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https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2008-aston-martin-vantage-v8-coupe-tunning-aston-martin-vantage-coupe/
2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8 Coupe tunning Aston Martin Vantage Coupe
https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2008-aston-martin-vantage-v8-coupe-tunning-aston-martin-vantage-coupe/
Should You Buy A New Car? Or Fix The One You Have?
The experts from PSECU, a Pennsylvania-based credit union, examine this age-old question.
These tips and strategies will help you make the best financial decision for you and your family.
Purchasing a vehicle is one of the biggest financial decisions a person can make. Next to real-estate, an automobile is the second-largest expense for many. Cars don’t tend to last as long as homes, and depending on the type and condition, the maintenance costs might make keeping it a poor financial decision. At times, this can bring us to an important question: should I fix my car or buy a new one?
Getting out of a vehicle that’s expensive to maintain, even if it means spending more on something in better condition, might be the best decision if the repair bills are racking up.
However, that’s not always an easy conclusion to come to, as there are many factors to consider. Here are a few things to look at before swallowing a big down payment in hopes of cutting long-term losses.
Conduct Research
Sometimes a car goes through a careful selection process, or maybe it’s a cheap hand-me-down that fell into someone’s lap. Most people can tell you the make and model of their car; in that sense, they are familiar with it. However, if a person is not familiar with their car’s history and reputation for reliability, they can do some research to determine what kind of experience other owners have had. Conducting this type of research is important when making the decision between trading up or fixing up.
Consumer Reports, car enthusiast magazines, and online portals like Autotrader are great resources when researching repair costs. Local dealerships can process the vehicle’s VIN and determine which recalls have been issued and if they’ve been performed. For someone considering keeping their ride, ensuring all recall work is complete is a good way to preserve resale value.
Eventually, even the stoutest cars will succumb to the wear and tear of regular use after enough years or miles, unless its been obsessively maintained. Even then, some cars just weren’t made well from the factory. For example, certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles from the early 1990s have a reputation for lasting forever. Cars built by Daewoo represent a great value for the money, but typically don’t last as long due to less robust construction.
Should you purchase a new car or spend money to repair the one you have? The experts from PSECU, a Pennsylvania-based credit union, provide some insight into this important question.
Understand The Financial Situation
Maybe someone would like to have a new car, but is not clear on how the additional expense will impact their ability to pay rent or college loans. After all, the average price of an used car is $20,153, which can take a big bite out of a tight budget. This is a scenario where, despite the long-term cost being greater, someone might have to bite the bullet for a short time and have the necessary repairs made so they can maintain financial security.
There might be options to repair a car in a way that costs less. For example, a dealership may quote one price for a repair, but a private garage will almost always cost less. It’s best to ask a mechanic if there’s a way to save money on the repairs by getting used parts. If someone is handy in the garage, they might even be able to do the repair themselves. Replacing a spark plug or changing a thermostat is typically something the average DIYer can do.
Ask a trusted mechanic if used parts are right for your car.
Consider Resale Value
Should someone choose to go down the path of buying a new car, financing becomes the name of the game. Paying in cash for a vehicle can sometimes result in a better deal, but many dealerships prefer to secure a higher bottom line through long-term financing offers. They might not respond to a lower, all-cash offer the way an used car operation might.
What is the current value of the car? It’s never a good idea to purchase a vehicle as an investment, but certain ones can hold their value well. This can work in someone’s favor if they need to make a switch. A Toyota Tacoma with a damaged transmission, for example, might be worth repairing because the resale value of those trucks is legendary.
A less reputable car that needs an expensive repair might be better sold for parts.
Certain vehicles, like the 2019 Toyota Tacoma, hold their resale value quite well. Always consider the resale value of your current vehicle when deciding whether to trade up or fix up. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Related: Toyota often scores high in studies focused on longevity and resale value.
What Does Your Car Mean You?
