Automotive Spot

Contents :

General Information, Technical Features, Frame, Body Panel, Exhaust System, Maintenance, Lubrication System, Fuel System, Cooling System, Engine Removal / Installation, Cylinder Head, Alternator, Transmission, Hydraylic Brake, Battery, Ignition System, Eletric Starter, Wiring Diagram.



Download : Part 1 | Part 2
Password : pdftown.com

Source from : pdftown.com


Read More..

Contents :

Introduction, Maintenance, Motor, Engine electrics, Fuel preparation and control, Exhaust system, Clutch, Gearbox, Steering, Brakes, Wheels, Frame, Equipment, Instruments.


Download
password : pdftown.com

Source : pdftown.com
Read More..

The Peugeot 405 model range was introduced into the UK in January 1988 in Saloon form only.
Available with 1.6, 1.8, 1.9 and 2.0 engines, all models have frontwheel-drive with all round independent suspension.
Automatic transmission models were introduced in April 1988.
In July 1988 came the sporty Mi 16 version with its 1.9 litre double overhead cam, 16-valve engine, uprated gearbox, suspension and an ABS braking system to match its power.
Estate car versions were introduced in October 1988.
From 1991, engines equipped with catalytic converters were progressively introduced, to meet the more stringent exhaust gas emission regulations.
Since its introduction, the 405 range has continually been developed. All models have a high trim level, which is very comprehensive in the upper model range.
For the home mechanic, the Peugeot 405 is a straightforward vehicle to maintain and repair since design features have been incorporated to reduce the actual cost of ownership to a minimum, and most of the items requiring frequent attention are easily accessible.


Download (PDF)
http://www.mediafire.com/?jmkpijmmuvd
Articles from freeebooks-downloads.blogspot.com
Read More..

Have you ever thought about buying an AMG, but needed to know how it does in the ice luge? Now you can act out those urges with AMG's newest flash game!


To fit in with the hip "Everyone's a Winner" trend sweeping through school gym classes everywhere, Mercedes has released a free online flash game that you can't lose. When we first heard about a game where you're bombing down an ice luge track in AMG products, the first image that popped into our collective heads was one of a silver Nazimobile doing gnarly flips after it flies off of the edge into oblivion. When approaching the edge, a mysterious red blur bumps you back on track. The bloody smear is a bit like getting shot in the face in Goldeneye. Although the never-lose system is kind of a buzzkill, it's worth wasting five minutes at work on such a widget. You can catch the fun here.

(From http://jalopnik.com)
Read More..

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 12/08/2008 Hyundai’s all-new 4.6-liter Tau V8 engine, which debuted in the premium Genesis sedan this year, has been named one of the “Ward’s 10 Best Engines” for 2009 by Ward’s Auto World. This marks the first time a Hyundai engine has appeared on the prestigious “Ward’s 10 Best Engines” list.


Ward's Auto World editors tested the Tau V8 engine in Hyundai’s all-new Genesis sedan this fall and concluded, “The engine’s velvety power delivery, competitive performance and attainable price epitomize the Korean auto maker’s drive for world-class engineering.”

The 2009 Hyundai Genesis is available with the Tau V8 combined with a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering the rewarding driving performance that premium sports sedan buyers demand. "


The critically acclaimed Hyundai Genesis and the Tau V8 engine were designed to rival the best premium sport sedans and V8 engines the world has to offer,” said Scott Margason, national manager, Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. “Hyundai is particularly proud of Genesis and the Tau V8 engine as they embody the brand’s commitment to performance and efficiency and are delivered to the customer with exceptional value.”

The 375-horsepower 4.6-liter Tau V8 engine leads Genesis competitors with the highest specific output – 82-horsepower per liter. The 2009 Hyundai Genesis equipped with a Tau V8 engine achieves up to 25 miles per gallon on the highway, surpassing many prestigious key competitors’ V6 models in fuel economy as well as power.

Additionally, Genesis and the Tau V8 engine, like all Hyundai products are backed by the Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage.

The Tau V8 engine and the Hyundai Genesis are built at Hyundai’s Ulsan Plant in Ulsan City, Korea.


Press release via Hyundai

Read More..

Los Angeles, CA (December, 2008): Four Wheeler magazine, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious four-wheel drive enthusiast magazine, and a publication of media and marketing services company Source Interlink Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SORC), has named the 2009 Hummer H3T the winner of its coveted Pickup Truck of the Year award.


The in-depth competition has been held annually since 1989, and this year marks Hummer’s first-ever win.


The 2009 competitors’ list included four new four-wheel-drive pickup trucks: The H3T, the Dodge Ram, the Ford F-150, and the Suzuki Equator. To qualify, each vehicle had to be entirely new, or sport substantial mechanical revisions from a previous model year, in addition to using a two-speed transfer case.

“The competition this year was fierce, with any of the four competitors capable of taking home the trophy, but in the end, it was the Hummer H3T that emerged from the dust as our 2009 Pickup Truck of the Year,” said Four Wheeler Technical Editor, Sean P. Holman. “Not only was the Hummer highly competent and the staff favorite on the trail, it also has the added pluses of on-road comfort, distinctive looks, and a usable pickup bed. Hummer has done its research to provide the four-wheeling enthusiast with a vehicle that has been designed around their needs from the beginning, rather than offering an off-road version of an existing product and it shows in the final product. Congratulations to Hummer’s 2009 H3T, our Pickup Truck of the Year.”


“The new H3T Alpha is perfect for the person who has to have a pickup to tow and haul, but can't live without above average off-highway capability,” added Senior Editor Ken Brubaker. “The H3T is the Alpha male in its segment. Nothing else comes close.”

The Hummer won the competition’s prestigious Off Highway Performance category, and performed strongly in all other scoring categories. The week-long Pickup Truck of the Year test consisted of a 1,000-mile curriculum on streets, highways, rocky trails, desert sand dunes and steep hills. Elevations ranged from sea level to over 6,000 feet, and the H3T excelled in virtually every type of driving environment.

About FOUR WHEELER
Now in its 47th year of publication, Four Wheeler is published monthly by Source Interlink Media, LLC and reaches over 236,000 subscribers monthly with total approximate readership of three million off-road enthusiasts. Learn more at www.fourwheeler.com.

Source Interlink Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SORC), a $2.2 Billion media and marketing services company operating in 25 states, is a leading U.S. distributor of home entertainment products and services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences. Source Interlink Media, LLC publishes over 75 magazines and 90 related web sites. Source Interlink Distribution services tens of thousands of retail store locations throughout North America distributing DVDs, music CDs, magazines, video games, books, and related items. In addition to distributing over 6,000 distinct magazine titles annually, the Company maintains the largest in-stock catalog of CDs and DVDs in the U.S. -- a combined total of more than 260,000 titles. Supply chain relationships include consumer goods advertisers, subscribers, movie studios, record labels, magazine and newspaper publishers, confectionary companies and manufacturers of general merchandise.


Press release via Source Interlink

Read More..

IRVINE, Calif.-Mazda North American Operations has confirmed that the all-new MAZDA3 four-door sedan and five-door models will be shown together for the first time in North America at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), to be held in Detroit from January 11 through January 25, 2009.


Aimed at the young at heart, who love to drive and are technologically aware, the new MAZDA3 is a completely new car from top to bottom and is still the most engaging car in its class. Both versions feature top-class environmental and safety performance, and offer evolved sporty driving performance, dynamic styling elements and a high-quality interior. The all-new MAZDA3 is available with key features typically not seen in its class including:

* Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio
* Adaptive Front-lighting System and Bi-Xenon headlights with auto leveling
* Advanced keyless entry system
* Push-button start

The MAZDA3, one of the most popular models in the Mazda brand lineup, saw two million units produced by the end of October 2008. The MAZDA3 is also the first Mazda model to consecutively exceed its annual production volume for four consecutive years since its production commenced.

The all-new MAZDA3 will go on sale in North America in the first quarter of 2009.

The balance of Mazda's full 2009 lineup will also be on display at the show, including the all-new 2009 MAZDA6 sports sedan, CX-9, CX-7, MAZDA5 and RX-8. The North American International Auto Show is open to the public January 17-25, 2009, at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Mich.

Mazda first unveiled the fully redesigned, all-new MAZDA3 sedan at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, followed by the global reveal of the five-door hatchback model at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy.


