Chevrolet is joining the electric revolution the Cruze saloon

Chevrolet is joining the electric revolution. The firm is set to introduce a fleet of demonstration electric models in South Korea, based on the Cruze saloon.

The project is due to begin by the end of October, and is a partnership between GM and electronics firm LG. Much like Audi’s A1 e-tron data gathering exercise which begins in Munich shortly, GM’s electric Cruze’s will be used to gather data about how real world users take to driving cars powered purely by electricity.

The Cruze EVs will have a 31kW/h battery pack, made by LG Chem, which allows a range of up to 100 miles. The car’s electric motor gives respectable performance, with 0-62mph taking 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 103mph.

Charging takes between 8 and 10 hours, although part of the project is to see how well a new quick charge system works when subjected to day-to-day use.

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Chevrolet Cruze starts at $16,995

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, the next significant salvo into the small-car segment, will arrive in September with a base price of just $16,995.

The Cruze, which rides on General Motors' global small-car underpinnings called Delta, is the company's most important small vehicle in years. It features a fuel-efficient powertrain, a relatively handsome appearance and long option list. The car ultimately replaces the Cobalt in Chevy's lineup. Production of that model ends in June. It starts at $14,990.

The base price is for the 1.8-liter Ecotec four-cylinder with a six-speed manual transmission. Electronic stability control, power windows and locks and traction control are standard. It also comes with six months of OnStar service and a three-month XM satellite radio subscription.

The LT, which upgrades to the 1.4-liter Ecotec turbo with a six-speed automatic and 16-inch wheels, is $18,895.

For the same price, buyers can also opt for the Cruze Eco model, which GM says can get up to 40 mpg on the highway. It pairs the 1.4-liter turbo engine with a six-speed manual and features 17-inch alloy wheels, low-rolling-resistance tires and an enhanced aerodynamics package.

The LTZ trim is $22,695 and adds leather, a six-way power driver's seat, Bluetooth, automatic climate control and 18-inch alloy wheels. Power is drawn from the turbo unit working in tandem with the six-speed automatic.

All prices include destination charges.

The long list of options includes a 40-gig hard drive, heated lather seats, upgraded audio and an RS appearance pack.

Volkswagen Touran 7-Seater MPV Receives Second Mid-Life Facelift

For the second time since its introduction in 2003 and four years after the presentation of the revised model in 2006, the Volkswagen Touran 7-seater MPV has yet again been facelifted.

Due to make its world premiere at this month's Auto Mobil International (AMI) motor show, which runs from 10 to 18 April in Leipzig, Germany, the 2011 Touran features a refreshed styling inspired by the new Polo, Golf and Touareg models.

At the front, the Touran gets VW's latest corporate grille along with new headlamp and bumper designs. The rear section of the Touran was also restyled featuring two-piece tail lamps that extend from the wing into the tailgate, while VW's designers also modified the MPV's profile by adding an upwards kink on the rear window section.

Completing the revisions are a set of new alloy wheels and chrome-edged rubbing strips running down the side of the vehicle as well as new exterior mirrors.

Inside the Touran, fresh new trim finishes are joined by a three-spoke steering wheel, a new set of dials featuring subtle white backlighting and a large electronic display plus a revised centre console with chrome highlights that houses new controls for the ventilation system.

The Touran continues to be fitted with seven seats as standard. The third row of can be folded down into the floor leaving a 695 lt loadspace that can be increased to 1,913 lt when the centre row of seats is folded. A total of 39 storage compartments can be found around the new Touran.

Power for the 2011 Touran comes from a range of diesel and gasoline engines, all turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder units.

The new entry-level 1.2-liter TSI gasoline unit with 105HP is joined by a 140HP 1.4-liter TSI offered with 140HP and 170HP, the latter paired with a standard seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox.

The diesel-lineup includes a 1.6-liter TDI with 90HP and 105HP, and a 2.0-liter TDI with 140HP and 170HP.

In addition, the 1.6-litre 140HP and 105HP diesel engines can be specified in BlueMotion Technology trim complete with Start/Stop and, in the case of the latter, the ability to return 4.6lt/100km (58.8mpg US or 70.6mpg UK) on the combined cycle.

Aside from the models that come with standard DSG, all other variants of the Touran are equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Grand Prix back to IndyCar?