Fans of Top Gear might remember the hosts saying someone can’t be a true “petrolhead” without owning an Alfa Romeo. These Italian automobiles, famous for sultry looks and sonorous engine notes, are notorious for breaking down. That’s just part of the Alfa ownership experience. Old Jaguars and MGs have comically bad electronics. To the right person, that’s not a fault — it’s just character. To justify keeping a car for sentimental value, drivers should make sure they can provide a well-informed summary of their financial situation.
However, if someone understands that and owns a car truly special to them, then it’s okay to make the necessary repairs. Certain things are hard to replace, and newer isn’t always better. People don’t always get the same joy out of a newer, more reliable car.
Ideally, if someone is in a position to preserve a car that’s special, it’s likely not their only vehicle. With a well-organized financial plan, people can budget for the inevitable repairs and enjoy the experience of owning that unique automobile until the time comes when they can afford to buy something else. Maybe they just want to keep bleeding it out so they can drive their “forever” car daily. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Cars are an extension of the driver’s personality, and the right one doesn’t come along every day.
This post sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, a not-for-profit financial cooperative. Started in 1934 by 22 state workers, PSECU provided reprieve to those struggling against low wages, high living costs, and predatory loan sharks. Today the institution helps more than 450,000 members achieve their financial goals through the founders’ original philosophy of “people helping people.”
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https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/should-you-buy-a-new-car-or-fix-the-one-you-have/Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer Concept: A Glimpse of Magnificence?
Total driving range of the plug-in hybrid – engine and batteries combined – is over 430 miles.
A special home charging system with solar panels accompanies the Engelberg Tourer Concept.
The Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer is more than a glimpse of magnificence from the once-mighty Japanese diamond star. It is proof that future crossover vehicles – whether plug-in hybrids or full-electric – will be far from boring. And they won’t look the same, either.
Look at this thing, for example. The Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer is hard to figure out, which is probably the reason I’m loving it already. There’s a shock and awe factor when you first catch this SUV. There’s no denying the sporty and adventurous DNA; Mitsubishi vehicles are known for their sportiness anyway.
Yet viewed from the side and rear, the Engelberg Tourer has subtle hints of rugged luxury, similar to the Range Rovers and Land Cruisers of the world. Folks, you are looking at Mitsubishi’s next-generation plug-in hybrid SUV.
Brutish & Modern Style
Sadly, the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer is just a concept. Then again, this SUV is actually pretty close to reality, and similar to the Nissan IMQ concept CUV in some ways. Although different in size and scope, both concepts would likely find promising markets, given consumer demand for SUVs and crossovers today. But unlike the Nissan (which seems like the offspring of a Nissan supercar and Lexus crossover), the Mitsubishi Engelberg bears a striking resemblance to current Mitsubishi vehicles.
Are you familiar with either the Mitsubishi Triton/Strada/L200 pickup; Montero Sport/Pajero Sport SUV; or the Xpander MPV? The common denominator between each is the “dynamic-shield” face. But with the Engelberg Concept, the dynamic-shield design is cleaner and more defined. The design is a bit polarizing, I’ll give you that, but the brutish face grows on you like a goatee.
The Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer features an updated version of the dynamic-shield face design. Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America.
What’s In A Name?
But compared to existing Mitsubishi SUVs, the Engelberg Tourer is chunkier and more purposeful. There’s no doubt the Engelberg Tourer concept is a vehicle for active lifestyles. Even the “Engelberg” appellation is derived from a well-known ski resort in Switzerland. I’m sure you’ll agree, it doesn’t get sportier or more outdoorsy than being named after a Swiss alpine resort.
But if I were Mitsubishi, I’ll choose Outlander or Pajero Sport as a final name. And if I’m betting my hard-earned dollars, I have a feeling this concept will shed the odd name for something more familiar or appealing like, umm, Outlander or Pajero Sport.
