Top 10 finalists for World Car of the Year announced

The 2009 World Car of the Year competition is back for its fifth run, and the jurors have determined their ten, no, 11 finalists. The WCotY is determined by the votes of over 50 journalists from countries the world over (none of which works for Autoblog). Some of the finalists include the award-hoarding Nissan GT-R andJaguar XF, plus strong entries like the Ford Fiesta, Fiat 500, and Audi A4. Due to a tie for 10th place, there are 11 finalists this year. Judges will next narrow their choice to the top three vehicles by March 9, and the winner will be announced at the New York Auto Show on April 9. Hit the jump to view the the WCotY finalists, along with a short press release.

[Source: World Car of the Year]

PRESS RELEASE

World Car of the Year Announces Top Ten Finalists

Celebrating its fifth annual awards program, the World Car of the Year, held in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show, is pleased to announce this year's top ten finalists.

The 2009 World Car finalists are:

Audi A4 / Avant
BMW 7 Series
Citroen C5 Sedan / C5 Tourer
Fiat 500
Ford Fiesta
Honda Fit / Jazz
Jaguar XF
Mazda Atenza / Mazda6
Nissan GT-R
Toyota iQ
Volkswagen Golf VI

Vehicles are selected and voted on by a volunteer jury of close to 50 distinguished automotive journalists representing many of the world's most renowned automotive outlets. All jurors hold significant stature with their own regions and countries, which include: Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, and the United States.

The jurors' next step is narrowing the top ten field to the top three, which will be announced March 9. Today's top ten announcement includes 11 vehicles because two of the vehicles are tied for a spot.

The overall 2009 World Car of the Year as well as the winners of the World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year will be declared on April 9, 2009 during a press conference at the New York International Auto Show.

Visit www.wcoty.com for more information on the 2009 World Car of the Year Awards. For Auto Show updates, go to www.autoshowNY.com.

Tags: audi a4, AudiA4, new york auto show, NewYorkAutoShow, nissan gt-r, NissanGt-r, world car of the year, WorldCarOfTheYear

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Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Touareg TDI

The way Volkswagen talks up the $42,800 Touareg V6 TDI, you'd almost think it was the ninja of SUVs: a single package with so many highly developed capabilities that its gas-engined foes are annihilated and left on the side of the road with ninja shuriken lodged in their tailgates before they even realize they've been outdone. The engine alone promises reduced fuel consumption, fewer emissions, more power, more torque, better responsiveness and quiet progress. The only questions then are: Does it deliver and will anyone buy it? We took it for a spin to find out. Follow the jump for the story.

Gallery:First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI

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Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

The diesel Touareg is essentially unchanged from the gas Touareg, so the sole story here is the engine. Volkswagen has done a Manhattan Project on its oil burner, going over everything that could make it more appealing to customers. It's a three-horse race in the non-gasoline powerplant derby, and diesels, hybrids and electric vehicles are fighting for share. VW and Audi have thrown their bets on the filly called Oil Burner, and the next couple of years will inform us whether it can win more than 5% of the market. 



To the engine, then. Sounding like something they got from the lab that created Wolverine, the compact engine block with a 90-degree V angle is made of high-strength vermicular graphite iron. Being 15% lighter than cast iron and not even 1.5 feet long, it has been fitted with aluminum alloy cylinder heads and weights 498.2 pounds. 

Within that block, the common-rail fuel injection system has been thoroughly refined. Electronically-controlled piezo fuel injectors permit injection pressures of 2,000 bar (29,000 psi) and spray through eight-holed nozzles for a finer fuel mist and better, more efficient combustion. Those injectors are also lighter and have fewer moving parts, and so can move at twice the speed of previous solenoid-valve injectors. With all of that, the number of injection processes per cycle can be varied and optimized as needed. 



The turbocharger, served by two intercoolers, has variable turbine geometry, with vane angles controlled by an electric servo motor. And get this: it's ribbed. The engine block has fluting to diminish vibration, and "all pathways on the engine mounts that could transmit vibrations to the interior have been eliminated." Finally, to aid engine packaging, the ancillaries and camshafts are driven by maintenance free chains mounted in back of the engine.

