Ford Australia's Falcon Wagon to Bite the Dust in June, Replaced by Mondeo Wagon
In an ominous sign for the rest of the Falcon range, Ford Australia announced that the Falcon Wagon will be axed in June. Ironically, the announcement comes a few months before the company celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Australian Falcon that was launched onto the market in June of 1960.
Read more »
Wide-body 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan and Hatch Live from New York
Subaru is closing the styling gap between the Impreza WRX and STI models with the release of the wide-body 2011 Impreza WRX sedan and hatchback that had their world premiere today at the New York auto show.
By adopting the styling lines of the high-performance STI with the wider body look, including a wide track front and rear as well as beefier 17-inch alloys and 235/45R17 tires, the 2011 Impreza WRX boasts a more aggressive road presence than its predecessor.
All-New Scion tC Coupe with 180HP 2.5-Liter Engine Revealed in New York
Making its world debut at the New York motor show alongside the N.A.-spec iQ mini, is the second-generation of Scion's tC compact coupe that is scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships later this fall. Highlights include a new chassis and a more powerful 2.5-liter engine with new transmisions.
Following a similar formula with the first-generation tC that was first launched onto the market in 2004, Scion's coupe model features a new exterior design with certain styling cues like the helmet-inspired cabin shape said to be adopted from the Calty-designed Scion FUSE concept shown at the 2006 edition of the NY Show.
The car also gets protruding fender flares that house larger 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in wider tires.
2011 Scion iQ Production Model Debuts at New York Auto Show
Toyota today unveiled the working class version of the Aston Martin Cygnet North American version of its iQ mini that will be marketed under the Scion brand in the United States at the New York Auto Show.
With the exception of the darkened headlamps and tail lamps, and the newly designed front bumper with modified upper and lower grilles, Scion's model is identical to the Toyota iQ sold in other regions of the world including Europe.
With an overall length of only 120.1-inches (more than 30-in. shorter than the Toyota Yaris), width of 66.1-inches and a 78.7-inch wheelbase, the iQ is the smallest model in the Toyota Group's North American lineup.
GM Shows Off Astra Police Car at HOSDB Exhibition
The recent Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HODSB) show saw General Motors' Vauxhall division displaying its new generation Astra police vehicle that is offered for UK and overseas law enforcement officials.
Read more »
Cry Me a River
There's a coffee maker (oh, sorry, espresso maker...) in my office with which I'm having a tempestuous relationship. Every morning I make my usual quadruple espresso: two doubles gently mixed with a bit of low-fat milk and cinnamon. It's part of my routine, and makes me very happy, and awake.
The problem is, this particular coffee maker (fine, espresso maker) always has something to complain about. Our strained exchanges of late go something like this:
"Double espresso, please."
Fill water tank.
"Ok, double espresso please."
Fill beans.
"Fine. Make the espresso."
Empty grounds.
"Argh -"
Rinse.
"Why I oughta-"
Warming up...
Eventually, I get my lovely coffee beverage, and I usually only have to do one of these, sometimes two, but it gets irksome. Given, much of this is a constraint of a machine that is connected to neither a large bin of coffee bean, water source nor garbage receptacle. But still.
Here's another example:
Each time the power goes out in my house, I need to reset the time on the microwave I almost never use, but came with the house. Resetting the time on this particular microwave involves entering the time, am/pm and date.
I never seem to remember to look to see what the date is before I try to reset the time, so I inevitably need to go find out in the middle of the process. In spite of this extra needed effort, the date appears to serve no useful purpose whatsoever.
Recently, daylight savings time required setting the clocks ahead ("spring forward! fall back!") and you would think that, since I dutifully tell this microwave the date each and every time I lose power, this information would be used to automatically set the time ahead.
Nope.
When we design interfaces, its important to think about how the interface communicates with the user.
Ideally, the interface should prevent the user from making mistakes in the first place, and not collect any more information that is necessary to complete the task.
Users are task oriented. They just want to do what they want to do. They don't want to learn your interface, nor the clever intricacies of how information is collected or captured.
Use existing conventions, handle issues inline and strive for an interface that is forgiving of its users' idiosyncrasies.
And if you don't need the information, don't ask for it – less data entry will get you increased conversion and happier users. If my microwave isn't going to use the date to do anything useful, I really wish it didn't require it just to reset the time.
If the user does make a mistake, and the mistake can be fixed or mitigated, the interface should do so.
I just looked up the spelling of "idiosyncrasies" because I was forgetting it was "idio.." not "ideo.." I tried using a browser tool called Ubiquity, but it couldn't find an entry because I wasn't spelling it right. Dictionary.com happily offered the correct spelling as long as I could get close enough.
