Nissan Ellure concept Wallpaper

2010 LA Autoshow:Nissan Ellure Concept Wallpaper

Nissan calls its Ellure concept "the sedan re-imagined," previewing what sort of design is possible for its forthcoming four-door range. This concept is at once elegant and aggressive, with styling elements that don't stray too far from what the automaker is currently putting out. Those headlamps, for example, use the same fin-like design of the taillights on the 370Z and Juke, and are a more forward-thinking version of what we currently see on the Maxima.

Let's be clear, though – there are plenty of elements on the Ellure that are purely concept car spec. The large, 21-inch wheels and rear-hinged rear doors, for example – stylish and sleek, yes, but hardly practical for future production sedans. The same thing can be said for the interior, which uses suede seats, "floating" headrests, red floors and red pedals (why don't more cars have these?).


2010 LA Autoshow:Nissan Ellure Concept Wallpaper

2010 LA Autoshow:Nissan Ellure Concept Wallpaper


The Ellure is powered by a supercharged 2.5-liter inline-four and a 25-kilowatt electric motor, mated to the automaker's Xtronic CVT and a front-wheel-drive layout. Nissan says the concept uses regenerative braking and an advanced drive-by-wire electric/hydraulic steering system to ensure that the Ellure is as involving as possible for drivers out on the road.

No, the Ellure won't be destined for production, but we're eager to see how this sexy new sedan influences Nissan's future product portfolio.

2010 LA Autoshow:Nissan Ellure Concept Wallpaper


2010 LA Autoshow:Nissan Ellure Concept Wallpaper

Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept Wallpaper

2010 LA Motorshow :Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept Wallpaper
LOS ANGELES – Cadillac today introduced the Urban Luxury Concept, a design study exploring a new type of vehicle that offers a luxury experience in a diminutive size. The Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept complements its compact dimensions with the design, features and technology for which Cadillac is known.

"The Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept celebrates its scale with intelligent, innovative content that makes it unique regardless of its size," said Clay Dean, Director of GM North American Advanced Design and Cadillac Brand Champion. "It has a small exterior footprint, but is roomy inside."

2010 LA Motorshow :Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept Wallpaper

Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept Wallpaper

Conceived and designed in the Los Angeles area, where tight, confined parking areas for apartments, office buildings and even suburban homes are part of everyday driving, the concept weaves Cadillac's iconic design elements into a form that eschews conventional vehicle design to answer the needs of those metropolitan motorists.

Comparable in size to popular city cars found in Paris, Shanghai and London, the Urban Luxury Concept demonstrates a departure from conventional vehicle design. It seats four, with easy access to all seats available via a pair of scissor-type doors that extend outward and rotate forward when opened. The design fosters a roomy passenger area, which is trimmed in exquisite materials and features next-generation interactive technology. Touch-pad screens and projected readouts take the place of most traditional gauges and serve as the audio and climate system controls – a design feature that helps open up the interior for greater passenger space.


2010 LA Motorshow :Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept Wallpaper

"While small in size, this concept is an exploration of what Cadillac could be in the future, as the brand continues to focus on redefining industry standards for advanced vehicle design and integrated technology," said Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac marketing.

Engineers have developed a concept hybrid propulsion system for the Urban Luxury Concept that includes a turbocharged 1.0L three-cylinder engine employing electric assist technology, engine start-stop function, brake energy regeneration and a dry dual-clutch transmission. Based on extensive prototype and production experience, a combination of these technologies could offer projected fuel economy of 56 mpg in the city and 65 mpg on the highway, in a vehicle of the size and configuration of the Urban Luxury Concept.


2010 LA Motorshow :Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept Wallpaper

Toyota RAV4 EV Wallpaper

Toyota RAV4 EV Wallpaper
TOYOTA DEBUTS 100-MILE RANGE, RAV4 EV DEMONSTRATION VEHICLE AT LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW

Toyota/Tesla Collaboration To Build, Demonstrate And Evaluate 35 Vehicles: Fully Engineered Second-Generation RAV4 EV Slated For 2012 On-Sale Date

LOS ANGELES, November 17, 2010 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) debuted today the second-generation Toyota RAV4 EV at a news conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show. A total of 35 vehicles will be built for a demonstration and evaluation program through 2011, aiming at market arrival of a fully-engineered vehicle in 2012. The fully-engineered vehicle will have a target range of 100 miles in actual road driving patterns, in a wide range of climates and conditions.