So, what's all that get you? A torquey little V6 that grinds out 221 hp and 407 lb-ft. That latter number comes as soon as 1,750 rpm, obviating the need for much footwork with the pedal on the right when it's time to git 'er done. 0-60 miles-per-hour is estimated at 8.5 seconds, which isn't all that bad for what is probably a 5,000-plus-pound vehicle (VW hasn't divulged its weight yet, but the Touareg V10 TDI rocked the scales at 5,800 pounds). 



It's not a sprinter, obviously, although neither is it a laggard. It is the marathon – or perhaps, the ultramarathon – where this car makes its name. VW says you'll get from Kokomo to the Poconos on one tank, which is 600+ miles for those of us who have nothing to do with either locale. Strictly by the numbers, you could go 660 miles if you used every drop of diesel in the truck: the Touareg is rated at 25 miles-per-gallon on the highway, and has a 26.4-gallon tank.

In reality, you might be able to go even further. On a recent drive in the similarly-engined Audi Q7 on Audi's mileage marathon, we drove from San Francisco to Los Angeles, about 352 miles, and had a half tank left when we got home – and we weren't being kind with the footwork. 



In that Q7, we never got any worse than 21 mpg and we were doing some serious speeds through some serious mountains. The Audi Q7 diesel was billed as getting 33.1 mpg on the highway, so if you're a little kinder than we were to Mr. Throttle, we're sure he and his friend Mr. Gas Mileage will be a little kinder to you.

The engine has also been designed to be kinder to the environment, thanks to its use of VW's AdBlue system. Exhaust gasses pass through a catalyst where nitrous oxide is measured, and based on that measurement an appropriate amount of AdBlue treatment is injected into a dosing module. AdBlue is 32.5% urea, and mixed with the hot exhaust it breaks down into ammonia and converts the NOx to nitrogen and water. The resultant NOx levels are reduced by about 90%. 

The AdBlue tank is located under the spare tire, and is heated for cold weather climates since it freezes at 12 degrees Fahrenheit. The solution itself is non-toxic, odorless and biodegradable, and the tank holds enough for around 15,000 miles. When it needs to be refilled, that can be done during regular dealer service, and VW mentioned that places like JiffyLube will carry it. 



So here we have a 50-state diesel with an earth-friendly mien. But would you want to actually drive it in any state? In real-world driving, the V6 TDI shares a number of beneficial similarities with its V10-powered (former) sibling: it is quiet, powerful and refined.

At a cruise, the engine is as quiet as church just before a service, with only the slightest hum as any aural indication that the car is actually on. It is also steady as a rock: vibrations are essentially non-existent.

The V6 is 90 hp and 146 lb-ft down on the V10, but as we piloted the two-ton-plus SUV around snaking canyon roads, it was evident that VW has done its work to make sure all available power is applied to forward motion. Even on steep uphill grades, you don't worry about losing momentum because the Touareg will pick it right back up again on demand. The ride would be best described as business casual: crisp and smart, it suits all of the sporting situations you could wish to get into in an SUV. 



VW says "The 3.0 TDI produces a quiet, cultivated and harmonious sound. The hard 'knocking' and metallic rattling at partial load is history." That is true... when you're cruising. And that is what makes it all the more jarring when you get hard on the power. It's as if the sound insulation has evaporated with a flick of the accelerator. Engine noise commandeers the cabin. Under mild acceleration the noise is alright. Even under hard acceleration it isn't awful, it is simply unexpected because the contrast is so striking. We found the same thing in the V10 – get on the gas, and you can hear the horses neigh. 

That was the only demerit we gave to this vehicle. The only question is whether buyers will pony up the $3,000 premium for it over the VR6 FSI. The TDI will get you more power and much better gas mileage – 3 mpg more in the city, 5 mpg more on the highway, but these days, you'll pay substantially more for diesel at the pump, and that will likely more than neutralize the extra mileage. As fine a vehicle as it is, then, is it worth it? The best answer we can give to that one right now is probably this: We'll find out.

