Fisker Karma Makes European Debut at Monaco Grand Prix

Visitors to the world’s most prestigious motorsport event, the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, were among the first to see the first Fisker Karma off the production line put through its paces as it made its European driving debut on the famous street circuit.

On Saturday 28 May 2011, before official race qualifying began, the first European production version of the Fisker Karma, the world’s first true Electric Vehicle with extended range, took to the streets of Monaco, completing a couple of laps.

The vehicle was piloted by Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco. His Serene Highness was joined during this momentous occasion by company co-founder, CEO and executive design director, Henrik Fisker. This event marked the first dynamic, public showing of the Karma in Europe.

Fisker commented: “The Fisker Karma project has a distinct Monaco link. Prince Albert was one of the people who inspired me to create the Fisker Karma. When I met him at the Top Marques Show in Monaco in 2006 he commented that he would love to see a fuel-efficient luxury car, and from that small seed grew the concept of what became Fisker Automotive and our focus on premium EVer cars that deliver pure driving passion.

“We want to thank both the principality of Monaco and Prince Albert for not only being the inspiration, but also a great support for our groundbreaking automotive green initiative,” continued Fisker.

Designed to reflect Henrik’s paradigm of Responsible Luxury™, the Fisker Karma is the first American-designed and engineered luxury vehicle specifically developed to appeal to world markets. It is the only luxury sedan in the world that meets future fuel consumption and emission requirements, making it suitable for any international city.

The Karma was also on static display during the race weekend, both at the chicane exiting the tunnel, turns 10 and 11, otherwise known as the Nouvelle Chicane, and thereafter in Cavallari – Monaco Motors, Fisker’s newest dealership, located on 6- 11 rue Princesse Florestine, MC 98000.

The only true Electric Vehicle with extended range, the Fisker Karma drives its rear wheels using two rear-mounted 201.5 horsepower (150 kW) electric traction motors that draw energy from the lithium-ion battery pack for up to 50 miles (80 km). The gasoline engine drives a 175 kW electric generator to power the motors; there is no mechanical link between this engine and the drive motors.

Uniquely, the Fisker Karma can run in one of two drive modes: Stealth and Sport. Stealth Mode maximizes efficiency, giving the car its greatest range on battery power before activating the gasoline engine-driven generator to sustain battery charge. In Stealth Mode, the Karma can accelerate from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 95 mph (153 km/h). With Sport Mode engaged, the gasoline engine drives the generator to provide enough electricity for 403 total system horsepower, allowing the Karma to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).

In all aspects of performance, the Fisker Karma is designed to be a true driver’s car. Its proprietary, advanced aluminum space frame incorporates new levels of rigidity and strength that give the Karma world-class ride and handling characteristics. Fisker Automotive’s engineering team designed the Karma’s space frame around the car’s unique powertrain, filing for multiple patents in the process.

Benefitting from a four-wheel independent SLA (double-wishbone) suspension, also employing aluminum components, the Karma has been specifically tuned to run on standard 22-inch aluminum wheels, a first for a production car.

Production of the Fisker Karma recently started at Valmet Automotive’s Uusikaupunki facility in Finland with Fisker aiming to achieve full build rate by the second half of 2011. It is Fisker’s plan to deliver vehicles to all current deposit holders during the 2011 model year.

Ford Focus RS

If you didn’t manage to purchase one of limited edition Ford Focus RS500 before production ran out, you may want to take a look at Anderson Germany’s Ford Focus RS “Black Racing Edition”. The tuner-prepped Focus RS features a matte black paint scheme similar to the one featured on the RS500 adding contrasting red elements like the RS badges, the edges of the rims and theFord logo.

Anderson Germany's iteration of the RS uses the same bodykit from the production model spiced up with a different set of alloy wheels, painted black with a red edge. The interior of the car continues the red and black theme but it is more heavily customized than the standard Focus RS.

It sports a pair of black leather bucket seats with matching red stitching, carbon fiber trim on the center console, steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake levers, plus alcantara lining on the door panels and the central tunnel.

The dashboard is also covered in leather with red stitching and, interestingly, the Ford badge has been replaced all over the car with a similar one that reads “Beka”.

