Friday, February 1, 2008

Car Review : 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X


Performance & Efficiency Standard Features

- 1,998 cc 2.0 liters in-line 4 front engine with 86.0 mm bore, 86.0 mm stroke, 10.0 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder 4B11
- Unleaded fuel 87
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- 15.3 gallon main unleaded fuel tank 12.7
- Power: 113 kW , 152 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 146 ft lb , 198 Nm @ 4,250 rpm

Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features

- Two disc brakes including two ventilated discs
- Immobilizer
- Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
- Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, multi-link rear suspension independent with coil springs


Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features

- Body color front and rear bumpers
- Day time running lights
- Driver and passenger, power black door mirrors
- External dimensions: overall length (inches): 180.0, overall width (inches): 69.4, overall height (inches): 58.7, wheelbase (inches): 103.7, front track (inches): 60.2, rear track (inches): 60.2 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 32.8
- Complex surface lens halogen bulb headlights
- Luxury trim titanium look on doors and titanium look on dashboard
- Pearl paint
- Fixed rear window with defogger
- Tinted glass on cabin
- Weights: curb weight (lbs) 2,999
- Windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe


Interior Standard Features

- 12v power outlet: front and 1
- Roof antenna
- Front ashtray
- Audio system with AM/FM and CD player CD player reads MP3
- Automatic drive indicator on dashboard
- Cargo area light
- Cargo capacity: all seats in place (cu ft): 11.6
- Clock
- Computer with average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and range for remaining fuel
- Full dashboard console with open storage box, full floor console with covered storage box
- Delayed/fade courtesy lights
- Front seats cup holders fixed
- Door ajar warning
- Door pockets/bins for driver seat, passenger seat and rear seats
- External temperature
- Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment, passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
- Bucket driver and passenger seat
- Height adjustable 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
- Front seat center armrest
- Two height adjustable active head restraints on front seats, three height adjustable head restraints on rear seats
- Headlight control with time delay switch-off
- Illuminated entry system
- Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 39.6, rear headroom (inches): 36.9, front hip room (inches): 53.3, rear hip room (inches): 54.1, front leg room (inches): 42.2, rear leg room (inches): 36.1, front shoulder room (inches): 54.7, rear shoulder room (inches): 54.3 and interior volume (cu ft): 94.8
- Knee airbags driver
- Low tire pressure indicator
- Power steering
- Front and rear power windows
- 3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side, passenger side and center side
- Three asymmetrical bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
- Rear view mirror
- Remote fuel filler door release
- Remote control remote trunk/hatch release
- Front and rear side curtain airbag
- Cloth seat upholstery with additional cloth
- Seating: five seats
- Service interval indicator
- Front side airbag
- Four speaker(s)
- Plastic steering wheel with tilt adjustment
- Tachometer
- Passenger vanity mirror
- Ventilation system with micro filter

{Source : Mitsubishi}

Car Tuners Review : Brabus SLR


The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is one of the world's most fascinating sports cars. Following their credo that the best is just good enough for BRABUS the engineers and designers at BRABUS have developed an exclusive sport program for the two-seater. It lets owners of the top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz models further individualize their vehicles.

BRABUS equips the SLR with a special self-locking differential. Its 40 percent locking rate further optimizes the super sports car's traction and thus further improves acceleration.

In BRABUS Racing version with performance-improving fuel cooling, custom camshafts and an open racing exhausts system maximum power output of the supercharged V8 engine increases to 660 hp / 486 kW at 6,500 rpm. The exhaust system is not certified for use on public roads. Thus equipped the SLR storms to 100 km/h from rest in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of up to 340 km/h.


BRABUS further offers professional modifications to body, suspension and interior that further amplify the sports talents of the SLR.

For further improved directional stability at high speeds the BRABUS designers developed a new spoiler for the front air dam. The exposed-carbon aerodynamic-enhancement part reduces lift on the front axle and adds another shot of racing looks. The rear diffuser is also made from exposed carbon.

The multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock VI 20-inch light-alloy wheels with six double spokes command immediate attention. The fully polished wheels in size 9.5Jx20 in front and in size 11.5Jx20 on the rear axle fill out the available space below the wheel arches perfectly.

BRABUS chose high-performance tires in sizes 255/30 ZR 20 and 305/25 ZR 20 as the optimal solution. The conversion to the BRABUS 20-inch tire/wheel combination gives the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren even more dynamic handling prowess.


BRABUS also adds new sporty and exclusive highlights in the interior. The company-own upholstery shop created a BRABUS interior from an exclusive black and red combination of leather and Alcantara, perfectly crafted down to the last detail. The waffle-design stitching of the SLR leather floor is especially elaborate and it alone uses 7,800 meters of the finest thread.

For easier entering and exiting BRABUS manufactured a custom BRABUS sport steering wheel with an ergonomically shaped rim that is flat on the bottom. For manual shifting of the SLR's automatic transmission the BRABUS steering wheel features buttons integrated into the spokes.

The BRABUS interior designers developed precise-fit applications for dashboard, center console and door panels, all made from exposed carbon. They extend the BRABUS exterior carbon look into the interior.

The BRABUS super sports car sells for 600,000 Euros. Included in the price is the SLR's air-freight shipment to anywhere in the world.


{Source : Brabus Technical Specifications}

Car Review : 2007 Chevrolet Camaro Concept


Thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic sport coupe
Dramatic design, responsive performance

Combining dramatic design and exciting performance, the Chevrolet Camaro Concept recaptures the spirit of one of the most popular sport coupes of all time and redefines the Camaro for new generations of fans.

