Alfa Romeo MiTo (2014)

CAR GARAGE | Alfa Romeo MiTo (2014) | The Mito is sold in Europe with Several versions of the turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine powers the Fiat 500 That. All use Fiat's innovative MultiAir valve-control system, the which also features on a 900cc 2-cylinder engine economy dubbed "TwinAir."  A few words about MultiAir, the which Fiat touts as the first "Fully Variable Valve actuation" system available on mass-market cars. Fiat also claims up to 10-percent better fuel economy versus a comparable non-Multi Air engine, plus up to 10-percent lower CO2 emissions (a major regulatory issues in Europe). Though it's not a power-booster per SE, Hence the Mito's turbocharging, MultiAir is significant as the kind of modern small-car technology That prompted Chrysler's creditors - U.S. and Canadian Governments included - to let Fiat take management control of the American automaker.

In current 2-door form, the 2014 Alfa Romeo Mito would be about the same size as the 4-door Honda Fit, but trimmed and equipped to Compete with upmarket-brand small cars, especially Mini Cooper 2-door models. The name, pronounced "mee-TOE," refers to Milan and Torino (Turin), the Italian cities where most Alfa Romeos are built. Mito shares a platform with Fiat's Grande Punto Euro-market hatchback and has so far been available only in 2-door form. However, a trade weekly Automotive News reports That the US-spec Alfa Romeo Mito 2014 will be a 4-door hatchback, Perhaps on an extended wheelbase.

The American-market 2014 Alfa Romeo Mito should retain the existing European Model's 4-wheel independent suspension with four coil springs, front struts, a twist-beam rear axle, and driver-adjustable shock absorbers electrohydraulic. Ditto the steering, the which uses gas-saving electrohydraulic assists instead of the traditional beltdriven hydraulic pump. Brakes are 4-wheel discs with ABS and an antiskid system with integrated traction control. Alfa's DNA mapping system electronics is sure to be available and Perhaps a standard for some models.  On the safety front, the 2014 Alfa Romeo Mito was designed to Achieve top ratings in Euro NCAP crash tests, the which are similar to U.S. procedures.  Other features are unclear at this stage, but the US-bound Alfa Romeo Mito 2014 should offer most all Euro-standard equipment and options market. Prime Among these are a large glass sunroof, premium Bose audio, a navigation system, and Fiat's voice-activated "Blue & Me" infotainment controller, the which is similar to the Ford Sync system and was also developed with Microsoft.

The Mito serves as the entry-level Alfa Romeo in Europe and is planned to anchor a U.S. multi-model line that's currently slated to form up during calendar 2014. Specifically, Fiat / Alfa dealers will be adding the front-drive Giulietta, a Ford Focus-size 4-door hatchback; a new Spider roadster, a modern version of "The Graduate" star and possibly a rear-drive design; and the midsize Giulia sedan and wagon. The pricey limited-edition sports car 4C will remain the brand's global image-leader for as long as it's available.  The Mito was originally billed as a car for the "YouTube Generation." A play target was and is the Mini Cooper, so it naturally follows a similar formula as a well equipped, fun-to-drive small car with youthful styling, good fuel economy, quality materials, and solid workmanship. Most reports show the latest 1.4-turbo gas models doing 0-60 mph in some 7-8 seconds, the which is on par with the base-engine 2-door Mini Coopers but a bit Adrift of turbocharged Cooper S models. Reported positives include mechanical refinement, general fit-and-finish and, unsurprisingly, Italian design flair.

The 2014 Alfa Romeo Mito may be arriving later than Fiat had planned, but it's well timed for a spate of new small cars from other premium brands. M-B's sleeker A-Class hatchback, also just redesigned, may join in, along with Several other body styles on the same new front-drive platform (called MFA for "Mercedes Front-wheel Architecture"). Toyota's Lexus division already offers a smallish compact hatch in the hybrid-drive CT200h, and Nissan's upscale Infiniti brand has Announced a new small car for around 2013. Let's also note That premium-brand leader BMW is planning a range of small front drive cars to slot below its rear-drive 1-Series compacts, though they're not expected to be ready until 2018 or so.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento (2013)

CAR GARAGE | Lamborghini Sesto Elemento (2013) | Lamborghini estimates the Sesto Elemento can sprint from zero to 62 mph in only 2.5 seconds. In our recent test of the fastest-accelerating super cars (Road & Track, December 2011) the Sesto Elemento would leave the Nissan GT-R and Porsche 911 Turbo S eating its dust. Lamborghini has Announced it will build 20 production models of the Sesto Elemento, a bantamweight concept car shown last year during the Paris Auto Show. It's a pity That Lamborghini says the production version of the Sesto Elemento is intended for "track use" only.