Tags: diesel, featured, first drive, FirstDrive, suv, touareg, touareg diesel, touareg v6 tdi, touareg2,TouaregDiesel, TouaregV6Tdi, volkswagen, volkswagen touareg, volkswagen touareg tdi, volkswagen touareg v6 tdi, VolkswagenTouareg, VolkswagenTouaregTdi, VolkswagenTouaregV6Tdi, vw, vw touareg,VwTouareg

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2009 Dodge Ram Laramie Crew Cab 4X2

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 Dodge Ram

Many consider the Dodge Aries K and Dodge Caravan the most important Chryslers of the past 30 years. We agree those two vehicles were a huge part of keeping the Pentastar in business, but we'd add the 1994 Dodge Ram to the list, as well. Dodge wasn't even competitive in the lucrative full-size truck market until the bold-faced '94 model hit dealerships, and Chrysler's light-duty pickup has held on to 3rd place in truck sales ever since. The Ram constantly finished in the money until the all-new Toyota Tundra hit the scene. Toyota's first serious try at a full-size pickup, coupled with the hot-selling Tacoma, outsold the Ram and Dakotacombined for the first time in 2008.

Luckily for Team Pentastar, Dodge had an answer to the Tundra waiting in the wings. The 2009 Dodge Ram brings more power, more refinement and plenty of gadgets to the pickup truck party. The Ram looks like a real man's truck, with a forward-leaning front grille that's as big as a Toyota Yaris, and a unique coil spring suspension that enables this 5,000 pound truck to drive more like a sedan on regular roads than a rough-and-tumble work truck. There is no question that the 2009 Dodge Ram is far better than the model it replaces, but does it have what it takes to compete with the Tundra, Chevy Silverado and Ford F-150? We took a loaded Laramie Quad Cab into the Autoblog Garage to find out.

It came equipped with four full doors, leather seats, navigation, moon roof, and the innovative RamBox among its many options. The most expensive option was the crew cab configuration itself, which allows seating for five very full-sized adults.



Before we go any further, we want you to know that we didn't tow anything with our Ram, and the closest we got to testing payload was a set of golf clubs, six folding chairs and a wood table. We did, however, test the Ram as an everyday driver, keeping a keen eye on comfort, performance and style.



The '94 Dodge Ram carved its niche in the pickup truck market with big rig styling. For 2009, the exterior design gets aggressive and more sophisticated at the same time. Looking at the Ram head-on is like staring down the class bully after tossing your chocolate milk at him. Our Laramie tester came with a standard chrome bumper to match the massive chrome cross-hair grille. Lording over the grille is the largest Ram's head to ever take the lead on a Dodge pickup. The Ram's new hood is more shapely than the model it replaces, too, with a large power dome framing up that forward leaning grille and a second scoop that adds more space for the HEMI V8 below. The Ram's headlamps are stamped into sheetmetal that flows into the bulging front wheel wells, adding to an already athletic appearance.



The 2009 Ram also adds an industry first optional storage space on each side of the bed. Dodge calls this clever storage space RamBox, and it's lockable, weather-proof and large enough to fit a set of golf clubs. RamBox is a nifty feature, but we're guessing it won't be as popular as we originally thought. First off, it costs $1,895, which is a steep price to pay for covered storage. The RamBox also takes up the usable bed space underneath the rails. That may not be a big deal for the Ram owner that doesn't use his or her truck for work, but many use every square inch of their truck bed.



Dodge engineers did a great job of making their bread and butter pickup truck look as good or better than any full-size truck on the market. It's on the inside, though, where the new Ram really shines. The Ram bucks Chrysler's trend of 'cheaper is better' interior design with high quality materials, well thought-out ergonomics and seats fit for a king. A big and tall king. Stepping into the Ram for the first time, we were shocked at how well put together this pickup truck really is. Could this interior possibly come from the same company that also gave us the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Caliber? The dash materials are soft and supple, even besting the look and feel of competitors like the Ford F-150. 




As good as the Ram interior is, it's not without its drawbacks. For one, Ford out-packaged the new Ram by adding a completely flat floor in front of the F-150's second row of seats. The Ram makes due with lumpier, more traditional flooring that inhibits the ability to haul large objects away from the elements. Getting into our Laramie tester was a challenge, too. Without a sidestep, we had to leverage the Ram's steering wheel for entry. The sidestep is available as an option, so we suggest checking that box if you're in the market for a new Ram. The Ram also falls behind with a smallish navigation screen that's dwarfed by some of the new screens nestled in the center stacks of the competition. The nav system is intuitive to use, however, so function counts for something. 



