Audi A6 Luxury Car obtains Detroit Auto Show Award

The 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit honored the Audi A6 model the EyesOn Design Award for the “Best Production Vehicle.” This is the fourth time in the previous three years that Audi has won the EyesOn Design Awards.

The new Audi A6 2012 models will appear in dealerships in the fall of 2011. The new model has a sporty believe to the design along with a roomy interior. The interior has curvy design features all over. The body is made out of aluminum and high-tech steel building it light but sturdy at the same time said the auto manufacturer. Options existing for the Audi A6 comprise LED headlights, front seats with ventilation and massage functions, and ambient lighting inside the car.

Other EyesOn Design Awards that Audi received comprises the 2010 “Best Production Vehicle” award for the Audi A8 sedan model which began selling this past fall. In 2009, the auto maker was moreover awarded the “Best Concept Vehicle” for their Audi Sportback Concept car.

Ford C-Max was predictable, hybrid model wasn't

With the Fiesta, Ford started to carry its European-designed cars to the U.S. This endeavor has been followed through with the new Focus and the C-Max people carrier, the latter at present sold in Europe. Ford formerly noticed the C-Max would be coming to the U.S.

But kept undisclosed until the 2011 Detroit auto show was the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Both models use a hybrid system like to that establish in the Ford Fusion Hybrid, an Atkinson cycle engine paired with an electric traction motor, letting the cars drive under electric power alone at speeds up to 47 mph.

However the C-Max hybrids get an enhancement on this system using lithium ion batteries as a substitute of the Fusion Hybrid's nickel metal hydride. With this new battery pack, Ford is expecting the C-Max hybrid to obtain better fuel economy than the Fusion Hybrid.

The plug-in version, called the C-Max Energi, appends a plug port to the left face fender of the car. The Energi drives in electric mode when it has a completely charged battery, switching to normal hybrid drive when the battery obtains depleted. Ford does not indicate an electric range, which we would not anticipate to be much, but overall the car can go about 500 miles.

Chevy Sonic unites in the small car boom

GM showed three small car designs, aiming to shuck its old SUV habit and cater to economic-minded buyers. After some time spent sifting the group, GM settled on one of the cars, making it as the Chevy Spark in Europe, but not in the U.S.

After some dithering, the company came up with a new, somewhat larger, less funky looking version of the Spark aimed at the U.S. This new car is called the Sonic, and substitutes the current Aveo.

The Sonic is a small car, but appears considerable, with a stance evocative of Scion models. Some features take over directly from the European Spark, such as the rear door handles set into the side graphic, and the compact instrument cluster module.

However the Sonic has a more conservative looking join between hood and cabin than the Spark. Engines are also suitably sized for the U.S., with option of a 1.8-liter four cylinder or a turbocharged 1.4-liter.

Production starts this year, and GM is proud to point out that the Sonic will be the only small car built in the U.S., bringing 1,000 latest jobs to the Detroit area.

Electric Ford Focus will go on auction this year

Ford established the electric Focus at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The car is predictable to go up to 100 miles on an electric charge.

The automaker says the Focus can be fully charged in three to four hours using a 240-volt outlet. That's half the time it receives to charge the Nissan Leaf, a competitor that went on sale last month.

Ford also said its fuel efficiency numbers will be spirited with the Leaf. Late last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated the Leaf would acquire the equivalent of 106 miles per gallon in city driving and 92 miles per gallon on the highway. The EPA determined the figures by approximation it will cost $561 per year in electricity to charge the car.

Ford said the Focus will have a distinctive, Microsoft-designed powering feature that will charge the vehicle throughout off-peak hours, when utility rates are cheapest, to put aside on electric bills. It also contains a touch screen with in order such as the amount of charge left, the distance to the next charging station and the amount of gasoline saved.

Pricing wasn't declared and the Leaf begins at $32,780, except it is eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit that drops the price to $25,780.

The electric Focus will be Ford's primary electric car on the market. It started selling an electric version of the Transit Connect van last year. The Chevrolet Volt, an electric car with a small gas engine that takes over if the charge runs out, is the only other electric car on sale in the U.S. right now, however other competitors are planning to bring in electrics soon. In 2012, Toyota plans to start selling an electric RAV4 crossover, Chrysler plans an electric Fiat 500 mini car and Honda will sell an electric version of the Fit subcompact.

Ford said it plans to commence four other electric vehicles in North America and Europe over the next two years. The electric Focus will go on sale in Europe next year.

GM's Buick to obtain luxury compact for initial time

For the first time in its history, General Motors' Buick luxury brand will obtain an upscale compact car.

The company says it will reveal the Buick Verano on Monday at the Detroit auto show, GM's only new model to first appearance at the event.

The Verano is a small car based on the Chevrolet Cruze that GM says is designed to contend against the Audi A3 and Volvo S40 in the entry-level luxury market.

GM engineers say they go to large lengths to build the car different from the Cruze, pretty its conduct and ride with a suspension borrowed from Europe's Opel Astra, altering the body to give it a more sculpted, aerodynamic appear and building the car quieter with improved insulation and window glass. GM also says the car has a far more luxurious interior than the Cruze.

