Toyota's Newest Sports Car

For 2011 the Supra looks to become a possible Electric Vehicle based on the FT HS concept car. It will still have Toyota's reliability and will definitely employ some space age exterior styling with some major technological improvements. It is doubtful as to whether or not this model will see the light of day. But if it does, there will be plenty of people in line for it.

Full Preview 2011

Car enthusiasts are wondering when Toyota will officially announce its newest "21st century sports car", the 2011 Toyota Supra. There is still some question surrounding this sleek looking beauty. Will Toyota put into production a super fuel efficient model, with a gas/electric powertrain, based upon Toyota's latest concept car the hybrid FT-HS. There is certainly a strong case, considering Toyota's commitment to better environmental technology and the success of its own hybrid, the Prius.

The concept car of what may be the next Supra, called the FT-HS. Toyota says the concept has a total 400 net horsepower, good for 0-60 mph in around four seconds, but has yet to project fuel economy or emissions ratings, except to say that both would be really good. There will most certainly be design elements on the FT-HS, such as the wild "boomerang" instrument panel and no-hub steering wheel, which would not make it to production. The Toyota Supra will likely be a limited edition to support both retail sales and residual values for the Toyota brand's newest performance and technology flagship. The previous generation Toyota Supra left America 10 years ago and Lexus took over the prestige role for the whole company. But as Toyota has crafted generations of reliable yet uninspiring automobiles, Toyota is looking for a young, new look. A sports car might be the right thing, especially since Toyota has a relevant performance heritage thanks to ownership of a Formula 1 team since 2002, a piece of victory at the 2003 Indianapolis 500, and a fleet of cars in NASCAR.

Supra Power

Right now, Toyota is only talking about a hybrid powertrain for the FT-HS concept. But if put into production, it may also be offered with conventional V-6 and V-8 engines, both with lower power outputs and at cheaper price points. The 2010 Supra will most likely make use of a naturally-aspirated 3.7-litre V6 with rear wheel drive, and maybe even a twin-turbo version with 400 hp. Given the Supra's history with turbos and the current movement away from V-8s and towards boost -- that certainly could be a possibility. The hybrid power is also likely. Designers suggest that in a fuel-efficient future, a jolt of acceleration from an electric motor might become the equivalent of an injection of nitrous oxide into your gas-powered engine.
 
2011 Cabin Features

Inside the FT-HS concept is a hubless steering wheel with built-in paddle-shifters (made possible by drive-by-wire technology) and touch-sensitive controls. The FT-HS uses a carbon-fiber beam to divide the cockpit left and right. Toyota says it enhances structural rigidity, but it also lends what designers call a "skeletal" appearance. Another novelty is a power-operated carbon/Kevlar roof panel that pivots to stow in the rear-seat area. Nodding to Ferrari and Porsche are a see-through hood panel to show off the front-mounted engine and a rear spoiler that powers up at higher speeds to enhance stability. The spoiler idea would almost certainly survive on a new Supra, but the other features seem questionable because of cost and/or practicality.

Toyota Supra Design

The 2011 Supra will take design elements from current models, like Camry, but also from the FT-HS concept car that made its debut last year at the Detroit Auto Show. The headlights seem too ambiguously shaped for Toyota's top tier sports car, but there are some interesting details like the double bubble canopy (reminiscent of the FD RX-7) and front end air ducts and rear fender/hip lines that seem an homage to the last generation Supra.

Toyota Supra Design

Three years ago, Toyota had investigated the Nissan 350Z thoroughly and decided it was time to offer an alternative Toyota. Toyota knows it must offer more appealing and fun to drive models. Toyota hasn't had a sports car since the Supra was dropped in 1997. And there is plenty of upcoming competition: Nissan is rumored to be updating their Z to a 370Z an Hyundai's Genesis sedan made its debut in New York and should have very similar specs to the Supra. So, how much will the Supra cost? The old Supra retailed for about $44,000. The "mid-price sports/GT" description and sophisticated hybrid-drive hardware suggests the 2010 Toyota Supra would be priced well above the Nissan 350Z, perhaps close to the $70,000 high-performance Corvette Z06. In all reality concepts are expected to have way-out features--it's all about the buzz. But the likelihood that the FT-HS could be adapted for market purpose and be given the Supra badge is likely. The 2011 Toyota Supra's release date is unclear at the moment, it's possible to be by the end of 2010, but could also be delayed until 2011. Whenever the Supra is released, it is likely that Toyota fans waiting for the next sports car will be pleased.