The tuner’s most impressive upgrade lies under the hood as the 2.5-liter 5-cylinder unit has been modified to deliver a mouth watering 420 horsepower, 115HP more than the stock Focus RS and 70HP more than the RS500. However, potential buyers should keep in mind that all those ponies are transferred to the front wheels alone….

The German tuning house has not yet released any acceleration figures.

GALLERY

UPS Composite Van Boost MPG by 40%

UPS plans to launch a composite plastic truck that's 500 kg lighter than a standard one, gets 40 percent better fuel economy and helps save 84 million gallons of fuel annually?

Through December of this year, the company is testing five new prototype trucks. The CV-23 is the product of Utilimaster and Isuzu. During an eight-month testing period, the new trucks will get heavy usage on some of UPS's most punishing routes, in Lincoln, Nebraska; Albany, New York, and Tucson, Arizona.

UPS replaces 5,000 to 6,000 vehicles each year, as part of a constant process to maintain and update its worldwide fleet of 70,000-plus vehicles. While the CV-23 doesn't run an EV or Hybrid powertrain at the moment, UPS have been fairly active in testing both fully electric and innovative hybrid systems so we look forward to the company combining EV and plastic for even greater energy savings.

Fullycharged John O'Groats to Lands end in a Tesla [video]

John O'Groats to Lands end in a Tesla, the Rolls Royce 102 EX and the Vauxhall Ampera

Suzuki With Hot Hatchback in Geneva with Swift S-Concept

Ever since Suzuki presented the latest generation of the Swift in the summer of 2010, we were wondering if the Japanese automaker had any plans to add a sportier version to its supermini's range. Well, it appears that Suzuki does have something in mind as the company will be exhibiting a new concept car named the SWIFT S-CONCEPT at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

All we get for now is a teaser rendering showing the latest Swift sub-compact dressed in a new and more aggressive outfit with blistered front wheel arches, a new front bumper and grille design, unique headlamps and exterior mirrors plus a large roof wing.

According to Suzuki, the overall development concept was to create "a stylish sport compact with premium performance." Apparently we'll have to wait until the Geneva Salon to find out what the Japanese automaker has up its sleeve.

Lorinser Gives Revamped Mercedes-Benz S-Class More Power, Style

Lorinser Gives Revamped Mercedes-Benz S-Class More Power, Style
Lorinser, one of Germany's most prominent tuning houses, announced some new custom accessories for the refreshed 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.


Although Lorinser considers the parts to be "new," they're essentially the same as before. Bumpers fore and aft are swapped with a more aggressive replacements designed to increase cooling capacity and reducing drag. Matched with side skirts and unique front fenders, the look is pleasingly different than the styling packs offered from the likes of AMG.

Engineers have massaged the S600's twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-12 with a remapped ECU, larger turbos, higher-flowing fuel injection system, and less restrictive exhaust. The entire package yields 110 extra horsepower, bringing the 12-cylinder's output to a total of 620 horsepower -- 16 more than the top-tier S65 AMG.

Of course, what's a full Lorinser conversion without some extra cosmetic tweaks? Big rollers (up to 22-inches) and a lowered suspension are par for the course in the LV 12 Biturbo. Passengers will also be treated to a revamped interior, replete with the highest grade leather, chrome trim, and carbon-fiber accents.

Pricing hasn't been announced, but if an S600 is already in your stable, you shouldn't be too worried about its tuned brethren being out of your price league.

Source: Lorinser

Seat Start Production of Audi Q3 in 2012

It seems that the VW Group’s Martorell plant in Spain will not only build the new Audi Q3, but a similar version of the compact SUV for Seat as well, according to a report from British car magazine, What Car. Industry sources told the publication that the Seat IBX crossover study shown at Geneva this year will be built in the same plant with the Audi Q3, with both models to share the same platform. The production version of the IBX is expected to be introduced next year.

The IBX is Seat's second SUV concept after the Tribu shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007. The Tribu was initially supposed to spawn a production model but the project was canned due to the grim economic outlook at the time.