If the interface absolutely has to complain to the user, be user-friendly about it.
Make the message clear, concise, friendly, and as much as possible try to make it the system's problem, not the users. Is there something – anything? – that the user can do next? If so, make it easy to do so, don't leave the user hanging with an error message and no idea how to fix things or continue.
True, none of these things will probably help with my espresso maker, but hopefully will offer some small suggestions for your next project. And if it's possible to attach your next big idea to it's own conceptual water source and thus save your users a bit of time, effort and frustration, they'll thank you.
All-New 2011 Kia Optima Sedan Live from New York Show
Our man Phil is making good use of his digital camera at the New York Auto Show sending us 'live' photos of all the new models being presented at the Jacobs Javits Center.
This here is the all-new and very promising 2011 Kia Optima sedan that will go on sale in the U.S. this fall and in Europe next spring. The South Korean automaker's press conference at the NY Show isn't until tomorrow, so we don't have all the details on the mid-size saloon yet.
What we do know is that the Optima is a sister model to the also new Hyundai Sonata so expect to see the range comprising the same four-cylinder gasoline and hybrid powertrains. More photos after the jump.
NY Show: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Returns 41mpg in the City
Following in the footsteps of its Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan siblings, the Lincoln MKZ will be offered with FoMoCo's new hybrid powertrain that comprises of a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that churn out a combined output of 191HP.
Lincoln's first-ever hybrid model is expected to deliver at least 41mpg (5.7 lt/100km) in the city and reach speeds of up to 47 mph (75 km/h) in pure electric mode.
The Chinese Connection: 2011 BMW 5-Series Long Wheelbase Sedan
Chinese consumers like their saloons with extra long wheelbases. Abiding by the logic that the client is always right, BMW placed the new 5-Series sedan on the procrustean bed and stretched its wheelbase up by 140mm or 5.5-inches. The car now measures 5,039mm or 198-in. in length with a wheelbase of 3,108mm or 122.4-in
Developed exclusively for the Chinese market, the 5-Series LWB model is built at BMW's plant in Shenyang in cooperation with a large number of regional partners.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Unveiled Ahead of New York Show
Suzuki is adding a pinch of sportiness to its Kizashi mid-size sedan for the 2011 model year. If you're expecting a more powerful engine than the standard 178HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder that's offered across the range, then you'll be disappointed as the 'Sport' grade is mostly about looks.
Offered exclusively on the Kizashi GTS and SLS trim levels, Suzuki's definition of 'Sport' (talk about a word losing its meaning...) translates to custom light weight 18-inch alloy wheels and a 10mm lower ride plus a honeycomb lower grille, chrome accents on the front bumper and doors, discreet side skirts and a boot lid spoiler.
New Subaru Impreza STI Cosworth CS400 with 400HP: First Photos and Details
Subaru has finally released initial details as well as a set of teaser photos of its highly anticipated collaboration with famed engine-builder Cosworth. The special edition model is called the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 and it will go on sale in the UK (or Europe, Subaru didn't clarify) this June in a limited run of just 75 examples.
The Japanese automaker said that Cosworth has fine-tuned the standard Impreza WRX STI's 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, boosting output from 300HP at 6,000 rpm to 400HP at 5,750 rpm.
The result is a supercar-like 0 to 100km/h (62mp) sprint time of just 3.7 seconds. That's compared to the stock Impreza WRX STI's time of 5.2 seconds.
2011 Hyundai Accent or Elantra Spied Completely Undisguised
Here we go again: as was the case with the spy photos we showed you back in February, this single picture of a small Hyundai sedan snagged without any camouflage somewhere in South Korea has us wondering if it's the next generation Accent (marketed as the Verna in Korea) or the Elantra.
Either way, the compact-size four-door saloon looks like a mini-Sonata sharing the same "Fluidic Sculpture" design with its larger brethren. Apparently, Hyundai has learned its German lessons well - and by that we mean the "one design fits all size mantra".
As always, you can have your say in the comments section below.
Brabus Does the New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible
Mercedes-Benz specialist Brabus didn't waste any time in releasing its tuning program for the all-new 2011 E-Class Convertible that was launched in Europe this week. As with all other Mercedes models, Brabus offers a variety of performance and styling kits for Stuttgart's four-seater soft-top.
Starting with the engine upgrades, the most powerful option is for the E500 (E550 in the U.S.A.) Convertible. The stock 388HP 5.5-liter V8 unit is bored out to 6.1-liters, while the conversion also includes new cylinder heads and camshafts, a custom exhaust system and catalyst as well as a recalibrated ECU.
