Honda Civic Si Concept

The Civic Si Concept coupe and Honda Civic Concept sedan made their world debuts at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, providing the first official glimpse at the styling direction of the all-new, ninth-generation 2012 model set to go on sale this spring, the company announced.



"The Civic is known for providing a balance of 'just-right' packaging, fun-to-drive character and outstanding fuel economy, at a price that even first-time buyers can afford," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "The redesigned Civic builds on this legacy and promises to be the best Civic yet."



The 2012 Civic embraces the company's vision as a "Civic for all people," a phrase originally expressed in defining the goal of the first-generation Civic. With the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic lineup intends to meet the needs of an increasing group of compact-vehicle buyers with a renewed vision of a "Civic for all people." The diverse vehicle range includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, two sporty "Si" performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant. Collectively the depth of the Civic line offers a compelling balance between fuel economy, low emissions and fun-to-drive performance unlike any other vehicle in the industry.



As a new interpretation of the current Civic's iconic "one-motion" mono-form shape, the upcoming, ninth-generation Civic conveys a more substantial, high-energy appearance. The exterior styling of both Honda Civic concept models showcases the sedan's and coupe's clean-yet-powerful lines with steeply raked windshields, wide stances and pronounced character lines along the profile. The lower character line on both models broadens toward the rear fenders to enhance the dynamic feeling of forward energy. The front fender surface treatments form a complex, three-dimensional look to further enhance the image of sophistication and structural depth against the deeply set headlights.The Honda Civic Concept sedan takes on a sophisticated presence with a front grille defined by crisp lines and a solid bar that integrates a chrome Honda emblem. The look of the Honda Civic Si Concept coupe conveys an aggressive demeanor with a more angular front fascia, mesh grille and a tapered rear roofline that flows smoothly into the trunk. The Honda Civic Si Concept coupe is exclusively equipped with a rear air diffuser, a center-mounted exhaust outlet and a rear deck lid spoiler with dual vents. Each concept model has 19-inch machined alloy wheels.



Powertrain Technology



The Civic's family of engines with "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC®) technology become even more fuel efficient for 2012. The upcoming Civic Hybrid offers the latest generation of the compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) gasoline-electric hybrid system and features the first application of a lithium-ion battery in a Honda hybrid.



Building on its emphasis on fuel-economy, most upcoming Civic models receive Honda Eco Assist™ technology, already available in the CR-Z and Insight hybrids. The 2012 Civic is the first U.S. Honda model to employ Eco Assist technology in a gasoline-only powered vehicle. Eco Assist is just one example of how the new Civic can be customized and configured by the drivers to suit individual preferences.



Additionally, Honda is expanding retail sales of the natural gas-powered Civic GX model, which is the only OEM-built, dedicated CNG passenger car assembled in America. The increased availability of the Civic GX helps bring inherently clean-burning natural gas technology to an even broader audience while also supporting diversity in transportation energy resources.



Safety



The 2012 Civic continues to emphasize safety and is anticipated to score well in both the federal government's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) vehicle evaluations. The 2001 Honda Civic Coupe was one of the first two passenger cars ever to earn the federal government's top 5-star crash safety rating for the driver and front- and rear-seat passengers in both frontal and side-impact crash tests.



All 2012 Civics are equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) as standard equipment. Additionally, the ninth-generation Civic continues to provide Honda's exclusive and innovative Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for frontal collision energy management.

Chevrolet Colorado Concept

The Chevrolet Colorado Concept was revealed in advance of the 2011 Bangkok International Auto Show, where it is making its global public debut. The concept previews the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup truck, which will build on Chevrolet's strong truck DNA and award-winning heritage. The Chevrolet Colorado goes on sale in Thailand later this year.



"Thailand is the world's-largest market for midsize pickups, so this was the perfect location in which to unveil our new Colorado," said Susan Docherty, vice president, GMIO Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. "Trucks have been part of Chevrolet's core for nearly all of its 100-year history. The Chevrolet Colorado reinforces that heritage with expressive design, refinement and uncompromising capability."



The show truck features an extended-cab body atop a high-stance AWD chassis and rides on large, 20-inch wheels and off-road tires. Power comes from an efficient 2.8L turbo-diesel engine, which produces a broad torque band for excellent cargo and towing capability.



