The New Ford 2009 Flex Concept

What do you see when you look at this vehicle?The 2009 Ford Flex? A 4/3-scale Mini Clubman? An overinflated Scion xB? A long wagon? A low minivan? Ford wants you to see a 1986 Taurus, a 1965 Mustang, or a 1956 T-Bird. A design icon. Whether or not you can squint that hard, the new Flex will never sell in numbers like some of those earlier icons, but its sleek, striking design and execution seem likely to propel it to more auspicious sales than the last "game-changing" low-roof three-row Grand Tourer to come down the pike -- Chrysler's Pacifica.
Part of that vehicle's problem was that its foundation was a high, flat minivan floorpan and firewall, which imposed some serious design constraints. Ford started with the Taurus/Taurus X foundation-footwells, center hump, and all-and moved the rear wheels five inches aft, with all proceeds going to benefit rear-seat legroom. The result is a roomier vehicle that's only slightly longer and lower than the Taurus X but looks considerably sleeker. That's because the designers have taken great pains to keep your eyes moving horizontally, not vertically, from the roof panel that "floats" above a blackout greenhouse to the horizontal strakes carved into the doors and rear hatch panel to the bold three-bar Ford grille. Even the keyless entry buttons are secreted in the blackout B-pillar (they illuminate when you place your hand near them). And note the utter absence of any trompe l'oeil SUV trappings-no cartoonish wheel flares, no ribbed or two-toned rockers to exaggerate ground clearance, and no vestigial brush bars formed into the bumpers. No, Flex's $1850 optional intelligent all-wheel-drive system promises nothing more adventurous than secure on-road traction in bad weather.
The linear design motifs are echoed inside, where former DKNY menswear designer Anthony Prozzi borrowed heavily from the couture biz. The horizontal graining on the dash and door-panel inserts looks like it might have been diverted from becoming a Louis Vuitton Epi Leather handbag or wallet. The seat inserts are similarly nontraditional, ranging from mini houndstooth-pattern cloth on the base car to leather perforated in a diamond pattern on top Limited models. Other innovative interior options include a true refrigerator/freezer ($760) that sits between the middle-row bucket seats and Sirius Travel Link. This $19.95/month satellite radio subscription upgrade brings real-time traffic info with rerouting to your nav system, along with national weather service info, sports scores, movie listings, and even fuel pricing info that can navigate you to the cheapest station (providing you pop for a Limited model with the $2375 navigation and reversing-camera option).

Getting in and out of this low-rise transporter is a breeze through the wide-opening doors, even in tight parking spaces. That's because the threshold is moved well inboard of where most cars put it, and the doors wrap under to seal at the very bottom of the rockers so no grime ever accumulates where it might fowl a pant leg. Access to the third-row seat is as easy as pressing a single button on the C-pillar that electrically folds and dumps the middle seat. Once back there, moderately sized adults can easily tolerate a cross-town commute, enjoying reasonable legroom and stadium-seat forward visibility that can be further improved with the headroom-expanding $1495 Vista Roof option that provides glass panels over the third row bench, each middle-row bucket, and an opening moonroof in front. Ironically, for me, the Flex's least comfortable seat was the left front, thanks to an aggressively raked (per federal mandate) passive head restraint that forced my noggin too far forward. The only alternative is an active headrest, which Ford needs to find the budget to offer.

The transformation from Taurus X to Flex involved more than the five-inch taffy-pull. A revised rear suspension relocates the coil springs inboard so the shocks can move outboard where they stand almost straight up to provide more efficient damping. (No, plywood won't fit flat on the floor between them, but it can slide in atop the armrests.) Beefing up the front and rear anti-roll bars relieved the shocks of some of their roll-control duty, allowing them to provide a more comfortable yet controlled ride. The rear of the chassis is also reinforced to accept a class-III hitch, boosting Flex's trailering muscle to 4500 pounds (enough to cover most boats and lightweight travel trailers). The stretched wheelbase and low center of gravity reportedly make this a stable, comfortable tow vehicle (trailer-sway mitigation isn't even programmed into the stability and roll-control system). The optional rearview camera makes lining up the hitch a no-brainer.