Chrysler marketing is known for its clever naming schemes like RamBox and Sto 'N Go. For the new Ram, we'd like to suggest Sho N' Go because it looks damn good and, thanks to a greatly improved HEMI V8, it goes pretty well, too. The 5.7L HEMI engine gains 45 horsepower for 2009, bumping the power quotient to 390 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. The power was increased through the use of stronger cylinder heads and variable valve timing. We were thrilled with the Ram's straight-line acceleration, and the roar of the legendary HEMI caused us to test its limits often. The Ram's five-speed automatic falls one cog short of the competition, but we really didn't want for an extra gear. The automatic provided smooth, predictable shifts, and when pushed hard cut through gears plenty fast enough for any sporty pickup. The 5.7L V8 also has Chrysler's MDS system, which shuts off four cylinders at highway speeds. The system is pretty aggressive and the fuel-saving tech kicked in at speeds of up to 75 miles-per-hour.



Dodge takes pride in the fact that its Ram is faster than the domestic competition. Dodge even claims better fuel economy when towing 5,000 pounds while still reaching 60 mph in less time. The Ram doesn't keep up with Ford and Chevy in one category, though: towing. The Ram can haul 9,100 lbs in its strongest configuration, which is over 1,000 pounds less than the competition. The Ram also falls far short of the F-150 in payload with an 1,850 lb capacity that falls far short of Ford's 3,030 lb capacity. 



The culprit for the deficiency in capability is, in part, the Ram's unique multi-link coil spring suspension. The single stage suspension setup was chosen by Dodge to give the new Ram superior ride and handling on the road. On that front, we say "Mission accomplished." The Ram drives like a well-heeled wagon, soaking up bumps in the road and delivering a glassy-smooth ride reminiscent of a Lincoln Town Car. Driving the Ram is almost like playing a racing game with the rumble function turned off; it's gaming room smooth. That's great for the casual truck driver that just wants something big, bedded and cozy. But we're guessing the hard-core truck buyer who makes money with his pickup would prefer a stronger suspension to a smoother ride. 



The 2009 Dodge Ram is still a very strong entry from the guys and gals in Auburn Hills. It looks great, performs like a track car on growth hormones and drives like a well mannered SUV. While it appears the new Ram was developed more for the boat-towing, camper-hauling types, we don't think this Dodge would be out of place on a construction site. It doesn't have the job-site credentials of the Silverado or F-150, but you should probably be looking at heavy duty pickups if you're regularly towing more than 9,100 lbs, and Dodge has a new heavy duty 2500 on the way. Now, if we can just get the team responsible for the Ram's interior to give a makeover to the rest of Chrysler's lineup, Team Pentastar may be on to something.

Tags: 2009 dodge ram, 2009DodgeRam, 5.7l hemi v8, 5.7lHemiV8, featured, hemi v8, HemiV8,dodge ram, laramie

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LusoMotors LM23 rolling prototype ready for its closeup

 

 

Last July, we told you about the latest rolling homage introduced by Portuguese car design and development house LusoMotors. While our previous post featured a gallery of naked chassis and finished product renderings, we now have pics of the rolling prototype. Dubbed the LM23, this bathtub racer is nothing sort of an updated Lotus 23B for the street. Well, it is likely to spend more time on the track, but it is ostensibly streetable.

Set to go head-to-head with cars like the Ariel Atom, Radical SR3, KTM X-Bow, Brooks Double R, et al, this featherweight flyer features a steel tube frame chassis under its shapely foam-sandwich metal body. Track-ready details include inboard-mounted coilovers and brakes, plus an integrated roll bar.

This first roller is powered by a 150-horsepower, 1.0-liter Honda CBR1000 engine mated to a six-speed sequential transmission. Weighing just 881 pounds, 150 hp should be more than enough to get this thing around a track with alacrity, but LusoMotors founder Ernesto Freitas says customers can choose a number of different engines, including a Subaru turbo boxer. Kit prices are expected to start at €15,000 (around $23,600 USD) minus the engine. The line forms to the right.

Tags: Honda CBR, HondaCbr, lm23, luso motors, lusomotors, lusomotors lm23, LusomotorsLm23, track day, track day car, track day special, TrackDay, TrackDayCar, TrackDaySpecial

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Lamborghini Reventon up for sale in Silicon Valley

Even with a limited run of 20, a seven-figure price tag and ten making to the United States, you can bet there were more people who wanted to get their hands on a Lamborghini Reventon than there were examples on the market. However, one man's loss will be another man's gain, and a Reventon has just popped up for sale in California.

