2012 - BMW 1, BMW Concept ActiveE

The BMW 1 Series is a line of small family cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since 2004. Successor to the BMW Compact, it has been produced in four different body styles. The BMW Concept ActiveE is a fully electric drive concept car based on the BMW 1 Series small family cars. It is the second vehicle after the MINI E to be developed under BMW Group’s Project i. The electric drive system is the latest addition to BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme.[1]

The four-seater, rear-wheel drive ActiveE was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2010.[1] Field testing of the Active E in the United States is scheduled to begin by mid July 2011 and participants in the Mini E trial will have priority as test pilots for the new electric car.[2] Production began at BMW's Leipzig plant in July 2011.

The electric car has a 32 Kwh lithium-ion battery pack developed in cooperation with SB LiMotive and an all-electric range of 100 miles (160 km). The ActiveE takes 8.5 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) and its maximum speed is electronically limited to 90 miles per hour (140 km/h).[2][4]

Based on the lessons learned by BMW regarding cold weather problems during the Mini E field testing, the ActiveE will have liquid cooling and liquid heating, with a thermal management system that is expected to allow to keep ActiveE batteries at an optimal performance temperature.[2][4] Also drivers can use their smartphones to preheat or cool their cars’ cabins.

BMW has scheduled field testing of the Active E in the United States starting in July 2011 and participants in the Mini E trial will have priority as test pilots for the new electric car.[2] This trial is as a follow-up to the Mini E field testing and as a second phase of BMW's Project i. The third and last phase of "Project i" is the development of the Mega City Vehicle (MCV), an urban electric car that will be sold separately from BMW or Mini as a new brand, and is expected to go into mass production between 2013 and 2015.

The Active E field testing will include fewer than 1,000 cars[5][6] and in addition to Los Angeles and New York, where the Mini E U.S. trials took place, it will also be available in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Boston, and select markets in Connecticut.[2][8] BMW set the Active E lease pricing at $499 a month for 24 months with a down payment of $2,250.

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2012 - Audi A7, Luscious sheetmetal

Luscious sheetmetal is the must-have in the four-door-coupe arena, but power doesn’t rate far behind, at least in the U.S. The Mercedes-Benz CLS-class is available here exclusively with V-8 engines, the same goes for the rakish Jaguar XF, and even the BMW 5-series GT—admittedly a bit of an outlier to the segment—is available with a twin-turbo V-8. And so for the Audi A7, a V-8 option seems indispensable. Enter the top-spec A7, the S7 spied here.

To be sure, we like the A7’s responsive and gutsy, 300-hp supercharged V-6, but its muted snarl just can’t deliver the aural satisfaction and hearty growl of a V-8. In addition, the 333 hp the engine produces in the S4 is likely near its maximum output. So we’re not entirely surprised that Audi has chosen to add an entirely new engine to its arsenal for the S7 (as well as the next S8): a turbocharged and direct-injected 4.0-liter V-8 good for at least 400 hp.

Loosely based on the old naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V-8, the 4.0 will launch in the S7 next year, and will also serve as the base engine for the redesigned 2011 Bentley Continental GT. The fact that the power addicts at Bentley deem this powerplant fit to move their portly luxo-cruiser with sufficient authority can be taken as a strong indicator of its capabilities. We expect it to be equipped with a single turbocharger in the S7 and with twin turbos in the S8, where it could make around 450 hp. We hear rumblings that the S7 will scoot to 60 mph in fewer than five seconds; top speed will be a governed 155 mph. Power will be channeled to a rear-biased Quattro all-wheel-drive system through Audi’s seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual, which will surely be programmed to deliver all sorts of sweet-sounding, rev-matched downshifts.

The prototypes caught by our photographer are running on the same parallel-spoke 18-inch “S-Design” wheels that are standard on the Europe-only S5 Sportback. They will certainly be the smallest available on the S7; count on Audi to offer optional 19- and 20-inchers to visually offset the S7’s considerable size. The exterior of this prototype is rather low-key, and in fact virtually identical to the A7 with the optional S-line package that we sampled during the A7’s launch in Sardinia earlier this month. The gaping, rectangular air intakes do little to improve the look of the base model, and we hope—probably in vain—that the S7 will come to market with a somewhat more sophisticated front bumper. The four exhaust pipes out back, on the other hand, look just fine to us.

