. The Lykan Supersport, meanwhile, is said to be coming with more than 1,000 horsepower.

The Lykan Hypersport is the brainchild of Lebanese entrepreneur and designer Ralph Debbas, who began thinking up the supercar when he was an automotive design student. The wild, angular seven-figure exotic will be officially revealed to the public at the Qatar auto show, where W Motors will display a full-scale model made of carbon fiber and other lightweight materials, and built with help from specialty coachbuilder Magna Steyr Torino. The model currently lacks an interior and drivetrain, but will be powered by a midship flat-six engine from RUF, the company famous for custom Porsches.

Supercars are a common sight in some parts of the Middle East, but until now, that region of the world has gone without an exotic of its own. Enter the Lykan Hypersport, an ultra-exclusive ride from Dubai-based startup W Motors. The upcoming car is said to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds and offer Lamborghini-rivaling style for $3.4 million, according to WardsAuto.

The model in question has been unveiled during the 2013 Dubai International Motor Show and it’s coming in two versions, the Supersport and the Hypersport

Specifications pdf

Koenigsegg Agera S is here

The Agera S was introduced to the market in 2012.
The 2013 model features new Aircore hollow carbon fiber wheels, upgraded power and enhanced aerodynamics. The Agera S has an incredible top speed of over 400 km/h. It runs on regular Petrol and comes with a newly developed 1040 hp twin turbo engine.

The Agera S is like all Koenigsegg cars the only true roadster Hypercars out there with a detachable and stowable hardtop, thereby offering the best of two worlds. This, in combination with 120 litres of luggage space, truly combines extreme performance with everyday usability.
The Agera S is available in left or right-hand drive.

The 2014 Agera S was created for markets which does not have E85 fuel. The Agera S has all the features and functions of the Agera R apart from the flexfuel capability. Still amazingly Koenigsegg has managed get 1100 nm torque and a full 1030 hp when the car is run on 98 octane RON or 93 octane DIN.

The Koenigsegg Agera is a mid-engined sports car made by Swedish car manufacturer Koenigsegg as of 2011. It is a successor to the Koenigsegg CCX/CCXR. The name Agera comes from the Swedish verb 'agera' which means "to act” or "to take action".
It was named Hypercar of the Year in 2010 by Top Gear Magazine.

Specifications and performance
In early development the car was fitted with a 4.7-litre V8 engine with twin fixed-vane turbos, but it was replaced with a 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine for the production version of the car.
Dynamic
0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.1 seconds
0–200 km/h (0-124 mph) in 8.9 seconds

Engine and transmission
The Agera is powered by an in-house developed 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine which produces 940 hp (701 kW) at 6900 rpm and 1,100 N·m (810 lb·ft) of torque at 4000 rpm. Total weight of the engine is only 197 kg (434 lb) thanks to a carbon fiber intake manifold and the aluminum construction. The transmission is a 7-speed dual clutch with paddle shifters. It is the first dual clutch transmission to feature only one input shaft. The second clutch slows down the input shaft during up shifts in order to reduce the time it takes to synchronize the next gear, resulting in faster shift times. Most notably, the transmission weighs only 81 kg (179 lb).

Maximum speed for the production model is unknown, but is believed to be above 410 km/h.

This car is equipped with Triplex rear suspension. It is considered as a world’s first all-new rear suspension designed for a road car. It comes as a standard feature for this car. It consists of a shock absorber and also spring connecting both right and left rear wheels. One of benefits from this suspension is that the damping and spring rates can be lowered. In this condition, the driver will have better handling and more comfortable driving. Another benefit is that this system has an anti-squat effect. It means that it has been designed to the geometry of suspension.
The interior of 2014 Koenigsegg Agera is so special, only materials which are worth enough by Koenigsegg are applied inside the cabin. Aluminum, precious metal, carbon fiber, aniline leather, and alcantara are the materials. Besides high-quality materials, the designers also concerns about the function. For example, the shifting paddles are designed directly mounted on the steering wheel. The aim is to make the driver easy to operate them. The driver doesn’t have to take his or her hands of the steering wheel during cornering.
All in all, it is ready to challenge its rival such as Ferrari or McLaren vehicles. Like Christian von Koenigsegg states, this car will be one of favorite car for those whose hobby is collecting hypercar.