2011 Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue, the big news for the new model year is that a series of new features, not previously available for Nissan Rogue, are offered for 2011, including the Nissan Navigation System, RearView Monitor, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, USB port for iPod® and other devices, automatic climate control and auto on/off headlights – to name just a few. Many of the new features are now standard on Nissan Rogue S, such as iPod® connectivity, 6-way manual driver’s seat and illuminated vanity mirrors.

Nissan Rogue’s standard QR25DE 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder is rated at 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft torque, tuned to provide ample torque in the low-to-mid rpm range for smooth, powerful acceleration and quick initial response from a standing start. The engine features an aluminum block, reduced piston and piston ring friction and increased thermal efficiency (over the previous generation 2.5-liter engine design), 9.6:1 compression ratio, and large diameter intake port and exhaust manifold.

For 2011, Nissan Rogue is offered in two well equipped models, Rogue S and Rogue SV, along with a special Rogue S Krom™ Edition designed to add a unique dimension to traditional compact sport utility vehicles with its aggressive sport styling, exclusive 18-inch wheels and a center-exit sport-tuned exhaust. All Rogue models are available in all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive configurations.

Four new exterior colors are offered: Pearl White, Cayenne Red, Frosted Steel and Black Amethyst – along with four carryover colors, Indigo Blue, Super Black, Brilliant Silver and Platinum Graphite.

Interior additions for the new model year include a new gauge panel design and new center cluster, along with new seat cloth and mood lighting for the Nissan Rogue S. Other feature enhancements include a drive computer on all models, automatic air conditioning on SV Premium and SL Packages, standard RearView Monitor on Rogue SV and a new 4.3-inch color display audio system with USB interface for Nissan Rogue SV models. A new Nissan Navigation System (Secure Digital Card-based) with 5.0-inch color touch screen display and XM NavTraffic® Real-Time Traffic Information (XM® subscription required, sold separately) is now available with the SV option packages.

Every Nissan Rogue comes with a standard Nissan Xtronic CVT™, combining smooth, linear and responsive acceleration feel with high-efficiency operation. Rogue’s CVT utilizes Adaptive Shift Control and a high-speed central processing unit. Its advanced shift control offers the optimal shift pattern according to the driving situation and driver’s demands, using input from driver operation, vehicle speed, road gradient, turning condition and acceleration to adjust shifting patterns accordingly.
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2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

The new Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG marks the start of a new chapter in the “AMG Performance 2015″ drive strategy: Mercedes-AMG is continuing this impressive story and is meeting its promise to continuously reduce both the fuel consumption and emissions of new models with the new engine/transmission combination – while reaching new heights with the central AMG brand value of “performance”.

Designated internally as the M157, the new V8 engine is a prime example of efficiency and features a whole host of impressive technological highlights: for the first time AMG is taking advantage of direct petrol injection with spray-guided combustion and piezo injectors. This technology enables improved fuel economy thanks to higher thermodynamic efficiency, which in turns leads to lower exhaust emissions. AMG has combined the spray-guided combustion with biturbocharging. Other highlights of the innovative, original eight-cylinder engine from Affalterbach include full aluminium crankcase, four-valve technology with variable intake valve timing, air/water charge air cooling, generator management and also standard Controlled Efficiency start/stop function. Compared with the AMG 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine with a displacement of 6208 cc, the new AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine achieves all this with a displacement of 5461 cc.

This high-tech package leads to a high output and torque yield, together with fuel consumption figures that are unrivalled in the competitive lineup. The AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine develops a peak output of 400 kW (544 hp) and maximum torque of 800 Nm. In conjunction with the AMG Performance package these figures are increased to 420 kW (571 hp) and 900 Nm. A look at the performance diagrams shows that no other engine in this output class achieves the figures delivered by the new AMG biturbo. The major difference between the two performance classes is an increase in the maximum charge pressure from 1.0 to 1.3 bar. In addition, the engine cover of the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG with the AMG Performance package comes in genuine carbon fibre.
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2011 Fiat Idea

Fiat Idea, new design, developed in Brazil by the Centro Estilo Fiat [Fiat Style Center] for Latin America, gives the model a more sophisticated tone, with matching lines and with well defined planes limited by grooves. At the rear, new LED tail lights – Fiat Idea is the first national automobile to offer this technology. They accentuate the model’s strong identity, endowing it a unique look.

