Nissan Qashqai, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Nissan Qashqai, 2012

In line with its Pure Drive strategy, Nissan continues to innovate to improve CO2 and fuel economy performance to deliver no compromise, real benefits for consumers. As part of this strategy Nissan is introducing a new Pure Drive version of the top selling Nissan Qashqai equipped with a new state-of-the-art 1.6 dCi engine.

The new engine is the perfect example of Nissan's Pure Drive strategy, replacing the previous 2.0 dCi with a more efficient engine that not only delivers lower emissions and considerably improved levels of fuel economy but which offers the same level of performance as the bigger engine.

Best of all, when coupled with Nissan's Stop / Start system CO2 emissions tumble to just 119 g/km.

At the same time, innovative new options become available on the Nissan Qashqai range, including a new CVT gearbox and, for the first time on a C-segment car, Around View Monitor. AVM uses a series of small cameras located on the exterior of the vehicle to make parking and manoeuvering as safe as possible by giving the driver a real-time helicopter view of the environment around the car.

The moves underline Nissan's leadership of the booming Crossover market and keep Nissan Qashqai one, or even two, steps ahead of its opposition.

The new engine and Stop / Start System has been a joint development between Europe and Japan with Alliance Partner Renault concentrating on the engine and Nissan perfecting the automatic cut off system. It had been originally hoped to introduce the two elements at the same time.

Unfortunately the tragic earthquake which affected Japan so badly at the start of the year has led to a short delay in the manufacture of the Stop / Start System's electronic components. As a result, Nissan Qashqai models built between now and December and powered by the new engine will not have Stop / Start. But even without the system, CO2 emissions are a still impressive 129g/km. From January production, however, Stop / Start System will become a standard feature.

The Pure Drive designation is given to every Nissan product that emits 130g/km of CO2 or less. On its introduction the 'cut off' point was 140g, but as part of the Nissan Green Programme membership of this exclusive club gets tougher all the time. The programme will instigate a further drop to 120g in 2013.

Nissan's Pure Drive champion is, naturally, the zero emission 100% electric Nissan LEAF but the recently introduced Nissan Micra DIG-S heads the conventionally-powered cars. Its technically advanced three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine uses direct injection and a supercharger to deliver brisk performance but with excellent fuel economy and CO2 emissions of just 95 g/km.

The Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi
Available on both Nissan Qashqai and Qashqai +2 models, the new dCi engine has been jointly developed with Alliance partner Renault.

Its arrival in Qashqai is in line with Nissan's policy of 'penalty-free' engine downsizing: the 1.6-litre direct injection diesel engine gives the fuel economy and emissions expected from an engine of its size, but with power and torque figures anticipated from a 2.0-litre engine.

Notably compact, the engine, which displaces 1598cc, is a state-of-the-art unit with more than 30 patents registered representing an investment of €230 million.

Thanks to its 130PS, it is the most powerful of its size in the world while its peak torque figure - an exceptional 320Nm: exactly the same as the 2.0-litre dCi it is replacing - is developed at only 1,750rpm with some 80 per cent available from a mere 1,500 rpm. The resulting dynamic performance lifts the latest Nissan Qashqai well above the 1.6-litre class norm: top speed is 190 km/h, with 0-100 km/h taking 10.3 secs.

But this performance gain is not at the expense of the environment. Its combined cycle fuel consumption (NEDC) is 24 per cent better than the 2.0 dCi - 4.5 l/100km as against 5.9 l/100km - while it produces much lower CO2 emissions - 119 g/km rather than 155 g/km.

These figures refer to the 2wd manual version of Nissan Qashqai: the equivalent Qashqai+2 with Stop / Start System produces 123g/km, while figures for 4wd versions are 135g and 139g respectively.

High Technology Inspiration
The starting point for the engineering team was 'square' architecture, allowing large-diameter valves to be housed in the cylinder head for more efficient filling of the combustion chambers. It's a technique inspired by motor racing and seldom seen in modern diesel road car engines.

