Honda Plug-In Hybrid Coming in 2012

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has given a look at the direction Honda will be taking in the coming years, putting strong emphasis on small cars and hybrids. At his annual mid-year speech, Ito gave a rough outline of the Japanese automaker’s future direction, while dropping a few important notes about new products.

Two important new hybrids will join the automaker’s lineup: a revised Civic Hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The Civic Hybrid (which will be the only version of the Civic Honda plans to sell in Japan in the future) will toss its conventional nickle metal hydride battery for a more advanced lithium ion unit, that will be more powerful and more compact. That model is set to debut in 2012 in both the U.S. and Japan.

That same year Honda also intends to bring a plug-in hybrid model to market. It’s not yet clear if this will be a version of the Civic Hybrid, or perhaps a version of the Insight or CR-Z.

In addition, Honda will expand its hybrid lineup with a long list of small cars, many of which are also tipped to include hybrid drivetrains. The first of these will be the Fit Hybrid, which is set to debut this Fall – possibly at the Paris Auto Show.

Honda is expected to stick with it’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid setup for these new models. While not as sophisticated as Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, nor as good on fuel, it is significantly less expensive, allowing Honda to equip smaller cars with the system and to sell them at more affordable rates.

In the same timeframe Honda is expected to debut a new small car for emerging markets like India. Last year Honda hinted at the direction this new model would take when it unveiled its New Small Concept at the Auto Expo show in New Delhi, India.

Beyond 2012, Honda will look to add electric vehicles to its lineup, improve upon its gasoline and diesel engines, with a new diesel engine being developed for Europe that is smaller than the current 2.2-liter offering). Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles are also in the automaker’s plans, with Ito commenting that the company’s FCX Clarity, “will provide the ultimate mobility.”-autoguide.

Jaguar XKR Speed car review

First revealed at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar XKR Speed and Black Pack are a further evolution of one of Britain’s best sports cars.

With more aggressive looks and a top speed extended to 174mph, the £3,500 Speed Pack is aimed at a new breed of XK owner, who are just as likely to head to the track as away on a weekend jaunt.

The wonderful 5-litre supercharged V8 remains the same – no bad thing – with 510bhp, 461lb/ft of pulling power and one of the best noises there is.

It sprints the refined XKR Speed from zero to 62mph in 4.6 seconds and its six-speed automatic gearbox changes gears with finesse.

The Speed Pack takes care of the business end of things, while the Black Pack de-chromes most of the car, replacing the shiny addenda with painted parts, to give the XKR Speed and Black Pack its sultry looks.

Now limited to 174mph

The engine and gearbox have been recalibrated to allow its 174mph top speed, up from a limited 155mph. With this new headline figure in mind, the XKR Speed has a revised front aerodynamic splitter and larger rear spoiler to reduce lift.

Full gallery: Jaguar XKR Speed and Black Pack

Jaguar’s computer-controlled Active Differential Control also adjusts according to speed to reduce steering sensitivity and improve stability at high speeds.

Body-coloured side skirts, a rear diffuser, chrome window surrounds, mesh front grilles, red brake callipers with Jaguar ‘R’ logo and 20-inch alloy wheels complete the package.

Seven colours will be available – black, white, red, silver, grey and two shades of blue, and it’s the first three which Jaguar feel suits the harder nature of the XKR Speed best.

Jaguar’s take on the GT3

Customers who order both the £4,000 Speed and Black Pack will have a car with exclusive looks more closely prescribed by Jaguar. Available only in the aforementioned red, white or black with 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels and an optional ‘XKR’ side body graphic, this is Jaguar’s equivalent of the Porsche 911 GT3.

Interior finishes can be specified to the owner’s taste, with dark oak, dark mesh, aluminium and piano black available.

On the roads around Goodwood there’s only one word to describe the XKR Speed and Black Pack: ‘sublime’. If ever there needs to be proof a seriously fast car can be comfortable as well, this is it.

No matter what the speed or how bad the road surface, the Jag remains perfectly poised and composed, leaving driver and passenger unruffled. Amazingly, in its softest setting, it seems to ride just as comfortably as the recently-launched flagship Jaguar XJ.

