In <b>pictures</b>: The best of the 2014 New York <b>Auto</b> Show - Gizmag |
- In <b>pictures</b>: The best of the 2014 New York <b>Auto</b> Show - Gizmag
- Volkswagen Service Excellence | <b>Car Pictures</b> Blog
- Vandals Flip Over Smart <b>Cars</b> in San Francisco | NBC Bay Area
| In <b>pictures</b>: The best of the 2014 New York <b>Auto</b> Show - Gizmag Posted: 21 Apr 2014 07:38 PM PDT Even though this year's Detroit and Geneva auto shows provided us with a number of big concept releases and production debuts, the New York Auto Show still remains one of North America's premier events. Gizmag was on the ground last week to investigate some of the show's more interesting debuts and North American reveals. Here's our first-hand look at some of the highlights and the key designs from the 2014 show. Koenigsegg Agera R The North American debut of the 1200 hp Swedish supercar was Koenigsegg's first foray back into the US since the recession. The US$1.6 million Agera R supercar was one of the more extreme and more impressive vehicles at the show. The carbon fiber-saturated car is powered by a handmade Koenigsegg 5 liter V8 bi-turbo that weighs only 197kg complete with flywheel, clutch, dry sump system and Inconel exhaust manifold. The car features superlight Aircore hollow carbon fiber wheels and a top speed of approximately 440 km/h (273mph). Koenigsegg reports the Agera R can throw down performance figures to the tune of 0-300 km/h (186 mph) in 14.53 seconds or brake from 300-0 km/h in only 6.66 sec. Corvette Z06 Coupe and Convertible One of the most anticipated of the North American releases was the Corvette Z06 coupe and convertible. Figures for the newer, faster 'Vette come in at 625 hp and 635 lb.ft of torque thanks to a supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 that sends power to the wheels via driver's choice of either a 7-speed manual gearbox or 8 speed autobox. Stylistically the car is even more aggressive thanks to a plethora of functional and aesthetic revisions that make it even more attractive than the standard Corvette in person. BMW i8 One of the most anticipated and visually outstanding vehicles of the New York Auto Show has to be BMW's i8. The i8 is the first plug-in hybrid vehicle from BMW Group and is considered one of its most revolutionary vehicles, regardless of power delivery systems. On display next to its less attractive sibling, the i3, the Protonic Blue i8 features dihedral doors, floating wings that flow off the roofline, a streamlined cabin, sleek hood and flank treatments, and an overall styling presence that frankly makes the rest of the BMW line up look a little dated. The i8 runs a tiny 1.5 liter 3-cylinder, twin-turbocharged engine that develops 231 hp and 236 lb.ft of torque. That power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox, whereas a synchronous electric motor, combined with a 2-stage automatic transmission, provides power to the front wheels to the tune of 131 hp and 184 lb.ft of torque. Overall, the i8 is a welcome view into the future of what large scale manufacturers can do with hybrid technology when the design guys and engineers get along. Nissan Murano Not quite in the same league as the Koenigsegg or the Corvette, Nissan's newly unveiled Murano is nonetheless an important new product for the manufacturer. Making its world debut at the NYC Auto Show the new Murano's styling is more dynamic than its predecessor, showing sculpting treatments similar to that of its stage mate – the Sport Sedan Concept. Under the hood the Murano receives power from Nissan's established 3.5 liter V-6 that's good for 260 horsepower and 240 lb.ft of torque. The now lighter Murano gets power to wheels via an Xtronic CVT transmission, while inside the crossover Nissan has done a decent job of tricking out the Murano with what it calls a "social lounge" interior treatment which delivers backseat occupants more leg room, USB ports and heated seats. The new Murano features a new instrument panel with 7 inch high-res Drive-Assist Display, plus the number of audio and navigation switches has been reduced from 25 to 10 for a more user-friendly experience. These were just a few of the highlights from the show. Check out the full photo gallery for more of the highlights. The 2014 New York Auto Show runs until April 27 at the Javits Center in Manhattan.  |
| Volkswagen Service Excellence | <b>Car Pictures</b> Blog Posted: 21 Apr 2014 03:05 PM PDT Volkswagen Service Excellence Vehicle maintenance is one of the most irritating things about owning a car, everybody has to do it but we need an easy and trust worthy solution when itcomes to keeping our car in the best shape. Volkswagen has launched a program called Volkswagen Service Excellence and it's offering competitive services and programmes with advantages for their new customers. Volkswagen Service Excellence is at the heart of Volkswagen's strategy to develop its business in the Middle East, the German auto manufacturer has 15 showrooms and 13 workshops and service centres region wide and it will expand to 18 showrooms and 17 workshops and service centres at the end of2014 The concept of this new program, Volkswagen Service Excellence, is the following: When you buy a new Volkswagen, whether you decide for a Polo Sedan, Passat or Touareg, you will benefit from different advantages and you will obtain everything your Volkswagen requires as their factory-trained technicians know each Volkswagen