Advanced Electrification
As the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer made its entrance during the Geneva International Motor Show, most of the hype focused on the Twin-Motor 4WD plug-in hybrid system. Now that’s quite a mouthful, so allow me to break it down. Similar to other plug-in hybrids, the Engelberg Tourer comes with a 2.4-liter gasoline engine. But it also comes with a rather large battery pack and two electric motors – one for the front and one in the rear. This allows the vehicle to achieve an impressive all-electric cruising range of 43 miles or 70 kilometers.
But if you take into account a fully-charged battery pack and a tankful of delicious petrol, the Engelberg Tourer has a cruising range of 434 miles or 700 kilometers. This is because the gasoline motor is acting as an onboard generator to charge the battery pack in series-hybrid mode.
Combined with the sleek shape and active radiator shutters, the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer is aerodynamically-enhanced to achieve every ounce of range, according to the company. And Mitsubishi was able to do all this without scrimping on cabin space. This vehicle is roomy enough to accommodate seven.
Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer interior layout. Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
All-Wheel Control Technology
But the talk of the town is the twin-motor, full-time 4WD system. This is enough to make Mitsubishi fanboys blush with excitement. The Engelberg Tourer utilizes Active Yaw Control (AYC) and Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) in the powertrain.
Now, where did I hear that before? If you answered Lancer Evolution, you’re right on the money!
Active yaw control allows the electric motor to tailor the torque split between the front wheels. In the meantime, S-AWC alters the braking force at each wheel. It also monitors the power output in the front and rear electric motor. What does this all mean exactly? Picture the handling dynamics of a rally car combined with the ruggedness of an off-road SUV fed by electrons. If you add other abbreviations like ASC (active stability control) and ABS, the Engelberg Tourer is an SUV you can definitely throw around.
What’s next? The Dakar Rally or World Rally Championships, perhaps? Come to think of it, that’s not a far-fetched idea considering Mitsubishi’s affiliation with all things related to rallying and off-road endurance.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Green Charging Options: DENDO Drive House
It’s nice that Mitsubishi is making an initiative towards sustainable energy options. The DENDO Drive House (DDH) technology is proof of that. The goal is to package the DDH system with the Engelberg Tourer. It consists of a bi-directional charger, solar panels, and home battery.
Yes, it’s remarkably similar to Tesla’s Powerwall. The DDS system will basically absorb power from the sun and store the energy in a larger battery pack. This means you can charge your plug-in hybrid vehicle using pure solar energy. This also means you can power your home at night using the juice from the home batteries and PHEV.
The DDH system will be available at Mitsubishi dealers in select markets around the world, but the Japanese car maker will start offering the service initially in Japan and Europe later this year. The dealer will handle installation and after-maintenance.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Pricing & Availability
All of this sounds promising, but how much will it cost? Considering a pair of Tesla Powerwalls will set you back around $15,000, it will be great if Mitsubishi bundles the DDH system at a lower price. As for the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer, it’s just a concept for now. It’s our best guess as to when we will see it on the market, if at all.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer Concept Gallery
Photos & Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
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https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/mitsubishi-engelberg-tourer-concept-a-glimpse-of-magnificence/Uber ignores California's grounding of self-driving Volvo XC90s tests
Uber hasn’t even completed a week of live testing of its fleet of completely-autonomous Volvo XC90s and they’re already in deep doo-doo.
What’s going on?
Uber has been hitting the headlines with the launch of its first wave of self-driving, completely autonomous Volvo XC90s in San Francisco for a series of real-world tests. It hasn’t been a full week since the cars began testing and already they’re causing trouble.
It all started when a video surfaced on the web of a self-driving Uber XC90 clearly running a redlight sometime last week. Since then, California regulators and the DMV called for a complete grounding of the XC90 fleets. However, Uber isn’t complying and thus has yet to pull the XC90s from the road.
Uh oh, that doesn’t sound good. What are California regulators saying?