How's it drive? As I imagine a 2009 Country Squire would, had the traditional three-row family wagon been allowed to evolve and SUVs and minivans had never happened. Driving north out of New York City through the "what recession?" bedroom communities of Larchmont and Mamaroneck in Westchester County, the Flex demonstrated reasonable acceleration, and its handling was about as sprightly as one expects in a two-ton car. Ride is supple and controlled with minimal lean or fuss in turns, but the long wheelbase and mass are natural deterrents to any boy-racer inclinations. So is the transmission, the selector for which offers only "D" and "L." That's grossly inadequate and a manumatic shifter must be added ASAP, if for no other reason than to enable folks to maintain proper engine braking in mountain descents without the unanticipated downshifts "L" brings. A "hill" mode supposedly improves transmission responsiveness and reduces hunting when towing, climbing, or driving briskly, but it's no substitute for a proper +/- gear selector.

Of course, many intended buyers-some of whose mansions we drove right past-may not care about such things and will simply be delighted that at highway speeds the driver and third-row passengers can communicate without shouting themselves hoarse, and that six adults can cohabitate for a carpool-lane commute into town. And even if the sleek looks and suave appointments never achieve icon status, they should at least pass muster with the Westchester Joneses.

Article Source : Motor Trend.

The New Concept of Ford GT90

The New Concept of Ford GT90
The GT90 is powered by a quad-turbo 720 bhp V12 engine which runs on four Garrett Systems T2 Turbochargers. It possesses a 5-speed manual gearbox and boasts a double wishbone suspension which is famous for its use on large sports car. Due to its stylish design and widely claimed high performance, it is often intergrated in automobile games such as Need For Speed II. However, it is believed that its performance had been widely over-hyped, and that the car's performances in actual road testing is much less impressive.

Ford planned to produce a limited amount of 100 Ford GT90s which never become a reality. However, it does create a significant effect on the design of future Ford cars, namely the Cougar and the Ka. CEO of Ford, Jacques Nasser, was reportedly so proud and impressed with the Ford GT90 that he have a model of it placed in his workplace even before he held his current post!

New Nissan Maxima 2009

New Nissan Maxima 2009
The 2009 Nissan Maxima, which makes its debut today at the NY Autoshow, will offer XM NavTraffic as a standard, factory-installed feature when equipped with Nissan's Hard Drive Navigation system.

All XM NavTraffic equipped models come with a 3-month complimentary subscription.

XM NavTraffic is available on Nissan Murano, Armada, Altima, Altima Coupe, Altima Hybrid, and Pathfinder, as part of packages equipped with a navigation system. NavTraffic will soon be available on the 2009 GT-R.

The 2009 Nissan Maxima interior, dubbed the "Super Cockpit" by Nissan's design team, also features a number of technologies (in addition to the Hard Drive nav system with XM NavTraffic) including a RearView Monitor, Voice Recognition and 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive.

The New Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4

The New Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4
Lamborghini officially presented the so-called “lightweight” version of the popular sports car in Europe Gallardo, which has been named the Lamborghini as LP 560-4 - more power and less weight. As its name implies, the gussied-up Gallardo is modified with the sporting 560 hp and direct injected a strong 5.2 V10 liter engine (normal - 520 horses). Reducing off 20 kilos from the curb weight allows the LP560-4 to rocket to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 201 mph, all the while increasing fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions by some 18-percent.

WALLPAPER CADILLAC ELDORADO

The model of Eldorado belonged to the line of Cadillac of 1953 to 2002. Cadillac Eldorado was the longest current American personal luxury car because it was only sold after the 1998 model years. Its principal competitors included the series of mark of Lincoln and Buick Riviera at low price.

Although the cars bearing the name varied considerably in bodystyle and the mechanical provision during this long period, the models of Eldorado were always close to the top of the line of Cadillac. Nevertheless, and except the models of Eldorado Brougham of 1957-1960, the most expensive models were always the series wheel-based 75 trucks and the opulent and long limousines, not Eldorado.

Here some models of this luxury car of generation to the generation. It looks at always so luxurious in each release of generation. Pay the attention to the generation by the generation and the test to maintain in yours mien him the 'development of year S by year! Then. imagine if you can gather them in your garage. Ah. how much beautiful this world is.

