Filed under: Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

Back when Honda launched the Crosstour in 2010, it fielded questions from the media asking why it chose to forego a four-cylinder model. At the time, officials indicated that a four-cylinder engine would result in minimal fuel economy improvements, noting that the company's aim was to target premium-minded customers for whom the 3.5-liter V6 seemed more appropriate.

But with the fog of slow sales often comes a need to rethink strategies, and Honda has responded to sluggish demand for the Crosstour with a new four-cylinder model for 2012 with a just-announced base price of $27,655 (*plus $810 in destination charges). That's about $2,500 less than a comparable six-cylinder model.

Despite Honda's earlier assertions, the new 192-horsepower, 162 pound-feet of torque 2.4-liter model actually does receive a rather substantial bump in fuel economy performance. The new front-drive trim nets 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway - the V6 only manages 18/27. Both the new four-cylinder and 271-hp/254 lb-ft V6 come with a five-speed automatic as standard kit.

In equipment news, all Crosstour models will now receive standard auto-dimming mirrors, a USB hookup, Bluetooth telephony and standard backup camera, among other features.

Honda shifted 17,974 Crosstour models last year, down 37.9 percent from its 2010 total of 28,851 units. The company had targeted sales of 40,000 units annually.

Continue reading Honda Crosstour four-cylinder to start at $27,655*

Honda Crosstour four-cylinder to start at $27,655* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Minivan/Van, BMW, Electric, Luxury

Imagine you're an auto exec launching a new line of cars. One's a sportscar, the other a city car - pretty much opposite extremes on the spectrum of automotive bodystyles. Do you give them alphanumeric nameplates close to one another? Of course not. You assign them disparate numbers to make room for more models to slot in between.

That's just what BMW is doing with its upcoming "i" range, with an i3 at one end and the i8 (star of the recent Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol). So what does it have planned to fit in the middle? According to Autobild out of Germany, an i5.

The third model in the range is tipped to come in as a compact MPV in a similar mold as the Toyota Prius V - only probably significantly more expensive. Underpinnings would likely be borrowed from the i3, but stretched out a bit to make extra room for people and stuff. For that matter, we wouldn't be surprised to see an i2 come in as a two-door version of the i3 with the Smart ForTwo in its sights, or an i6 or i7 electric sedan, either.

BMW planning to slot i5 minivan into new range originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

художници на икониThree Great Ways to look after you finances and the Ozone

There was a time when fuel cost barely anything and it was easy to afford a trip to see the family. However, as the price increases, there are more looks into how to lower the amount that you are spending. The good news is that this will also help to protect the environment. The idea is to cut down on the amount of emissions that you are letting off.

Give Your Car a Regular Service

Yes, you want to save money but the best way that you can do that is by spending some. This may not make a lot of sense at first but it will in the long run. By investing in a regular service on your car – usually available with an MOT – you will be able to make sure that your car is in top shape. By doing this, you will make sure that less fuel is used, less emissions are let off and so the environment and your bank balance are protected.

Stop Driving Around

The worst thing that you can do is drive around when you are lost. You may think that driving around in circles will help you spot signposts to help you but you will waste time, fuel and money – and you are putting a lot of emissions into the air.

Before you set off, check and double check the directions. This will give you a chance find out road names and the numbers to get a picture in your head. Always have a map in your car and never be afraid to stop to ask for directions. Remember that online maps can be wrong so have a paper based map in your car as well as the GPS on your phone or a Sat Nav.

Opt for Walking or Taking Public Transport

So, you may end up saving some time by taking a drive to the shop down the road, but think about the damage that you are doing to the environment. You let emissions off at all times and burning fuel for no reason. Take a walk down to the shops – you will benefit from the fresh air.

Instead of driving to work, find a local bus route or look out for any trains. This will help you to cut down on the cost of fuel and will also help to cut down on the damage to the ozone. After all, the public transport will travel anyway, so you may as well use it instead of adding more emissions.

