Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Infiniti FX Limited Edition, 2010

Infiniti FX Limited Edition, 2010

 
 
The Infiniti FX Line of performance crossovers might already be one of the rarest and best equipped cars in its class but this has not stopped customers demanding an even more exclusive version. Infiniti is responding with a very special, limited run of the FX37S and FX50S called, simply, the Infiniti FX Limited Edition.

The Infiniti FX Limited Edition will be rare indeed. Availability has been strictly limited to just 100 units across Western Europe. Based on the already dramatic looking FX37S and FX50S, the Limited Edition features striking Black Obsidian 'Scratch Guard' paintwork as standard, with equally distinctive Moonlight White pearl metallic available as an option. Unique 21 inch 'Turbine' design alloy wheels are finished in dark Graphite, as are the radiator grille, air vents and roof rails.

The Infiniti FX Limited Edition's interior is equally breathtaking. Opening one of the doors reveals illuminated 'Infiniti' entry guards and a carefully co-ordinated combination of the finest natural materials, including supple Graphite leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and a luxurious Alcantara® headlining. Genuine Carbon fibre is used extensively on the dashboard, centre console and door panels, replacing the standard cello flame maple wood veneer. Completing the Infiniti FX Limited Edition's extensive standard specification, Infiniti's state-of-the-art Connectiviti+ technology package provides a fully integrated navigation, communication and entertainment system including an 11-speaker Bose® Premium Sound System, the Michelin Guide, full iPod connectivity and a 10GB music box with Gracenotes database. An option on the standard FX37S, this is joined on both the V6 and V8 engined Limited Editions by Infiniti's unique Around View Monitor.

Exterior styling
With its breathtaking combination of sports car proportions and muscular SUV stance, the FX is an unmistakable performance luxury crossover. The Infiniti FX Limited Edition accentuates these unique design qualities with a choice of standard Black Obsidian 'Scratch Guard' paint or optional Moonlight White pearl metallic, together with dark smoked headlight surrounds that give the Infiniti FX Limited Edition a more distinctive 'face'.

Further drama comes courtesy of the Infiniti FX Limited Edition's 'Turbine' design alloys wheels, so called because the spokes of the wheels are shaped in such a way as aid the flow of cooling air to the sports brakes. Uniquely finished in dark graphite grey - together with the distinctive 'double-wave' radiator grille, air vents and roof rails - they are fitted with 265/45 R21W tyres and fill the wheel arches to perfection.

Interior environment
The Infiniti philosophy of Modern Luxury is exemplified in the Infiniti FX Limited Edition's stylish and comprehensively appointed interior. From the supple Graphite leather upholstery complete with quilted stitching, to the opulent Alcantara® trimmed headlining and roof pillars and wool carpets, only the finest natural materials are used. Illuminated 'Infiniti' door entry guards are also unique to the Infiniti FX Limited Edition.

The extensive use of genuine carbon fibre across the dashboard, centre console and door panels provides an appropriately high-tech contrast to the soft-touch natural materials and provides a fitting backdrop to the Infiniti FX Limited Edition's standard Connectiviti+ infotainment system. Employing the very latest Hard Disk Drive (HDD) technology it features a fully integrated satellite navigation system with 42-country, Europewide coverage and, in a world-first collaboration with Michelin Green Guide, a database of some 22,000 addresses, which enables the location and booking of leading hotels and restaurants while on the move.

The Connectiviti+ multi-media system also includes a powerful 11-speaker Bose Premium Sound System, a 10GB direct record Music Box that can store up to 300 albums' worth of your favourite music, plus a DVD player, USB port for MP3 players and Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone connectivity.

Additional standard equipment includes electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, an electric sunroof, Infiniti's keyless entry and start system, and magnesium paddle shifts that work in conjunction with the seven-speed automatic gearbox. Also included is startling performance that sees the V8 powered Limited Edition speeding to 62mph in just 5.8 seconds with the V6 version only a second behind. Traction in all weathers is assured by intelligently controlled, all-wheel drive.

Infiniti FX technical highlights
    * Fusion of sports car and SUV
    * Choice of 320PS 3.7-litre V6 or potent 390PS 5.0-litre V8
    * Standard seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift
    * Intelligent All-Wheel Drive
    * Suspension with active Continuous Damping Control (CDC)
    * Class leading handling
    * Standard Rear Active Steer (RAS) on V8-engined model
    * Lightest SUV in its class
    * Advanced features including Around View Monitor
    * EuroNCAP 5 star safety rating

Hyundai i-flow Concept, 2010

Hyundai i-flow Concept, 2010

 
 
 
 Making its global debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the Hyundai i-flow Concept car carries forward the company's evocative new form language, 'fluidic sculpture'. The flowing, elegant lines not only create a bionic, futuristic shape, but also contribute to exceptional aerodynamics, helping to reduce the car's CO2 output to just 85g/km and fuel consumption to only 3l/100km.