Press release via Mazda

Read More..

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 13, 6:00PM EST 2008... Poised to lead its market segment once again, the 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster will make its North American debuts at the 2009 North American International Auto Show on January 11.

Return of a Classic
The classic roadster is back – more powerful and more stylish than ever before. It is the BMW Z4, th2e only car in its segment combining classic roadster proportions with a seating position moved close to the rear axle, rear-wheel drive, with a retractable hardtop.

The new BMW Z4 offers all the driving pleasure of a BMW Roadster with particularly refined and stylish flair. Driving with the roof down, this two-seater offers a refreshingly intense experience of the sunshine and the wind rushing by – and driving with the hardtop closed it provides all the comfort of a sporting coupe in the premium segment. So through this diversity and wide range of qualities, the new BMW Z4 is the re-birth of the roadster.

The design of the new Z4 comes out through classic details interpreted in new, up-to-date style. This outstanding two-seater offers a unique combination of elegance, agility, and supreme comfort. The aluminum shells of the two-piece lightweight hardtop come to rest in the roof compartment, saving maximum space in the process. Even with the roof closed, the new Z4 retains the proportions typical of a genuine roadster.




To ensure driving pleasure, the new BMW Z4 is offered with two inline-6 engine displacing 3.0 liters: 300 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive35i and 255 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i ensure truly outstanding acceleration and response at all times.

Comprehensive use of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies serves to provide an unparalleled balance of driving pleasure and fuel efficiency. While both models are available with a manual six-speed gearbox, the Z4 sDrive35i is available also with a dual-clutch sport automatic transmission featuring seven gears. The six-speed sport automatic is available on the Z4 sDrive30i. Both sport automatic transmissions feature steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Featuring Dynamic Drive Control as standard, the BMW Z4 enables the driver to choose between three drivetrain and suspension settings at the touch of a button.

Design: the modern look of a classic roadster.
The new BMW Z4 takes on the classic look of the roadster in modern, flowing lines. The car’s proportions are borne out by the long and low-slung engine compartment lid, short overhangs, the long wheelbase and large wheels as well as the low seating position near the rear axle.

The front view features a large, upright BMW kidney grille, wide air intake and the dual round headlights, typical of the BMW brand. All surfaces and lines, including the character lines on the hood, strive towards an imaginary target point on the road ahead.

The side view is dominated by the dynamic flow of the car’s shoulder line connecting the front and rear wheel arches and accentuating the stretched, athletic look of the Roadster. The horizontal orientation of the car’s lines and surfaces at the rear, in turn, emphasizes the sheer width of the new BMW Z4. Further characteristics are the extra-large hood extending far over the wheel arches, the black A-pillars, the gills at the side with their integrated LED direction indicators, as well as the slender rear fixtures with three-dimensional LED-fed rows of light.

Stylish, sophisticated, and typical of a genuine roadster: the interior.
For harmonious unison of the exterior and interior so important in an open-air car, the shoulder line is reflected by the door panels with their unique configuration and flow from front to rear.

The contoured surface to the left and right of the steering wheel incorporates the controls for the lights and air conditioning. These elements are available trimmed in Satin Silver matte, Brushed Aluminum, and Ash Grain Wood, the respective color and trim variant also being used on the center console and door handle.

The standard seats with integrated headrests on the BMW Z4 sDrive35i feature high-quality Kansas leather in a choice of three colors. A fourth choice, Ivory White Nappa leather, is also available as part of the Exclusive Ivory White Leather Package, which includes sport seats and Anthracite wood trim.

An Extended Leather option (Z4 sDrive35i only) adds leather on the upper section of the instrument panel, the doorsills, the sun visors in Black leather as well as the leather-finish door closing handles in upholstery color on the passenger’s side.

The entire range of paintwork colors available on the new BMW Z4 is made up of no less than nine color tones including Orion Silver metallic exclusive to the new Roadster.

Cycling in 20 seconds: the retractable hardtop.
The new BMW Z4 is the first BMW roadster to protect its occupants from wind and weather with a fully retractable hardtop. This two-piece lightweight aluminum shell opens and closes at the touch of a button within 20 seconds. The compact packaging of the folding roof enables the Z4 Roadster to retain the characteristic, slender proportions of its predecessor.

This innovative roof system offers outstanding acoustic and aerodynamic qualities and sets a new standard in the Z4’s segment. Large windows and the high-quality roof lining give the hardtop a light look. Driver and passenger enjoy a bright ambience, generous space, and optimum visibility. Compared with the former model, the side windows are 40% larger, the see-through area in the rear window 52% larger, and all-round visibility increased14% over the previous generation.

The glass rear window in the hardtop is equipped with an electric defroster and the four side windows of the new BMW Z4 may be lowered individually. The higher roofline and larger door openings allow easier and more convenient access with the roof closed.

The retractable roof may be operated either by a switch in the center console or by remote control key fob when equipped with optional Comfort Access. Comfort Access also allows convenient loading and unloading of the luggage compartment with the roof open. To provide access to the luggage compartment in this case, the open hardtop is moved to an interim position facilitating the removal of large objects.

Flexible storage with optional through-loading.
The roof compartment and the luggage compartment are separated from one another by a moveable partition, which may be folded up to increase luggage space if the roof will remain closed.

The moveable partition in the new BMW Z4 is unique in the premium roadster segment, and offers enough luggage space with the hardtop open for a medium-sized hard-shell suitcase.

Using the optional through-loading system to the passenger compartment, the Z4 is able to accommodate a 46-inch full-size golf bag. When the roof is closed the luggage compartment easily accommodates up to four crates of large bottles or – when using the through-loading system – two 46-inch golf bags.

Various other storage compartments are designed into the interior. The new Z4 offers storage trays in the center console, a 10-liter glove box, hinged compartments in the doors, and additional space behind the seats.

Included with the Cold Weather Package is a storage package that provides an even wider range of storage and loading functions, with fastening nets on the rear panels of the seats and in the passenger’s footwell, lashing belts in the luggage compartment, as well as a storage box in the bulkhead leading to the luggage compartment.

Optional through-loading system together with a transport bag ensures even greater versatility, allowing the user to load slender items such as golf bags or two pairs of skis measuring up to 67" in length.

A successful concept with a great tradition:
inline-6 engines in the BMW Roadster.
Elegant roadster lines, the BMW kidney grille, and a inline-6 engine form a combination that, in 1934, made the BMW 315/1 an unprecedented success both on the road and in motorsport. That combination has been retained to this day in the BMW Z4.

The new Z4 is therefore being launched exclusively with inline-6 engines, a choice of two engines providing both power and performance. These unique engines exhibit refinement and fast-revving response typical of a BMW six-cylinder, offering an unparalleled balance of performance and fuel efficiency in the premium roadster segment thanks to the BMW EfficientDynamics engineering strategy. The individual versions of the new BMW Z4 come with on-demand management and control of the car’s accessory drives, a variable oil pump, intelligent lightweight technology, and optimized aerodynamics.

BMW Z4 sDrive35i: performance with efficiency thanks to Twin Turbo and High Precision Injection.

The most dynamic version of the new Z4 comes with the world’s first inline-6 engine to feature twin turbochargers, High Precision Injection, and an all-aluminum crankcase.

The use of two turbochargers (each supplying three cylinders) ensures responsiveness never seen before on a turbocharged engine. The engine achieves peak torque of 300 lb-ft without the slightest delay, and maintains this high level of torque throughout a broad rev range from 1,400–5,000 rpm.

Maximum output of 300 hp comes at 5,800 rpm, and the BMW Z4 sDrive35i accelerates to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds (optional seven-speed double clutch sport automatic transmission in 5.0 seconds). The acceleration continues all the way to an electronically-limited 130 mph (150 mph when equipped with the optional Sport Package).

High Precision Injection is a key element in the Z4’s efficient performance. Injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber offers a cooling effect allowing a higher compression ratio and optimized combustion efficiency. This second generation of direct gasoline injection developed by BMW ensures significant benefits in fuel efficiency without restricting the dynamic qualities of the engine.

The 6-cylinder normally aspirated engine:
powerful and light thanks to magnesium.

Offering spontaneous power and performance, excellent motoring refinement and outstanding efficiency, the 6-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i again offers the very best in its segment. Weighing just 355 lb thanks to its composite magnesium/aluminum crankcase, cylinder head cover made of a special synthetic material and lightweight camshafts with aluminum VANOS control unit, is exceptionally light.

