Pontiac G6, 2009

Pontiac G6, 2009

 

 

Pontiac has announced that it is ringing in the new year with a fresh look for its best-selling line of G6 mid-size vehicles. Additional fuel-saving powertrain options, more aggressive exterior styling, and a sleek new instrument panel highlight the 2009.5 model Pontiac G6, which will begin arriving in the dealerships in January 2009.
All Pontiac G6 models, including sedans, coupes and convertibles, receive the interior upgrades. The uniquely styled Pontiac G6 GXP models will not be affected by the exterior or powertrain changes.

New Powertrain Options
For the first time, the Pontiac G6 coupe will be available with GM's fuel sipping, 164-horsepower 2.4L four-cylinder Ecotec engine. Linked to a six-speed automatic transmission, the coupe's new powertrain combo is capable of the same 33 miles per gallon fuel efficiency as the current Pontiac G6 sedan and also incorporates a new TAPshift manual shift system with steering wheel-mounted paddle controls.
In those areas where E85 ethanol-based fuel is readily available, a FlexFuel version of the 219-horsepower 3.5L V6 will be available as a no-cost alternative to the standard 3.5L engine on all body styles.

The optional 222-horsepower 3.9L V6 for the Pontiac G6 convertible remains unchanged, as does the standard 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 in all GXP models.

Sportier Exterior
Inspired by the sporty front end styling of the new Pontiac G8 performance sedan, the new G6 front fascia features chrome surrounds for the signature Pontiac dual port honeycomb grille. This same grille pattern is carried to an updated lower air dam.

New are a revised headlight design with clear park/turn lenses and amber lamps, body color mirrors and painted rockers on the sedan and coupe. An updated spoiler is available for base model sedans and is standard on the GT models.
New rear fascias unique to the sedan and coupe/convertible accommodate both single and dual exhaust, as well as larger diameter exhaust tips.
17-inch chrome wheel covers are now standard equipped on all four-cylinder, six-speed automatic sedans and coupes. An updated 17-inch wheel will be standard as a part of the popular Sun-and-Sound package.

Refreshed Interior
A revised center stack is the most obvious interior enhancement of the 2009.5 model Pontiac G6, sporting all new HVAC controls and an updated AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio with auxiliary audio input jack. The driver information center has moved to the gauge cluster, which has also been enhanced with new graphics and lighting.

The 2009.5 Pontiac G6 will also benefit from the integrated info-tainment opportunities in GM's optional MY LINK enhanced communication package. MY LINK integrates audio system, Bluetooth telephone, XM satellite radio and OnStar navigation functions in one simple package. It includes an upgraded USB-equipped radio system, allowing for direct control of various portable music players, plus provides a full year of both XM radio and OnStar Directions and Connections services.

Other interior changes include new dark satin nickel trim accents on the steering wheel, door panels, and shifter plate. New two-tone seats in an ebony-light taupe color combination are available in either cloth or leather for all models, offering an option to the standard ebony seats. A new optional ebony-titanium color leather seating package is also available on all GT and GXP models.

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Isuzu Ascender, 2007

Isuzu Ascender, 2007

 

IntelliChoice named the 2006 Ascender 5-Passenger a "Top Winner" in its class for both lowest fuel cost and lowest operating cost, and a "Smart Choice" in eight other categories. Isuzu's flagship SUV returns for 2007, sized "just right" to offer plenty of room for five passengers, and with the multiple award-winning 4.2-liter inline six- cylinder engine under its hood. Changes include the following:

    * Tire Pressure Monitoring System added as standard equipment on all models
    * Bering Blue Metallic replaces Adriatic Blue Metallic
    * Storm Gray Metallic replaces Graphite Gray Metallic
    * Six-spoke machined-finish alloy wheels replace painted wheels as standard equipment
    * OnStar communication system discontinued as an available option
    * 7-Passenger model discontinued
    * Trim levels are unchanged. Both 2WD and 4WD models are available in base S trim and offer optional Preferred Equipment, LS, Leather and Luxury packages.

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Chrysler 300C SRT UK Version, 2008

Chrysler 300C SRT UK Version, 2008

 

 

The Chrysler 300C is already the most striking vehicle on the road for less than £30,000 - and for 2008 Chrysler will make the 300C stand out even more - with a revised exterior and an updated interior across the range. Chrysler will also launch an entirely new model in the UK - the diesel-powered 'SRT-Design'.

The exterior of the Chrysler 300C has been refreshed for 2008 with changes to the rear fascia and rear light clusters. The rear saloon boot lid is also new and now incorporates an integrated spoiler and high-mounted stop light.

The interior has been enhanced with a new instrument panel and centre console design, highlighted with satin silver bezels. Soft touch surfaces on arm rests and door panels add to the comfortable interior while the new dark interior colour adds to the sophisticated feel. A new ignition key with one-touch start-up, a fully adjustable steering wheel as well as LED lighting in the front cup holders and front and rear door pockets all provide additional driver convenience.

