Honda have released a new concept sportsbike at Intermot that frankly has us completely stumped (it was October 9, 2008 ). Honda V4 Concept Model is meant to showcase Honda's intention to "use the power of dreams to take motorcycling somewhere it has never been before" - somewhere, presumably, where motorcycles do away with things like tyres, suspension, brakes, axles and final drive systems. Can YOU figure out a single piece of relevant information this machine is signalling about tomorrow's Hondas, or is it a simple styling exercise?
Here's the full press release Honda sent out with images of the V4 Concept Model:
"Honda has always sought to push back motorcycling boundaries, challenge engineering conventions and introduce daring and innovative new designs and technologies that will delight its customers.
To celebrate the passionately creative heritage of the first V4 four-stroke, Honda has embarked on an exciting new project, using 30 years of Honda V4 expertise to create a next generation of vehicles. Once again Honda will use the power of dreams to take motorcycling to somewhere it has never been before, proof of which was at display for the very first time at Intermot Cologne."
Challenging engineering conventions indeed! We'd go so far as to say this new concept has been designed by an art-school grad uninterested in anything but futuristic styling. And yes, a prototype is actually displayed at Intermot Cologne, it's not just a rendered set of images like most of the more bizarre designs we see.
If the bike had been electric, perhaps there could have been some intention to drive and brake the wheels using some sort of electromagnetic system - but there's a dirty great V4 combustion engine right in the middle of the frame. Even if the wheels were driven, they don't seem able to rotate. And if they could rotate, their shiny red finish would appear to indicate that they'll give no traction.
Are we missing the point here - and either way, where do you draw the line on concept vehicle? Does this thing even qualify as a motorcycle? And what on Earth do you think Honda are trying to do by showing it? Check out the picture gallery and tell us what you think in the comments below.
Tom Wallace Chief engineer, Corvette, introduces the new Ron Fellows GT1 Championship Z06 corvette at the Chicago Auto Show. Gorgeous edition, isn't it?
Powerfully engineered cars have been the mantra of Callaway cars for over a generation, and these tests of their twin-turbo and supernatural Chevrolet Corvettes over the years leave no doubt of their expertise. Watch this video of the road test and enjoy: The Callaway Corvette and the C16 represent very different levels of performance and price, but with the same pedigree. Both cars transcend their Corvette roots, and give credence to Callaway Car's claim of being a specialty manufacturer, not merely a tuner. Matching or besting Chevy's factory Hot Rods is no small feat - and that's powerfully engineered, indeed!
This 1989 Corvette ZR1 was the personal driver for GM's John Heinricy who looked for ways to make the car lighter. The Corvette was powered by a special Black version of the LT-5 Mercury Marine V8. The Corvette sold a the 2009 Barrett-Jackson auction for $160,000
General Motors published the first photos of the Barack Obama's new ride a week before his inauguration as the new president of the United States. The latest Cadillac Presidential Limousine is a completely new design, succeeding the DTS Presidential Limousine that debuted in 2004 and was used by George Bush. Predictably, GM has not revealed any specific details on the President's new wheels besides the fact that it "includes many of the brand's signature design elements."Carscoop.blogspot.com
When the Mazda6 first hit the scene back in 2003, it was nimble and playful, and the power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering was exemplary. In fact, it was favorably compared to the BMW 3 Series—an impressive feat for any vehicle, let alone a mid-sizer in this price range.
But it was too small and, some say, underpowered to truly compete in the tough mid-size sedan segment against the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. That’s a big reason why Mazda says sales in the U.S. have been somewhat underwhelming—well below the 100,000-vehicle per year sales mark they were hoping for.
The all-new 2009 model was designed to change that. It’s bigger, it comes in three trim levels, and it’s still got our favorite quality: The Mazda6 is a hoot to drive, unlike its less sporty foes in the marketplace. —Barry Winfield
The Specs
Unique to the North American market, the redesigned mid-size sedan now comes in at 72.4 in. wide by 193.7 in. long (6.9 in. longer than its predecessor), with a robust 109.8-in wheelbase (4.5 in. longer). These increases might seem small, but they translate into quite a bit more cabin space. According to Hiroshi Kajiyama, Mazda’s chief program engineer for the 6, these new dimensions give the car more leg, shoulder and hip room (plus more luggage space) than the Accord, Altima or Malibu. Better still, he says that the car has put on no more than 200 pounds in the process.
