2009 Acura MDX Car
MSRP:$40,790 - 48,690
The 2009 Acura MDX is largely unchanged.
SUV seats up to seven and has all-wheel
drive.sole powertrain is a 300-hp
3.7-liter V6 engine and 5-speed
automatic transmission.
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Friday, October 31, 2008
2009 Acura MDX Cars
2009 Acura MDX Car
MSRP:$40,790 - 48,690
The 2009 Acura MDX is largely unchanged.
SUV seats up to seven and has all-wheel
drive.sole powertrain is a 300-hp
3.7-liter V6 engine and 5-speed
automatic transmission.
F1 Sao Paulo - FRI - Free Practice
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Sao Paulo, Brazil, Oct 31, 2008
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen finished Friday's second free practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo in ninth and 15th positions respectively. Lewis completed 33 laps with a best time of 1m12.827. Heikki did 37 laps and posted a best lap of 1m13.213. In the morning session, Lewis was second fastest with a 1m12.495 (23 laps) whilst Heikki ended up fifth with a 1m12.925 (20 laps).
Comments
LEWIS HAMILTON
"Our car was blindingly quick this morning despite the cold weather, which made the track feel quite slippery. This afternoon we focused on our race pace - but we were interrupted by the threat of rain and the changeable wind direction. I flat-spotted my tyres on a couple of runs, but I�m positive that the changes we�ve made will put us in a good position for tomorrow."
HEIKKI KOVALAINEN
"A decent Friday practice session and we now have a good understanding of tyre performance following our comparison work and evaluation. We were fine-tuning the balance of the car all the time and the outcome makes me happy, although this isn�t reflected in the fastest lap times. So we�ve found a good baseline to work on for the rest of the weekend."
RON DENNIS
"Today was a slightly tricky day for many of the teams - with graining, particularly of the option tyre, a particular problem with the less-than-optimal track temperatures caused by the inclement weather conditions. In fact, we suspect that some teams may have dropped their fuel loads in an effort to nullify that problem, but we didn't. Instead we adhered to a disciplined programme, all the while assessing our raceable options. We made steady progress with our understanding of the available downforce levels, tyre choices and brake materials, and we feel confident that the lessons we learned today will pay dividends on Sunday."
NORBERT HAUG
"This were certainly not one of the better 2008 Friday�s rankings for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. But I doubt whether today�s order represents Sunday�s competitive situation. We had a conservative approach to the afternoon session to simulate extremes that can take place during the race on Sunday. But of course we still have to optimise both cars. I am confident we can qualify tomorrow in positions that enable us to score the necessary points on Sunday."
Copyright � 2008, car-evolutioncars. All rights reserved.
Daimler Heritage: TOPICS FOR DECEMBER 2008
Preview December 2008
PREVIEW OF ANNIVERSARIES 2008
December 16, 1883 � 125 years ago: Gottlieb Daimler files patent applications, first for his �gas engine with hot-tube ignition� and a week later for the �regulation of engine speed through exhaust valve control�. The two patents, registered on August 4 and 27, 1884, under references DRP 28022 and DRP 28243, respectively, provide the basis for the world's first high-speed internal combustion engine.
December 9, 1953 � 55 years ago: On the occasion of a Fire Brigades� Convention, Daimler-Benz presents the TLF 15/36 TA pump water tender, the first Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle to be powered by a diesel engine with exhaust-gas turbocharger. The OM 312 A develops 85 kW (115 hp) � 18 kW (25 hp) more than the naturally-aspirated engine on which it is based. (more about the history of Mercedes-Benz fire fighting vehicles:1,2,3,4,5,6)
December 1968 � 40 years ago: Production of the first Mercedes-Benz O 305 standard regular-service bus gets underway at the Mannheim plant. This ushered in a new era in bus manufacture at Daimler-Benz, with touring coaches and city buses leading separate lives from then on.
Copyright � 2008, car-evolutioncars. All rights reserved.
The O 305 launches the unique career of the classic among city buses
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart, Germany, Oct 31, 2008
* New standards for city buses
* Design for one-man operation
* Sound basis for a host of variants
At the 1967 Frankfurt International Motor Show, the new O 305 city bus was presented to the public for the first time; large-scale production began one year later. This ushered in a new era in bus manufacture at Daimler-Benz, with touring coaches and city buses leading separate lives from then on.
One for all
As early as 1966, the designers at Daimler-Benz had submitted the draft of a special city bus designed for one-man operation and featuring a low floor, high side windows, air suspension, compressed-air brakes and a rear-mounted engine. However, other people had put their heads together elsewhere at roughly the same time and come up with a similar concept: under the management of O.W.O. Schulz, technical director of Hamburger Hochbahn AG, a committee of the German association of local public transport operations set out to elaborate recommendations for the standardization of regular-service city buses � and presented them at the association's annual convention in 1967.
