Friday, 30 December 2011

De Tomaso - 2011 De Tomaso Deauville Concept


Pininfarina welcomes the De Tomaso Deauville styling model on its stand at Geneva. For the glorious brand founded in Modena in 1959 by Argentine racing driver Alejandro De Tomaso, which has been brought back to life thanks to efforts of businessman Gian Mario Rossignolo, Pininfarina has designed a 5-door Sport Luxury Sedan, with an aluminium chassis and four-wheel drive. A complete product that embodies high technology and craftsmanship, combining luxury and love for engines with a decisive modern approach to design.
The project was launched at the end of 2009, when Pininfarina S.p.A. drew up with De Tomaso Automobili SpA (formerly Innovation Auto Industry S.p.A. - IAI) a company chaired by Gian Mario Rossignolo, the definitive agreement for the sale of a branch of the company that included the manufacturing plant of Grugliasco (Turin). The two companies also agreed that the first model to be produced by the reborn De Tomaso company would be designed by Pininfarina.

From the very first stages of the design process, De Tomaso and the Pininfarina design team set themselves the target of exploring new territory and creating a new market niche, developing a Sport Luxury Sedan for an exclusive clientele, designed and developed with the utmost luxury.
Luxury is not a coincidence: the development of the De Tomaso Deauville hinges on exploiting the concept of quality products that are "Made in Italy", reviving and refining in the present the characteristics of beauty and craftsmanship that are inherent in the Italian manufacturing heritage. All the cars are "custom-built" and the assembly of the details is guaranteed by the manual skills of De Tomaso specialist craftsmen. Each De Tomaso Deauville is therefore unique and self-sufficient.

But the luxury is not only embodied in the artisan construction. In addition to the Pininfarina design, the car also boasts a high technological content that puts it ahead of its time. The De Tomaso Deauville is manufactured using the innovative UNIVIS technology, which means that the bodyshell is assembled using aluminium extruded sections joined together by crossbeams that are pressed, trimmed by laser and welded. This new technology, developed and patented by IAI (Innovation in Auto Industry), the parent company of the De Tomaso group, makes it possible to drastically reduce the times and investment necessary to design a car, because the number of dies is drastically reduced to a few dozen.
The Pininfarina team tackled the design of the De Tomaso Deauville by first carrying out a historical analysis of the De Tomaso brand, and focusing on the stylistic elements that have characterised earlier models like the Mangusta or the Pantera. The challenge was to imagine a completely new type of car without distorting such an important heritage, but also to firmly avoid turning it into an exercise in nostalgia.

The result is a car that has no equal in today's car market. A sporty, seductive saloon of a considerable size (height 1630 mm, length 5080 mm, width 1950 mm), with clean, elegant lines, a decisive and immediately recognisable character and a sporty feel that is reflected on the motorist as a pleasant driving experience, while guaranteeing performance, safety, roominess, maximum comfort and all the options one would expect on a luxury saloon.
The resolution of the front is expressed by the personality of the large hexagonal grille that urges forward, transmitting assertiveness and sportiness, and reflecting the car's potential for performance, while the front light clusters, which slip towards the sides of the car, underline its dynamism. The hexagon, which harks back to motifs dear to De Tomaso history, is repeated on the side of the car (air outlet, front wing and shape of windows) and in the design of the rear light clusters. Another leitmotif runs through the car: the three upper wings of the grille, which are reiterated in the direction indicator on the front headlight and continue in the side repeater and the rear light.


Daihatsu - 2011 Daihatsu PICO Concept


The Daihatsu PICO two-seater electric vehicle represents a new category of vehicle positioned between light automobiles and motorized bicycles. The Daihatsu PICO has been developed as a model offering the appeal that only a compact car can provide to accommodate social and environmental changes such as the aging population, regional locations and delivery businesses.
A newly-imagined two-seater EV commuter offering snug closeness with people and the environment. Daihatsu's proposition for a new vehicle geared to the times with an aging population, regional locations and delivery businesses, offering the appeal that only a compact car can provide while accommodating changes in society and the environment.

