Toyota RAV4 2014- Review

Bengt Halvorson:

With last year's redesign, the Toyota RAV4 became better-equipped and more value oriented; but at the same time it lost some of the features that had made this model so popular in its last generation—like its optional V-6 and third-row seat.

Taken in perspective, the 2014 Toyota RAV4 leaves room for the larger Highlander, which had been squeezed upscale by the last RAV4, and it brings its bearings back firmly to the compact segment. But last year's redesign did bring some important new changes, in the way of updated transmission, better safety features, and updated safety gear. As it stands, the RAV4 is the middle-ground pick for pragmatists: with more room than the perky Ford Escape yet road manners that are just a little more alert than those in the Honda CR-V.

Last year's redesign purged one of the remaining vestiges of the RAV4's history: the tailgate-mounted spare. This year it's history, and the more hatchback-style flow and lower stance, pitch the RAV4 headlong into a lookalike bin filled with the Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, even Mazda CX-5. Arguably, the RAV4 has a more carlike face than them all, but it doesn't pull off such a clean design in back as the CX-5. The taillamps er XT. are pointy and shelf out, all in the name of meeting safety regulations. Inside, there's some discord in the cockpit; this is a case in which the RAV4 limited and its many trims and surfaces leave us admiring the basic RAV4 LE's simplicity.

Once upon a time—just a couple of model years ago—there were V-6 models of the RAV4 that were surprisingly quick; but the current RAV4 gives up those chances of a transcendent upgrade in favor of a better ride and more carlike handling. There's only a 176-horsepower four-cylinder under the hood now, but the six-speed automatic with sport-shift mode saves it. Consider the 0-60 mph time of under nine seconds, and the RAV4 isn't quick, but it's quick enough for most family needs. The new RAV4 is responsive, although never sporty in the same way as a Ford Escape or Subaru Forester XT. Yet at the same time, the RAV4 rides lower, with well-weighted electric power steering and a good sense of center. All-wheel drive is just a $1,400 upgrade, and we like how the system works not only for inclement weather conditions but also for on-the-road handling. There isn't much of a range in the way the RAV4 rides and handles, but for a slightly better ride we'd stick with the 17-inch tires on LE and XLE versions.

The RAV4 didn't become significantly larger with last year's redesign, but smarter packaging made it more passenger-friendly. Base versions come with a cheaper upholstery and seats that are less supportive, while XLE versions include more firmly bolstered seats and nicer fabrics that we wish were standard across the board. The synthetic leather upholstery in Limited models looks great from a few feet away, but up close it looks shiny and cheap. Seating space in the RAV4 is about on par with the CR-V—definitely more generous than the Escape. But there are some flaws: The back bench is less supportive than adults will expect, and its flip/fold mechanism is one step shy on slickness, although cargo space is excellent. Limited versions get a power tailgate.

Safety ratings are top-notch for the most part, but the RAV4 has one unforgivable blemish: a 'Poor' rating in the new IIHS small overlap frontal test. Otherwise, the RAV4 ups its safety ante with eight standard airbags, including knee airbags. Bluetooth is also standard across the board; a rearview camera is also included, while Limited models include blind-spot monitors with cross-traffic alerts.

LE, XLE, and Limited models of the 2014 Toyota RAV4 are offered. At the base level, the RAV4 LE comes with power locks, windows, and mirrors; air conditioning; cruise control; tilt/telescoping steering; steering-wheel audio and phone controls; and an AM/FM/CD player controlled, through a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen. We tend to think that the base RAV4 LE or mid-range XLE models are the best deal. The XLE adds dual-zone automatic climate control; a sunroof; and fog lights, to which the Limited adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Limited include a power driver seat and those 18-inch wheels.

Major options on the RAV4 include navigation on the XLE and Limited, with Entune app connectivity and satellite radio; and on the Limited, a JBL audio system with 576 watts of power and 11 speakers.Audio systems are noteworthy in the RAV4. For 2014, there are four different levels of Entune touch-screen audio, with the top two levels incorporating the App Suite—Bing for search; iHeartRadio and Pandora for audio streaming; MovieTickets.com, OpenTable®, and Yelp for going out; and real-time traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports and stocks.

