Cool technology for Audi A6

Cool technology for Audi A6

We do write about cars often, but with the Singapore Grand Prix happening this weekend, we're suffering from a little bit of motoring fever.

Thus,  for 3G connectivity so that you can surf the Web, too (Warning: Not recommended while driving).we hopped into an Audi A6 hybrid--because we're trying to be environmentally friendly--which has just been introduced in Singapore.

On top of your usual run-of-the-mill Bluetooth connectivity and proximity sensors, the vehicle features an impressive range of (optional) add-ons, too. For example, Google Earth offers turn-by-turn navigation and displays more details about your destination, such as contact information.

Of course, there's a SIM card slot for 3G connectivity so that you can surf the Web, too (Warning: Not recommended while driving)

The onboard multimedia interface (MMI) navigation system has an integrated touchpad that has handwriting recognition. There's also voice control as well, so that you can search for destinations or contacts by speech, but we didn't manage to test it out.

Using a combination of sensors and cameras, the A6 hybrid is even capable of helping you to park by doing the steering (you'll still need to engage the gears and foot pedals). The night vision assistant uses thermal imaging to sense any pedestrians or animals in dark areas, highlighting and emitting warning sounds if you fail to spot them.

he vehicle runs on a parallel hybrid system, meaning that the engine runs on fuel, while the electric motor runs on batteries located in the trunk. Unlike all-electric vehicles, you don't need to charge an A6 hybrid.

Audi claims the car can reach a top speed of 238kmh, but that drops to 100kmh on electric power alone. And don't count on going too far on electric power alone either--you'll only travel up to 3km at an average speed of 60kmh.

The upside is knowing that you're doing your bit for the environment--the electric motor is able to recover energy when you decelerate. This "recuperation" ability converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into electric energy, which is then stored in the battery.

Plus, you're saving more money by consuming less petrol, with the A6 hybrid sipping a mere 6.4 liters per 100 kilometers.

In Singapore, the eco-friendly car costs S$278,150 inclusive of the certificate of entitlement (COE), about S$30,000 more than the normal saloon version. It's the first Audi hybrid to be commercially available in the city-state, although there are other models from car makers such as Lexus, Honda and Toyota already.

We also saw the Audi A1 e-tron concept car, which is scheduled for road testing in Southeast Asia in the near future. The A1 e-tron is powered by an electric motor and a Wankel engine, which kicks in when the battery supply is depleted and acts as a "range extender". Since it's a concept vehicle, you can't exactly go to a showroom and ask to take it out for a test drive, unlike the A6 hybrid.

We can tell you how it sounds like, though: Not much. The electric motor is so silent that Audi's acoustics experts have created an "e-sound" for its e-tron models. Our verdict: It lives up to its name with an audio signature straight out of the "Tron: Legacy" movie.

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2013 Toyota GT 86 Review And Interior

2013 Toyota GT 86 Review And Interior - Toyota  GT 86 size 86 mm, height 1285 mm and 2570 mm wide, dimensions that are now sporting four-seater is the most compact available.

Both the engine and the driving position was referred to the lowest level to achieve a better balance: the machine is almost perfect weight distribution of 53:47 front to rear. Engine size and driving your hips flat four points – the lowest of any current production model of Toyota – Toyota together provide 86 GT Ultra low center of gravity, only 475 mm.

Toyota GT 86 with light vehicles, making it easier for drivers to explore the flexibility and quiet play. Suspension with MacPherson struts with double wishbones front and rear. Enter the 17-inch ventilated disc brakes front and rear.

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► BMW 328 Hommage unveiled

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Exposing Dangers in Automobiles

All of the political powers that be are focused on the chemicals that the vehicles of today put out into the environment. However, no one has made that much of a fuss over the dangers that are inherent in every vehicle that is manufactured today. This may be because people simply do not know about it in great enough numbers, but the scientific evidence is most definitely there.

Experiments in the United States and in Europe have all come to the same conclusion – the real dangers of vehicles are some parts and inside of the cars, not in what comes out of them. If you have become privy to the following situations, then you must take great precautions to try to remedy them before you drive again.

Many in older vehicles, asbestos was used and still around in car manufacturers. It was used in different automobile parts like brake pads, gaskets, drums, clutches, hood liners, etc. Asbestos exposure can lead to an aggressive disease called mesothelioma.

The chemicals that car manufacturers put inside of the plastics that comprise your armrests, door handles, dashboard, seat covers, and sometimes even your gear shifts, are filled with the same chemicals that plastic manufacturers put in their products in order to affect their textures and hardness and flexibility. The difference is that those plastic products cannot be ingested into the body. However, that dust on your dashboard and on the underside of your windshield can cause these chemicals to be ingested into your body and can cause a great deal of short-term pain as well as long-term, completely incurable health situations.

These health problems from the over exposure to these chemicals that are used in dangerous plastics include asthma, gastrointestinal problems, liver problems, and many others. All of these different conditions have no known cure, which means that you can reduce your quality of life immensely if you do not keep the inside of your car clean at all times.