Lamborghini President and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, has stressed the role Important lightweight materials will play in the company's future lineup. The Sesto Elemento has taken this ethos to the extreme, by employing carbon fiber in every aspect of the car's construction. The seats are formed directly into the carbon-fiber tub, with thin cushions and high-tech fabrics attached directly to the monocoque.

The Sesto Elemento has a stellar weight-to-power ratio of 3.85 lb. per horsepower. The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the which has 638 bhp and a top speed of 205 mph seems a Positively-Porky in comparison, carrying 5.2 lb. per bhp.

Mercedes-Benz Style Coupe Concept (2012)

CAR GARAGE | Mercedes-Benz Style Coupe Concept (2012) | Technical highlights include its striking headlamp design featuring innovative indicators, the new four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 155 kW (211 hp) and the all-wheel drive 4MATIC system. "The Concept Coupé Style is expressive and powerful in its design", said Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. The almost production-standard Style Concept Coupé sets a new benchmark for avant-garde design in the executive segment," Gorden Wagener emphasised, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz. "Its breathtaking proportions, sinewy fluid surfaces and sculptural lines are the physical expression of our dynamic design idiom."

Mercedes-Benz is firmly convinced That the future lies with cloud computing. The software for the COMAND Online applications is not stored in the vehicle, but runs off the Daimler Vehicle Backend.  Sporty driving dynamics coupled with exemplary efficiency are the hallmarks of the engine of the Concept Coupé Style. Powerful wheel-hub drive is provided by the 2.0-liter version of the new generation petrol engine with 155 kW (211 hp), combined here with the efficient 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission.

A large carbon-fiber trim panel spans its full width, giving it the elegance and distinctively 'cool' appeal of a coupé. Flowing back in a long, continuous wave from the instrument panel is the center console. The world of fashion Provided the inspiration for the color mix of light gray and anthracite. All chrome trim elements and control panels now for the first time feature a black anodised finish, as seen on top-of-the-range Limited Edition Sports chronograph watches. The surfaces around the HMI control panel have the glossy shimmer of black anodised aluminum. The design of the air vents in the instrument panel of an aircraft jet engine evokes. As in the Concept A-Class They are back lit and change color According to the temperature set by the occupants for the climate control system.

The paint finish of the concept vehicle is in Alubeam - a color that helps to emphasise the sculptural quality of its lines. Three prominent lines give structure to the vehicle when viewed from the side: the front structural edge flows over the wings towards the rear end in a characteristic line dropping. Another, more sinewy line spans the shoulder muscle above the rear axle, while the third line extends upward in a sweeping curve from the front wheel towards the rear. The ripple design of the prominent exterior mirrors design takes advantage of the Freedoms enjoyed by a concept car.

The Style Concept Coupé features frameless side windows and has no B-pillar. A large panoramic roof creates a light and airy interior. The avant-garde lines of the Coupé are further emphasised by the way the tail lights, with Their metallic-red coloring, tapers to a sharp point both to the front and toward the rear center. An integrated dual-flow exhaust system underlines the car's sporty credentials and Gives added width to the tail end. A narrow rear diffuser picks up again on the dotted pattern of the diamond grille.

Land Rover Defender (2013)

CAR GARAGE | Land Rover Defender (2013) | Options of a new premium seat design, upgraded in-car entertainment and a choice of four new contrast roof colors are now available to Land Rover Defender customers. Underpinned by the powerful 2.2-liter diesel engine and its go anywhere capability, the iconic Defender retains the rugged appeal that it's always been famous for but now with even greater customer choice, "says John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director. Smart new, contrast roof colors can now be chosen against the majority of the Land Rover Defender paint palette. In addition to the standard Fuji White, customers can now opt for Santorini Black, Indus Silver, Orkney Grey or Firenze Red.