They specified an eleven-meter long bus with rear-mounted engine and a low floor at a convenient height of 725 millimeters. They also suggested double inward-folding doors in front of the front axle and the rear axle, a standardized instrument panel and a central electrics compartment. The rear screen was to be made of a non-dazzling glass and side windows had to be generously dimensioned. And finally, the interior compartment was to provide space for 41 seated and 61 standing passengers.
Intentional break with tradition
The members of this committee represented some 70 percent of the German fleet of regular-service city buses � a powerful argument for the association's demands and the reason why the O 305 had to put up with certain modifications shortly before its production startup.
At the time of the launch in 1967, the fathers of the concept would never have thought it possible that more than 16,000 units of the new O 305 city bus would have come off the assembly lines by the time its career came to an end in 1985. Quite on the contrary, at the 1967 Frankfurt Motor Show, not only the new Mercedes-Benz bus but also its competitors from B�ssing and Magirus were critically reviewed. Soon, the mocking reference to the "container on wheels" was passed around. Many contemporary witnesses felt that the new standardized regular-service bus with its rational rectangular shape was too drastic a break with the customary design that dated back to the 1950s and featured familiar elements such as chrome trim and chubby proportions.
Costs down, comfort up
But there was method in this apparent madness: the local public transport operations had come under double pressure even in those days. They had to cut costs and at the same time improve the attractiveness of local public transport which was faced with growing competition from the ever more easily affordable passenger car. Passengers were to be attracted by the low floor with convenient entry, by high ride comfort afforded by air suspension and by an unmarred panoramic view through generously dimensioned windows.
Costs had come under scrutiny mainly in three respects: the standardized regular-service city bus was to cut not only the vehicle purchase price but also the cost of servicing and repairs. Cost-cutting was also at the forefront of the design for one-man operation, whose benefits were, however, initially disputed and bestowed a so-called one-man bonus of twelve percent on many drivers. The director of the public transport authorities of Heilbronn, for instance, drew up a calculation for the district council to prove that the changeover to one-man operation would be an expensive hobby since this would prolong the time the bus spent at stops, with adverse effects on turnaround speeds and an ultimately expensive demand for additional drivers and buses.
Continuous concept development
This calculation did not work out, as can easily be read off the extraordinarily successful history of the O 305. As early as 1970, the plant presented the prototype of an inter-city bus derived from the O 305, designated O 307, which complied with the local public transport guidelines for a standardized inter-city bus. The new O 307 adopted the frame, major parts of the bodywork and the much acclaimed driver's workplace from the O 305 but differed from the latter in that it was 11.7 meters long
(0.7 meters longer than the O 305) and had a 150 millimeter higher floor than the O 305.
The O 305, which had initially been available with the 8.7 liter six-cylinder OM 360/h engine with either 170 or 192 hp, in its turn inherited the 240 hp eleven-liter OM 407/h engine from the O 307 in 1973. From 1973 the O 305 was additionally available with a new three-speed automatic transmission specially developed for the bus by Daimler-Benz and supplied ex factory with or without retarder. This automatic transmission, designated W 3 D 080, was so compact that it was particularly suitable for installation in what was a notoriously small rear-end compartment.
Alternative propulsion systems
In 1977, the two-axle O 305 regular-service city bus was joined by a three-axle articulated pusher bus derived from it, the O 305 G which was 17.3 meters long and designed for a gross weight of 26 tons. The duo bus version DUO O3 305 G D/E was designed for being alternately operated by electrical energy from overhead lines and a diesel engine. A special version of this bus remained in service in Esslingen in Swabia for many years before it was sold by the town's local public transport authorities in 1988.
And finally, a fleet of 20 hybrid electric buses � the OE 305 � made a name for themselves by demonstrating the suitability of hybrid electric buses for everyday line service in cities. 13 of these buses did service in Stuttgart, the remaining seven in Wesel in North-Rhine Westphalia. In inner-city operation, these buses operated exclusively on electrical energy supplied by batteries; in the suburbs, by contrast, they operated in the diesel-electric mode, meaning that a low-pollutant and specially encapsulated diesel engine fed the batteries via a generator.
Popularity around the world
Despite its compliance with the city bus guidelines defined in 1967, the O 305 was by no means a phenomenon that remained restricted to Germany. In several parts of the world, this bus, of which as many as 4,743 chassis versions were supplied, is still enjoying enormous popularity even today. Singapore, for instance, operated 200 units of the O 305. And as soon as the regulation to procure buses only from Commonwealth countries was abandoned in Hong Kong, the local Kowloon Motor Bus Company ordered an O 305 for testing in 1983.
This bus with a 4.5 meter high double-decker body made by Alexander left such a good impression in what was still a British crown colony at the time that another 40 units were ordered � some of these are still in operation today, having made a name for themselves as particularly safe means of transport. The O 305 buses in the streets of Hong Kong hold a very special record: there has not been a single serious accident with these vehicles in all these years.