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2012 Audi S6 - Athletic character

Athletic character, quiet understatement and richly appointed – Audi is remaking the S6 and S6 Avant. Both models are sports cars for everyday use, offering uncompromising practicality. Their new engine, a four-liter, twin-turbo V8, combines ample power with low fuel consumption in keeping with the times.

Drive

The S6 and S6 Avant use the 309 kW (420 hp) version of the new 4.0 TFSI. The twin-turbo V8 provides a constant 550 Nm (405.66 lb-ft) of torque from 1,400 to 5,300 rpm. It accelerates the S6 from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds and the S6 Avant in 4.9 seconds. With both models, the electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph) is just a formality.

The 4.0 TFSI brings Audi’s downsizing strategy to the high-performance class. Compared to the engine in the previous model, the free-breathing, 5.2-liter V10, it offers even sportier performance while reducing fuel consumption by as much as 25 percent. Average fuel consumption is just 9.7 liters per 100 km (24.25 US mpg) in the S6 and 9.8 liters (24.0 US mpg) in the S6 Avant, well below that of the competition.

A number of technologies contribute to this top result, including the recuperation and start-stop systems as well as the new “cylinder on demand” cylinder management system. When the V8 deactivates four cylinders under part load, the Active Noise Cancellation system (ANC) is activated. Four microphones integrated into the headlining record the noise in the cabin, which is then analyzed by a computer. If the computer detects intrusive sound elements, it broadcasts an antiphase sound through the speakers of the sound system. This sound combines with the intrusive sound and largely cancels it out.

Independent of this, active, electronically controlled engine bearings use targeted counterpulses to attenuate low-frequency vibrations. A sound actuator, flaps in the exhaust system, the engine shroud and a newly developed two-mass flywheel with a centrifugal force pendulum in the seven-speed S tronic also contribute to the sonorous sound and smoothness of the engine.

When it comes to power transmission, the S6 and S6 Avant further extend Audi’s Vorsprung durch Technik. The engine power flows through a fast-shifting, seven-speed S tronic transmission. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system uses the self-locking center differential and torque vectoring. If desired, Audi complements quattro with the optional sport differential, which actively distributes the power between the rear wheels.

Chassis

The two new S models come standard with the adaptive air suspension sport. The tautly tuned air suspension with variable damping lowers the body by 10 millimeters (0.39 in). It provides for highly precise handling without compromising comfort. The powerful disc brakes, internally ventilated front and rear, have matt black calipers with S6 logos. Audi offers carbon fiber-ceramic discs as an option.

The S6 and S6 Avant come standard with cast aluminum wheels in a unique five parallel-spoke design. The 8.5 J x 19 wheels are shod with 255/40-series tires. Seven different 19- or 20-inch wheels, four of them from quattro GmbH, are available as options. The 20-inch titanium-look wheels with a five-arm rotor design impart a particularly exclusive appearance.

The Audi drive select driving dynamics system comes standard in the two new S models. Among others, it modifies the characteristic of the gas pedal, the shift points of the S tronic, the servo boost of the electromechanical steering and the characteristic of the adaptive air suspension. The driver can adjust the operation of these systems in five stages. The optional sport differential and the dynamic steering, which varies its ratio as a function of speed, can also be integrated into the system.

Body and design

The car bodies play a large part in the dynamics of the Audi S6 and S6 Avant. They are unusually lightweight because they are roughly 20 percent aluminum. The Audi S6 has a curb weight of just 1,895 kilograms (4,177.76 lb), the S6 Avant 1,950 kilograms (4,299.01 lb). Both are much lighter than their direct rivals.

At 4,931 millimeters (16.18 ft), the S6 is 16 millimeters (0.63 in) longer than the A6; with the 4,634-millimeter (15.2 ft) S6 Avant, the difference is 8 millimeters (0.31 in). Their single-frame grille sports aluminum applications and chromed horizontal double bars. Another chrome strip adorns the front bumper. The exterior mirrors feature aluminum-look housings, and the side sills are distinctively shaped.

The S6 sedan has a spoiler on the trunk; the Avant has a roof spoiler. With both models, the diffuser on the rear bumper is platinum gray with an aluminum-look offset edge. The four chrome-tipped tailpipes are elliptical. The S models are available in a choice of eight colors, including the exclusive shades Estoril Blue, crystal effect and Prism Silver, crystal effect. The body is decorated with S6 and V8T badges.