While BMW’s VALVETRONIC engine management controls valve stroke on the intake valves, double-VANOS varies the angle of the intake and outlet valves in an infinite process. This allows particularly efficient use of fuel, providing a “beefy” torque curve and giving the engine instant response.

The engine in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i develops maximum output of 255 hp from 3.0 liters capacity at an engine speed of 6,600 rpm. Maximum torque of 220 lb-ft, in turn, comes at just 2,600 rpm.

With this kind of power, the BMW Z4 sDrive30i accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds (with optional sport automatic in 6.0 seconds). Top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph (150 mph when equipped with the optional Sport Package).

6-speed transmission with short gearshift travel featured as standard.
All variants of the new BMW Z4 come as standard with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Developed specifically for BMW’s new Roadster, the various transmission options are particularly sporting in their character. Indeed, this is borne out in particular by extremely short gearshift travel much shorter than on all other current BMW models with a manual gearshift.

Optional: 7-speed sport automatic with double clutch and 6-speed sport automatic with paddle shifters.

As an option, the BMW Z4 sDrive35i is available with BMW’s newly developed double-clutch sport automatic gearbox. Based on the M DCT transmission introduced in the BMW M3, this 7-speed gearbox ensures faster acceleration and extra performance in comparison with the 6-speed manual gearbox, while providing the comfort features of a BMW automatic transmission. The 7-speed double-clutch sport automatic shifts gears without the slightest interruption of power.

The BMW Z4 sDrive35i with its seven-speed sport automatic accelerates to 60mph in just 5.0 seconds, while fuel consumption is expected to outperform the fuel economy on the same model with a manual gearbox.

Sport automatic gives the driver the choice of either automatic (Program D) or manual gear selection. If desired, the driver may shift gears manually by means of paddles on the steering wheel.

The 6-speed sport automatic transmission available on the BMW Z4 sDrive30i promotes not only driving comfort, but also the sporty performance of a BMW Roadster. Indeed, the characteristics of the car are attributable to the direct connection linking the transmission to the engine, based on modern torque converter technology with an integrated torsion damper, avoiding unnecessary slip and therefore helping to eliminate any loss of power and performance. Even the slightest movement of the gas pedal, therefore, is converted spontaneously into a quick response with gearshift times reduced to a minimum.

The sport automatic transmission offers the driver the opportunity to shift gears manually when desired. Apart from selecting gears via the selector lever on the center console, the driver also has the option to use the gearshift paddles on the steering wheel.

Sophisticated suspension technology, high-performance lightweight brakes.
Rear-wheel drive, near perfect weight distribution, the long wheelbase and the low center of gravity on the roadster create ideal conditions for supreme agility.

Featuring traditional spring-struts, a “double-jointed” front suspension made largely of aluminum, and a constant-geometry rear axle, the new Z4 comes with proven suspension concepts in a configuration perfectly tailored to the characteristics of the car.

Electric power steering plays a role also in the BMW Z4, enhancing the precision and comfort of steering maneuvers and reducing fuel consumption, since the electric motor for steering power assistance is activated only when required or desired by the driver.

The new Z4 comes with new high-performance brakes, featuring low weight and low brake pad wear. At the same time the BMW Z4 is the first car in its segment to feature an electrical parking brake activated and released by a button on the center console.

Both versions of the new BMW Z4 come as standard on 17-inch light-alloy rims and with runflat tires as well as a Tire Pressure Monitor.

BMW’s standard Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) serves not only to activate the ABS brakes and ensure stability on slippery surfaces by activating the brakes or reducing engine power, but also comprises other functions such as Brake Drying and Brake Standby as well as a Start-Off Assistant. Acting in a similar way to a mechanical limited slip differential, DSC electronic rear brake management is used to simulate a limited slip differential for stronger acceleration in turns.

Activating Dynamic Traction Control at the touch of a button, the driver is able to raise the response thresholds for intervention by the DSC, thus enjoying the option, for example, to set off on loose snow with the drive wheels slightly spinning. And when desired, the driver is also able to deactivate DSC altogether (ABS remains active).

Adaptive M Suspension featuring Electronic Damping Control (EDC).
The agility of the BMW Roadster may be further enhanced by ordering the optional Sport Package featuring Adaptive M Suspension with Electronic Damping Control. A central control unit varies the “compression” and “rebound” stages on the four twin-sleeve gas pressure dampers to provide optimum response at all times. The response time is so fast that a signal coming from a front wheel crossing a hole in the road reaches and re-adjusts the rear dampers even before the rear wheels reach the same uneven road surface.

Comfort and sportiness in one: Dynamic Drive Control.
Dynamic Drive Control allows the driver of the new Z4 to choose the drive characteristics of the car. In addition to changing damper forces on the Adaptive M Suspension, DDC also conditions the responses of the gas pedal, the power steering, and the response thresholds of Dynamic Stability Control. And if the car is fitted with either sport automatic transmission, the adaptive gearshift logarithms are adjusted.

The driver operates Dynamic Drive Control via a button on the center console next to the gear selector. By pressing the button, s/he is able to choose from the NORMAL, SPORT and SPORT+ modes, thus activating a pre-configured, perfectly balanced set-up. The SPORT mode, for example, offers more-direct steering behavior and a more-direct response to the gas pedal. The SPORT+ mode, in turn, serves additionally to activate the Dynamic Traction Control mode of DSC, intentionally allowing slight wheelspin and thus enabling the driver to take a bend in a controlled drift.

Extra space, more safety.
The new BMW Z4 is slightly larger outside than its predecessor, at the same time offering significantly more comfort in terms of space and a lot more loading space: BMW’s new Roadster is 5.8” longer, 0.4” wider, and 0.3” lower. Wheelbase has grown 0.1” to measure 98.3".

Apart from all-round visibility, the interior offers greater headroom (+0.20"), extra shoulder room (+0.79") and more elbow freedom (+1.69"). The door opening, increased in size by 1.02", allows even more convenient access with the roof closed.

The extremely stiff bodyshell, lightweight construction and near 50/50 weight distribution enhance both the safety and agility of the new BMW Z4. High load-resistant subframes, optimum use of crush zones, the extremely stiff passenger cell and highly efficient restraint systems ensure outstanding accident safety. Frontal and head/thorax airbags, belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters are activated by the sensor-controlled electronic safety system as a function of the type and severity of a collision. The head/thorax airbags are integrated on the outside of the seat backrests and inflate over a large surface in the event of a collision from the side.

Making its premiere in the BMW Roadster:
the latest generation of iDrive.2
The new Z4 is the first BMW Roadster to feature the iDrive control system as part of its optional navigation system. In the new Z4 the iDrive serves to activate all entertainment, information, navigation and telecommunication functions.

The system itself is made up of a Controller on the center console and a folding, high-resolution Control Display on the instrument panel, allowing the driver to intuitively and safely mastermind all available functions.

Pressing the direct selection buttons on the newly configured Controller, the user is able to spontaneously change to the CD, radio, telephone and navigation functions. The range of direct selection buttons has now been rounded off by the three MENU, BACK and OPTION command buttons, and programmable favorite buttons in the instrument panel allow the user to save and directly select radio stations, telephone numbers and navigation destinations, and other menu items available directly through iDrive.

Measuring 8.8 inches in size, the high-resolution Control Display with its resolution of 1,280 x 480 pixels offers excellent clarity in presenting graphics or pages from the internet. A picture of the Controller shown in the Control Display gives the driver greater and clearer orientation in choosing the next step in the operating process.

Using the navigation system is even easier thanks to iDrive. Full-screen map presentation, for example, offers an incomparably detailed overview of the region in which the driver is currently traveling. As an alternative the Control Display also offers an assistance window presenting further highlights and maps independent of the main map.

With navigation data saved on an 80 GB hard disc installed in the car, access times are faster than before. And at the same time the hard disc may also be used as a 15 GB music archive.

Roadster-specific climate comfort and leather with
Sun Reflective Technology.
The new BMW Z4 is equipped as standard with air conditioning and seven blower stages. Optional automatic climate control allows separate temperature selection on the driver’s and passenger’s side, individual, automatic temperature control in five stages of intensity, and manual adjustment of air stratification. With the roof open, automatic climate control includes convertible mode.

