Maria Sharapova & Mark Webber take Porsche 918 Spyder on joyride [video]

Lucky Webber

Tennis star Maria Sharapova and Porsche driver Mark Webber had a run in the Porsche 918 Spyder supercar in Stuttgart, Germany. Sharapova was in town for the Porsche Grand Prix tournament, which she won a day after the video was released.

The Russian tennis player, currently ninth in the WTA women’s ranking, admitted she had a great time in the 918 Spyder, although she didn’t drive it. The Porsche brand ambassador said the hybrid vehicle is a little out of her price range. Webber in turn told journalists the car's performance is phenomenal.

Meanwhile, while Sharapova was in Stuttgart, her boyfriend – Grigor Dimitrov from Bulgaria, also had some great moments at the tennis court. He defeated Lukas Rosol to win the Nastase Tiriac Trophy in Bucharest, Romania, for his third ATP title.

Next-gen Volkswagen Beetle to gain Bulli, coupe and crossover derivatives - report

Volkswagen Bulli concept - 28.02.2011

Due in 2019

German media is reporting the next generation Volkswagen Beetle will spawn a sub-lineup consisting of retro-styled models.

According to Auto Bild, 2019 will be the year when Volkswagen is going to finally introduce a production version of the Bulli concept which will be longer and taller than the Beetle, with enough room inside to carry up to five passengers.

There will also be a high-riding crossover as a spiritual successor of the 2014 Beetle Dune concept that was unveiled in January at NAIAS in Detroit. It will be available with the 4Motion system and could be offered in a hybrid variant, along with a variety of frugal three- and four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines.

That's not all as Volkswagen is reportedly planning a sporty Beetle Coupe with 300 bhp (224 kW) and all-wheel drive. It will feature a unique hood and should come with narrow windows together with a high beltline, while under the hood it will also get the Golf GTD's 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbodiesel developing 181 hp (135 kW) and 280 lb-ft (379 Nm).

2019 is still a long way so for now we should take these rumors with a pinch of salt.

Note: Volkswagen Bulli concept pictured.

Nissan Lannia concept could go into production [video]

Would be aimed at Chinese consumers in their 20s & 30s

Nissan recently unveiled the Lannia concept at the Beijing Motor Show and the company is already hinting they could offer a production version.

In a press release, Nissan's Chief Planning Officer hinted "You can see that the car itself is much closer to a production type vehicle." Andy Palmer went on to say "Whilst we haven't confirmed yet that this will definitely go into production, I think it's definitely fair to say that we have every intention that this goes to market."

As we have previously reported, the Lannia concept is aimed at China's "balinghou" generation which is described as "digitally savvy, aspirational and the core driver of consumption in China." As for the car itself, it borrows a number of cues from other Nissan concepts including a V-motion front fascia, a "floating" roof and boomerang-shaped headlights.

 

Google autonomous driving system updated, can detect hundreds of objects simultaneously [video]

Company is focusing on city driving

We've haven't heard much about Google's autonomous driving system lately but that changes today as the company has revealed some new details about their progress.

In a blog post, Google's Director of the Self-Driving Car Project said their prototypes have logged "thousands of miles" of additional testing around their headquarters in Mountain View, California. Chris Urmson went on to say the company has shifted their focus to "mastering city street driving" as "a mile of city driving is much more complex than a mile of freeway driving, with hundreds of different objects moving according to different rules of the road in a small area."

As a result, Google has improved the system so it can detect "hundreds of distinct objects simultaneously" including pedestrians, cars and buses as well as a stop sign being held by a crossing guard and even a cyclist making gestures that indicate a possible turn. Urmson goes on to say street driving is "fairly predictable" for a computer and the company has built models that can expect predictable behaviors - such as cars stopping at red lights - as well as unusual behaviors such as cars running red lights.

While Urmson says there are still "lots of problems to solve," the company is growing more optimistic that they can achieve their goal of creating a car that doesn't require human intervention.

 

The 2013 Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave is making a comeback in 2013 with a revamped model of the previous 2008 version of it. The Enclave had first appeared in the market back in May 2008, and 2013 will witness a better and much more advanced version of the same Buick Enclave, just as the Traverse is going to debut in 2013 with a new model. The 2013 Enclave has a lot more to offer than the 2008 version. From the technical aspects to the appearance, this edition is surely going to have the critics working hard.