Because of the clear video showing the Uber XC90s are still problematic and a safety hazard, the California Attorney General’s office threatened legal action if Uber doesn’t ground the fleet.
The letter was sent later Friday, demanding Uber to apply for the proper permits to allow for continued testing of its XC90s. The permits need to be supplied by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
However, Uber contested these demands claiming its cars feature technology that’s no different than the equipment used on other advanced driver-assistance systems. As a result, the fleet of self-driving XC90s do not need those permits to continue testing.
But Momma California says otherwise…
According to California’s Vehicle Code Section 38750, the DMV amended new legislature regulating the testing and public use of autonomous cars on California’s public roads. Because of these clear statues, the DMV issued a cease-and-desist letter to Uber on Dec. 14 under this code.
But Uber argues that code section only applies to fully-autonomous vehicles with no steering wheel, no pedals, or human driver. The XC90s are still XC90s, just with a bunch of autonomous tech on it.
The debacle is ongoing.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: USAToday
The post Report: Uber ignores California’s call to ground self-driving Volvo XC90 tests appeared first on egmCarTech.
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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/uber-ignores-californias-grounding-of-self-driving-volvo-xc90s-tests/The 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S is a not-so-extreme SV
Think of it as the Lamborghini Aventador S without the V.
What’s going on?
Lamborghinis are pretty rambunctious and it’s hard to imagine how much more ridiculous they could get. How does more power, more aerodynamics, and more performances sound?
With the 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S, that’s exactly what you get. But you don’t get as much performances as the SuperVeloce. That’s not necessarily a bad thing if the the Aventador SV is just a little too much Aventador for you. Instead, the Aventador S is basically like a SuperVeloce without the Veloce.
Ok. So how much more power are we talking?
The 6.5L naturally-aspirated V12 already offers a whopping 690hp and 508 lb-ft of torque for a 0-60 time of just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 220 mph. Because the Aventador S essentially gets the SV’s revised V12, that means power jumps up to 740hp with torque remaining the same as the regular car. The SV’s mill however gets a higher redline as well. But interestingly, the zip to 62 mph still takes around 2.8-2.9 seconds.
All that extra power but not that much more performance…what else is new with the Aventador S?
To match the extra power, the body gets slightly reworked to serve up more downforce at speed for better stability and handling. Additionally, “overall efficiency” is claimed to increase by 50 percent. Downforce at the front increases by 130 percent and a stunning 400 percent at the rear.
Also new is an active four-wheel steering system, which is new for the Aventador. During low speed maneuvers, the rear wheels can steer in the opposite direction as the front for a better turning radius. When traveling at faster speeds, the system reverses its actions to improve high-speed handling.
How much will this Aventador S cost?
A lot of money, as you can imagine. Prices for the 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S start at $421,350. Check enough boxes on the options list and you’ll pass $500,000 very easily.
Deliveries are scheduled to commence in spring of 2017.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: Lamborghini
The post The 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S is a not-so-extreme SV appeared first on egmCarTech.
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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/the-2017-lamborghini-aventador-s-is-a-not-so-extreme-sv/GM halts production for cars from heavy crossover SUV demand
Like you’ve never heard us tout how popular crossovers are before…
What’s going on?
Crossovers! “Oh jeeze…” Yea. I know what you’re thinking. We get it. They’re popular. I get it too.
But this is how crazy it can get. Car demand is so slow for General Motors, multiple reports indicate the Big Three’s General had to put a stop on various assembly lines. The reason: the demand for crossovers is just too damn high!
According to AutomotiveNews and The Detroit News with info provided by Autodata, GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck, Fairfax, Lansing Grand River, Lordstown, and Bowling Green will all hit the stop button on everything for several week periods.
That’s a lot of plant locations. What cars are affected?