Like BMW’s Convertibles, the leather in the new Roadster incorporates Sun Reflective Technology. A special, highly innovative type of leather on the seats, interior panels, and steering wheel that significantly reduces the heat effect of bright sunshine: Treatment of the leather in Sun Reflective Technology serves to integrate special color pigments into the material to reflect infrared radiation in the sunlight.

Top-end audio and communication systems.
The audio systems available in the new BMW Z4 set standards in the segment in every respect.

The CD player fitted as regular series equipment also serves to play music files in the MP3 format. The available premium hi-fi system comes with up to 14 loudspeakers and two additional subwoofers for an intense and precise experience in sound, with amplifier output of up to 650 watts. A standard AUX-In port is provided, allowing the integration of various external MP3 player. A 6-disc CD/DVD changer in the glove compartment is also available.

A Bluetooth interface is available in conjunction with optional BMW Assist to offer greater safety and convenience for making telephone calls while driving. To fully integrate the latest smartphones in the car, the new BMW Z4 is also available with a smart phone integration option.

New production plant: BMW Roadster coming from Regensburg.
The new BMW Z4 is built at BMW Plant Regensburg alongside the 3 Series and the BMW 1 Series. This is because BMW Plant Spartanburg, where the former model was built, is concentrating from now on entirely on the production of BMW’s X models.

BMW Ultimate ServiceTM:
Providing owners with incredible value and peace of mind
The 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster will feature BMW Ultimate ServiceTM, a suite of services that includes the BMW Maintenance Program (formerly called Full Maintenance), Roadside Assistance and the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. BMW AssistTM with TeleService is part of the optional Premium Package or can be ordered separately as a stand-alone option.

BMW Ultimate ServiceTM includes:
The BMW Maintenance Program is the only no-cost maintenance program in the industry that covers wear and tear items like brake pads and rotors for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. BMW owners pay nothing for all scheduled inspections, oil changes, brake pads, wiper blade inserts and other wear-and-tear items.

BMW Roadside Assistance is one of the industry’s most comprehensive plans available. Not only is it no-charge for the first four years, but there is no mileage limit. BMW drivers enjoy the assurance of on-the-road help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. This includes everything from flat tire changes, emergency gasoline and lock-out assistance, to towing, alternative transportation and even trip-interruption benefits. This service also includes valuable trip routing advice.

BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty: All 2009 BMW passenger vehicles are covered by BMW’s excellent Limited Warranty, which includes:
• New-vehicle warranty – four-year/50,000-mile coverage of the vehicle.
• Rust-perforation warranty – 12-year/unlimited-mileage coverage.

BMW AssistTM provides the driver with services that enhance on-the-road security and convenience, for added peace of mind. The BMW Assist and Bluetooth® System is included in the Premium Package or available as a stand-alone option. BMW includes the Safety Plan for 4 years at no additional cost. BMW is the only manufacturer that offers this duration of service as other manufacturers only include the first year of service. The BMW Assist Safety Plan is a subscription based service that is subject to certain limitations.

The in-vehicle equipment for BMW Assist includes GPS technology and hands-free communication functions to deliver emergency and other services, accessed via buttons in the overhead or center console. The BMW Assist system transmits the location and vehicle information to the BMW Assist Response Center. A response specialist speaks with the vehicle occupants to coordinate dispatch, notify emergency contacts on file, and link BMW Roadside Assistance or emergency services as needed and/or requested. A severe accident automatically activates the Automatic Collision Notification function. The BMW Assist Safety Plan also includes Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services, which can save the owner time and money. New to BMW Assist is MyInfo, which allows users to send business listings and street addresses with associated phone numbers from the internet, directly to their BMW.

TeleService automatically notifies the BMW center when a vehicle will need service. A service advisor then proactively calls the customer to set up a convenient appointment and have the needed parts ready.

BMW Assist subscribers can also enroll in the BMW Assist Convenience Plan (available at an additional cost of $199 per year) to avail themselves of many BMW Assist concierge services, from finding the lowest fuel price or the best French restaurant in the area to information on flight arrival gates or times, as well as receive directions, and traffic and weather information. On 2007 and later models, a selected destination and its phone number can be sent directly to the BMW Navigation system (if so equipped) and the customer’s Bluetooth linked mobile phone, after a push of the Concierge menu option. New for 2009 is BMW Search, which allows those vehicles equipped with both the BMW Navigation and BMW Assist system to gain online access to the Google Maps database inside the vehicle to quickly find a desired business with just a key word. The Convenience Plan also includes Critical Calling, a service that can connect the driver to a requested party via a response specialist in case their mobile phone is not in the vehicle or its battery is discharged.

Lastly, the BMW Assist system includes Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity with phonebook access and speech recognition for dialing by name or number via the steering wheel controls. Use of this feature requires a customer-provided compatible Bluetooth mobile phone. To learn more about BMW Assist, please visit www.bmwassist.com.

Performance with a conscience
BMW strives to produce its motor vehicles and other products with the utmost attention to environmental compatibility and protection. Integrated into the design and development of BMW automobiles are such criteria as resource efficiency and emission control in production; environmentally responsible selection of materials; recyclability during production and within the vehicle; elimination of CFCs and hazardous materials in production; and continuing research into environmentally friendly automotive power sources. Tangible results of these efforts include the recycling of bumper cladding into other vehicle components; water-based paint color coats and powder clear coats; near-future availability of hydrogen-powered models; and various design and engineering elements that help make BMWs easier to dismantle at the end of their service life.


Press release via BMW

Read More..

(ANN ARBOR, Mich., December 15, 2008) — AUTOMOBILE Magazine, America’s leading automotive lifestyle publication and part of Source Interlink Media, LLC, a subsidiary of media and marketing services company Source Interlink Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SORC), today announced the winners of its 2009 AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE All-Stars Awards.


“This year’s list is one of the broadest we have compiled. Our 2008 Automobile of the Year Audi R8 is joined by stalwarts such as the BMW 3-series, newcomers like the Ford Flex, and repeat winners Chevy Malibu and Volkswagen GTI,” said Jean Jennings, president and editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE Magazine. “These ten cars are the year’s fastest, most exhilarating, ingenious, awe-inspiring, accomplished, and compelling cars available in the U.S.”

Each year, the editors of AUTOMOBILE Magazine convene to test, evaluate, and debate the performance, significance, and pure enthusiast appeal of the cars that make the biggest impact. Award winners will be featured in the February 2009 issue of AUTOMOBILE Magazine, available on newsstands January 6, 2009.


AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s 2009 All-Stars, with editorial assessments, are:

Audi R8 – AUTOMOBILE Magazine calls the R8 the kind of iconic sports car that comes around once or twice a decade. Dramatic inside and out, the R8 is wide, low, and purposeful—it is a luxury grand tourer as much as it is a pure sports car.

BMW 3-series – Don’t stop the presses: the BMW 3-series and M3 get another All-Stars award (its fourteenth, to be exact). Isn’t this déjà vu? As always, the competition for the 3-series keeps getting fiercer, and, as usual, critics say the latest, greatest M3 is a bit too refined. But BMW’s masterpiece of all-things-to-all-people engineering remains more fun than anything that’s more practical and more practical than anything that’s more fun.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 – AUTOMOBILE Magazine editors found that few words have the ability to adequately convey the rush provided by the most powerful Corvette ever. The world has produced faster cars, but few offer the same combination of sound, speed, and exhilaration. 60 mph comes in first gear (in 3.7 seconds) and 91 mph in second.

Chevrolet Malibu – There is no need to assemble a laundry list of the Malibu’s strengths versus its many competitors. Drive one, and it is clear why AUTOMOBILE Magazine named it an All-Stars winner two years in a row. The Malibu is the quiet American on this year’s All-Stars list: a sedan with crisp handling, commutative steering, a properly tuned ride, and an overall feeling of
quality.

Ford Flex – With seven-passenger capacity and generous proportions, the Flex is a vehicle that defies conventional wisdom. AUTOMOBILE Magazine was taken by the Flex’s exterior design, which is thoroughly modern while harking back to the glory days of U.S. automakers, and a cabin that is a masterpiece of ergonomic engineering and chock-full of high-tech features. The Flex concentrates on refinement and emphasizes style while being as practical as a minivan.