The mechanical and technical details are not very different from the earlier model. It is the appearance that has been hugely updated and is expected to set hearts soaring. The vehicle still features a 3.6 liters, 288hp and V-6 engine. There has been a slight modification with the six speed automatic transmission. The suspensions have also been modified with front and rear dampers. EPA fuel economy has been retained at 16/22 mpg and 17/24 mpg for all-wheel and front-wheel vehicles respectively. Hence, the overall mechanical aspects are similar to the outgoing version of the Buick Enclave 2008.

However, as far as looks are concerned, there have been a whole lot of additions and modifications to give it a fuller and better appearance. With the addition of HID headlamps and LED running lights, the car is a winner when it comes to illumination. The headlights are now accentuated with blue accent rings and available swivel action. Modifications have also been made to the grilles, hoods, fascia and wheels, but those are pretty minimal and not noteworthy by any chance. Under the hood, there have been a whole lot of modifications as well, with the restyled dashboard center stack and the greatest addition being the huge 7 inches full touch infotainment system. Supported by Buick's Intellilink interface, the infotainment system is really striking, with smartphone integration, Pandora Stitcher apps control and a backup camera as well. The ambient blue lighting inside also adds to the appeal of the car in the dark. Addition of airbags has also increased the level of safety.

If you are looking for a great vehicle which can provide you with nothing but sheer luxury and grandeur, the Buick Enclave is not the perfect car for you. It is more about comfort and performance, beautification and style. Compared to the 2008 version of Enclave, this one is brilliant in terms of appearance only, while the performance is almost the same for both the versions.

More Pictures of The 2013 Buick Enclave

Honda preparing a new Civic Type-R for 2013

The regular Civic hatch went on sale in 2011, and the company has built go-faster Type-R hot hatch versions for the past two generations.

This is the first evidence that a new one is in the pipeline. CAR's sources suggest we'll see the new Civic Type-R in 2013.

No, we wouldn't expect to see a whopping great big rear spoiler on the back of the Type-R either. It's likely that the engineers are playing with the aero package ahead of deciding on the roadgoing car's design.

Although Honda has shied away from performance derivatives in recent years, company top brass has pledged to return Honda to its sporting roots.

Hence the NSX concept car shown at the 2012 Detroit auto show. And we hear more Type-R sports derivatives are coming to add some zing to a brand whose allure has become slightly dulled in recent years.

Honda is busy rolling out a new family of engines, one of which will likely power the 2013 Civic Type-R. Under the catch-all banner of Earth Dreams Technology (how Honda is that?), the company has pledged to lower CO2 emissions by 30% by 2020.

That'll be achieved through a mix of engine tech, downsizing, hybrids and pure electric vehicles. We expect, however, that the new Civic Type-R will stick with a more conventional VTEC engine, rather than use an NSX-alike hybrid solution.

What with the new Focus ST, VW Golf GTI and Vauxhall Astra VXR looming, it seems that we may be about to repeat the 1980s all over again - with a batch of fun hot hatches to add interest to humdrum mainstream cars.

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2013 Ferrari California Unveiled

Sources at Ferrari say that production of the 2013 Ferrari California has already began, with the vehicle boasting of a V-8 engine powertrain that is a 2 door 2 passenger convertible. The vehicle is however expected to be first showcased at the Geneva Motor Show prior to its sale, this according to the 2013 Ferrari. According to the Italian manufacturer, the new model of the Ferrari California is expected to be faster than its predecessor as a weight reduction of the vehicle has been made and a slight boost of power also instituted in the 2013 model of the vehicle.

The new Ferrari California is 66 pounds lighter than the predecessor. In achieving this weight reduction, light weight aluminum has been used in the build of the vehicle. In using light weight aluminum in the build of the vehicle, it is said by Ferrari that the structural integrity of the vehicle has not in any way been negatively affected as what they have done is to use cutting edge technology in the build of their vehicle.

Both the horsepower and the torque of the vehicle have seen a significant increase compared to the previous Ferrari California. With the outgoing model clocking in 454 horsepower and 357 lb/ ft, an increase of 25 and 15 in horsepower and torque respectively is seen. The new Ferrari California clocks In 490 hp with 372 lb/ft of torque. To achieve this, a 4.3 liter V8 engine is in place in the vehicle and this also gives an opportunity of increases of this in the future with redesigned manifold and new software for the engine computer of the vehicle. This enables the vehicle to clock in very high RPM's and within a very short time. This is expected to have the new Ferrari to do a 0- 60 mph within 3.8 seconds.

