BMW ActiveHybrid 7

There are typically two types of gasoline/electric hybrid-powered cars: those whose existence is meant to move people from one place to another with the least amount of gasoline, and those that exploit the same technology to offer greater performance. The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 belongs to the latter school of thought.

So try not to think of the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 as a rolling contradiction with a price tag that outweighs its efficiency. Instead consider that it's a sophisticated super sedan with the power of a V12 engine, only with the thirst of a mere V8. Only then does this $100,000 techno-vessel begin to make sense.

At the heart of the 7 Series hybrid beats a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V8 and an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, there is also a three-phase synchronous electric motor sandwiched between them. When the output from both systems is combined and blended, the result is a 17-foot-long missile that can either accelerate like a sports car or earn about 24 mpg on the highway -- but not both.

If fuel economy is your number-one goal, you could buy two Chevy Volts, a charging station and probably a solar array for your home's roof for the cost of the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7. On the other hand, if greater performance is a priority, the even more powerful 760i or the Alpina B7 are likely better choices.

Meanwhile, Porsche now offers the Panamera Hybrid at a similar price. It benefits from better mileage (but at the expense of power). There's also the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid, undercutting the BMW's price a little while also delivering slightly better fuel economy. However, if you are somehow looking for a luxury sedan that combines hybrid street cred with sub-5-second 0-60-mph sprints and dynamic handling, then the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is the only game in town.

PROTON ESPIRE WILL LAUNCH IN MARCH 2012?

It’s one of the things that makes Malaysia unique – a popular expremiere who as the adviser to the national car company, can scoop all of the motoring publications in Malaysia when it comes to test driving and revealing the first details of the upcoming P321A! Our exPrime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir has test driven Related PostsF1: McLaren reveals its 2012 challenger – the MP427Goodies list in conjuction with Federal Territories Day 2012 Proton P321A Tuah spotted on carrier along the GuthrieProton P321A Tuah interior revealed for the first time! Is this the new Proton Tuahbased Persona R (P321A)? Proton Espire (Persona R) renderings from GLC Open DayProton Tuah (Persona R) prototype spied again in KLProton Tuah Concept spotted on the ELITE highway! Proton Tuah Concept previews next generation Persona!Peugeot 207 teaser reveals first details of Malaysian specs

There was an event called the GLC Open Day held over the weekend of 2426 June at KL Convention Centre. It was a government effort to educate the public on the unique roles played by various GLCs, and participants included GLICs such as the EPF, Khazanah Nasional and PNB to GLCs like Malaysia Airlines, Axiata, Related posts:Proton Tuah (Persona R) prototype spied again in KLProton Tuah Concept previews next generation Persona! Proton Persona SE now on sale for RM59,800 Proton Persona launched in the UK market

An unofficial date for the launching of Proton P3-21A has revealed by the Proton sales advisor, which will set at the date 15th March 2012. There also a rumours pricing for the Proton P3-21A which is between from RM63,000 to RM73,000.

Subaru BRZ coupe

First of all, let’s solve the mystery of the name. BRZ stands for Boxer, Rear-wheel drive, Zenith. That’s pretty clear isn’t it? Well, the first two parts are, and as for Zenith, that’s just Subaru’s way of saying this is the best it can do. Personally I think Subaru Zenith has more of a ring to it than Subaru BRZ which, let’s face it, isn’t exactly a dynamic name.

And this is a shame for a rather dynamic car. That’s right, we’ve finally, finally driven the BRZ. We had to go all the way to Subaru’s test track, two hours north of Tokyo to do so, but it was worth it.

So where to start? As suspected, both Subaru and Toyota have had specific tasks within this joint project. Toyota has been responsible for the design (certainly not the most dynamic aspect of the BRZ), and has lent its direct injection technology to the engine. Subaru has done pretty much everything else. Talking to the engineers you get the sense this is very much Subaru’s car – the first development prototype was a cut n’ shut Legacy, the next an Impreza. This is good news, as we know Subaru can build great cars. The BRZ clearly has potential.

It’s a brand new car from scratch – a rare thing these days. The engine is mounted so low, Subaru believes it has a lower centre of gravity than a Ferrari 458. And a low engine is not only good for handling, but also means the driver can be sat low, yet still see over the bonnet. It’s snug inside, the design largely functional, the colour scheme mostly grey. It’s no Audi TT, but the impression is good because you’ve dropped so low into a wrap-around seat and your hands are clasping a small, feelsome wheel.