Here’s a quick list of what each plant builds:
- Detroit-Hamtramck Facility to shut down for three weeks, builds:
- Buick LaCrosse
- Cadillac CT6
- Chevrolet Volt
- Chevrolet Impala
- Fairfax, Kansas to shut down for three weeks, builds:
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Lansing Grand River to shut down to for two weeks, builds:
- Cadillac ATS
- Cadillac CTS
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Lordstown, Ohio to shut down for one week, builds:
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Bowling Green, Kentucky to shut down for one week, builds:
- Chevrolet Corvette
Currently, an overstock issue is a larger issue for the company with many vehicles still heavy in supply. There simply is no more room to store inventory.
On the flip side, crossover and truck supply is lower than company standards because dealers can’t keep those on the lots. The lower gas prices in recent years stimulated crossover, SUV, and truck sales over more fuel-efficient alternatives.
To try and coax more buyers into the showrooms, GM will soon begin offering more incentives and discounts.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: AutomotiveNews, The Detroit News
The post Report: GM halts production for cars, fingers point to heavy crossover SUV demand appeared first on egmCarTech.
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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/gm-halts-production-for-cars-from-heavy-crossover-suv-demand/Night Vision For The Masses: NightRide Helps Keep Drivers Safe
A new product called NightRide uses advanced infrared technology to help drivers see after dark.
The NightRide unit comes with two different displays, including a “fighter pilot” style heads-up display.
There’s no doubt about it. Driving at night is risky business. Throw in visually-impaired drivers, fatigue from the long work day, and rush hour traffic and the odds are further against you. In fact, the National Safety Council finds that 50 percent of traffic deaths happen at night. The developers of NightRide considered statistics like these when they went to work on the innovative plug-and-play device that utilizes far-wave military-grade infrared technology.
Beyond Headlights
NightRide is essentially a thermal camera that allows drivers to see well beyond the range of standard headlights, providing additional visibility in darkness and during severe weather. The unit is designed to detect things like deer, pedestrians, and black ice at night, and during rainy, foggy, and snowy conditions.
“The driving force behind NightRide is our desire to empower people to drive at night with total peace of mind,” said Shawn Groce, Founder of Wesa, the company behind NightRide. “Collisions with animals are costing Americans $1 billion each year.”
NightRide is a thermal camera that detects hard-to-see objects in the dark. Photo: Wesa Inc.
Infrared-Based Night Vision System
Unlike conventional night vision systems that magnify small amounts of ambient light, NightRide can operate in total darkness by using thermal infrared technology. Infrared measures the amount of heat emitted by people or objects to create a visual image of the objects ahead. Groce believes this gives drivers an advantage during the night.
“According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, regular headlights can only help drivers see up to a maximum of 160 feet ahead. Most of the time, this is insufficient to see the road and to make decisions to avoid accidents that lead to injury or death,” he explained. “But since NightRide helps drivers see up to four times further than headlights, and can see beyond rain, snow, and fog, the risk of hitting someone or having an accident is significantly reduced.”
NightRide captures people and objects much farther away than ordinary headlights. Photo: Wesa Inc.
Long-Range Durability & Visibility
The thermal camera within the NightRide unit can withstand changing temperatures and harsh weather, a hallmark of its design. The actual camera housing is hermetically-sealed and rated at IP69 for environmental protection. And in order to operate flawlessly in both hot and cold conditions, the camera sensor is temperature-controlled.
The company says the unit is meant for use in inclement weather and was designed accordingly.
NightRide extends the visibility of common nighttime hazards up to 600 feet. In terms of driving in snow or fog, every inch of visibility makes a huge difference. To sum it up, NightRide’s technology is about providing an added buffer in order to reduce a nighttime collision.
NightRide capturing a deer in the dark. Photo: Wesa Inc.
How It Works
Night vision for cars is nothing new. In fact, high-end BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Cadillac vehicles are currently offering their own versions of night vision as an option. Ticking the box for the Mercedes Night View Assist PLUS in an S-Class sedan will cost upwards of $2,200. It’s basically the same deal with a BMW or Cadillac. However, the brains behind NightRide were looking for a more cost-effective solution; one that fits every type of car on the road.
“The most daunting challenge in developing NightRide was to make it affordable and easy to install,” Groce said. “NightRide is plug-and-play and self-installable in a matter of minutes.”
The NightRide unit mounts cleanly on the hood, near the base of the windshield, using an anti-theft mounting bracket. The unit grabs power directly via a wired connection to the car’s battery.
“And it is cheaper than most smartphones on the market today,” Groce added.
The NightRide unit is easy to install. Photo: Wesa Inc.
Fighter Pilot Display
Drivers can choose between two different displays, depending on their preferences. The first is an engaging, fighter-pilot-style heads-up display. This allows you to view the night vision images from the console display on the windshield itself. The next option is to affix the display console on the windshield using a suction mount. Equipment for both options of the display are ready to go, right out of the box.
Pricing & Availability
NightRide is available for a limited time at the discounted price of $795 with a $50 pre-order deposit. Initial shipments begin in June. For more information about NightRide, see their comprehensive FAQ page.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
NightRide Gallery
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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/night-vision-for-the-masses-nightride-helps-keep-drivers-safe/Imagine By Kia: New Concept Electric Aims To Please The Senses
The familiar Kia “tiger nose” makes way for the “tiger mask” front design.
Kia unveiled the “Imagine by Kia” concept at the Geneva International Motor Show.
Ah yes, another concept EV. The Imagine by Kia is the South Korean car maker’s first-ever, pure-electric four-door car. It fuses the design attributes of a muscular SUV, athletic family saloon, and a versatile crossover.
I have no idea how Kia did it, but the initial results are satisfying, to say the least. It didn’t take long to discern that Kia is serious about coming up with better-looking cars.
Case in point, the Kia Stinger GT.
And with the Imagine by Kia Concept EV, we can rest in the knowledge that future electric cars will have none of the weird and polarizing quirkiness of early hybrids and electric vehicles. I’m looking at you, first-gen Nissan Leaf and Peugeot iOn! Thankfully, Nissan has moved on from the dreary first-gen Leaf to the more normal-looking second-gen car. Sadly, Peugeot remains stuck in the past with the iOn, which remains to be a rebadged Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car.
And this is where we see Kia trying to break that mold in terms of styling.
Imagine by Kia. Photo: Kia Motors Europe.
SUV Design Cues, Compact Size
Sport-utility vehicles are so popular that a large majority of concept cars are now carrying SUV design cues. Consider the recent Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept? That vehicle is Infiniti’s first foray in the EV segment, and it’s an SUV! Kia is doing something similar here. But instead of being an actual SUV, the Imagine by Kia is a large C-segment car. Think Nissan Sentra, Volkswagen Golf, and Toyota Corolla. Or in Kia world, the Forte.
“It hints at something familiar but is something entirely new,” said Gregory Guillaume, Vice President of Design, Kia Motors Europe, about the Imagine by Kia. “I think of it as a category-buster, and a disruptor – it’s familiar and understood but at the same time progressive and new.”
Instead of the familiar three-box design layout, the Imagine by Kia is styled like a crossover. At some angles, this concept resembles a Stinger on steroids. However, in the front, the Imagine by Kia is oozing with old school charm. If you squint, the new “tiger mask” front has the aura of the Alfa Romeo Montreal and the De Tomaso Mangusta from the 1970s.
“The inspiration for the ‘tiger mask’ was to create the look and feel of the headlamps being suspended within a transparent block of glass,” Guillaume said. “This identifiable lighting signature could potentially be deployed as a unifying design element across Kia’s future electric vehicle range.”
Photo: Kia Motors Europe.
Unique Paintwork
In order for the crisp shoulder lines and tautly-drawn sheet metal to further stand out, the Imagine by Kia EV boasts a unique paint job. The car benefits from six layers of chrome-effect silver paint – applied by hand, of course – along with a tanned bronze tint. The result is a surface that is warm and inviting to the touch.