These are just a few ways of cutting down on the amount of emissions being let off into the air and the amount of fuel that you are using. This will naturally help you to cut down on the money that you spend and will also help with decrease the damage that you do to the ozone. If you do have the money and really want to invest in something, consider opting for hybrid cars, which also let fewer emissions into the air.

Photo courtesy RM Auctions

Illustrating the depth of the top-end sales at the recent RM Auctions event at the glamorous Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Corvette #005, which we previewed here last month, sold for $445,500, an impressive number, but one that didn’t even gain it admittance into that sale’s top 10 list.

Featuring fewer cars than last year’s sale – entries were capped at 140 cars rather than the 180 of 2011 – RM’s final sales figures remained suitably impressive, with 126 of those 140 finding new homes, and the total selling price for all vehicles topping $25 million.

Photo courtesy RM Auctions

It was prancing Modenese horses that proved gold at RM: Their biggest number was achieved by the 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Scaglietti Coupe, which brought $1,815,000, coming in right at the lower end of RM’s pre-auction estimate of $1.75 million to $2.25 million. Other bell ringers included a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder that sold for $990,000, a 1957 BMW 507 that sold for $990,000, a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta that sold for $979,000, a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Long Wheelbase Dual Cowl Phaeton that sold for $880,000, and a 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 that sold for $880,000. These prices include the 10 percent buyer’s premium.

“Our Arizona sale proved to be a great kick-start to what is shaping up as another terrific auction year,” said Rob Meyers, Chairman and Founder of RM Auctions. “We are very pleased with the results of the sale and were delighted to welcome the world’s premier collectors back to the Arizona Biltmore.”

For more information and results, visit RMAuctions.com.

With alloy-body gullwings attracting millions of dollars, perhaps it’s time to reconsider another legendary alloy-bodied sports car of the 1950s, the Jaguar XK120. This particular 1950 Jaguar XK120 for sale on Hemmings.com features the rare aluminum body as well as a near-perfect restoration and one of the more interesting reasons for selling we’ve seen lately – the owner is replacing it with another alloy-bodied XK120. From the seller’s description:

Introduced in 1948 as a concept car to showcase Jaguar’s remarkable new twin-cam inline-6 cylinder engine, the XK120 was never intended to go into full scale production. However, its breathtaking, swoopy, and beautiful styling as well as its genuine 120-MPH performance (not to mention the surprisingly affordable price) captured the imagination of the public, and the largely hand-built aluminum-bodied car was rushed into limited production. Jaguar was selling as many as they could make, so the car was re-engineered as necessary to switch to mass production with steel bodies. Just 240 aluminum examples were built before the switch to steel, making the lighter and more handmade aluminum cars both rare and desirable.

This is one such alloy car, an excellent matching-numbers example that has been restored to high standards in its original color combination. It is among the last alloy-bodied cars built, and was restored in the early 1990′s while in the ownership of a fastidious and dedicated Jaguar collector in Florida. Extremely knowledgeable about the intricacies and arcane details of the XK Jags, he set out to create the very best example possible, and succeeded. He showed the car in Jaguar Clubs of North America events, consistently scoring over 99 points, including a 99.98 in June of 1995. Since being shown, the car has been carefully stored and consistently maintained, and it remains in excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition. Its current owner is a highly respected collector with a very impressive collection. He purchased the car in 2005, and is selling it only because he has purchased an earlier alloy XK120, chassis number 670001. This car has been recently tuned and fitted with a new battery, and runs very well.

Cosmetically, the car is stunning, having been carefully stored since the restoration. The body is extremely straight and displays great gaps, and the paintwork was applied to the highest standards and remains in excellent shape, with only a few small blemishes like a very small surface crack where the left door meets the front fender. The chrome was done to equally high standards and remains excellent. All trim, lights, and glass are also excellent. The top is in beautiful shape and the car has a full tonneau cover and restored side curtains with canvas bag.

The interior is also excellent. The leather is in great shape and is nicely mellowed, and the carpets are also in fine shape. The dashboard was well-restored and remains in excellent shape, including all switches and instruments. The steering wheel and emblem are equally nice, save for a very small crack where one of the spokes of the wheel meets the hub.