The result is an overall output of 462HP and 615Nm (453-lb-ft) of peak torque, for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).
Spy Video: 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV
The countdown is on to the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV that will roll out of Stuttgart sometime in the second-half of 2011. Last time we brought you some early scoop photos of the new SUV on one of its first tests on road. Now, spies have video-snagged the next M-Class during winter testing.
Sharing a platform with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and the upcoming 2012 Dodge Durango, the M-Class will get a revised engine lineup that will most likely include a next-generation hybrid powertrain with plug-in capability.
Geely Chairman Promises To Liberate Volvo from its Capitalist Owner / Oppressors
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Chairman Li Shufu recently had this to say about Volvo and its $1.8 billion purchase from Ford Motor Company: "A tiger belongs to the forest. It belongs to the wild world and not confined in a zoo. We need to liberate this tiger." Anyone else see the irony?
According to Autonews, Li was referring to Volvo's dependence on Europe for production and Europe and North America for the most part of its sales.
Geely's chairman believes that this issue will be solved by building a factory in Beijing, China, that will make 300,000 Volvo cars a year, or about the same amount the automaker currently produces at its plants in Sweden and Belgium
Nissan Announces U.S. Pricing for LEAF EV, Buy from $25,280, Lease from $349
The all-electric Nissan Leaf will sell for $25,280 (about €18,800) including federal tax credits, the Japanese automaker announced on Tuesday, making it more expensive than conventional gasoline/diesel or hybrid cars.
The actual MSRP (not including applicable tax, title and license fees) for the Leaf is $32,780, but there's a $7,500 federal tax credit which brings the price down to $25,280 for the entry-level version. According to the automaker, the Leaf can leased for a monthly payment beginning at $349.
Nissan said that there is an array of state and local incentives that may further reduce the costs such as a $5,000 statewide tax rebate in California; a $5,000 tax credit in Georgia; a $1,500 tax credit in Oregon; and carpool-lane access in some states, including California.
New Cadillac CTS Coupe Featured in iPad App
If anything else, automakers are fully embracing Apple's i-do-nothing-well iPad tablet. Shortly after Infiniti told us about a special version of its 'Adeyaka' digital magazine designed exclusively for the iPad, Cadillac announced the sponsoring of Cool Hunting's application for the tablet computer with exclusive content inspired by the all-new 2011 CTS Coupe.
"The Cadillac CTS Coupe serves as muse for our design and technology stories." says Josh Rubin, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Cool Hunting.
Audi Confirms 2011 TT Coupe and Roadster Facelift for Leipzig
As anticipated, Audi came out with an official press release on its AMI motor show offerings that include the world premiere of the redesigned 2011 TT Coupe and Roadster. The German automaker did not reveal any specific details about the facelift models.
Other highlights at the show, which runs from from April 9-18, include the German premieres of the new A1 premium supermini, the A8 limo and the RS5 Coupé, the e-tron concept and the car that won the 2009 DTM (German Touring Car Masters).
Read more »ANFSCD: Earth’s Coolest Concept Albums
Yes, it's not user experience design, unless you consider that Pink Floyd's most popular album has provided a unique musical (and often mind-altering) experience for over 35 years. This Wired article asks readers what albums they think could compete with Pink Floyd's trippy masterpiece.
As someone who owns every album Pink Floyd released, I'm also partial to Animals and Wish You Were Here, but Dark Side of the Moon is a masterwork.
But why argue? Can't we all just get along? Don't think of this list as 24 contenders, but rather as a great list of classic concept albums. Some will argue that albums like Pet Sounds were at least as if not more musically influential, but for sheer popularity it's hard to argue with DSoTM's over 700 weeks on the charts and almost instant universal recognition.
Earth’s Coolest Concept Albums, Decided By You | Underwire | Wired.com
BMW Celebrates 25 Years of Technik with a Super-Gallery of Funk
BMW Technik GmbH (currently BMW Forschung und Technik, or Research and Technology) is celebrating 25 years of concepts, innovation, design, and technology. The people employed in the division are responsible for some of the zaniest concepts to ever come from beneath the Roundel.
The subsidiary company was founded as BMW Technik GmbH in 1985. In the early years, the division's main focus of activities was defined as "the development and construction of concept vehicles".
These include the 1988 Z1 Coupe that was based on BMW Technik's very first project, the limited production Z1 roadster.
However, in 2003, the Bavarian automaker rebranded the division as "BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH", shifting focus to developing technology that encompassed all types of BMW vehicles.