Hyundai's first diesel hybrid powertrain is also a key factor in delivering such an environmentally-conscious return, as is the application of next-generation materials and technologies developed in cooperation with leading chemical company BASF.

Previewing a future D-segment contender
With an overall length of 4.780mm and a 2.800mm wheelbase, the Hyundai i-flow Concept brings new ideas and a pioneering form to the traditional European D-segment. The dramatically-sculpted forms of the interior and exterior make for a striking sports sedan, and its width and height (1.850mm and 1.420mm respectively) give it an athletic stance.

The name i-flow reflects the exceptionally aerodynamic shape and the flowing lines of the concept car's eye-catching styling, and retains the 'i' prefix of Hyundai's established alphanumeric nomenclature for Europe. In 2011 Hyundai will bring into production a new challenger in the segment, drawing on the Hyundai i-flow Concept's sleek styling and innovative technology.

The evolution of 'fluidic sculpture'
Thomas Buerkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Motor Europe, appraises the design concept of i-flow, or HED-7, the seventh in a series of daring concept cars to be born in the Russelsheim styling studio:
Hyundai i-flow Concept

Inside: minimum weight, maximum space and a bionic feel
The interior of Hyundai i-flow Concept redefines the perception of space in a sedan bodystyle. Fundamental elements, such as the seats and center console, were crafted for minimal weight and volume using cutting-edge materials from BASF - one of the world's leading automotive suppliers.

The seats, for example, were developed in conjunction with BASF using advanced stress analysis, which highlighted the unnecessary mass areas and pointed towards an optimized lightweight seat structure. 'Steron', a BASF material, gives the seats a highly-resilient quality, excellent breathability and a high-tech touch.

The upper dashboard, meanwhile, is treated with Elastoskin, a sprayed skin from BASF for a sophisticated, shimmering finish.

This technical, meticulous approach combines with an abundance of natural materials to engender a bionic feel in the cabin, further symbolized by the green color tones and the leaf-like shadows projected from the roof's semi-transparent dye-sensitized solar cells.

The cockpit's main interface centers around an expansive, contoured screen, which recognizes not only touch but also gestural inputs along its fascia-wide display. The fluidic forms of the exterior are echoed in the Hyundai i-flow Concept's cabin, where continuous lines sweep from the dashboard, through the doors to the open storage area at the rear.

The innovative, B-pillarless doors allow comfortable ingress and egress for passengers. The front door is hinged at the A-pillar, and the rear door swings backwards on an intelligent hinge arm system to allow unrestricted access to the rear seats. Additionally the front seats can be turned 30° towards the outside, to invite the driver and co-driver to enter the ultramodern lightweight seats.

An eco-technological test bed
The Hyundai i-flow Concept is a test bed for new energy harvesting ideas, ranging from flexible solar panel roofing to a thermo-electric generator. The key technical components of the vehicle have been developed by Hyundai under the Blue Drive™ banner in cooperation with BASF. Blue Drive™ remains at the heart of Hyundai's product development strategy, and continues to drive the company towards its target of global leadership in environmentally-sensitive technologies.

A focal point of Hyundai i-flow Concept is its extraordinary CO2 emissions level of just 85g/km. The car uses efficient aerodynamics, energy harvesting technologies and weight-saving materials to significantly undercut the current average for a D-segment sedan. Furthermore, the company's first diesel-electric hybrid powertrain runs the exciting new U2 1,7-liter engine augmented by two-stage turbocharging and Hyundai's Lithium Ion-Polymer battery to give a very efficient and advanced combination, particularly when partnered with Hyundai i-flow Concept's six-speed, dual-clutch transmission.

Hyundai ix-onic Concept, 2009

Hyundai ix-onic Concept, 2009

 
The designed to assertive but not aggressive, the Hyundai ix-onic Concept (pronounced "ik-sonnik") combines dynamic styling with an environmentally-friendly power train and thoughtful everyday utility. It creates a vehicle that will change the way consumers think about compact crossover vehicles.
With an overall length of 4,400mm, the 1,850mm-wide and 1,650mm-high Hyundai ix-onic Concept has an imposing stance and road presence but takes up little more space on the road than a C-segment hatchback.

