Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID

Starting next summer and will have a Mercedes S-Class that emits less than 200 g / km of CO2. And that is, as has been recently showing the car industry, the luxury or the high performance because they do not have to go at odds with some moderate pollution emissions or with a low fuel consumption. Logically, as a mark of reference that is, Mercedes-Benz had to be one of the first to join this trend, so we just announced that in less than a year will reach dealers its first hybrid car.

Rival will have a very clearly defined: the Lexus LS 600h. So far the Japanese is the only car in its class that offers is technology, Mercedes will be added shortly, and, hopefully, the rest of marks also go to the basket of "the electrification of the car." Our protagonist today is called S 400 BlueHYBRID, and part of the basis of the existing S 350 petrol engine with 272 hp V6 model to which he now adds a 20-hp electric motor.
Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID
The 3.5-liter V6 engine is optimized for slightly to outrun 7 hp and 279 hp well. Combined with the 20 hp electric motor becomes a good 299 hp, more than enough to catapult this superberlina nearly two tons to 250 km / h top speed, and you can accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h 7.2 seconds (slightly faster than the S 350). But the biggest gain occurs in the fuel economy and reduced emissions. The S 400 BlueHYBRID needs only 7.3 l/100 km (nearly three liters less than the S 350) and emits 190 g / km of CO2 (242 g / km the S350). The biggest benefit occurs in town, thanks also to "start / stop," which for the engine to arrive at a traffic light to start after automatically and impercetible.

The lithium-ion battery has been specially designed for application to the car, and with the 20 hp power and 160 Nm of torque electric drive serves both as a starter motor as a generator. With this system you get a double advantage, because next to the fuel economy increases the pleasure of driving, and to strong acceleration in both propulsion units working at once and join their forces. In practice the torque of the two engines are not very mathematically, but improving. For example, 3.5 V6 generates 350 Nm, the electric and 160 Nm, which translates as Mercedes in a combined maximum torque of 385 Nm.
Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID

This first hybrid Mercedes model is combined with an automatic seven-speed 7G-Tronic, cash that has been specially configured for the particularities of this release and that becomes a great ally for achieving outstanding end result. This hybrid car only weighs 75 kilos more than the S 350, which penalizes him for just such a fantastic consumption values and benefits. Ultimately, that the mark of the star wants to position itself among the first to the market launch of propulsion choice, as it did a few months ago with the B 170 NGT. Later, when the date of marketing the S 400 BlueHYBRID, provide all the data of the first hybrid Mercedes and other models of this type that, surely, will be shown.

Tesla Roadster Photos

Tesla Roadster

Few have heard of Tesla, an American company dedicated to build electric vehicles founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpening, whose headquarters is in San Carlos, California (USA). In principle it is a small manufacturer, but given the success that seems to have had its first model-the-Roadster and the evolution of the automobile toward less dependence on oil in the medium term this brand could begin to sound very strong.

Roadster of the American brand has already received a few thousand orders, which has been unable to deliver in full and that, at present, the production line is very limited, although about to expand significantly.

Tesla has already confirmed that the second half of 2009 will sell its Roadster model in Europe too, once in the spring has passed all the necessary approvals for the European market, and an approximate price of 99,000 euros. In addition to the Roadster, 2010 Tesla plans to launch a high-performance saloon and level of luxury to compete with the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E Class And later, in 2012, plans to spend marketing a more affordable model. The three models will be powered entirely by electricity, with a system similar to that of the Roadster.
Tesla Roadster

To focus quickly to the reader what is a Tesla Roadster, we could summarize the project saying that it is a Lotus Elise, who has been replaced by a gasoline engine power. It is true that the body shows obvious differences with regard to British sport, but it was on this basis, external measures are very similar and even cars are mounted Tesla Roadster at the British plant of Lotus. However, it is totally revolutionary group propellant: a group of small Lithium-ion batteries similar to a computer that they get a great power.

Translated horsepower to the power of this engine made up of 6831 small batteries is 248 hp at 8,000 rpm. But if the figure of surprising power, the more you do the way of delivering the force, since the 375 Nm of torque is available instantly, from 0 rpm, and can stretch up to 14,000 rpm. The car weighs 1220 kilograms, reaches 200 km / h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.9 seconds, ie faster than a Ferrari. Its consumption is simply 0 l/100 km, basically because they do not use any gasoline, emissions of CO2 from 0 g / km, because it made no smoke, and the cost of "refuel" rather, to recharge the battery , Will depend on the rates of birth of each municipality, but in any case the cost will be much lower than that of filling the tank of a conventional car.

It is also quite usable, as their batteries hold about 400 kilometers, after it was recharged in about three and a half hours.

For his part, the gearbox has two speeds forward and one backward. For all that, driving the Tesla Roadster has to be the most peculiar, since they not only surprised by his tremendous drive, but also because of the steadfastness of its power curve and the total absence of hitches.

Tesla Roadster

Lexus IS-F Review

Lexus IS-F Review and Photos

Lexus IS-F Come IN !. The three saloons Germany's most prestigious sporting field have at your leisure in recent years. We are referring to the BMW M3 (which is already on its fourth generation), the AMG Mercedes C Class (now with the C63 AMG version) and the Audi RS4 (which is momentarily without representation, since the current A4 has just arrived market and has no version RS4, but we do not take a long time to come). But this spring from a "superberlina" sports does not prove the German fight for supremacy in this category. It has not come with complex, far from it, but with a desire to overcome their famous rivals, and, actually, he succeeds in some sections.

Lexus IS-F Review

As I have guessed we are referring to the Lexus IS-F, with the "F" from Fuji, the Japanese circuit where this beast has a point. Your letter does not leave indifferent, as its propeller avanzadísimo five-liter V8 develops 423 hp engine capacity, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.8 seconds and reach 270 km / h. It has a full range of equipment and a fabulous eight-speed automatic; yes, it costs 84,000 euros, a price slightly higher than its rivals, though justified with greater strength as a standard kit.

Viewed from outside the Lexus IS-F and impressive, especially when looking behind. True, in the front can be seen easily bonnet-growing need to put an engine this big-print and on the side stand the oversized wheel arches. But the rear, with its peculiar quadruple exhaust outlet, it is scandalous. The interior breathes an atmosphere marked with luxury items of the highest quality, complemented with some sporting details such as seats, which are leather, offer good lateral holding, and allow to place the sidewalk at a fairly low.

Lexus IS-F Photos

Through its launch button and everything goes with discretion, although the modest but evocative sound and rapid response to the accelerator pedal give us some hint of what will come later. The gearbox operates at a thousand wonders. We had not tested any further, except to the dual-clutch DSG and KDP, which was so quick and efficient. Arrive at a clear road and give a stamped the accelerator pedal is a fantastic experience. Shortly before the 4,000 rpm the sound changes dramatically in that time and refinement passes into the background to make way for a rabid sportsmanship. How pushes and how it sounds!

If you've opted to go into manual mode, hey! No changes to a higher gear to reach the maximum production, but needs to be changed manually. In automatic mode still works to perfection, from a march to another without any hitch, and if we are to advance the system is able to reduce the 4th to 8th automatically. As for the road poise in the Lexus IS-F transmits a security fabulous. Obviously in a car of their benefits is a bit harsh suspensions, but without being radical.

Another thing we loved was the traction control and stability that comes when needed but just diminish the thrust. Finally, there is a "sport button" on the console that varies some parameters, but the truth, in a short touchdown and without having had the opportunity to test circuit, we saw no major differences in behavior. Later, as we can, we'll make this car a test intesantísimo depth to analyze in detail all its features. For now, in a first impression, is simply fascinating.

Lexus IS-F