2011 Mercedes SLR by Wheelsandmore

Earlier today we brought news of a Wheelsandmore tuning package for the Mercedes SLS AMG, now it’s time for its ancestor to get our attention. Well, actually, it got the attention of the very same tuner, who seems to show the same interest for the old McLaren SLR, both the standard and the SLR 722 S.

Out of the two vehicles featured, the most impressive package belongs to the 722 S version, where the addition of optimized control electronics, a change in compression ratio, and a completely hand-made, improved exhaust system with radio remote-controlled exhaust valves, the vehicle’s output is increased to an impressive 730 HP (up from standard 650 HP). However, the increase for the standard SLR isn;t too shabby either with a bump to 680hp. Top speed for the 722 S is now 213 mph and 211 mph for the standard SLR.

Next to these amazing engine upgrades, the tuner is also offering a racing chassis, new 20" in-house forged wheels, and carbon fiber components for the interior.

2012 Mazda3

2012 Mazda3 sedan and five-door hatchback models that are making their world premiere at this week’s 2011 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto. In addition to receiving a cosmetic pick-me-up, the refreshed Mazda3 gains the Japanese firm’s new Skyactiv-G gasoline engine and Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission.

The new powertrain, 2012 Mazda3 get the first application of its Skyactive engine and transmission technologies in a production vehicle. All we know for now is that the engine will feature direct-injection tech and a high compression ratio, while the transmission is said to be compact in size and light in weight, with both contributing to an improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions.

The car receives reworked front and rear bumpers with a redesigned front grill, fog bezels and front headlamps. Newly designed 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels round off the cosmetic changes for the 2012 model. The 2012 Mazda3 will arrive in U.S. showrooms this fall.

2012 Hyundai i40

2012 Hyundai i40 will make world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show on March 1. The car is four-door sedan model, designed and engineered at Hyundai’s R&D headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany, Hyundai says the i40 is the company’s “first D-segment vehicle to be developed specifically for the European market, with a package of powertrains, equipment and technology tailored for European tastes.”

Exterior styling of 2012 Hyundai i40 than it is to the latest Sonata, and encompasses design cues from Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language. The flowing roofline and accentuated profile line help to visually lighten the design of the estate model.

While in interior gets a sculpted dashboard with a prominent screen display mounted high up and flanked by a pair of small air vents, underneath which nestle a bank of push buttons for ventilation and minor controls.

The i40 mid-size model will be offered with a variety of modern powertrains including Hyundai’s new 1.7-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that emits just 113 g/km of CO2 emissions. The Korean automaker did not release any other details on the engine lineup, but it is believed that the Veloster’s 1.6-liter gasoline engine and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol with direct injection and an output of around 170-horsepower, will also be on offer.

“Offering more for less has always been a fundamental principle at Hyundai, and now we are advancing this with our new brand direction under the ‘New Thinking. New Possibilities.’ slogan. The i40 is a perfect example of how we are offering the best and making it accessible to everyone. From stunning design and specification, to industry-leading technology and aftersales care – the i40 sets itself apart from its competitors.” Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe said.

2012 Lotus Elise Club Racer

The new 1.6 Lotus Elise Club Racer by the bright engineers at Lotus put even the lightest of Lotus’ modern cars on a diet and managed to shed a further 24kg. So how did Lotus manage to make one of the lightest models on the market even lighter? Read more please!!

The engineers behind the Lotus Elise Club Racer took a stripped-to-the-bare-bone approach visualised by the body-coloured seats but materialised in many ways such as the motorsport derived lightweight battery and the deletion of noise insulation. Attention to even the smallest of details has ensured that Lotus’ passion for performance through lightweight has been translated throughout the car.

For 2012 Club Racer, an Elise variant comes complete with a Sport setting for the DPM (Dynamic Performance Management) allowing even the less experienced sports car drivers to feel at the top of their game, while the ability to switch it off completely will please the more established track orientated drivers. DPM combined with improved agility courtesy of Lotus finely tuned sport suspension and an adjustable anti-roll bar will make the Lotus Elise Club Racer equally versatile for both road and race track fun.

The Lotus Elise Club Racer offers choice of six striking colours (Sky Blue, Saffron Yellow, Ardent Red, Aspen White, Matt Black and Carbon Grey) and bespoke design elements that emphasise the character of the car.

It’s pocket pleasing too, at £27,500 / €34,450 / CHF48,900, the Lotus Elise Club Racer marks the new entry level sports car from Lotus. And with the Elise standard of just 149g CO2/km plus the weight reduction, the new Club Racer provides maximum fun without so much of the green-guilt usually associated with high performance driving.