  • The ultimate vehicle for personal use which is ideal for short trips on a daily basis
  • A layout featuring large openings and a low, flat floor that makes it easy to get in or out
  • A front-and-back two-seat configuration designed for ease of use in small and narrow spaces
  • Driving assistance with advanced radar






Daewoo - 2010 Daewoo Matiz Creative


GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) launched its all-new global mini-car, the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative. The new mini will go on sale on September 1st, 2009.
"The GM Daewoo Matiz Creative is an all-new mini-car developed at GM Daewoo, the global vehicle development center for GM's mini and small cars," said Michael Grimaldi, President and CEO of GM Daewoo. "With its best-in-segment design, performance and safety, the new mini is destined to become an industry benchmark and a winner among consumers in Korea and around the world."
Based on GM's global mini-vehicle architecture, it took 27 months to develop the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative. KRW 295 billion has been invested in the vehicle's development. Following its launch in Korea, the global mini will be sold in over 150 markets around the world including those in Europe, Asia and North America.

Aimed at meeting the highest quality and performance standards in the most sophisticated markets, the global vehicle was put through over 1 million kilometers of intensive durability tests, extreme weather tests, and crash tests both at home and abroad.
With roof-rail curtain air bags and high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel over a majority of its body, the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative ensures segment-leading occupant protection.
With a revolutionary design, advanced technology, segment-leading features and benchmark safety, the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative offers much more than a mini.

Segment-Leading Size and a Dynamic Exterior
The GM Daewoo Matiz Creative is a car that is ideal for those with an urban lifestyle. With the styling of a sporty hatchback, it showcases the new direction of GM Daewoo design and a new trend in the design of mini-cars.
"Our clear goal from the very beginning was to create a revolution in size and design despite the restrictions of the mini segment," said Taewan Kim, Vice President of GM Daewoo Design. "We wanted to make a statement with an innovative design that would go far beyond a typical mini-vehicle and set new standards for the segment. This is not your average-looking mini-car."
The GM Daewoo Matiz Creative's roomy proportions and dynamic styling are courtesy of its segment-leading length of 3,595 mm, height of 1,520 mm, wheelbase of 2,375 mm, and width of 1,595 mm combined with its "body-in/wheels-out" stance. Dramatically sized headlamps that literally stretch from the front fascia to the back of the hood, with clear polycarbonate lenses and chrome-coated bezels, resemble diamonds, adding an upscale appearance and glamour.

A window line that is slanted dynamically upward, an arching roofline and sharp sidelines bring a sporty yet edgy look, a rarity in the segment. Secret vertical rear door handles located in the C-pillar are another unusual feature. They give the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative a unique, sporty three-door coupe appearance without sacrificing five-door utility.
A first-in-segment offering of an integrated rear spoiler as standard equipment essentially extends the rear roofline, for enhanced aerodynamic performance and provides a stable stance in high-speed driving as well as increased fuel efficiency. Round taillamps with clear polycarbonate lenses add to the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative's strong rear impression.
A chrome-coated radiator grille and fog lamps, outside mirrors with two-tone color, and a refined-looking roof rack are other design cues that transport the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative's styling beyond that of a mini.
GM Daewoo Matiz Creative buyers have a larger palette of exterior colors from which to choose. They may select one of the three sophisticated colors of silver, white or black or go for one of the more traditional mini colors of red, blue, green, brown, orange or ice blue.

Unique Interior Defined By Fun, Fashion and Functionality
The design revolution continues inside the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative. While pursuing a harmonious theme with the dynamic exterior, the interior is more about functionality.
With its wider track and longer wheelbase, the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative provides best-in-segment front legroom, rear legroom, front headroom and rear hiproom, resulting in generous space and comfortable accommodation for five adults.
The flowing interior weaves together the instrument panel, front seats and door trims, creating an environment that is harmonious, uninterrupted and inviting to the senses. An exterior-color-matched instrument panel and door trim appliqués offered in red, blue or silver enhance the unified design of the interior and exterior.