At the Bahrain Grand Prix on the last week Formula One Supremo Bernie Ecclestone quoted as saying that the return of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is under consideration. Not so fast, say supporters of the track, who said that if the company is not interested in attracting U. S. Grand Prix ago, speaking now.

Since the first U.S. Grand Prix was held in 1908 French Grand Prix is held at various locations across the country, including Savannah, Milwaukee, Santa Monica, San Francisco, Riverside, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Phoenix, not to mention different races in Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit and Dallas, and even years, during the Indy 500 counted at the world championships in Formula But between them there are huge gaps: There is no competition "has no place between 1917 and 1957, 1981 or 1992 -- '88-'99.

After eight races in Indianapolis, took place between 2000 and 2007 - including a gloomy 2005, when Michelin boycotted the event, six cars from the network - Offshore Racing for the past three calendar years. The automakers continue to compete in the series (after the recent withdrawal of Honda, Toyota and BMW) seek to return as American racing fans

Lexus Is Primed For 2010 With New F-Sport

EPSOM, UNITED KINGDOM – March 9, 2010:

New grade at the heart of changes for the new model year
Sharper looks and new high-tech on-board features are central to Lexus’s revision of its best-selling IS sports saloon for 2010.

Inspired by the ultra-high-performance IS F, the IS range has been extended with a new F-Sport grade that focuses on highly desirable sports styling features.

New F-Sport grade
The new F-Sport grade, available for both IS 250 and 220d models, takes its cue from the high impact styling of the IS F and is positioned in the IS line-up between the established SE-I and SE-L models.

The dedicated F-Sport exterior features include lowered suspension (IS 250 only), exclusive 18-inch wheels and an IS F-style front grille and rear bootlid spoiler. In the cabin there are aluminium sports pedals, IS F-style sports seats, steering wheel and (on the IS 250 automatic) gear lever. The seats are finished in a combination of Alcantara upholstery with leather side bolsters.

A black-on-black interior colour scheme is complimented by a black headlining and grey stitching detail on the front seats and steering wheel.

F-Sport models share a number of premium equipment features with SE-L grade, including rain-sensing wipers, HID headlights with AFS, 13-speaker audio system and memory settings for the front seats and door mirrors.

Navigation and audio systems
Lexus has developed one of the most accurate and fast-responding navigation systems on the market. Using a 40GB hard disc drive (HDD), it provides Europe-wide coverage and is able to gather live local traffic intelligence in each country to help plot the most efficient route, wherever you may be.

A further benefit of the HDD system is its “sound library” function. Up to 10GB of disc space is available for owners to store audio tracks from CD – room enough for about 2,000 songs.

The touch-screen, full-map system is available as an option on SE and SE-I models as part of package that also includes a rear park assist monitor.

For F-Sport and SE-L versions of IS, it is included in the optional Multimedia Package, together with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System and the rear park assist monitor.

All Lexus IS audio systems can be upgraded to receive DAB digital broadcasts and are equipped as standard with USB and audio jack plug connection for fully controlled use of portable music players, and Bluetooth with an audio streaming function.

The Mark Levinson audio package now features a “sound library” function, using the navigation system’s HDD to transfer and store music files from CD up to 10GB capacity.

Larger wheels for SE grade
Lexus IS 250 SE and 220d SE have been given more street appeal for 2010 with 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels fitted as standard, in place of the previous 16-inch rims.

Improved fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions
The revisions made to the IS 250 for the 2010 model year have yielded improvements in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. With manual transmission, combined cycle economy is now 29.1mpg, compared to 28.8mpg for the 2009 model; the new figure for the automatic is 31.7mpg (from 31.0mpg). CO2 emissions have fallen from 231 to 227g/km for the manual and 214 to 209g/km for the automatic.

the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

There have been countless efforts to replicate the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor from the 2000 blockbuster movie "Gone in 60 Seconds" with Nicolas Cage. We've seen Eleanor replicas based on everything ranging from a Toyota MR2 to even -the most ridiculous of all- a Smart Fortwo.

At this year's edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon, the students from Saitama University's automotive course presented their take on the Eleanor Shelby GT500 using a fourth generation (1993-2002) Toyota Supra sports coupe as a base.

The replica, which is called "Moto Supra", maintains the Supra's six-cylinder powerhouse, though it's not clear if the students performed any upgrades on the sport coupe's hardware. More photos after the jump.

Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron