Cadillac hybrid sports car confirmed

Cadillac hybrid sports car confirmedThe Cadillac Converj coupé concept, first shown at the 2009 Detroit motor show (and it must be said, the subject of constant speculation since then) is finally going into production - and that's official.

General motors has confirmed that Cadillac's first electric car will be called the ELR, apparently the closest they could get to “electric” using the brand's three-letter model naming convention.

It will use a more powerful version of the Chevrolet Volt system with a 181kg, T-shaped lithium-ion battery, an electric motor driving the front wheels and a four-cylinder petrol engine driving a generator.

Like the Volt, it will use the battery as its primary power source around town and plug into a mains outlet to recharge between commutes. When the battery runs low (after about 40-80km, depending on speeds), it'll switch to extended-range mode, using the generator to power the electric drive-train for as long as there's petrol in the tank.

Development of the ELR coupé has only just started, say GM bosses, so they don't have details such as performance, price and timing yet, but they're waxing lyrical about “a combination of electric drive with striking design and the fun of luxury driving.”Apparently the ELR is due for production late in 2013 as a 2014 model, so they'd better get their skates on.

Mind you, Cadillac's engineers certainly haven't been sitting on their hands since GM bounced back from bankruptcy; the company has recently announced two new models for 2012 - the XTS limousine and the ATS, a new compact (by US standards anyway) luxury sedan - and it also reveal another new concept car on Thursday (August 18) at a media event ahead of the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California.

Read Full Entry

More power to you

The spirits of an Indian petrol-head have been inversely proportional to the prices of petrol, and diesel aficionados have been having quite the laugh with the market players obliging them with a flurry of diesel-powered cars in the last few months. But all it takes to put a childish grin on a petrol-head's face is something such as the Audi A6 3.0T. With its 295bhp engine, this one's definitely putting the grin back where it belongs.

But first, there are a few things you need to know about this car's powertrain. It's supercharged, with direct-injection and unlike the old A6 3.0T, which had a six-speed auto box, the latest model comes with a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission that incorporates a launch control function. This translates to 0-100kph in six seconds, 0-200kph in 24.32 seconds and a top speed limited to 250kph — reasons to opt for the petrol over the diesel. Compare spec sheets and the petrol has 50bhp more than the diesel, makes 6kgm torque less and is exactly 0.3sec faster to 100kph Now, this may not look like a whole lot more than the 3.0 diesel A6 and the truth is that in the real world, the diesel would gamely keep up but the 3-litre petrol in its latest iteration is just so much more thrilling.

For starters, it revs quite freely for a forced induction engine and the way you can wind it to its redline of 6500rpm (versus the diesel's 4500rpm) thrills you like no diesel can. This engine snarls like you're trying to steal its food and pulls like a runaway train all the way from 2000rpm to the rev limiter.

Displacing all of 2995cc from its six cylinders set in a 90deg vee, this engine's belt-driven supercharger which makes up to 0.8 bar of boost, sits between the two cylinder banks and is driven off the crankshaft. Compressed air passes through two intercoolers before entering the combustion chamber, and because the supercharger is located between the cylinders, the compressed air doesn't have to travel far, which helps engine response.

And boy, is it responsive. Thanks to the wide power band, the engine responds anywhere and everywhere in the rev range. Taps on the throttle are rewarded with instant forward motion and strong pulling power — the engine makes 44.8kgm of torque. The biggest difference though is with the gearbox. The old A6's torque converter was jerky in its gearshifts, but this twin-clutch unit is a lot smoother. Gearshifts are lightning-quick and the new A6, unlike the old one, gets paddle-shifters, which makes it all the more fun to run up and down the gearbox. It has no qualms about spinning the engine upto the redline on downshifts either, so on the right road it's huge fun to squeeze the most out of the engine. That it remains extremely smooth even at the edge of its rev counter only encourages you to do so.

Of course, a strong petrol engine is heavy on the wallet. The ‘Efficiency' mode in Audi's MMI system does help in disengaging the flywheel when the car is coasting, but in our back-to-back highway runs (once in ‘Efficiency' mode and again in ‘Comfort' mode) didn't change any numbers. We're sure that there'll be some savings in the city cycle which gave us an average of 7kpl, which isn't too bad. The car comes with start/stop system too.

The Quattro system with its new centre differential gives the A6 loads of grip and the car displays good poise around corners. However, the A6's handling isn't very involving and the inherent understeer (you have to push hard to find the limit) and benign steering doesn't make it engaging to drive.

