Hot Cars

Ford S-Max Awarded Top Euro NCAP Safety Rating

Ford’s new sporty S-MAX has achieved a class-leading five star rating under the Euro NCAP crash test protocol. Together with Focus, Ford now offers two vehicles that achieved a maximum rating in Euro NCAP. With two stars and 13 points, Ford S-MAX also achieved a competitive result for pedestrian protection.

“Through our comprehensive safety approach we are continually improving the active and passive safety of our vehicles,” said Gisbert Gaeb, manager vehicle safety, Ford of Europe. “With the new S-MAX, we have further enhanced our Intelligent Protection System (IPS) by introducing a driver’s knee airbag in combination with a sophisticated collapsible steering column and an ultra stiff body structure. This five-star performance in the Euro NCAP tests clearly underlines our no-compromise strategy to safety.”

Ford’s Intelligent Protection System (IPS) is a holistic approach towards safety. It combines a body structure optimised for strength and crashworthiness with state-of-the-art restraint equipment, driver aids that help avoid an accident and features that lessen the likelihood of injuries in an impact.

Ford S-MAX safety systems include the latest-technology front air bags and a new driver’s knee air bag as well as side-mounted thorax air bags for the front seats plus first- and second-row window curtain air bags. S-MAX also features a three-anchor ISOFIX system for the outer seats of the second row and Ford dealers offer special seats for children of all sizes and ages, which in combination with the ISOFIX system helped secure a four-star child protection rating.

An advanced neck injury protection system is standard on the all-new Ford S-MAX. Together with three-point seat belts, optimised pre-tensioners and load limiters, anti-submarining seat subframes, a collapsible steering system and safety pedals, this adds up to a highly comprehensive set of passive safety features.
In terms of active safety, a number of significant new technologies are targeted at providing new levels of control and accident avoidance for S-MAX. In addition to standard Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and an optional enhanced Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) system.

Ford also offers a host of new driver technologies that significantly help improve safety. All-new driver support systems, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA), Collision Mitigation by Braking (CMbB) and a new active suspension system - with continuously controlled damping – are all available on the Ford S-MAX.

The new Ford S-MAX was fully developed in-house at Ford and is built exclusively at Ford’s Genk plant in Belgium. Production of the S-MAX, together with the new Ford Galaxy, began in April 2006.

Three months after the S-MAX went on sale in Europe, Ford has delivered nearly 9,000 of the all-new people movers – and received more than 30,000 orders. Over half of those buying an S-MAX are new to the Ford Blue Oval, according to market research.

“We are delighted with the response to the new Ford S-MAX from customers and the media,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, product development, Ford of Europe. “We are also very proud of the vehicle’s safety performance and the class-leading Euro NCAP ratings. It shows that we are fully committed to continually improve the safety of our cars.”

2007 Audi TT S-Line Package Unveiled

Audi has released photos of its S-line package for the new TT coupe. Visually, the S-line is differentiated from its stock bretheren by larger intakes in the front bumper, a carbon-fiber chin spoiler located under the shield grille, a new carbon-fiber rear valance and naturally, the ever-so-subtle S-line badging on the front fenders.

European Premiere For The Lexus LS 600h

The LS 600h combines a 5.0-litre V8 engine with a hybrid powertrain – hence the ‘h’ suffix – enabling it to comfortably match the performance of even larger capacity normally-aspirated V12 engines. It will make its European debut on the Lexus stand at the Paris Motor Show on 28 September, presented both in standard and long-wheelbase form. The LS 600h L is 12cm longer overall, providing passengers with even more space and additional comfort features, such as reclining rear seats with built-in massage functions and air conditioning that is controlled according to the body temperature of the people on board.

Lexus Hybrid Drive

The Lexus Hybrid Drive in the LS 600h has a power output of 444bhp (450 DIN hp/330kW), delivers segment-beating fuel consumption of 29.7mpg (combined cycle) and carbon dioxide emissions below 220g/km. The new all-wheel drive system works in tandem with a newly-developed dual-stage, electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission (E-CVT), giving the car excellent linear acceleration capability.

The new LS 600h will be joined on Lexus’s show stand by its hybrid siblings, the RX 400h and the GS 450h, both of which have set new standards in environmentally-conscious performance in the luxury car market.

The RX 400h has revolutionised the premium SUV segment with its unique combination of a high performance, frugal fuel consumption (34.9mpg combined cycle) and CO2 emissions (192g/km) that are up to 30 per cent lower than those of its direct competitors.

The GS 450h is the world’s first hybrid power performance saloon, with genuine sports driving dynamics from its classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. Its 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine is the first in its segment to feature dual fuel injection (port and direct injection), increasing both efficiency and performance. As a result, the GS 450h returns 35.8mpg in combined cycle driving and CO2 emissions of 186g/km, lower than for any competitor in its segment.

These new hybrid models have contributed to growth in Lexus sales throughout Europe: the forecast for 2006 is for a 66 per cent increase to 48,000 units.

Further details of the new LS 600h and LS 600h L will be revealed during the Lexus press conference at the Paris Motor Show, scheduled for 5pm on Thursday, 28 September in Hall 4.

Lexus Planning Hybrid Supercar

Lexus is planning a hybrid version of its forthcoming LF-A supercar, according to a published report. It will likely use the same powerplant as the Lexus 600h sedan, according to the U.K.’s Autocar magazine. The 5.0-liter V8 coupled with an electric motor will produce a total output of 435 horsepower, the magazine said. The car will likely be capable of reaching 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds, and hitting a top speed of over 200 mph. The Autocar report also indicates Toyota has decided to drop the car’s planned V10 engine in favor of a V8.

The move is a part of an effort to closely align the car to F1 racing, which recently transitioned from V10 to V8 engines. Toyota is hoping to capitalize on its major involvement in F1, and is expected to use the car at next year’s Japanese Grand Prix as the official pace car. The event coincides with the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, where the car is expected to be unveiled.

Toyota’s Crowns Take A Beating In China

Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co., a joint venture between Toyota Motor Co. and the Chinese FAW Group, issued a recall on all Toyota Crown sedans built between February 21st through September 20th last year.

The problem is a weak adhesive used to hold the rubber strips that seal the windshield. According to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, the strips could break loose and strike other vehicles or pedestrians. Over 20,000 sedans have been recalled. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries resulting from the issue.

Lotus Exige 265E

This is the Exige 265E - the fastest ever Exige and the first bio-ethanol Lotus. The digits 265 denote the 265PS power output, or 261bhp in old money – up 46bhp over the standard car. The ‘E’ informs people that this car runs on ethanol, alcohol made from the fermentation of crops, mixed with petrol. Using this greener fuel results in a claimed 70 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

The Exige 265E is a development prototype created by Lotus Engineering, the Norfolk firm’s fiendishly clever consultancy arm. In only five weeks between July and August 2006, its engineers completely re-engineered the Toyota engine powering the standard Exige S to run on the wheat-derived fuel.

The result is the fastest road-legal bio-ethanol car (and the fastest Exige) ever built. Performance is sensational - 0-60mph flashes up in only 3.88 seconds before running out of puff at a mind bending 158mph.

Modifications include changes to the fuel system, recalibration of the engine management system, larger fuel injectors, and the addition of two fuel injectors at the supercharger inlet which provide the dual benefit of extra fuel under hard acceleration and cooling of the intake air before combustion.

Geraint Castleton-White, Head of Powertrain for Lotus Engineering says of the Exige 265E research vehicle, “We wanted to prove the point that green sportscars can also be very high performing sportscars.”