In addition, seat-mounted air bags have been added to the front and side-curtain air bags to the rear for increased driver and passenger safety.

The MyGIG infotainment system is a new option that offers owners the very latest integrated onboard systems. There's MP3 player compatibility, a touch screen controlled navigation system featuring outstandingly clear graphical maps as well as the ability to store up to approximately 1600 songs on an integrated 20GB hard drive. The UConnect Hands-free Communication System uses Bluetooth technology to provide voice-activated wireless communication.

The Chrysler 300C SRT-Design model includes all of these refinements and adds all the visual enhancements that make the high-performance SRT-8 such a crowd pleaser. The SRT-Design is available as a saloon or a Touring and features the economical 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine. SRT-Design features include SRT 20- inch alloy wheels and wheel arch spats as well as a chrome mesh grille. Inside, the SRT-Design gets MyGIG satellite navigation as standard as well as an SRT-8 steering wheel, SRT-8 leather sports seats and carbon fibre interior details.

Standard features on the Chrysler 300C include Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and an all-speed Traction Control System, front and rear side-curtain air bags, Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and a rear park assist system. A leather interior, air-conditioning and heated driver and front passenger seats also come as standard on all vehicles in the range.

The 2008 Chrysler 300C saloon comes with a choice of two engines in the UK: a 3.0-litre V-6 engine that produces 215 bhp at 3800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. of torque at 1600 rpm, and a mighty 6.1-litre V8 Hemi SRT-8 petrol engine that produces 425 bhp at 6200 rpm and 420 lb.-ft of torque at 4800 rpm.

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Mercedes SL63 AMG, 2009

Mercedes SL63 AMG, 2009

 

 

Emotional performance courtesy of cutting-edge engineering: the new Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG in a nutshell. The roadster is powered by an AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 386 kW/525 hp and 630 Newton metres - which makes it today's most powerful model with a V8 naturally aspirated engine in its class. The Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG comes exclusively with the all-new, innovative AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. The newly developed power transfer concept features a compact, wet start-up clutch that replaces the conventional torque converter. The resulting direct connection to the powertrain, together with the double-declutching and Race Start functions, guarantees an extremely emotional, supremely dynamic driving experience. The Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG sets new standards in the open-top sports car segment thanks to this outstanding drive combination and the retuned, even more agile AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control - turning it into the sportiest SL-Class ever. The new Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG was launched alongside the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG.

The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission is an all-new, unique concept, available exclusively in the new Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG. It combines the best of two worlds: the sporty, direct and agile feedback of a manual transmission and the maximum convenience of an automatic transmission.

Fitted with seven speeds, four drive modes, a double-declutching and Race Start function, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission offers unprecedented versatility. MCT stands for Multi-Clutch Technology and only employs clutch elements to perform gearshifts.

The high-tech transmission is designed for high torque and maximum revs up to 7200 rpm. It also comes with sufficient reserves even under the highest loads thanks to its high-performance oil cooling system. An all-new, sophisticated electronic transmission control unit fully controls and monitors all processes.

A new two-stage torsion damper effectively eliminates vibrations. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission has been developed jointly by Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Daimler AG, although it will be used exclusively in AMG high-performance vehicles. It is produced at the Mercedes-Benz Esslingen-Hedelfingen production facility, Europe's largest manufacturer of planetary gear sets.

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Ford Verve Sedan Concept, 2008

Ford Verve Sedan Concept, 2008

 

 

Ford Motor Company is revealing the Verve, a concept vehicle that makes clear the vision for the new small cars Ford soon will introduce in North America.
The Verve is bold and sophisticated - to help it clearly stand out from other small cars on the road. Ford is building on decades of small car leadership in Europe as it develops new small cars for North America to appeal to increasingly savvy customers who value technology, design and fuel efficiency.

Both four- and three-door Verve body styles are being unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, as curtain-raisers to a new global family of small cars set to debut in Europe and Asia beginning later this year and in North America in 2010. The four-door is the basis for the production vehicle that will be sold in North America. The European three-door is being shown to test market reaction to the bodystyle - as a possible additional small car for the North American market.

The Verve concept has been developed with Ford's new global product development strategy that better leverages the company's global strengths. Globally, Ford is building on its European small-car expertise to stake a bigger claim in this critically important segment. Ford's celebrated small car lineup in Europe includes such top-sellers as the Ford Focus, Fiesta and Ka.

Those benefits include a bold, modern, design along with sophisticated electronics, premium materials, surprising functional space and a fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine - all previously unseen in this segment.

Small Car Popularity Skyrockets in North America
Momentum in small-car sales is outpacing overall industry growth worldwide. Globally, small car sales have grown from 23 million units in 2002 to an estimated 38 million in 2012. That's nearly 45 percent of the total expected 85-million unit industry, a level never before achieved. In the U.S., sales of small cars likely will grow by 800,000, or 25 percent - to a record 3.4 million units by 2012.

