Automotive Area: March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Maserati MC12

Maserati MC12 wallpaper

Designed for high level road use, the MC12 exceeded 330 kmh at full throttle, sprinting from 0 to 100 kmh in just 3.8 seconds. The MC12 benefited from the Ferrari-Maserati Group’s most advanced technologies and competition experience. Its naturally aspirated 6 litre V12 punched out 465 kW at 7500 rpm, yet offered absolutely excellent drivability, remaining exceptionally lively and fluid even at low engine speeds. An aluminium crankcase, titanium con-rods and extremely efficient fourvalve cylinder heads were all part of its design. Four gear-driven overhead camshafts provided perfect timing control. The unit was mated to Maserati’s proven six-speed Cambiocorsa transmission, offering computerised gear selection. In Race mode, the system was mapped to deliver much faster gear changes and to activate the ASR.

- Maserati pininfarina 75th birdcage

Lexus 2054 Concept

At least that's the vision of the future in Steven Spielberg's upcoming film "Minority Report," starring Tom Cruise. The film, based on a short story by science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, is an action-detective thriller set in Washington, D.C. in 2054, where police utilize a psychic technology to arrest and convict murderers before they commit their crime. Tom Cruise plays the head of this precrime unit and is himself accused of the future murder of a man he hasn't even met.

When it came time to conceptualize automotive transportation for the futuristic setting, Spielberg turned to Lexus as a potential partner. "I've been driving a Lexus SUV," Spielberg said. "And I thought Lexus might be interested in going into a speculative future to see what the transportation systems and cars would look like on our highways in 50 years. The result of that exploration is something that elevates and transforms driving into an environmental experience."

- Lexus sc

Lamborghini Logo 3D

- Lamborghini concept s

Jaguar S-Type

The Jaguar S-Type was always a bit of a throwback. Stately and posh, the S-Type's exterior design showed shades of the '60s Jaguar saloons, from which its designers cribbed generously. The distinct styling also distinguished the S-Type from other luxury sedans on the market, which more typically feature sharp edges and angled surfaces.

At its debut for 2000, the Jaguar S-Type signified the first real fruit of the Ford-Jaguar partnership. Born as the classier-looking twin of the Lincoln LS, the S-Type was the brand's first true competing model in the modern midsize luxury segment. However, any sort of dynamic excellence exhibited by that platform faded quickly and the S-Type lived long past its expiration date. Its once-novel retro styling eventually became synonymous with a brand perilously stuck in the past. As such, one of the car's more up-to-date competitors might be a better choice. Also, you'll want to pay close attention to the model's history, as Jaguar made continual improvements to rectify early mistakes.

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- Jaguar c xf concept 2007

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Hyundai Coupe Tiburon

When it was introduced to the North American market in 1997, the Hyundai Tiburon signified Hyundai's first commitment to providing more than just value-oriented but bland economy cars. This coupe-styled, two-door hatchback, though not as refined or as performance-oriented as some of its competitors, was surprisingly affordable and showed that Hyundai was serious about redefining its image. Over time, the Tiburon improved in both looks and performance.

Though the Hyundai Tiburon never broke into the upper echelon of performance hatchbacks and coupes, its affordable price could make it a decent choice for used vehicle shoppers. A new front-drive Tiburon is rumored to be in the works, but in the meantime the car's replacement is the substantially more impressive, rear-wheel-drive Genesis Coupe.

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- Hyundai Veracruz Crossover 2007

Hummer H2 Grill

The Hummer H2 debuted in 2003 as an attempt by Hummer and parent company General Motors to offer something a bit more practical than the exotic, designed-for-military-use H1. Relatively practical though it may be, the Hummer H2's large size and U.S. military Humvee-inspired styling still make it stand out like a sweaty heavyweight prizefighter attending a Friday-night knitting class. It's extremely capable when taken off-road and easy to customize with factory options and dealer accessories. When examined solely on these merits, the H2 seems like a stellar pick for an SUV.

Unfortunately, it's burdened with some design flaws that make it ill-suited for everyday use. Though smaller than the original Hummer, it's still quite bulky and heavy. This poses a problem on many fronts, from the obvious drain on fuel mileage to the more mundane trickiness of parallel parking or driving into a tight parking garage entrance. The truck also suffers from a less-than-competitive amount of cargo space, a short list of luxury features and, with the exception of the newest versions, mediocre interior materials.

For the right type of buyer, the Hummer H2's strengths will outweigh its negatives. Those with a true need for Herculean off-road ability in open terrain or for towing a rolling billboard for a small business will find it endearing. For everyone else, our editors believe there are better choices available for a large, luxury-oriented SUV.

- Hummer H2 Limousine