The Key attributes of Hyundai's 'dynamic sculpture' design philosophy are the athleticism and sophistication that ix-onic demonstrates through its dynamic and flowing lines. These are emphasised by specially developed, high-contrast exterior paint. Employing an advanced-effect pigment, the innovative paint gives the car's skin a brilliant shine.

The hexagonal grille is a further evolution of the style introduced on the 2006 Genus concept car and developed for its appearance on the Hyundai i-mode concept in 2008. The headlamps feature innovative LED daytime running lights which move down electrically whenever the 'dipped beam' is switched on.

The profile of Hyundai ix-onic Concept features a dynamic glass line and a sports car-like theme with a muscular, double-zigzag treatment for the wheel arches that wrap around the 21-inch polished alloy wheels. Unusually, the concave sills have a wedge-shaped profile which extends rearwards and wraps around into the rear bumper. The sills and bumper are finished in a contrasting colour, with an aluminium garnish that echoes the trim in the door handles to enhance the perception of premium quality.

With high-mounted tail lamps, multi-surfaced glass and a sculpted bumper, the rear of Hyundai ix-onic Concept also incorporates 'dynamic design' elements. The rear lamp clusters feature a grille mesh inspired by nature, while the rear bumper also neatly incorporates the dual, polished aluminium exhaust tailpipes.

The rear window has been designed and produced by Hyundai in close cooperation with the QarmaQ-partner SABIC Innovative Plastics. Using Lexan high-performance plastics instead of conventional glass enabled the designers to give the rear window a much more three-dimensional shape. On each side of the rear window two vertical spoilers are integrated to reduce aerodynamic drag. The upper part of the window features a strongly concave shape to make it possible to integrate the roof spoiler in the rear window.

The Inside, the five-seater Hyundai ix-onic Concept offers a commanding view of the road and evokes an adventurous ambience that is also laid-back and relaxing.

An X-shaped visual theme is repeated across numerous areas of the cabin, with embossed leather to accentuate key areas while light-alloy magnesium accents provide flashes of visual brilliance. The sleek shapes of the interior are outlined with 'ice blue' seams that replicate the colour of both the ribbed ice blue floor carpet, which contains a high percentage of natural cashmere wool, and the exterior.

Shapely seats feature centre panels trimmed in breathable fabric with attractive and functional cushion side bolsters, plus additional lateral support for occupants' shoulders - all trimmed in contrasting magnesium grey.

The mounted much higher than usual in the doors, the audio speakers present occupants with a true and highly detailed, top-quality sound reproduction. The interior rear-view mirror has a 'blind spot' warning light that alerts the driver to other road users in close proximity.

The Beneath its sensational exterior, the Hyundai ix-onic Concept's power train is equipped with a 170PS, 1.6-litre GDi turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine, with ISG (Idle Stop & Go) technology and a double-clutch six-speed transmission. Power is transferred to the road by an intelligent four-wheel drive system fine-tuned to deliver outstanding on-road driving dynamics, together with significant off-road ability. The next-generation, eco-friendly engine emits just 149 g/km of CO2, an impressive figure for an SUV and comparable with conventional hatchbacks and superminis.

Hyundai Blue-Will Concept, 2009

Hyundai Blue-Will Concept, 2009


 
The Hyundai has revealed the first pictures of an innovative plug-in hybrid Hyundai Blue-Will Concept car. It has exceptionally advanced technology crammed inside its striking bodyshell.
The Recycled PET soft drink bottles were used to make the material for the headlamp bezels while use has also been made of bio-plastics: PLA for the interior while PA11 was specified for the engine cover. These materials are made from plants extract rather than fossil fuels and are bio-degradable.

The Hyundai Blue-Will Concept is powered by an all-aluminium Gasoline Direct Injected 1.6-litre engine which is coupled to a Continuously Variable Transmission and a 100kw electric motor which is at the heart of Hyundai's parallel hybrid drive architecture.

The Electric power, stored by a Lithium Ion Polymer battery pack, is neatly bundled with the fuel tank under the rear seat to maximise luggage space.
The Hyundai will be the first automaker in the world to apply Lithium Ion Polymer in a mass production vehicle.
A further expression of the concept's design flexibility is found on the panoramic roof. The glass area integrates dye-sensitized solar cells which can generate power for the batteries from the sun without impeding visibility.

Hummer H3T Alpha, 2009

Hummer H3T Alpha, 2009

 
 
 HUMMER is bringing its unmistakable style and unmatched capability to the truck market with the 2009 H3T. It is based on the architecture of the popular H3, but features a five-passenger crew cab and a separate five-foot-long (1.5 meters) bed.

