Latest Cars Reviews Blog: сентября 2009

Detroit 2009: BYD F3DM is the poor man's plug-in Toyota Corolla

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Economy, Sedans/Saloons, China

Click above for high-res gallery of the BYD F3DM

With the departure of a number of automakers from this year's North American International Auto Show, the Chinese found themselves in an unfamiliar location: smack in the middle of the Detroit Auto Show. 2009 is the first time that China's automakers have been able to find space to rent on the main show floor -- in years past, they were confined to Michigan Hall, nicknamed "The Basement" by journalists. Taking full advantage of the larger forum, BYD unveiled what it is billing as the world's first production plug-in hybrid, the F3DM Dual Mode. Thankfully, BYD thoughtfully left their cars uncovered earlier in the show, and we were able to get the shots you see here without wading through the crowds.

Powered by a 1.0-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor, BYD says their Toyota Corolla lookalike boasts 168-horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. So equipped, the car can reach 60 miles-per-hour in 10.5 seconds, although it tops out at just 93 mph. More importantly, officials claim that the F3DM will run purely on battery power for 62 miles(!). BYD says the car's Fe battery packs reach a 50% charge in just ten minutes, and a full charge can be obtained in just seven hours from a standard power outlet. Oddly, the very same press release notes that the Fe battery in the company's E6 crossover can be fully recharged in 60 minutes.

We look forward to getting hold of one of these vehicles to verify some of these remarkable claims, but in the meantime we'll have to amuse ourselves with the notion that BYD calls this car a "dual mode hybrid" because it can run on electricity alone or on a combination of battery power and internal combustion. Hmmm...

Gallery: Detroit 2009: BYF F3DM

Gallery: 2009 BYD F3DM

Continue reading Detroit 2009: BYD F3DM is the poor man's plug-in Toyota Corolla

Detroit 2009: BYD F3DM is the poor man's plug-in Toyota Corolla originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JAMA says Tokyo Motor Show may be cancelled

Filed under: Japan, Tokyo Motor Show

Blaming the global financial crisis, and the fact that fewer non-Japanese automakers have signed up to exhibit, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association is in the midst of debating whether or not to cancel the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The show is set to run this Oct. 23-Nov. 8. If canceled, it won't open its doors again until 2011 due to scheduling agreements with other top-tier auto shows. Toshihiro Iwatake, JAMA's executive director and secretary general, told Automotive News that he favors going ahead with the show regardless. "We think the motor show is a symbol of industrial prosperity," he said. "We have to show that our industry is healthy." Iwatake added that the deadline for automakers to register was late last year, and some of the "usual manufacturers" hadn't made the cut... but he wouldn't say which manufacturers hadn't booked the show.

The North American International Auto Show is in full swing this week even with the absence of industry players such as Nissan, Suzuki, Porsche, and Land Rover. Each of the Detroit 3 are strongly present. If one of the Japanese Big 3 (Toyota, Honda, and Nissan) pull out of the Tokyo Motor Show, the event could face certain doom say industry sources. The decision on whether or not to cancel the Tokyo Motor Show will be made next month. In the meantime, Iwatake says that JAMA is welcoming late registrants.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

JAMA says Tokyo Motor Show may be cancelled originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Datsun 260Z With The Face Of A Snake And The Tail Of A Stallion [Custom Cars]

A true Jalop in every sense of the word; CoyoteGary has built what may be the world’s first Datsun 260Z with a fiberglass Shelby Cobra front fascia. Pictures and video below.

A true Jalop in every sense of the word; CoyoteGary has built what may be the world’s first and only 1974 Datsun 260Z with a hand built fiberglass Shelby Cobra front fascia and a 1962 Ferrari GTO rear tub modified to fit onto the original car. This is the kind of project that we dream about but never had the sick imagination to pull it off. There’s quite the laundry list of upgrades to this car aside from what you see on the exterior so we’ll let CoyoteGary explain some of the finer details of the car in his videos below.

Exterior Walk Around And Specs

Engine Specs And Startup

Burnout

[via ZCar Forums, YouTube]

California High Patrol Investigates Officer’s Sex Life, Is A Total Game Killer

In San Diego, California, the California High Patrol is launched an investigation to determine whether an officer “threw” a case in return for sexual favors. According to SignOn San Diego, Officer Abram Carabajal rendezvoused with Shirin Zarrindej at the GuestHouse Inn & Suites shortly after appearing in court for a traffic citation he had issued Zarrindej back in March. After requesting that the judge dismiss the case “in the interest of justice”, Zarrindej and Carabajel were observed checking into the motel for a brief stay [this is why your mother always tells you not to sleep on the top sheets].