Downsizing
Reducing the weight of the cylinder block, cutting mechanical losses and reducing dynamic forces have resulted in the best balance between fuel consumption and performance.

Stop / Start System
The 1.6 dCi features Stop / Start System. Reducing CO2 on a mass-market car to 119g/km brings real economic as well as environmental benefits for many consumers.

Smart Energy Management
Stop / Start System is combined with alternator regeneration, using deceleration energy to charge the battery. The regenerative braking system alone is responsible for a 3% reduction in CO2

Cold-Loop, Low-Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
The dCi engine is the first to have been developed in Europe using cold-loop, low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation. By recycling the exhaust gas at a lower temperature, emissions of nitrogen oxides and CO2 are reduced.

Thermo Management
The system uses a valve located in the cooling circuit upstream of the cylinder head and cylinder block. When the engine starts from cold, the valve is closed and prevents water from circulating around the combustion chambers. This allows the engine to reach its ideal working temperature more quickly, optimizing combustion efficiency.

Internal friction is also reduced thanks to the quicker warm-up of the oil. The result? More power, lower fuel consumption and lower emissions.

Variable Displacement Oil Pump
Unlike a conventional oil pump which has a fixed capacity, the Variable flow pump delivers only the right amount of oil to avoid unnecessary energy loss. The power needed to drive the oil pump is minimized and varies with engine speed.

Variable Swirl Technology
'Swirl' describes the phenomenon of air rotating inside the cylinder, much like a cyclone. As a result the air-fuel mix is optimised for engine speed conditions reducing fuel consumption, while also minimising the emission of CO2 and other pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulates.

Among many other refinements, considerable attention was paid to the new engine's acoustic performance thanks to advanced work on combustion in order to deal with noise generation at source. Customers get a smooth, quality, refined ride experience.

Around View Monitor
Qashqai will be available with Nissan's Around View Monitor: it's the first time such an innovative feature has been available on a C-segment car.

In fact, Nissan was the first manufacturer to introduce Around View Monitor anywhere in the world - made available in Japan on the Nissan Elgrand in 2007. In Europe the system has most recently been seen on the Infiniti EX and iconic FX

Combining the feeds from small cameras mounted on the front grille, tailgate and both door mirrors, the system projects an overhead 360° 'helicopter view' of the area around the vehicle onto the Nissan Connect satellite navigation and infotainment screen.

A natural progression from the rear facing parking camera pioneered by Nissan - its first application was on the 2002 Nissan Primera - Around View Monitor makes parking or slow speed manoeuvres simple and safe. The 360° helicopter view gives the driver a clear indication of obstacles around the car. The system switches on automatically when the car is placed in reverse or, while driving up to 10 km/h, by pressing the "camera" button on dashboard; then it switches off once the car has reached a set speed.

If preferred the feed from each camera can be displayed individually and the system can operate as a simple reversing camera which incorporates course lines on the screen to guide the driver to the correct path into the chosen parking spot.

Around View Monitor will make it first appearance on equipment laden special versions of Nissan Qashqai and Qashqai+2 due early 2012. As well as Nissan Connect and AVM - the two systems are interlinked - the special versions will also feature a full-length panoramic glass roof and smart dual tone black and silver 18inch alloy wheels. AVM will also be optionally available on Acenta and Tekna versions (depending on markets).

New CVT gearbox
The latest generation of Nissan developed continuously variable transmission will be introduced on 117PS 1.6-litre petrol-powered Nissan Qashqai models early 2012. The CVT version will increase Qashqai's market coverage.

The Nissan Qashqai range
Since its launch in March 2007, the Nissan Qashqai has redefined Europe's mid-size hatchback market. Designed and built in Europe, Qashqai - the original Crossover - adopted a genuinely fresh approach to a traditional, conservative sector of the market... and Nissan's bold stance has been a resounding success.

In under five years, European sales of Nissan Qashqai and its seven-seat sister Qashqai+2 have exceeded 1,000,000 units, with more than 80 per cent of sales going to first time Nissan buyers. The longer Qashqai+2 arrived in the autumn of 2008 to expand the appeal of the range still further.