Interior

The interior of the S6 and S6 Avant is also characterized by sporty elegance. There are S6 badges on the key, the leather sport steering wheel with colored stitching and aluminum shift paddles as well as the instruments. The illuminated door sill trims and both displays (MMI and driver information system) greet the driver with the S6 logo. A red ring adorns the start-stop button, an aluminum clasp the selector lever. The footrest, the pedals and the soft keys of the MMI operating system shine in an aluminum-look finish.

Decorative inlays are available in a choice of four materials. Matt brushed aluminum is standard, with carbon, fine grain ash natural brown or layered Beaufort oak as options. Customers can choose from three colors – black, lunar silver and goa beige (only for the seat upholstery) – for the headlining, instrument panel, carpet and seats. The standard seat upholstery is a mix of Pearl Nappa leather and Alcantara, with Milano and Valcona available as options.

Height-adjustable sport seats with power lumbar supports and embossed S logos are standard. Audi offers two other versions as options: the power-adjustable comfort seats with memory function and the power-adjustable S sport seats with integrated head restraints. These also are embossed with the S logo.

Equipment

The new Audi S6 and S6 Avant will be rolling into dealer showrooms with a generous list of standard equipment in spring 2012. This includes xenon plus headlights with an all-weather light, LED rear lights, an electromechanical parking brake and the driver information system with color display. The MMI radio plus includes a Bluetooth interface, and the Audi sound system has ten speakers.

All of the high-end options in the model series are also available for the new S models. These include LED headlights, adaptive light, the ambient lighting package, convenience key, head-up display, the parking system plus with 360° camera, power rear hatch, optionally with sensor control, and climate-controlled deluxe seats with massage function.

The list of options for the Avant, which offers up to 1,680 liters (59.33 cu ft) of luggage space, also includes the panoramic glass roof.

The tightly networked driver assistance systems are all state-of-the-art. These are the various versions of the Audi pre sense safety system, adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, Audi side assist, active lane assist, the speed limit display and the night vision assistant with highlighting of detected pedestrians.

Topping the range of infotainment systems is MMI navigation plus, which features a large hard drive, an eight-inch monitor and the groundbreaking MMI touch input system. The system can be combined with the Bluetooth online car phone, which brings special Internet services to the car and features WLAN connectivity for mobile devices. The 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System impresses with its excellent sound.

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2012 Alfa Romeo MiTo 0.9 TwinAir 85

The Alfa Romeo MiTo (known internally as the type 955) is a three door sporty supermini officially introduced on June 19, 2008, at Castello Sforzesco in Milan,[6] with an international introduction at the British Motor Show in 2008. The car was available in all Alfa's major markets in stages from July.

The three-door hatchback is front-wheel drive and will be sold to compete with the MINI and the newer Audi A1.[8] Designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, the design is believed to be inspired by the 8C Competizione. The MiTo is built on Fiat Small platform used on Fiat Grande Punto, also employed by the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa D. The car has a new "Alfa DNA" system which allows the driver to choose between three different driving settings: Dynamic, Normal, and All-Weather. This system controls the behavior of the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox.

The MiTo also features LED tail lights and 250-litre (8.8 cu ft) of luggage space.[10] The MiTo also features a Q2 electronic differential on the front wheels, which allows for faster and tighter cornering without loss of traction. The aggressiveness of the differential is linked to the DNA switch. At launch the MiTo will feature low-displacement turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. Also, a power limited 79 PS (58 kW; 78 hp) naturally aspirated engine variant is produced to meet the new Italian legislation for young people.[4] MiTo got new electro-hydraulic valve control system Multiair engines from September 2009. MultiAir engines will increase power (up to 10%) and torque (up to 15%), as well as a considerable reduction in consumption levels (up to 10%) and CO2 emissions (up to 10%), of particulates (up to 40%) and NOx (up to 60%).[19] This new engine is available with 105 PS (77 kW; 104 bhp) ,135 PS (99 kW; 133 bhp) and 170 PS (125 kW; 168 bhp) power ratings.[20] All multiair versions have start-stop system as standard. In October 2009 was unveiled a dual fuel MiTo version, this version can run with LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) or petrol, with this engine MiTo has range of 1,200 kilometres (750 mi). The LPG version is made colloboration with Landi Renzo. In Summer 2010 came available Dual Dry Clutch Transmission called Alfa TCT. From model year 2011 the start-stop system came as standard to all versions.[21] In the Frankurt Motor Show 2011 was introduced two new engines for MiTo the 0.9 L TwinAir straight-2 and new low emission 85 PS (63 kW) version of 1.3 JTD diesel engine.

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