For those who've forgotten already, the Reventon was a special rebodied version of Lamborghini's flagship Murcielago supercar. It was named after a famous matador-killing fighting bull, painted any color the customer wanted (as long as it was grey – Grigio Reventon to be specific), treated to the very best the company had to offer and slapped with such a mark-up it'd leave a handprint on your face. But even with such a gargantuan sticker price, buyers knew it was bound to become an instant collectors' item. Case in point: this example, originally purchased eight months ago in St. Louis, has only 73 miles on the odometer, which we think is criminal. Let's hope someone buys it and drives it like it's meant to be driven.

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Volkswagen Finish 1-2 in Dakar

 The Volkswagen team made motorsport history in Argentina today (Sunday), claiming the first diesel-powered victory in the history of the world’s toughest motorsport event, the Dakar Rally. Not only that, but the team’s South African driver, Giniel de Villiers, led home a Volkswagen 1-2.

De Villiers, his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz, and their TDI-engined Race Touareg crossed the Buenos Aires finish line – after more than 5000 km of competitive rallying – nearly nine minutes ahead of the sister Volkswagen of USA/South Africa pairing Mark Miller and Ralph Pitchford. Third place went to American Hummer pilot Robby Gordon, who was more than 100 minutes adrift.

De Villiers, 36, was ecstatic: ‘I am so happy to have clinched it for Volkswagen. This victory is worth more to me than any of the titles I won in touring car racing. The key to our success was the Race Touareg, which ran like a charm throughout, and I want to thank everyone at Volkswagen for that. I won the first Dakar Rally not staged in Africa, and it was the toughest event I have ever contested: definitely a genuine Dakar Rally.’

Kris Nissen, Volkswagen Motorsport Director, added: ‘We did it. We wanted to be the first manufacturer to win the Dakar Rally with diesel power, and we have achieved that, and with a one-two victory at that, beating our strongest rivals Mitsubishi and BMW.’ Carlos Sainz, who took six of Volkswagen’s 10 special stage victories before crashing out of the rally while leading, paid tribute: ‘Giniel and Dirk deserved to win this tough rally. One must never underestimate the Dakar Rally; you must prevail against it to win.’

There was jubilation in the team also that the Race Touareg of German pairing Dieter Depping and Timo Gottschalk made it to the finish; they placed sixth overall, well over eight hours behind, after several setbacks.

Volkswagen’s 2009 Dakar Rally achievement is the second time that the manufacturer has claimed a 1-2: in 1980, Swede Freddy Kotulinsky and Frenchman Patrick Zaniroli raced their Iltis machines to the top two overall. The Volkswagen win brings to a close seven years of domination by Mitsubishi.

Dakar Rally provisional final standings

1	Giniel de Villiers (RSA) / Dirk von Zitzewitz (GER)	Volkswagen	48h 10m 57s
2	Mark Miller (USA) / Ralph Pitchford (RSA)	Volkswagen	+8m 59s
3	Robby Gordon / Andy Grider (USA)	Hummer	+1h 46m 15s
4	Ivar Tollefsen (NOR) / Quin Evans (GB)	Nissan	+6h 04m 34s
5	Krzysztof Holowczyz (PL) / Jean-Marc Fortin (B)	Nissan	+6h 37m 49s
6	Dieter Depping / Timo Gottschalk (GER)	Volkswagen	+8h 43m 29s

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Concept BlueSport

Maximum driving fun with minimal fuel consumption: This is the standard by which Volkswagen is starting the new car year 2009 and is presenting the roadster Concept BlueSport at the North American International Auto Show.

“The BlueSport proves to be a compact and passionate car with a clear Volkswagen signature. The car offers pure dynamics with a powerful 180 PS Clean Diesel engine that is combined with the characteristic Volkswagen philosophy of efficiency,” confirmed Volkswagen’s Chairman of the Board, Prof. Martin Winterkorn in Detroit.