The driver’s seat is definitely the place to be. Subaru boasts that this is the world’s smallest four seat rear-wheel drive coupe, so you can guess what that means for those travelling in the back. And the boot seems to be a complete afterthought.

Honda Jazz Hybrid

Honda has announced a hybrid version of its popular Jazz supermini that will go on sale here early in 2011, after a debut at the Paris Motor Show next month.

Despite being smaller and cheaper than the Insight - with which it shares an identical petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain - the Jazz's CO2 and fuel consumption figures will be slightly less economical as the supermini is taller and therefore less aerodynamic.

It is, however, more spacious. Pricing has not been announced, but it should sit well below the £16,225 of the cheapest Insight.

Honda has not yet released economy and emission data, but the lowest polluting versions of the Insight emit 101g/km of CO2, while the heavier, bigger-wheeled models generate 105g/km. The Jazz figure will probably sit closer to 105g/km. Either way that's less competitive than the Polo Bluemotion (91g/km) and the Fiesta Econetic (98g/km) produce, although their diesel engines will generate more emissions of other kinds. The standard Jazz issues 125g/km of CO2.

As with the Insight the Jazz is a parallel hybrid, its electric motor is sandwiched between the 1.3 litre petrol engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission. The battery is mounted under the boot floor and will be capable of propelling the Jazz for short distances under electric power alone at low and medium speeds.

The Jazz is the world's first hybrid supermini, and will be distinguished by revised, blue-edged headlights, clear rear lights, a new grille, restyled bumpers and chrome tailgate décor, while inside the dashboard is of a darker shade to contrast with the blue instrument lighting.

The 2012 Volkswagen up

The 2012 Volkswagen up! reportedly starts production sometime in late 2011, a year later than planned. The delay stems from a second-thoughts decision to remake the rear-engine/rear-drive concept into a front-engine/front-drive design. This change saves huge sums in development costs and tooling expenses--nearly $1.8 billion, according to Britain's CAR magazine--which is vital for a car aimed chiefly at emerging markets in Europe, South America, and India. Moving the powertrain from back to front also allows the Up to share more componentry and production facilities with larger VW cars, all of which are front-drive. No word yet on production locales, but Volkswagen can tap factories in several lower-wage countries to meet price points and a global sales target of a cool half-million units per year.

Hyundai Veloster

The Veloster is Hyundai’s most important product for the 2012 model year – on the surface, it looks like another inexpensive, sporty offering aimed at Gen Y, a crucial market for automakers who must try and sell cars to a cynical demographic that has come to see driving as an anti-social and wasteful act. While Hyundai was busy touting the car’s 40-mpg highway rating and light weight (only 2,584 lbs with the 6-speed manual) in the run up to the car’s launch, they were also making excuses. Claims abound that the Veloster was fun in the classic “driving a slow car fast” kind of way, and one Hyundai engineer told AutoGuide that the 40 mpg rating would be a bigger selling point than the car’s meager 138 horsepower rating (and he may not be wrong). The Veloster is supposed to be a mix of utility, performance, efficiency and technology, but compromise rarely leads to great automobiles.

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Inline 4-cylinder S

Displacement (liters) 1591cc

Horsepower @ RPM (ULEV) 138 @ 6300

Torque @ RPM (ULEV) 123 @ 4850

Compression ratio 11.0:1

Valve train 16-valve with Dual-CVVT

Fuel system: Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) S

Ignition system: Electronic S

BMW i3 Electric City Car

BMW claim that it's new $35,000 Chevy Volt-beater will have 99 miles of range from its rear-mounted electric motor and floor-mounted batteries. BMW (being BMW) is also claiming 100 mph for the car's top speed, and the i3 could bring the equivalent of 150 horsepower. Cargo will be divided between the rear seats and in the front trunk (a la the original, rear-engine VW Beetle). Much of the body will be made of carbon-reinforced plastic.

Wireless charging is one intriguing concepts we hope makes it to market. In conjunction with industrial giant Siemens, BMW is working on a magnetic field charging system, like those used in wireless laptop and cell phone charging pads, where a car would parked above a charging station. At that point, a coil in both the ground and the vehicle would recognize each other and begin the charge. This beats having your Volt or Prius PHV plugged in via wire at a garage or mall for a few hours, where vandalism or other hazards exist. B7PVPZQ2DEZR

Chevy Camaro ZL1

“The ZL1’s full capability is evident at the Nürburgring,” said Aaron Link, the Camaro ZL1 Suspension Engineer. “You have to have an extremely well-mannered, confidence-inspiring car to take any corner at 160 mph without lifting off the throttle…and the ZL1 was just brilliant.”

