2012 Honda Insight

Making its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, the Honda Insight for 2012 comes with a number of improvements over the current model. A big focus has been on making the car more environmentally friendly but there are also a number of expected changes; from new design, improved interior, passenger headroom as well as general improvements to the comfort and stability of the ride. The new Honda Insight has seen a reduction in CO2 emissions by 5g/km in both the 15” and 16” wheel version. Fuel economy has also been improved thanks to a number of factors. The aerodynamic design has been improved as well as advancements in the power train. The air conditioner has been improved and now features a new cold storage, also there is a reduction in engine friction, and all of this has resulted in improved fuel economy. The design of the exterior has also been updated; there is a refreshed grille as well as new bumper design and changes to the headlights. The rear of the new Insight comes with a new tail spoiler, as well as some other minor changes. Inside the vehicle there is an improved feeling of comfort, with new seat fabric and black wood paneling. The headroom has been improved in the rear, this was achieved by adjusting the angle of the rear seat and creating a headlining that is curved at the edges. The new Insight comes with a 1.3 litre i-VTEC engine as well as an electric motor, the same combination used in the new Jazz Hybrid. Look for more information on the Honda Insight as it becomes available. Images from AOL

2012 Bentley Continental GTC

When the Bentley Continental GT was first launched, in 2003, it was three years before a convertible GTC joined the hardtop coupe. For 2011, the Continental GT was redesigned, and so far this year, Bentley has been selling the old-style GTC convertible alongside it. Oh sure, the company has rolled out its characteristic special editions to maintain the appearance of freshness (Continental Supersports ISR convertible, anyone?), but the brand's keenest buyers know what's coming: a new GTC. And Bentley executives say, they've been impatiently asking for it.

So this time, there's no 3-year lag time getting the convertible out. Already this year, at a series of small, private, invitation-only gatherings, Bentley has been giving its best customers a sneak peek at the new Continental GTC. Now, Bentley is releasing photos and info on the car to the wider world, but the great unwashed won't get to see the new GTC in person until its debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September.

Like the hardtop, the Continental convertible's sheetmetal has subtly resculpted. The overall shape essentially carries over, but the body panels have been manipulated with more starched creases for a crisper, less rounded appearance. A wider track, front and rear, together with larger, 20-inch wheels (21-inchers are optional) give the wheels a more prominence, and a lower, squatter grille gives a greater impression of width. One particularly neat touch is the ultra-slim, LED third brake light at the base of the top.

The traditional fabric top is retained and, not surprising for Bentley, it can be had in seven different colors -- all the better to coordinate with one of the dozens of exterior paint colors or the 17 leather hues. The heavily insulated roof is finished inside with a suede-like headliner, and can be powered up or down at speeds up to 15 mph. Compared to the previous convertible, the softtop's C-pillars are slimmer, affording a bit better visibility, and the side windows are reshaped.

2013 Porsche Panamera

Spy Shots: 2013 Porsche Panamera gets a New Face

Oh the Porsche Panamera. Love it or hate it, it is here to stay and our spy photographers have confirmed that with some new images showing a minor facelift for the sports sedan. The new Porsche Panamera should be showing its new face in time for the 2013 model year and is apparently taking some design cues from the new Porsche 911/991 to dazzle the crowd.

The term facelift is rather appropriate for the future Panamera because as of right now, the vehicle’s "face" is exactly what has received some changes. These images show Porsche’s attempt to hide the new headlights, bumpers, and rearlights that will be showcased on the future Panamera. The front end looks to have taken a page from the new 911’s book, but the rear end is still holding on to the old design...for now. We expect that prototypes displaying the full changes for the facelift will arrive shortly.

As for the engine lineup, we anticipate the current line to carry over, maybe with some performance enhancements for good measure. This will mean a 3.6-liter V6 engine that may be slightly more powerful than the 300hp at 6,200rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 3,750rpm it currently delivers. Direct fuel injection, dry-sump lubrication, and “VarioCam Plus” will also carry over, as will the 7-speed PDK transmission.

gallery:2013 Porsche Panamera

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Comparison Test:2011 Ford Fiesta vs. 2011 Mazda2

Consider the 2011 Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 as fraternal twins. While they share a platform and were conceived on the same drawing board in 2007, something happened on the way to the showroom.

Basically, their parents split up. Apparently Mr. Ford came home late one night with 10W40 on his collar and Ms. Mazda went at him with a tire iron. Or something like that.

Nonetheless, as the corporate winds blew Ford and Mazda apart, their B-sector front-drive offspring took divergent gestational paths.
This was illustrated to great effect while having both a Fiesta and Mazda2 in my driveway for a week.

Initially I was hoping to get similarly equipped cars – at least ones with the same type of transmission – but as it turned out the Mazda2, which is the lighter and sportier of the two, came in its most athletic guise as the limited Yozora Edition with a five-speed manual transmission. The more comfort oriented Fiesta SE hatchback bore its trick six-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission (PowerShift in Ford lingo), a first for this segment.

2011 Ford Fiesta vs. 2011 Mazda2. Click image to enlarge

These cars represented the two extremes of this platform, but price-wise they were very close: the Mazda2 at $19,280 and the Ford Fiesta at $19,529. (For an in-depth analysis of Fiesta/Mazda2 pricing, click here).