The Concept BlueSport is making its appearance at the car show in Detroit with a Flex Silver exterior and orange fabric convertible top. “It is the symbiosis of outstanding technology and timeless Volkswagen design that makes this car an exceptional sports car. Its styling is clear and is reduced to the essentials; the car body itself has a lean and linear structure”, explains Volkswagen chief designer Walter de Silva. The interior shows finesse in details and conveys a high level of technological fascination. Immediately visible to the eye is the intuitive and easy to operate touchscreen. Perfectly adapted to the interior are the leather upholstered seats in lightweight construction with their single-piece seatbacks.

Behind the two sport seats of the 3.99 meter long Concept BlueSport, a 132 kW / 180 PS strong Clean Diesel (TDI) with common rail injection and downstream NOx storage catalytic converter delivers dynamic performance. A 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission – the most economical and agile transmission system in the world – transfers power to the rear wheels. In just 6.6 seconds the sports car is moving at 100 km/h; its top speed is 226 km/h. Also having a positive impact on the car’s low fuel consumption of just 4.3 l/100 km and reduced emissions are two technologies that are part of the so-called Eco mode: an automatic start-stop system and energy regeneration. Together they propel the Concept BlueSport to an additional fuel savings of up to 0.2 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving.

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The Roadster Sport

Tesla Motors Inc. began taking orders today for the Roadster Sport, a high-performance sports car based on the world’s leading all-electric, zero-emission vehicle.

The Roadster Sport accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, compared with 3.9 seconds for the standard Roadster. It comes with a hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque. In addition to Yokohama’s Ultra High Performance tyres, the Roadster Sport has improved suspension with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver’s preference.

The Roadster Sport starts at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. Deliveries begin in late June.

“This car can beat nearly anything in its price class – yet it is twice as efficient as compact hybrid sedans,” said Michael van der Sande, Tesla’s senior vice president of global sales, service and marketing. “If you refuse to compromise on performance or the environment, the Roadster Sport is your only option.”

The Roadster Sport is the first derivative of Tesla’s proprietary, patented powertrain. San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla plans to begin producing the all-electric, zero-emssion Model S five-passenger sedan in 2011.

Tesla has delivered more than 150 Roadsters to customers, and about 1,100 people are on the waiting list. Customers who haven’t taken delivery may upgrade to the Roadster Sport.

“The Roadster Sport embodies Tesla’s spirit of continuous improvement,” said CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “The Roadster has been a great success, but no one at this company remains satisfied with the status quo.”

About Tesla Motors

Tesla Motors develops and manufactures all-electric, zero-emission vehicles with exceptional design, performance and efficiency. The Roadster, which conforms to all U.S. and E.U. safety and durability standards, is the only highway-capable production electric car for sale in the United States and Europe. With a 0 to 60 mph acceleration of 3.9 seconds and a 14,000 rpm redline, the Roadster delivers super car performance with far more energy efficiency than compact hybrids. Tesla also plans to begin manufacturing a four-door, five-passenger, all-electric, zero-emission luxury sedan in 2011.

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Dodge Circuit EV

The Dodge Circuit EV displays bold exterior and interior styling with outstanding performance, zero gasoline consumption and zero tailpipe emissions.

The Dodge Circuit EV design screams pure sports car from every angle. The Dodge Circuit EV’s profile demonstrates perfect proportions for balanced handling, placing the driver and passenger midway along the wheelbase. At the front of the vehicle, the distinctive Dodge crosshair grille splits the wind, sending it over the long, low hood and cleanly over the windshield and cockpit. The body sides feature a deep scallop, providing visual depth and also a functional rear-brake air duct. At the rear, the functional elements blend with design to create a uniform finish.

“The exterior styling of the Dodge Circuit EV mates bold Dodge styling to the no-compromise performance attributes of an all-electric performance sports car,” said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Design, Chrysler LLC. “The Dodge Circuit EV offers an extremely fun-to-drive, expressive sports car without fuel consumption and with virtually no impact on the environment.”

The Dodge Circuit EV is adorned in all-new “Tangoreen” exterior color, wearing large “EV” graphics on both sides of the sports car.

The uncomplicated interior of the Dodge Circuit EV delivers a combination of pure function and athletic refinement. The cockpit design puts complete control of the car at the driver’s fingertips. Nestled within a leather-covered instrument cluster are two primary analog-face gauges. A digital display conveys information regarding the electric-drive system.