Handling of the Ferrari California is also improved with the engineers of the new vehicle making use of magnetorheological dampeners that give a 50% higher response than in the outgoing model of the Ferrari and this is mainly due to a new software used in the vehicle. The vehicle also comes in stiffer springs and a faster power steering ratio that helps in the minimization of body Rolland also makes the vehicle more responsive to even the slightest of driver inputs.

Upon buying the vehicle, Ferrari is assuring customers of a free seven-year maintenance program. Though the model is already in production, the sale dates of the vehicle are still not yet known. The only details present are that the European market will receive the first deliveries, with the North American market being sold later on.

More Pictures of 2013 Ferrari California

Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG 2Look Edition

The unveiling of the Mercedes SL-Class two years ago also gave way to the arrival of the model's two performance-oriented models: the SL63 AMG and the SL65 AMG. The SL63 AMG model is regarded as an incredible machine, but it probably won't hurt if you give it the 2Look Edition upgrade that a lot of other Mercedes models have received, including the SL-Class.

The dynamic characteristic of the SL63 AMG 2Look Edition is clearly evident in the way the new components all come together to create a far more aggressive look for the SL63 AMG. Be it the new exterior digs, or the interior refinements, the SL63 AMG 2Look Edition comes with a comprehensive list that will turn an already powerful sports car into the envy of everybody. It is called "2Look" for a reason, right?

The 2Look package for the SL63 AMG will set you back 9,401 - about $13,000 based on current exchange rates. Add that to the 134.950 ($186,703) price for SL63 AMG and you're looking at a total price of 144,351 ($199,709). This package is also available on the SL65 AMG model for 5,355 - about $7,400. Unfortunately, the 2Look Edition is currently only available in Mercedes' home country of Germany.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG 2Look Edition.

Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG 2Look Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 25 April 2014 08:00 EST.

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2014 Cadillac ATS-V First Look

Big power, little package. That's what the industry is touting for the 2014 Cadillac ATS-V compact luxury performance sedan. Despite the success of the big brother CTS-V supercharged V8 sourced from the Corvette ZR1 program, industry rumors are spreading of a new twin-turbocharged V6 pushing roughly 400 horses under the right foot of early adopters - although we think that number is conservative now that the 3.6L DI V6 option was confirmed at 318hp for the standard ATS.

Based on the GM 'Alpha' platform, the ATS will be a familiar front-engine/rear-drive design, with an AWD option. Manual and automatic transmissions are offered in the plain-jane ATS, and we're guessing the ATS-V will follow the CTS-V with a proper driver's gearbox. It is unlikely that Cadillac will have an AWD system capable of handling the V's power in time, but don't count it out entirely. After all, GM has shipped plenty of vehicles with tire-melting power and marshmallow rear ends through the years.

The clear target is the BMW M3 which weighs about the same and outputs 420hp from its high-revving V8. The ATS-V has the opportunity to utilize its rumored turbochargers for more torque at a lower peak RPM and carry it longer than the Bavarian competition. The result would be a substantial seat-of-the-pants improvement and should put the 0-60 acceleration in the mid-4s.

According to online sources, Cadillac considered adding a station wagon and convertible to the ATS range. However, for the time being, those plans appear to have been put on ice. Luckily, the ATS Coupe is still on track, and we expect the production version to appear later this year at the L.A. Auto Show, or early next year in Detroit. An ATS-V Coupe powered by a turbocharged V-6, delivering somewhere in the region of 400 to 450 bhp (latest rumor puts it 470hp), is also likely and could be revealed at the same time. But let's not rule out a small-displacement V8 with forced induction just yet.

If the new ATS-V can combine good power with a proven suspension, like the magneto-rheological system found on the CTS-V, all for around $55,000, it could be a huge success. For comparison (USD): the M3 starts at $60,000; the C63 at $58,930; IS F $61,300.

No word yet on a release schedule, but expect the 2014 ATS-V to hit showrooms late 2013 or early 2014.

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Top Marques Monaco 2014 Photos

Well it's already that time of the year, the 2014 Top Marques Monaco event running from April 17th-20th, 2014.

Checkout all the live pictures on MadWhips.com as they hit the internet HERE: 2014 Top Marques Monaco Photos

[Source: www.topmarquesmonaco.com/]

2012 Mercedes-Benz E 250 Overview

When you look at a Mercedes E-class, you realize it is not just the work of a group of people. It is the result of a constantly refined tradition, with an unending story told best by the all new Mercedes E-250 Elegance. This baby not only has sleek aerodynamics that defines visual perfection, it has also provided a super smooth ride synonymous with comfort and elegance for over 100 years.