There's also the mushy brakes — the pedal action is not very linear with almost nothing initially and strong bite later. Ride quality however is exemplary. Audi's adaptive damper system is standard on the car and offers a smooth ride in ‘Comfort' and controls body movements brilliantly in ‘Dynamic'. What helps the ride are tyres that are slightly taller than before but we wished, for the sake of aesthetics, Audi would offer slightly wider tyres than the standard 225/55-R17 rubber. In fact, the previous A6 had chunkier 255/50-R17 tyres and the downsizing on the new model is probably to reduce rolling resistance and hence fuel consumption.

The interiors are a familiar story — richly equipped, well designed and superbly built. The front seats are properly supportive and the cabin feels rightly sporty, yet luxurious. Like the diesel, the rear seats have good space but not enough thigh support.

The A6 3.0T will cost Rs. 56 lakh (estimated), and apart from the rather shocking omission of powered steering adjust, our test car came well-equipped. It has powered seats with memory, four-zone climate control, adaptive suspension, Bluetooth connectivity, reverse camera and keyless and go.

For performance and refinement, the A6 3.0T writes its rival's epitaph. It is easily the quickest car in its class and the strong engine makes it amazing to drive. The purist in you probably won't like its aloof handling and road manners, while the chauffeur-driven passenger will find the rear seats a tad low. In terms of value, like any other petrol luxury car, it's not great. However, this is a car that'll get the petrol-head grinning every single time.

Read Full Entry

2011 Hyundai Genesis: Value priced rear-wheel drive luxury sedan

Years ago, Hyundai was the new car of last resort — the cheapest new car you could buy. Hyundai has come a very long way since then, and the Genesis sedan is proof. It’s a high value, rear-wheel drive luxury sedan offering a choice of V6 or V8 power.

The Genesis seats five in a well-appointed cabin, featuring wood and aluminum trim, chrome accents, soft-touch materials and state-of-the-art technology. For example, while an iPod interface is standard, the voice-activated navigation system includes a multimedia interface that’s easier to use than what’s offered in most luxury cars, and there’s an optional 17-speaker audio system with 7.1 Surround Sound.
I originally drove this car when it was first introduced as a 2009 model, and was impressed then. This go around, driving the V8 version, impressed me even more. Model Lineup: The 2011 Hyundai Genesis sedan is offered in two models — the Genesis 3.8 and 4.6. Both are named after the size of their powerplant.

The Genesis 3.8 stickers at $33,000 and comes standard with leather upholstery; leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls; dual-zone automatic climate control; cruise control; heated front seats; eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment; four-way power-adjustable passenger seat; heated power mirrors; power windows and door locks; remote keyless entry and starting; seven-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo; iPod interface; XM Satellite Radio; auxiliary audio input jack; Bluetooth cell phone link; auto-dimming rearview mirror; compass; universal garage door opener; automatic headlights; theft-deterrent system; fog lights; and P225/55R17 tires on alloy wheels.
Options include a $2,500 Premium Package that adds premium leather upholstery; leather-wrapped dash and door trim; power tilt/telescoping steering wheel; memory for the driver’s seat, a sunroof; Lexicon 14-speaker audio system; six-disc CD changer; automatic windshield defogger; rain-sensing wipers; and a power rear sunshade.

The Premium Navigation Package ($2,000) adds P235/50R18 tires on alloy wheels with chrome inserts, 40-gigabyte hard drive navigation system, XM NavTraffic with a 90-day subscription, and rearview camera. The $5,500 Technology Package also comes with the larger wheels and tires; and includes front and rear park assist; Ultimate Navigation with hard drive; heated/cooled driver’s seat; 17-speaker Lexicon audio system with 7.1 Surround Sound, HD radio, rearview camera; smart cruise control; electronic parking brake, and adaptive, auto-leveling xenon headlights.

The Genesis 4.6 (our test vehicle) stickers at $43,000. There are no options. The 4.6 as it comes standard with all the standard and optional equipment from the 3.8, plus electro-hydraulic power steering, chrome bodyside moldings, illuminated door sill plates, woodgrain trim on the steering wheel, and auto-dimming outside mirrors.

Safety features on both include dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, curtain side airbags, tire-pressure monitor, electronic active front head restraints, antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, and electronic stability control.