Copyright � 2008, car-evolutioncars. All rights reserved.
October 2008 Dream Car of the Month - Mercedes SLR McLaren
Mercedes SLR McLaren
Happy Halloween! Time for another entry to the Dream Car of the Month series. This month's feature is the Mercedes SLR McLaren. Crazy fast and exotic looking, it's a bit of a confused car. Is it a GT car pretending to be a sports car or a sports car pretending to be a GT car? Either way, it's fast and cool and I like it, even though it has an automatic. It is a Mercedes after all, what do you expect?
The Mercedes SLR McLaren was developed and named in honor of the original Mercedes 300 SLR from 1955 which won such races as the Mille Miglia and the Targa Florio. The modern SLR was designed and built by Mercedes-Benz and it's subsidiary McLaren Automotive.
The cars first entered production in 2003 and featured a 5.5L supercharged aluminum V8 producing 617HP and 575TQ. That engine was mounted in front of the car like a proper GT and connected to a five speed automatic. No manual transmission was offered, solidifying the car's classification as a GT rather than a true sports car. Nonetheless, the SLR became the world's fastest automatic transmission car by producing impressive performance numbers of 0-60 in 3.6 seconds and a 1/4 mile of 11.6 More impressive considering that despite a structure made up mostly of carbon fiber, the SLR still weighs in at almost 4000lbs. Top speed has been documented at 208MPH.
The sleek carbon fiber bodywork makes use of active aerodynamics to improve stability at high speeds. The trunk lid features an integrated adjustable spoiler that raises and lowers automatically at speed. It can also be set manually via a driver control. The spoiler also acts as an air brake assisting the 14.6in 8 piston front and 14.2in 4 piston rear carbon ceramic brakes to reduce stopping distances.
Initial production run was to consist of 500 examples of the SLR per year for 7 years for a total of 3500 cars. Base price of the SLR was set at around $495,000. The last coupe body style SLRs rolled off the production line in 2007 and they were replaced with a convertible model that will continue production until 2009.
SLR 722 Edition
In 2006, a special 722 Edition was produced as a tribute to the 300 SLR with starting number 722 driven by Sterling Moss and Denis Jenkinson that won the 1955 Mille Miglia. The 722 model features additional power from the supercharged V8 to the tune of 650HP/627TQ. Suspension tuning and weight reduction were also part of the 722 package along with lightweight 19inch wheels. Ride height was lowered and the brake diameter was increased to 15.4" in front along with the addition of a rear diffuser and front splitter.
The SLR roadster that went on sale in September 2007 is priced at over $700,000 and is one of the fastest convertibles in the world, as it is able to reach speeds near 200MPH. It is heavier than the coupe and therefore slightly slower with 0-60 taking around 3.8 seconds.
A special 722 S roadster is apparently in the works from Mercedes with the same 650HP/627TQ V8 as the coupe version. There are only 150 of these to be built but no pricing yet. You know what they say - if you have to ask how much, you probably can't afford it.
The final entry into the SLR lineup is a car that is currently in testing, the SLR McLaren Speedster. It looks to be an even lighter version of the SLR with some unique features, or lack thereof. It will have no roof and not much of a windshield either but it is reported to feature gullwing doors. I don't know how they would pull that off with no roof but, what do I know. No word on whether or not to expect a bump in power but it should still be blindingly fast and ridiculously expensive. What more would you expect?
Artist Rendering - SLR Speedster
Mercedes-Benz Tuner Challenge at SEMA 2008: The GLK in Las Vegas
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart/Las Vegas, Germany/USA, Oct 31, 2008
Mercedes-Benz has created an unconventional presentation idea under the heading �Tuner Challenge�. Ahead of the equally unconventional SEMA Show in the gaming hotspot of Las Vegas, the Stuttgart company announced a competition for tuning firms. The object of desire � the compact GLK-Class. The distinctively styled automotive character with an edge seems predestined to arouse a wide range of tuning fantasies.
Tuning operations were tasked with highlighting the possibilities presented by the GLK�s wide-ranging talents through their ideas and designs. The four most convincing concepts were selected and the winners given the opportunity to implement their proposals. This process saw the creation of GLK models that are as leading-edge as they are unorthodox, and that now take centre stage in Mercedes� participation at this year�s SEMA Show. �Widestar�, �The GLK Urban Whip�, �The GLK Pikes Peak Rally Racer� and �The GLK Rock Crawler� will attract attention even at SEMA, which is not exactly short on highlights and is becoming increasingly important as a trendsetting springboard for the European tuning scene. This presentation also represents the GLK premiere on the North American market, where sales are scheduled to begin in January 2009. �Our GLK is a character bursting with expressiveness, and a new model for us within a young market segment in the U.S.,� comments Mercedes-Benz Head of Design Gorden Wagener. �We selected SEMA in Las Vegas as the backdrop for its first appearance in North America because we want to take advantage of the show�s glamour and to underscore the highly individual character of the GLK. An SUV with an edge that is so refreshingly alternative, demands a somewhat alternative setting.�
Good market prospects are being forecast for the compact GLK in the U.S. The visual appeal and functionality of its exterior design make the GLK a distinctive and versatile vehicle, as do its exceptional handling and excellent safety characteristics combined with superb comfort both on and off-road.