March 2010 saw the first major change to Nissan Qashqai as a refreshed model was introduced to help it maintain its class-leading sales performance, a move that surprised many competitors who, at the time, were still playing catch up and had yet to bring their own crossovers to market.

There were visual changes including a new bonnet, grille, wings and new headlamps at the front and new rear lights and a re-profiled tailgate at the rear. The changes were set off by fresh designs of alloy wheel. Discreet aerodynamic improvements, including the adoption of full-length underbody panels, saw the CD figure fall to 0.33. As well as smoothing the airflow under the car, the panels helped reduce noise intrusion into the cabin.

Inside there were easier to read instruments and a great emphasis on quality with new materials, new colours and other subtle touches for a feeling of increased sophistication. Mechanically a number of small changes enhanced the vehicle's dynamics still further. Dampers were retuned for improved body control, reduced noise and better bump-thump absorption while the steering feel was also improved.

The basic mechanical layout remained unchanged with front- or ALL MODE four-wheel drive and fully independent suspension by sub-frame mounted struts at the front and a multi-link rear.

With the arrival of the new 1.6 dCi engine, the range line-up now encompasses two petrol and three diesel offerings. The entry-level 1.6-litre petrol develops 117PS while the 2.0-litre petrol produces 140PS. The entry-level diesel is the 110PS 1.5 dCi, while the 150PS 2.0-litre dCi unit remains to power the automatic 4WD version only. As before, the range runs through Visia, Acenta and Tekna specifications with the special version featuring a high level of equipment as well as reinforced exterior Crossover design.

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Land Rover Range Rover, 2013

 

 

• Land Rover Range Rover, 2013

The all-new Range Rover is the most capable and most luxurious Land Rover yet. Lighter, stronger and with new levels of refinement, the Range Rover reinforces its position as the world's finest luxury SUV.

The fourth generation of the unique Range Rover line, the all-new model has been developed from the ground up, capturing the innovative spirit and iconic design of the original model which changed the world of motoring when it was launched over 40 years ago.

The world's first SUV with a revolutionary lightweight all-aluminium monocoque body structure is 39 per cent lighter than the steel body in the outgoing model enabling total vehicle weight savings of up to 420kg.

The lightweight aluminium platform has delivered significant enhancements in performance and agility, along with a transformation in fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

In addition to the strong and rigid lightweight body, an all-new aluminium front and rear chassis architecture has been developed with completely re-engineered four-corner air suspension. While the luxurious ride has been retained, the vehicle's handling and agility have been significantly improved. The new suspension architecture delivers flatter, more confident cornering, with natural and intuitive steering feel.

The all-new Range Rover has a clean and elegant shape which is derived from a fresh new interpretation of Range Rover design cues. While instantly recognisable as a Range Rover, the new vehicle takes a significant step forward with a bold evolution of the model's iconic design language.

With Land Rover strength at its heart, the new model has been engineered from the ground up to be the most capable, most refined Range Rover ever.

Amongst the industry-leading innovations is a ground-breaking next-generation version of Land Rover's Terrain Response® system, which analyses the current driving conditions and automatically selects the most suitable vehicle settings for the terrain.

To ensure exceptional durability and reliability, the new model has been subjected to Land Rover's punishing on- and off-road test and development regime, with a fleet of development vehicles covering millions of miles over 18 months of arduous tests in more than 20 countries with extremes of climate and road surfaces.

Within the cabin, the all-new Range Rover provides occupants with a sensation of serene isolation, meeting the highest luxury car standards for refinement.

Measures like the rigorously optimised body structure and acoustic lamination of the windscreen and side door glass have significantly reduced noise levels, while the new suspension architecture has enabled engineers to achieve even more luxurious ride comfort and refinement.