"Although this is a show vehicle, the basic proportions and form convey the vision for the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado that we will bring to market," said Brad Merkel, GM's global vehicle line executive. "It reflects a stylized version of the new truck, one that takes into account rugged dependable truck capabilities for commercial use as well as sophisticated refinement for personal-use needs."



While the new Chevrolet Colorado Concept was developed within GM's global product development organization, engineers took careful steps to ensure it would meet local market needs. Roberto Rempel, GM's global vehicle chief engineer, lived in Thailand for several months during the truck's development, immersing himself in the market and observing how the Thai people use their trucks and the road conditions they experience."Pickups are instrumental in the vibrant Thai economy and owners take great pride in their trucks, which are used for both work and personal driving," he said. "These customers ask a lot of their trucks, so the powertrains and chassis must be very robust to earn their trust - and that's exactly what we've delivered."



Design details



The Chevrolet Colorado Concept's purposeful design conveys strength through bodywork that appears tightly wrapped over the chassis and a wide, confident stance. In the front, Chevrolet's internationally recognized gold bowtie and dual-port grille are framed by large headlamps that flow into the front fenders, and an extractor vent on the hood.



"Around the globe, pickup trucks are associated with strength, capability and function - and that's exactly what the Chevrolet Colorado show truck embodies," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of Global Design. "Its broad-shouldered proportions are derived from nearly a century of Chevrolet truck heritage."



Pepperdust Metallic exterior paint is accented with polished aluminum details in the fascias, as well as integrated side steps and black-masked projector-style headlamps with LED lighting elements. At the rear is a full-width LED-lit taillamp, which creates a striking appearance when illuminated.



Additional exterior details include:



A streamlined "cab collar" design with a body-color hard tonneau cover on the bed

Gray accents on the side, front and rear lower moldings

20-inch aluminum wheels featuring a "liquid metal" finish, with Stone Gray color wheel ports

Cooper 285/50R20 ZEON LTZ tires

Outside mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators.

Inside, there's another signature Chevrolet cue: a dual-cockpit instrument panel design. It flows into the doors, with continuous lines that create a floating, wraparound effect, amplifying the Chevrolet Colorado's feeling of spaciousness. Ice-blue lighting and high-quality, "double-faced" leather-trimmed seats add sophistication and refinement.



"The interior is designed to deliver a premium and inviting environment, with a greater feeling of spaciousness than is typically found in midsize trucks," said Welburn. "There's also great attention to detail in the execution of the features you see and feel."



A brace of motorcycle-inspired, three-dimensional gauges stand out on the instrument panel, projecting a sporty appearance.



Contrasting trim used with the light-colored leather seating, dark wood trim accented with chrome and low-gloss and soft-touch materials are used throughout for a premium feel. A number of storage compartments are located throughout the interior, including a covered center bin for concealment of valuable items, and a large, dual glovebox.



Additional features include a dual-zone, digital climate control system and the latest in "infotainment" technology. The show truck highlights an ergonomically positioned 7-inch LCD display in the center stack, for easy viewing and intuitive control of Web access, navigation, music and hands-free phone features.

2012 Corvette C7

Asking on when Corvette C7 Stingray sports car will be launched? The next generation Corvette C7 Stingray sports car will be launched in 2012 as 2013 model. Seventh generation Corvette is still developing, but he believes to be revealed to the public in 2012. Next Generation Corvette C7 Stingray using more advanced materials like carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium as well as smaller engines. GM plans to keep production costs down on their last small block motor Sports Car.

In mid-engine and rear engine updates were considered, but the front engine, rear platform wheel drive (RWD) will continue to keep the engine compact and low cost. There is a possibility of return of the project from the roof of the rear window broken. GM also added that the Corvette keep putting in front of the engine, which defined the sports car for 57 years. The new Corvette pride with an 5.5-liter V8 engine with an output estimated at 440.

2011 Audi A5 Coupe DTM Racing Concept

Audi A5 Coupe DTM Racing Concept is new touring model was presented earlier this week and it complies with the new technical and safety regulations that will come in effect in the German touring model championship next year. The racing model adopts the current A4 DTM’s V8 engine with some minor changes and an output or around 460-horses. A six-speed transmission will continue to be used as well. Please jump to more info about Audi A5 Coupe DTM Racing Concept above:



We will see the real Audi A5 Coupe DTM Racing Concept at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The new Audi A5 Coupe DTM Racing Concept a high-strength carbon-fiber monocoque combined with a steel tube cage.