GLK-Class freely interpreted four times
Four fundamentally different rebuilds make one thing abundantly clear � the GLK-Class is one of the most multi-faceted SUV models ever, and one that retains its distinctive character, even in the face of somewhat unconventional modifications. With each respective tuner fantasy and the help of some exotic ingredients, the SUV has been turned into an exclusive specialist for the road, beach, city or rally stage. �We wanted to see what kinds of interpretations were inspired by our GLK and how they would further sharpen this very strong character. The tuners opted for completely differing approaches, demonstrating the potential of our GLK concept,� continues Gorden Wagener.
* With its GLK Pikes Peak Rally Racer, RENNtech from Lake Park, Florida has created a motorsport vehicle inspired by the unlimited class of the legendary Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Colorado. The drivetrain of the RENNtech GLK is complemented by a hybrid module that guarantees excellent acceleration figures.
* BRABUS, based in Bottrop, Germany, represents the German element of this tuning fraternity and presents the Widestar, a production-ready, high-performance on-road vehicle that also pays tribute to the distinctive refinement
of vehicles bearing the three-pointed star.
* GLK Urban Whip is the name given by Boulevard Customs from St. Petersburg, Florida to its creation, which makes its entrance with a significantly widened bodyshell, massive 26 inch wheels and a mighty on-board entertainment system that, according to the figures, is likely to have an impact at full blast of seismological proportions.
* The team at the Legendary Motorcar Company from Ontario, Canada, which is more commonly associated with the restoration of American muscle cars, created the GLK Rock Crawler. The exotic design for snow and sand includes a winch system that can provide wakeboarders and snowboarders alike with the necessary impetus.
The base vehicle for Boulevard Customs, Legendary Motorcar and RENNtech is the series production GLK350 with a 3.5 litre V6 engine generating 200 kW/272 hp, while BRABUS opted for the diesel-driven GLK 320 CDI 4MATIC. The base versions of all models are equipped with the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.
Show vehicles with public voting
Mercedes-Benz is combining a voting program for the North American public with its appearances at SEMA and the subsequent Los Angeles Motor Show, where the customized GLKs will also be presented. At either show, or in the internet at www.mbusa.com, visitors can cast their vote for their favourite model. The winner of the �Tuner Challenge� will be announced on 2nd December.
The American trade body SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) has been hosting the tuning show of the same name for over forty years. Starting out as a performance show for a specific few industry insiders, SEMA has grown to become the most important trade show in tuning, accessories, components and workshop equipment throughout the American continent, and is exercising an increasing influence on the European tuning scene. SEMA 2008 take place as always in the Las Vegas Convention Center, and is open exclusively to trade visitors from 4th � 7th November.
Copyright � 2008, car-evolutioncars. All rights reserved.
MINI Crossman out in the open
BMW's 4,135mm long, 1,830mm wide and 1,598mm high SUV has been spied undergoing handling testing in Munich, Germany.
The Mini Crossover concept was based upon an extended 61mm platform of the Clubman. We expect the Crossover�s 2,606mm wheelbase to be carried over into the Crossman to offer greater rear passenger and luggage space.
It�s clear that this is going to be the biggest car to wear a Mini badge so far. The Paris show car was badged as the Mini Crossman, but BMW insiders say the production car will be sold as the Mini Cross. The finished car will also lose most of the Paris show concept�s more outlandish details, including the sliding �parallelogram� hinges of its rear doors in favour for conventional rear doors. Also the rear bootlid is most likely hinged at the roof instead of the right side quarter panel like the concept but it�s possible that the production version will keep the concept�s wind-down tailgate windows, which make it easier to carry longer loads.
Although the Mini Cross is almost as big as BMW�s forthcoming X1 compact SUV, the two cars will not share mechanical components. Instead, the Cross will use a developed version of the platform and powertrains already offered in the existing Mini and Mini Clubman.
The production Mini Cross will be built in Austria by Magna Steyr, which builds European versions of the current BMW X3. Mini hopes to pumped out 80,000 units a year. The Mini Cross will be the fourth body model in the MINI range with four-doors, four seats, four-wheel-drive and four cylinder engines.
A lower, less aggressively styled, two-wheel-drive variant will be launched shortly after the 4x4 version in 2010. Prices are likely to start at �20,000.
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