The sumptuous interior incorporates distinctive Range Rover design cues, but executed with a very contemporary treatment, and clean, elegant surfaces which are flawlessly presented using the finest leathers and veneers. With over 118mm more legroom, the rear occupants benefit from vastly increased space and comfort, with the option of a new two-seat Executive Class seating package for the ultimate in rear-seat luxury.

To deliver the model's characteristic effortless performance, customers have the choice of refined V8 petrol engines and TDV6 and SDV8 diesel engines combining responsive performance with outstanding CO2 emissions.

The all-new Range Rover has been engineered with the latest developments in vehicle technologies, from interior luxury features such as exclusive Meridian surround sound music systems and power upper and lower tailgates, to advanced chassis and driver assistance technologies.

Designed and engineered at Land Rover's development centres in the UK, the new Range Rover will be produced in a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Solihull, UK - employing the latest low-energy aluminium body construction technologies.

On sale from September 2012 [market dependent] with customer deliveries scheduled to start from early 2013, the all-new Range Rover will be a truly global car, available in over 160 markets worldwide.

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Toyota GT 86, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  Toyota GT 86, 2013

The anticipation is over: the new Toyota GT 86 sports car makes its world debut at the 2011 Tokyo motor show. The compact 2+2 model, one of the most keenly awaited new cars of the coming year, will go on sale in the UK in June 2012.

The Toyota GT 86 has been conceived as an entirely driver-focused machine, designed to deliver the core qualities of the classic sports car experience. That means precise, instant response to the smallest throttle and steering inputs and the kind of performance that appeals to those for whom driving is a passion, not a necessity.

The Toyota GT 86 is built on a new platform, with a highly aerodynamic bodyshell stretched tight over the car's mechanical elements. Rather than fitting a heavy, large capacity powertrain, Toyota has opted instead to go back to its sporting roots, installing a compact, front-mounted, free-revving petrol engine that drives the rear wheels.

This four-cylinder "boxer" unit generates 197bhp at 7,000rpm and maximum torque of 205Nm at 6,600rpm, giving the Toyota GT 86 brisk, engaging performance.

The powertrain is matched to the world's most compact four-seat design to create a car that benefits from light weight, low inertia and a low centre of gravity to achieve the best possible power-to-weight ratio. For the driver that means lively, accessible performance and dynamic character with minimal intrusion from electronic systems.

Packaging
The Toyota GT 86 measures 4,240mm long, 1,285mm high and 2,570mm wide, dimensions which make it the most compact four-seater sports car available today.

Both the powertrain and the driving position have been set as low and as far back as possible to achieve the best balance: the car has a near-perfect 53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution. The flat-four engine format and the driver's hip point - the lowest of any current Toyota production model - together give the Toyota GT 86 an ultra-low centre of gravity, at just 475mm.

The Toyota GT 86 makes the most of a light kerb weight, making it easy for drivers to exploit its nimble handling and cornering poise. The suspension features MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear. The car rides on 17-inch wheels and is fitted with ventilated disc brakes fore and aft.

World's first horizontally opposed engine with D-4S
The Toyota GT 86's engine is the result of a joint Toyota and Subaru development programme that brings together their technical know-how and mutual passion for sports cars.

Toyota has added its D-4S injection technology to Subaru's new, horizontally opposed, naturally aspirated 1,998cc four-cylinder boxer engine. This system features separate twin injectors for both direct and port injection, and a high 12.5:1 compression ratio, increasing power and torque across a wide range of engine speeds without sacrificing fuel efficiency and environmental performance.

The flat-four engine has equal bore and stroke of 86.0mm and drives through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick, precise shifts using a tactile, short-throw lever; the automatic transmission can be controlled using paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel.

Power is distributed to the rear wheels via a limited slip differential to give the best possible grip in all driving conditions. The ABS and switchable vehicle stability control systems have been tuned specifically to deliver dynamic stability at the limit of the car's performance envelope with minimal electronic intervention to help preserve the purity of the driving experience.

Design
The design of the Toyota GT 86 successfully works within the technical constraints of achieving the most compact dimensions possible, a low centre of gravity and aerodynamic performance inspired by motorsport technology, while also displaying evocative, sweeping styling that recalls Toyota's sports car heritage.