The most striking design element in the interior is a motorcycle-inspired dynamic meter cluster. The first-in-segment steering column-mounted instrument cluster combines analog and digital systems, contributing fun and unique styling as well as enhanced visibility and convenience. A trip computer in the dynamic meter cluster is another first-in-segment feature.
Adding to the refined look is an integrated center stack design that eliminates the traditional "picture framing" layout and results in a contemporary, stylish relationship. LED-lit ice blue illumination adds to the urban, edgy styling.
Pattern-printed semi-bucket seats provide a stable feeling when cornering. With high-quality materials and exceptional craftsmanship, they also enhance the luxurious interior atmosphere.
The GM Daewoo Matiz Creative provides upgraded functionality with features such as headrests that can be vertically adjusted up to 65 mm, carbon film-heated seats and various storage places.

New 1,000-cc DOHC Engine Delivers Power and Fuel Economy
Newly developed for the next-generation global mini at GM Daewoo, the S-TEC II engine - a 4-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine with a displacement of 1,000 cc - delivers great performance and fuel economy.
The S-TEC II engine includes a series of advanced features that enhance performance. The first-in-segment application of the PDA (Port De-Activation) system ensures high exhaust gas recirculation, resulting in combustion stability at low speeds and optimal performance at high speeds together with improved fuel efficiency. In addition, the PDA system contributes to a reduction in emissions, making the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative a truly eco-friendly vehicle that meets the stringent KULEV (Korea Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle) standard.
Another first-in-segment application is an automatic temperature controller inside the engine, which helps improve fuel efficiency by reducing unnecessary heat loss. A dome-type long-skirt cylinder block narrows the space between intake valves while the application of four resonators reduces engine noise.
Mated with the efficient S-TEC-II engine is a 4-speed automatic transmission tuned to GM's global standards that provides enhanced shifts for an outstanding ride.

Solid Structure and Advanced Chassis Ensure Pleasurable Ride and Handling
The ride and handling of the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative also set it apart from any other vehicle in its segment. Adopting the body-frame integral (BFI) system, the upper body structure and frame are engineered as a single unit, resulting in better feel of the road along with a heightened sense of firmness and stability, and enhanced connectivity between the driver and vehicle.
A McPherson strut front suspension combined with a four-point mounted long engine cradle and a width power reduction spring enhances the solidity of the entire chassis, for improved crash safety and driving performance. A rear compound crank torsion beam incorporates a tubular V-beam for more effective tuning and dynamic performance.
A first-in-segment triple acoustic absorbent structure and special underbody structure prevent noise inflow from outside, for optimal quietness. Wind noise is minimized through the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative's aerodynamic body line and detailed door sealing structure.

Benchmark Safety: Class-Transcending Use of High-Strength Steel
A host of structural enhancements combined with a full offering of active and passive safety systems makes the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative a segment leader in its class.
Its body is the stiffest in the mini segment; 66.5 percent of its body is constructed of high-strength steel or over 16 percent is comprised of ultra-high-strength steel. This ensures the highest level of protection in the segment. The solid structure will play a key role in securing expected four-star ratings in NCAP crash tests in Korea, Europe, and the U.S.
In addition, ultra-high-strength steel applied to the side structure minimizes the chance of the structure deforming in the event of a crash. High-strength steel is also used in the rear body structure to protect passengers as well as the fuel tank, minimizing the possibility of fuel leakage during a collision.
The four-point mounted long engine cradle protects passengers in the event of a head-on collision by optimally dispersing crash loads. The steering column features an extended impact protection zone to enhance protection of the driver's torso.