The seats feature deep bolsters and are covered in premium leather. The same premium leather covers the center console and the width of the instrument panel. 
The Dodge Circuit EV delivers all of the convenience features of a performance sports car, including premium sound system, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, speed control.

Propelled by a completely electric ENVI drivetrain, the Dodge Circuit EV posts impressive performance numbers: 

• 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds 
• ¼-mile in 13 seconds 
• Top speed of more than 120 mph

Perhaps the most impressive Dodge Circuit EV number, however, is zero. That’s how much gasoline the vehicle consumes while providing exhilarating sports car performance. It’s also how much tailpipe emissions are produced.

The Dodge Circuit EV utilizes just three powertrain components. These include a 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow.

Working with the latest advanced lithium-ion battery technology, the Dodge Circuit EV has a driving range of 150 to 200 miles between charges – more than triple the average daily commute of most consumers. Recharging the vehicle is a simple one-step process: plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet. The recharge time can be cut in half by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet.

The Dodge Circuit EV offers driving enthusiasts a performance sports car that can be driven to work every day – without consuming gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions.

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Renault F1 Team unveils new car

The ING Renault F1 Team officially launched its 2009 season today as the new Renault F1 R29 was unveiled to the world’s media at the Algarve Motor Park near Portimao in the south of Portugal.

Both the team’s race drivers, Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet, were on hand this morning to take the covers off their new challenger as they joined Managing Director Flavio Briatore for a photo call with the R29 in front of the team’s pit garage. They were joined by young Frenchman, Romain Grosjean, who was announced as the team’s third driver for 2009, and the latest recruits from Renault’s Driver Development Programme: Davide Valsecchi from Italy, Charles Pic from France and Marco Sorensen from Denmark.

With radical revisions to the sport’s technical regulations introduced this year, the R29 incorporates a new design philosophy and looks very different from its predecessor. Great attention has been paid to maximizing the new rules and the team is optimistic about its chances for the year ahead, as Flavio Briatore explained: “We began our preparations for the R29 project early and I am proud of what the team has achieved. There are lots of new things to deal with this year, which could shake things up, but we intend to continue fighting at the front. We will now concentrate on our final preparations for the start of the season so that we can arrive in Australia hopefully fighting for the podium.”

Both Fernando and Nelson were delighted to get their hands on the R29 so early in the year. Having followed the car’s progress closely over the winter, they paid tribute to the work done by the staff in the factories in Enstone and Viry. “The team has had a very busy development programme to allow us to be ready for the first January test with the new car,” said Fernando. “Now we are all looking forward to seeing the result of all that effort on the racetrack.”

ING Renault F1 Team President Bernard Rey also confirmed the commitment of Renault to the sport ahead of the new season. “This team is the proof of the ability of the Renault Group to obtain results and success at the very highest level,” said Rey. “The team will therefore be supported by the whole Group throughout the challenges that lie ahead this year.”

After the photo call, the R29 made its track debut as Nelson kicked off the team’s winter development programme at the Algarve Motor Park. “It feels great to be in the R29, even though the weather was not great,” said Nelson after his first day in the car. “Today was all about adding miles to the car, collecting data and learning as much as we could. Hopefully the rest of the week will allow us to build on the progress we have made today.”

The car featured a fresh new livery in the colours of the team’s principal partner ING, as well as eye-catching Total branding following confirmation of a new three-year technical partnership with Total Group. "We're very pleased to continue our sponsorship and Technology Partnership with ING Renault F1 Team," said Christophe de Margerie, CEO, Total. “It's a great partnership for Total group to be aligned with Renault in a legacy of excellence, as well as providing a good global venue for our brand presence. For Total, another key benefit – apart from winning Formula 1 races with a truly outstanding motorsports team – is to use our on-track research and testing to develop and deliver new and more efficient products that benefit everyday drivers under the most demanding driving conditions."

The ING Renault F1 Team will remain in the Algarve until Thursday to continue with its testing programme. Nelson will be in the R29 for a second day tomorrow before handing it over to Fernando for the final two days.

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New Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

The successful Porsche 911 GT3 RSR takes off into the new model year with extensive modifications. 

