2010 Hyundai Sonata - spy shots

One of our loyal readers was vacationing in Dubai when he happened upon this nearly undisguised and totally unattended 2011 Hyundai Sonata mule. Sammy_R-Gti of assayarat.com explains that he was driving around on vacation and stopped to observe mid-day prayer at a mosque. When he emerged from said house of prayer, he spied the car parked outside of a neighboring spa resort (perhaps some engineers were taking a much-deserved break?), and our man was able to rattle off the photos seen here. Because Sammy_R-Gti (correctly) figured that whoever was with the car probably wouldn't want him photographing their quarry, our man didn't have time to take it all in, but he did gain perhaps the best look yet at Hyundai's pivotal new sedan.As expected, the roofline and short rear deck indicates that the Korean automaker is going for a much more rakish look, adopting the 'four-door coupe' aesthetic that is so in vogue these days. Unlike earlier spy shots, Sammy has managed to score an almost completely undisguised look at the car's Lexus ES350-like headlamps and its simple three-bar front grille, as well as new details about the sheetmetal's contouring. Judging by the fact that this prototype was fitted with relatively high-profile tires and modestly sized steel wheels with covers, we're guessing that it is a base model.

2011 Chevy Volt

We don't have to tell you how important the Chevrolet Volt is to General Motors. Even if the model isn't likely to turn a profit for many years, the plug-in electric car's success or failure is likely to be seen as a crucial indicator of GM's post-bankruptcy prospects in the eyes of many. This being the case, it's not surprising that automaker is practically throwing everything it's got at the project. According to Chief Engineer Andrew Farah, the Volt team is currently working on getting the sound and feel of the driving experience just right. Speaking to Automotive News, Farah said:The engine, not being directly connected to the foot, is one of the things we continue to tune. We don't want it to be discomforting to people. There is an expectation of what happens when you put your accelerator to the floor in the way the car sounds and feels. We've got the feel. We've got the feel of a sports car. The sound part and the way the engine plays into that perception is one of the areas we have to work on.Clearly, creating a plug-in car with mass-market appeal isn't as simple as bolting an electric motor and a bunch of batteries into an existing chassis. People have come to expect certain things to happen as an automobile is driven, and GM needs to find the right compromise between zero-emissions technology and time-honored driving dynamics. Further complicating the issue is the tremendous weight of the car's T-shaped battery pack. Farah explains:Here's the thing to remember: When you put the battery in, it actually lowers the center of gravity of the car. There are a thousand reasons why heavy is bad, but a few why it is good. And so we are getting those advantages of the good heavy, and the disadvantages we are managing.

JE Design 2010: Volkswagen Scirocco

JE Design Volkswagen Scirocco TDI features a power boost from the 140 horsepower (103 kW) and 320 Nm of torque offered in the standard version to 180 horsepower (133 kW) and 400 Nm of torque thanks to a reprogrammed ECU. The new figures translate into a faster acceleration from 0 to 100 Km/h which now takes 8.4 seconds.JE Design also offers an increase in power for the new VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI CR version that instead of 170 horsepower (125 kW) is now unleashing 205 horsepower (171 kW). From 0 to 100 Km/h the JE Design VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI CR needs 7.1 seconds while top speed is clocked at 229 Km/h.

Hyundai BLUE-WILL hybrid concept

Hyundai's first-ever hybrid automobile for the U.S. market will be based on the redesigned 2011 Sonata midsize sedan, but it certainly isn't the only fuel-saver the Korean automaker has in store. According to Automotive News, Yang Woong-chul, president of R&D for Hyundai-Kia Motors, has reiterated his company's plans to aggressively (if belatedly) enter the increasingly crowded hybrid market.To that end, Hyundai plans to launch a new sporty plug-in electric car based on the striking Blue-Will concept from Seoul Motor Show earlier this year. Powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline direct-injected powerplant and 100kw electric motor mated up with a continuously variable transmission, the Blue-Will reportedly has a range of 38 miles in EV mode and an overall rating of 55 mpg when the gas engine is in operation.Expect a similar drivetrain for the production car when it hits the market in 2012 to go up against the upcoming Chevrolet Volt and the plug-in version of Toyota's standard-bearing Prius hybrid. So far, there's no word on expected pricing for the PHEV, but Hyundai says the goal is to 'show its technology and improve its image,' not to make money. Consider our interest piqued

Hennessey HPE700 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

Wrapping up the week of June 15, 2009 it’s time for our ‘This Week in Photos” post. This week check out photos of from our review of the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, teasers of the Audi A5 Sportback, edo competition Ferrari California, interior of the 2010 Opel Astra and new images of the Toyota iQ3, Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport and the 2010 Ford Taurus and Ford Taurus SHO

Gallardo Spyder

self-drive holiday through Italy or France? A weekend break to the Côte d’Azur? An important business meeting in Geneva? A ski escape in the Alps? Arrive in style at a prestigious gala evening? Or just the thrill of being at the wheel of an exceptional car? Luckily, there are more than sufficient excuses to be found to rent a luxury car.

Murci and Diablo

A luxury car is a vehicle that emphasizes comfort, appearance, and amenities than anything else. Often times the car will be of higher quality with better materials and technology. One major distinction of a luxury vehicle is price as virtually all luxury ..