Hot Cars

LED Headlights Find Their Way to High-End Automobiles

While LED taillight technology has found its way into a wide range of sedans, wagons, sports cars and SUVs/crossovers, LED headlights are just now starting to find their way into the automotive sector. When used in taillights, LEDs provide better packaging efficiency, faster response times and longer life than traditional bulbs. More efficient packaging with LED technology also allows designers greater liberty in creating unique headlight designs for vehicles.

Toyota was the first to enter the LED headlight fray with the announcement that its Lexus LS 600h L luxury sedan would feature LED headlights. This is an addition to the vehicle’s hybrid powertrain, 30GB HDD navigation system, radar-based cruise control, Intuitive Park Assist and countless other features.

And just recently, VAG announced that its Audi R8 mid-engined sports coupe would also feature LED technology. The LEDs are used for all headlight functions including dipped beam, main beam, daytime running lights and turn signal indicators. Audi also uses LEDs for the taillights and to provide indirect light for the engine which can be seen under glass.

But for all the advantages of the technology, Visteon has demonstrated that LED technology does have its drawbacks when used in automotive applications. Heat buildup can be a problem as well as the close proximity of the LEDs to the engine compartment which presents even more heat-related challenges. Furthermore, LEDs require precise electronic control to function properly.

Despite the disadvantages – which are sure to be resolved in the coming years –LED lighting in automobiles is the future. Likely within the next few years, we’ll start to see the technology trickle down to more mainstream automobiles as new technology often does.

The New Toyota Auris

Toyota announced the first details of the Auris, a new core model in its range that will play a key role in advancing its brand ambitions in Europe. Auris, which is designed and built in Europe, will join Yaris and Avensis in spearheading the company’s progress towards its newly-announced target of 1.2 million annual sales in Europe by 2008.

Auris has been created to meet the changing demands of the crucial C-segment family hatchback market. It offers a dynamic design and striking features and delivers the well-established hallmark Toyota values of superior quality, innovation and driving pleasure.

In creating Auris, the designers worked from the inside out, an approach that maximises usable space in the cabin and ensures high levels of passenger comfort through elements such as a flat rear passenger floor and high window surfaces. Built on an all-new platform, Auris has an overall length of 4,220mm and a long, 2,600mm wheelbase, giving excellent stability and ride quality. With an overall height of 1,515mm and width of 1,760mm, it provides generous interior accommodation.

The interior is distinguished by innovative design that works to harmonise driver and passenger with the car. At the front the sculpted console forms a bridge that’s not just elegant, but is practical, too, raising the gear lever and other controls to the perfect ergonomic height.

The design work was undertaken at Toyota’s European styling studio ED 2 , following the principles of Toyota’s Vibrant Clarity design philosophy – forward looking and energetic, while retaining clarity of purpose and rationality. The production model retains many of the design cues from the Auris Space Concept, which Toyota premiered at this year’s Paris motor show, including a high waistline, short overhangs and forward balance of the cabin architecture.

On the outside, Auris has a strong, dynamic appearance that expresses its driving character. The wide body and track give a stable look and the sharply-defined architecture of the car creates a crisp, fresh feel.

The Auris model line-up will cover the full range of current and future customer demand in the European C-segment. At launch it will be offered in three and five-door hatchback body styles with a choice of two petrol engines (1.4 VVT-i and 1.6 Dual VVT-i) and three diesels (1.4, 2.0 and 2.2 D-4D), all of which meet Euro IV emissions standards.

The new 1.6-litre petrol engine uses a dual VVT-i valve timing system for highly efficient combustion, raising fuel efficiency and increasing power.

The 2.0-litre D-4D 130 engine has a power output of 124bhp and was first utilised in the 2007 Avensis, launched a few months ago. The 2.2 D-4D 180 is equipped with Toyota’s unique D-CAT clean diesel technology, which simultaneously reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate emissions.

Auris will be presented for the first time at the Bologna motor show on 5 December. UK sales will start in February 2007, in advance of other European markets, which will offer the car from next spring.

2007 Audi Q7 Receives Five-Star Crash Test Ratings From NHTSA

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week gave the 2007 Audi Q7 their highest-possible ratings for front and side crash protection. The Audi Q7 received five-star ratings for driver and passenger protection in frontal crash tests, and five-star ratings for front and rear passenger protection in side impact crash tests. The Audi Q7 also received a roll-over rating of four- stars.

