Purpose

I will try my best to provide detailed info on various cars and what is like to live with them, I have already produced a few for Jaguar-car-forums, I will do my best to be unbiased, but it will be hard for some cars. I will re-produce press releases and copy from other motoring news.

Friday 31 March 2017

Ssangyong launches the next generation Rexton Flagship SUV, and its a better all round car.

  • New large and authentic SUV will deliver style, a great driving experience, high levels of safety and new technology
  • New car inherits its flagship DNA from original Rexton
  • To be unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show, Thursday 30 March 
SsangYong Motor Company, (CEO Jhong-Sik Choi; www.smotor.com/en) has announced that its new car to be launched this week will be called Rexton. 
Developed under the project name of Y400 and seen as the LIV-2 concept at the Paris motor show in September 2016, the new car inherits the heritage and DNA of the original Rexton as a large, authentic SUV. It will be known internationally as Rexton, and ‘G4 Rexton’ in Korea. 
SsangYong expects this new generation Rexton to compete with traditional D & E segment SUVs, and will continue the renewal of SsangYong’s brand identity which began with the launch of Tivoli. 
Inheriting the brand values of the original Rexton as its flagship, it will also further underpin the company’s reputation as Korea's oldest vehicle manufacturer and only 4x4 and SUV specialist producer. 
With a refined and luxurious interior, the new Rexton will feature Apple Carplay and Android Auto with device mirroring, 3D Around View Monitoring (AVM) and a wide 9.2-inch HD screen. 
The new car embodies robust and dynamic SUV styling and blends drivability with high levels of safety that includes nine airbags. With a front mounted engine, rear-wheel drive and 4x4, Rexton will be a class-leading contender. It will offer excellent driving characteristics on and off-road, balanced weight distribution, great towing capability and NVH performance. 
Constructed using a Quad-Frame body structure using 1.5Gpa giga-steel - a world first, it also features 63% advanced high strength steel (AHSS) to create greatly improved body strength while reducing weight. 
Rexton is 4,850mm long, 1,920mm wide, 1,800mm high, and has a 2,865mm wheelbase. It will be powered by both petrol and new clean-burning diesel engines. 
The car will go on sale in Korea during the first half of this year, and internationally before the end of 2017. 

Infiniti utilises Geneva to showcase the refreshed exterior and interior of its Q50 saloon.

  • Refreshed exterior and interior design, with new grade structure
  • Paving the road towards autonomous drive through smart technologies included in new ProPILOT Assist driver support package
  • Powertrain options include award-winning 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo
INFINITI has enhanced the Q50 premium sports saloon, which makes its global debut at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show.
The new Q50 features refreshed exterior and interior design, and innovative technologies designed to empower and support the driver.
“INFINITI seeks to empower our customers on their journey through their experience with us – whether it is our products, our technologies, our services, or simply a passion for driving. There is no better vehicle that incorporates all the elements of the INFINITI brand than the Q50 saloon.”
Roland Krueger, President of INFINITI