Winged Subaru Impreza STI to Debut at New York Auto Show
Apparently, Subaru is in a teasing mode these days. Enjoy one of the shortest press releases ever: "The wing is back! Exclusive world debut at the New York International Auto Show." The Japanese automaker accompanied the statement with a single photo of a covered-up Impreza WRX STI with a jumbo-size rear wing.
Read more »
Lincoln to Reveal MKZ Hybrid at this Week's New York Auto Show
The Detroit News reports that FoMoCo will be revealing the MKZ Hybrid in New York, the Blue Oval's "first luxury hybrid".What you can expect is a Ford Fusion (or Mercury Milan), but with whatever passes for upscale Lincoln trim.
Chris Lemley, owner of dealerships in the Boston metro area, says, "I thought they should have done it before." Obviously, but as for getting people out of Lexus dealerships and onto Lincoln lots, "It depends on how fast they can get it to us...I'm also hoping that it will be priced competitively."
Kia Unveils Soul Safety Car for U.S. Touring Car Championship
Following its debut at last year's SEMA motor show in Las Vegas, the Kia Soul Safety Car has made its track debut at the U.S. Touring Car Championship (USTCC) that is sanctioned by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA).
Kia's funk-o-wagon was modified by "GOGOGEAR" and it features upgraded suspension and tires, plus special strobe lights inside the headlamps, taillights and the light bar.
New York Show: Chevrolet's Cruze Lineup Grows up with RS, ECO Models
With the 2011 Cruze set to enter Chevrolet's American lineup and replace the quirky Cobalt, GM has gotten itself two big steps away from the bland-as-a-box Cavalier.
Now, they plan on taking things one step further by offering unique packages that will hopefully allow it to compete with segment top dogs like the Civic and Focus.
First comes the Cruze RS, which boils down to an appearance package (and a pretty snazzy one at that) available on LT and LTZ models. According to the PR people, said package "bolsters the car's styling with unique fascias, rocker moldings, rear spoiler and fog lamps."
New York Show: All-New 2011 Infiniti QX56 Leaked
With the new Nissan Patrol-based Infiniti QX56, Nissan hopes to release a better competitor in the full-size luxury SUV segment than its lumpy, tumorous predecessor. From the pics, it's already way ahead of the game (barring the absurd, swoopy vents and lesion-like tail lamps).
Wearing the manliest face Infiniti has ever put on an SUV while retaining the brand's design language, the new-for 2011 QX56 is visually much more blunt and regal, if that's possible.
Airstream's Bambi 422 Trailer: For The Deer Hunter in All Of Us
While most people will be concentrating on the roided-out wagons and Euro-fighting econoboxes showing up in New York, outdoors-y types are probably more concerned with the recent British Leisure Show at Royal Windsor Racecourse.
That's where Airstream - the people who make those retro Coors Light trailers - showed its redesigned Bambi 422 (again; its debut was at Birmingham's National Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show), which is "the most nimble and lightweight" Airstream around. Sounds sexy.
Mercedes-Benz Makes the 2011 R-Class Less Painful to the Eye [27 High-Res Photos]
It's no secret that the segment-confused R-Class is one of the ugliest and less successful vehicle's in the history of Mercedes-Benz. Having already admitted this, the German automaker is now trying to give the R-Class a new lease in life by updating the crossover model where it hurts the most: the styling department.
The 2011 R-Class' front end has been completely redesigned taking its inspiration from Mercedes-Benz's latest sedan and SUV models. Gone are the goggle-style lights that have been replaced with newly-shaped headlamps.
The more chiseled bonnet design and bumper along with the new daytime running lights complete the stylistic updates up front.
New York Show: Cadillac's 2011 CTS-V Wagon puts the Germans on Alert
Cadillac has officially cranked its CTS Sport Wagon to 11, and it'll be on-hand at the upcoming New York International Auto Show.
Powered by the CTS-V's 556-horsepower 6.2 liter LSA and billed as a pre-production show car (kind of like Buick's Regal GS), the CTS-V Sport Wagon will be previewing what Cadillac expects to have in dealerships before the end of the year.
Painted in Midnight Silver paint cribbed from the Sixteen concept, the show car's interior will leather/Alcantara-trimmed seats, a leather-trimmed upper dashboard, and Sapele wood trim (from the Sapele tree, which is indigenous to tropical Africa).
500,000th Fiat 500 Rolls Off the Production Line in Poland
In an important milestone for the new Fiat 500's history, the 500,000th example of the Italian automaker's retro-styled mini rolled off the production line this week at the Fiat Auto plant in Tychy, Poland, 21 months after its market launch. The commemorative model was finished in a so-called "Funk White" color and powered by a 69HP 1.2 engine with Start&Stop.
