William Maley

After a long journey, Tesla has finally revealed the production version of the Model X crossover. Introduced at an event last night at the company's headquarters, CEO Elon Musk made his case as to why you want it. Musk began with safety as he states that the Model X is the first SUV that gets five stars in every crash test category. This is due to no gas engine in the front of the vehicle, and the heavy battery mounted so low in the vehicle which reduces the risk of a rollover. There is also a massive HEPA filter that is claimed to remove allergens, soot/smog, bacteria, and viruses down to just 0.01 microns. There is even a "Bioweapon Defense Mode" to protect occupants from whatever is out there in the world. The event also served as a place to talk about the points that were previously mentioned such as the Falcon doors which have a unique opening mechanism that allows them to open even in some of tightest spots. These doors also have a special sensor that can adjust how high the door opens based on the ceiling. Now the downside to these doors is you can't put anything the roof. Now Tesla has a special accessory hitch that can carry up to four bikes or six sets of skis. At the time being, the Model X will be offered in the 90D and P90D versions. The 90D will have an overall range of 257 Miles, while the P90D will have an overall range of 250 Miles. Other versions of the Model X are expected to be announced at a later time. Closing out the event, Musk delivered a half-dozen Model X Founders Series models, which came with a starting pricetag of $132,000 (not including the $7,500 tax credit). Source: Tesla Press Release is on Page 2 Safety First Tesla Architecture Built electric from the ground up, Model X is designed to be the safest car on the road. Our crash tests indicate that Model X will receive a 5 star safety rating in all categories, the first SUV to ever do so. Not needing a big gasoline engine under the hood, Model X has a large crumple zone to absorb the energy of a high-speed impact. The battery's location on the floor gives Model X an extremely low center of gravity, reducing the risk of rollover common in most SUVs. Aluminum pillars reinforced with steel rails protect occupants and the battery while improving roof stiffness. Active Safety Model X comes standard with automatic emergency braking and side collision avoidance to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. Tesla makes the only standard AEB system that works at high speed. Every Model X carries a forward-looking camera, radar, and 360 degree sonar sensors to enable advanced autopilot features. Tesla's over-the-air software updates regularly improve the sophistication of these features, enabling increasingly capable safety and convenience features like Autosteer and Autopark, and bringing the Model X ever closer to autonomous operation. Breathe Easy Model X is the world's cleanest SUV on the inside, too. The front fascia is designed with a functional duct that pushes air through the first true HEPA filter system available in an automobile allowing medical-grade air to fill the cabin, no matter what is going on outside. Inside Model X Model X Falcon Wing doors offer unprecedented convenience, entry, and maneuverability for everyday life. They provide seamless ingress and egress into the second and third row. No longer do parents have to cantilever themselves to avoid hitting their child's head on the roof as they place them in a car seat. The double-hinged Falcon Wing doors open up then out, requiring only 30 cm of space on the side of the vehicle. Each door is equipped with capacitive, inductive, and sonar sensors to monitor surroundings and avoid contact with obstacles around the car, making it possible to park in tight spots. The industry's first auto presenting door automatically opens and closes as the driver approaches or exits Model X. Why should the driver ever need to touch the door? Monopost seats move independently, sliding and tilting forward and back. They allow passengers easy access to the third row and give them plenty of foot room when they sit down. See The windshield in Model X stretches up and over the front seat occupants. Second row passengers get a first row vantage point with an expansive view ahead, atop the falcon wing door, and beside them. The windshield's solar tint transition completes the modern and open feel. Listen Seventeen precisely positioned speakers bring concern hall like sound inside Model X. Touch The 17" center touchscreen seamlessly integrates media, navigation, communications, cabin control and vehicle data into one intuitive interface. Many functions are mirrored on the instrument panel and are voice-activated to focus the driver's attention on the road. Whether big or little, there's a place to store it in Model X. Side pockets, a center console and a blind holster for your iPhone. Fit everything Model X provides unprecedented space for passengers and cargo. With three rows of seats, a front and rear trunk, and room under the second row seats, there's ample room for people, luggage, and big things like surf boards and bikes. For even heavier cargo, Model X is the first electric vehicle with a 5,000 lb. tow capacity. Performance Agility and Speed At the heart of the vehicle is Tesla's proven electric powertrain, accelerating Model X from 0-60 in a staggering 3.2 seconds and hitting a top speed of 155 mph, all while producing zero emissions. Designed with Tesla's electric vehicle architecture, Model X's floor-mounted battery gives the vehicle a low center of gravity and ideal weight distribution for exhilarating performance and superior handling. Aerodynamics At 0.24, Model X has the lowest drag coefficient of any SUV in history. Model X comes standard with an active spoiler that automatically adjusts to three positions for maximum visibility and efficiency. Under 45 mph, the spoiler is positioned so the driver can see above and below it. At higher speeds the spoiler partially retracts for improved highway efficiency (+1.6%), and optimizes the vehicle's lift distribution. Model X is the only car with an active spoiler equipped with a center-high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL). All-wheel drive Dual motors digitally and independently control torque to the front and rear wheels to give Model X unparalleled control of traction while increasing performance and efficiency. Signature Model X comes with a 90 kWh battery providing customers a driving range of 250 miles on a single charge. By the numbers Range 250 miles for P90D Top Speed 155 miles per hour Zero-60 3.2 seconds for Ludicrous P90D 3.8 seconds for P90D Quarter Mile 11.7 seconds for Ludicrous P90D 12.2 seconds for P90D Motor Power 259 hp front, 503 hp rear Motor Torque 713 lb-ft combined 244 lb-ft/330 Nm front 479 lb-ft/600 Nm rear US MPGe 89 MPGe for P90D Weight 5,441 lbs. Drag Coefficient 0.24 View full article