The Camaro Concept embodies the performance and passion that have made first-generation Camaros some of the most sought-after collector cars, updating the formula with a fuel-efficient powertrain, sophisticated chassis and contemporary design execution. The goal is to make the sport coupe relevant to younger enthusiasts while retaining its appeal to its current fans.

"Millions of people of all ages fell in love with the Camaro for all of the right reasons," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, global design. "Camaros were beautiful to look at and offered performance that could rival expensive European GTs. Yet they were practical enough to drive every day and priced within the reach of many new car buyers."

Though only a show car at this point, the Camaro Concept is intended to explore customer reaction to design and engineering elements that might lead to an all-new version of the Camaro.

The long hood, short deck and wide stance of the Camaro Concept leave no doubt that it is a serious performance car. Those looks are backed up by a 400-horsepower aluminum small-bock V-8, a six-speed manual transmission, and a sophisticated chassis with four-wheel independent suspension.

Like its forebears, the Camaro Concept would be practical enough for everyday use. It features fuel-saving features like Active Fuel Management¢â cylinder deactivation technology, yielding highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or better. Its overall size is a comfortable fit for city streets and suburban parking lots, and its back seat provides occasional seating for two adults.


Lean, muscular design

Because of Camaro's powerful heritage, the GM Design team chose a theme that pays homage to the original Camaro, while being instantly recognizable as an all-new car.

Said Bob Boniface, director of the Warren Advanced Design Studio, "The fact that the Camaro has been out of production for a number of years made it particularly important that the Camaro Concept honors the Camaro heritage in the right way."

The 1969 Camaro, considered by many to be the best first-generation design, was a significant inspiration. But as GM design teams in Warren, Mich., worked on alternatives for the Camaro Concept, they also turned to the latest Corvette and to aircraft like the YF-22, seeking a design that encompasses the spirit that made the 1969 Camaro great, but interprets that spirit in a fresh, exciting way.

"The overall proportions, long hood and powerful fender forms say, ¡®This is a front-engine, rear-wheel drive performance vehicle,' " said Tom Peters, design director, rear-wheel drive performance cars. The prominent front grille and hood bulge hint at the power of the Corvette-inspired V-8 engine. Large wheels and tires, exposed high-performance brakes and prominent fender shapes signal that the Camaro Concept has the handling and braking to go with the powertrain.

The cockpit of the Camaro nestles between sharply defined fender forms, a design element inspired by fighter planes and the new Corvette. And like any high-performance vehicle, the clean, purposeful design is integral to the aesthetic. "The Camaro Concept isn't just a styled shape," said Peters. "The design incorporates what the vehicle needs to perform to its optimum level."

The same purposeful design is reflected in the interior of the Camaro Concept. The gauges and splash of orange trim hint at classic first-generation Camaros, but the overall design and execution reflect the no-nonsense functionality that drivers expect from a high-performance Chevrolet sports car.


Performance for the real world

The Camaro Concept features the latest generation of GM's legendary small-block V-8. The 6.0-liter LS2 engine features an aluminum block and heads for light weight, and Active Fuel Management¢â, which shuts off four cylinders to save fuel when the engine is lightly loaded. This concept version of the LS2 is rated at 400 horsepower, yet it could also deliver more than 30 mpg at highway speeds.

The Camaro Concept's six-speed manual transmission provides a wide spread of ratios for aggressive acceleration off the line, confident passing and merging and efficient highway cruising.

Modern sports cars are about more than just straight-line speed, so the Camaro Concept features a sophisticated rear-wheel drive chassis. Its independent front and rear suspension features progressive-rate springs and gas-pressurized dampers. Four-wheel vented disc brakes with 14-inch rotors provide confident stopping under all conditions.

Enhancing both the performance and appearance of the Camaro Concept are unique five-spoke cast alloy wheels, 21 inches in the front and 22 inches in the rear.


An American icon

Designed in the mid-1960s, the first-generation Camaro captured the optimism of an era. The Baby Boomers were in their teens, rock-and-roll and Motown ruled the airwaves, and American culture was sweeping the globe.

Like the Impala, Chevelle and Sting Ray, the new Camaro showcased Chevy's strength of bringing stylish, high-quality cars to a mainstream audience. Its dramatic proportions and graceful lines recalled both the Corvette and the Italian Gran Turismo cars of the era. And its powertrain lineup, which soon included both the potent Z-28 small block and big block 396s and 427s, gave the Camaro the performance to go with its looks.

But what really made the Camaro an American icon was that it was accessible to millions. Chevy sold more than 699,000 Camaros in its first three years. So for every Z-28 taking the checkered flag at the track, there were thousands of less exotic Camaros cruising the drive-ins, picking up the groceries, or taking the family on vacation.

"The Camaro Concept is designed to have that same broad appeal, with unmistakable style, spirit and performance," said Welburn.

{Source: Chevrolet
Manufacturer Press Release}

Car Review : Mercedes-Benz Vision GLK

The Vision GLK Freeside concept, which will make its official debut at the NAIAS, is a compact SUV built to go head to head with the BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander.

Though billed a concept, the study is close to series production and features a distinctive design reminiscent of the angular form of the original Mercedes-Benz G-Class, along with typical design features from the contemporary GL-Class.

"With the G-Class we created a styling icon which has been the benchmark for almost 30 years," says Prof. Peter Pfeiffer, Senior Vice President of Design at Mercedes-Benz. "Combining this bold design with the latest Mercedes-Benz design elements makes the Vision GLK Freeside a vehicle of genuine character."

We'll share our thoughts once we see the concept in the metal at the NAIAS starting the week of January 14, so be sure to read our Detroit Auto Show Highlights then.

{Source : Mercedes}