The Toyota RAV4 has come a long way, evolving from what the niche activity vehicle that it originally was in the 1990s to what, for many buyers, is a primary family vehicle—a substitute for a mid-size sedan. Yet with a more limited lineup in this latest iteration of the RAV4, introduced last year, and redesigned versions of the Ford Escape and Subaru Forester arriving in the past couple of years, the competition is especially strong.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA crossover revealed ahead of Frankfurt motor show

 

Mercedes-Benz will show its new-for-2015 GLA -- its first-ever shot at the compact SUV class -- at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show in September. The GLA will arrive in U.S. showrooms in fall 2014.

The GLA is a sharp, muscular-looking little thing, measuring 173.9 inches long and 58.8 inches high. The little SUV, set to battle the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque, is the first Mercedes SUV available with the (optional) new-generation permanent all-wheel drive system (4MATIC) with fully variable torque distribution.

Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbo four developing 208 hp and 258 lb ft of torque, good enough for a 6.4-second sprint to 60 mph. The engine is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. Stop-start is standard. Suspension is McPherson struts in front and multilink rear. 18-inch wheels are standard, 19 inchers are optional.

Mercedes promises high-quality materials inside, with a heavy emphasis on horizontal surfacing and tight gaps. You can choose aluminum or wood trim.

Of course there is safety equipment galore, including what Benz calls Collision Prevention Assist Plus: If potential for an accident arises and the driver doesn't respond, the system will brake the car at speeds up to 124 mph. The system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles up to 18 mph, and can prevent rear-end collisions at speeds up to 12 mph. You'll also find blindspot and lane-keeping assist and optional park assist.

There is also a long list of infotainment features, including full smart-phone integration, internet connectivity, applications such as Facebook and Twitter, and street view on the nav system.

BMW i3, electric 3-series with 100-mile range

FRANKFURT, Germany - BMW AG is showing off the production model of its new i3 electric compact that uses carbon-fiber materials to keep the weight down and improve driving performance.

Chief executive Norbert Reithofer stressed at a Manhattan unveiling that the car was designed as an electric from the ground up. The i3 is "born electric," he said.

The company says the i3, built in Leipzig, Germany, will go from zero to 62 mph in 7.2 seconds. Its range is billed as 80-100 miles. Models with an optional range extender gas engine can go as far as 200 miles.

Toyota Emirates Drifting Team secures 2nd place in round 6 of Drift UAE

In the final round of this season’s Drift UAE held at Yas Marina Circuit, Toyota Emirates Drifting Team, represented by Ahmed Al Ameri, grabbed 2nd place after an amazing display of poise and tyre smoke in front of hundreds of UAE drifting fans.

Al Ameri describing his performance said, “Tonight’s competition was amazing and the fans’ continuous encouragement made it even greater. My practice runs were fantastic meaning I qualified in top position, with a large margin, and went directly to the semi-finals. An unavoidable error in the final round prevented me from getting the 1st place I was striving for but I’m delighted with 2nd position today and finishing 4th in the overall championship. Ending the season on a high note will definitely give Toyota EDT a push for the next season with our Toyota 86.”

THREE STUDENT TEAMS TO REPRESENT THE UAE IN F1 in SCHOOLS WORLD FINALS

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 14th May 2013:  With less than six months to go until the 2013 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit was the scene of another F1 this week when it hosted more than 200 student competitors in the 5th annual F1 in Schools UAE National Finals presented by Mubadala.