NEW MODEL

First introduced in2010, the current Mercedes Benz E-Class has been a top seller for the German luxury automaker and on March 2012 the 500000th E-Class sedan rolled off the production line in Sindelfingen, Germany. (This figure only represents the production of current generation e class sedans with exclusions of the E-Class coupe and e class cabriolet.) Their ingenuity not stopping short, the e class designers recently unveiled the hybrid version: the E-400 and E-350 Blue TEC Hybrid capable of 56 mpg on the European combined cycle.

COMFORT

This is one car you will not have to chew your lips off while stuck in traffic. A new chassis and dampers that adapt to the driving conditions make this as comfortable and cruisy as a luxury sedan can get. Sitting on the driver's seat alone is quite an experience and certainly only in few cars will you find the working of the gear lever transmitted electronically through a cable. It entails full Bluetooth audio streaming as well as a 6 GB hard drive to store your favorite tunes. Talking of music, it is played through Harman/Kardon LOGIC 7 surround system to cater for the long journeys. The rear seats are slightly reclining with plenty of head and leg room, which are very practical for a family car.

SAFETY

Want to die in an accident? Then don't drive an e class. Its safety measures entail the PRE -SAFE systems which not only tightens the seat belts before an unavoidable accident, but also automatically closes windows, sunroof, fills up air cushions on the multi -contour seats and even moves the front seats to a safer position in the crucial moments before an accident. It also includes 11 airbags: front, side and rear ones, pelvic bag, full size window-bags for driver and front passenger and a knee-bag for the driver. That aside, the prime thought that you are in a Mercedes E-Class is enough to prevent you from dying. Ha! Ha!

STYLISH

The E-Class is a beautiful car in its own right, and like BMW and AUDI its going for a more subtle look of sublime elegance, only that it's doing much better; you will surely want to have one of these.

HANDLING

The turning feel is so smooth, more like an S-Class than a C-Class that at times you forget you are connected to the front wheels. There is almost no feedback and the suspension is best suited for normal driving though when push comes to shove it responds with profound agility around tight corners and in sudden directional changes.

PERFORMANCE

Believe it or not, the 1.8L German engineered engine has the power output of engines with twice the capacity. The 1.8L E-250 CGI delivers 150kw (200bhp) and 310Nm of torque with a top speed of 242km/h and an acceleration from 0-100 km in 7.5 seconds. The more costly 2.1L E-250 CDI delivers the same power but with 500Nm of torque with a top speed of 240 km/h. its acceleration from rest to 100km/h is 7.7 seconds.

FUEL ECONOMY

If you have five woes and fuel bills is one of them, now you have four to worry about. The engine size is a pocket friendly 1.8L for the CGI, smaller than most cars in its league yet with power commensurate or greater than theirs. The fuel economy is more like a 1.5L Toyota at 7.6L/100km (for my drive it was 7.8L/100km which I did extensively enough,) and with an additional $ 320 you get the E-250 CDI with an unbelievably low 5.1L/km, only 0.1L/100km more than the overrated Toyota Camry Hybrid.

ECO-FRIENDLY
Mercedes has never believed in smoke screen as part of its defense, and the E-250 CDI takes it even higher by being the least polluting car in its range. It emits 154g/km of C02 and promises 47.1 mpg economy-an improvement of 20g/km and 4.4 mpg over the previous generation E-220 CDI. The E-250 CGI is the least polluting e class at 134g/km of CO2.

SHORTCOMINGS

Critics leveled against it suggest that the tail lights connote a Toyota-like appearance (many Mercedes owners hate Toyota.)

You also have to manually adjust your seat instead of electronically and that it lacks a reverse camera. The COMAND is not as intuitive as BMW's iDRIVE and the satellite navigation system is not as advanced as of the BMW 5 series.

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2013 GMC Acadia unveiled

One of the most popular vehicle models that bowed at the 2012 Chicago auto show is the 2013 GMC Acadia. Upon its first introduction into the market, this model was able to establish itself as one of the best in its class. As a result, General Motors has decided to upgrade this model and this eventually led to the production of the 2013 GMC Acadia.

When the 2013 GMC Acadia was unveiled at the 2012 Chicago auto show, a lot of car experts have noticed that the latest version of the iconic crossover model has received a major facelift from General Motors. This simply means that most of the dominant features of the previous year's version were changed and these changes allowed the new Acadia to have an image of its own.