Walkaround: The Hyundai Genesis looks like someone sat down at the computer mixing and matching design elements from the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5-Series. Styling isn’t really aggressive, but more pleasingly athletic. Except for a semi-discreet badge on the trunk, you wouldn’t know this was a Hyundai, and numerous people mistook it for a Mercedes. The trapezoidal grille boasts a touch of Mercedes, flanked by modern eye-slit headlights. Fog lights are standard on the lower fascia, which also features a large lower air intake. Overall, the car resembles the more angular shape of the BMW as opposed to the softer, rounder Mercedes design. The roofline mirrors the 5-Series, right down to the dogleg rear pillars.

The Genesis features a high trunk line and a lower fascia adorned with dual exhaust tips hinting at its sporty character. Interior: The Genesis boasts a luxurious cabin, with soft-touch materials everywhere, including a leather-wrapped dash — something usually reserved for much more expensive vehicles — and chrome accents. The easy to read electroluminescent instrumentation features white numbers on a black background with blue accents.

The center stack includes a small screen at the top that displays radio and climate information, with radio controls at the bottom, and 10 buttons devoted to climate control. The CD slot sits below the center stack and below is a small cubby for CDs. The front seats are comfortable and sit up high. Front and rear head and legroom are plentiful. The trunk is deep, with 16.0 cubic feet of cargo room.

Under The Hood: The standard 290-horse, 3.8-liter V6 puts out 264 pound-feet of torque. The Genesis 4.6 features Hyundai’s 4.6-liter Tau V8, which puts 385 ponies on the pavement (with premium gasoline; 378 with regular) and 333 pound-feet of torque (324 lb-ft with regular gas). Both engines are mated to 6-speed automatics with a manual shiftgate. Behind The Wheel: Our test V8 delivered plenty of smooth power and offered pretty decent mileage (17/City—25/Highway) — especially for this performance level.

The Genesis benefits from rear-wheel drive architecture, a rigid structure, and advanced five-link front and rear suspensions — all hallmarks of great sports sedans. Although not quite as agile as some of its competitors, the Genesis is a legitimate sports sedan. On winding roads it handles well, with a generally nimble feel through corners. The V8 benefits from electrohydraulic steering that provides sure steering in the tightest corners.

The Genesis rides well, smoothing out most bumps, but can get bouncy over ruts and humps at highway speeds. Whines: Tall rear passengers may have a complaint with headroom. While there’s a pass-through from the trunk, the rear seats don’t fold down.

Bottom Line: As luxury sports sedans go, the Hyundai Genesis is the real deal, and its price point makes it a very attractive alternative to the BMW 5-Series, Lexus GS, Mercedes E-Class, and Infiniti M. Both the V6 and V8 models deliver fine handling, a smooth ride, and more than adequate power. Although not an even-up match for the very best in its class, the Genesis is equally luxurious, surprisingly capable, and costs significantly less.

Read Full Entry

Why some Pearl Jewelry is more Expensive than others

For ages now pearls have been revered as a sign of status. Pearl jewellery can, however, be quite the expensive addition to your collection. Pearls are rated much like gems, and each different type of pearl will have a different value. Natural pearls are extremely rare and make the most expensive jewellery. These pearls are naturally created by hard-shelled mollusks in the wild. Matching strands of naturally occurring pearls is almost unheard of. Almost, if not all, naturally occurring pearls are purchased and sold by serious collectors because of their rarity.

There is an option, however, for jewellery lovers that don't have the bank account of a collector: cultured pearls. Essentially cultured-pearls are grown by adding a bead and a piece of tissue into a shelled mollusk, or by grafting a piece of tissue from one mussel to another. In enabling the growth of the pearls for mass production, the rarity of the gem has been toned down for cultured pearls. They are still quite breathtaking, retaining the beauty and elegance you would expect from jewellery, yet at a significantly more affordable price. There are many types of cultured pearls, each one having a different value, and thus each one used creates pearl jewellery of different value. If you are a pearl lover it would be wise to get to know the different types of cultured-pearls.

The most expensive cultured-pearl jewellery would be made using the South Sea pearl. They have an insurmountable color of white, cream, and gold. South Sea pearls can grow to be quite large. The Tahitian pearls would be next in line for expensive pearl jewellery. These are sometimes referred to as Black South Sea-pearls. Next are the Akoya-pearls. The most inexpensive pearl jewellery is made using the freshwater pearl. Freshwater pearls have been cultured since the late 20's, making it a fine-tuned art. All levels of cultured pearl jewellery have their own unique identifying features; just because the cost is less doesn't necessarily mean the aesthetic value is affected. In addition to personal preference each type of pearl has a different look and feel, transferring this uniqueness to the jewellery it is used to create.