Supported by parents, education officials and VIPs, competition between the 37 Senior and Junior teams was fierce as they went head to head in a bid to secure the title of UAE Professional Category Champions. As a result, three teams – ADROIT INFINITUM from The Indian High School in Dubai, Strike Automobiles from The School of Research Science in Dubai, and All-female Emirati team Popcom from Al Shohub School for Girls in Abu Dhabi – of the UAE’s best and brightest will represent the country in the F1 in Schools World Finals in Austin, Texas later this year.
Abdulla Al Shammari, F1 in Schools Manager at Yas Marina Circuit said the competition highlighted both the level of talent of UAE students as well as its growing Formula One fan base:

“Every student here today at the F1 in Schools National Final is a champion. If the dedication, passion of the students, and the quality of the work on display here today is any indication, the future of F1 and motorsport in the UAE is very bright.”
The two-day competition saw teams participate in a series of competitions that included team presentations, a team pit stop display, and head to head racing. At the end of the day, ADROIT INFINITUM, a team from The Indian High School in Dubai, was named the UAE Professional Category Champions 2013.  In addition to the overall champion title, the team won Best Engineered Car but it was another team from The Indian High School, VELOX, who earned the Fastest Car Award.
ADROIT INFINITUM’s Team Manager Malvikha Manog said the team was thrilled to be able to represent the UAE later this year at the F1 in Schools World Finals. “This is supposed to be our last year to participate as a student as we are going to grade 12, a very important educational year for us. We are so happy that we did it and we won! The feeling is great for all of us.”Malathy Mansingh, the F1 coordinator and supervisor of the technology department at the Indian High School in Dubai, said the school started participating in 2010 and have represented the UAE in the World Finals previously: “The kids, through this programme, learn a lot of life skills: team spirit, problem solving and learning how to take the loss and the win equally. I see the students that are involved in this program become so mature and I can argue that they can run their own business and more importantly they enjoy learning.”
Ruba Al Attas, the 16-year-old Finance Manager for Team Popcom confirmed the value of participating in F1 in Schools. “F1 in Schools is a great experience. It’s a learning experience,” she said.
Taking top spot in the F1 Junior Challenge 2013 Competition was Blazing Flames from Al Yasmina School, Abu Dhabi. The team was very excited about their win. “My heart was beating so fast during the competition,” said 10-year-old team member Hindh Imad. “It feels really good to win,” added team captain Riley Forbes.
Since 2010, more than 2,500 UAE students have participated in the F1 in Schools programme in the UAE. The programme aims to introduce engineering into the classroom through the excitement of F1 racing sees student teams develop and build all aspects of an F1 team. In addition to designing, building and racing small scale F1 cars, the teams are also tasked with designing a team identity, collateral and uniforms as well as securing sponsorships and marketing their teams.
Members of the Professional Category Champions 2013 team, Ardroit Infinitum, Indian High School Dubai.  Malvikha Manoj - Team Manager, Radhika Gupta - Marketing Manager, Mohamed Nassif - Manufacturing Engineer, Dhruv Kapoor - Design Engineer, Rahul Gupta - Graphic Designer and Jonathan Paulson, Resource Manager Supervising Teacher is Ms Malathy Mansingh.

A car that goes 1,000 km with just a litre of fuel

A team of engineering students in the UAE have designed a car that could potentially travel up to 1,000 km on just one litre of fuel.
The lightweight vehicle -- named Eco-Dubai 1 -- is in its final stage of construction and will begin testing in the next two weeks.
The product of almost two years of work by students at the Higher Colleges of Technology Dubai Men's College, the vehicle is half a metre wide, two metres long and half a metre high and weighs about 25 kg.
It will enter a race in July against similarly designed cars from around the world, including four other vehicles produced in the UAE.
Ahmad Khamis Al Suwaidi, one of the students behind the car, said: "Petrol is not going to last forever. One day we're going to run out. So in terms of developing a local eco-car industry, it starts with us. We're the future of the UAE in this."
The students will put their creation to the test at Shell's Eco-Marathon to be held July 4-7 in Kuala Lumpur.
The competition is based on designing a car that can travel the farthest on just one litre of fuel.
Students are allowed to use electricity, solar or hybrid technologies to reach their goal.
The record for the longest distance travelled is held by students from France's Polytech Nantes University, who designed a car that travelled almost 4,900 km.
--IANS/WAM

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4MATIC

With bold new styling, a fresh new cabin and refreshing efficiency, the 2013 GLK-Class delivers the spirited character of a Mercedes-Benz sport sedan in a capable, compact SUV.
The redesigned 2013 GLK-Class isn't just bold on the outside. Its muscular yet elegant body is merely the outward reflection of its innate Mercedes-Benz virtues. Rugged from its core and rewarding from behind the wheel, its standard 19-inch wheels, rear spoiler and dual exhaust reveal its race-bred soul.