The engine compartment remains quite fresh and tidy in appearance, with correct detailing and finishes throughout. As an aluminum car, the bonnet is noticeably lighter than that of a steel XK120. The trunk was nicely restored with carpets to match those of the interior. The air pump and jack are both present, as is the spare, which was also restored and wears a correct matching tire.

See more Jaguars for sale on Hemmings.com.

VOGTLAND is expanding its portfolio with a suspension lowering module for a number of vehicles that have been equipped with air suspension ex works. The manufacturer of high-quality chassis components makes it possible to lower electronically the center of gravity of premium automobiles by up to 40 millimeters. Besides giving the car a sporty look, it also improves its driving dynamics. The additional module is offered including vehicle-specific plug connections and a TÜV technical component report. Depending on vehicle type, the VOGTLAND “Lowering box” is connected to the serial steering electronics of the on-board power supply. E.g. for the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg it only takes a few minutes to install the box behind the trunk’s side paneling.

VOGTLAND’s electronic suspension lowering is 100% compatible with original equipment. Therefore, the numerous convenience features, such as the “adaptive air suspension” for Audi, the “Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) for Porsche Panamera and Cayenne, “AIRMATIC” for Mercedes-Benz’s adaptive muffler system or optional “Active Body Control” (ABC) air suspension chassis, remain functional and can be controlled via the on-board menu. When selling a car, the VOGTLAND lowering module can be uninstalled in just a few minutes.

The module is available for certain premium- and luxury limousines and SUVs made by Audi, Bentley, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen. An extensive list of applications is available from the website www.vogtland.com.

They weren’t tops in their class, but these hybrids still scored

While only 1 hybrid car, the Lexus RX 450h, took best in class according to Kipplinger’s 2012 ratings, a few hybrid cars were picked as best new models in their class. Likewise, many hybrids achieved the best fuel economy in their class, but that’s not much of a surprise.

So, we’ll focus on the best new hybrid models for 2012.

According to Kipplingers the Toyota Camry hybrid was the best new model in the $20,000 – $25,000 category, while the Toyota Prius V was the best new wagon. Likewise, the Porsche Panamara S hybrid was the best new model in the $50,000 and above category.

On a side note, the Prius V also picked up best resale value in the wagon segment.

Source: Kipplingers

PP-Performance, the German chip tuning specialist has developed a power upgrade program for the latest BMW M5 model.
The reprogramming, which can be carried out via the OBD interface or the control unit itself, sees output from the twin-turbocharged 4.4 L V8 rise from 412 kW (560 hp) and 680 Nm (502 lb/ft) of torque to 456 kW (612 hp) and 750 Nm (553 lb/ft).

Priced at € 3,499, the changes result in a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 4.1 seconds – down from 4.4 s, and an increased top speed of 310 km/h (192 mph). The company says a stage two conversion is currently in the pipeline.

More information: pp-performance.de

Only hybrid or plug-in to make the list

Kipplingers has released its Best New Car Values list for 2012 and one hybrid made the list, the Lexus RX 450h, a regular favorite of Kipplingers according to the magazine.

With “top notch safety” and “luxury”, the RX450h took the midsize and large crossover category.

According to Kipplinger the average national price of the 450h hybrid is $44,965, and after 3 years the RX retains 60 percent resale value. After 5 years it drops down to 44 percent.

In addition to safety and luxury, Kipplinger also noted its best in class fuel economy.

Succeeding in expanding the appeal of the Porsche Panamera by combining German engineering with quintessentially British styling is not entirely new territory to the man who embodies a brand and its identity.

Afzal Kahn has re-designed many a Porsche over the years. However, the end result of the A. Kahn Design Porsche Panamera in carbon grey complete with the F1 number plate (purchased for £460,000) is nicely weighted with a feeling of linearity and purity, taking the vehicle to a whole new dimension.

The Kahn Panamera’s wide track styling package consists of wide vented front and rear wheel arches with an integrated rear air dam, lower boot wing, Kahn lowered sports suspension system, billet aluminum side vents, privacy tinted glass, red brake calipers and tinted rear lamps – thus ensuring Afzal Kahn’s latest contribution to automotive design activity is on display for all to see.

