Ferrari Takes The Plunge And Goes ‘Green’

Automakers everywhere are working to create newer vehicles that are better for the environment. Most of these automakers have been Honda and Ford so we are surprised and excited to see Ferrari joining the clan.

Ferrari aims to have future models of its luxury sports line consume 40 percent less fuel by 2012 in response to the growing pressure on car makers to reduce CO2 emissions from their vehicles. Amedeo Felisa, general manager of the Italian luxury sports car maker, said Ferrari wanted to reduce CO2 emissions from 400 grams per kilometer to 280-300 grams per kilometer.

We have to face the challenge of reducing consumption but not affecting the performance of the car,” he said at the Reuters Auto Summit in Frankfurt. “Otherwise we move (away) from our position in the market and we do not want to do that.” Felisa said Ferrari engineers were looking at everything from improving the performance of the engine to using lighter materials for the body of the car.

It will be interesting to see how Ferrari accomplishes this reduction. Earlier this year, the company revealed a very conceptual concept car called the Millechili, which was supposed to achieve green cred through a hybrid drivetrain and excessive use of lightweight materials like carbon fiber and aluminum.

Many people are wondering if Ferrari should use all their time and energy on creating ‘green’ cars due to the fact that not many people actually own one and they are rarely seen on the road. We on the other hand don’t want to discourage Ferrari and we say go for it.

8:15 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Ferrari Takes The Plunge And Goes ‘Green’

Automakers everywhere are working to create newer vehicles that are better for the environment. Most of these automakers have been Honda and Ford so we are surprised and excited to see Ferrari joining the clan.

Ferrari aims to have future models of its luxury sports line consume 40 percent less fuel by 2012 in response to the growing pressure on car makers to reduce CO2 emissions from their vehicles. Amedeo Felisa, general manager of the Italian luxury sports car maker, said Ferrari wanted to reduce CO2 emissions from 400 grams per kilometer to 280-300 grams per kilometer.

We have to face the challenge of reducing consumption but not affecting the performance of the car,” he said at the Reuters Auto Summit in Frankfurt. “Otherwise we move (away) from our position in the market and we do not want to do that.” Felisa said Ferrari engineers were looking at everything from improving the performance of the engine to using lighter materials for the body of the car.

It will be interesting to see how Ferrari accomplishes this reduction. Earlier this year, the company revealed a very conceptual concept car called the Millechili, which was supposed to achieve green cred through a hybrid drivetrain and excessive use of lightweight materials like carbon fiber and aluminum.

Many people are wondering if Ferrari should use all their time and energy on creating ‘green’ cars due to the fact that not many people actually own one and they are rarely seen on the road. We on the other hand don’t want to discourage Ferrari and we say go for it.

8:15 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Special Preview: Volvo XC60

Combining sporty design with leading edge safety features, the Volvo XC60 made its debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. A 5-seat crossover SUV that clearly moves Volvo in a bold new design direction, the XC60 also benefits from all of Volvo’s safety know-how and technology.

“This is not only the safest Volvo ever. If you ask me, it’s also the most stunning. Not a bad combination, is it?” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Fredrik Arp. ”The new XC60 bases its unique appeal on the synthesis between daringly sporty design and a range of intelligent safety systems that help the driver avoid accidents,” explained Arp.

While the XC60 will naturally satisfy buyers seeking Volvo’s legendary safety technology, the new crossover clearly aims to attract buyers who seek style and luxury as well.

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Special Preview: Volvo XC60

Volvo Design Director Steve Mattin describes the XC60 as ”the boldest crossover so far. This car is charged with more emotive form and far more energy than any previous Volvo model.”

We’re elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally turning up the visual volume. If you say that you’d recognize a Volvo from a hundred meters away today, I’d say the XC60 radiates a clear Volvo presence from at least twice that distance,” says Mattin.

