2010 Toyota SAI Hybrid Sedan a Redesign of the Lexus HS250 Hybrid

2010 Toyota SAI Hybrid Sedan

Toyota Motor Corp will be releasing a new petrol electric hybrid in Japan while the Prius will compete with Hyundai Motor Co in Korea. Toyota hopes to sell 36,000 of its new Sai hybrid sedan, Toyota’s goal being one million hybrid cars a year globally after 2010. The Sai is Toyota’s second hybrid-only car, this car is a redesign of the Lexus HS250 hybrid. The Sai is based on a concept derived from the Japanese word sai-which means "talent" when written as "" and "coloration" when written as ""-as a hybrid-only sedan "combining advanced talent and multi-color sophistication".

The Sai is based on the Lexus HS250h hybrid, a vehicle designed for people who want a more premium hybrid experience than they would get in the Toyota Prius. The Sai would seem to fit somewhere in between. It offers the same powerplant as the HS, but not quite as many luxury features. It's basically an HS with different nose, tail and interior detailing.

2010 Toyota SAI Hybrid Sedan

The Toyota Sai Hybrid features a gasoline-electric hybrid system with a 2.4-liter engine for outstanding fuel efficiency and use of Ecological Plastic for approximately 60% of the interior surface area. The Sai features the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) II combining a 2.4-liter Atkinson cycle combustion engine with an electric motor and a reduction gear. The Toyota Sai Hybrid uses a 2.4-liter petrol engine generating just under 150 horsepower, and up to 187 Nm of torque. It is mated to a strong electric motor, powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces an additional 140 hp and up to 270 Nm of torque. The Toyota Sai Hybrid powertrain is designed to utilize the two generators efficiently, giving the driver up to 185 hp at any given time.

An exhaust heat recovery system uses exhaust gas to heat the engine, thus shortening engine-warming time and contributing to greatly improved fuel efficiency, especially when outside temperatures are low.

2010 Toyota SAI Hybrid Sedan

LED headlights conserve electric power and consequently reduce power-generation requirements on the engine. In addition to Standard Driving Mode, which balances fuel efficiency and power, drivers can also select Eco-Drive Mode, which prioritizes fuel efficiency by moderating driving force relative to accelerator operation and putting the air conditioner into a low energy-consumption mode, and Electric Vehicle (EV) Drive Mode, which uses the electric motor only, resulting in extremely quite cruising and zero emissions.

A Hybrid System Indicator that shows real-time driving status and an Eco Driving Indicator that lights up to signify fuel-efficient vehicle operation provide visual support to the driver. The ESPO1 system, which encourages and rewards environmentally considerate driving, enables drivers to gain extra enjoyment.

G-BOOK mX, TMC's advanced telematics service, assesses environmentally considerate driving and awards points to driver; mastery of eco-driving can be determined according to rate of points gained each month

2010 Toyota SAI Hybrid Sedan

Programs that allow drivers to make donations to charities using points received, that rank fuel efficiency of nationwide Sai ESPO users, and other fun incentives to encourage drivers to drive in environmentally considerate ways, are available. Toyota is also sending its brand to South Korea where the Hyundai Kia partnership dominate. The Prius and Camry hybrids will be first and joining them will be the petrol version of the Camry and the RAV4.

Toyota Executive Vice President Yukitoshi Funo told a news conference, “The introduction of the Toyota brand into South Korea is aimed to meet the diversifying needs of consumers in this growing market,”

“We intend to make every effort to contribute to South Korean society and earn a loyal following.”

December the seventh is the release date for the Toyota Sai retailing at 3.38 million yen ($40,250), the Lexus HS250 is priced at 3.96 million yen ($47,159). The Sai is expected to have a consumption rate of 4.34 liters per 100 km. At this stage Toyota has no plans to export the Sai, preferring to concentrate on the home market.

2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X designed to compete in the Viper Racing League

Dodge today pulled the cover off the newest special-edition model of the 2010 Viper SRT10 lineup.The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X is a turn-key, non-street legal race car that is slated to make its on-track debut in the summer of 2010.

The Dodge Viper has enjoyed a successful racing heritage that began in 1996 with the original Viper racing entry, the GTS-R, which earned five international GT championships and the 1997-1999 FIA GT championships. It also posted an amazing overall win at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 1999 – the first for a production-based American car.

The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will make its on-track debut in July 2010 in a newly developed spec series called the Dodge Viper Cup, which will be sanctioned by the existing Viper Racing League. Each vehicle in the new series must be the new Viper ACR-X.

The Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, introduced in 2003, delivered the next chapter with its coupe-shaped carbon/Kevlar body and a track-ready chassis, based on the Dodge Viper SRT10. The Viper Competition Coupe has continued the on-track prowess by capturing the 2004 SCCA Speed World Challenge GT title, championships in Formula D Drifting series in 2004 and 2006 and the British GT Championship in 2007 and 2008.