The use of H-spider type ultra-high-strength steel bars in the underbody prevents severe deformation caused by a side crash. The tailor-welded blanking method used in the B-pillar ensures maximum protection of passengers' upper bodies. High-strength steel in the rear and first-in-segment rear crash boxes minimize the impact of whiplash.
The roof is especially stiff, for maximum rollover protection. The GM Daewoo Matiz Creative has been developed to withstand up to four times its weight - which goes far beyond industry regulations. As a result, GM Daewoo expects the Matiz Creative to receive the highest ratings in IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) crash testing in the U.S.
GM Daewoo engineers also factored in pedestrian safety. Ample space between the engine and hood reduces the chance of a secondary collision, meeting European safety regulations for the protection of pedestrians.
The first-in-segment application of front-end crash boxes for greater passenger protection adds an economical factor as customers will need to change only the crash boxes instead of repairing the entire vehicle in the case of a low-speed crash. As a result, the vehicle is expected to receive a good grade in the RCAR (Research Council for Automobile Repairs) test for determining customer insurance fees.
Besides driver, front passenger and side air bags, the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative also offers first-in-segment curtain air bags mounted on the roof rails to protect both front and back seat occupants. A 4-channel/4-sensor EBD-ABS system reduces braking distance and helps prevent skidding and rollover. Other safety highlights include seatbelt pre-tensioners, shock-sensitive door locks and rear parking assist sensors with a broad range.

Premium Convenience Features Go "Beyond Mini"
The GM Daewoo Matiz Creative features an array of premium comfort and convenience amenities that one would expect in more expensive vehicles, including:
  • Heated windshield wipers
  • Roof rack
  • Heated automatic outside mirror
  • Speed-sensitive automatic door locks
  • Tilt steering and a driver's seat armrest
  • A particle filter for a pleasant dust-free interior
  • 6:4 folding seats
  • A wireless remote start key
  • Various storage places
  • A tire sealant compressor kit
The GM Daewoo Matiz Creative comes in three trim levels: Pop, Jazz, and Groove. It is priced from KRW 9.06 million for the entry-level Pop, from 9.44 million for the Jazz and from KRW 10.09 million for the Groove. (All prices include a 4-speed automatic transmission.) A manual transmission will be available starting early next year, giving consumers in Korea and overseas markets another option.

Technical Specifications
  • Length: 3,595 mm
  • Height: 1,520 mm
  • Width: 1,595 mm
  • Wheelbase: 2,375 mm
  • Tread
    • Front: 1,410 mm
    • Rear: 1,417 mm
  • Engine
    • Valve Train: DOHC
    • Displacement: 995 cc
    • Max. Power: 70 PS at 6,400 rpm
    • Max. Torque: 9.4 kg.m at 4,800 rpm
    • Fuel Efficiency: 17 km / l
  • Curb Weight: 910 kg




Dacia - 2009 Dacia Duster Concept


Dacia Duster Concept - Dacia's first concept crossover - is proud to be different. Seen from the driver's side, it is visibly a sporting coupé, yet passengers entering from the other side will see it as an MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) with a traditionally opening front door and rear-hinged rear door which suggest plush travelling refinement.
Dacia Duster Concept's height of 1.49 metres, short front and rear overhangs (65cm and 80cm respectively), generous wheelbase (2.80m) and compact volumes (4.25m long, 1.64m wide) exude an overriding sense of robustness and sports appeal.
The front end features a broad bumper with two horizontal air-intake slits that suggest power. The grille features evident Dacia styling cues and is flanked by headlamps which wrap over the front wings to form a tapering line of light that stretches rearward towards the doors.

Viewed from the side, the clear-cut lines of the wheel arches and tall doors reinforce the impression that Dacia Duster Concept sits squarely on the road. The Anthracite Grey bodywork and extensive one-piece glazed sweep - made possible by the absence of a central pillar - highlights the styling of the sides which are unmistakably reminiscent of Dacia Duster Concept's graphic identity.
At the rear, the engraved Dacia logo further emphasizes the concept car's robust, dependable credentials.
Like Logan, Dacia Duster Concept is just 4.25 metres long, and its inherent agility ensures that it is perfectly at home in the urban jungle. Meanwhile, its 21-inch, five-spoke aluminium alloy wheels, exterior mirrors positioned on the window surround and trapezoidal aluminium exhaust tailpipes are telltale signs of its sporting pedigree.
Special care has gone into Dacia Duster Concept's aerodynamic efficiency (Cd: 0.30) and the fluid lines of the body sides enable air to flow freely along the vehicle's flanks before being jettisoned through the rear lights. The aerodynamic, wing-like forms of the roof-mounted direction indicators also channel airflow towards the rear. The sum of all this work has naturally been beneficial to fuel consumption, and Dacia Duster Concept stands out as a particularly environmentally-respectful crossover. Despite its performance potential, the particulate filterequipped 1.5 dCi 105hp engine (77kW) emits just 139g of CO2/km, equivalent to fuel consumption of 5.3 litres/100km.