inside out. They're experienced pros with the latest diagnostic tools and up-to-the-minute repair techniques to fix your vehicle the first time around, they use the same high-quality, Volkswagen Genuine Parts, the same parts used on your Volkswagen when you bought it. "The Middle East is a very important region for Volkswagen and it is imperative that we attract and develop the right people. The careers portal has been introduced for this purpose. Our training and certification programmes, designed to international standards, will enable Volkswagen Middle East to grow our human capital as we expand across the region" saidThomas Milz, Managing Director of Volkswagen Middle East. Volkswagen Service Excellence is included in every new vehicle purchase. The package includes an inclusive 5 year Volkswagen unlimited mileage warranty, a 45,000km or 3 year free service contract and 1 year or 15,000 km service interval, along with other benefits that extend the life of your car,engine oil, air filter or even brake fluid and others are also covered within theVolkswagen Service Package and are due for repair or replacement in accordance to your scheduled service. With the Volkswagen Service Package you can enjoy servicing your new Volkswagen in any authorized Volkswagen Service Centre, free of charge from the date of the first registration, needless to say, with this program you will love to drive a Volkswagen, knowing that your car will stay brand new foryears. To get more follow this link: http://www.volkswagen-me.com/en-vwme/service/volkswagen-service-excellence.html |
| Vandals Flip Over Smart <b>Cars</b> in San Francisco | NBC Bay Area Posted: 07 Apr 2014 05:45 PM PDT Someone's been vandalizing compact Smart cars in San Francisco, flipping the tiny vehicles on their front and rear ends in the city's streets.
NBC Bay Area found four of the targeted Smart cars between Sunday night and Monday morning. Two were found in the Bernal Heights neighborhood on Anderson Street, and another was found a bit south on Sweeny and Bowdoin streets, closer to the Portola district. They were either sitting on their headlights, rear bumpers high in the air, or vice versa.  A fourth Smart car -- a small white one with a faded "Obama-Biden" bumper sticker -- was discovered Monday about 9 a.m. at Coso and Prospect avenues between the Mission District and Bernal Heights. Shelley Gallivan was babysitting her friend's Smart car after it was left to her by her late father, and was shocked to find it flipped on its right side. "Whoever is doing this just has misdirected anger," Gallivan said. San Francisco Police Officer Gordon Shyy said the suspects are still at large and will face felony vandalism charges if they are caught. Police do have an eye witness account to work from. Brandon Michael was out having a cigarette about 1 a.m. Monday when he spotted about six to eight people wearing hooded sweatshirts flip over the cars.
"They looked like they were up to no good," Michael said. "And sure enough, they huddled around it and lifted it up." And the vandalized cars? Michael said they reminded him of little dogs: "They look like they are dachshunds sitting up on their hind legs." Smart car representatives did not respond immediately for comment. Neighbors were puzzled at the odd sight. Smart cars are a mainstay for many in San Francisco, where parking is tight and drivers search for eco-friendly ways to get around. "I think it's a bunch of pranks," Dan Gomez said. "I don't know, it sounds kind of weird. I don't know why you would want to do that." Smart Automobile is headquartered in Boblingen, Germany, and has its primary assembly plant in Hambach, France. The idea for the car was hatched in early 1990s when Nicholas Hayek, the inventor of the Swatch watch, approached Mercedes-Benz to realize his vision of an "ultra-urban" car, according to the company website. The first Smart car came to the United States - specifically Manhattan - in 2008. The cars start at about $13,000 and the company brands its cars with a lower case "s." Tipping over large, heavy objects just for kicks is nothing new. High schoolers, football teams and fraternities have supposedly been tipping cows in pastures for years, and picking up VW bugs and moving them elsewhere was a minor fad back in the 1960s and 1970s. The exact motives behind the vandalism are unclear. The diminutive cars are smaller and lighter than most vehicles. A Smart car weighs about 1,500 pounds; a Ford Focus S Sedan weighs close to 3,000 pounds, and a Hummer clocks in at 8,600 pounds -- definitely a heft that would pose a flipping challenge. The VoiceofVancouver showed a video of people flipping over a Smart car in 2011 during a citywide riot, as did another YouTube user who showed people smashing the high-tech mini-car. In 2009, the Toronto Star wrote a piece, comparing the act of tipping over the pint-size vehicles as the modern-day equivalent of tipping over cows. The Smart car website has a forum with frustrated car owners discussing the pricey prank. And a parody Facebook page was set up called "Smart Car Tipping" by a creator who does not "practice, promote or condone Smart Car Tipping." One website, however, seemed to be cheering on the tipping. TotalFratMove.com called the Smart car tippers "heroes" and described the cars as "teensy little wheeled boxes."
NBC Bay Area's Cheryl Hurd contributed to this report. |
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