All-New Audi RS4 Avant with 450PS V8

After we got our first-taste of the new RS4 through a handful of leaked images earlier today, Audi has now officially pulled the sheets off the flagship model of its A4 series. The RS4 makes its comeback as a station wagon featuring the same 4.2-liter V8 engine found in the RS5 models. The naturally aspirated eight-cylinder unit is good for 450PS (444bhp) at 8,250 rpm and a peak torque of 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) available from 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. That's a 30bhp improvement over the previous RS4.
Audi's seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive with up to 70 percent flowing to the front or as much as 85 percent to the rear with a default 40:60 ratio, transfer power to the road.
According to the German automaker, the RS4 Avant can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 4.7 seconds and reach a governed top speed of 250 km/h (155mph), which can be increased to 280 km/h (174mph) upon request, while consuming less than 11lt/100km on average (21.4mpg US).

Hyundai Still a Separate Luxury Brand

Korean carmakers have made impressive progress in the last decade. From below-par products that were chosen by people who wanted a new car and couldn’t afford anything pricier, Hyundai and Kia models quickly become competitive in most segments. And we're not the only ones who say this; even VW's boss is wondering why his company's products can't match Hyundai’s quality in certain areas.
No matter how good a car is, though, preconceptions die hard. For certain people, the badge on the hood says a lot about not only the car, but themselves as well; no quality survey, iPad manual, road-test review or 10-speed auto transmission is not going to change that in the foreseeable future
If you can’t change the people, you can surely change the badge, though. Toyota, Nissan and Honda have gone down that road by launching premium divisions like Lexus, Infiniti and Acura. This has worked more than well, at least in the U.S.
And this is the dilemma Hyundai is facing right now, according to a report from Autonews. If some buyers choose to ignore its upmarket offerings like the Genesis or the Equus because they sport a round “H” badge instead of an “L”, a three-pointed star or a white and blue roundel, why not launch a new brand?
Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales for Hyundai Motor America, acknowledges the issue: “There’s a conversation going on within the company that says, ‘Does having the Hyundai badge on the premium vehicles sell more units, or does it restrict us from selling more?’.”
The question becomes difficult to answer because Hyundai sales are on the rise anyway: in the first year of production, Hyundai sold 3,193 units of its US$60,000 Equus sedan. That’s 893 more than the company expected.
On the other hand, Zuckowski admits that even though Genesis sedan and Coupe sales have increased by 13 percent in 2011, many buyers have chosen to replace the Hyundai logo with the optional Genesis winged badge.
If it gets the green light, the new division will include rear-wheel drive saloons and coupes and adopt the Genesis brand name and an alphanumeric naming system for its models.
Contrary to Lexus and Infiniti, there would be no different dealership network and the new sub-brand would be sold through Hyundai’s existing network.
While Zuchowski noted that the company hasn’t made a final decision yet, if it gets the go ahead, the launch could coincide with the new Genesis and Equus sedans, which are expected next year as 2014 models.
Mind you, creating a luxury sub-brand is not necessarily a recipe for success. In 1992, Mazda planned to launch the Amati luxury division in response to Acura, Lexus and Infiniti. The plan never took off, and the Xedos name that was applied to the European Mazda 6 in 1992 didn’t make any difference, so it was ditched five years later.
And, of course, we all know what happened, at a more upscale level, to a certain German premium manufacturer when it decided to challenge Bentley and Rolls-Royce…

New Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Coinciding with the European market launch of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Brabus has released its first tuning take on the small MPV. For the time being, the German tuner's offerings include upgrades for the exterior, interior and the chassis with the engine kits to become available later in the year. On the outside, Brabus has prepared an aero kit that comprises a front spoiler that attaches directly to the front bumper and a rear apron housing a diffuser and the new quad tail pipes.
To complement the look, buyers can choose from five different alloy wheel designs in 19-inch diameter shod in tires size 225/35 R 19 in front and 255/30 R 19 on the rear axle. A 30mm lowering kit with sport springs gives the B-Class a more aggressive stance while also promising to improve handling.
For the interior of the new B-Class, Brabus offers several options including by bi-color stainless-steel scuff plates, aluminum door lock pins, custom leather upholstery and a choice of multimedia systems.

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