[Bumblebee86]

The biggie is the new AirCap, a small 2.4-inch wind deflecting device that, in conjunction with a baffle between the rear headrests, keeps things quiet in the open cabin at speeds up to 100 mph. Sunstroke aside, not being able to talk to the person 13 inches away from you is one of the big drags of convertible ownership. If they're to be believed, Mercedes claims that AirCap solves the problem. That's a great thing, should you opt for the 382 horsepower, 391 pound-feet of torque E550 Convertible as opposed to the V6-powered 268-hp, 258 lb-ft of torque E350 Convertible.






There's also a new Airscarf, a system that blows hot air at the necks of the people seated up front. Hence, short of hail, falling snow and rain, you could conceivably drive the E-Class Convertible year round. Unless you're seated in the back seat.

SOURCE: Autoblog — We Obsessively Cover The Auto Industry

[Bumblebee86]

[Bumblebee86]

[Bumblebee86]

[akbaree]

The Viper looks awesome - I know the color combination is jazzy and the car is looking in your face kind - but I am in love. Please give me one...

Between, I am planning to drive to Detroit on 16th or 17th to see the beauties in real flesh and blood. If any teambhpian is gonna be around, I would love to meet.

Thanks
Anant

[Bumblebee86]

PRESS RELEASE:

The BMW Concept ActiveE

The next chapter in BMW's project i Megacity Vehicle research initiative.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – Introducing the BMW Concept ActiveE, the latest electric vehicle project under BMW Group's initiative to produce vehicles that explore solutions to minimize environmental impacts while preserving the kinetic driving experience for which BMW has long been known. The BMW Concept ActiveE follows the all-electric MINI E as the second large-scale electric vehicle test program to be conducted in the hands of interested customers.

The BMW Group presents yet another milestone along the way to achieving CO2-free mobility. The BMW Concept ActiveE provides a taste of a purely electrically powered BMW. Focused on the requirements of practical use, the study is based on the BMW 1 Series Coupe and embodies the outstanding agility and characteristic driving pleasure of the 1 Series for the first time as part of an emissions-free drive concept.





With the world premiere of the BMW Concept ActiveE at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2010 in Detroit, the BMW Group is highlighting the continuation of its research and development activities in the field of electro-mobility. The field tests with the MINI E as part of project i in the US and Europe have already provided important insights into the demands required of future production electric vehicles. As a second step, project i has begun development of a second trial fleet of electric vehicles based on the BMW Concept ActiveE. These vehicles are likewise intended for everyday use by private and select fleet customers as part of a large-scale field test. The insights gathered in the process will be fed into the development of an electrically powered serial production vehicle which the BMW Group will put on the market under a sub-brand of BMW in the first half of the next decade.

The BMW Concept ActiveE has allowed BMW to explore new vehicle packaging solutions and components which will be crucial to the success of the Megacity Vehicle. The intelligent integration of drive components within the existing vehicle package of the BMW 1 Series Coupe offers the opportunity to provide four full-size seats and a luggage compartment with a capacity of 200 litres / 7 cu ft. The motor, specially developed for the model and located in the rear axle, delivers 125 kW/170 hp and provides maximum torque of 250 Nm / 184 lb-ft. It accelerates the vehicle in less than 9 seconds from zero to 100 km/h (0-60 mph in approx. 8.5 seconds).







The electric drive system draws its energy from new, advanced lithium-ion battery pack developed jointly by BMW and the co-operation partner SB LiMotive especially for the BMW Concept ActiveE. They enable a range of approx. 160 kilometres (100 miles) in everyday use. An intelligent battery management system helps achieve this range largely independently of external climatic conditions. Additionally, the charging period required for the lithium-ion batteries is very short. On the European power grid, the battery pack can be fully charged in just 3 hours at a wall box with a current of 50 ampere at 230/240 volts. In North America, using a high-current (32 ampere continuous) residential wall box, the charge time is about 4.5 hours.

[Bumblebee86]

[Bumblebee86]

[Bumblebee86]

[Bumblebee86]

[anoops]

Super stuff Bumblebee86!! thanks so much for sharing :-)

[Bumblebee86]

the new V8 uses a different bore and stroke to give it an even five liters of displacement, last employed in the Mustang GT in 1995. A larger, single-blade throttle body that replaces the dual unit now works in conjunction with a composite intake manifold runner to provide for better breathing, as do the all-new aluminum cylinder heads that include an extra exhaust valve for a total of four valves per cylinder.

Additional upgraded components include a forged steel crankshaft, stronger forged powder metal connecting rods, high compression pistons, and a fantastic set of tubular stainless steel exhaust headers on each side. Perhaps most importantly, the 5.0-liter V8 receives Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT), a technology that allows for optimal power or fuel economy depending on throttle input.

SOURCE: Autoblog — We Obsessively Cover The Auto Industry

[suhaas307]

Absolutely fantastic photographs! Stunning stuff! Even the information is great! Loved the Dodge Viper ACR in particular! Even the 'Revenge Verde'(?) supercar looks cool!

[Bumblebee86]

[Bumblebee86]

PRESS RELEASE:

BENTLEY MOTORS SHOWCASES NEW FLAGSHIP MULSANNE AND SERIES 51 CONTINENTAL GTC AT DETROIT MOTOR SHOW

* Americas' motor show debut for new Bentley Mulsanne and Series 51 Continental GTC convertible
* All-new Mulsanne to start at $285,000 in the United States with first deliveries to begin this Fall
* Series 51 specification provides an exciting new design direction for Continental GT and GTC owners

(11 January 2010. Detroit, MI USA) Bentley Motors, the only ultra-luxury manufacturer with a stand alone display at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, pulled the wraps off the all-new Bentley Mulsanne flagship sedan and 'Series 51' designer edition of the Continental GTC convertible during the vehicles' first motor show debut in The Americas.

The new Mulsanne, designed and engineered at Crewe from the ground-up, reaffirms the marque's intent to create a new flagship Bentley with refined performance and unparalleled levels of luxury with the coach building elegance for which the marque has long been renowned.

The Series 51 Continental GTC represents Bentley exterior and interior styling at its most vibrant and will enable customers to order 'off the peg' from an exclusive range created by Dirk van Braeckel's renowned team of Crewe-based designers.

"The Detroit Motor Show remains an important stop for Bentley on the annual calendar of international motoring events," said Christophe Georges, President & Chief Operating Officer for Bentley Motors Inc. "Detroit is also the motor show debut for our flagship Mulsanne and the Series 51 Continental in The Americas region – our single largest worldwide – so it is an important opportunity to reach key influencers.

"Our annual NAIAS private customer previews have also proved successful and that proud record looks set to continue especially as we're the only ultra-luxury manufacturer with a stand alone display this year," Georges added. "Bentley has a busy year ahead and displaying our Mulsanne and Series 51 Continental GTC among Detroit's automotive insiders, influencers and customers is central to our launch strategy."




Series 51 Continental GTC
The Series 51 package, available on the Continental range's GT, GT Speed, GTC and GTC Speed models, will be priced from $192,750 for the GT coupe model. It provides for a virtually bespoke vehicle experience due to the thousands of configurations available through Bentley's expansive colour and trim catalogue.

Series 51 is named after the year that the first official styling department was established in Crewe by the gifted John Blatchley, who shaped the original and iconic 1950s Bentley Continentals. Every Series 51 car will feature a highly-distinctive interior colour palette and unique exterior design cues.

Bentley's Colour and Trim team, managed by Melinda - June Jenkins, has designed some specially tailored three-tone interiors which demonstrate the full potential of leather hide colours and showcase the creative application of contrast stitching and piping. The colour combination on the Detroit show car is Imperial Blue as the main and secondary hide, Linen seat and door inserts and Saddle contrast stitching and piping.



Bentley's designers have also selected a range of premium-quality materials for the dashboard and centre console to complement the three-tone interiors. The Dark and Bright 'Engine Spin' aluminium options provide a striking contrast with darker and lighter hide colour choices and a special, limited-edition Amboyna veneer reserved for solely for Series 51.



Both the Continental GT and GTC offer a powerful road presence and the Series 51 cars further accentuate these sporting credentials with some eye-catching exterior styling. A 20" 14-spoke polished Diamond wheel with a dark centre cap provides Series 51 cars with a purposeful and stylish appearance. The cars will be distinguished by a signature '51' badge on the front wings.




To enhance and personalise the Continental GT still further, a new two-tone paint can be commissioned which complements the contrasting interior configuration. This highly distinctive colour split (with one colour running over the bonnet, roof and flowing down to the boot) is a classic design used on many sporting Bentleys of the past.