The new Fiat 500 is sold in 83 different countries around the world, from Italy to Brazil, and South Africa to Japan.
Mazda Licenses Prius Hybrid Technology from Toyota, First Model to go on Sale by 2013
As the saying goes, if you can't beat them, join them... Not wanting to be left out of the modern craze for all things hybrid, Mazda reached an agreement with Toyota to license the (hybrid) technology used in the Toyota Prius.
The deal, announced on Monday, will allow Mazda to use the key components of the hybrid system found in the top-selling Prius on its own series of models.
Ford Focus RS500 Officially Revealed: High-Res Photos and Full Details
We were supposed to get our first official look of the new, limited run Ford Focus RS500 on Wednesday, but Ford decided to release information and photos today "due to the overwhelming interest shown", as the company states on its dedicated website.
So what's the Focus RS500 all about? If you're the kind of type that likes getting to the point, all you need to know is that the RS500 is a limited edition of the Focus RS with a beefed up 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five churning out 350HP, a matte black 'foil' wrap and special interior trim that will be produced in a strictly-limited production run of 500 individually-numbered vehicles.
For more detailed information and a comprehensive, high-resolution photo gallery of Ford's Focus RS500, follow the jump.
From Concept to Reality: Jaguar XK
The XK series of 'grand tourers' is a successor to Jaguar's original XK sports cars. Resurrected in 1996, the XK replaced the aged XJS luxury coupe with a car more fitting of the XK nameplate: a pretty coupe or convertible with (optional) big engines driving the rear wheels.
Ten years after its revival, Jaguar brought fans of the XK8 and XKR a new, high-tech take on the XK, proving that they can keep a good thing going.
Read more »Ford Seals Deal with China's Geely, Sells Volvo for $1.8 Billion
For better or for worse, Ford Motor Company has finalized a deal to sell Volvo Cars and related assists (primarily intellectual property) to Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Limited for US$1.8 billion (€1.35 billion at today's exchange rates).
The Detroit company said that the transaction will be made in the form of a note in the amount of US$200 million and the remainder in cash.
It's worth noting that Geely has acquired Volvo at a fraction of what Ford paid for the Swedish automaker at $6.5 billion in 1999.
Ford said that even though Geely owns 100 percent of Volvo, due to the fact that the Swedish automaker's cars share core components and technologies with its own vehicles, it will continue to supply the company with powertrains, stampings and other vehicle components for an undefined period.
My Two Dents on Mitsubishi's Poor Planning and Marketing
I always liked the idea of the FTO, a small, stylish coupe that could fit in below the Eclipse in Mitsubishi's lineup. For some reason, seeing this video today reminded me of the triple-diamond's good old days; you know, back when they put out cars like the twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive 3000GT VR-4 and the turbocharged GS-T and GS-X Eclipses.
They even teased fans with the turbo'd, AWD Eclipse Ralliart concept back in 2006; for some reason, nothing came of it. Who WOULDN'T buy a coupe-ified Evo?
2011 Bentley Continental GT Coupe Fuzzily Spied
These here are spy shots of the redesigned 2011 Bentley Continental GT coupe. The pictures are a tad grainy and admittedly not of the best quality, but they do give us a glimpse of the cosmetic changes Bentley is readying for its luxurious coupe model.
From what we can tell, the front-end of the refreshed Continental GT takes some styling cues from the new Mulsanne such as the big round inner headlights flanked by off-set smaller ones.
Fastest Ever Seat, the 265HP Leon Cupra R, Arrives in Britain
The most powerful and quickest-accelerating production Seat to date, the new 265-horsepower Leon Cupra R, will carry a price tag of £25,205 when the orders books open at the firm's UK dealers on Thursday 1 April.
The Cupra R is powered by a VW Group-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot delivering a maximum output of 265HP and a peak torque of 350 Nm at 2,500 rpm that drive the front-wheels through a revised six-speed manual gearbox.
Efficient Dynamics, Meet Pod Racer: BMW Sequence GT Concept
The BMW Sequence GT is the brainchild of Seungmo Lim, a graduate student at Pforzheim University in Germany.
Lim explains that the "Electric Gran Turismo Sequence" project started out with two questions: 1) "How important is the appearance of green cars?", and 2) "What is 'Efficient dynamics'?"
"In other words these two questions mean, 'What kind of qualification does a blue or green car have to have in order to get a BMW badge in the future?'"
I've got no idea, so it's good that he came up with an answer: Combining "driving pleasure with blue architecture."