While most other manufacturers participating in the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show, were busy trying to steal the show with their new models sporting glitzy designs and displaying promising concepts, Japanese auto giant Honda seemed to focus on the greener side of things by exhibiting various plug-in hybrid and electric-vehicle concepts, including the yet-to-be-named Jazz-based Honda EV concept.
A Kia Optima Hybrid has set a new Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid gasoline vehicle (which is a new category) by driving through 48 adjoining U.S states. In order to qualify, the Optima was required to achieve a minimum of 4.53 litres/100 km.
While most manufacturers these days are too busy either refining their V8 engines for maximum efficiency, or refining the interior appointments by increasing the size of their in-dash touchscreens, Ford seems to be heading for a different dimension altogether as evident in their latest Evos Concept.
The world’s leading automaker, Toyota, has officially announced the mass-production of their second generation RAV-4 EV (Electric Vehicle), in collaboration with Tesla, an electric-vehicle and EV powertrain manufacturer.
Bridgestone Middle East has just launched the ECOPIA EP100A tyre for the Middle East and Africa markets, at an event in Dubai, UAE. Bridgestone “rises up to the challenge in helping our planet” with this tyre, which apparently saves fuel thanks to lower rolling resistance.
So it is the Lexus LS600h L Landaulet that is in limelight here, and not the wedding ceremony of H.H Prince Albert II of Monaco for which the LS600h L Landaulet was exclusively designed and prepared. Just as the fate of the German makers of the only other Landaulet model is hanging on a thin strand of cobweb, Lexus marches in boldly with their finest piece of engineering till date.
So here comes another visual treat for the hardcore Honda fanboys from Mugen, Honda’s racing arm. And this time it isn’t a boring Accord or a Civic sedan, but a more purposeful CR-Z hybrid coupe, Mugen’s version being dubbed the CR-Z Mugen.
The Dutch-built Superbus was shown to the media at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi a few days ago. Fully electric and designed to be capable of 250 kph while carrying 23 passengers, it is being pitched as the next-generation solution to the Dubai-Abu Dhabi commute.
Ford is one of the leading global carmakers who were struck hard by recession, forcing them to exercise business process reengineering and adopt new business strategies. Consequently, the car manufacturer who used to produce nothing more than some fuel hogging, unreliable metal crap now manufacture cars that make the leading players sweat hard – that is the tale of the American Ford. The Blue Oval exists in the European region with an entirely different face, boasting a lineup with such commendable levels of quality and reliability that has always put the Americans in infinite envy. Except for the damage caused by the reputation of the products from American Ford,
Rumours persist that Toyota wants to bring back its iconic sports car, the Supra. Not to be mistaken with company’s upcoming model, FT-86, the plan was initially to release both side by side, although now it looks like it will possibly happen further down the line.