Turn the dial to Competition mode and the suspension does get harder and gear changes are faster, but this mode is better suited to a track than Britain’s roads.

The cost of exclusivity

However, this is really a styling package at heart, and unless you regularly drive above 155mph a standard XKR is just as good to drive.

So, it’s the exclusivity and edgy looks which are really on offer, and at this end of the sports car market, £4,000 on top of the £74,955 asking price of an XKR Coupe represents good value-for-money.

The Speed and Black pack are available now, and to reflect their sporting focus, they can only be specified with the Jaguar XKR Coupe.-autotrader.

Key facts:

Model tested: Jaguar XKR 5.0 V8 Coupe Speed and Black Pack
On the road price: £78,955
Price range: £61,955 – £80,955
Date tested: July 2010
Road tester: Andy Goodwin

New Peugeot to boast diesel-electric hybrid power

508 will use diesel-electric hybrid power as well as 'stop and start' technology

Due to be formally unveiled at the Paris motor show this October, the 508 will be, unsurprisingly, slightly bigger than the outgoing 407, and slightly smaller than the rarely-seen 607.

Stemming from Peugeot's SR1 concept car, the 508 cuts a slightly more Germanic form than either of its predecessors, although the firm says it will be full of French chic that is "equally at home in Paris or London".

According to Peugeot, the 508 has been designed to reduce weight, enhance environmental efficiency and improve aerodynamics.

Expected to go on sale in the UK next spring, engines offered for the new car will include Peugeot's new e-HDI stop and start system, claimed to improve fuel economy by up to 15 per cent.

After launch, Peugeot's diesel-electric HYbrid4 technology will be made available, providing 200bhp, all-wheel drive and emissions of 99g/km – or zero in electric-only mode.

An estate (SW) version of the 508 will be available at launch, along with the saloon, and both will be produced at Peugeot's factory at Rennes, in France, for the European market and, in 2001, in China for the Chinese market.-telegraph.co.

Hyundai IM30 spyshot and information

In 2010 Hyundai will launch 2 new MPV.first is 5 seat Kia Venga’s size Mpv and the second is we report now is Hyundai IM30.is designed to rival Opel Zafira and actually the successor of the Trajet. we look at spyshost the car may be not as long as 4.8 meter as autoten.com report before

http://autoten.com/2010/01/17/hyundai-will-launch-two-new-mpv-models-in-2010/

Hyundai is report want to get benchmark of VW interiors and driving dynamics.this car will recive styling cue from Hyundai  HED-5  Concept that debut in 2008 LA Auto Show .

The i30 MPV is five-and seven-seat MPV.The i30 MPV, such as the internal name suggests based on the i30. However, the basis is formed by the next generation I30 , which is expected in 2012. Compared to the hatchback, the wheelbase increasing by 10 cm. The axes are 2.75 meters apart. The space vehicle measuring 4.48 meters and has a width and height of successively 1.80 and 1.61 meters. An optional third row of seats available, making the seven-seat MPV has to offer.

 expect the U-II 1.7-liter diesel unit debuted with the Hyundai ix35 in 2009 that will produce  113 hp and up to 255 Nm of torque. CO2 emissions were listed at 139 grams per kilometre. featuring with VGT-variable geometry turbocharger and   a 2.0 Diesel worth 136 HP/236 Ft Lb Torque

the petrol 1.6 lier and 2.0-liter Theta Turbo GDI engine.  as first Hyundai plans to launch this car in late 2010/ but latest report from telegraaf. of Nedtherland Hyundai will  launch launch this car  in December 2011 instead of the second half of 2010.We do not want one of the MPV in the shadow of another comes up,” explains from Hyundai. “Moreover, we have for the next two years a full agenda. By i30 MPV at a later date to give us reduce the pressure on the organization. ”-autoten.

The latest Garmin map for Malaysia & Singapore dated 19.07.2010

The latest Garmin map for Malaysia & Singapore dated 19.07.2010 is now available for downloading. Click HERE to download.