A CROSSOVER WITH DACIA HALLMARKS
This futuristic crossover showcases the brand's core values - namely simplicity, robustness and authenticity - in a surprising form, yet Dacia's hallmark ingenuity and generosity are immediately apparent in the way designers have approached Dacia Duster Concept's cabin.
The concept car's two-tone chocolate and blue interior exudes a sense of well-being and conviviality. The fully glazed roof floods the cabin with light, while the enveloping forms of the staggered slim-line front seats provide first class comfort and support. The driver's seat is incorporated in a structure which extends all the way from the sill to the centre console, forming a sculptural, one-piece ensemble that echoes the exterior's sporty appeal.

The user-friendly dashboard features fluid, expressive lines while employing simple materials. The driver's side front airbag is housed in the lower part of the steeringwheel which has made it possible to position the screen centrally and free up appreciable stowage space on the dashboard. The latter's receding lines also provide record kneeroom of 280mm for the front passenger who benefits from an exceptionally comfortable seating position. The bellows-like form of the original two-tone dashboard incorporates a 20-litre glovebox, while the door inserts each include eight-litre stowage bins. Another bin has been cleverly concealed in the back of the rear right-hand seat. A simple push causes a box to slide forward from the boot which itself is in total keeping with the Dacia spirit, with the upright tailgate providing a carrying capacity of 470dm3 (VDA), a remarkable achievement for a vehicle of Dacia Duster Concept's compact overall dimensions.
Dacia Duster Concept is an adaptable, modular concept car. The four-seat 'daily driver' layout can be swiftly converted into a leisure configuration in a matter of seconds. The passenger seat slides underneath the driver's seat on rails concealed in the floor to leave just one front seat and consequently free up a total carrying volume of two cubic metres. Thanks to a recess in the floor and a strap located under the dashboard, this space can be used to carry a trials mountain bike.

Dimensions
  • Length: 4,250 mm
  • Width: 1,640 mm
  • Height: 1,495 mm
  • Overall width, doors open: 4,285 mm
  • Wheelbase: 2,804 mm
  • Front track: 1,637 mm
  • Rear track: 1,640 mm
  • Unladen weight: 1,300 kg
  • Boot volume: 470 dm3 (VDA)

Technical data
  • Engine type: dCi 105
  • Maximum power: 105 hp (77 kW)
  • Maximum torque: 240 Nm at 2,000rpm
  • 0-100 km/h: 9.6 s
  • CO2 emissions: 139g/km
  • Combined cycle fuel consumption: equivalent to 5.3 litres/100km
  • Transmission: Manual six-speed gearbox
  • Tyres: 245/35 ZR21
  • Wheels: 21-inch diameter wheels









Dacia - 2009 Dacia Logan


Four years after the release of the first Logan, Dacia introduces 'New Logan'. The latest version of this celebrated three-volume saloon builds on the same strengths that forged the success of its predecessor, including unbeatable value for money in terms of performance and equipment, plus outstanding cabin space and exceptional reliability. New Dacia Logan goes even further, however, and features a more contemporary design, as well as a more attractive and more comfortable interior which mirrors the renewal of Dacia as a generous, clever brand.
New Dacia Logan will be introduced across the majority of Western European markets from July 2008. In most cases, its entry level price remains unchanged, making it a more appealing proposition than ever.

More contemporary looks
New Dacia Logan stands out as a modern saloon with more contemporary exterior lines which reflect its robust, quality build. The grille, which first appeared on Dacia Sandero, is bigger and features the brand's new logo, plus a chrome upper trim as standard (except entry level version). The new front bumper is flush with the bodywork for a more integrated, harmonious feel, while the headlights are bigger and the fog lamps come with elegant carbon colour surrounds (depending on version).
The rear design of New Dacia Logan has been updated, too. The design of the new boot lid, which can be trimmed with a lower chrome strip, is more streamlined and its lines have been carried over to the revised rear lights. The rear bumper, too, is now flush with the bodywork and incorporates reflectors and a towing hook complete with concealing cap.
Other revisions include a new range of wheeltrims and alloy wheels (optional), while the list of available body colours has been extended with the addition of Basalt Grey, Electric Blue and Extreme Blue.