Also, another phenomenon that many people are not aware of – that new car smell is really a conglomeration of chemicals that is very dangerous to your health. One of the chemicals that is in that 'new car smell' is Benzene. So if you're going to buy a new car, make completely sure that you roll with the windows down until that new car smell leaves the car.

On top of that, every time you pop the hood of your car or go under your car in order to do some sort of maintenance, you should most definitely have a gas mask. These same chemicals that are inside a car on the plastics and in the dust can also show up under the hood and under the car.

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Bentley plans for the future with hybrid models and hopes to snag Maybach customers

Bentley is extensively prepping for their future with a couple of new paths to higher sales. Just recently, the company has downsized from a W12 to a V8 engine and their next course of action is to offer a plug-in hybrid model. In an interview with Car and Driver, Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer reported that the hybrid system could be based on Volkswagen technology and that it could combine either a W12 engine or a V8 engine with an electric motor placed between the engine and transmission. This system will allow an electric-only range of 16 to 19 miles - a relatively good range considering we are talking about very heavy vehicles.

Another new direction Bentley is taking, and probably the stranger of the two, is their announced plans to steal customers from Maybach. This bit of news came shortly after Mercedes announced that the last Maybach unit would be produced in early 2013. Bentley hopes that this termination of production will get stars like hip-hop artist Jay-Z, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and King Juan Carlos to turn their attention from the old Maybach models to Bentley’s line-up. We would think that Rolls Royce would be a good candidate as well, but Bentley wouldn’t be a bad way to go either.

"The withdrawal of Maybach is a business opportunity for us and we’re going to use it," Bentley Chief Executive Wolfgang Duerheimer told Reuters. And they aren’t too worried about Mercedes’ decision to offer an S600 Pullman because "they wanted something more exclusive than a Mercedes in the first place, so Rolls or Bentley would seem an obvious substitution."

In this war, Bentley has the advantage of planning a large luxury SUV that will be placed over the top Cayenne and it will be "highly customizable, including a wealth of interior materials and a choice of four- or five-passenger configurations."

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2013 Chevrolet Spark review

2013 Chevrolet Spark mini-car, introduced in 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show International, is the only car in its segment to offer a seven-inch color touch screen capable of displaying radio-based navigation smartphone, the media and contacts for hands-free calling.

A sporty four-passenger, five-door hatch is updated to the United States and Canadian consumers, Chevrolet Spark is designed to stimulate first-time buyers and residents of the city with style and bold colors, affordability, security 10 standard air bags, fuel efficiency and maneuverability.

Although compact, the Chevrolet Spark offers more passenger and cargo space than other cars like the Mini, Fiat 500 and the Scion iQ Smart fortwo. Equipped with a 1.2 L four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission, Chevrolet Spark will offer fuel economy competitive.

2013 Chevrolet Spark side angle view

2013 Chevrolet Spark back view

Exclusive Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, which displays the personal connectivity of Pandora and Stitcher internet radio, will be offered on 1LT and 2LT models as Chevrolet Spark will be sold in the United States and Canada in mid-2012.

In addition to MyLink, Chevrolet Spark is the only car in the segment to provide added value five-year warranty, 100,000 mile powertrain and safety and security of OnStar.

The original version of the Spark has been sold in Europe, Asia, Australia, Mexico and South America, where he has received several awards style and safety.

Designed for those who live large and loud. Just like the Chevrolet Cruze helped strengthen its position in the small car segment with a higher value than expected, the Chevrolet Spark is designed to challenge preconceived notions about how an affordable mini car can look, feel and drive.

While the Chevrolet Spark looks like three-door hatch, the designer cleverly disguised rear door with integrated handle to the C-pillar. This technique provides a sporty four-door Spark without sacrificing comfort and utility. An integrated spoiler above the rear hatch door Spark improve dynamic performance while also improving car aerodynamics, for fuel efficiency.

Wheels-in-the-corners stance Chevrolet Spark was further emphasized by the standard 15-inch alloy wheels. Other exterior styling enhancements include a new grille and front fascia, rear fascia again, and modified headlamps and taillamps. Redesigned outside mirrors also improves aerodynamics.

Uplevel including the rocker panels feature matching moldings, chrome brightwork on the beltline trim and liftgate handles, details on exhaust outlet poke-through and around the fog lights.

Attract the attention of finished exterior covering Salsa, jalapeno, Denim, Pink Lemonade and Techno, as well as traditional colors like Grey Area, Granite Black, Ice Silver and Summit White.

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Gearworld’s Best of 2011: Supercar of the Year

Going through all of the glorious supercars of 2011 was no easy task, especially since it felt like every random country of the world was developing their own supercar. Each vehicle we came across deserved to have their time to shine on the list for best supercar of 2011, but as time went on, it was clear which ones stood out above all of the rest.

A couple of the supercars on the list shouldn’t surprise anyone, especially since they were created by one of the top supercar makers in the world. Then there are the relative newbies to the group that have received enough recognition to warrant praise from the average car enthusiast, but the final vehicle would probably not be recognized by many and its home country may actually cause ridicule to ensue. The end result, however, was enough to give it a spot on our list.

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