Now a Seat SUV is closer than ever to reality, even though the production version could differ from the three-door IBX design study. The series production model could feature a more conventional five-door bodywork and internal combustion engines, as opposed to the concept's full-electric setup. The IBX study uses an electric motor to power the front wheels and a battery package that offers a driving range of 45 kilometers (28 miles).

The road-going model is expected to adopt a variety of TSI and TDI engines offering buyers the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. At 4.26 meters long, 1.80 meters wide and 1.62 meters tall, the IBX is very close in dimensions to the Audi Q3, which measures 4.39 meters in length, 1.83 meters in width and 1.60 meters in height.

GALLERY

Mitsubishi target 25,000 i-MiEV sales in FY 2011

Mitsubishi Motors Corp is seeking to increase i-MiEV sales to the European public sector, such as police departments and municipalities.

The carmaker is betting that Europe’s public sector, which places a high importance on environmental protection, will be willing to swallow added expenses for EVs.

The firm intends to produce and ship 25,000 i-MiEVs worldwide in fiscal 2011 (including models built for PSA), a threefold jump on this year. Including sales to individuals and businesses, it seeks to ship about 15,000 units overseas, mainly to Europe.

The Mitsubishi iMiev Electric Car is now officially the biggest selling car in its segment in Norway.

Transformers 3 "Dark of the Moon"

Get ready for the third installment of Michael Bay's Transformers franchise as the first trailer of the upcoming new movie called Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon, has hit the air. Being that Megan Fox abandoned the series, we're somewhat less excited about this one, and the new trailer, which gives a fictional twist to Neil Armstrong's 1969 moon landing, ain't helping much either. In any case, you can watch the clip right after the break.

PHOTOS

BMW, Mercedes-Benz Fight to Outsell Each Other in China

BMW, Mercedes-Benz Fight to Outsell Each Other in China
BMW may have outsold Mercedes-Benz globally in 2009, but the two German automakers are both vying to be the biggest luxury brands in the Chinese market.


For the time being, BMW holds that title. Over the past six years, its marketshare in China has grown from 16 to 23 percent, but BMW isn’t resting on its laurels. At the Beijing auto show, CEO Norbert Reithofer announced the company has increased its 2010 sales forecast (which includes BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce vehicles) by 20 percent, bumping the total to 120,000 units. In contrast, BMW sold 90,500 vehicles in China in 2009.

New vehicles tailored to the Chinese market -- like the new long wheelbase 5 Series sedan -- will likely help BMW achieve that goal, but the automaker sees the potential to grow over the long term. Reithofer believes his company can build as many as 300,000 vehicles annually in China, thanks in part to an expanded joint venture with Brilliance Automotive Holdings. BMW is expanding its existing plant in Shengyang, which builds the 3- and 5 Series lines, but is also building a second facility, which may build the X1 crossover for the market.

Daimler was a little less forthcoming with specific goals for its Chinese market strategy, but said it simply plans on outselling BMW by 2011. The automaker believes a number of products, designed exclusively for Chinese customers, will help propel it to the top of the sales charts. In addition to launching a new line of heavy-duty trucks for commercial clients, Mercedes-Benz will ultimately launch an electric car co-developed with Chinese automaker BYD, and a long-wheelbase C-class sedan.

Of course, these plans for domination assume another German rival -- Audi -- isn’t able to turn about its fortunes in China. Although it had been the leading luxury brand in the market for the last 20 years, Audi has seen its marketshare slip over the last six years, falling from 66 to 46 percent. Should the firm’s new A8L or the forthcoming A7 fastback resonate with Chinese buyers, BMW and Mercedes-Benz both have their work cut out for them.

Source: Automotive News; 1,2 (Subscription required)

Nissan LEAF: Gas Powered Everything [video]

Nissan's version of the same ad campaign launched by Renault.

Renault - Electric Life [video]

Renault advertising campaign for their new electric range.

BritNed 1 GW HVDC Interconnector between UK and EU [video]

The 1000 MW high voltage connection between the Isle of Grain in Kent and Maasvlakte near Rotterdam will transmit power in both directions, driven by supply and demand patterns and by price differentials between the two power markets. BritNed was completed on time and within the budget of £500 million.

