Mad Scionists: Young, Hip and a Bit Less Square

IN December 2006, while other automakers were getting ready to unveil their new models at the Detroit auto show in January, Scion held a party in Miami. The guests were 300 owners of its cars who were entertained by the musician Ludacris. At the end of the evening, the new Scion xB and xD models were revealed.

Since it came on the scene five years ago, Scion has made a point of doing things differently. Toyota’s youth brand can brag of having the lowest average age, about 30, among its owners and of strong customer loyalty.

The Scion xB shown in Miami is now arriving at dealers and suggests Scion is growing up. The original xB was a small boxy car with attitude. The new one is bigger — a full foot longer than the last xB, 3 inches wider, about 35 percent roomier, 600 pounds heavier, 55 horsepower stronger and about 10 percent more expensive. It is also less fuel efficient. Fuel economy has declined to 22 city and 28 highway, from 26 city and 30 highway.

Read Full Story By PHIL PATTON At The NY TIMES

Brembo and DiMora working for 1200 hp Natalia SLS2

 

Until now, the super luxury DiMora Natalia SLS2 was only about virtual images, it seems that the car will become real.

DiMora han announced a technical collaboration with Brembo in order to develop braking systems for the SLS2. Brembo’s Chief said: “engineers are working with DiMora designers to develop braking systems that will be capable of stopping an incredibly powerful vehicle.” Natalia SLS2 is powered by a V16 engine that delivers 1200 hp.  According to Rodgers “the front and the rear brakes, once completed, will represent one of the most sophisticated system to the world in terms of materials and design.”  The Natalia SLS2 is expected to become reality in 2009.

2007 Honda Civic Review

All the goodness of the Honda Civic Si coupe has rubbed off onto 2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan. The same 197-horsepower iVTEC 2.0-liter engine screams to an 8,000-rpm redline, the same transmission shifts quickly through six gears, the same limited-slip differential delivers great punch exiting the corners and the same sport seats help you resist the G-forces.

The Civic Si sedan is 2 inches longer than the coupe and weighs 60 pounds more, but it has the same high-performance personality and even makes the same numbers at the test track. It just happens to have four doors. This is great news.

Once Frumpy, Green Cars Start Showing Some Flash

WHEN Christopher Paine, the director of “Who Killed the Electric Car?” filmed the General Motors EV1, he had to search for a flattering perspective.

“When we filmed the car on the road, its best angle was the low front shot from the side,” he said. “It was gorgeous. The back of the car was more challenging. The car’s style did not appeal to certain design sensibilities.

“That Citroën-like back was not successful,” he added. continue reading full story here.

Mr. Paine is putting it mildly. The EV1 was derided for its appearance. So was the spacey Honda Insight, the first hybrid to go on sale in the United States. Neither was a commercial success.

Both shared a stylistic similarity to the long skirts of the early 20th century: They suggested Popeye’s pal, Olive Oyl, in her ankle-length dress. The rear fender skirts seemed frumpy.

Honda’s hybrid evoked similar reactions. While the Insight could theoretically get 56 miles a gallon in the city and 70 on the highway, its shape put people off.

The EV1, G.M.’s pioneering electric car, and the recently discontinued Insight raised a challenge that designers are still dealing with. How do you signal green to other drivers, and is it for pride or marketing? How do you provide drivers assurance about the novel technology? What does green look like? How do you design a green car? How green do drivers want to appear?

One way to suggest green through design is simply to paint or mark models that have better fuel economy or reduced emissions. Toyota offers the hybrid versions of the Camry in a color called Jasper Pearl, a light, almost luminous, green. When I drove a test model, several people asked if the car was a hybrid, simply because of its strange green paint, I believe.

2007 Porsche 911 Turbo Summary

The 2007 911 Turbo is a 2-door, 4-passenger luxury sports car, available in one trim only, the Coupe.

Upon introduction, the 911 Turbo is equipped with a standard 3.6-liter, H6, 480-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.

The 2007 911 Turbo is all-new for 2007.