The current crop of full-size sedans are venturing out of their comfort zone in terms of styling. But that wasn’t something you could say a few years back. Automakers played it safe with bland and boring design as not to scare buyers away. Hyundai decided to challenge the status quo when it came to designing the second-generation Azera full-size sedan. When it was introduced for the 2012 model year, the Azera was a shock to the system with sharp lines and a distinctive profile. Since then, other automakers have introduced full-size sedans that you would be glad to show off and not hide in the garage. But looks can only get you so far. How does the rest of the Hyundai Azera compare to the competition? Hyundai has gotten parts of the Azera’s interior right with a premium design and the use of soft-touch plastics and faux-wood trim. However, there are some cheap feeling plastics being used in certain parts interior which puts a damper on the upscale feeling Hyundai is trying to go after. The center stack underwent some changes for 2015 with Hyundai adding some new buttons and knobs to make it easier to control various aspects of the vehicle. An eight-inch touchscreen is standard on all Azeras and boasts a simple interface and crisp graphics to make it easy to use. In terms of comfort, the Azera mostly scores well here. Seats come wrapped in perforated leather and provide a good level of support. Driver and passenger get power adjustments, along with heat and ventilation. Rear seat passengers will find a decent amount of legroom, but headroom is tight for tall people due to the shape of the roof. For comparison, the similarly sized Hyundai Genesis has bit more headroom thanks to a different shape of the roof. Power comes from a 3.3L V6 with 293 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic gets the power to the front wheels. The engine needs to be given some revs to get the vehicle moving. But once moving, the engine feels up to the task of dealing with most driving situations. The six-speed automatic provides smooth shifts, but it tended to hold on to gears much longer than we wanted it to. Fuel economy numbers for the Azera stand at 19 City/28 Highway/22 Combined. My average for the week in the Azera landed around 22.4 MPG. The Azera’s ride is reminiscent of old Buick and Lincoln sedans where it seems to glide over bumps and imperfections. Road and wind noise are kept out the cabin, providing something akin to a library. Handling is similar to other full-size sedans as the Azera shows a little bit of body roll in the corners. Where the Azera falls flat is in the steering as it feels way too light and numb. Now this would have been ok a few years back, but competitors such as the Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, and Toyota Avalon show that its ok to have some weight and feel for the steering. The Hyundai Azera is still a very capable full-size sedan with a some sharp looks to go with it. But sadly, the model is overshadowed by new models which offer a bit more room in the back and better steering. The Azera is worth a look, but only after you spent some time looking at some of the other full-size sedans on offer. Disclaimer: Hyundai Provided the Azera, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2015 Make: Hyundai Model: Azera Trim: Limited Engine: 3.3L GDI Dual-CVVT DOHC V6 Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, Front-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 293 @ 6,400 Torque @ RPM: 255 @ 5,200 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 19/28/22 Curb Weight: 3,871 lbs Location of Manufacture: Asan, South Korea Base Price: $38,200 As Tested Price: $39,220 (Includes $895.00 Destination Charge) Options: Carpeted Floor Mats - $125.00 View full article