The enhanced sports saloon retains its sleek proportions and athletic stance, while establishing greater visual differentiation between model versions, including the performance-inspired ‘Red Sport 400’. Through the Red Sport 400 grade, INFINITI’s designers have brought the model in line with its ‘designed to perform’ ethos.
Changes to the interior blend artistry with innovation, with stitching and the use of authentic materials further elevating the level of craftsmanship inside the Q50. The INFINITI InTouch Services bring the future of in-car connectivity to the interior, while the inclusion of the brand’s ‘spinal support’ seats ensures a comfortable space in which to spend time. 
Innovative technologies empower and support the driver, while giving a glimpse into the automotive future. The Q50 is the first INFINITI vehicle to package all of the company’s driver support technologies under the Propel Assist banner (implemented in Europe as of model year ’19). ProPILOT is the platform upon which all future INFINITI autonomous drive support technologies will be based.
The Q50 delivers an empowering and rewarding drive thanks to innovative powertrains, including the award-winning 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine from the new and exclusive ‘VR’ powertrain family, which was recently named on the prestigious 2017 Ward’s ‘10 Best Engines’ list.
The Q50 is INFINITI’s best-selling model. Since the first generation went on sale in 2013, INFINITI has sold close to 210,000 units worldwide. In 2016 INFINITI achieved more than 230,000 global sales – a 7% year-on-year increase and a new global sales record – with the Q50 sports sedan accounting for one third of the brand’s total.
The new model goes on sale globally from the second quarter of the 2017 calendar year.
More information on the new Q50, including images and video, is available at www.INFINITIpresspacks.com.
New model grades pave the way for new design elements
  • New model grades offer INFINITI customers a choice of two exterior designs
  • Design of the Red Sport 400 model symbolises the performance potential of its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine
“With the new Q50 we are introducing new model grades, each offering their own look and character. Red Sport 400 in particular lets drivers express themselves with a more assertive design that clearly conveys the car’s performance potential.”
Francois Bancon, Vice President, Global Product Strategy, INFINITI
Coinciding with the refreshed look of the new Q50 is the introduction of a new grade structure (new grade structure in Europe as of model year 2019), which sees differentiation in the look of the range-topping sports grades. This has allowed INFINITI designers the opportunity to tailor different designs according to the attributes and character of the models within the range. The ‘Sport’ grade adds performance-focused exterior design, while further enhancements and the most powerful engine appear exclusively in the ‘Red Sport 400’ grade.
All versions benefit from an update to INFINITI’s signature double-arch grille, which creates a strong first impression. The grille's three-dimensional, textural quality has been enhanced with a deeper detailing of the waved mesh-pattern surface and chrome surround. Rising from the double arch grille is a smooth and commanding character line, which flows energetically through the side of the body like a wave, creating a highly fluid profile – a trademark INFINITI look.
Designers have also evolved INFINITI’s signature lighting at the front and rear of the car across all grades. The LED headlamps enhance INFINITI’s trademark ‘human-eye’ aspect, while new slimmer combination LED rear lamps, derived from the Q60 sports coupe, result in a more delicate appearance with a sharper light signature.
Further design changes at the front of the Q50 for Sport and Red Sport 400 model grades include a more angular front bumper and wider, lower air intakes – adding greater visual potency. Inspired by INFINITI’s ‘zero lift’ approach to aerodynamic efficiency, the new Q50 boasts a more prominent aerofoil at the base of the front bumper.
Design details specific to the Red Sport 400 model grade assert the new Q50’s performance credentials and add an aggressive, confident aura. With its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine capable of generating 400 hp, INFINITI’s designers have sought to symbolise the performance potential of the Red Sport 400 in its appearance, bringing the car in line with the brand’s ‘designed to perform’ ethos.
The rear of the Red Sport 400 places more focus on the twin exhausts and rear diffuser with a two-tone paint finish – the body colour is accompanied by dark metallic trim around the base of the rear bumper. Door mirrors are finished in the same high-gloss black paint, adding to the car’s confident look. Red Sport 400 models come equipped with 19-inch wheels – to contribute to a more aggressive stance, while also improving handling and traction under cornering and hard acceleration. The aluminium alloy wheels fitted to Red Sport 400 models also convey a more technical aspect in their design, with sharper, thinner spokes than those of the Sport model grade.


Finely crafted, high-technology cabin

  • Curation of new materials create enhanced level of artistry and quality in the cabin
  • Driver-centric Red Sport 400 interior designed with performance in mind
  • Technology at its heart, with INFINITI InTouch Services and advanced I-key system
“The cabin of the Q50 has been created with human artistry in mind, enabling occupants to travel in style and comfort. The refreshed Q50 takes this artistry to a new level, with hand-worked materials giving a greater sense of craftsmanship than ever before.”
Alfonso Albaisa, Executive Design Director, INFINITI
Inside the new Q50, INFINITI has introduced an enhanced level of artistry and quality to the high-tech cabin, providing a comfortable and connected space. Furthermore, the creation of the new grade structure has enabled INFINITI designers to differentiate each model with its own unique interior character.
Greater levels of craftsmanship are central to the interior design modifications. In particular, leather-like materials now surround the instrument panel and are now finished with double stitching. These trims have been treated in such a way as to retain the fundamental character and feeling of the wood and its grain – the result is more authentic in appearance than more traditional ‘high gloss’ wooden veneers.
INFINITI designers have also incorporated the performance-inspired ethos of the new Q50 inside the cabin, derived from the Q60 sports coupe. A new steering wheel features moulded positions for the driver’s thumbs, and affords intuitive fingertip access to reshaped steering wheel-mounted gear-shifter paddles. A new performance-oriented leather shift knob – like the instrument panel, also bearing double-stitched seams – is surrounded by new chrome trim and features an inlaid INFINITI logo.
The new Q50 interior features INFINITI’s hallmark ‘spinal support’ seats – carefully engineered to provide a consistent level of support and minimise pressure on lower and upper back muscles.
The Red Sport 400 model grade is further differentiated with red stitching throughout the cabin and quilted side inserts on the seats, as well as sporty yet simple dashboard dials with matte chrome finish. The adoption of more technical materials accentuate the car’s performance potential, such as aluminum with a patterned surface, matte dark chrome on the doors and a black headlining for a more focused and cocooned interior.
At the heart of the centre console is INFINITI’s InTouch Services, bringing the future of in-car connectivity to the interior of the Q50. Unlike conventional interfaces, the Q50 has two touch-capacitive colour screens (LCD/VGA 8-inch upper and 7-inch lower). The system is designed to effortlessly synchronise car and driver – content and functions directed to the upper screen include the most frequently viewed applications, such as navigation, while other content is directed to the lower display screen for easy access.
InTouch allows occupants to personalise the interior environment of the Q50 according to their preferences, and can store profiles for multiple drivers, identified by their I-key (intelligent key). This includes an easy entry and exit assist system. Based on the profile detected on the I-key, the Q50 moves the driver’s seat to the most rearward position and the steering wheel up and out of the way for comfortable ingress or egress, before automatically returning both to the custom memory setting.
The Q50 features a 16-speaker, Bose® Performance Series sound system, with new architecture and high-performance components. Featuring advanced staging technology, the signal processing algorithm designed especially for this system delivers a precise, rich and nuanced acoustic experience for driver and passengers. Bose’s CentrePoint 2.0 software, the Q50’s audio system enables listeners to enjoy a surround-sound experience from any stereo source. It has been specifically engineered to meet the unique demands of reproducing surround sound in the saloon.


