NSX Anyone?
You won't see it until at least 2013, but this fabulous new Honda NSX concept surely announces a welcome return to sexy-car-form for Honda
NSX-lovers just got their overdue Christmas present as Honda finally release official details of their next NSX supercar, a whole seven years after the original groundbreaking, mid-engine, 2-seater trick and treat NSX was put out to pasture. And while Honda must make their next NSX with a whole lot more of the good-green-stuff sprinkled throughout; we can see a ghost of the original, Ayrton Senna-honed NSX in this Detroit concept. The force is strong, as they say.
While still in concept form and called, as usual, an Acura (Hondas for the U.S market), Honda have all but concreted the production of the new NSX, for before 2015. It'll be developed by Honda R&D Americas and manufactured in their Ohio plant. Uh oh, you say, but it's unlikely the Japanese engineers will let the NSX slip into handling like a knock-kneed Mustang!
Original NSX fans will remember the V6 petrol motor, super-lightweight aluminium body, chassis and suspension, modern if understated styling and an insatiable appetite for the corners. Well, the new car will get a petrol V6 VTEC, mounted in the middle, super-lightweight construction materials - mostly the currently trendy carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) – ultra-modern, overstated styling and, critically for Honda’s sustainability plans, a boost of fossil fuel-saving electric power, with two electric motors up front; one in each wheel. There will also be an electric motor out back to assist the V6 in cruising duties. So, we’re looking at a potential output of around 400bhp, with stacks of electric-motor-torque for serious acceleration. Honda call the new system Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, or Super Handling All Wheel Drive, to you and I.
So, that’s a lot of motors for the new NSX, giving this space-age-stunner four-wheel drive traction but without the necessity for a bhp-draining driveshaft between front and rear axles, diffs and all the heavy jazz. Also, with an electric motor for each front wheel, controlling those wheels for acceleration and anti-slip will be precise and responsive, with eye-widening cornering potential. Well, you can’t have a new NSX without plenty of hot new tech!
It’s great to see Honda back on track, forging ahead with a stunningly technically superior new supercar, doing something they clearly love to do, and that they do so well. And for Christmas 2015 we want an "R" version, painted pure Honda racing white, dripping in raw carbon fiber, and even lighter and faster than ever!
New Accord???
2012 Hyundai Elantra - 2012 North American Car of the Year
Two levels of risers, 40 feet wide and 8 feet deep, were packed with photographers shooting the unveiling of the company's newest model, the Genesis Coupe, described by the company as the big brother of the Hyundai siblings.
The show itself is like a neighborhood car lot on steroids. Giant video screens, bright flooring under the cars and flashing lights add to the hyperactive mood as carmakers are each assigned times to unveil their latest models.
Each unveiling is viewed by crowds that are about 85 percent male, while tall thin women in very tight dresses stand next to many of the new model cars.
Hyundai also unveiled its Velostar Turbo, a small sports model that, for the show, was tricked out with racing decals that would make a state police officer salivate on the speed gun.
The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque won the North American Truck of the Year.
Fifty automotive journalists voted on the winning vehicles from a group of finalists.
John Krafcik, Hyundai's North American CEO, said the award won't help the compact's sales much because the company already is selling as many Elantras as it can make at its factory in Montgomery, Ala.
Hyundai sold more than 186,000 Elantras last year, nearly a 41 percent increase over 2010 figures.
The award should help solidify the brand's image in the eyes of the American public, especially in the highly competitive compact car segment.
The North American International Auto Show is holding media previews this week and opens to the public on Saturday.
Veloster Turbo...
We’ve already been given details on Hyundai‘s upcoming Veloster Turbo, now we’ve actually seen it in the flesh. Unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the car is projected to go on sale this summer and sports a blown and intercooled version of the 1.6-liter, direct injected Gamma four-cylinder under the hood.
Rated at 201 horsepower and 194 lb-ft of torque (across a wide 1750 to 4500 rpm spread) the motor sports a twin-scroll turbocharger contained within a housing integrated with the exhaust manifold, designed to improve throttle response and promote lower combustion chamber temperatures, plus a motor driven electrical wastegate and compact side-by side configuration intercooler. Dished pistons with cooling jets and a low friction valvetrain are also employed for durability.