Tall front seats are designed to improve maximum back support and headrest ergonomics in the most demanding of driving conditions and there are robust, supportive second row seats too. The Station Wagon derivatives have a spring-assisted fold mechanism helps when folding the roomates seats and when carrying large or awkward loads. Land Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon second row occupants benefit from a pair of individual, full-size, forward-facing rear seats. Providing excellent comfort levels, these seats are also available as a third row option on the 110 Station Wagon. Seat trims include durable all-vinyl and cloth specifications as well as the half-leather seat option and new standard Premium seats.

The EU5 2.2-liter diesel engine replaced the EU4 2.4-liter diesel in 2012, matching it for power, torque and fuel consumption, whilst a full acoustic engine cover replaced the previous splash cover, reducing engine Radiated noise and improving driving refinement. The GFT MT 82 six-speed gearbox has an excellent ratio spread, high top gear for cruising and enhanced low-speed crawl capability. The lower first gear offers low crawl speed making towing on-road and off-road much easier. The low-down engine torque also helps in-gear acceleration and the tall sixth gear ensures excellent real-world cruising, refinement and fuel economy.

Rolls-Royce Phantom (2013)

CAR GARAGE | Rolls-Royce Phantom (2013) | New Phantom variants were added, starting with the Phantom Extended Wheelbase in 2005. In 2007, the Phantom Drophead Coupé revealed the ultimate in luxurious open-top motoring, while the Phantom Coupé, Rolls-Royce's sophisticated grand tourer, joined the family in 2008.  Without parallel in the car industry, the achievement was all the more astonishing for a brand roomates shouldered the weight of historic ups (and occasional downs) and for roomates expectations for the future were rightly high. From launch, the Rolls-Royce Phantom proved itself a worthy recipient of the famous Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. From Pantheon grille to long rear overhang, the design was Clearly a Rolls-Royce. At the car's core lay a ground-breaking, lightweight aluminum space-frame with power supplied by a sophisticated, direct-injection V12 engine, married to a six-speed auto gearbox. And complementing this excellence in engineering was the Phantom's beautiful interior, presenting sumptuous hand-stitched Leathers, fine veneers and exquisite detailing, a combination that marked the car as something uniquely special.

Originally conceived by the Rolls-Royce engineering team, an advanced aluminum spaceframe retains its position at the Phantom's core, serving as the foundation for the car's extraordinary driving Prowess. Epitomising the Rolls-Royce marriage of cutting-edge technology with fine craftsmanship, each spaceframe is entirely hand-welded, then finished as if it were a precision instrument. Every morning, skilled welders perform a 300mm test to check for atmospheric effects on the material they will work with roomates. Precision might also be the best word to describe the manner in roomates Phantom drivers place their cars through corners. Complementing Phantom's reassuring safety features are changes to the front door side pockets.

"For my team this was a question of what we could do to improve a drive-train that we believed was close to perfection, both in terms of its dynamic performance and outstanding ride characteristics," - Helmut Riedl, Director of Engineering. At its heart, every Phantom family car hosts a hand-assembled, 6.75 liter naturally aspirated V12 engine. Rolls-Royce Phantom's power reserve gauge is another of those trademark Rolls-Royce design cues that always raises a smile. For Rolls-Royce Phantom II Series, Rolls-Royce has improved the drive-train by incorporating a new 8-speed ZF-auto gearbox for all variants. This is electronically controlled to manage the extraordinary power delivered by the V12 power plant. The longer ratio in the new rear differential compensates shorter ratios in some gears of the new 8-speed gearbox, maintaining the same engine speed to augment 'waftability', while improving fuel economy.

Double-wishbone front suspension complements the drive-train, featuring optimized mounts to Minimize vibrations through the steering wheel, while multi-link rear suspension complete with anti-lift and anti-dive technology aids stability under heavy acceleration and braking. Spring dampeners and anti-roll bars maintain comfort without loss of agility while self-leveling air struts compensate for different loads within the car, making continual adjustments as the weight of fuel decreases, giving drivers the ability to place the car through turns with absolute precision and passengers a ride of supreme comfort.