Characterizing the bold styling, the Volvo badge and iron-mark in the front grille are both larger, while the Volvo name on the rear is larger as well. At the front, unique fog lights are positioned between the headlights and the grille, emphasizing the v-shape of the grille and the front fascia.

At the rear the taillights blend into the C-pillar and light up with the brake lights so that the shape of the rear shoulders are emphasized under braking.

The XC60 is packed with safety technology, but the big news is City Safety, a system designed to help a driver avoid a collision or reduce the speed of impact.

Active at speeds up to 20 mph, City Safety will pre-charge the brakes if the vehicle in front suddenly stops and City Safety determines that a collision is likely. If the driver doesn’t react, the brakes are applied automatically. At speeds below 10 mph City Safety may help avoid the collision and from 10 mph to 20 mph helps to reduce the speed before impact.

Another new safety featured being introduce on XC60 is Pre-Prepared Restraints that uses a laser sensor that interacts with other technology to control the airbags and adaptive seat belt load limiters. A further developed DSTC system is part of the XC60 safety equipment as is a new Trailer Stability Assist system.

On sale in Europe in the second half of 2008, the XC60 will initially be available with a 285-horsepower 6-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine and two five-cylinder turbodiesels, the 185-horsepower D5 and the 163-horsepower 2.4D. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Instant Traction is standard on all versions.

Sales are expected to begin in North America early in 2009.

Credit : source taken from HERE

9:46 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Special Preview: Volvo XC60

Combining sporty design with leading edge safety features, the Volvo XC60 made its debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. A 5-seat crossover SUV that clearly moves Volvo in a bold new design direction, the XC60 also benefits from all of Volvo’s safety know-how and technology.

“This is not only the safest Volvo ever. If you ask me, it’s also the most stunning. Not a bad combination, is it?” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Fredrik Arp. ”The new XC60 bases its unique appeal on the synthesis between daringly sporty design and a range of intelligent safety systems that help the driver avoid accidents,” explained Arp.

While the XC60 will naturally satisfy buyers seeking Volvo’s legendary safety technology, the new crossover clearly aims to attract buyers who seek style and luxury as well.

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Click image to enlarge

Volvo XC60 Photo: Sean Frego

Special Preview: Volvo XC60

Volvo Design Director Steve Mattin describes the XC60 as ”the boldest crossover so far. This car is charged with more emotive form and far more energy than any previous Volvo model.”

We’re elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally turning up the visual volume. If you say that you’d recognize a Volvo from a hundred meters away today, I’d say the XC60 radiates a clear Volvo presence from at least twice that distance,” says Mattin.

Characterizing the bold styling, the Volvo badge and iron-mark in the front grille are both larger, while the Volvo name on the rear is larger as well. At the front, unique fog lights are positioned between the headlights and the grille, emphasizing the v-shape of the grille and the front fascia.

At the rear the taillights blend into the C-pillar and light up with the brake lights so that the shape of the rear shoulders are emphasized under braking.

The XC60 is packed with safety technology, but the big news is City Safety, a system designed to help a driver avoid a collision or reduce the speed of impact.

Active at speeds up to 20 mph, City Safety will pre-charge the brakes if the vehicle in front suddenly stops and City Safety determines that a collision is likely. If the driver doesn’t react, the brakes are applied automatically. At speeds below 10 mph City Safety may help avoid the collision and from 10 mph to 20 mph helps to reduce the speed before impact.

Another new safety featured being introduce on XC60 is Pre-Prepared Restraints that uses a laser sensor that interacts with other technology to control the airbags and adaptive seat belt load limiters. A further developed DSTC system is part of the XC60 safety equipment as is a new Trailer Stability Assist system.

On sale in Europe in the second half of 2008, the XC60 will initially be available with a 285-horsepower 6-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine and two five-cylinder turbodiesels, the 185-horsepower D5 and the 163-horsepower 2.4D. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Instant Traction is standard on all versions.

Sales are expected to begin in North America early in 2009.

Credit : source taken from HERE

9:46 AM | 0 comments | Read More