Black Smoke Background: 2012

2012 Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Toyota is about to add another model to its hybrid line-up and, no surprise here, it’s based on the company’s best sold model on the European market: the Yaris. The new Yaris Hybrid is set to make its world debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March with sales in Europe beginning shortly thereafter.

The new Yaris Hybrid will be powered by the first downsizing of Toyota’s HSD powertrain that combines a new 1.5 liter petrol engine with a lighter, more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter, and battery pack. This new system is about 20% lighter than that of the engine found in the Auris Hybrid and will deliver a total of 100 HP. It will be mated to a standard automatic transmission.

Next to having a hybrid powertrain, the new Yaris Hybrid will also be offered with an exclusive, aerodynamically efficient exterior design. This means it will have a new, more assertive Under Priority trapezoid opening frontal design element with the Keen Look design implemented on the front lamps.

More details about the new Yaris Hybrid will be unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned.

Scoure : Topspeed.com

2013 Audi S4

With the A5 launch in the bag, Audi is primed for the debut of theA4 family and its series updates. For 2012, the new A4 will be getting a more attractive design and new solutions for efficiency, driving dynamics, and infotainment. The A4 family will arrive on the US market in Summer 2012, but the new details surrounding the S4 - the most powerful version of the family - have already been released.

The Audi S4 will be powered by a 3.0 TFSI engine that delivers a total of 333 HP and a peak torque of 324 lb-ft. The sedan has an average fuel consumption of 29 mpg and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 155 mph.

As for the updates, the S4 has received changes to the headlights, the bumpers, the air inlets, and its colors, with subtle changes scattered in the interior. Audi has also equipped the S4 with an S sport suspension and 18" wheels.

UPDATE 01/23/12: The 2013 Audi S4 will go on sale in June 2012, so to get its marketing ploys, Audi has released the vehicle’s first promotional video. Check it out!

Hit the jump to read more about the new 2013 Audi S4.

Exterior and Interior

The changes made to the car’s exterior offer more elegance, sportiness, and emotional appeal. The engine hood is more arched, the upper corners of the single frame grille are tapered, and the cross ribs and the Audi rings are highlighted three-dimensionally. There are also redesigned bumpers, new headlamps with a slight wave at the bottom edges, and a re-arranged interior. The vehicle has received LED daytime running lights that form a narrow, optically homogeneous band that remains open in the vicinity of the xenon lens.

At the rear, the bumper has also been redesigned and is combined with tail lights that share the same shape as the headlights.

The interior gets a new steering wheel with chrome and high-gloss inlays, while the MMI navigation plus system now features eight buttons instead of four. The Fine Nappa leather in the previous model has been replaced by Valcona leather and the leather for the seats is now black and white. This, plus different aluminum insertions, offer a more sporty appearance.

Engine

The Audi S4 is powered by a 3.0 TFSI engine that delivers a total of 333 HP and a peak torque of 324 lb-ft. The sedan has an average fuel consumption of 29 mpg and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155 mph. The engine is mated to a seven-speed S tronic and is distinguished by convenient and precise operation, high efficiency and a wide spread of gear ratios – the long ratios in the higher gears reduces fuel consumption, while the short ratios in the lower gears benefit the dynamics.

Prices

The new Audi S4 will go on sale in the US market in Summer 2012. Prices are expected to only show a slight increase from the current models which start at $32,500.

Competition

Being the top model of the A4 family, the S4 targets vehicles such as theBMW 335i, the Mercedes-Benz C350, and the Lexus IS350.

The BMW 335i is powered by a 3.0-liter, inline 6-cylinder engine with TwinPower Turbo technology that delivers a total of 300 HP and deliver 28 mpg highway. It is priced from $42,050. The Mercedes C350 gets a new 302-hp 3.5-liter V-6 mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with 19/28 mpg (city/highway). It is priced at $40,750. The Lexus IS 350 is equipped with a 3.5-liter 306 HP engine delivering 19/27 mpg (city/highway). It is on sale at a price of $40,020. Comparing power, price, and mileage, the Audi S4 seems to be the customer’s best bang for their buck.

Great look
More powerful than competition
Elegant yet sporty interior

Scoure : Topspeed.com

2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Bicolore Edition

lamborghini gallardo lp 560-4 bicolore edition picture

We may have been busy anticipating the much-awaited arrival of theLamborghini Aventador at the Geneva Motor show, but softening the blow of time was Lamborghini’s new special edition Gallardo LP 560-4 Bicolore revealed at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show. This special edition will only set tires on the European and Asian-Pacific markets, but as an honorable mention, the American market will be offered the LP 550-2 version of the special edition.

"With the Gallardo LP 560-4 Bicolore, Lamborghini demonstrates once again the extreme, uncompromising and unmistakably Italian nature of our brand. The super sports cars from Lamborghini combine volcanic energy with design that is as unique as it is stylish," says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

The Bicolore edition will be distinguished by a refined contrast between the black roof and whatever color is chosen for the rest of the body. Under the hood will be a V10 engine with 560 HP that will sprint the car to a top speed of 201 mph.

UPDATE 01/23/12: Youtube member, Marchettino, has a knack for being at the right place at the right time. He’s caught a number of supercars doing all kinds of spectacular things, including this Gallardo LP560-4 Bicolore burning some tires with some nice drifting and powersliding! Hit the jump to watch the video!

Hit the jump to read more about the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Bicolore.

Exterior

The Bicolore edition will be distinguished by a combination of two colors: the pillars, roof, engine hood and rear spoiler will be painted in Noctis Black, while the lower area of the body will be available in a choice of five colors: Giallo Midas, Arancio Borealis, Grigio Telesto, Bianco Monocerus, and Blu Caelum. That’s yellow, orange, gray, white, and blue for us common folk. The air intakes, front spoiler, and rear diffuser will be dressed in a high-gloss black finish to complete the exterior color scheme of the vehicle.

The aggressive appearance of the exterior is continued by forged Skorpius aluminum-alloy rims with 15 thin spokes and finished in a titanium gray enamel.

Interior

The same dual-color contrasting combination continues inside the Lamborghini with the instrument panel, seats, door panels, and other elements in the passenger compartment finished in "Nero Persus" leather combined with precise stitching. This stitching will be done in the same color chosen on the exterior with options of yellow, orange, blue, and gray.

The bezel of the e-gear transmission on the center console is painted in Nero Noctis, just like the upper area of the vehicle.