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.

2013 Kia Sorento

For its second-generation refresh leading up to a 2015 redesign, Kia sweetened the deal on a 2013 Sorento with a few standardized features, new options and a modernized style. This volume-leading American-made midsize crossover may well be on the smaller side of its class, but there's a lot more than hot air inside. Weighing in at no less than 4,000 pounds, the remarkably well-appointed Kia Sorento is known for dropping jaws—and given this 2013 update with body-color and silver accents, it's building a legacy of turning heads, too.

There wasn't much room for improvement given the Sorento's history of converting even luxury buyers into Kia fans, so it looks like the 2013 lineup basically stays pat minus a Base offering. There's still a choice of 3 engines mated to a nearly flawless 6-speed automatic that pushes power to the front wheels (FWD) by default, or all wheels (AWD) optionally, but so far it appears just the LX, EX and SX trims will return for 2013 to make up the baseline, middle and top of the line, respectively.

As such, pricing and features have changed a bit, mostly to lower the starting tag on the SX, but there are as yet no details on how it will be repackaged. However, we do know the V6-equipped LX gets that roomy third row standard, while 7 passengers remain optional for V6-equipped 2013 EX and SX models. Leather seating is now standard in the EX, the Microsoft-powered UVO infotainment system joins the LX's options list, and the SX now visually differentiates itself with a chrome exhaust tip, LED taillights and larger 18-inch alloy wheels.

Aside from those few tweaks, the 2013 Kia Sorento is the very same Sorento so many renters have fallen for already. Although the baseline unmodified 2.4-liter 175-hp 4-cylinder offered in the EX can be anemic at times, there's always the option to snag the tweaked 191-hp and 181-lb-ft/torque version of the same 4-cylinder, or the LX- and SX-default 276-hp and 248 lb-ft V6 good for 3,500 pounds of towing know-how. All that power comes at the cost of 20 mpg city/26 highway, but the 4-cylinder can get as much as 22/32 mpg, manufacturing mishaps aside. (A good few lemons made it past QC for 2012, so make sure you test-drive the one you're taking home at the very least.)

If the now-baseline LX comes equipped like it did for 2012, feature highlights include heated side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals and a second-row armrest. The Convenience package adds fog lights, roof rails, rear parking sensors, heated front seats, a backup camera with rear-view display and the modified 4-banger for FWD models or third-row seating for V6-equipped LX Sorentos.

The 2012 EX notably added keyless ignition/entry, rear parking sensors, rear air-conditioning for V6 models, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob alongside the voice-activated UVO infotainment system, standard—but the new X Convenience Plus Package available to both the EX and SX adds those leather touches plus an 8-way powered driver's seat, so the standard offering for 2013 is still somewhat in question. The performance-inspired SX came loaded for 2012 with EX options in addition to more aggressive styling, a sport-tuned suspension and metallic interior accents. It's pretty safe to assume whatever the 2013 EX becomes, the SX will be it, loaded and sportier.