Inner beauty for the upwardly mobile.

Dramatically redesigned and impeccably detailed, the GLK-Class cabin reaches new heights in style, while leaping to the forefront of technology. Vivid color displays, intuitive controls and advanced multimedia systems put a world of enjoyment at your fingertips, and put everyone aboard in the lap of luxury.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4MATIC looks damn good. I absolutely love the strong lines, aggressive front grille with the massive chrome Mercedes logo and the mock push bar (part of the standard AMG Sport Package). Just the right amount of chrome accents are thrown on the exterior to bump up the class factor. The almost-too-small rear spoiler and 20" five twin-spoke wheels add a touch of "sporty" to the overall look, as well.

Step inside the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4MATIC and that manly, assertive look continues. I immediately thought "military" the moment I sat in the 8-way power adjustable driver's seat. From the symmetrical, mounted buttons on the leather-wrapped steering wheel to the propeller-blade air vents to the button-loaded but oh-so-organized middle console, there's something extremely strict about the interior design - very German. Everything has its place, everything has its purpose and nothing is overdone. And I love it.

While I'm not a huge fan of the Mercedes-Benz COMAND entertainment and navigation system, it's not impossible to use and quite easy to get used to. I also found the placement of the control knob a bit uncomfortable. As I am on the shorter side of the spectrum, my seat has to be pushed farther forward than most, so in order to use the system control knob ahead the middle console arm rest I had to angle my elbow out as it would have met with the end of the seat and my hand would never reach the knob. And because of this, I was required to take my eyes off the road and look down each time I wished to use the knob while driving, just to make sure my arm was angled enough to reach it.

Other than that, the interior of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4MATIC is well-built and comfortable for long or short journeys. It also offers a fair amount of cargo space with 450 litres available in the trunk.

Suzuki’s New C-segment Crossover Concept

Suzuki’s unveiling of the S-Cross—a concept car which heralds the company’s next-generation C-segment crossover model. The new crossover will be the first in an ambitious programme of annual European model launches which Suzuki will be starting in 2013.

Suzuki’s future model strategy
Suzuki has established a reputation for producing cars which make everyday life more exciting. These cars reflect a brand strategy which is expressed through the company’s slogan “Way of Life!”. Suzuki has always been focusing on creating models—such as the Alto—which are characterised by small environmental footprints and low running costs thanks to exceptionally low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Now the company plans to launch models which top their segments in terms of environmental performance even more. The production model of the S-Cross concept will be one of those with the lowest CO2 emissions in the C-segment crossover cars.

The crossover pioneer
Since launching the Jimny (originally the LJ series) in 1970, Suzuki has expanded its lineup of off-road vehicles to include models such as the Vitara and Grand Vitara; the company has earned a reputation as the pioneer of compact sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Meanwhile, Suzuki has gained incomparable know-how in the development of compact passenger cars. And since the latter half of the 1980s, the company has been refining its performance technologies in the field of motor sport. In 2006, Suzuki united its advanced technologies in the form of the SX4 sport crossover—a vehicle which offers relaxing city driving and great performance on snow and rough roads. With the SX4 Suzuki created the crossover category in Europe and has driven its growth. Suzuki is the crossover pioneer.

Smart Crossover for more freedom in daily life
The new model heralded by the S-Cross will mark Suzuki’s full-scale entry into the market for C-segment crossovers. The new vehicle’s features and functions will be designed primarily for comfort. It will also offer a high degree of practicalityby providing one of the largest luggage areasfor C-segment crossover cars.
Suzuki is also ensuring that the new crossover inherits the on-road handling and performance excellence of the Swift series, the SX4 and the Kizashi. And Suzuki is adopting systems which represent an evolution in the four-wheel-drive performance that is part and parcel of its heritage.