New Q50 packages driver support technologies under ProPILOT Assist banner

  • New Q50 now offers driver support technologies in a new ProPILOT Assist package, empowering drivers rather than replacing them
  • ProPILOT Assist technologies underpinned by Direct Adaptive Steering system, a building block for future autonomous drive development
“INFINITI has introduced a number of world-first innovations through the Q50 in recent years. As INFINITI’s best-selling model, the Q50 has always embodied our commitment to make driver-empowering technologies accessible to a large number of customers. The new model will let customers benefit from the latest advances in active safety with our ProPILOT Assist driver support technologies.”Roland Krueger, President of INFINITI
The INFINITI Q50 sports saloon delivers an empowering and rewarding drive thanks to a range of innovative powertrains and next-generation technologies to enhance ride and handling.
New for 2017 (2018 for Europe), the Q50 becomes the first INFINITI vehicle to package all of the company’s driver support technologies under the ProPILOT Assist banner. ProPILOT is the platform upon which all future INFINITI autonomous drive technologies will be based.
Allowing drivers to retain ultimate control over their vehicle, the ProPILOT Assist function empowers drivers, giving confidence to them rather than replacing them. ProPILOT Assist supports more onerous driving tasks, like easy navigation in highway conditions or keeping track of the position of surrounding vehicles.
ProPILOT Assist in the new INFINITI Q50 includes Direct Adaptive Steering; Active Lane Control; Intelligent Cruise Control; Distance Control Assist; Backup Collision Intervention; Blind Spot Warning and Intervention; Lane Departure Warning and Prevention; Forward Emergency Braking; and Predictive Forward Collision Warning.
INFINITI’s second-generation Direct Adaptive Steering is a steer-by-wire system that supports the driver by providing smooth operation, more direct steering responses and easy manoeuvrability. Direct Adaptive Steering is a precursor to future steering systems that will form a key building block on the way to achieving fully-autonomous driving.
The system does away with mechanically linked parts, instead employing digital components to improve steering reactions and feedback. The electronic connection between components means reactions to driver input are instantaneous.
The new Direct Adaptive Steering system provides customisation options accessed through the Drive Mode Selector. Using controls on the centre console, the Drive Mode Selector allows the steering response to be selected from six available options: ‘Personal’, ‘Standard’, ‘Snow’, ‘Eco’, ‘Sport’, and ‘Sport+’. Standard mode is more akin to that of a conventional steering system.
The Q50 is the first INFINITI model to benefit from two generations of Direct Adaptive Steering, both in 2013, when the world’s first digital steering system was introduced, and in 2016, when an upgraded version was made available. The upgraded Direct Adaptive Steering system followed consultation with Q50 customers around the world, and after more than 625,000 miles of on-road testing.
ProPILOT Assist’s Active Lane Control system works with Direct Adaptive Steering to maximise safety on highways, activating automatically above 70 km/h (43.5 mph). It uses a camera system to detect the Q50’s position on the road and is able to prevent the Q50 from straying from its lane. It assumes momentary control of the Direct Adaptive Steering system to help the driver avoid a potential collision.


Wide range of innovative powertrains and adaptive digital suspension

  • Award-winning 3.0-litrer V6 twin-turbo engine produces 400 hp for new Red Sport 400 model grade
  • Drivers can specify fully-customisable Dynamic Digital Suspension, with choice of rear-wheel or Intelligent All-Wheel drive
In addition to ProPILOT Assist and Direct Adaptive Steering, innovative engine, chassis and drivetrain technologies enable the Q50 sports saloon to deliver an empowering and rewarding drive.
The Q50 can be equipped with the award-winning 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine from the new ‘VR’ powertrain family. The new engine offers increased power and torque while maintaining high levels of efficiency, and has been named one of Ward’s ‘10 Best Engines’ for 2017 – one of the highest global accolades in engine technology development.
For the Red Sport 400 model grade, the high-output version of the power unit delivers 400 hp (298 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 475 Nm (350 lb-ft) maximum torque at 1,600-5,200 rpm.
Additional Q50 powertrain options include two four-cylinder engines – a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit, and a 2.2-litre direct-injection turbodiesel. The 2.0-litre gasoline engines produces 208 hp at 5,500 rpm, with 350 Nm peak torque from 1,250 rpm. The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine produces 168 hp at 3,200 rpm, with peak torque of 400 Nm from 1,600 rpm.
The final powertrain option, powering the Hybrid Blue Sport model grade, is INFINITI’s Direct Response Hybrid® system, featuring a 3.5-litre 24-valve DOHC aluminium-alloy V6 and a compact laminated lithium-ion battery. The system’s V6 is rated at 302 hp and 350 Nm of torque, while the advanced 50 kW electric motor is rated at 67 hp and 290 Nm of torque. The hybrid system’s combined power output of 360 hp provides strong acceleration and lean fuel economy.
In 2016, the Q50 was the first INFINITI model to feature Dynamic Digital Suspension, combining enhanced ride comfort with direct handling responses and agility. Dynamic Digital Suspension is aided by new electronic and adaptive dampers, and – as with Direct Adaptive Steering – drivers can customise the settings through the Drive Mode Selector. As standard, the Q50 features independent multi-link suspension, now providing an improved balance between confident handling and a comfortable ride. The new Q50 benefits from revised front and rear stabiliser bars, improving the ability of the chassis to resist lateral suspension movement, resulting in a flatter ride and greater agility during cornering.
The Q50 can be configured with one of two drivetrain options – rear-wheel drive or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.
Launch schedule
The Q50 is produced at INFINITI’s manufacturing facility in Tochigi, Japan, and will go on sale across global markets from second quarter of the 2017 calendar year.
Please note: All product information contained in this press kit relates to global Q50 information, including technical specifications, powertrains and standard/optional equipment and features. Please contact your country’s INFINITI PR office for product details relevant to your market.