An even more pleasing interior
New Dacia Logan sets out to be even more appealing than ever. The new dashboard, which first appeared on Dacia Sandero, is modern and functional, while the design of the door panels also contributes to the cabin's modern feel thanks to their more practical pull handles and elegant trimming (depending on version). The upgrade in range has seen the introduction of two finishes for New Dacia Logan's dashboard, plus a choice of four upholsteries (depending on countries).
Drivers will appreciate the practical controls, and special care has gone into ensuring that all dashboard information is easy to read. The driving environment itself has been made even more comfortable and driverfriendly thanks to a new driver's seat adjustment control (depending on version) and a height-adjustable steering column (depending on version). Rear visibility has been improved through the fitment of a comma-type central rear headrest and large format door mirrors. These have been carried over from Dacia Logan MCV and are standard equipment on New Dacia Logan.

An exceptionally roomy interior
New Dacia Logan's generous dimensions ensure outstanding cabin space which continues to be unmatched in the three-volume saloon category of the B-Entry segment. Indeed, its size is more akin to C-segment norms, since the newcomer's overall length has been increased to 4,290mm (up 40mm compared with the previous version Logan), while its width is 1,740mm. Cabin space is one of New Dacia Logan's most salient features and three tall passengers (more than 1.90m in height) can be accommodated comfortably in the rear thanks to rear headroom of 873mm. Rear shoulder room is a remarkable 1,428mm too, a figure more readily associated with larger saloons. Last but by no means least, the boot volume of 510 litres is unequalled by any of New Dacia Logan's rivals in its category and the boot layout itself permits loads of very different shapes and sizes to be carried with ease.

The accent on safety
New Dacia Logan features the same safety features and equipment that enabled the model to achieve a threestar Euro NCAP crash test rating.
New Dacia Logan can be equipped with the latest generation Bosch 8.1 ABS complete with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA), a new feature which debuted on Dacia Sandero. The latter detects when the driver brakes in an emergency situation and acts on the hydraulic circuit to increase the effectiveness of the ABS by applying maximum pressure the instant the driver hits the brakes.
Front and rear tracks of New Dacia Logan have been widened 7mm either side, which reinforces the roadholding capabilities of the vehicle.
On the passive safety front, New Dacia Logan features a new honeycomb structure for the dashboard which reduces the severity of impact to the knees. In addition to the materials it employs, the dashboard's very design takes safety into account thanks to the curves of its lower section which match the form of the tibia, enabling impact loads to be spread out evenly in case of contact. The driver and front passenger also benefit from further lower limb protection thanks to underfoot padding.
All New Dacia Logan's seats are equipped with three-point seatbelts and headrests, while the new car is delivered as standard with two controlled-deflation airbags (depending on countries), driver and front passenger, the pressure of which diminishes following deployment in order to limit the load applied to occupants.

A comprehensive range of proven powerplants
New Dacia Logan comes with the same proven petrol engines and diesel engine that have contributed to the Dacia range's success.
The 1.4 MPI 75hp, 1.6 MPI 90hp and 1.6 16V 105hp all comply with the criteria of cost, robustness and ease of maintenance that are a feature of the Dacia brand. They combine generous torque from low revs with thrifty fuel consumption: 7.0, 7.2 and 7.1 litres/100km respectively.
The 1.5 dCi stands out as a benchmark in the diesel engine field thanks to the use of such advanced technologies as second-generation common-rail direct injection which delivers both high performance and extremely low fuel consumption. The 1.5 dCi is available in 70hp form and a punchier 85hp version, while CO2 emissions of 120g/km point to the 1.5 dCi 70hp and 1.5 dCi 85hp engines' ecological credentials.






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