When Abram was called to comment on the investigation, Abram admitted that this was the first time he’d heard of any such action, and he didn’t believe there was much to it.

Detroit 09': 2010 Toyota Prius Officially Unveiled with 50 MPG Combined Rating

Toyota officially unveiled the 2010 Toyota Prius at the Detroit Auto Show today.

The third-generation Prius is larger, more powerful and gets better gas mileage than the last generation. For starters the Prius engine has been enlarged from 1.5L to 1.8L. It's also notable that the engine is the first Toyota powerplant to not use any belts (the water pump is now electric). Although the engine has been enlarged, the Prius now gets a combined mpg rating of 50 mpg, which is up from the 46 mpg rating of the last generation.

The overall styling of the new Prius is easily recognizable as a Prius, but with slightly more aggressive styling than the last generation. The new Prius also has the world's lowest coefficient of drag (Cd) at .25.

For the first time a moonroof is available with roof mounted solar panels that power the ventilation system. The system helps keep the car cool even when it is off, which helps reduce the stress on the air conditioning system once the car is in use.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but the 2010 Prius will be in showrooms this spring.

Detroit 09': Cadillac Converj Concept is Much Sexier than the Volt

GM has unveiled a new Cadillac concept, the Converj, which is based on the Chevy Volt's "Voltec" drivetrain.

The Converj Concept combines GM's new electric technology with styling that is distinctly Cadillac. Since it uses the same technology as the more pedestrian-looking Volt.

Let's hope they make something like this in the future....

Detroit 2009: The 2010 Chevy Equinox [w/VIDEO]

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet

Click above to live shots of the 2010 Chevy Equinox from Detroit

The 2010 Chevy Equinox showed its new face alongside the 2010 Cadillac SRX in Detroit today, and it was a tossup as to which looked better. Regardless of where you stand on the Equinox' appearance, the new CUV is a far more sophisticated vehicle than the crossover it replaces. Power will be provided by a choice of two direct injection engines, with the four-cylinder model able returning 30 mpg on the highway and the new 3.0L V6 packing 255 horsepower. It also features a gorgeous interior that should look familiar to anyone who's looked inside a Malibu or Traverse.

While this is an evolution of the Theta architecture, the dimensions are almost identical to the old one and shared with the Saturn Vue. It still manages to look tidier than the outgoing model. The 2010 Equinox is still a unibody crossover with either front- or all-wheel drive and the same basic suspension layout as before. The styling is more contemporary, with prominent wheel arches and the obligatory Chevy twin-port grille. As expected of any new model these days, the full array of USB audio, Bluetooth and DVD entertainment systems are also now available. The full details are in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Gallery: LIVE: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Gallery: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Continue reading Detroit 2009: The 2010 Chevy Equinox [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: The 2010 Chevy Equinox [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Audi Sportback concept, coming soon as the A7 [w/VIDEO]

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupes, Audi

click the Sportback concept for a high res gallery of what to expect from the A7

Audi continues to underscore the importance of the US market to its future fortunes with two world debuts at the Detroit Auto Show. In addition to the R8 V10 that we saw last month, we got our first look at the Sportback concept. The Sportback is a preview of the A7 sedan due to arrive in the next year or so. As expected, this is Audi's take on the four door coupe/sedan idiom. Compared to the Porsche Panamera, this is one actually works. It takes the look we've come to expect from Audi and updates it with slightly sharper lines and a reshaped grille, along with even more LED lighting.

The Sportback name refers to the fastback roofline and Audi boss Rupert Stadler made it clear that the new look will become a common trait in the Audi lineup, beginning with a new A5 Sportback coming later this year. Under the hood, the Sportback gets a 3.0-liter TDI diesel V6 with 225 hp/406 lb-ft paired up with a seven-speed S-Tronic dual clutch gea box. The whole thing is topped off with automatic start stop to give a combined 39 mpg (US). Based on these specs we can't wait for the A7 to arrive.

Hit the jump for the press release and a 20-second video walk-around of the Audi Sportback concept.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Audi Sportback Concept