Toyota's new design language informs the styling, as in the way attention is focused on the lower part of the car with the large lower grille. Elsewhere the "keen" approach can be witnessed in the clear, expressive lines.

The lower grille's "scorpion" look gives the Toyota GT 86 a more powerful appearance, with further sporting details including the model-specific 17-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, twin exhausts and the "86" piston logo that denotes the car's special powertrain configuration.

On board, the ergonomics and function of every element the driver interacts with have been scrutinised to make driving the car as natural, instinctive and rewarding as possible. For example, the steering wheel has a 365mm diameter, making it the smallest ever fitted to a Toyota, and it is trimmed in buckskin, developed from exhaustive feedback from test drivers on how to achieve the best steering performance and grip.

The three-meter instrument cluster is arranged around a large tachometer, its design benefiting from close attention to the positioning of the displays, markings and typeface. The result is the best possible visibility and readability. The driver-focus of the cockpit is further reinforced by the carbon-effect trim, all-black roof lining, red stitching on the upholstery, aviation-style rocker switches and lightweight, aluminium pedals.

Toyota's 50-year sports car heritage
The Toyota GT 86 may be launched as the world's only current sports car to feature a front-mounted, horizontally opposed engine and rear-wheel drive, but it cannot claim to be the first. That honour is held by Toyota's two-cylinder boxer-engined Sports 800, which the company began developing in 1962. Since then, Toyota has established a long history of producing exciting, driver-focused sports cars with a front-engine, rear-wheel drive format that have proved as popular with the public as they have been successful in competition.

The beautiful 2000 GT, a coupe powered by a 2.0-litre straight-six engine, was first displayed at the 1965 Tokyo motor show and helped establish Toyota's global reputation as a sports car manufacturer.

Launched in 1971, the first Celica models featured rear-wheel drive powertrains and were praised by enthusiasts for their agility. All four Supra generations came with straight-six engines and rear-wheel drive, while from 1984 the MR2 won recognition as one of the best handling sports cars in motoring history.

The inspiration for the Toyota GT 86, however, is the Corolla GT (or Levin) AE86, a car with an enduring reputation for delivering sheer excitement and capturing the fundamental joy of driving. Its front-engine, rear-wheel drive package, compact dimensions, light weight, impeccable balance and superior power-to-weight ratio made it a must-have choice for rallying and circuit driving throughout its production life, from 1983 to 1987. Here in the UK the GT claimed two British Touring Car Championship titles and a series of top-level rally victories.

The Toyota GT 86 is a genuinely lightweight machine that offers the intimacy and involvement of a car that can be driven as though an extension of the driver's body. In this way, it perfectly recaptures the exhilarating spirit of the last of the AE86. And, with numerous customisable parts, its shares its predecessor's aim to be an affordable car that will evolve with its owner.

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Nissan Pathfinder Concept, 2012

 

 

 

 

• Nissan Pathfinder Concept, 2012

Nissan is reinventing its popular Pathfinder SUV to appeal to customers looking for SUV capabilities with more passenger comfort, innovative technology and fuel-efficient performance. The Nissan Pathfinder Concept, on display at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, previews the all-new look, style and attitude Nissan will bring to the segment when the next-gen Pathfinder goes on sale in fall 2012 at Nissan dealers nationwide. Pathfinder, Nissan's best-known nameplate in the United States, is one of 20 new or redesigned products Nissan plans to introduce in this market within the next two years.

Nissan Pathfinder Concept: Modern Design, 7-Passenger SUV Capabilities

At first glance, it is clear the Nissan Pathfinder Concept is a game-changer for the Nissan brand. The stylish fourth-generation Pathfinder design brings a new look and packaging that's ideal for adventurous owners who need versatility and SUV capability without compromise. The sweeping character lines of the Nissan Pathfinder Concept give a hint of a design language that will carry through future Nissan models. The Pathfinder Concept also features innovative 3-row interior flexibility and room for seven passengers.