The Yozora Edition (Yozora is Japanese for “night sky”) starts as the entry-level Mazda2 GX trim with either 5-speed manual ($13,995) or 4-speed auto ($15,095). Added to this is air conditioning ($1,195), Convenience Package ($895; heated door mirrors, 4-speaker audio, remote keyless entry, steering wheel mounted cruise and audio controls, exterior temp gauge, some interior brightwork, body coloured door mirrors and handles) and the $3,195 Yozora Edition Package which includes 16-inch alloys shod with 195/45R16 Toyo Proxes T1R performance tires (you also get a set of 15-inch steel rims with winter rubber), boy-racer rear spoiler, Yozora floor mats, chrome exhaust tip, stubby antenna, and a 2+2 decal package that from a distance makes the car look like you’ve grazed a concrete wall.

You can get the Yozora in any colour you like as long as it’s black. (That’s a Ford line, isn’t it?)

My Fiesta was the $16,799 SE model riding on 185/60R15 all-season tires. Optional equipment included the PowerShift tranny ($1,250), SYNC voice-activated infotainment with 6-speaker audio ($650), Sport Appearance Package ($450; cruise control, 15-inch aluminum wheels, front LED marker lamp), and Winter Package ($350; heated front seats and mirrors).

2011 Ford Fiesta vs. 2011 Mazda2. Click image to enlarge

The obvious difference in these subcompacts lies underhood. The Ford is motivated by a 1.6-litre Ti-VCT Duratec four-cylinder making 120 hp at 6,350 rpm and 112 lb.-ft. at 5,000 rpm. The Mazda’s engine is a 1.5-litre four putting out 100 hp at 6000 rpm and 98 lb.-ft. at 4000 rpm.

It’s here you might cry “No contest!”

Not so, at least as these two were equipped. Working in the Mazda’s favour is less weight – around 93 kg (216 lb) in this case (1,075 kg vs 1,168 kg). Not an inconsiderable sum in a car of this size and power output. Additionally, the Ford’s engine is a coarser unit. The Mazda four seems smoother and more eager to rev.

The six-speed twin-clutch auto in the Ford is tuned for maximum fuel economy. Under normal operation, it short shifts at low rpm and is reluctant to kick down. It has no manual override. The Fiesta can be frustratingly lethargic if you’re looking for right-now acceleration when on the move, but with tall gearing it’s a relaxed tourer, showing only 2,300 rpm at 100 km/h.

Conversely, the Mazda’s five-speed box is a hoot to operate. The stubby shifter sprouting from the centre console offers short, snickety shifts that speak of Miata/MX-5 DNA. The clutch has a quick and satisfying take up. All controls come together in a playful mechanical harmony. With shorter gearing, the Mazda2 is busier on the highway showing 2,800 rpm at 100 km/h.

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2013 Ford Evos

The Ford Evos concept

Looking to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, the new Ford Evos concept car has some very ambitious design elements that are sure to cause a huge splash. The Evos concept is looking to incorporate a number of new technologies and while the car will never be seen on the road, it represents what is possible and what Ford hope to achieve with their vehicles in the future. One of the main features that the Evos is looking to showcase is the customization of the car to the driver. And while Ford are not looking to create a “smart phone” they are looking to create a driver experience that has never been seen before, by connecting the car to the driver. Ford are calling this connectivity; the driver’s ‘personal cloud’. The Evos can then take information from the cloud and create the same experience that the user has at home or at the office. Based on the information gathered, the car can then adapt certain elements to suit the specific driver and what they are looking for. The car can adjust the handling, the steering and the engine controls to suit the specific driver. The concept is also able to gather additional points of information in the cloud which then allows the car to monitor the driver’s work schedule, the traffic and the weather conditions. It can then make your life more comfortable, by potentially playing the same song or news broadcast that the driver was listening to at home, or automatically adjust the temperature before the driver even gets into the car based on a calendar date. Additionally the car could communicate with the driver’s house and automatically close the garage door, or turn off the garage lights as the car pulls away. It will be very interesting to see how many of these new features actually come to pass and how long they take to be developed into the main stream. Still it is great to see Ford pushing the envelope of what is possible in a car and looking to develop new original technologies.

Mercedes SLK Roadster

The new Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster enters its 3rd generation and looks to take open-top driving pleasure to a new level. The latest SLK Roadster has an unmistakable sporty design, with impressive comfort and as always; improved efficiency. This time around it features something special as well, with a new panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control, we will get back to what that is all about later in the article though. As far as styling goes, the new Merc SLK Roadster comes with the long bonnet you have come to expect from the brand, with a compact passenger compartment and a short tail end. Much of the front styling of this SLK, with its wide radiator grille and clearly defined headlamps, was taken from the 190 SL, a vehicle which many consider to be the original SLK, all the way back in the 1950’s. The vario-roof in the SLK Roadster will now come in 3 variants: The base version where the roof is painted the same colour as the car, a version with tinted glass or the version with the Magic Sky Control. This option switches from light to dark with the press of a button, allowing for the feeling of open-top driving even when the top is still very much on. The dark option for this version allows the passengers to turn on ‘shade’ if needs be. At launch the car will be available in 2 models, the SLK 200 and the SLK 350, with both options coming with BlueEFFICIENCY. Fuel saving has been improved on both these models, with the SLK 200 gaining 19% efficiency and the SLK 350 gaining a huge 28%. The SLK 200 comes with a 4-cylinder engine that develops 135 kW which along with the optional 7-speed automatic transmission, consumes just 6.5 litres/100km. The Sporty model is able to complete 0-100km/h in just 7 seconds, before topping off at 237km/h. The SLK 350 comes with a V6 engine that generates 225 kW and is able to complete 0-100km/h in a blistering 5.6 seconds before reaching its max speed of 250km/h. This results in a combined fuel consumption of 7.1 litres/100km. Pricing for the new Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster is as follows: SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY R 555 700 SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY R 734 100