In past years, GM was guilty of selling the similar car across many of its brands with only minor cosmetic differences between them. However Jim Federico, the car's chief engineer, said the Verano will be far unlike from the Cruze to contend with difficult European and Japanese luxury brands.

The Verano, to be built in Michigan, will appear in showrooms a short time in the fourth quarter. Pricing was not declared, but the car is expected to cost somewhere between the luxury version of the Cruze, which starts approximately $22,000, and the midsize Buick Regal, which starts approximately $26,000.

The car also is predictable to be a focus for younger buyers, serving Buick as it endeavors to shed its image of offering cars for senior citizens. Last year the standard age of a Buick buyer was 65.

Buick sales increased 52 percent last year with a series of revamped models such as the Regal and LaCrosse bigger luxury sedan.

Higher fuel economy standards get effect for 2012 models

The 2012 new car models are shipping previously, lead by the 2012 Ford Focus scheduled to reach your destination at dealerships this month.

These are the first new cars that have to obey with new, stricter fuel economy standards passed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2009. The changes are the first major raise in fuel economy standards for cars as the requirements at first took effect in the 1970s. Automakers are predictable to take on a wide range of technologies to meet the new targets, as well as direct injection, continuously variable transmissions, hybrid systems, and plug-in electric cars.

The new standards need a new-car Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) of average 33.3 mpg this year and light trucks to average 25.4, for an overall average of 29.7 mpg. These standards are planned to ramp up all the way to 34.1 mpg overall by 2016.

Under the new system, each automaker has an independent fuel economy goal to meet, based on the types and sizes of vehicles it plans to create. But on average, the new standards are supposed to raise overall fuel economy by 16 percent this year and by a third by 2016.

These fuel economy developments are supposed to keep 61 billion gallons of fuel and decrease carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 654.7 million metric tons, according to NHTSA.

The chart above shows how the necessities ramp up throughout 2016, not counting some loopholes and credits offered to the automakers.

Buy 2011 Cruze and Get iPad Free now

Harris Oceanside has declared that they will present a free iPad or set of snow tires for any Nanaimo Chevy shopper who orders a new Chevy Cruze before January 10, 2011.

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze reinstated the Cobalt as the compact car from General Motors' volume division. Cruze is a 4-door sedan that appears in LS, LT, LTZ, and fuel-economy-oriented Eco trim levels. The LS has a 136-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, the LT, LTZ, and Eco utilize a 138-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission is offered on all models.

Among the offered features are a wireless cell-phone link and navigation system. Cruze Eco models have ultra-low-rolling-resistance tires and other aerodynamic tweaks designed to raise fuel economy. Available on the LT and LTZ is an RS Appearance Package, which comprises specific wheels and exterior trim.

The new compact Chevrolet Cruze is not only a good attractive vehicle, however also boasts many safety features for Nanaimo Chevrolet Cruze drivers.

Hyundai obtains Wraps off 2012 Grandeur (Azera)

Back in November, Hyundai exposed a sketch of its upcoming 2012 Grandeur, known as the Azera in the U.S. Now, we can fetch you the first look of the genuine thing thanks to a Hyundai promotional video and prelaunch site.

Rather obviously given Hyundai’s new design sketches, the production 2012 Hyundai Grandeur is a dead-ringer for the sketches exposed in November. And this is no bad thing as the Grandeur renderings were quite striking, giving the Grandeur/Azera an upscale look be suitable a car far above the current Azera’s initial price of just over $25,000.

The only notable modifications we observe are a slight redesign of the grille, toning the styling down by making the edges slightly softer and the taillights. Alters to the taillights are very minimal as the central portion is currently clear with wraparound brake lights rather than a u-shaped, clear, central insert sandwiched by red brake lights.

In the video, Hyundai also discloses the interior for the first time, showing what appears to be an very upscale cabin. We’ll have to stay and see it in person for ourselves to build a final judgment on materials, however given our experiences with the new Sonata, we have high trusts.

Although the car shown here is technically the Korean market Grandeur, it should be almost the same to the U.S.-spec Azera. We’ll reportedly observe the new Azera at the Chicago Auto Show in February. We’re also inquisitive about accurately how Hyundai will position the Azera between the Sonata and Genesis sedans.

Check out the Grandeur reveals video below:

In 2010, Sales Six Lakh Units Hyundai Car

Hyundai Motor India’s run in the Indian car market has achieved a new landmark – 6 lakh units in this calendar year, which is a record event for its occurrence here. The company’s CEO and MD observed this by saying that the occasion, the second ever achievement by any company, proved to be a testament in the emergent popularity of the company’s products. He acknowledged the self-assurance reposed by the customers all during these years and hinted that the company is looking forward for further success in the years to come. He said Hyundai Motors would provide the customers with world class products and perfect service renderings.

The Hyundai sales in 2010 comprise of the company’s premier products of all ranges – Hyundai Santro compact to Santa Fe luxury SUV. With its product variety and strong marketing volume Hyundai seized a market share of 20%. The product range comprises 7 models spread to 47 variants suited for the domestic market.

The export volume is 42% of its net production stretch to more than120 countries of which i10 has been the flagship model. By landing in the lands of India in 1996, the company's first effort was with the start of Hyundai Santro two years later. This feat comes after the achievement formed in November when the sale volume peaked to 20 million units in the domestic market alone.