The new Pathfinder's aerodynamic body is combined with a refined V6 engine and next-generation Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to make it one of the most fuel-efficient 7-passenger vehicles on the market. It is projected to deliver an expected 25 percent increase in combined City/Highway fuel economy (over the previous V6-equipped design). In addition to offering an intuitive four-wheel-drive system, the new Pathfinder will also have towing capacity competitive with the leaders in the segment.

While the Nissan Pathfinder Concept making its world debut in Detroit provides a full glimpse of the exterior design direction the production vehicle will take, details on the interior and technology inside will have to wait. It is safe to say, however, that the next-gen Pathfinder's roomy cabin will deliver innovation and class-above craftsmanship - with excellent legroom in all three rows and ample cargo room behind the 3rd row.

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Toyota Aygo, 2013

 

 

 

• Toyota Aygo, 2013

Launched in 2005 at the heart of the growing A-segment, the Toyota Aygo offered Europeans a radical new alternative for stylish urban mobility.

Rejecting the commonly held stereotype that compact could only mean pragmatic and economical, the Aygo's revolutionary design re-defined perceptions of what small could be.

Extensively revised at the end of 2008, the Toyota Aygo quickly established a solid reputation in the A-segment for space-efficient packaging, reliability and value for money, with over 580,000 units sold to date.

Designed and built in Europe, the new Aygo continues to set the highest standards for interior roominess and driving enjoyment in the compact car segment.

A stronger Toyota design execution, a revised interior with new colour schemes, enhanced infotainment connectivity, improvements to ride comfort and cabin quietness, and the addition of paddle shift control to MultiMode transmission versions.

A new, ECO version of the Toyota Aygo is available, offering improved fuel efficiency and generating CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km.

The Toyota Aygo offers customers outstandingly low ownership costs. It achieves excellent insurance classifications in Germany (15) and the UK (3E), which reflect its very reasonable repair costs. It also features a remarkably low cumulative maintenance time of just 5.1 hours after 100,000 km.

For added peace of mind, Toyota offers every new Aygo with a 3 year (or 100,000 km - whichever comes first) pan-European warranty. The Aygo also comes with 12 years corrosion cover.

Driven by rising fuel prices and increasingly stringent environmental legislation, current downsizing trends suggest that the highly competitive and ever more fragmented A-segment is one of the few areas of the automotive market expected to grow in the coming years.

In 2011, Toyota sold more than 85,000 Aygos. The new Aygo will be on sale throughout Europe from early spring 2012.

MORE DYNAMIC EXTERIOR DESIGN
The new Toyota Aygo offers A-segment customers the ideal combination of interior roominess and driving enjoyment in the most compact possible package.

At 3,430 mm, the new Aygo is just 15 mm longer than its predecessor. Yet short front and rear overhangs, a long, 2,340 mm wheelbase and a broad overall width of 1,615 mm create a surprisingly spacious, practical interior, whilst giving the Aygo the stable stance, agile handling and small, 4.73 m turning circle essential to urban manoeuvrability.

While maintaining the friendliness and sense of fun inherent in the current model's styling, the new Toyota Aygo features a stronger, more dynamic front design. It combines improved aerodynamics and engine cooling with Toyota's new, Under Priority frontal design language.

The distinctive new face of the next generation Toyota family, Under Priority places the design emphasis on an enlarged lower grille to focus attention on the bottom half of the car for a distinctive, more assertive appearance.

Housing this large, trapezoidal, radiator air intake, the front bumper has been widened and the new, integral foglamps positioned at the bumper extremities, giving the new Aygo a wide stance and a strong road presence.

Set within the lower extremities of the grille, optional LED daytime running lamps complete the new, Under Priority frontal signature of the new Aygo.

The new front bumper design also enhances the aerodynamic performance of the new Aygo. The position of the integral front spoiler has been moved forwards by 70 mm and all openings, as well as the front wheel arch periphery, have been shaped to smooth the flow of air into and around the front of the vehicle, improving fuel efficiency.