When viewed in front, the 2013 GMC Acadia has a muscular stance. Due to this, the latest version looks more capable and intimidating. Thanks to its new upright design and the three-bar grille that was installed on the vehicle's front fascia. In addition to this, the vehicle is now fitted with a pair of LED running lights and these are offered as a standard feature of the vehicle.

Aside from the upgrades that were implemented in front, the Acadia's rear was also subjected to a few changes. The current model is now equipped with a wraparound rear glass and a new rear spoiler. The vehicle's rear bumper was redesigned and the primary purpose of this was to make the Acadia's front and rear portion quite coordinated.

General Motors has also revised the interior layout. But instead of using hard plastics and other cheap components, the company's designers decided to use more soft-touch materials inside the vehicle's cabin. Aside from that, the stitching that was used to fasten the soft-touch materials in place was also remarkable. On top of these, the ambient lighting that was installed inside the Acadia makes the vehicle's cabin look more elegant and upscale most especially at night.

In terms of performance, the 2013 GMC Acadia is still capable of towing a maximum load of up to 5,000 pounds. Its 3.6-liter direct injection V-6 engine allows the Acadia to generate a maximum power output of 288 horsepower. The engine is mated to an improved 6-speed automatic transmission that provides a better shifting response and drivability. Given this engine and transmission, the 2013 GMC Acadia with a front-wheel drive system obtains the fuel economy ratings of 17 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway.

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2013 Ford Explorer Sport Revealed

Ford Motor Company has recently provided the buying public and the rest of the automotive community with the key details regarding the range-topping 2013 Ford Explorer Sport. Although Ford failed to provide the vehicle model's price, the company has provided a clear hint that the performance-based Explorer would probably cost around $40,000.

Given this tentative pricing estimate, it is quite clear that the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport would surely be considered as the most expensive trim of the Explorer line-up for this year. This is because the expected price of the Sport which is about $40,000 is higher than the current price of the 2013 Ford Explorer Limited which is about $36,680 which also includes the destination charge of $825.

In addition to this, the difference between the prices of the base model which is about $29,695 and the Sport version's rumoured price of $40,000 has also caught the attention of many car experts since the gap is quite high. But despite of all the uncertainties that were created when the company revealed the possible starting price of the Sport model of the Explorer, Ford is still optimistic that this SUV would become one of its most in demand vehicles in the market since the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport is equipped with a lot of premium features that are not readily found on its siblings.

Aside from the premium features that are found on the 2013 Explorer Sport, this vehicle also takes pride of its powerful engine. It is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine which is capable of producing a maximum power output of up to 350 horsepower. The engine is connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission which is equipped with paddle shifters. The Explorer Sport is also using the 4-wheel drive system that allows the vehicle to take on the challenges that it might encounter when taken off-road.

To further impress its potential customers, Ford has used the company's "Terrain Management System." This system helps the 2013 version of the Explorer Sport in handling different road conditions. The system has specialized settings that tune the vehicle's performance when this SUV is driven on snowy, a rutted mud or sandy roads. The system also features a hill descent function that empowers the Explorer Sport in climbing hilly terrains.

Despite its impressive performance and power generation, the vehicle is not considered as the least fuel-efficient model in the current line-up. This is because Ford has estimated that the Explorer Sport will obtain the fuel-economy ratings of 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway. In order to validate the fuel economy estimates of the vehicle, the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA will also be conducting their own test on this vehicle. The agency has also assured the buying public that they will be publishing their own ratings as soon as their tests are finished.

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The New 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited

After its previous appearance in a Super Bowl spot with a Motley-Crue-inspired theme, the 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited made its official launch at the Chicago auto show as a range-topping model included on this year's mid-sized Optima line-up.

Upon its debut, a lot of car experts, automotive journalists, and observers at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show noticed that the 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited is not just an ordinary Optima. In fact, these individuals have suspected that the Limited is fully loaded with a lot of features not found on its siblings. As time goes by, these suspicions were eventually proven to be true.

Compared to the other Kia Optima trims, the Limited flaunts a unique look and more intimidating stance. These characteristics were highlighted by the Limited's new fascias in front and rear. In addition to this, the LED running lights located on top of its fog lamps, the lower door sills, and the rear spoiler tipped with chrome further suggest that the Optima SX Limited is very much different from its siblings.

Under the hood, the Limited is powered by a 2.0-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine sourced from the Kia Optima SX. This engine is capable of producing 274 horses and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. The transmission as well as the sport-tuned suspension used on the Limited was also sourced from the SX. Due to this, the Limited's fuel economy ratings of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway are similar to that of the Optima SX.