The most powerful race car based on the Porsche 911, which last season secured wins in the American Le Mans Series and at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, competes in the GT2 class in international long distance races. The most distinguishing feature of the new GT3 RSR is the re-designed nose with its large air outlets on the front panel. Furthermore, major changes were made to this quickest 911 beneath its light-weight bodyshell

Noticeable at first sight are the air outlet slots, the so-called louvres, on the nose panel which otherwise would cover the luggage area on the road car. This is an indication of the completely re-designed air ducting for the radiators, which became necessary through the new design of supply and discharge air with the installation of an optional air-conditioning unit. The aerodynamics beneath the rear of the car also underwent further optimisation. Up above, the rear wing now features a wider adjustment range. And the weight-optimised braking system and the lighter wiring harness contribute to further improved handling, compared to the prior model.

The capacity of the well-known six-cylinder horizontally-opposed ‘boxer’ engine has been increased from 3.8 to 4.0-litres. After another reduction in the size of the air restrictors for the 2009 season (as mandated by governing body of world motor sport), the engine now delivers around 450 bhp (331 kW) at 7,800 rpm, and develops a maximum torque of 430 Nm at 7,250 rpm. The rev limiter of the efficient six-cylinder unit kicks in at 9,000 rpm. Compared to its forerunner, the rev level for a given power output has been significantly lowered. Thanks to this, the engine features an optimized torque curve, which results in better driveability.

In the cockpit, a new multi-function display located above the dashboard indicates the optimum time to change gears. Another new feature is the programmable multi-function, on-board supply system control device, giving teams the choice of many individual functions. One of these is the infinitely adjustable blinking frequency of the lights in the front apron, which helps to immediately recognise race cars when they enter the pits at night-time in long distance endurance events. For easier servicing under race conditions, other modifications were made. The GT3 RSR now features a new air-jack system with over-pressure valve. The oil re-fill with fast filling function has now moved to the rear lid, giving mechanics better access.

Aside from GT3 Cup and the GT3 Cup S, the GT3 RSR is the third race car based on the Porsche 911 offered by Porsche Motorsport. About 20 of the successful long distance racers have been built in Weissach and are now being delivered to customer teams around the world. The GT3 RSR costs 380,000 Euro plus VAT specific to each country. 

Technical Description Porsche GT3 RSR (2009)

Engine: Water-cooled, six-cylinder boxer engine; four valves per cylinder; dry sump lubrication; individual throttle butterflies; fuel injection; air restrictors 2 x 29.5 mm.

Bore: 102.7 mm

Stroke: 80.4 mm

Capacity: 3,996 cc

Power output: 331 kW (450 bhp) at 7,800 rpm

Max. Torque: 430 Nm at 7,250 rpm

Max. revs: 9,400 rpm

Transmission: Six-speed gearbox with sequential jaw-type shift; oil/water heat exchanger; single-mass flywheel; hydraulic disengagement lever; three-plate carbon-fibre clutch; rear wheel drive; limited-slip differential 45/65%

Body: Monocoque body (basis GT3 RS) of hot-galvanised steel; aerodynamically optimised front end with front spoiler; aerodynamically optimised front underfloor; adjustable rear wing; 90-litre safety fuel tank with fast filling function; air jack; welded-in safety cage; bucket-type racing seat (on driver's side only) with flame-resistant seat cover; six-point seat belt adapted for use of the HANS Head and Neck Support; electric fire-extinguishing system.

Suspension: Front: McPherson spring strut axle; Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and ancillary spring); front axle arms adjustable for camber; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar on both sides; power steering.
Rear: Multi-arm axle with rigidly mounted axle sub-frame; Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and auxiliary spring); rear axle tie-bar reinforced and infinitely adjustable; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar on both sides. Complete suspension infinitely adjustable (height, camber, track).

Brakes: Brake system with balance bar control.
Front: Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers; inner-vented, 380 mm in diameter; racing brake pads.
Rear: Single-piece four-piston aluminium fixed callipers; inner-vented, 355 mm in diameter; racing brake pads.

Wheels: Front: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (11J x 18-34); central bolt;
Rear: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (13J x 18-12.5); central bolt.

Electrical System: Motec display with integrated data recording; multi-function display with integrated gearshift indicator; adjustable traction control; battery: 12 volt, 50 Ah, 140 Ah alternator.

Weight: Approx. 1,220 kg complying with A.C.O. regulations,1,245 kg complying with FIA regulations.

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