In fact, small cars and crossovers are the only vehicles with projected near-term growth in the U.S.
As a group, Millennials embrace eco-friendliness, stay in constant touch using modern technology and demand best-in-class products from around the world. This group will grow from representing 19 percent of the driving public in 2004 to amassing 28 percent in 2010.

Every day, 11,000 Millennials in the U.S. come of driving age. When it's time to buy their first car, nearly half of this group shops the small-car segment.

Verve Redefines Small-Car Segment
The Verve concept demonstrates that largesse is no longer the price of admission for a delivering a premium driving experience.
The Verve concept is built off of a design architecture flexible enough to yield three distinctive vehicles that are each recognizably Ford. The flexible design architecture also allows Ford to adapt quickly to rapidly changing customer tastes and will help the company enter new markets utilizing regionally tailored products off of a common platform.

The North American Verve sedan, painted in Rouge Red, has been modified slightly from its European and Asian counterparts - most notably in its front fascia.
Designers created a bold, three-bar graphic with a Ford blue oval in the upper grille opening and downsized the lower, inverted trapezoidal grille. Two unique LED side markers flank the front fascia.
What carries through all three global concepts are Verve's sophisticated design language and its inspiration: A modern world of fashion and cosmetics, echoed in the Verve's rich colors and distinctive, high quality materials.

The hood sculpture is toned and athletic but not overtly muscular. This form language combines with the more pronounced, rearward-stretching headlamps to give the face of the Ford Verve concept a friendly, open and inviting personality. The prominent headlamps feature two projector beams and a light-emitting diode (LED) array.

From the side view, the concept looks energetic and purposeful. Its profile is emphasized by the pillarless side window shape and the upper contour that mirrors the body's curving upper contour line.

This extends rearward from the angular A-pillar to marry the sculpted, semi-high-mounted, LED tail lamps sculpted to become part of the fullness of the body shape. These elements blend cohesively together and support the vehicle's panoramic glass roof.

The 18-inch, 12-spoke, two-piece alloy wheel design lends even more drama to the car, punctuated with a subtle sidewall stripe that complements the rich body color.
Other accents on the vehicle include a discreet chrome bar in the door handles and similar use of brushed aluminum on the lower grille surround, the rear license plate surround and on the lower edge of the front fog lamps.

Technologically Inspired
Verve's unique architecture embraces key electronic systems such as navigation, a dynamic sound system and in-car phone controls. Aesthetically, the Verve interior follows the curves and contours of the instrument panel shape.

Functionally, the center stack design decouples traditional elements of the entertainment system - the screen, control elements and the electronics. Separating these features allowed designers to position controls for optimal ergonomic positioning in a design that resembles the logic of a mobile phone.
The center console includes a tray for a mobile phone or MP3 player as well as a large bin for a purse near the handbrake. The center stack is a unique combination of sculpture, colors, materials and jewelry-like brightwork.

The primary gauges - speedometer and tachometer - are uniquely framed by binocular-shaped, short tunnels of brightwork that complement the center stack and contrast the rich interior colors like a fashion accessory.
Ford Verve concept's steering wheel is another work of sculpture. Its center section, sculpted of soft-feel material and framed in brightwork, provides a rich tactile and visual centerpiece for the Ford oval.

Ford: European Small-Car Know-How
Driven by a new global product development system that leverages Ford's global strengths, Ford designers in Dunton, England, and Cologne, Germany, developed the common small-car platform based on the converging tastes of global consumers.
Ford maintains small-car leadership in Europe with vehicles set apart by their world-class driving dynamics and dynamic designs.

With more than five million vehicles produced in Europe since it was launched in 1998, the Ford Focus is one of the only vehicles in the world to be named "Car of the Year" both in Europe and in North America. It is Ford's perennial top seller in Europe and, in 2007, was Europe's top-selling car in its class.
The Ford Fiesta - which is smaller than the Focus - debuted in 1976, and it has sold more than 12 million units in Europe.

The iconic Ford Ka redefined the small city car sector in Europe with its eye-catching and enduring design and fun-to-drive character when it was introduced more than 11 years ago. Sales remain strong - with more than 1 million cars sold.
The European Ford Fusion - introduced in 2002 - increased its sales by approximately 19 percent in 2007 versus the previous year and remains in the European top three sellers in its segment.

Verve Sedan Concept Specifications
    * Overall length: 145.35 in.
    * Wheelbase: 97.99 in.
    * Overall width: 65.12 in.
    * Overall height at curb: 54.33 in.
    * Track width
          o Front: 58.03 in.
          o Rear: 57.32 in.
    * Front Overhang: 32.05 in.
    * Rear Overhang: 57.32
    * Headroom
          o Front: 37.8 in.
          o Second Row: 35.83 in.
    * Legroom
          o Front: 42.09 in.
          o Second Row: 32.76 in.
    * Powertrain: Fuel efficient 4-cylinder engine

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