The Viper SRT10 ACR-X is designed to compete in the Viper Racing League, Sports Car Club of America and National Auto Sport Association events.

Combining the best performance attributes of the record-setting, street-legal Dodge Viper ACR (American Club Racer) and the safety equipment of championship-winning Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X is powered by the SRT-developed 8.4-liter V10, equipped with factory headers and a low-restriction exhaust system, that produces 640 horsepower (40 more than production model).

The suspension also is tuned and upgraded specifically for on-track usage, while the weight is lightened by a full 160 pounds (versus the standard production Viper) to take on even the most challenging road course. Additional aerodynamic upgrades improve downforce, while enhancing stability and significantly improving grip in high-speed cornering.

Similar to the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X contains factory-installed safety equipment such as a factory-designed roll cage, fuel cell and race seat. Additional racing components are added to meet the significant durability and reliability requirements for on-track competition.

In what will be the final year of production for the current generation Viper, the ACR-X is the third limited, special-edition model to be introduced by Dodge. ““We’re going to make 2010 the most exciting year for Viper yet with specially developed cars for the street and the track,” added Gilles. “The ACR-X is targeted at road-racing enthusiasts who want to successfully compete in our ultimate American sports car.”

Last month, the SRT team used a testing session at Laguna Seca raceway to shake down the Viper ACR-X for the first time. Behind the wheel was professional driver Kuno Wittmer from the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship series, who was able to run consistent 1:31.00 lap times around the 2.238-mile, 11-turn course. Wittmer’s lap times were more than 3 seconds faster than the street-legal Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR that holds the production car track record at Laguna Seca raceway.

Two races per weekend for five weekends will make up the 10-race 2010 Dodge Viper Cup schedule which includes July 9-11 at Virginia International Raceway; August 14-15 at Hallett Raceway; September 11-12 at Pocono Raceway; October 1-3 at Miller Motorsports Park and October 22-24 at Daytona International Speedway.

A contingency program sponsored by Dodge Motorsports and Mopar will pay out more than $200,000 during 2010. Payouts for each race are in cash and Mopar vouchers come as credit toward purchase of Mopar parts and accessories.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will be approximately $110,000. Production is slated to begin in Spring 2010.

2010 Audi TT RS Price

2010 Audi TT RS pictures gallery.

Honda NSX re-developed By John Danby Racing

It was built for David Fenn, racer and huge fan of NSX, to enter the last round of Britcar championship at Brands Hatch on the 7th November.

“The uniqueness and advanced technology involved in this project presented several new challenges and we are pleased to debut this exciting car at the last event of the 2009 season,” says John Danby, Team Principal.

Apparently 5th Gear presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson will drive the debut race for the Honda NSX alongside John Danby Racing regular James Barclay in the daytime Production race. Although the NSX is quit old now, but it still can cut it.

We're not sure how many of you follow the Britcar Championship, but even if you don't, we gather that you'll appreciate these photos of John Danby Racing team's newly developed Honda NSX racer. The matte black Japanese sportscar was built to comply with the Britcar Production regulations and has already completed a successful shakedown test at Snetterton in Norfolk last Friday ahead of its debut at the season's final round at Brands Hatch on November 7.

John Danby Racing have developed the car to include the latest technology and features innovative engine control and data-logging capabilities including GPS, Fly by Wire and live feed video. High specification custom solutions have also been engineered for the NSX such as dampers and brakes.

Motoring journalist and television personality Vicki Butler-Henderson will drive the debut race for the Honda NSX alongside John Danby Racing regular James Barclay in the daytime Production race. Car owner and Britcar regular David Fenn will then drive the NSX in the evening GT race alongside Barclay.

“We are excited with the potential of the NSX following our test programme and look forward to a solid debut performance,” says John Danby.

2010 Yamaha FJR1300A Supersport Touring

It might seem that the 2010 Honda VFR1200F has come to reinvent the supersport touring segment, but manufacturers such as Yamaha have their own classic approach towards offering a motorcycle that is fast, comfortable and built to last, the 2010 FJR1300A. Those of you who are familiar with the name will say that the FJR1300AE is an even better choice thanks to Yamaha’s electric-shift five-speed transmission, which eliminates the clutch and offer riders effortless electric shifting, but Yamaha has discontinued this model for 2010 and leaves FJR riders completely in charge over the bike’s functions.

Considering the fact that Yamaha brags about the new FJR1300A offering an incredibly smooth ride, you first tend to think they simply took the best from the AE model – the fancy transmission and clutch – and fitted it on the A one, which was to carry on as a 2010 model year, but no. Along time, sales have shown that riders prefer the FJR’s beautiful combination between power coming from the 1298cc, liquid-cooled, inline-four; DOHC, 16 valves engine and sporty handling characteristics ensured by a light aluminum frame.