The new model will offer drivability which encompasses gentle, fuel-saving driving, more sporty driving, and even driving on snow. It will maximize the enjoyment of day-to-day tasks
such as commuting or carrying children as well as the pleasure of longer trips at weekends; in short, it will allow people to get the most out of urban lifestyles. It will perfectly embody
Suzuki’s vision of a smart crossover for more freedom in daily life.

The new crossover will join the Alto, Splash, Swift, SX4, Kizashi, Jimny and Grand Vitara in a lineup which already includes A-, B- and C-segment passenger cars and SUVs. Suzuki will
continue to expand its range to meet a wider range of user needs.

The S-Cross design

    Emotion is expressed by dynamic lines running from the front bumper to the rear of the body, by chrome-plated features which extend deep into the body from LED foglamps in
    the front bumper, and by LED headlamps and tail lamps with organic designs suggesting the muscles of an animal.
    Quality is expressed by a mesh front grille consisting of dark chrome and silky chrome and by innovatively designed roof rails which are flush with the roof line when not in use.
    Aerodynamics is expressed by a roofline which slopes downwards towards the rear and by smooth contours on the sides of the front bumper, at the bottom of the doors and on the sides of the rear bumper. The shape of the body helps the vehicle meet increasingly tough demands for fuel economy.
    Crossover toughness is expressed by a front skid plate, by boldly flared wing arches and under mouldings, and by 20-inch chrome wheels.

Body colour
A specially created Crystal Green Metallic body colour has intensity and radiance which create a dynamic impression in the minds of onlookers. The image it evokes is one of “nature in the city and the city in nature”.

Specifications (mm)
Overall length 4,310
Overall width 1,840
Overall height 1,600
Wheelbase 2,600
Tyres 235/55R20

Volkswagen XL 1

The 111kmpl Volkswagen XL1
After working on the idea for over a decade, Volkswagen has revealed the near-production version of the XL1, a two-seat, plug-in diesel hybrid designed to be the world's most energy-efficient automobile. VW estimates the XL1 can get up to 111 kilometre per litre — although with a time to 100 kmph of 12.7 seconds, it won't get there quickly.

Year Make Model:  ---------------------------  2014 Volkswagen XL1
Vehicle type:   ----------------------------------- RWD 2dr 2-passenger coupe
Assembly location:  ----------------------------  Osnabruck, Germany
Configuration:   --------------------------------- Tranverse, midengine, rear-wheel drive
Engine type:  ------------------------------------ Two-cylinder turbodiesel
Displacement (cc/cu-in):   --------------------- 800/48.8
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):   -------------------- 47
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): --------------------------   89
Fuel type:   --------------------------------------- Diesel
Hybrid type:   ------------------------------------ Series-parallel plug-in
Electric motor rating (kW):  ------------------  27
Combined horsepower (hp @ rpm):   ------- 68
Combined torque (lb-ft @ rpm):  ------------  103
Battery type:    -----------------------------------Lithium-ion
Battery capacity, rated (kW-hr):  ------------  5.5
Plug-in type (110v/220v):  ---------------------  110-volt
Plug-in driving range, mfr. claim (mi.):   ----- 31
Transmission type:   ------------------------------ Seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual
Suspension, front:   ------------------------- Independent, double wishbone, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Suspension, rear:  ---------------------------  Independent, semi-trailing arm, coil springs
Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.):  -----------  1,749
Length (in.):   --------------------------------- 153.1
Width (in.):   ------------------------------------- 65.6
Height (in.):   ----------------------------------- 45.3
Wheelbase (in.):   ----------------------------- 87.6