"When we decided to work together on the RAV4 EV, President Akio Toyoda wanted to adopt a new development model that incorporated Tesla's streamlined, quick-action approach," said Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer, TMS. "The result was a hybrid – a new decision and approval process and a development style that our engineers refer to as "fast and flexible."

Toyota RAV4 EV Wallpaper

Toyota RAV4 EV Wallpaper

"When we decided to work together on the RAV4 EV, President Akio Toyoda wanted to adopt a new development model that incorporated Tesla's streamlined, quick-action approach," said Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer, TMS. "The result was a hybrid – a new decision and approval process and a development style that our engineers refer to as "fast and flexible."

Led by the Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America (TEMA) Technical Center in Michigan, the new development model helped reduce development time without compromising product quality. The team has accomplished this by approaching the project as they would a typical mid-cycle "major-minor" product change. Specifically, midway through a generation, the team began with a fully engineered current-generation RAV4, to which was added a major powertrain option, along with minor feature and cosmetic changes.

Tesla was responsible for building and supplying the battery, as well as other related parts, that met specific Toyota engineering specifications in performance, quality and durability. Toyota was responsible for development and manufacturing leadership and the seamless integration of the powertrain.



"From the beginning, the customer experience has been the focus," said Lentz. "In other words, how do we deliver an unconventional product to mainstream customers that is compelling and affordable and that offers an acceptable level of daily convenience."

A large part of the team's focus on the customer experience targeted driveability. In this case, the end goal is a vehicle with driveability characteristics as close to the conventional RAV4 as possible.

For example, the demonstration vehicle weighs approximately 220 pounds more than the current RAV4 V6 yet it will accelerate from zero to sixty nearly as quickly.

This added weight factor required significant retuning of major components and a prioritized focus on weight distribution. Not only were suspension and steering modified significantly, major components needed to be relocated to better balance the increased mass of the battery pack.

The demonstration vehicle Toyota is currently testing is powered by a lithium metal oxide battery with useable output rated in the mid-30 kwh range. However, many decisions regarding both the product, as well as the business model, have not been finalized. Battery size and final output ratings, as well as pricing and volume projections of the vehicle Toyota plans to bring to market in 2012, have not been decided.

As for a final assembly location, Toyota is considering many options and combinations. The basic vehicle will continue to be built at its Canadian production facility in Woodstock, Ontario. Tesla will build the battery and related parts and components at its new facility in Palo Alto, Calif. The method and installation location of the Tesla components into the vehicle is being discussed.

The RAV4 EV received several distinct exterior styling changes including a new front bumper, grille, fog lamps and head lamps. New EV badging and the custom "mutually exclusive" paint color, completed the transformation. The interior received custom seat trim, multimedia dash displays, push-button shifter and dashboard meters. The RAV4 platform brings a 73-cubic-foot cargo area with rear seats folded down – no cargo space was lost in the conversion to an electric powertrain.
In 1997, Toyota brought to market the first-generation RAV4 EV in response to the California zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate and was the first manufacturer to meet the mandate's Memo of Agreement on volume sales. Powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, the vehicle had a range of between 80-110 miles on a single charge. From model year 1998 to model year 2003, only 1,484 vehicles were sold or leased in the U.S. 746 first-generation RAV4 EVs are still on the road (www.toyotarav4ev.com).

"Price and convenience proved to be critical success factors and they remain so today," said Lentz. "But much has changed in the last few years. Most importantly, the growing level of awareness that sustainable mobility will come at a cost that must be shared by the automakers, government and the consumer."

Toyota's approach to sustainable mobility focuses on the world's future reliance on mobility systems tailored to specific regions or markets, rather than individual models or technologies. It acknowledges that no one technology will be the "winner" and that a mobility system in Los Angeles will probably look very different from one in Dallas or New York or London or Shanghai.
Toyota's comprehensive technology strategy is a portfolio approach that includes a long-term commitment to hydrogen fuel cells, plug-in hybrids and battery electrics all driven by the further proliferation of conventional gas-electric hybrids, like Prius as its core technology.

