Lighter, faster, nimblerAudi A5 Coupe

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Well, not quite in the mainstream production model. The weight loss is with an one-off prototype with an aluminium body that weights over 100kg less than the production version.

Nothing like shaving off those pounds, really. Audi has developed a lightweight Audi A5 Coupe prototype that weighs more than 100kg less than the series production model.

This has been accomplished by swapping steel for advanced aluminium and carbon fibre construction in the interest of fuel economy, emissions reduction and handling agility.

Taking an existing steel-bodied production car as its basis, the A5 project car showcases the workings of the aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF) concept the company pioneered to a T - the prototype weighs in at 1,310kg versus the 1,420kg for the steel-bodied production model.

Lighter, faster, nimbler. And it saves on the gas too.

Thanks to the significant weight loss, achieved by mounting aluminium and carbon fibre-reinforced plastics onto the aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF), the A5 prototype is able to use a four-cylinder engine with its attendant economy and emissions advantages to deliver the performance of a higher output V6.

Powered by the same 2.0l, 208bhp Turbo FSI engine, the aluminium prototype achieves a power-to-weight ratio of 159bhp per tonne. In comparison, the A5 3.2 FSI V6 Quattro with 261bhp, which tips the scales at 1,540kg, shades it only by a fraction at 170bhp per tonne.

The lightweight design of the test car not only enables a smaller engine to supplement a larger one, with no impact on performance and gains in economy and emissions, but also has a knock-on effect on ancillaries such as the brakes and transmission, which can also be reduced in size and weight. It also enables the car to change direction noticeably more keenly and nimbly and, thanks to the reduction in unsprung weight, to ride with even more refinement.

Mercedes-Benz ML350 enters Malaysia

Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) is the choice of those who like recreational activities, tough but comfortable.

More recently, Mercedes-Benz (M) Sdn Bhd introduces luxury SUV model, ML350 version in 2009 that outdoorsy Depkominfo and luxury inside.

Opportunity to test drive this model SUV makes writers wondered whether buyers are willing melanyak more valuable machinery and a half million dollars to face this mud?

External corner ML350 well-sasa wind oscillation and flexible making it appear to each side masculine.

See the front grill which is decorated with three large corner star logo reflects that the machinery is still prioritize luxury.

HID projector lighting technology while in the host system LED rear lights to help vision more clearly at night.

Match twin exhaust makes it more sporty and fierce and decorative roof solar look more stylish.

ML350 supplied pulse cylinder 18-valve six-cylinder 3.498 cc bersesaran combined four-wheel drive transmission with seven speeds (7G-TRONIC).

This luxury SUV is able to offer maximum power 272hp other tooth and 350Nm torque at 2.400 to 5,000 rpm.

Most interesting is supplied with the ML350 system Airmatic suspension uses a four-wheel controls to control the air rocking body weight is 2.8 tonnes.

Airmatic has three different modes that can lower or raise this machinery.

For example, when drivers want to check or through the shrubs, elevated SUV for more space relieved the earth, but if you want to accelerate at highway speed, the system will automatically lower body.

In fact, the system DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) system and ESP (Electronic Stability Program) for four-wheel drive luxury SUV allows this discharge his duties with excellence in hilly or slippery path.

DSR set the appropriate speed when descending a steep slope while ESP helps the driver lost control when the wheels slipped.

Help alloy wheels with 19 inch rim with air pressure detector allows ML350 controlled more easily.

Menerjah to cabin space clearly shows it is not arbitrary SUV.

Image of luxury reflected in every angle, including wrapping the skin soft aluminum and chrome finish but is used to generate a masculine image.

Screen Command APS system for digital dashboard dominate the middle.

Audio system can switch to activate the phone with Bluetooth technology.

Drivers only need to press the button on the steering to answer the call.

Comand APS and Linguatronic technology allows audio system, navigation, mobile phone and CD players using voice control.

This system is standard for all models from a German luxury vehicle.

I do not have time to test in the 'off-road', but the media officer of Mercedes-Benz ML350 is able to acknowledge along slopes and in the expedition lopak day period.

For this test drive units, rear passengers can enjoy entertainment compact digital video disk (DVD) with 'headphone' without wires located behind both the driver's seat forward.

At high speeds exceeding 200 km / h, ML350 direct beroleng not, but remain stable and strong umpama a regular sedan.

Sound problems between tire and wind that often haunt most SUVs because height does not happen. Turns taken easily captured in a fast, no wobble from the front or tail.

In fact, when tried to take corners during hard braking, ESP systems kick in and control the vehicle so as not remove.

Clearly, Mercedes always satisfy the impressive quality. Quite safe, quite convincing.

Clearly succeeded in producing Mercedes-Benz vehicle that really can explore the forest Depkominfo, but at the same time still coated with true luxury.

Costing RM548, 888 per unit, model test driving a Mercedes-Benz ML350 time Sports Package is the upgraded version, but have the same price as previous models.

SPECIFICATIONS

Mercedes-Benz ML350

Engine: Six-cylinder 18-valve 3.498 cc

Maximum power: 272hp at 6,000 rpm

Maximum torque: 350Nm at 2.400 to 5.000 rpm

Transmission: AWD seven-speed 7G-TRONIC

Safety features: ABS, BAS, EBD, ESP, DSR, Arcade, air bag

Price: RM548, 888.00

Tire proposed: ContiCrossContact UHP 255/50R19 103W

World's first hybrid MPV - Toyota Estima Hybrid

PETALING JAYA - Naza Group of Companies, through Naza World will begin distributing a hybrid model of multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and first in Malaysia, the Toyota Estima Hybrid (Estima Hybrid).

Richard Tan, the General Manager, said in a statement, it is the first hybrid vehicle will be marketed by the company in the country.



However, the company has not made any announcement about the price of the vehicle until the launch is expected in the car this week.

Estima Hybrid is a new generation of hybrid equipped with THS II, which serves to give the MPV driving performance better and at the same time conserving the environment.

Features THS II is based on the concept of Hybrid Synergy Drive which seeks to improve the efficiency of fuel consumption, reduced smoke production vehicles, operating vehicles more quietly and overall vehicle performance is better.

The all new BMW Web TV

Posted by: Anthony Lim

BMW's revamped internet television offering called www.bmw.tv is now online. The site replaces the previous offering, which achieved a combined total of more than 70mil video views.

In addition to the English version, twelve additional languages are scheduled to go online in the course of the next few months. The website will continue to focus on the fields of motoring, innovation, lifestyle and sports.

In the future, visitors of BMW TV can access full-video content in HD quality or use the clickable videos. Embedded into these videos are so-called hotspots that enable users to call up information on cars and other products through the video. This system includes, for instance, a direct link to the Car Configurator.

It's all here. And if it isn't, then it doesn't matter.

The entire web presence is structured dynamically and - thanks to tagging - matches the selected video with appropriate additional content. As a special feature, the website provides a 3D media library that allows visitors to access the video offering directly. Other integrated features include standard web 2.0 applications such as a tag cloud generator or rating and dispatch functions.

Users can subscribe to the BMW TV program preview newsletter and RSS feeds, and all reports are available for download and linked to social bookmarking services.