Interconnected in order to coalesce design and engineering expression – the Kahn stainless steel quad exhaust system is centered around a radical design – reflecting an attraction to a pluto-matic lifestyle. Complete with the cross hair exhaust feature – it is a first cousin only to silence, and manners, ensuring an adequate yet nonchalant sensation – taking the vehicle to a whole new dimension.

Factory options include satellite navigation, bi-xenon headlamps, front and rear park assist, Porsche pdk including auto start/stop function, sport chrono plus package, power lift tailgate, heated front seats and iPod connectivity.
Another unique feature of this model is the amazing interior which has been upgraded to a magnificent level with a blend of claret quilted and perforated leather with the speedo and rev counter facia in red and cream.

However, we provide our customers with the opportunity to express one’s individuality. And they can have whatever they want. We could, for example, design for you a vehicle with an exterior matching your shoes and an interior the same shade of your living room, the choice is yours.

Kahn wheels sit perfectly, on any vehicle, conveying the essence of the vehicle’s identity. Created using state-of-the art manufacturing and materials technology, the 22” Kahn RS600 wheels are finished in the colour of your choice and fit all original centre caps.

With simple clean lines, soft organic surfaces on the edge of the spoke and a purposeful mechanical centre, the RS600 wheels are synonymous with elegance and innovation.

A. Kahn Design is for the individual who will not submit to a life of uniformity and who will only accept perfection. Dedicated to the creation of luxury bespoke vehicles, we redesign the ordered monotony of mass produced vehicles and rebuild them into individually tailored creations. This particular vehicle is available for £86,875 – photography alongside a black Kahn Panamera.

Airbus says it has a fix ready for a problem discovered in several of the A380s currently in service. The issue is small cracks in components found within the wing of the world’s largest airliner. The company says the cracks are not a safety issue and it has found the source of the problem.

The cracks were first seen during the inspection of a Qantas A380 that had suffered an in-flight engine failure in 2010 where pieces from the engine had pierced a section of wing. The uncontained engine failure was not related to the small cracks, but it was the first time they were noticed.

The small cracks are found L-shaped brackets that attach the thin aluminum skin of the wing to ribs that form the shape of the wing. There are about 2,000 of these brackets in each wing. If the cracks were to lead to a failure in a single bracket, it is unlikely there would be any safety issue. Airbus has said on several occasions that the A380 is safe to fly. But the European agency that oversees aviation safety has issued an order for inspections of about a third of the current A380 fleet.

The cracks have prompted the European Aviation Safety Agency to issue an airworthiness directive calling for the inspection of A380s that have been in service the longest. The agency says if left undetected and not fixed, the cracks “could potentially affect the structural integrity of the aeroplane” according to Aviation Week & Space Technology.

Airbus has acknowledged the issue and says the finding of cracks in more aircraft over the past week is inline with the expectations based on the cause of the problem. The airplane maker expects cracks will be seen in most A380s that are currently in service.

The company is changing the way the brackets are attached to the ribs reducing the amount of strain applied when the wings are manufactured. Airbus will change the material used to make the L-shaped bracket to a stronger alloy.

According to the EASA airworthiness directive, A380s that have at least 1,800 flight cycles (a takeoff and landing) must undergo an inspection within four days or 14 more flight cycles. Aircraft with 1,300 to 1,800 have up to six weeks or 84 flight cycles for the inspection. About 20 of the 60 A380s in service currently meet the requirement for inspections.

Cracks in aluminum parts on airliners are nothing new. Many aluminum parts develop cracks over time due to the properties of the metal. Airplanes are designed to minimize the stress and strain on aluminum components and engineers are usually able to predict when an inspection, and possible replacement, due to fatigue should take place.

The cracks found in the A380s brackets are an example of unforeseen cracks found in an aluminum part. According to Airbus the new attachment technique and new alloy will restore the massive airliner’s normal expected lifespan of more than 25 years.