Toyota has announced that coinciding with the arrival of the RAV4 EV in 2012 it will launch, in key global markets, the Prius PHV (plug-in hybrid) and a small EV commuter vehicle. It will also launch, in key global markets, its first commercialized hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in calendar year 2015, or sooner. Finally, by the end of 2012, Toyota will add seven all new (not next-generation) hybrid models to its portfolio.

2011 Nissan Quest Wallpaper

LA Motorshow :2011 Nissan Quest Wallpaper
Keeping up with the Joneses is a tough game to play, and Nissan's third-generation Quest was getting jealous of the new Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. Los Angeles can change you, and that's why we are staring at the all-new fourth generation 2011 Nissan Quest.

2011 Nissan Quest Wallpaper

LA Motorshow :2011 Nissan Quest Wallpaper

Arriving in dealerships in the beginning of next year, the 2011 Nissan Quest will be offered in four trims: S, SV, SL and LE. All four are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 253 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, and it's paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT unit. Each trim is also fairly well-equipped, with even the base Quest S receiving push-button ignition and a six-disc CD audio system. The top-level Quest LE goes all out with such features as a DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones, a blind-spot warning system and HID headlights.

Besides the tech amenities, the Quest also offers a plethora of what-you-would-expect minivan features. The 2nd and 3rd rows of seating both fold flat to the floor, and a deep rear storage well adds even more cargo space if you are traveling with items other than passengers.

LA Motorshow :2011 Nissan Quest Wallpaper


LA Motorshow :2011 Nissan Quest Wallpaper

BMW M6 Hurricane RR Wallpaper

BMW M6 Hurricane RR Wallpaper
Never content with BMW's factory offerings, renowned German tuner G-Power has presented its latest accomplishment in the form of the new M6 Hurricane RR, which it claims to be the "world's fastest 4-seat Coupé".

While based on the outgoing BMW M6 Coupé, the Hurricane RR Coupe adopts the V10 bi-supercharger engine from G-Power's M5 Hurricane RR, which delivers 800-horsepower between 7,500 and 8,000 rpm, and a maximum torque of 800 Nm (or 590 lb-ft) generated at 5,000 rpm.

BMW M6 Hurricane RR Wallpaper

G-power BMW M6 Hurricane RR Wallpaper

Das Germans say the almost two-tonne coupé completes the 0-100km/h (62 mph) sprint in "less than 4.35 seconds", while it takes 9.5 seconds to reach 200km/h (124 mph) and just 24.9 seconds for the 300km/h (186 mph) mark.

Completing the performance package is a high-performance braking system and a coil-over sports suspension, with 9-way adjustability for compression and rebound plus variable height adjustment. The car also rides on new 20-inch forged alloy wheels clad in 255/35 ZR 20 (front) and 285/30 ZR 20 (rear) rubber.

G-Power also dressed the M6 with new aero-parts including carbon-fibre front skirt and a rear spoiler. As for the interior, it has been upgraded with a new speedometer (400 km/h plus carbon-fibre trim for the dashboard, centre console and door trim, as well as a new sports steering wheel upholstered in perforated Kjerba Nappa leather.

The German tuner offers the M6 Hurricane RR as a complete vehicle, however, the company did not release pricing.


G-power BMW M6 Hurricane RR Wallpaper

Scion xB RS 8.0 Wallpaper

Scion xB RS 8.0 Wallpaper
If there's one thing we can be sure to see at U.S. motor shows it's a limited production version of a Scion model. For the 2010 LA Show, Toyota's small car division has readied the 2011 xB Release Series 8.0 that will begin arriving in dealerships later this month.

Scion xB RS 8.0 Wallpaper
The RS 8.0 is offered in a new color called Voodoo Blue, which is not currently available on any other Scion model, and is fitted with a four-piece body kit from Kenstyle that includes front and rear lower lips, side skirts and a $320 optional color-keyed rear spoiler. As with most RS models, there are no alloy wheels included in the package.

2010 LA Motorshow :Scion xB RS 8.0 Wallpaper

What you do get though is a sunroof, which features power tilt and slide function not currently available on regular xB models. Other interior upgrades include seats and door-panel trim covered in an exclusive black fabric with blue color-tuned highlights and unique floor mats embroidered in blue with the "xB RS 8.0" logo.

Scion plans to keep production limited to 2,000 units, each carrying a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $18,405 with a manual transmission, and $19,355 with an automatic transmission, not including a $720 delivery, processing and handling fee.