And as you may have figure out by now, the paint is sensitive to changing light conditions. The effect is hard to ignore. The depth of sheen plays with the light as it hits the surface, further enhancing the curves and contours of the vehicle.
“Kia prides itself on its power to surprise, which is why we wanted to move away from the rational and focus on the emotional, and embrace a warmer and more human approach to electrification,” Guillaume added.
Photo: Kia Motors Europe.
Efficient Aerodynamics
Electric vehicles are not just about powerful acceleration and silent driving. These vehicles need to slice the wind like a hot knife over butter to improve real-world driving range. From this aspect, it seems Kia has all the bases covered.
“The front air curtain; the way the double-skin bonnet channels air through the nose, up and over the front screen and roof; the double skinned C-pillar that creates an air spoiler; the completely enclosed underbody; the wind-cheating ‘wingcams’ and the hard-edged break-away around the car’s rear,” Guillaume explained. “All these features collectively boost aerodynamic efficiency and reduce turbulence and drag.”
The same goes for the wheels. Those 22-inch rollers contain inserts crafted from transparent acrylic glass, which will hopefully survive curb damage. The goal is to refract and reflect light as the wheels move while reducing air turbulence. The wheels are shod in Goodyear Intelligrip EV concept tires. The tires have sensors that feed information to the vehicle ECU.
Fascinating Interior
The first thing you’ll notice in the interior of the Imagine by Kia is not the single sheet of glass for the windscreen and roof, nor the floating center console or the rear-hinged suicide doors. While those certinately command attention, they are nothing compared to the immersive front display consisting of 21 individual screens on top of the dashboard. We all know distracted driving is dangerous but this is crazy.
Thankfully, Kia’s design team has a sense of humor after all, which is refreshing for a global car maker.
“Those 21 incredibly thin screens are a humorous and irreverent riposte to the on-going competition between some automotive manufacturers to see who can produce the car with the biggest screen,” explains Ralph Kluge, General Manager of Interior Design, Kia Motors Europe. “We wanted the interior to have a twinkle in its eye, to be full of surprising and delightful touches that amuse, engage, and attract both driver and passenger alike.”
Imagine by Kia interior layout, complete with 21 screens. Photo: Kia Motors Europe.
Pure Electric Power
We know for a fact the Imagine by Kia is a pure-electric vehicle. However, Kia is mum on the battery specs and powertrain information. At least for now. What we know so far is how the vehicle benefits from a low-mounted, induction-charged battery pack and compact drivetrain.
Whatever the case, the Imagine by Kia concept has huge shoes to fill. It not only needs to be good, but it needs to be good enough to run with the forthcoming Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2, and Audi Q4 e-tron. This means Kia’s first-ever EV must have a range of 230 to 300 miles and go from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds.
Kia, I hope you’re reading this.
Future Considerations
Besides the ridiculous screens on the dashboard, Kia is on the right path. But remember, the Imagine by Kia is a concept vehicle. We hope the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when the production model arrives in the near future.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
Imagine by Kia Gallery
Photos & Source: Kia Motors Europe.
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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/imagine-by-kia-new-concept-electric-aims-to-please-the-senses/Vanquish Vision Concept: Aston Martin Goes Mid-Engine!
The decision takes Aston Martin into a mid-engine sector previously defined by other key competitors.
Aston Martin has been cranking out the concept cars, er, renderings lately. In this instance, we’re talking about the Vanquish Vision Concept. In a lot of ways, it’s both remarkable and unremarkable. Low, sleek, dripping with performance and desirability; it’s everything a concept show car is expected to be. But then you think about it and realize the engine sits in the middle. A mid-engine Aston Martin? Aston doesn’t make mid-engine cars.
Well, they do now.