When viewed inside, the 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited looks more upscale compared to the other Optima models included on the line-up. The Limited's cabin provides a more elegant and prestigious feel. Its door trim, shift knob, and steering wheel are adorned by genuine would trim and this layout further improves the overall appearance of the Optima SX Limited. In addition to this, the door panels, center console and seats were embellished by Nappa leather.

On top of these, the 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited is offered with the standard equipments such as the paddle shifters on the steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, and heated and cooled front seats. Aside from those, the SX Limited is also equipped with metal pedals, Infinity audio system with speakers, and a navigation system with a built-in back-up camera.

Due to the abundance of standard features included on the vehicle, the 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited became one of the most admired vehicles that were presented at the 2012 Chicago auto show. In addition to this, a lot of individuals that were able to take a closer look at the vehicle agree that this was probably the best vehicle that Kia has produced.

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2014 Ford Mustang GT Photo 1009

http://tysonscornercars.com/2014-ford-mustang-shelby-gt500-unveiled/. 2014 Ford Mustang GT Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap

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2013 ROUSH Mustang Photo 1001

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1075157_roush-announces-2013-mustang-model-lineup. 2013 ROUSH Mustang Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap

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2013 Honda Fit EV all-electric car

Honda has finally delivered the first unit of the Honda Fit EV in the US and this was sent to the city of Torrance in California. This event is considered by a lot of car experts as the earliest start of Honda's plan of increasing the number of electric vehicles that they would be selling in North America and in the US as well.

In addition to this, the policy that Honda is planning to implement simply proves that the company is very much committed in doing its part in preserving the natural environment through reduced greenhouse gas emissions. To push this commitment through, Honda became involved in the development of more hybrid cars since this type of vehicle is more environment-friendly. In addition to this, Honda has also explored the possibilities of using compressed natural gas in some of their car models for greener output. This was then complimented by the production of EVs that the company is currently promoting in most of the markets where they operate.

According to Honda, the delivery of the first unit of the 2013 Honda Fit EV is also a part of the company's Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program and not only as a mere indication that they would be selling more of this vehicle model in some parts of the US particularly in Oregon and California this summer.

The so-called Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program is actually a joint effort that the city of Torrance in California and Honda has been working on for a few years now. This program aims to allow the residents of the city of Torrance to provide inputs that would help the Honda identify the best places where the company could set up their EV charging stations in the near future.

Aside from gathering the inputs from the residents of Torrance, the delivery of the first unit of the 2013 Honda Fit EV would also enable Honda to conduct a careful study that focuses on evaluating the local government's fleet usage of the electric vehicle models that they have. Through these collective undertakings, Honda is given the chance to improve the features of the Honda Fit EV and this will surely provide a lot of benefits to the company's electric vehicle technology.

Honda is also confident that they would obtain positive results from these undertakings since the 2013 Honda Fit EV is a reliable model. This car was unveiled in 2011 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Fit EV is equipped with an all-electric drivetrain. The drivetrain is composed of a coaxial electric motor that could produce up to 92kW and a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery.

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The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

What we used to now as the A25 AMG is actually called Mercedes A45, and it's set to be the baddest hot hatch when it goes on sale next year. Mercedes is going to put the most powerful four-cylinder engine they're ever built in this, so the A45 can eat Audi RS3 and BMW M135i for breakfast. AMG openly admits this car's sole goal is to wipe that smug smile off RS3 s face.

The four-pot engine in this car is the same 2.0 liter turbocharged you've probably come across in one of the many regular Mercedes models that use it. But it's been tuned, heavily, by AMG and their British partners to give no less than 330bhp and more than 300 lb-ft of torque. So AMG's engine is half a liter smaller than Audi's, but makes roughly the same amount of power.

Another feature the A45 is equipped with against the RS3 is an all-wheel-drive system that works in tandem with a sophisticated seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. All these will enable Merc's new hot hatchbck to go from 0 to 62 mph in slightly over 5 seconds. Official figures are yet to be confirmed.

Once AMG is done making a beast out of that engine, Mercedes steps in and gives it features like automatic stop/start and brake energy recuperation to make sure the car remains highly usable for day to day driving. While they're doing this, AMG gets busy with the suspension, using MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) and all sort of fancy stuff to give the car class leading dynamic, and inevitably, the best-in-class Nurburgring time.

In terms of styling, the A45 gets the typical AMG body kit on the outside with oversized wheels, and an sporty interior with bucket seats and fancy trims.

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