Honda Fit – More than three decades after the original Honda Civic gave Americans a whole new notion of space utilization, the Honda Fit has come along to amaze a new generation. The new model’s extra polish elevates the small-car experience with hidden features, a sleeker exterior, a smoother gearbox, and a nicer cabin.

Jaguar XF – What one AUTOMOBILE Magazine editor calls “the best Jaguar sedan I have ever driven” is a beautiful, composed, powerful, and lush car. The XF is impressively quick and refined. Driving it is not just about going fast; it is smooth, refined and comfortable for driver and passengers alike when being pressed to deliver its full potential.

Porsche 911 – From its birth in 1964 to the arrival of an improved edition last year, the Porsche 911 has been a rare island of tranquility amid the automotive industry’s seas of turmoil. The fortified sixth-generation 911 is gutsier and quicker accelerating, yet it squeezes an additional mpg or three from every gallon of premium. Breadth of character is another of the 911’s endearing traits. Rear or all-wheel drive, coupe or convertible, outfitted for grand touring or track days, there is a 911 for every purpose.

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG – Mercedes-Benz’s mind-set for its AMG cars is to offer insane power in a package that skews towards luxury. The C63 AMG makes the leap to the All-Stars list because it sacrifices the posh-performance DNA of Mercedes Benz in its quest to be a better driver’s car. Other cars in the AMG portfolio are faster, but this one is the most fun.

Volkswagen GTI – With a new version of the GTI due in the U.S. in September, AUTOMOBILE Magazine applauds this return-to-its-roots VW with yet another All-Stars award. During its three-year run, the GTI’s performance, comfort, and functionality kept it out front in the race to be the best sporty compact car and also made it the 2007 Automobile of the Year.


Criteria and Evaluation
The AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE All-Stars are chosen by the AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE staff, its worldwide bureau chiefs, and its contributors, following an intensive test drive of the year’s most innovative and important new cars. Vehicles considered for the All-Stars awards combine the following traits:

• Redefines an existing category or creates a new market segment
• Provides excellent value and performance for the money
• Exhibits an exceptional design
• Offers pure driving enjoyment

After a 1000-mile road trip, winners are determined by a round-table discussion that results in a vote for the ten winners. The award decisions are not made through an instrumented test process.

About AUTOMOBILE Magazine and Source Interlink
AUTOMOBILE Magazine (www.automobilemag.com ), part of Source Interlink Media, LLC, was founded in 1986 and has a circulation of 550,000 and a total readership of 4 million. Recipient of more editorial awards than any other major automotive publication, AUTOMOBILE Magazine is designed to appeal to the interests of passionate automotive enthusiasts. Its diverse editorial mix includes behind-the-wheel experiences in the world’s most fascinating cars, as well as personalities, travel destinations, automotive art, vintage cars and industry trends.

Source Interlink Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SORC), a $2.2 Billion media and marketing services company operating in 25 states, is a leading U.S. distributor of home entertainment products and services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences. Source Interlink Media, LLC publishes over 75 magazines and 90 related web sites. Source Interlink Distribution services tens of thousands of retail store locations throughout North America distributing DVDs, music CDs, magazines, video games, books, and related items. In addition to distributing over 6,000 distinct magazine titles annually, the Company maintains the largest in-stock catalog of CDs and DVDs in the U.S. -- a combined total of more than 260,000 titles. Supply chain relationships include consumer goods advertisers, subscribers, movie studios, record labels, magazine and newspaper publishers, confectionary companies and manufacturers of general merchandise.


Press release via Source Interlink/Automobile Magazine

Read More..

Four Audi Models Earn 2009 Consumer Guide® Automotive Praise


- The Audi A5 is identified as a “Best Buy” in the Premium Sporty/Performance list
- The Audi A3, Q7 and A8 are “Recommended” in their individual categories
- Evaluations were made by four Consumer Guide Automotive editors using an 11-point process

HERNDON, Va., Dec 12, 2008 - Four 2009 Audi models merited spots on the new Consumer Guide Automotive list of the top vehicles for car shoppers to consider.

Editors for the 2009 print and online Consumer Guide Automotive awards called the Audi A5 coupe a "Best Buy" among all Premium Sporty/ Performance Cars. The Audi A3, A8 and Q7 claimed "Recommended" status for the second consecutive year.



"Our core mission at Audi is to offer vehicles that consistently deliver top value to the most discriminating car buyers," said Johan de Nysschen, executive vice president, Audi of America. "We're gratified that the editors at Consumer Guide have again recognized the value in a range of Audi products."

Consumer Guide Automotive is posting the awards on http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/, and will publish the results in the February 2009 issue of Consumer Guide Automotive's Car & Truck Test Auto magazine.

Consumer Guide Automotive has published objective reviews of new and used cars and trucks since 1967. Each year, the editorial team evaluates models according to price, features, and accommodations, as well its performance during test drives. Only cars that turn in outstanding results throughout the 11-point Consumer Guide Automotive assessment make the list.


Press release via Audi
Read More..

An early Christmas present from Volvo Cars - a glimpse of the next-generation Volvo S60


A few days before Christmas, Volvo Cars treats the automotive world to an early unwrapping of a car that will shine bright in the streets for years to come.

The Volvo S60 Concept gives the car world a glimpse of what the all-new Volvo S60 is going to look like when it arrives in 2010.

"The all-new S60 will be one of the strongest players in a segment where the competition is razor-sharp," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell.




The coupe-inspired lines that gave the original S60 its characteristic stance are even more pronounced in the next generation.

"The sporty design gives visual promise of an enthusiastic drive and I can assure you here and now that the all-new S60 will live up to that promise. The driving properties are better than in any previous Volvo. The car's technology will also help you to be a better and safer driver," says Stephen Odell.

The concept car reveals that the Volvo Cars design team is stepping up to the next level in the development of the products' DNA.

"The concept car's exterior gives a clear indication of what customers can expect of the all-new S60. On the inside we've been even more daring - there the focus has been on creating a vision of the future in the slightly longer perspective," says Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin.

Scandinavian inspiration and drama
The front of the S60 Concept naturally sports the enlarged iron mark in the trapezoidal grille. The grille itself has a somewhat new appearance with structured horizontal vanes adding refinement to its form.

Two DNA lamps that flank the grill emphasise the vertical stance of the front and promote the bonnet's V-shape. The angled headlamps flow up into the strongly sculptural bonnet. Combined with the lower air intake's reverse trapezoidal shape, this gives the concept car a very expressive "face".

"Dynamic and with considerable character, but without appearing aggressive. It is packed with inspiration from Scandinavian design and from the Swedish coastline's cliffs and seas. A thrilling blend of drama and sensuality," says Steve Mattin.

Viking longboats in the headlamps
The concept car's headlamps unite classic Scandinavian influences with modern high-tech.
In each of the headlamps, the lights create a sculpture creating the image of two miniature Viking longboats sailing side by side, one for main beam and one for dipped beam. When driving in the dark, the light is reflected from the concealed, upward-facing High Performance LED bulbs, projected ahead by the ships' filled sails.

Double wave and sensational doors
Viewed from the side, the concept car's slim coupe roofline and window graphics are accompanied by an entirely new lateral shoulder line, forming a gentle double wave. Stretching from the headlamps all the way to the tail, it adds emotional excitement and plays with the surface and its highlights.

Both the seven-spoke 20-inch wheels and the tread of the low-profile tyres have been specially designed. The bronze-painted brake callipers match the "Warm Liquid Copper" livery.

The unique rear parallelogram doors offer a spectacular show when they are opened and shut. Door opening is initiated by pressing on a button and the movement starts off in the traditional way. In the next phase, the forward section also swings out away from the car's body and the door glides parallel with the side of the car until it reaches its end position by the rear wheel.

Inspiration from the racing track
"In forthcoming models, you will see more and more of our "racetrack" design cues. The car's lines do not end abruptly but instead forge a continuous flow pattern inspired by the fast sweeps of the racing track. In the concept car, this is particularly visible at the rear," says Steve Mattin.

The tail lamps, which follow the curve of the rear shoulders, are as advanced as the headlamps. When switched off, the lamp panels show no trace of the traditional red or yellow. But when activated, the position marker lights, brake lights and turn indicators come on in their correct colours. The solid glass panel is sectioned into horizontal "slices".

