Car Inspirate: June 2010

Chrysler started to build the Dodge Durango Hybrid 2009 in fall 2008, featuring the 340 hp (254 kW) 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi engine with MDS as well as the new Two-Mode Hybrid system developed with General Motors and BMW. The manufacturer claimed an almost 25% gain overall fuel fuel economy and an almost 40% gain in the city.

EPA testing on the Hybrid Durango with the Hemi V8 engine indicates fuel mileage to be about 20 miles per US gallon (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg-imp) (city) and 22 miles per US gallon (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg-imp) (highway) for 2009 model.

Dodge Durango Hybrid

Dodge Durango Hybrid

The normal (non-hybrid) Durango with the 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi and 4WD gets 13 miles per US gallon (18 L/100 km; 16 mpg-imp) (city) and 19 miles per US gallon (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg-imp) (highway).

The 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $45,340.Production of the hybrid models (this included Chrysler Aspen Hybrid as well) began on August 22 2008. Chrysler received approximately 3000 pre-orders from dealers. By early November 2008, 400 of the hybrid S.U.V.’s, including Chrysler Aspen, had already been built.

Dodge Durango Hybrid

Dodge Durango Hybrid

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2010 Dodge Journey Marketing

Dodge Journeys assembled and marketed in Japan are known as Dodge JC.

As part of the vehicle's introductory promotion, Dario Franchitti's No. 40 Dodge Charger carried a "Journey" paint scheme for the 2008 Daytona 500 on February 15, 2008.

2010 Dodge Journey

2010 Dodge Journey

Aston Martin Rapide Information

The Aston Martin Rapide is a four-door, high-performance sport saloon, which British luxury marque Aston Martin introduced in early 2010 to compete with the Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, and Porsche Panamera along with the upcoming Audi A7 and Lamborghini Estoque. It was first presented as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in 2006. The Rapide name is a reference to the Lagonda Rapide, a saloon car produced by Lagonda, now part of Aston Martin. The car is based on an Aston Martin DB9. The base price for the Aston Martin Rapide is $199,950 (USD)and the first cars were rolled out in May 2010.

The Rapide is built at a dedicated plant at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria. Production began in 2010 and the factory plans to build 2,000 per year.

The production version features a full-length glass roof and LED light bars on the rear end, two firsts for Aston Martin.

Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin Rapide

BMW M3 ALMS Race Car

BMW M3 ALMS Race Car Front

BMW M3 ALMS Race Car Side Front

BMW M3 ALMS Race Car Side Back

BMW M3 ALMS Race Car Interior

Mustang GT-R concept Car Wallpaper

Mustang GT-R concept Auto Car Wallpaper

3,500 BHP MINI � FROM CUMMINS! GOODWOOD�S ODDEST EXHIBIT UNVEILED

Visitors to this week�s Goodwood Festival of Speed will have some amazing machinery on which to feast their eyes but none more unusual than the exhibit which greets them on the stand of Cummins, the world�s largest independent maker of diesel engines.

The Cummins centrepiece emerged after a previous show when the company showed off its largest engine (and the largest diesel engine made in the UK). The QSK78 engine weighs in at over 11 tonnes and some wag asked if it could be fitted to his Mini.

Steve Nendick, Cummins� Communications Director - Europe, Middle East, Africa and CIS, takes up the story: �We never like to let a challenge go by unanswered so we got to thinking maybe we could fit the QSK78 into an original Austin Mini. It proved to be a bit tricky to fit under the bonnet but our engineers came up with a more creative solution. �We�re certain that the Goodwood crowd will have difficulty believing what they are seeing�, he said.

The QSK78, which is used to power mining industry dump trucks capable of carrying 360 tonnes, is a V18 monster with a capacity of 78 litres and uses no less than 12 turbochargers to develop 3,500 bhp and getting on for 14,000 Nm of torque (the original Mini made do with just 80!).

Visitors should go to Stand 16 and be prepared to be amazed!

Source: Cummins

THINK CITY GOES RACING

Pioneering Scandinavian EV maker, THINK, entered the world of motor sport at the weekend with the THINK City �EV Cup Edition� taking part in the START Eco Car Trials � the world�s first electric vehicle race.

The THINK City has been converted into a race-ready model by the EV Cup team of specialists in London, who have removed nearly 70kg of weight from the vehicle, achieved by stripping out the interior to leave one single lightweight racing seat and steering wheel, and replacing all glass with heat resistant and shatterproof Perspex.

A revised suspension system to lower the centre of gravity for the already well-planted car and further improving handling complete the conversion.

These racing upgrades coupled with a software update of THINK�s patented EV drive control technology result in a very exciting performance from the race-ready EV Cup Edition.

Channel 4 TV presenter and environmentally-conscious architect Kevin McCloud, and racing enthusiast and founder of the British fashion brand, Mulberry � Roger Saul, tested the THINK City Racer for the first time at the weekend, at Kilver Court Viaduct in Somerset, previously home to the Mulberry headquarters.

The THINK City made a real impression with both eco racers. �The THINK City can overtake very competently despite its relative tiny power and that makes you feel very comfortable at the wheel,� said Kevin McCloud, �it is an excellent racing vehicle and on the short runs we were doing today it just doesn�t seem to run out of power � thanks to its linear torque � which actually makes it better than its equivalent petrol city car for short races.�

The THINK City was also a hit with Roger Saul, he said �the THINK City is the most advanced electric car in the world and is an excellent illustration of the START ethos, which is to bring sustainability to the fore in a fun way without ranting.�

Further pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in an electric car, the THINK City is also currently featuring in a new BBC documentary � Electric Ride � currently being broadcast around the world and following an intrepid BBC team as they drive their way 4,000 miles around a dozen European countries in an electric vehicle.

The team�s progress can be followed by tuning into Radio 4 on Saturdays at 1030hrs (BST / GMT +1) for four weeks from 19 June, or by logging on to BBC Online (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/electric-ride), Facebook (www.facebook.com/BBCelectricride), Twitter (www.twitter.com/bbcelectricride) and the project website (www.electricride.eu).

The latest generation THINK City is a purpose-built, all-electric car designed for urban environments. It can travel at highway speeds and cover 160 kilometers on a single charge (via conventional household outlet), with zero local emissions. It is the world�s first EV to be granted certification with the European CE conformity mark and EU homologation requirements (M1 certificate). To achieve these exacting standards, the THINK City has successfully completed very thorough testing and validation procedures.

European production of the THINK City is underway in Finland with manufacturing partner Valmet Automotive, which also assembles the Boxster and Cayman models for Porsche AG. Customer deliveries are taking place across Europe in selected key EV markets such as The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland.

THINK has also announced plans to establish a U.S. production facility during 2011 in Elkhart County, Indiana, and is working with Japanese partner Itochu on developing operations in Asia.

Source: THINK

Coming soon! Electric Cars - The Future is Now!
By Arvid Linde

What if we all had to say goodbye to petrol cars tomorrow? Would you be ready?
There might be several reasons why you�re holding this book in your hand. Concern about the environment, determination to cut your fuel bill, or simply curiosity. Whatever the reason, the answer is within. This consumer guide is for housewives, petrol-heads, pedestrians, green activists, everyone � but most importantly, it�s for you. It will introduce the electric car to potential advocates and opponents, revealing all the pros and cons. Is such a vehicle really what it promises to be - the perfect answer to the fuel crisis and environmental issues? This book will help you find out. More info.

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