Broadly, the right engine and chassis “make” the bike and in this case, the fuel-injected mill is mated to a five-speed gearbox and a shaft stands as the final drive, while the forks are 48mm, fully adjustable units capable of 5.4 inches of travel and the rear shock, which is preload and rebound adjustable, offers 4.8 inches of travel. Although none of these features are new on the bike, they do help us show how engineers managed to do the trick with this motorcycle. The brakes are very important as well for this 641 lbs two-wheeler and the fact that ABS is standard on the 2010 Yamaha FJR1300A comes as an ease of things for most riders.

Technically, this bike doesn’t get any reproaches, but in order to be a refined sports tourer it needs to offer the proper comfort and wind protection. And with adjustable ergonomics and windshield, the 2010 Yamaha FJR1300A doesn’t show any signs of not being precisely that.

As we earlier mentioned, people tend to compare the fairly unchanged 2010 Yamaha FJR1300A with the new, sport-oriented 2010 Honda VFR1200F and we’ll have to say that if that would be the case, the subject of this article won’t stand a change, but the 2009 Honda ST1300 is still going strong and has plenty to show against our bike, especially in terms of touring-like comfort and excellent wind protection. So the battle between Big Red and Racing Blue should start a new round after Honda calls the ST1300 a 2010 model year.

Although not redesigned for 2010, the fact is that the FJR1300A looks like a fully-faired and completely accessorized FZ1 on steroids. Designers made sure this bike will fulfill its rider’s needs during long journeys by developing the advanced air management system and adjustable bodywork, which spoil the rider.

The foamy seat can be adjusted from 31.69 to 32.48 inches above the ground and the windscreen is pushbutton adjustable as well. But these are matters of finesse. What truly strikes you is how aerodynamic the fairing actually is, indicating that it doesn’t get a lot of those “fix this” stickers when being tested in the air tunnel. Also, the thing looks very aggressive and the mirrors look bigger than those of a Mini, contributing at the bike making its presence truly felt down the open road. We even heard a car driver saying “that thing looks scary in my rear view mirror” at a gas station once, but didn’t quite believe him.

With the footpegs positioned right at the middle of the bike and the handlebars brought close to the rider, the FJR offers an upright riding position and shows that it will sacrifice looks over comfort at any time even though this is not the case. Onboard, the Instrument panel features an electronic analog speedometer and tachometer; LCD digital odometer, dual tripmeters, gear position indicator, fuel, coolant and air temperature gauges, and clock; lights for neutral, high beam, turn signals, low oil and engine warnings—as well as real-time mileage, average mileage and air temperature, just like you would expect from a bike in this segment. Still, it’s the sidecases that complete the FJR’s sport-touring look as not everyone who looks at the bike will get to swing a leg over it, so it’s good they get the right opinion from the first glance.

Liquid Silver is the only color available for the 2010 Yamaha FJR1300A and we believe it suits it best because this is one of those things you now see and then you don’t.

But riders who want this to be a constant presence in their lives will have to look over the fairly spicy $15,190 MSRP considering that the 2010 Kawasaki Concours 14 starts at $14,599 and the ABS model at $15,299 and these are upgraded bikes that we’re talking about. Expect to find it at your local dealer in February.

It seems that Yamaha relies on the FJR1300A’s fame to obtain the best results in the year to come and they don’t have a big retention when it comes to price. That is because nobody complained about these motorcycles so far and for good reason.

Indianapolis 500 pace car 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Unveiled

Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway unveiled the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car. The first year for Camaro to pace the Indianapolis 500 was in 1967, the year the Camaro made its debut. Camaro has since paced the race in 1969, 1982, 1993 and 2009.

The Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car is equipped with a stock 400 hp 6.2L V-8, an RS appearance package and leather interior with Inferno Orange interior accents. The pace car also features unique design cues that further enhance the Camaro’s head-turning design. Features unique to the pace car include: 2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo painted on doors and embroidered on driver and passenger headrests, 2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo badges on front fenders, All-new front grille insert that Chevrolet plans to offer as a future Camaro accessory, Amber lens tail lamps, Complete safety strobe light system with custom interior light bar in the rear window (no rooftop light bar) and All-new GM Accessory floor mats with red and orange accent stitching.

Starting at approximately $23,000, and offering an EPA-estimated 29 highway mpg on the V-6-powered car, the all-new Camaro is a budget-friendly sports car that doesn’t sacrifice on performance. Despite the recent economic challenges, the Camaro has overtaken its closest competitor to lead the regular sports car segment in sales for the last six months. Chevrolet sold more than 6,000 Camaros in each of these months.

The public will get their first look at the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car when it makes its auto show debut at the Indianapolis Auto Show starting on Dec. 26.

2010 Nissan Qashqai

Nissan has given its European market compact crossover, the Qashqai, a mid-life makeover for 2010 to prolong its appeal to consumers. Most of the cosmetic changes concern the front end as hood, bumper, fenders, grille and headlights have all been revised giving the Qashai a much more aggressive look.

The Nissan Qashqai is an auto that’s better gazed upon than mentioned. It has a difficult and queer-sounding name that’s pronounced as Cash Kai but it does not mean you need plenty of cash to get it. Guess what, this car was tested and is the recipient of the highest ever EuroNCAP crash rating making it a small but one of the safest cars in Europe if not the world.

Excellent safety features aside, the Nissan Qashqai is good-looking and can match the looks of the mini. It may be small but it looks bulky with a distinctive front thanks to the large front lights. It has 16-inch alloy wheels but you can opt for the 17-inch wheels at an additional cost of £700 but if you’re opting for the higher-end Tekna trim then the 17-inch wheels come as a standard feature.

In the 2010 model, there are also two new exterior colors, revised tail lights with LED technology, and newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels. These styling changes together with a series of other improvements are said to have reduced the Qashqai’s drag coefficient from 0.34 to 0.33.

The Nissan’s interior is logically laid out – if a little plain – and the build quality is top-notch, with soft-touch plastics and well damped switchgear. There is plenty of storage, too, with a large glovebox and decent door pockets.

The car will be offered with three engines when launched in February. There are two petrol units – an 113bhp 1.6-litre and 138bhp 2.0-litre – and one diesel, the 105bhp 1.5 dCi. The 148bhp 2.0 oil-burner will arrive in June.

While the smaller petrol unit is expected to account for the majority of sales, it’s the larger diesel which is our pick of the line-up. The Renault-sourced unit is punchy, responsive and superbly refined. Its 320Nm of torque peaks at only 2,000rpm, but it doesn’t run out of breath further up the rev range.

Exotic Car Wallpaper

How to define an exotic car?

• Exotic cars are consider sexy and “exoticious”.
• It is hilarious to drive! Shifting mechanisms, cool starter buttons and flat bottom steering wheels.
• The car is extremely different shape and size than common cars.
• It not really costs hundreds of thousands dollars. (For example: a humble price of Lotus Elise is considered as an exotic car)
• Some of the door of these cars has the spring forward and it can be opened like a wing of an aeroplane.
• Powerful engines, and usually the engine were installed in the rear of the car.
• Pimped out cars are not considered as exotic but exotic car can be pimped.
• It can’t be seen on road always! The possibility to see 2 exotic cars bumper to bumper in a traffic jam is nearly 0!
• Usually the car owner treats it as a toy more than as a vehicle for daily use.
• The production is usually limited or very small.
• Sweet car girls are a necessity to stand beside an Exotic car in any car show!
• Usually it has a very creative car advertisement.

2010 Volvo C30 Facelift HEICO SPORTIV

The new Volvo C30 stands for individualism and ecologi-cally friendly driving. Volvo tuner HEICO SPORTIV is sharpening this profile ... in every respect.

“The future of our business model lies in the intelligent combination of performance-oriented products and ecological sustainability,” explains HEICO SPORTIV general manager, Holger Hedtke.

A philosophy that accompanies every step of the new Volvo C30 product development process. With the Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe, HEICO SPORTIV will be launching the economy model as the basis for the extensive individualization program.

The standard factory specifications of the Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe already offer a wide range of innovative technologies such as start/stop driving with brake-energy recovery, reducing fuel consumption to 3.9 liters/100 km* (* Combined, in accordance with prescribed measurement technique (RL80/1268/EWG)). The Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe covers the classic zero to 100 km/h sprint in just 9.2 seconds, beating its series-produced counterpart by 2.1 seconds! A maximum speed of 200 km/h is also attainable, 10 km/h faster than the series version.

“This is our basic starting point for proving that ecologically friendly action and the pleasure of driving don’t need to be mutually exclusive,” says Holger Hedtke. “In doing so, aerodynamically optimized components such as the radiator grille or under-floor intentionally remain untouched.”

The HEICO SPORTIV Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe features a remodeled design elements at the front and rear. The HEICO SPORTIV front spoiler – which replaces the original lower base section of the bumper – consists of fiber-strengthened polyurethane and is fixed using the existing anchorage points. The same applies to the rear valence which mimics the front spoiler’s laterally arranged air vents and has a centrally placed diffuser element. The rear valence serves to accommodate the HEICO SPORTIV four pipe stainless steel exhaust system.

The Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe is available from HEICO SPORTIV with a starting price tag of ca. EUR 29,900; the parts will naturally also be deliverable individually from spring 2010.

2010 Bentley Mulsanne

2010 Bentley Mulsanne

2010 Bentley Mulsanne

2010 Bentley Mulsanne

2010 Bentley Mulsanne

2010 Bentley Mulsanne

2010 Bentley Mulsanne