At the rear there is also a retractable diffuser that adjusts with vehicle speed to give better aerodynamic properties.

Interior indicates future design direction
With the interior of the Volvo S60 Concept, Volvo Cars' design director Steve Mattin and his team are displaying a variety of spectacular next-generation ideas.

"You could say that we are showing the road we would like to take in the future. This interior is without doubt the most exclusive we have ever created," says Steve Mattin.

The interior is packed with exciting details, all of which together create a Scandinavian fresh light feeling, full of visual harmony.

In the middle of the four-seater car glitters the jewel in the crown: a floating centre stack made out of handmade, solid Orrefors crystal. It floats like a gentle, calm wave from the instrument panel all the way to the rear seat backrest.

Driver-oriented environment
The entire driver's environment has been designed to provide total overview and convenient control.
The combined instrument too has the centre stack's floating, almost weightless feel about it. The instrument is built up in several layers.

"The speedometer is designed as a three-dimensional glass spiral. The low numbers appear closest to the eye and the figures appear to be increasingly distant as you accelerate. The idea is that the speedometer should provide a visual reminder of the forward motion," explains Steve Mattin.

Slim, floating leather seats
The floating theme continues in the concept car's slim, lightweight contoured seats, made of soft Light Blond leather with contrasting stitching. The seats are attached to the centre console's lower section and inner sill, which means that they don't actually touch the floor.

Both the seat belt and the armrest are integrated into the seat itself. The backrest's pony-tail slot, first featured in previous concept cars, has a new, slightly asymmetrical design.

"The aim is to create a pleasant living-room atmosphere with gentle, invisible transfers between the various surfaces. For instance, the dark, ecologically tanned saddle leather on the floor continues up on the lower part of the door," relates Steve Mattin.

The upper part of the doors is faced with genuine blond birch wood of the same colour as the Scandinavian coastline's salt- and sun-bleached wooden piers and driftwood. Two parallel slits create a wave-shaped protrusion whose upper section forms a comfortable leather armrest.

New technology detects pedestrians in the danger zone
The S60 Concept also presents a ground-breaking safety innovation that, among other things, can detect a pedestrian who steps out into the path of the car - and the car's full braking power is automatically activated if the driver does not respond to the danger.

The technology, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection, will be introduced in the all-new Volvo S60.

"Up until now, we have focused on helping the driver avoid collisions with other vehicles. Now we are taking a giant step forward with a system that also boosts safety for unprotected road-users. New sensor technology also makes it possible to advance from fifty percent to full automatic braking power. To our knowledge, none of our competitors have made such progress in this area," explains Thomas Broberg, safety expert at Volvo Cars.

Avoids collisions at speeds below 20 km/h
The car's speed is of considerable significance to the outcome of a collision with a pedestrian. If speed drops from 50 km/h to 30 km/h, the chance of a pedestrian's survival dramatically increases.
"Our aim is that this new technology should help the driver avoid collisions with pedestrians at speeds below 20 km/h. If the car is being driven faster, the aim is to reduce the impact speed as much as possible. In most cases, we can reduce the collision force by about 75 percent," says Thomas Broberg.

This technology is also highly beneficial in the event of rear-end impacts with other vehicles. Studies indicate that half of all drivers who drive into another vehicle from behind do not brake prior to the collision.

In such cases, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake can help entirely avoid a collision if the relative speed difference between the two vehicles is less than 25 km/h.

Visual warning on head-up display
In an emergency situation, the driver first gets an audible warning together with a flashing lightin the windscreen's head-up display. In order to prompt an immediate, intuitive reaction, the visual warning is designed to look like a brake light coming on in front.

If the driver does not respond to the warning and the system assesses that a collision is imminent, the car's full braking power is activated automatically.

The main aim is still for the initial warning to be sufficient for the driver to brake or manoeuvre away from the hazard. Full automatic braking is an emergency measure that is only activated when the collision is imminent.

Upgraded Adaptive Cruise Control
Volvo Cars' Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has now been upgraded with a queue assist function.
The radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control maintains the set time gap to the vehicle in front all the way down to standstill, making this comfort-enhancing system usable in slow-moving queues with repeated starting and stopping.

CO2-emissions at 119g/km
The engine that Volvo Cars has chosen for the Volvo S60 Concept is a four-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol unit using high-efficiency GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) technology and producing 180 horsepower.

In a conventional petrol engine, fuel is injected into the inlet manifold ahead of the inlet valves. With direct injection, however, the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber under high pressure.

The engine in combination with a range of other technical measures makes it possible to cut carbon dioxide emissions to 119 g/km (5.0 l/100 km).

Volvo Cars' first production car with GTDi technology will be introduced during the second half of 2009.

Electric power steering, stratified combustion and other measures
In addition to GTDi technology, the Volvo S60 Concept integrates the following technical features to bring CO2 emissions down to 119 g/km:

* Stratified combustion. The combustion chamber is designed such that a mist consisting of the optimal blend of air and fuel is formed around the spark plug, surrounded in turn by pure air. This allows the engine to operate with a surplus of air, thus cutting fuel consumption.
* Start/stop, a functionality that switches off the engine when the car is at a standstill.
* Powershift. Two manual gearboxes work in parallel, each regulated by its own clutch.
* EPAS (Electric Power Assisted Steering). In principle an "electric servo" where the conventional hydraulic pump has been replaced by an electric motor.
* "DRIVe-Mode". Gives the driver the possibility of reducing fuel consumption via an "economy mode" that limits the function of a number of selected electrical or mechanical systems.
* Grille shutter. A wind-deflecting panel that can be closed to reduce air drag when there is less need for cooling air.
* Flat underbody panels.
* The use of lightweight materials in the car body.


Source: Volvo


Read More..

Publisher: Primedia Consumer Media & Magazine Group
Language: English
Number of Pages: 148
PDF: 30 MB



Motor Trend is one of the oldest automobile magazines still publishing. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line The Magazine for a Motoring World. Today it is published by Source Interlink and boasts a paid monthly circulation of over one million readers. One of the earliest and most enduring of the magazine's creations was its Car of the Year award, given almost continuously since its inception, although the phrase itself would not become entrenched until well into the 50s. (The first winner was the 1949 Cadillac.) The award has gone through several splits and permutations over the years, being called the Golden Wheels Award for a while in the 70s and having given rise to Truck of the Year and Import Car of the Year as well as SUV of the Year. Nevertheless, it is still coveted by manufacturers and is usually covered by the mainstream press as the most important distinction awarded in the American auto industry.


Download
http://rapidshare.com/files/173123298/motortrend-01-09_www.dl4all.com.rar

Read More..

Download
http://www.mediafire.com/?ojmiziimzyu

Read More..

The 2009 Audi S5 is a high-performance luxury coupe which is propelled by a 4.2-liter 354 horsepower direct-inject V8 engine. While the car comes with a standard Quattro all-wheel drive six-speed manual transmission, one can opt for a six-speed automatic with manual shift control. The powerful engine is an absolute delight to accelerate – zero to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.Fuel economy is 14 mpg in cities and 21 mpg on highways.




This new gorgeous eight-cylinder sports beauty from the Audi family fills the intermediate gap between the high-end RS models and the A5 coupes. Standard Audi features in the S5 include speed-sensitive steering, Multi Media Interface (MMI), 19-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, sunroof, automatic climate control, an 8-way power front sports seats with seat heaters, leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, 10-speaker Bang & Olufson audio system with CD changer, satellite radio, auto-dimming mirrors etc.
Standard safety features include anti-lock disc brakes, brake assist, stability control, traction control, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags etc. Additional navigational options available are side-assist (blind-spot warning system) and cruise control. Along with its exceptional safety features, the 2009 Audi S5 scores highly on its plush and rich interiors.
The front seats offer good support and comfort, though the low seating may be a bit problematic for short people, according to some reviewers. Like all Audis, the S5 also boasts of a rich interior made from high quality materials and an equally appetizing exterior with its long wheel base and swooping roofline. Many reviewers also give the Audi’s proprietary MMI an excellent rating. While the trunk space is extraordinarily large, the rear seats appear to have truncated leg space.
Chrome accents around the side glass, brushed aluminum side-mirrors, side scalloping on the lower flanks of the doors, a large sunroof that lifts and not slides, tail lights neatly tucked in under the trunk lid and a pair of chrome exhaust pipes on either side of the car – all these and the classy colors make the new Audi S5 a beautiful sports machine.
With its sleek sporty looks and incredible performance the 2009 Audi S5 is expected to give its competitors BMW 335xi as well as Mercedes-Benz CLK 550 a run for their money. This four seat luxury coupe with its high performance engine and comfortable interiors is a great driving experience, according to some test drivers.