WALLPAPER HONDA JAZZ NEW

As leader of market in the truck with back forage ladder of class of truck 1.500 DC with its product of principal support of the jazz of Honda, Honda pint prospect engine (HPM) while Honda make the exclusive agent, were not difficult to maintain its achievement. Moreover with the terbaru of product it, all new jazz of Honda JAZZ which it last Friday dilaunching (27/6), with precision aspect did not have the difficulty in jumping in before during the second quarters upwards until the four years. Because of two competitors of force, did not have the product of principal support to whip it. As the engine of pint Toyota Astra (TAM) made . downwards to catch up with the jazz (the long version) also not extremely. Except if TAM put Auris that the design of its outside was softer. Matter like Spc. also lowered was made by the International one of pint Indomobil Niaga (IMNI) against the fast CKD. The fitur-fitur of Bahkan and its technological equipment - as the brake - with the itur of four trucks followed the system of disc. Was after different, Chevrolet Aveo have an engine 1.500 DC, but the world Indonesia (GMAWI) of GM Astra aimed below 500 units.

With the difference of the memantek of director Pt HPM from Honda, Jonfis Fandy, sale and after-sales service the diagram 20 thousand units until the end of December 2008. This means that each month turned 3.000 units in general and apparently be did not pass through was difficult although having the obstacle with rise in BBM. was counted was not difficult, because of the aspect of the new jazz with various innovations to be very of support. Left 's be complete side of its outside. The cap which the gradient was adopted of F1, gave many benefit to the surface of the accesses. The obstacle with the wind (CD) better than the model in advance. The design of the broad windshield maximized visibilitas the driver. Small glasses increased in the pillar of only has which was large, did not embellish also helped the driver could detect the distance from the right-sided. The side aspect of samping, the sketch of the dynamic lines impressed all the new sporting jazz and implied the fast truck. The shape of small glasses behind (in the pillar of C) which was larger than the model in advance, aspect united with small glasses which in the pillar of A.

Is it true that all the new Honda jazz this the truck which could take off quickly? If being known as GOOD, probably you did not believe, but could be paid great attention with beam these data. Finished cap was kept machine 1.497 DC with the technological i-DSI of collaboration and the VTEC (i-VTEC) more the order by the wire. Not only that, with the powerful kitchen 120 of tooth of the picosecond were obtained by the resonator of Torque Boost (TBR). Were the technology of Honda which was assigned with the torsion of increase in round bottom and the power in the high round. For the system of transmission, when the generation is in advance equipped by technology with CVT, currently only 5 automatic speeds. In spite of this, was recorded which was first in its class. In the matis of transmission which was equipped by the order with catch with shift (SHC) which had the surplus eliminated the trasmisi from movement was abundant while turning. For when in the curve was obtained by comfort and output of the fuel of displacement. However when SHC this nondifungssikan, the movement of the excessive transmission occurs makes acceleration and speed was not maximum.

Trus, so with the model were for a long time the teeth pemindahaan in the model of F1 (steermatic), currently was replaced by a pair splash above the rudder. Like, fitur that this only was obtained in the alternative was a more luxurious RS. Tak what, mengemudi of comfort continued to be gained with the alternative of the standard. As inside was obtained by posting multi of posting with liquid crystals of information. This device proposes the oil and gasoline information through at the distance. In always BBM msoal. the nomination of the fuel tank, that in advance was placed under the bench of passenger behind, currently was favoured with precision under the next bench of passenger. To be precise in the middle of the frame in order to produce stability that masksimal while travelling, the operation in the curve like makes the fuselage become roomy. The other opening in this new jazz, ULTRA flexibility of seat as a revolutionist in the truck with forage ladder postpones of class of truck. Innovator this facilitated kapaasitas laid out the fuselage. Not only could be folded flat, but could be fact became the level. Thus, a comfort could be in the voyage linked with this unified truck. SBT

MOBIL BISA TERBANG ATAU PESAWAT

Cars that can run fast, ah, it is normal. Cars can run on water are already there. But, if you can have a car that can fly, the new name extraordinary.

Relax, because the moment you dream can be realized with the presence Terrafugia Transition. A car that can go freely on the road but can also fly with the good in the air.

Because, according to the plan of Terrafugia Inc., as the holder of a license from a vehicle 'bizarre', the Transition, will begin to be marketed in the upcoming year-end 2009. This car has got 'blessing' from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which normally grant permission for the plane and fly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to run on the mainland.

Circulating newspaper said that the car will be advanced to the market price of U.S. $ 194,000. So, prepare your money to be able to have a futuristic car that can fly this. Because at this time is being prepared Transition face trial before the end of the selling in the free market.

Cars have this concept as the 'four-wheel aircraft. Therefore, Transition 'was' four wings that can be folded when not in use. So that will not make it to the owner in the garage entrance to the house.

As the aircraft in general, to bring the Transition to fly, you need a runway. Because this car does not complete the machine by force or jet thrower who can bring offshore base vertically.