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2012 Beijing International Auto Show (Part 2)

Exhibitors at the E3 Stadium: South East Motor, Mitsubishi, Haima, Subaru, BOSE, Hawtai Auto, Chery, and Toyota.

At the E3 Stadium, there are a few famous Japanese car brands including the all-time best seller Toyota. The largest auto maker is putting the Toyota NS4 and Toyota FT-EV III on the concept stage and banking on the all-new Camry, Prius, Prius C, and Toyota 86.

One of China’s biggest car manufacturers Chery is showing off the Chery TX concept car. The launched of the TX concept has given an opportunity to people to believe that SUV can be powerful, masculine, and with style.

Chery TX Concept

As for Subaru, all cameras are pointing at the 2013 Subaru Legacy. The biggest update to the 2013 Subaru Legacy is a new base 2.5-liter DOCH Boxer four-cylinder engine that delivers 173 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. As for transmission, the Legacy is paired with either a six-speed manual or Subaru’s automatic CVT. The ASEAN version looks similar to the US version and it will be a strong competitor for Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

2013 Subaru Legacy

E4 Stadium

The E4 stadium is flooded with all kinds of luxury brands including Zhong Ou, BRABUS, Lotus, Bosch, Koenigsegg, Aston Martin, GMG, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Maserati, Ac Schnitzer, Lorinser, Carat, Mitsuoka, Krystal, Chrysler, and Fiat.

The British luxury car maker Rolls-Royce is also taking part in the show with the Ghost, Phantom Drophead, Phantom Series II (Extended Wheelbase), and a classic Rolls-Royce to capture lights from media’s camera. Few steps close to the Rolls-Royce booth is the Japanese sports car maker who builds unconventional sports cars – Mitsuoka, who is putting the spotlight on the Orochi and Himiko.

Two Koenigsegg sports cars are sitting calmly, waiting to make their debut

The Italian sports car maker Ferrari styled their booth with several prancing horses, including Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari Californiaand the fastest Ferrari to date that takes only 3.1 seconds from 0 – 100 km/h, the F12 Berlinetta. The F12 Berlinetta makes its first ASEAN debut and it will definitely a rare toy.

Ferrari at 2012 Beijing International Auto Show

The heart of a Ferrari F12 – A 740 CV engine that makes the car fly up till 340 km/h

Other than that, some other luxury cars can be seen at the E4 stadium are the Lotus GTE, Lotus Evora IPS, Fiat Viaggio, Fiat 500 Gucci style, Chrysler 300C, and BYD-Daimler Tiger EV.

<< 2012 Beijing International Auto Show Or 2012 Beijing International Auto Show (Part 3) >>

April 23, 2012
2012 Beijing International Auto Show – Ni Hao!

Ni Hao! ??! Welcome to Beijing and Beijing welcome you. The 2012 Beijing International Auto Show is now started!

2012 Beijing Auto Show floorplan

Automobile enthusiasts who have been spending the entire April chasing Motor Show starting from the 2012 Bangkok International Motor Show to the 2012 New York International Auto Show, now it is time to finish the third race in April. The 2012 Beijing International Auto Show will be held from April 23 – May 2, 2012. There will be 10 days of automotive ingenuity in Beijing, China. From April 23 – 26 is VIP and media day and April 27 – May 2 will be opened to public. For those who are around or who do not wish to miss this opportunity, book your ticket and fly to Beijing now! Otherwise, stay tuned at Carsut.com for virtual tour.

This year, the show features 1125 brand new vehicles from all automobile industry sectors including the Lamborghini Urus Concept that stormed out earlier last few days. There will be 120 new vehicles will make its world’s debut at Beijing and these vehicles will be exhibited at nine stadiums from E1-E5 and W1-W4 respectively. So, what are the cars that really worth to see?

Car manufacturers at the E1 Stadium: GAC Changfeng Motor, LIFAN, GAG Group, Brilliance Auto, ZXAUTO, BAIC, and FAW.