The name has been released for the Aston/Red Bull Hypercar - we give you VALKYRIE !

  • Continuation of a naming tradition stretching back seven decades
  • Joins famous lineage of Aston Martin ‘V’ cars
  • Valkyrie name taken from ancient Norse mythology  
The revolutionary hypercar being co-developed by Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, formerly identified by its codename AM-RB 001, has now been officially named the Aston Martin Valkyrie.
The name continues a fine tradition of Aston Martin ‘V’ cars. This began back in 1951 with Vantage, which was selected as a name to distinguish high performance variants of the then current model, the DB2. 
Boasting 125bhp versus 105bhp for the standard engine, the Vantage represented a significant increase in performance and desirability. The first time the Vantage badge appeared was on the side of the DB5.
It remained a name reserved for the most potent model derivatives until 2005, when the Vantage became a model line in its own right. Twelve years later the acclaimed family of V8 and V12-powered models has made the Vantage the most successful model in Aston Martin’s history.
Virage, Vanquish and the Aston Martin Vulcan - Aston Martin’s very own God of fire - are more recent ‘V’ cars to continue this lineage. Now, seven decades after the Vantage name started it all, the Aston Martin Valkyrie propels this uniquely distinctive and lyrical family of model names to another level.
For Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, Valkyrie perfectly captures the drama of what is not only the ultimate Aston Martin, but the ultimate expression of hypercar design, engineering and performance: “Aston Martin model names have deep meaning. They need to inspire and excite. To tell a story and enrich a narrative that stretches back some 104-years. The Aston Martin Valkyrie is an incredibly special car that demands an equally remarkable name; an uncompromising car that leaves nothing in reserve. The connotations of power and honour, of being chosen by the Gods are so evocative, and so pertinent to a car that only a fortunate few will ever experience.”  
While its name is rooted in ancient mythology, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is a pure expression of modern technology. By bringing together Aston Martin, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, project partner AF Racing and some of the world’s leading technology partners, the Aston Martin Valkyrie promises otherworldly performance befitting of its name. 

Singapore's first hypercar, the all-electric Dendrobium concept, has made its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show

  • Singapore's first hypercar, the all-electric Dendrobium concept, has made its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show
  • High performance zero emission two-seater comes from Singapore electric mobility experts Vanda Electrics
  • Striking design features an automatic roof and doors, which open in a synchronized manner
  • Performance targets are a top speed in excess of 200mph and 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds
  • Vanda Electrics' technical partner is Williams Advanced Engineering, the technology and engineering services division of the Williams Group
The covers have come off Singapore's first-ever hypercar, the Dendrobium, which has made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The brainchild of Singapore electric mobility experts Vanda Electrics, Dendrobium is a two seater all-electric sports car concept, which features a striking design and a target top speed in excess of 200mph.


Specializing in battery technology, research, innovation and design, Vanda Electrics is one of Singapore's leading e-mobility companies. Its revolutionary strategy is to develop a range of global electric products that capitalize on the trend towards zero emission mobility and focus on three key segments: luxury, consumer and industrial.


With the launch of a fast-charging zero emission electric light commercial vehicle (http://vandaelectrics.com/pro-anttruck/) and electric mini scooter (http://motochimp.com) taking place later this year, the company has chosen the 2017 Geneva Motor Show to unveil its most exciting model yet, a high performance halo product that will sit in the luxury sector.



A project that has resided within the design team for many years, Dendrobium is finally being realised thanks to the rapid advancements in electrification technology, which allows headturning styling to be combined with high performance, compact e-powertrains.



Vanda Electrics has also engaged a small number of key partners to develop the Dendrobium concept car.