Tuned 2012 Ford Focus Hatchbacks Wallpaper

Tuned 2012 Ford Focus Hatchbacks
Wallpaper

Tuned 2012 Ford Focus Hatchbacks Wallpaper
Three personalized Focus models will also be on display at Ford's 2010 Los Auto Show stand, giving visitors an idea of how they could improve their stock rides. The cars received a makeover consisting mostly of visual enhancements from Ford Vehicle Personalization, FSWerks and 3dCarbon.

Developed by Ford Vehicle Personalization, the first Focus showcases what can be done with Ford Custom Accessories. Boasting a tri-coat white paint, the hatch received an extensive body kit with modified front and rear bumpers, the latter with integrated diffuser, plus lowered side skirts and a roof spoiler. To achieve a striking contrast, designers applied Caribbean Blue accents to many body parts, such as the headlamps, mirrors, wheels and doors.

Inside, the color theme switches to a black and white contrast, used on the leather seats, steering wheel and center stack. Bespoke scuff plates and aqua accent lighting complete the composition.

Tuned 2012 Ford Focus Hatchbacks
Wallpaper

Next up is the FSWerks 2012 Ford Focus. In this case, modifications also include performance parts, like the stainless steel exhaust, which is said to maximize engine output, though no figures have been released yet. Gone is the stock suspension, too, replaced with an H&R Springs coil-over kit, cutting ride-height by a whopping 3 inches (7.62 centimeters).

Other treats include an FSWerks cold air intake, engine cover and 19-inch DPE R16 wheels, wrapped around Continental ExtremeContact tires. There's also a 3dCarbon roof wing and, under the sheetmetal, a front stress bar.

Last but not least, we have 3dCarbon's take on the Focus. The California-based tuner envisioned a "sinister look" for the car, or so it says, achieved by applying 3M's Ventureshield Paint Protection film foil wrap on the black body panels, complemented with smoked-out windows.

The hood received a glossy black finish, while the car rides on 20-inch Series KM650-KMC wheels, accented with red pinstripes. The 3dCarbon Focus also gets H&R sport and a cat-back exhaust.

SEMA 2010 : Mazda Miata Super20 Wallpaper

Mazda Miata Super20 Wallpaper

Mazda Miata Super20 Wallpaper

Mazda Miata Super20 Wallpaper



The MX-5 Cup, targeted at racers, has been put on a diet and gotten a little juiced; it now weighs under 2,600 lbs and its engine puts out 195 horses. For more on the Cup, scroll on down for the specs.

The other MX-5 is an anniversary model called the Super20 in celebration of the car's 20th American anniversary. The hardtop Super20 gets its fenders expanded around the 16-inch Enkeis, a stripped-down interior with roll-bar and suede (those two go hand-in-hand), and a supercharged Cosworth mill. Other mods include an improved brake system (lines, rotors, pads, ducts) and performance-oriented suspension tuning (hollow sway bars, shock tower brace, Mazdaspeed coilovers).

Mazda North America design director says, "The versatility of Mazda vehicles is extraordinary. With just minor modifications to a stock Mazda, it can be ready for the track or a car show. Our SEMA cars demonstrate this ability; taking a vehicle from the dealership and making it a truly unique piece."

Heico Sportiv Volvo S60 Wallpaper

Heico Sportiv Volvo S60 Wallpaper
Come later this month at the Essen Motor Show (26th November - 5th December 2010) in Germany, Volvo tuning specialist Heico Sportive will unveil its performance and styling bits for the Swedish automaker's all-new V60. The tuning program for the station wagon model carries the same upgrades as the S60 sedan.

Heico Sportiv Volvo S60 Wallpaper

Heico Sportiv Volvo S60 Wallpaper

On the styling side, the German tuning firm mounts a front spoiler on the original front bumper and a rear skirt with a diffuser that also houses the new tailpipes of the quad outlet exhaust. The menu also contains sport springs that lower the ride height and a choice of 18- or 20-inch multispoke alloy wheels.

Under the hood, there are various options, depending on the type of engine. For now, Heico Sportive offers a power kit for the 2.0 turbocharged gasoline unit, which adds an extra 47bhp and 50Nm of torque, and another one for the T6 engine that boost output to 330bhp and 460Nm. The tuning house said that further programs for the T3, T4 and T5 engine variants are under development.

Heico Sportiv Volvo S60 Wallpaper