Perhaps there are many Chinese car brands that don’t sound familiar to us. Apart from automobiles, the show also features a few sections for car accessories, car audio, and of course, each booth is lured by a great number of sexy and pretty girls.

Car manufacturers at the E2 Stadium: SAIC Motor, SGMW, Shanghai GM, Great Wall, Zotye Auto, and Jonway.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu 1.6T

At E2 stadium, Shanghai GM will take the wraps off the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 1.6T that has grown 2.7 inches wider compared to the previous model. The going-to-be debut Malibu 1.6T is powered by a 1.6-liter Ecotec engine that delivers 186bhp and 235Nm of torque to the front wheels, which is more than enough for most drivers in China. Another car that adds color to the Beijing Auto Show is the Cadillac ATS. The ATS has a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 200hp and it is will be available in 2013 to compete with Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3-Series, and Audi A4.

Cadillac ATS

Roewe will be putting the spotlight on the E50 electric car that will be listed on the China car market somewhere in October. Surprisingly, the Roewe E50 has a range of 190km per charge and top speed of 130 km/h. However, the China Government will market the E50 as a city car although the top speed seems adequate for speedway. Other than E50, the Chinese luxury marque is also showing off the Roewe 550 plug-in hybrid that is capable of conserving 50% more fuel compared with its conventional version.

Roewe E50

Roewe 550 Plug-in Hybrid

Click here to 2012 Beijing International Auto Show (Part 2) >>

April 22, 2012
Can you believe Lamborghini is creating an SUV?

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What??? Are you telling me that the famous Italian sports cars maker is making an SUV? A Sport Utility Vehicle? Yes it is. It is the Lamborghini Urus Concept. The images of Lamborghini’s latest SUV are leaked ahead of its debut at 2012 Beijing Motor Show that will be held next week. The Lamborghini Urus seems to adopt some designs from the Aventador, one of Lamborghini’s flagships. From the front, the concept SUV looks like a jacked-up Aventador. A view from side, it is a blend of supercar with a four-door high-riding hatchback.

Unlike some other supercar makers, Lamborghini has a history with SUV, the Rambo Lambo (Lamborghini LM002) that has only 328 units produced from 1986 until 1993. However, the Urus looks nothing like the Rambo. It is totally a new concept SUV that the Italian car marque would like to target on the SUV market due to the demand for expensive and luxury SUVs.

The specifications and drivetrain details for the Urus is not disclose by Lamborghini yet. The only information leaked on the internet is the Urus is generating around 600 hp and it is an all-wheel drive vehicle. Thanks to many lightweight materials such as carbon fiber, the weight of the car is reduced around 220 pounds compared to all its competitors. Other features found on the car are movable rear spoilers and variable front spoilers with the purpose to increase aerodynamics at high speed for better fuel consumption.

Competitors or similar cars with the Lamborghini Urus Concept: Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Volkswagen Touareg, and Bentley EXP 9F Concept.

Full official details will be available at Carsut shortly. For now, just refresh your eye and enjoy all the images in the gallery.

April 21, 2012
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG opens its wing and rev its engine
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All the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing fans have been waiting so long for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG since decades ago after the production of the renowned 300SL Gullwing discontinued in 1963. Fans who born after 1963 did not stand a chance to buy the 300SL Gullwing as a new car but now the second chance has come. Mercedes-AMG has developed a luxury sports car that has the temper of the 300SL Gullwing but with double power, named the SLS AMG.

The SLS AMG is first introduced in 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. This modernized 300SL Gullwing possess a few characteristics of the 300SL Gullwing including the speed, performance, and the distinctive gull-wing doors that use gas struts to open. This time, Mercedes-AMG makes the car available in two types, coupe and roadster.

300SL Gullwing meets the SLS AMG

Design and Exterior

First look: The car has a really long bonnet compared to some other sports car within the same range. The rear of the car is short and passengers are positioned near to the rear wheels.

Second look: The sports aluminium space frame body is really fantastic. SL SL SL! It means Sport Leicht (Sport Lightweight) in German.

Third look: The DIN kerb weight of the car is only 1,620 kg. It did not feature an auto-closing door otherwise the kerb weight would have an extra of 41 kg (90 pounds).

Fourth look: The height of the SLS AMG coupe is only 49.3 inches which is the nature of all kind of sports car. A lower center of gravity makes the car handle well.

Fifth look: Although the trunk of the coupe look small from the outside but it is practical enough with 6.2 cubic feet.

Sixth Look: The SLS AMG features a small piece of rearwing on top of the trunk that will pop up at high speeds. It can be seen clearly at the beginning of the video above. The rearwing allows a better aerodynamic to the car to increase the stability and handling during high speeds.

Engine and Performance

“SUGOI!” That’s what we have shouted when sit into the car. The performance of the SLS AMG is terrific! Listen to the engine sound from the video above and you will know what we mean. The hand-built AMG 6.3-liter front-mid V8 engine is propelling a top power of 571 hp (420 kW) and a maximum 650 Nm of torque. Combined with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT FCT seven-speed dual-clutch system in a transaxle configuration and an aluminium double-wishbone suspension, the SLS AMG gives supreme handling dynamics when negotiating all kind of sharp corners and swerves. The engine is also designed to use dry sump engine lubrication instead of a conventional wet sump system.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Suspension

What about the speed? The SLS AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 317 km/h (197 mph). As for the Roadster, the performance is virtually the same because the car uses ultralight aluminium soft top although it has an extra 40 kg (88 pounds) compared to the coupe.

Safety

Airbags: Front head airbags, dual front side-mounted airbags, and passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation.

Brake system: The SLS AMG did very well in braking. It is capable to stop from 100 to 0 km/h in shortest time possible in case of emergency. It features AMG’s 15.83-inch carbon-ceramic disc brakes with six-piston aluminium calipers at the front and 14.17-inch carbon-ceramic disc with four-piston calipers at the rear wheels.

Extra Safety: The doors of the SLS AMG coupe can be fully detached to allow passengers to exit from the car in case of a roll-over or any serious accidents.

Interior

Open the gull-wing door and first thing to be noticed is the puristic sports car interior with high emotional appeal. The feeling is like having a thousand volt electric shock when look at it. After the electric shock, anyone will prefer to sit on the AMG sports seats that made of magnesium, light and strong. The wing-shaped dashboard and a center console that looks like a jet’s operating console are truly unique. Four air vents located nicely in front of the drivers evocative the aircraft engines. InChina, people call the SLS AMG “????” which means super exotic sports cars.

Fuel Economy

14 city and 20 highway mpg; 5.95 city and 8.50 highway km/l.

Price
- United States: MSRP from $189,600
- United Kingdom: On the road price from £168,425.00
- China: RMB 3,628,000
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG’s competitors or similar cars: Ferrari 458 Italia, Nissan GT-R, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Audi R8, Ford Mustang BOSS 302, Porsche 911 GT3, Lexus LFA, Lotus Evora S, Porsche Cayman R, BMW 1-Series M.

If we were to rate the sexiest sports car born in 2010/2011, the answer is unquestionably the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG because it consists of three main ingredients that a sports car should have – Sportiness, Luxury, and Elegance.

Mercedes-benz SLS AMG Medical Car

Mercedes-benz SLS AMG E-Cell (Click on the image to enlarge it)

Pictures and Gallery

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April 20, 2012
Hybrid Car List

The first hybrid vehicle was invented by Ferdinand Porsche in 1901, the Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid. It was a horseless carriage with four wheels powered by either gasoline or electric. It is not really practical during that time because most people preferred internal combustion engine. This is because our earth is still having a lot of petroleum during that time. However, fossil fuels are limited and when the gas prices are going up, consumers started to look for hybrid vehicles that give a better fuel consumption. Does this means that the supremacy of gasoline-powered engine is coming to an end after almost a century?

This is the list of hybrid cars and plug-in hybrid cars available for sale in the market since 1990. There are several hybrid vehicles were built before the 90s but it is not included in the list. (more…)

April 19, 2012