Nürburgring is unparalleled, being widely regarded as one of the world’s most-demanding courses, measuring 12.9 miles with over 154 turns. Over the years, the racing circuit has come to be popularly referred to as “The Green Hell”.

“The Nürburgring is unlike any track in the world,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “Each lap includes fast straights, sweeping off-camber turns, hairpin corners, and elevation changes. In order to do well on the ‘Ring, the car has to do everything well – including acceleration, braking and lateral grip. Breaking an 8 minute lap in a 2+2 production car is a tremendous accomplishment.”

Not only does the car pack its punch in speed, but also in power. It features a supercharged 6.2L “LSA” engine SAE-rated at 580 horsepower (432 kW) and 556 lb.-ft of torque (754 Nm).

With its epic trek through Nürburgring, it’s pretty evident that it packs the power and speed fit for the thrill of the racetrack.

2013 Ford Focus ST

Focus ST delivers true performance in every aspect.

It combines power with precision, strength with agility, force with finesse. The high-output 2.0L EcoBoost^® engine is built to give ST a signature sound and feel, while high-performance brakes and a uniquely tuned sport suspension help make it the street fighter that it is. This is a vehicle that’s been reworked in its entirety to forge a perfectly balanced blend of refined engineering and undiluted adrenaline.

With a 2.0-liter, direct-injected, 160-hp motor and variable valve timing, as well as a five-speed manual. But, the car to wait for is the 2013 Focus ST, which debuts in early 2012. It gets a six-speed manual with the same EcoBoost (turbocharged) 2.0-liter as the much larger Edge and Explorer and will be good for somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 hp, which puts it in league with hot hatches like the MazdaSpeed3 and beyond the output of the VW GTI. Ford is also promising a tauter suspension and meatier tires as well as bigger brakes to go with all that horsepower. Expect to pay at least $25,000.

Scion iQ

Here’s what the new Scion iQ has going for it: It’s tiny outside, but not so small inside. Four people can wedge in when necessary. It’s good-looking, the interior design is about the best of any cheap car, and the seats are comfortable. The suspension is simple, but it works well, and the precise steering and its size make the iQ super easy to park. And although the front-mounted 1.3-liter engine makes 94 hp, the iQ weighs just a cheerleader more than a ton.

Lotus Evora

The Lotus Evora is essentially a stretched version of the no-longer-sold-here Elise and Exige. Designed for touring rather than track days, the Evora is roomier, more comfortable, and marginally more practical than the Elise and Exige. However, it's still a Lotus, which means that outstanding driver feedback, sublime handling, and spot-on driving dynamics all come standard. A mid-mounted, Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter V-6 provides 276 hp in the Evora; tacking on a supercharger helps the Evora S put out 345 hp. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. There is a new automatic, dubbed Intelligent Performance Shift, that can be manually operated via steering-wheel-mounted paddles. The automatic is available only with the normally aspirated engine, but Lotus purists should really stick with the manual gearbox. There is a long list of changes and tweaks for 2012, including the trickle-down to the base Evora of some items that were previously exclusive to the Evora S, such as a noisier exhaust and a close-ratio transmission. Standard equipment is pretty much limited to such things as power windows and locks; options include touch-screen navigation, a backup camera, heated seats, and seven different wheel designs. The Evora can be specified as a two-seater, with a small bench behind the driver's seat, or a two-plus-two, but the rear seats in this case are exceptionally tiny. Now that the Elise and the Exige are no longer sold here, the Evora is the only way to get behind the wheel of a new Lotus.

Audi A4 Saloon

Audi has tried long and hard to make its A4 as desirable as the BMW 3-Series but hasn't quite succeeded. At least until now. While the BMW may still have the edge on ultimate driver appeal, the 2008 A4 is a better all rounder. As beautifully finished as ever, Audi has ensured the A4 saloon is priced a little lower than premium alternatives and is more generous with equipment. Build quality was never in question, but now the A4 offers unrivalled interior space, superb comfort, improved driving dynamics and excellent refinement - making it our class favourite. There's also a great choice of engines offering everything from economy and low emissions to high performance.