Above a more slender form of the familiar, friendly upper grille, a new bonnet design has been shaped to create greater volume in the middle section, strengthening the new Toyota Aygo's road presence.

Privacy glass is available for the rear glazing of both 3- and 5-door versions of the new Aygo, and a new 14" steel wheel cap design is available in addition to the existing 14" 5- and 6-spoke alloys. A choice of eight exterior colours includes two new to the Aygo model range; Vibrant Metallic Orange and Bronze Mica.

UPGRADED SENSORIAL QUALITY
Combining a sense of fun with more mature finishes of a higher perceived quality, both upper and lower sections of the dashboard are now finished in Dark Grey, bringing a greater feeling of integration to the new Toyota Aygo interior.

A newly designed steering wheel is finished in leather and is now available with manual paddle shift controls for the optional MultiMode Transmission (MMT). Both MMT and new manual gear knobs are also available in leather.

The trim rings of the speedometer, tachometer and air vents are now available in a choice of Grey, Orange or Black, and the front door speaker features a new grille with a choice of Silver or Orange trim ring.

New Aygo is available with a choice of two audio systems. A 35 Watt AM/FM/CD system features a choice of two or four speakers and an AM/FM/CD unit which incorporates Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone connectivity, a multi-language display and a USB port for the connection of portable music players such as the iPod.

Further improving the practicality and convenience of the new Aygo, the opening angle of the rear parcel shelf has been increased to improve access to the loadspace.

A special, Vibrant Metallic Orange launch edition of the new Toyota Aygo features body-coloured trim rings for the speedometer, air vents and for both the optional tachometer and door speakers.

IMPROVED EFFICIENCY AND RIDE COMFORT
Due to price sensitivity and low average mileage, petrol currently dominates the A-segment, accounting for 85% of the sales mix.

The new Aygo is equipped with Toyota's remarkable, 3-cylinder, 1.0 litre VVT-i petrol engine. Combining light weight and compact design with the power and torque delivery essential to urban driving, the Euro V compliant engine returns highly competitive fuel consumption figures and generates low, tax-efficient CO2 emissions.

A marvel of miniaturisation, the all-aluminium, 3-cylinder, 1.0 litre petrol unit led the trend for powertrain downsizing. To this day, it remains a reference for compact, efficient engineering. At only 67 kg it is one of the lightest units in its class and has won successive Engine of the Year awards in the sub-1.0 litre category.

Toyota engineers have worked continuously to improve the performance and fuel efficiency of the engine, whilst lowering emissions with every successive upgrade. This latest version of the 998 cc unit benefits from a revised combustion chamber shape which increases the compression ratio from 10.5 to 11.0:1, improving combustion efficiency. Iridium-tipped spark plugs have also been adopted for their greater durability.

Mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, the 3-cylinder VVT-i engine generates 50 kW/ 68 DIN hp at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 93 Nm at 3,600 rpm. Fuel consumption has been lowered to 4.4 l/100 km, and CO2 emissions are just 102 g/km.

A new, ECO version of the Aygo is available for the first time. It is equipped with a longer 3rd gear ratio and fitted with low RRC (Rolling Resistance Coefficient) tyres, which reduce rolling resistance by 14%. This improves fuel efficiency without impairing ride comfort, manoeuvrability or braking performance. Fuel consumption is reduced to 4.3 l/100 km and CO2 is lowered to just 99gr/km.

Available as an option on the new Toyota Aygo, MultiMode is an automated manual transmission with a fully automatic shift mode and no clutch pedal. It uses computer control to manage the engine, clutch and transaxle for quick, precise shifting.

Selecting E (Economy), M (Manual) or R (Reverse) allows the car to 'creep' in the manner of a conventional automatic. In E mode, the car makes automatic gear shifts that will maximise fuel economy. Selecting M mode allows the driver to manually change gear via either the gear lever itself or -for the first time on Aygo- with steering wheel-mounted paddle shift switches.