“Time and time again, Audi has demonstrated a strong commitment to safety,” said Johan de Nysschen, Executive Vice President of Audi of America, Inc. “We knew the Audi Q7 would be one of the safest SUVs available when we were developing it, and these test results confirm our position.”

The 2007 Audi Q7 comes standard with the latest safety features such as quattro(R) all-wheel drive, dual-front and front-side airbags, Sideguard(TM) head curtain air bags that protect all three rows of passengers, pre- tensioning three-point seatbelts for all passengers, LATCH child-seat anchoring system, ABS, and Electronic Stabilization Program with roll-over detection.

Audi Side Assist, which warns the driver of vehicles in their blind spot at speeds over 30 mph, and rear-side airbags for the second row are optional safety features. The 2007 Audi Q7 3.6 has a price of $39,900 before destination.

2007 BMW 3-Series Convertible Unveiled

BMW released initial details on the 2007 3-Series convertible, which will go on sale early next year. The car will make its debut at the Detroit auto show in January. Like its coupe counterpart, the cabriolet will be offered in both 328i and 335i editions in North America, and 325i and 335i guises in Europe. BMW says the 306 horsepower 335i model will reach 62 mph in 5.8 seconds.

The model now comes with a three-piece electronically-operated retractable hard-top - a first for BMW. Because the roof features a larger rear glass windscreen and side windows, visibility has improved by 38 per cent compared to the outgoing model.

The initial photography released by BMW does not show the new convertible with its top up. More images are expected this week.

New High-tech Engine In The Audi A6

A new ultra-modern V6 power unit with a displacement of 2.8 litres will be available for the Audi A6 and A6 Avant from 20 October 2006. The engine has an output of 154 kW (210 bhp) and achieves 280 Nm of torque, available constantly from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm.

As well as FSI petrol direct injection, the V6 thus for the first time features a highly efficient but astonishingly simple valve control technology – the innovative Audi valvelift system. What this means for Audi drivers is even more driving fun, on appreciably less fuel.

The new technology has the purpose of controlling valve lift variably in two stages. The Audi valvelift system implements so-called cam pieces, which are located on the inlet basic camshafts and can be displaced longitudinally. They carry two cam contours, side by side, for small and large valve travel. Depending on their position, the inlet valves are opened in accordance with the prevailing load requirements via roller cam followers.

In conjunction with an array of complementary measures that promote reduced friction at numerous components, the Audi valvelift system reduces fuel consumption by around ten percent. The 2.8-litre FSI, which has plenty in reserve in every situation thanks to its substantial torque and high output, will use only on average 8.7 litres of premium-grade petrol in the Audi A6. The A6 2.8 FSI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 7.9 seconds and continues on rapidly to reach its top speed of 243 km/h.

The Audi A6 2.8 FSI will be available to customers from the end of November 2006. The starting price of the saloon with 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive will be 37,300 euros; the A6 Avant 2.8 FSI has a price tag of 39,500 euros (both incl. 16 percent VAT).

New Affordable Peugeot 107 ‘Urban Lite’ Model Joins

Peugeot is introducing a new 107 entry-model called ‘Urban Lite’ providing a safe, economical and value-for-money city car, with high-quality trim. Prices for the ‘Urban Lite’ model start from £6,895 (£7,245 for 5dr), and will be in Peugeot dealer showrooms from November.

The new model uses the 68bhp 3-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine, capable of 100mph and 61.8mpg (Combined Cycle), features as standard: electric power steering, driver and passenger airbags, stereo radio / single CD player with MP3 socket, ABS with EBFD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) and CSC (Cornering Stability Control). ‘Urban Lite’ models are available in Laser Red, Citrus Yellow or Raven Black.

The more highly-specified current 107 ‘Urban’ model (3dr at £7,345) also features remote central door locking, electric windows, 50/50 split folding rear seats with ISOFIX mountings, body-coloured door mirrors and door handles, side-rubbing strips and rigid removable luggage cover. A 2-Tronic ‘auto’ Urban model is also available.

A range of options is available, and includes items like: front fog lights (£219), rear parking aid (£199), rear spoiler (£199) and an alarm system (£189).

Emitting just 109g/km of CO 2 , the 107 operates within Band B (101 to 120g/km), attracting just a £40 vehicle excise duty.