The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon Diesels are feeling the backlash of the Volkswagen diesel scandal. According to Automotive News, General Motors has been told by EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) will not certify the trucks until they have undergone tests in the lab and on the road. “The EPA and CARB told us they are going to do on-road testing," said Scott Yackley, assistant chief engineer for Chevrolet Trucks. GM says the additional testing could push back the launch of the diesel trucks, which are expected to launch in the fourth quarter. But GM is confident that the trucks will pass the tests. “Part of our development process is on-road and off-road [laboratory] testing,” said Yackley. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

If you didn't think the diesel scandal at Volkswagen could get any worse, think again. Let's begin with the former CEO at Volkswagen, Martin Winterkorn. Reuters is reporting that German prosecutors have opened an investigation into Winterkorn into "allegations of fraud in the sale of cars with manipulated emissions data" based on ten unidentified individuals filing charges. Now Winterkorn has said that he wasn't aware of any wrongdoing on his part in light of this scandal. There is a report from Automotive News Europe that says three r&d heads at Volkswagen have been suspended. The three are, Audi development chief Ulrich Hackenberg Porsche development head Wolfgang Hatz VW brand r&d boss Heinz-Jakob Neusser Those with keen eyes will notice two of these folks, Hackenberg and Hatz were rumored to be shown the door last week. Now Hackenberg and Hatz previously ran units at the heart of the Volkswagen diesel scandal. Hackenberg was responsible for Volkswagen development from 2007 to 2013, while Hatz oversaw Volkswagen group's engine development from 2007 to 2011. Audi and Volkswagen declined to comment. Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required), Reuters View full article

The times we have seen the upcoming Fiat 124 Spider in spy photos, they have been under many layers of camouflage. But a new set of shots have come in, showing off the new spider completely uncovered. Now as we have previously reported, the Fiat 124 Spider is based on the new Mazda Miata and you can see some it in the 124 Spider's overall profile. Fiat has made some changes to make it their own with longer and squarer front end. The back is also square-ish and slightly taller than the Miata. The interior is mostly Miata, aside from the Fiat steering wheel. Powertrains for the 124 Spider are expected to a be a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and a 1.75L turbo four-cylinder with 240 horsepower for the Abarth. We're expecting to see the Fiat 124 Spider at the LA Auto Show in November, with sales beginning sometime next year. Source: Auto Guide View full article

Guys, I just did this on one post. I really don't need to say this again.. But.... Please keep to the topic and not the members! Any attacks and warnings will be issued! Keep this up and the thread will be locked! This is your only warning! Thank you.

The Environmental Protection Agency is becoming stricter as to how they test for emissions in light of the Volkswagen Diesel scandal. On Friday, the agency's Office of Transportation and Air Quality announced they would be conducting more spot checks of light-duty cars and trucks to make sure that automakers haven’t been cheating on tests. Automakers were notified of the changes via a letter. The EPA wouldn't go into detail about the changes. “They don’t need to know. They need to know that we will be keeping their cars a little bit longer,” said Christopher Grundler, director of the EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality. In the letter, the EPA states may test a vehicle “using driving cycles and conditions that may reasonably be expected to be encountered in normal operation and use.” Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Detroit News View full article

2019 will mark 100 years of Bentley and the automaker is considering doing something special for the occasion. “Our centenary would be a good time to create a new limited series car,” said Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer. There are a number of ideas being considered, including a hypercar. “That project will be investigated intensively in Crewe within the next month. The question is, do we build the standard car you would expect in that segment? Or do we go with lots of carbon fibre and lightweight components? Now that would be a car we could take to the big guns,” said Dürheimer. Now Bentley has floated the idea of a supercar before. Back in 1999, the company revealed the Hunaudières Concept which packed an 8L W16 engine capable of hitting 350 KPH (about 217 MPH). Source: Top Gear View full article