C-Class and M-Class get top marks in more stringent US crash test

Dubai, 24 February 2013 – Since the American crash test program US NCAP was made more stringent in 2010, only a few vehicles have achieved the highest assessment with five stars. These elite vehicles include the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and M-Class. These both also achieved top marks in the European Euro NCAP rating and in the test by the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), thereby confidently mastering three of the most challenging international safety ratings. This underlines Mercedes-Benz's exceptional position as a pioneer in safety and a technical trendsetter.
The manufacturer-independent US NCAP rating (US New Car Assessment Program) is similar to its European counterpart Euro NCAP in many regards. However, the US program significantly tightened up many of the requirements in 2010, also including additional tests in the rating. This resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of five-star results. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class and M-Class are among the few vehicles to have achieved the top result of five stars according to the new criteria which are based on real-life accident scenarios.
Unlike the Euro NCAP, the updated US rating uses a significantly heavier deformable barrier (1368 kg compared with 950 kg) for the side collision in order to comply with the increased average weight of modern American vehicles. Another example: A rigid barrier is constructed for the frontal collision instead of a deformable barrier. The vehicle also hits the barrier with a full overlap (40 percent in Euro NCAP). The test program has also been expanded to include a lateral angled pole impact.
The assessment criteria have also been made significantly more stringent. The probability of serious injury to the head (head injury criterion) and the strain on the throat, chest and femur of the driver and front passenger are evaluated. In order to get five stars, the probability of serious injury must be under five percent.
As well as in the challenging new US NCAP rating, the C-Class and M-Class also achieved five-star results in the Euro NCAP, just like all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars have for many years. The American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a private organisation led by various commercial vehicle insurance companies, also declared both Mercedes-Benz model series to be "Top Safety Picks" thanks to their outstanding test results.
Mercedes-Benz believes these national and international safety ratings to be very sensible. However, the safety experts for the premium brand with the three-pointed star will not settle for merely achieving rating targets; instead they work constantly and intensively on achieving a level of safety that exceeds the standards required by all the legislation worldwide.
Actual accident scenarios are therefore an important benchmark for their work. This is why they have been investigating thousands of specific accidents for several years. On this incorruptible basis, Mercedes-Benz has developed a safety concept which not only aims to prevent accidents but also minimize the consequences of them. The experts call the result of their work "Real Life Safety".
Based on this comprehensive safety philosophy, Mercedes-Benz has developed or initiated several modern safety systems that effectively support drivers. One example is the occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®, launched ten years ago. It can activate safety measures for the passengers as a precaution, even before an impending crash. The aim is to prepare the occupants and the vehicle for an imminent collision, by, for example, ensuring that the seat belts and airbags can implement their full protective effect during an impact. PRE-SAFE® is now available in 14 model series right across the Mercedes-Benz model range.
As another indicator of its power of innovation when it comes to occupant protection, Mercedes is further expanding its protection for rear seat passengers with the active belt buckle and the beltbag. An electric motor automatically moves the belt buckle up and down as part of the active belt buckle. This allows belt slack in the pelvis and thorax regions to be reduced and passengers are better secured both laterally and longitudinally. The beltbag is an inflatable belt strap which can reduce the risk of injury to rear-seat passengers in the event of a frontal collision by reducing the forces exerted on the rib cage.

The "Real Life Safety" holistic approach pursued by accident researchers at Mercedes-Benz also increasingly leads to the fusion of comfort and safety, thanks to the implementation of intelligent assistant systems which Mercedes-Benz groups together under the name "Intelligent Drive". This includes systems which could, for the first time, prevent accidents with crossing vehicles or pedestrians, as well as an active lane keeping assist system which could also prevent accidents with oncoming traffic. Anti-dazzle permanent main-beam headlamps are also in development.

Assistance systems like these are not yet generally required by vehicle safety rating systems but various institutions are already starting to request them.
Mercedes-Benz is constantly increasing the performance of these assistance systems. The aim is all-round protection, not only for the occupants of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, but also for all other road users.

Lexus fuels WFES 2013 with hybrid luxury pair

Al Futtaim Motors - Lexus, the exclusive distributor for Lexus in the UAE, was the only luxury and high performance automotive brand present with a two- vehicle display at this year’s World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi demonstrating the Japanese automaker’s credentials as the undisputed world leader in the luxury hybrid segment.

In its third consecutive participation at Abu Dhabi’s future energy signature show, Lexus showcased its new RX 450h and GS 450h vehicles equipped with the cutting-edge Lexus Hybrid Drive technology and other hybrid intelligence systems offering advanced driving information and control features.