Besides the choice of six-speed manual and six-speed dual clutch automatic transmissions, quicker ratio steering, unique body pieces and special 18-inch wheels shod in Kumho 215/40ZR/18 tires promise to make the Veloster quite an entertaining machine to drive, in view of its 2,800 lb curb weight, which is 77 lbs less than the Honda Civic Si coupe and 237 less than the VW GTI.
Inside, the Veloster Turbo comes with standard heated front seats and dual TFT screens between the speedometer and rev counter, designed to keep the driver informed of what’s going on at all times.
For those that can’t wait until August, Hyundai also released the virtual Veloster Turbo for Forza Motorsport 4 at the same time the actual car made its world debut, giving both gamers and enthusiasts alike, a chance to have some fun with Hyundai’s latest sporty offering before it actually goes on sale.
GALLERY: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Debut
GALLERY: Hyundai Veloster Turbo
Electric Elantra...
- Looks like: The gas-only Elantra, with a big helping of EV stickers
- Defining characteristics: All-electric drivetrain, 124-mile range, 27-kilowatt-hour lithium-polymer battery pack, 90 mph top speed
- Ridiculous features: In the past, maybe the electric drivetrain, but no more
- Chance of being mass-produced: Hyundai says this is just a concept for now
Not to be left out of the electric-vehicle frenzy, Hyundai showed an all-electric version of its Elantra compact sedan at the 2012 Detroit auto show. It's purely a concept car at the moment, but it's yet more evidence of the weight automakers are giving to electric cars.
If it weren't for the elaborate graphics the Elantra Electric wouldn't have trouble blending in with its gas-only counterpart. The concept also gets a few extra badges, slightly different wheels and a unique Hyundai badge on the grille.
The big changes, however, are beneath the sheet metal, where the conventional four-cylinder powertrain has been swapped with an electric drivetrain. It consists of an 80-kilowatt motor powered by a 27-kilowatt-hour lithium-polymer battery pack. Hyundai claims the combination provides a driving range of 124 miles. The 6.6-kilowatt onboard charger enables a depleted battery to be replenished in five hours on 220-volt service, according to Hyundai.
- Hyundai has applied a mid-cycle face-lift to its 2013 Genesis Coupe.
- The 2013 Genesis Coupe goes on sale in early spring.
- Both the turbocharged 2.0 and the 3.8 V6 have been enhanced and can be ordered with a new eight-speed automatic.
DETROIT — Hyundai has applied a midcycle face-lift to its 2013 Genesis Coupe, which goes on sale in early spring in the U.S.
The Korean automaker redesigned the car's front end, including front fascia, grille, hood, headlamps, foglamps and taillamps, and is offering new 18- and 19-inch wheels.
But a bigger story lies under the hood, where both the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.8-liter V6 engines have been enhanced and now can be ordered with a new eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
The 2.0T gets a redesigned, twin-scroll turbocharger and a larger intercooler, and now makes 274 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Like the V6, the four-cylinder can be mated to either the eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. With the eight-speed, EPA fuel economy rises to 20 mpg in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway.
The 3.8 V6 has been fitted with direct injection, resulting in a significant boost in output and torque, to 348 hp and 295 lb-ft, respectively. While fuel economy has been improved, so has performance. Hyundai says the 2013 Genesis Coupe 3.8 accelerates from 0-60 in less than 5.5 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 149 mph.
Other enhancements included a retuned suspension, restyled interior and the availability of Hyundai's BlueLink telematics system on the 2013 Genesis Coupe 3.8 Grand Touring/Track and 2.0T Premium editions.
General Motors unveiled a new small crossover for its Buick line that the company says will help attract more young, luxury oriented drivers when it goes on sale early next year.
View full size2013 Buick Encore
"Buick is bringing new buyers to GM and helping us take market share in North America," GM product development vice president Mary Barra said before showing off the Buick Encore.
Similar in size to GM's Chevrolet Equinox, product development chief Ed Welburn said the Encore will be quieter and more refined.
The crossover will feature a quiet cabin and voice-activated controls for entertainment systems, similar to Ford's Sync system.
GM Chief Executive Dan Akerson said he expects the Encore to help GM shift from getting the bulk of its profits from trucks to getting them from passenger cars and crossovers.
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