Technical partner is Williams Advanced Engineering, the technology and engineering services division of the Williams Group. The division specialises in a number of core areas that are highly relevant to Dendrobium, including aerodynamics, lightweight structures, vehicle integration and, of course, electrification. Williams Advanced Engineering has taken the project from the design stage to dynamic concept car.



Innovative, dramatic design
Designed by Vanda's in-house team, Dendrobium's remarkable shape incorporates an automatic roof and doors, which open in a synchronized manner, resembling a fully-opened dendrobium flower, a genus of orchids native to Singapore.



This unique feature is not just for show either - it also improves access to the cockpit, making ingress and egress easier than other hypercars. The tear drop shape that forms around the cockpit and ends in the tail - where the plug-in port is located, just behind a panel above the charging light, which shows the status of the car's battery - is a design feature that has remained a key part of Dendrobium from the initial sketches.



Other highlights of Dendrobium's exterior are the aerodynamic floor, rear double diffuser and front splitter. At the back, the rear light bar elegantly floats over the tail of the car, and throughout the design there is pure, motorsport-inspired functionality, such as the exposed double wishbone front and rear suspension. That motorsport theme is continued in the materials used. In order to meet its target weight of 1,750kg, Dendrobium features a composite monocoque chassis, carbonfibre body panels, carbon ceramic brake discs and lightweight alloy calipers inside 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloy wheels, wrapped in Michelin high performance tyres.



Driver-focused interior
Carbonfibre is also used extensively in the interior, fitting with Dendrobium's minimalist but functional design brief. Step inside and it is immediately obvious that the driver is the absolute centre of attention. He or she enjoys a bright red body-hugging sports seat - which contrasts dramatically with the predominately black interior. Both driver and passenger seats feature stitching and motifs inspired by muscle fibres.



The interior of the Dendrobium concept has been trimmed using leather from Scotland's Bridge of Weir Leather Company, which sources the best hides from the best heritage breeds and has adopted the very latest technology. The result is the lowest carbon tannery and leather product in the world - the perfect material for a zero emission halo model.



Sitting in the driver's eye line is a digital dashboard flanked by two rear-view displays, which take feeds from wing-mounted cameras. All of the dashboard buttons are hexagon-shaped: a recurring design theme throughout Dendrobium, replicated in the air vents, front grille and headlight bezels.



Hyper-mobility: target in excess of 200mph
Although strictly a concept car at this stage, performance targets for Dendrobium are a top speed in excess of 200mph and 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds. The project will feature the latest lithium-ion battery and electric powertrain technology calling on Vanda Electrics' own expertise and, of course, that of technical partner Williams Advanced Engineering.



The Grove-based organization is an electrification world-leader; it is currently the sole battery supplier to Formula E and an electric motor and e-powertrain integration expert thanks to its pioneering F1-bred hybrid systems and its key role in the rapid development of the Jaguar C-X75 supercar.



Should Dendrobium go into production, a layout featuring two inboard-mounted electric motors per axle, with a single-speed gearbox and differential at the front and a multi-speed gearbox and differential at the rear, is envisaged. If Vanda Electrics receives enough positive interest at the Geneva Motor Show, the first model is expected to hit the road by 2020.



Larissa Tan, Vanda Electrics CEO said: "Dendrobium is the culmination of a dream. Our design team has had sketches of an electric hypercar on the drawing board since the mid-90s, but that vision was many years ahead of its time. As electric technology has advanced, we have been able to revisit this vision and now, as we launch our revolutionary global e-mobility strategy, the timing is finally right for us to take the wraps off a halo model.



"Dendrobium is our interpretation and expression of what pushes the boundaries in the development of an electric performance car. We have engaged some expert partners to help us achieve this such as Williams Advanced Engineering. With its skills in electrification, aerodynamics, lightweight structures, vehicle dynamics and integration - and even lowvolume build - we could not think of a more appropriate partner.



"We are looking forward to seeing the world's reaction to Dendrobium. This electric hypercar may just be a concept for now, but we have every intention of putting it into production. It sits at the top of our range and the production version will be a fitting showcase for the best in design and e-technology."