The Heartland of Luxury Sports Cars
The Vanquish Vision Concept will be one of four mid-engine cars from Aston Martin: The Valkyrie, Valkyrie AMR Pro, AM-RB 003, and the Vanquish Vision (the letter V is flying around Gaydon). Until now, Aston Martins have been very traditional, very British performance cars, with the engine in the front, just the way the Queen and country prefer it. Performance-wise, however, having the lump in the middle is better, so Aston Martin is finally jumping on that old bandwagon and will now start making mid-engine cars.
“Firstly, what a pleasure to revive the Vanquish name. Synonymous with our series production flagships, it felt entirely appropriate to attach it to such a significant car. The Vanquish Vision Concept marks another pivotal moment in Aston Martin’s history, and another critical step in delivering the Second Century Plan,” explained Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO. “Our first series production rear mid-engined supercar will be a transformational moment for the brand, for it is the car that will propel Aston Martin into a sector of the market traditionally seen as the heartland of luxury sports cars.”
Vanquish Vision Concept. Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Related: How Sir David Brown built a car for the “discerning owner driver.”
Less Negative Space
You can think of the Vanquish Vision Concept as sort of a baby Valkyrie, in much the same way a Ferrari 488 is a baby LaFerrari. The latest Vanquish is not as full-blown crazy as the Valkyrie. For example, the Vanquish gets a new V6 plant sitting amidships versus the V12 hybrid monster found in the Valkyrie. (Although that V6 is a non-hybrid, non-turbo version of the same engine found in the AM-RB 003).
So you can see the range of mid-engine Astons as being a spectrum of choice, from the vanilla of the “plain” V6 in the Vanquish, through the spiced up turbo-hybrid of the AM-RB 003, to the full zoot, straitjacket bent of the Valkyrie.
“The Vanquish Vision Concept has a more seductive and less technical appearance than the Aston Martin Valkyrie and AM-RB 003, but it’s still extreme in terms of visual gestures,” said Miles Nurnberger, Aston Martin Director of Design. “For example, it has a very distinctive clamshell front fender, with openings so you can see through onto the tire. There’s less of the negative space that defines the look of the Aston Martin Valkyrie and AM-RB 003. It’s a prettier car, and purposely so, as it’s been designed to thrive in a less extreme performance envelope.”
Sounds like Aston Martin has all the bases covered.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Glued & Screwed
Technical info is rather lacking at this point, sadly. The only gearhead stuff Aston Martin mentions is how the chassis of the Vanquish Vision Concept is a custom-made, bonded aluminum affair, developed by mid-engine specialist and Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer, Max Szwaj. Aston Martin employed a more state-of-the-art, all-carbon fiber construction for both the Valkyrie and AM-RB 003, but went with a more established “glued and screwed” bonded aluminum approach for the Vanquish Vision Concept.
No outright reason is given but, to my experience, it comes down to cost. Carbon fiber is expensive to work with and very expensive to repair (assuming you can repair it). Meaning that insurance costs for a car with a chassis made of metal will be lower. Aston Martin has worked with aluminum for chassis bits and sub-structures in the recent past. For example, the DBS Superleggera utilizes the latest generation of the lightweight bonded aluminum structures first seen on Aston’s DB11. Much like Lotus’ work in the same arena, it shows how a semi-high tech, not exactly bleeding edge approach is still a good path to follow.
“Although it takes Aston Martin into new territory, it does so with the benefit of hard-won knowledge, ground-breaking ideas, and an uncompromising mindset,” Szwaj said. “The full engineering story of this car is yet to be told, but what you see here should tell you this car will not only compete at the highest level, but it will do so in a manner and style unique to Aston Martin.”
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Pricing & Production
The Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept is scheduled for production in 2022. Although, you know what they say about schedules, especially when it comes to concept cars. No word yet on price. It will likely be less than its other mid-engine stablemates but still more than your house.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept Gallery
Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.
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