2009 Audi A5 Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Audi A5 2-door coupe
Wheelbase, in. 108.3
Overall Length, in. 182.1
Overall Width, in. 73.0
Overall Height, in. 54.0
Curb Weight, lbs. 3737
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 16.1
Standard Payload, lbs. –
Fuel Capacity, gals. 16.9
Seating Capacity 4
Front Head Room, in. 39.1
Max. Front Leg Room, in. –
Rear Head Room, in. 36.0
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. –

Engines
dohc V6 dohc V8
Size, liters/cu. in. 3.2 /191 4.2 /255
Horsepower @ rpm. 265 @ 6500 354 @ 6800
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 243 @ 3250 325 @ 3500
Availability Standard Standard

EPA City / highway mpg
6-speed manual 16/27 14/22
6-speed automatic 17/26 16/24

2009 Audi A5 Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
A5 2-door coupe, manual $40,300 $37,481 $825
A5 2-door coupe, automatic $41,600 $38,687 $825
S5 2-door coupe, manual $50,900 $47,338 $825
S5 2-door coupe, automatic $52,200 $48,545 $825

From www.fireblades.org
Read More..

While the T-Max has long had a solid Euro-following, Yamaha USA has always been skeptical about the market for such a functional but unglamorous bike in America. The thinking is that, in America, motorcycles are used more for recreational purposes so they have to be cool. While we get that whole Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, Roman Holiday classic Vespa thing, we often don’t know what to make of these neither-fish-nor-fowl maxi-scooters.

But now, the T-Max is sold here. It arrived just in time for four-buck gas in SoCal, when Yamaha couldn’t keep the smaller Vino in stock. The tuning forkers had visions of selling a freeway-capable scooter to people with longer commutes. I, for one, hope that the current blip back towards a buck-something gas doesn’t dampen the company’s willingness to promote this product. Although the high end of the scooter market will take some developing, I believe there’s role for the motorcycle as a primary vehicle.



The T-Max was totally revamped for the 2008 model year, which is the version we now get Stateside for 2009. A new body style, which grows on you, conceals an all-new alloy frame, which replaces the old tubular steel chassis.

The first impression on approach is that it’s extraordinarily long. Then, when you sit on it, the seat feels firm, high, and wide. The T-Max does not have a completely flat floorboard, like a classic scooter. Still, the relatively low step-through threshold makes it easier to get on and off than a conventional motorcycle. The seat height comes into play when paddling the bike into and out of parking spots. I found myself sliding forward off the seat, so that I could plant more of my own weight on the ground when pushing it around.

With a full tank of fuel, it weighs close to 500 lbs. It takes a fair amount of effort to get it up on the center stand, but the passenger grab rail provides a solid grip for that job. I found I noticed the weight more when I had to rock it off the stand. It is also the first bike I’ve ridden with a parking brake.

The starting protocol is simple: With the key and kill switch in the ‘on’ position, there’s a momentary delay while the fuel injection system pressures up. Then you hold either brake lever in and hit the starter button. (There are no foot controls. The rear brake is operated by the lever on the left handlebar, and the front brake, as usual, on the right.) There is no kick starter, nor is it possible to bump-start it.

An automatic centrifugal clutch engages when you increase revs. I noticed a slight delay in the clutch engagement that was frustrating when I was trying to get away at low throttle openings. To set out perfectly smoothly, I found myself holding the left (rear) brake in until I felt the clutch bite, then easing off the brake to roll away. I own a Yamaha Vino 125, which clutches flawlessly, so I suspect this glitch might come down to a minor setup problem on Motorcycle.com’s particular test bike. As soon as you’re underway, the low center of gravity keeps it unthreatening even at parking-lot speeds.

Despite being half a foot longer than say, an R1, the T-Max is very maneuverable in town. If you’re out running errands, there’s room for a good-sized bag of groceries, or a full-face helmet under the seat. The seat is held in the open position by a pair of hydraulic lifters, and there’s even a light in the storage compartment. There are also two non-locking ‘glove compartments’ in the front cowl. I imagine that, in Europe, commuters usually these for a pack of Gauloise cigarettes in one and a flask of Grappa in the other. Or maybe just coins for tolls.

The combination of 15-inch wheels and almost five-inches of suspension travel, make this the most capable scooter I’ve ever ridden when it came to soaking up the bumps in crappy urban asphalt. The suspension setup and overall geometry also make carrying a passenger a piece of cake. I can’t remember ever riding a scooter – or motorcycle – as good as this for two-up duty. I could hardly tell the chick was back there. Her comments were also favorable as she loved the seat, secure grab rails, and specifically noted the comfortable footpeg position.

The new alloy frame feels as stiff as a modern beam frame. The fully-stressed motor bolts to the back of the frame. The swingarm pivots on the engine castings, so unlike most scooters the motor is sprung weight. That takes some pressure off the single rear shock, which is positioned about where it would be on a sportbike.

The net effect of fork, frame, shock and Dunlop Sportmax tires is taut, confidence-inspiring handling that easily compares to conventional motorcycles. It’s capable of carrying a downright surprising degree of lean angle through the corners. More importantly (considering its daily commuting brief) the T-Max is amply capable of cruising in the fast lane on the freeway without the alarming vagueness of some other maxis.

The 360-degree parallel-Twin is an interesting piece. It’s a long-stroke, undersquare motor; a choice made to emphasize torque and provide a good spread of power. You’d expect that the two pistons, moving back and forth together, would create vibration. There is a third piston that’s 180 degrees opposed to the two ‘real’ ones. The result is an essentially vibration-free ride. As with all counterbalanced motors, the price for smoothness is paid with the currency of inertia, so the motor doesn’t want to spin up too quickly.

Although Yamaha claims the motor was designed for low and mid-range power, our consensus is that it is a little anemic off the bottom (for a motorcycle) but that it has lots of power up top (for a scooter.) Most motorcyclists are used to gauging speed by the sound of the motor, so having a bike accelerate while it maintains a nearly constant engine note can actually be quite disconcerting. I didn’t do a top-speed test, but it feels as though there’s still a bit on tap at an indicated 95 miles an hour.

Up at freeway speeds, or at any speed for that matter, the mirrors are crystal-clear. They’re positioned well forward on the fairing, offering exceptional rearward visibility.

For California readers, it’s worth noting that the narrow overall layout combined with a fairly tall seat and an upright riding position make the T-Max one of my all-time favorite lane-splitters. The only thing you can’t do on it is pull in the clutch and blip the throttle to politely remind car drivers to make a little room.

If something happens in front of you, the brakes are more than able to reel the T-Max in on short notice. There are twin 267mm discs up front, gripped by four-pot monobloc calipers. The long, low geometry also allows the rear brake to contribute, even in hard braking situations.

After a few days on the 2009 T-Max, I could easily imagine choosing it as a primary vehicle for daily commuting. As equipped, it’s not perfect for that assignment, but Yamaha’s already anticipated one of my key desires by offering a nice accessory top box. Even with the capacious underseat storage compartment, there’s no such thing as too much luggage space.

For every day, year-round use, I’d like to see heated grips, or at the very least better wind protection for the rider’s hands. A wired-in accessory power socket located in the underseat compartment would allow for onboard charging of a modern commuter’s various PDAs, cell phone, laptop and the like.

Riding through dark winter nights is made easier by the best headlights I’ve used in a long time. But I’d like Yamaha to add four-way flashers. Last but not least, I’d like to see ABS, at least as an option.

If you’re looking for the two-wheeled equivalent of a Honda Accord, this is a strong contender for your next bike. At $8,099 (for the yellow version seen here) it’s priced competitively close to the base-model Suzuki Burgman 650 or about $800 more than Yamaha’s venerable FZ6 all-rounder - if you’re comparing it to real motorcycles.

Changing the attitudes of American motorcyclists towards maxi-scooters will take some time. I for one hope Yamaha hangs in there with the T-Max, since it’s a great bike that deserves a real following.