When equipped with MultiMode Transmission, the 1.0 VVT-i Aygo returns fuel consumption of 4.5 l/100km and generates CO2 emissions of only 104 g/km.

With a lightweight body shell (over 50% of which is fabricated in high tensile steel) and short front and rear overhangs, the new Toyota Aygo has been engineered to excel in the urban environment.

Speed-sensitive, fuel-efficient, Electric Power Steering (EPS) equips the new Aygo with a very tight, 4.73 metre turning circle, offering customers the ideal combination of agility and manoeuvrability.

Providing a perfect balance of ride comfort, stability and go-cart-like handling enjoyment, the new Aygo uses a proven, MacPherson strut front suspension system, and an inverted-V profile torsion beam to the rear, which brings considerable advantages in weight and torsional stiffness.

The damping force of both front and rear shock absorbers has been adjusted to promote even greater ride comfort without compromising the car's dynamic abilities and engaging handling.

Building on the comprehensive Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) improvements introduced in the current car, the new Toyota Aygo benefits from a revised clutch pre-damper system to reduce noise and vibration from the drive line.

The addition of a high density bonnet insulator -located to provide an air space between the bonnet panels- reduces the transmission of noise from the engine bay, further improving cabin quietness.

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Tramontana R, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  Tramontana R, 2009

The super sports car manufacturer set in the Costa Brava, unveils its latest version, the Tramontana R. The new model is the result of a logical evolution of the previous one.
Thanks to the hard work of the whole technicians team of a.d. Tramontana, a more purist new version is being introduced. The car has been designed in order to increase the sensations experimented by the driver. These feelings give the driver the information needed to push such an extreme car to its limits.

Although the first version was already very competitive in terms of technology, the team raised new challenges to achieve.
The Tramontana R, unlike other super sports cars with radical versions, keeps the comfort as a value and provides versatility, as well as the possibility to drive the car in conventional roads. So much so that gives a surprising performance not only in the track but also outside of it.

The Tramontana team has reduced the weight of the car to 92 kg. despite the fact that the first version had already been done with the lightest materials. Remind that the chassis and the bodywork are completely made in carbon fibre.
    * Previous dry weight: 1.360 Kg
    * New dry weight: 1.268 Kg
    * Weight distribution:
          o 42% front, 58% rear
          o 50% right, 50% left

Another important challenge has been to give more pure personality to the car; the new chassis reduces the wheelbase in 50 mm and notably improves the handling of the car as well as the aerodynamic performance. All these improvements have allowed to optimize the cornering speed, specially in the track.
    * New downforce: 240 Kg (300Km/h)
    * Downforce distribution front axle: 95 kg aprox.
    * Downforce distribution rear axle: 145 kg aprox.

If you have followed the evolution of the company from its origins, you have surely noticed its constant progression. With the Tramontana R they have shown his technical capacity once more. The future is to reassert itself as a one of the best and most exclusive manufacturers in the small world of super sports cars.

Technical Specifications
    * BRAKING
          o 100-0 km/h: 32,6 m (2,45 s)
          o 200-0 km/h: 124,3 m (4,91 s)

    * ENGINE
          o Torque increase up to 1.100 Nm.

    * DYNAMICS
          o New chassis with a wheelbase distance of 3.050 mm: (50 mm shorter).
          o Monocoque rigidity torsion: 40.000 Nm/º.
          o New frontal geometry.
          o New electric power steering.
          o Lateral G forces: 1,22 g. (with standard tyres)

    * AERODYNAMICS
          o Front: New spoiler
          o Lateral: New shark gills
          o Rear: New rear wing
          o Down Force: 240 Kg at 300 km/h

    * TRACTION CONTROL
          o New scaled levels (3 + off)

    * INTERIOR
          o New TFT digital screens.

    * FINISHING
          o Carbon fiber finishing bodywork.

    * PERFORMANCE
          o 0-100 km/h: 3,6 s
          o 0-200 km/h: 10,15 s
          o Top Speed: 325 km/h (limited)

    * PRICE
          o Basic: 385.000 € (without taxes)

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