The Hummer H3T is bigger than a midsize truck and smaller than a full-size truck, creating its own niche in the market. It also is infused with the attributes expected of a HUMMER, including exceptional off-road capability and a premium interior that is as functional as it is comfortable.

In addition to its segment-defying size, The Hummer H3T also stands apart from other trucks with its signature HUMMER off-road capability. It is the only midsize truck to come standard with full-time four-wheel drive, 32-inch tires and functional skid shields. It also is the only midsize truck to offer front and rear locking differentials, as well as 33-inch tires. The V-8-powered H3T Alpha can tow up to 5,900 pounds (2,676 kg).

The Hummer H3T is offered in four trim levels, including five-cylinder models and the popular, V-8-powered H3T Alpha edition. Production is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2008 at GM's Shreveport, La., assembly plant, with vehicles arriving at HUMMER dealerships shortly thereafter. HUMMER will sell The Hummer H3T in North America, Europe and the Middle East.

Design
Like all HUMMER models, The Hummer H3T has a purposeful design. Its consistent and iconic styling cues include a wide, aggressive stance; a low roofline and high beltline; and large, off-road tires. The wide, seven-slot grille and round headlamps mounted in square housings are signature HUMMER design elements.

The crew cab body shares H3 styling and components from the B-pillar forward, while the rear section of the cab and the separate bed are unique to The Hummer H3T. The five-foot bed is similar in design and function to GM's recently redesigned full-size trucks, including an easily removable tailgate and provisions for a bed-rail accessory system. A full-size spare tire is mounted beneath the bed.

The bed is sized to carry a wide range of popular outdoor necessities, from hauling motocross bikes to Baja, a quad to camp, or backcountry gear to the trailhead. One of the industry's largest portfolios of accessories complements The Hummer H3T's bed, offering different cargo management options to suit all of those lifestyle interests.

Accessories
One of the industry's broadest portfolios of vehicle accessories has been developed for The Hummer H3T. Centered on active lifestyles, items such as removable and lockable bed-mounted storage boxes; an adjustable bike chock that can be used to help secure mountain bikes or motorcycles; and a bed extender make full use of the standard bed-rail cargo management system. A range of additional accessories that improves off-road capabilities, provides passenger entertainment and enhances exterior styling is also available. There are more than 75 HUMMER Genuine Accessories offered.

In addition to the factory-developed accessory portfolio, HUMMER has partnered with top automotive aftermarket companies to develop more than 50 Officially Licensed HUMMER Accessories - a first for the brand. A variety of exterior enhancements, such as a Slant Back Bed Cover, hard tonneau covers and a winch are offered, along with cargo management solutions such as the BedSlide and bed divider, offering countless possibilities to personalize The Hummer H3T.

Interior
The Hummer H3T's crew cab cabin offers seating for five adults, with a 60/40-split rear bench seat that folds flat for increased cargo-carrying options. The cabin's layout is essentially identical to the acclaimed H3 SUV, with premium materials and attention to detail that give the vehicle a functional yet refined aesthetic.

Standard amenities also include air conditioning, power locks, power windows and remote keyless entry. An AM/FM radio with CD is standard and a premium Monsoon audio system is available. XM Satellite Radio also is standard and includes three months of trial service.

HUMMER's Rear Vision system and a navigation system are available. The Rear Vision system uses a camera mounted on the rear bumper, directly above the trailer hitch mount, to provide a view of objects directly behind the vehicle. Also, the safety and security of OnStar is standard, with Turn-By-Turn Navigation and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity available.

Powertrain
Standard in The Hummer H3T is the Vortec 3.7L I-5 with dual overhead cams and variable valve timing. This inline five-cylinder engine offers an excellent combination of power and efficiency, delivering 242 horsepower (180 kW) at 5600 rpm* and 242 lb.-ft. of torque (328 Nm) at 4600 rpm. It is backed by a five-speed manual transmission or an available four-speed, electronically controlled automatic.

The Hummer H3T Alpha's 5.3L engine is a powerful and efficient member of GM's legendary small-block V-8 family. It is rated at 300 horsepower (224 kW)* and 320 lb.-ft. of torque (434 Nm).* An aluminum cylinder block is used with the H3 Alpha's engine. It helps reduce overall mass and maintains a more desirable front-to-rear weight balance.

A Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is paired with the 5.3L engine. Flat towing is enabled on all H3 and H3T models.