Fiat Idea is offered with three engine configurations: Fire 1.4 8V Flex and the new E.torQ 1.6 16V and 1.8 16V, both Flex. The 1.4 engine is the same one that equips the current Fiat Idea ELX, recognized for balancing good performance with fuel economy. Now the new E.torQ engines offer high efficiency, with excellent torque at low revolutions, without sacrificing consumption. They are manufactured at the most modern plant of FPT – Powertrain Technologies in Campo Largo, Paraná. The E.torQ engines are compact and light. They are also environmentally friendly, work silently and with low emission levels, adapted to the most recent laws.
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2011 Kia Sportage

New Kia Sportage will be manufactured at Kia’s factory at Zilina, in Slovakia and buyers will be offered a choice up to 10 exterior colours and a black interior, trimmed in cloth, part-leather or full-leather that can be personalised with dark, light or orange accents. The quality of the cabin has been greatly improved. Available high-tech features will include: Xenon HID headlamps, LED running lights, keyless entry, engine start button, reversing safety camera, built-in sat-nav and full-length panoramic glass sunroof.

The new Kia Sportage marks a dramatic shift in design direction for Kia’s compact SUV. Longer, lower and wider than the previous generation model, the new Kia Sportage is immediately identifiable by its ‘tiger’ face – incorporating Peter Schreyer’s striking signature grille design that links all new Kia models.

With a new bodyshell, new engines and fresh, bold styling that introduces a new kind of dynamic aesthetics, the latest Kia Sportage is an urban-friendly compact SUV for today’s families – consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2.

Longer, wider and lower than the previous model – by 90 mm, 15 mm and 60 mm respectively – the all-new design successfully retains the key SUV features – a commanding driving position, heightened sense of security and powerful road presence – that made the second-generation Kia Sportage so popular.

New Kia Sportage will be available in a stunning new metallic colour – Techno Orange – and first impressions will also be enhanced by the new bright chrome finish for the front grille- the strong Kia ‘face’ – as well as the bold reverse-angle C-pillar, the wider track, purposeful stance and much closer relationship between the wheels, tyres and wheel-arch – creating a premium appearance and echoing the precision and care that has been applied to the entire vehicle.

Inside new Kia Sportage, the styling echoes the new kind of dynamic aesthetics created by the exterior appearance and establishes a new kind of ambience, with top-quality fit, discreet trim accents and the availability of numerous high-tech features. New Sportage will be built with a choice of two equipment levels, LX and EX (for details see Section 8), plus a wide range of options.

The longer bodyshell and longer wheelbase, plus the extra interior width ensure that occupants of the new Kia Sportage will enjoy its spacious cabin. The adoption of a reverse-angle for the C-pillar moves it 186 mm further back – compared with the previous model – placing it behind the rear seat passengers to provide them with a clear view out. Entry and exit from the cabin is made easier by lowering the seats by 29 mm and the top of the door sills by 31 mm.

New Kia Sportage’s interior comes trimmed in black cloth as standard – and unusually, an all-black headliner can be specified. Options include part-leather and full-leather seat trim, with a choice of contrasting stitching. LX models feature a Dark Gunmetal dashboard and centre stack, while colour options include Medium Grey, Light Alpine and Orange door inserts, plus Alpine Metallic centre stack trim.

Manual air-conditioning is standard. The audio system for new Sportage features an RDS radio and CD player with MP3, USB and iPod connectivity – with door-mounted speakers and a tweeter at each end of the dashboard. An all-new audio visual navigation system with a 7.0-inch screen, Bluetooth and voice recognition will be offered.

Other available high-tech ‘comfort & convenience’ features include a Smart Card for keyless entry, together with an engine start/stop button, ‘welcome home’ escort lights, Xenon headlamps, LED Daytime Running Lights and a tailgate-mounted reversing safety camera with interior mirror display monitor.

A total of 10 exterior colours available will be: solid colours x 2: Cassa White and Clyde Blue and metallic colours x 8: Dark Gunmetal, Techno Orange, Sand Track, Black Pearl, Pheonix Silver, Sirius Silver, Machine Silver, and Byte Blue.

2011 Audi A7 Sportback

The Audi A7 Sportback is pure high-tech. Its body is very lightweight thanks to numerous aluminum components. The elegant interior shows a craftsman’s level of workmanship. The four V6 engines combine refined power with groundbreaking efficiency. The 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp) and multitronic has CO2 emissions of just 139 grams per kilometer (223.70 g/mile). The sporty chassis comes with new solutions, such as electromechanical power steering. When it comes to assistance and infotainment systems, the luxury-class coupe exhibits all of the innovative power expected of Audi.

The five-door coupe from Audi combines supreme, long-distance comfort with a sporty character. The interior noise level is very low even at fast highway speeds, with the V6 engines providing refined acoustic feedback as their power unfolds.
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