To handle the new size and weight, Mazda upped the power of both the base four-cylinder engine and the top-of-the-line V6. With 170 hp and 167 lb.-ft. of torque, the slightly larger 2.5-liter inline-4 no longer is plenty powerful. Along with its bump in displacement from 2.3 liters, the four-cylinder features a new two-stage intake, more efficient cylinder heads and a less restrictive exhaust manifold.
When connected to the standard six-speed manual, the four-cylinder delivers 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The automatic option adds an extra mile per gallon in the city and on the highway.
The Ford-designed, Mazda-built V-6—featuring 3.7-liters, 272 horses and 269 ft.-lb. of torque—is the same engine found in the much larger CX-9 crossover. But it offers less attractive fuel numbers (17 mpg city/25 mpg highway), and the six-speed automatic is the only available transmission for the V-6.
Mazda zeroed in on noise and vibration reductions, and the cabin area is 30-percent more rigid than in the previous car, according to Mazda’s R&D director Kelvin Hiraishi, who pointed out bulges in the floor pan intended specifically to stiffen that panel—and prevent it from acting like a noise-generating diaphragm. Engineers also focused on cutting down the wind noise leaking through door seals and sunroof surrounds.
There are a bunch of chassis improvements, including a one-piece, forged-steel front lower-control arm to provide better lateral stiffness and to eliminate any compliance in steering over bumps. The front wheels now turn almost 5 degrees more than before, reducing the turning circle by over 3 ft.
Each trailing arm in the rear suspension has an attachment point raised 1 in. to increase the anti-dive effect, keeping the body flat during hard braking. Larger diameter bushings allow a little rearward movement on harder bumps to improve impact absorption, and the twin-tube KYB dampers are placed further outboard in a more vertical position for better wheel control.
Michelin Pilot four-season radial tires are standard issue on all Mazda6 models, and come sized to fit either 16- or 17-in. wheels on the “i” model, with 17 or 18-inchers on the “s.” In terms of safety, the ‘09 Mazda6 is replete with airbags, ABS, LATCH child-seat hookups and stability control as standard equipment. There’s also an optional blind-spot monitoring system that checks the lanes alongside the car and warns of the presence of vehicles if you try to change lanes.
Other interesting gadgets include keyless entry and a 10-speaker, 333-watt Bose stereo. An owner can utilize the vehicle diagnostics connector (via a special tool at the dealer) to tune various functions such as headlamp on-and-off cycles, turn-signal buzzer volume, blind-spot warning activation, power door lock operation and about 20 other functions.
The Drive
Whether or not the redesign has the desired effect on consumers remains to be seen, but we like the look of the new Mazda6 on the road. The interior is artful and tidily crafted—basically what we’ve come to expect from this inventive car company. And there’s certainly ample room inside, even for this 6-ft.-5, long-torso reviewer to sit in the back so long as he scrunches down a tiny bit to avoid contact with the headliner (the headroom is slightly compromised by the fast roofline). Luckily, there’s enough knee room to allow that. And the sound dampening measures really worked; this car is as quiet as a church mouse.
Of course, with its “zoom zoom” reputation at stake, the new Mazda6 has to handle nimbly, and the firm bushing durometer values used in its suspension transmit a little ride noise back into the cabin—well, at least in the Mazda6i model powered by that new 2.5-liter, 170-hp engine.
We certainly expected more power—and got it. Where the 2.5-liter four feels pretty peppy out on the road, the 272-hp V-6 is downright intoxicating. Coupled only to a six-speed automatic with manual shift mode, the 6i models demonstrated great flexibility with a serious high-end punch.
Fiat Linea Launched in India | Priced at Rs 6.20 - 8.1 Lakhs | Pictures, Photos, Images
Fiat India launched its most awaited sedan "Linea" in the Indian market on Wednesday, 14th January, 2009. Fiat Linea is a wonder and value for money car and give strong competition to Honda City, Ford Fiesta, Maruti-Suziki, SX4 both in terms of price and features.
Fiat Linea is available in 4 colors and price starting from Rs 5.82 Laks to 8.10 Lakhs. Linea is powered with 1.3 litre Diesel engine and 1.4 litre Petrol engine.
Fiat Linea is very spacious and its interior is of luxury cars like Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
Fiat Linea Price ( Ex-Showroom Delhi and Mumbai ):