Photo

Read More..

The flat-track replica finally comes to America
From www.motorcycle.com


You patriotic types may feel pretty gutted hearing this, but it seems we’ve our Euro friends to thank for the U.S. being graced with one of the most iconic motorcycles to ever be built. What constitutes an icon? Howz ‘bout the XR750? If that doesn’t say ‘Muhrica, nothing does.

Did the Euros get an XR? Yes and no. What they had built especially for them (but you already know this) was the Harley-Davidson Sportster XR1200. What you may not know is that, according to Bill Davidson, VP, Core Customer Marketing for Harley, is that our moto-loving broheims overseas allegedly have a greater passion for naked bikes, in particular, those influenced by American flat-track racing. Also, it seems that most of Europe likes our bikes, as opposed to one county in particular, over there.



The naked, or standard, means a lot to Europe, more than the U.S. market, if you can believe that. Want proof? Witness the apparent death of Kawasaki’s Z1000 in the U.S. after only one year’s worth of revision? In ’06, the first-gen Z1000 outsold all other sport brands and models combined in Europe according to Kawasaki. In the U.S. it was more or less a loss-leader, so it was dropped from American dealerships for ’09.



Regardless of the seeming disdain for practical, sensible, upright-but-sporty unfaired standards in the U.S., Harley heard the uproar in the Letters-to-the-Editor, chat rooms, forum feedback and straight-up complaints from U.S. riders after the XR1200 being a Europe-only model, and decided it was time to bring the XR1200 home!



It’s baffling that a bike so iconic to American motorcycling would be loved more elsewhere than its home. A prophet isn’t welcome in his own country…

As you’ve likely read in the past several months, the XR’s mill is largely a 1200 Sporty, albeit with a few refinements. A couple of crucial updates include precision cooling of the cylinders via oil paths around the exhaust valves, and an airbox and exhaust system optimized for volumetric efficiency as well as serving as clear-cut styling links to Harley’s flat-track past (and present!), a higher compression ratio (10:1), and redline increased to 7,000 rpm. It’s all good for a claimed torque figure just shy of 74 ft-lbs at 4,000 rpm and an alleged 90 hp. The XR is down 10 hp to the average Buell XB model, for example, and it also gives up more than 150 pounds in claimed dry weight to the same bike(s).



Other changes that further delineate the XR from your average Sporty while drawing a blazingly obvious parallel to the historic XR750 is a new hollow cast-aluminum swingarm that is rumored to be upwards of 40% stiffer than the typical box-section steel Sportster swingarm, and steering geometry that employs a “split-rake” in order to achieve assertive steering input while at the same time allowing a more relaxed, upright rider triangle.

Additionally, the flat-track imitator rolls on lightweight 3-spoke cast wheels spooned with Dunlop Qualifiers developed specifically for the XR, and a meaty 43mm inverted fork. The fork is unadjustable but offers over five inches of travel. The dual coil-over shocks offer preload adjustment via the classic ramp-style adjuster, and, well, provide that “classic look.” And here’s where Harley got smart with the XR. The Motor Company called on 9-time AMA Grand National Champion and all-around nice guy, Scott Parker, to assist in chassis and handling development.

The fork denies little if any deflection to upset the chassis and do an excellent job of keeping the front glued to the tarmac but, due to its lack of adjustments and race-guy influence, also doesn’t offer much compliance over potholes or sharp-angled bumps. For the XR’s reasonable retail figure that’s marginally more costly than, say, an XB12R, it should have adjustable preload, at a minimum. The Buell’s have fully-adjustable sticks, why not the XR, I say?



Regardless of a sometimes-jolting experience, the combination of quality 17-inch rubber, lightened rolling inertia courtesy the wheels, 59-inch wheelbase and stout fork, the XR1200 turns in easily and stays on target all the way through your chosen corner arc with stability and confidence.

I noted a few other riders bemoaning some wallow in the chassis, but I experienced little of this. I say this not to brag but to lend credence to my handling notes; I was always running with the quickest of our group, scraping the long peg feelers or right-side exhaust, whichever came first. Speaking of exhaust, note where the inspiration for the performance-tuned headers and mufflers came from. That’s right, the championship-dominating XR750. Peg feelers can be removed for increased lean angle to the left, but I’d suggest leaving the right peg feeler on in order to prevent further scuffage to the exhaust or a highside incident, should you crank the bike over that far.

Ergonomically the XR1200 strikes a good compromise between aggressive canyon attacker and sensible, upright everyday ride. The reach from the saddle to the wide flat-track-inspired bars is easy, though the seat-to-peg relation may seem a little tight for those over, say, six feet tall. Nevertheless, what appears to be a diminutive and sparsely padded seat is actually a saddle that proved comfortable for well over 60 miles of freeway and surface street slogging.

Also, though clutch pull may make a man out of you at day’s end, the 5-speed tranny works well and shifts easily. And last but definitely not least, the brakes on this Harley-Davidson belie the name on the tank.

Never have I ridden a Harley that stops with such force while offering so much feel. H-D teamed up with Nissin again (the company makes calipers for the rest of the Sportster line) in order to come up with an all-new caliper. The dual four-piston pinchers squeeze a set of 292mm rotors with such force that I locked the grippy front Dunlop at one time. These brakes are nothing short of spectacular and should be grasped with caution should you take advantage of an XR1200 demo ride and are expecting the usual Harley brake. This brake set is on-par with the brake systems on any number of Japanese performance-oriented street motorcycles.

This newest Harley, in many ways, is without competition, as no other maker produces a bike similar on a mass scale. Yet, it’s not without a few niggles; a couple of bolts here and there could use hiding or a simple cover of some type, right side ground clearance is limited somewhat by the lower portion of the exhaust headers, and the front suspension should really be adjustable considering the bike’s $10,799 ($11,079 for Orange, and Pewter Denim) admission price. If you want one, the pre-order period ends on December 15, so you’d better hurry to get your hands on the 750 XRs available in 2009.

Still, looking beyond these issues, it’s hard to deny the visceral draw of the XR1200, especially if you like dirt-track racing (and you should!). To this point, Harley’s U.S. communications director, Paul James, noted that during the XR’s weekend-long U.S. unveiling in Long Beach, CA, recently, passions for the XR cut across lines, so to speak. James reports that riders of all brands, or no brand at all, were attracted to theXR1200. “I could see myself on this bike,” said the passers-by and admirers.

I certainly know I wanted to see myself aboard this machine so rich in inspiration and heritage, and I have to say, it was worth the wait.

Read More..

Strap yourselves in, the fastest-ever Audi R8 is ready to roar!

Last week we brought you spy shots of the harder, lighter version of the firm’s supercar at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany. Now it has been unveiled at the Essen Motor Show, the country’s premier motorsport expo. Called the R8 LMS, it will take the fight to the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin DBR9 on racetracks around Europe but, more importantly, it give us an exciting glimpse of the forthcoming flagship V10-engined R8, which is due in UK showrooms late 2009.

Audi’s motorsport division has made a series of tweaks to the standard car to ensure that the R8 LMS is the ultimate ‘off-the-shelf’ racer. But it’s not purely a track-based toy – thanks to homologation rules for the GT3 class, Audi is obliged to build a small run of road-legal models, too.

Visually, the LMS packs a punch even when standing still. The wide bodykit, ground-hugging front splitter and wild rear wing give the car a menacing appearance, but also serves to produce masses of downforce at speed.

It’s under the bonnet where this car really shines though. Gone is the 420bhp V8 from the road-going machine, and in its place is a high-revving 500bhp 5.2-litre V10 mated to a six-speed sequential box, operated via wheel-mounted paddles.

The hydraulics used in the gearbox are borrowed straight from Audi’s Le Mans 24 Hours-winning R10 prototype, so shifts should be virtually instant. And with a kerbweight of 1,250kg, it promises to deliver stunning performance – 0-60mph in less than four seconds and a top speed of well over 200mph.

Up to eight customer cars will compete in different European race series and at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Audi Sport has developed a special endurance version of the R8 LMS for that event which comes with a 120-litre fuel tank.

The first customers are scheduled to take delivery of the new car next autumn. But dream racing cars don’t come cheap: the R8 LMS will set you back £206,000.

- by tzurloy
source : http://fresh-car-news.blogspot.com
Read More..