Pearls have a variety of colors and sizes. Luxurious, mirror-reflective, pink Akoya pearl jewellery would make an amazing addition to the jewellery box. If you are going with one color spectrum though, don't forget to include some dazzling black Tahitian as well.

Pearls will continue to be synonymous with elegance and class. They will always be a dazzling sign of status; however that status no longer has to be defined by income.

Read Full Entry

Chang-an’s mid size sedan spotted out testing

The problem with self developed mid size sedans from Chinese auto makers is that they lack the branding ability and marketing ability to push their vehicles from being economy boxes into mid size sedan fighters. Only Brilliance and Roewe appear to have the ability to make a mid size that sells but they started in a different way as they started by making expensive cars and then made economy cars, its easier to go from high end to low end than it is from low end to high end. Chang’an have so far been focused on building small economy cars that sell in the thousands each month but they have not yet made a mid size fighter to rival Chery’s Riich G5 or Geely’s Emgrand EC7/8 series.

The below Chang’an sedan is based on the CD101 concept sedan that we have seen before at the Shanghai and Beijing Auto Shows, the sedan is likely to launch in early 2012 and will be powered by a 1.8L, 2.0L and also a self developed 1.8T engine. As with all Chinese mid size sedans they will launch first with a manual gearbox and then launch an automatic later, note that most mid size car manufacturers usually launch with an automatic only and then only offer manuals on the low end models. Are Chinese companies failing to understand their target consumers, or are we?

Read Full Entry

Luxury car sales lift as economy recovers

Luxury car sales increased five per cent in the five months to May–almost matching the 6.5 per cent growth for the new vehicles industry in the period, reflecting renewed consumer confidence in tandem with expectations of economic growth.

The performance of the luxury segment, which sold 83 units up from 79 units a year earlier according to data from the Kenya Motor Industry, was driven by increased demand from private enterprises and wealthy individuals.

Players attributed the increased demand to the strong economic recovery that started last year, a move they say could cushion the industry from major cutbacks in government spending on luxury car brands like Mercedes, Range Rover, and BMW.

“There is increased demand from high net worth individuals and the private sector where directors and senior managers are buying more luxury cars,” said Roy Kyalo, a sales manager at Bavaria Auto Kenya, a fully-owned subsidiary of Simba Colt Motors.

The economy grew by 5.6 per cent last year, double the 2.6 per cent recorded in 2009. High fuel and commodity prices have however cast a dark cloud on growth this year, with Treasury downgrading growth forecast to between 3.5 and 4.5 per cent.

Government cut: The government has since 2009 stopped buying luxury cars that consume more fuel and are more expensive to maintain in a bid to cut its transport spend.

That decision saw sales of new luxury cars drop within its first year of implementation, forcing dealers to launch aggressive marketing targeting the private sector and wealthy individuals.

Last year, 204 units of luxury cars were sold, down from 218 units the year before. “Sales of new luxury cars slowed down due to lack of orders from the Government,” said Sanjiv Shah, the general manager of Mercedes saloon cars at DT Dobie said in an earlier interview.

He said government orders accounted for about 30 per cent of Mercedes sales in recent years—a percentage that analysts says resonated across other luxury brands. CMC Motors has been the biggest loser in the move by the government.

CMC, which sells Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover luxury car brands, sold 13 units in the five months to May, down from 33 units a year earlier. This reduced its marketshare to 20 per cent from 43 per cent. It however sold four Jaguar cars in the five months to May, signalling diversification of market.

Market leader DT Dobie that sells Mercedes cars grew its market share to 57 per cent from 40 per cent, entrenching its dominance in the segment. Bavaria Auto Kenya, the local franchise dealer of BMW brands, also expanded its marketshare to 23 per cent from 17 per cent.

General Motors East Africa (GMEA) which introduced the rugged Hummer luxury brand in Kenya a few years back has exited the segment after selling the last four units of the vehicle last year. Second hand car dealers however said concerns about high fuel prices have weighed down demand for luxury cars from their clients

“People are worried about buying the fuel guzzlers at a time when fuel prices are high,” said Ms Angela Mecha, a used-car marketer at Kenya Bazaar.

Read Full Entry