2012 Nissan Micra DIG-S

The all-new Nissan Micra DIG-S with CO2 emissions of only 95 g/km is one of the cleanest petrol engines in the world. The Japanese firm’s engineers used a 1.2-liter three-cylinder unit fitted with a supercharger and direct injection, which can be coupled either to a manual transmission or a CVT automatic gearbox.

Nissan will showcase the DIG-S at the Geneva Motor Show in March with European sales set to debut this summer. It will be only available in a five-door body style and with three trim levels. Besides the supercharged engine, the Japanese automaker is offering an 80HP 1.2-liter naturally aspirated variant as well.

The result is powerplant uses the Miller cycle and with a peak output of 98HP and 142 Nm (105 lb-ft) of torque, it’s said to be on par with a conventional 1.5-liter four-cylinder unit. Other technical highlights include the 13:1 compression ratio that increases combustion efficiency, the reduced heat, friction and pumping losses thanks to fewer moving parts, and advanced engine management systems with Start/Stop feature and energy regeneration capabilities.

The entry-level trim grade of the Micra DIG-S can hit a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph) when equipped with a manual transmission, while returning estimated fuel consumption of 4.1 lt/100 km (57.4 US mpg) on the combined cycle with 95 g/km of CO2.

2012 Nissan Micra DIG-S offers manual variants with higher trim levels (Acenta and Tekna) emit 99 g/km due to the added equipment. The CVT version is the least efficient of the pack, but with CO2 emissions of 115 g/km is still a proper tree hugger’s car.

2012 Land Rover Range_e diesel-electric plug-in hybrid

The Range_e is said to be one of several working prototypes currently being developed at Land Rover’s design and engineering centre in the UK. It is based on the Range Rover Sport model and features a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission mated to an, as-of-yet unspecified, electric motor and battery pack.

The new Land Rover Range_e diesel-electric plug-in will make its motor show debut at next month’s Geneva Salon. The all-wheel drive prototype can run purely on electricity for up to a distance of 20 miles or approximately 32 kilometers and emits as low as 89g/km of CO2. The Range_e also has a top speed of 120 mph or 193 km/h and a combined driving range of 690 miles or 1,110 kilometers.

The Range_e will be joined at Land Rover’s Geneva Motor Show stand by two new Limited Editions, the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate and the 2011 Discovery 4 ‘Landmark’ with Black and White themes.

2012 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid More Photos and Info

Today, the Swedish automaker Volvo released a full set of photos and additional information on V60 Plug-in Hybrid than previous post, which will be launched in the market in 2012. Pegged as the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid, the eco-friendly V60 is the result of close co-operation between Volvo Cars and Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall, and it promises to offer low fuel consumption and CO2 levels, combined with long range and high performance.

2012 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid powered by five-cylinder 2.4-litre D5 turbo diesel with 215 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 Nm that drives the front wheels, and a 70HP-strong electric motor that receives its juice from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and motivates the rear wheels. The car also features a six-speed automatic transmission.

Its offers the battery package can be recharged via a regular power socket (230V/6A, 10A or 16A), with the charging time depending on the level of the current. A full 10A charge takes 4.5 hours. The time is shortened to 3 hours with 16A, while a charge in a 6A socket takes 7.5 hours.

“The second-generation hybrid is the perfect choice for the uncompromising buyer who wants a superbly carbon dioxide-lean car packed with driving pleasure. To get drivers to think green, we have offered both, in one traditional genuine sports wagon” said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

Also offers option three different modes via a set of push buttons on the center console: Pure, Hybrid and Power. In Pure, the car runs only on its electric motor as much as possible, with the maximum driving range being up to 32 miles or 51 kilometers with zero emissions of carbon dioxide. There also an AWD button in the centre stack that activates electric four-wheel drive. In this case, the central control unit manages torque distribution to the diesel-driven front wheels and the electrically powered rear axle.

In Hybrid mode, which is the default setting whenever the car is started, makes use of both the diesel engine and electric motor. In this mode, V60 Plug-in Hybrid returns a fuel economy of up to 125 mpg US (equal to 150 mpg UK and 1.9 lt/100km) with CO2 emissions of just 49 g/km, and a total driving range of up to 746 miles or 1,200 kilometers.

While Power mode, the system is optimized to give the car the best possible performance, with the diesel engine and electric motor producing a combined power output of 215 + 70 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 + 200 Nm. According to Volvo, the station wagon model completes the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in just 6.9 seconds.

There are some subtle styling differences over the standard V60 such as the modified instrument panel that offers information about diesel and electricity consumption, battery charge level and remaining range, the restyled bumpers and the lightweight alloy wheels wrapped around in low rolling resistance Pirelli tires.