BritNed is a joint venture between National Grid and TenneT, the Dutch Transmission System Operator. The new subsea cable benefits security and diversity of electricity supply in both countries. The interconnector contributes to integrating European markets, providing greater import and export opportunities. It also will enable the integration of electricity generated by wind farms on the European continent and the UK into the European and UK-grid.

This is the first electricity connection between UK and Europe in since the commissioning of the IFA link with France 25 years ago. BritNed will strengthen the links between UK and Central Western Europe (CWE) and the Nordic countries - 9 countries in all.

Nick Winser, executive director of National Grid said:
“Our investment in this interconnector means that we are joining a much wider European electricity market. This ability that we will now have to move power across national borders means we can use the full potential of renewable energy from wind – making it easier to import when wind is not available and export when there is a surplus.

“The connection of UK to wider European markets will increase competition among suppliers and also give electricity generators more opportunities. Overall, this should be of benefit to business and consumers.”

Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change said:

“This is good news for our energy security, for UK renewables and for consumers. It plugs the UK directly into a wider European electricity market, allowing us to import our peak needs cheaply rather than hold expensive plant in readiness. Renewables win as it means surplus wind power can be easily shared. Consumers win as a single European market puts pressure on prices. And more new cables are planned so by 2020 we could have over 10GW of additional electricity flowing under the North Sea.”

The link will facilitate competition and contribute to the European Commission's desire for greater interconnection to achieve a common European energy market. Therefore, it has been identified as a 'priority' project in the European power market.

Bill Russell, director BritNed said:
"Via market coupling BritNed provides UK traders for the first time a gateway to the highly liquid European market. Earlier experience of coupling cross border markets has witnessed an increase of liquidity and volumes and the creation of a stable reference price. We expect that the UK market will now benefit from the same experience.”

This commercial, or 'non-socialised' interconnector, is funded and operated independently from National Grid and TenneT's regulated businesses and allows 100% third-party-access for all market participants. Customers have open access to the capacity through a combination of 'implicit' auctions (day ahead) facilitated by APX-ENDEX, and BritNed's 'explicit' auctions (annual, monthly, intraday). This approach gives customers real choice about how they bid for capacity and ensures that BritNed supports the ambitions for greater transparency in the European energy markets.

BritNed:
BritNed is a joint venture between National Grid and TenneT. The goal is to construct and commercially operate an electricity link between Great Britain and the Netherlands. The BritNed cable will have a capacity of 1,000 MW and will be 260 km long.


Cable facts & figures
Voltage: ± 450 kV DC
Cable capacity: 1.000 MW
Weight 44 kg/metre (single cable)
Length sea cable: 250 km (two cables, bundled)
Length land cable: 7 km (NL) and 2 km (GB), two cables, laid together
Conductor: 1 x 1430 mm2 Cu (copper)


Converter stations
The two converter stations are built at Maasvlakte and at the Isle of Grain. The stations convert direct current to alternating current and then transfer the electricity to the British and Dutch high-voltage electricity transmission systems.


Contractors
ABB High Voltage Cables was responsible for producing and laying the cable on behalf of BritNed. The BAM Nuttall / Siemens consortium was responsible for the construction of the converter stations and for manufacturing and installing the converter equipment.

2011 Ford Escape

It’s a wonder how the Ford Escape has been running for the better part of the decade now and yet there hasn’t been a whole lot to talk about as far as dramatic changes on the SUV are concerned. And, the 2011 model looks to be no different, either. Sure, it’s had a some changes here and there over the years, but for the better part of its lifetime, the escape seems to have been a vehicle that Ford continuously pays little attention to. The growing concern that the Escape is already showing its age must be one reason why Ford has bared plans of releasing the next-generation Escape in 2012.

For now, the 2011 Escape hasn’t changed much from the previous years’ models, although it does come with some new technological features, including a new HD Radio that syncs in fantastically with the brand’s SYNC entertainment system. It’s hard not to dismiss the Escape, but given the fact that not a whole has changed, we’re thinking that we’ll all be better off to just wait for the next-gen model coming out next year.

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