2010 Nissan Leaf electric car

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It would be easy to paint Nissan as late to the burgeoning U.S. green party, as the company essentially only counts the Altima Hybrid to sell among its alt-fuel offerings – and that sedan utilizes technology borrowed from Toyota, and it's only sold in a few states in small volumes. While that may be the case, Nissan says their near-term prospects are really quite different. While the company has admittedly been cautious in marketing alt-fuel vehicles in North America, they have been hard at work developing electric vehicles – as well as the advanced lithium-ion batteries to support them – since 1992. What's more, officials say they are now singularly well-placed to leapfrog "transitional" powertrain solutions like gas-electric hybrids in favor of genuine zero-emissions vehicles, and they are promising that their first pure-electric car will reach U.S. shores late next year.

That car, the Nissan Leaf shown here, is the reason we find ourselves in the company's brand-new Yokohama headquarters today. Designed as a four-to-five seat, front-drive C-segment hatchback, Nissan says the Leaf is not just for use as a specialty urban runabout, but rather, it was designed as an everyday vehicle – a "real car" whose 160-kilometer+ (100 mile) range meets the needs of 70% of the world's motorists. In the case of U.S. consumers, Nissan says that fully 80% of drivers travel less than 100km per day (62 miles), making the Leaf a solid fit for America's motoring majority, even taking into account power-sapping external factors like hilly terrain, accessory draw, and extreme temperatures.

We were afforded an advance look at the Leaf ahead of the car's unveiling today, and while it was a hands-off affair, we did have the chance to formulate some in-the-metal first impressions and take a deep dive into the car's technology. Click through to the jump to learn all about it.

Nissan Leaf drives like a 'real car'

The Leaf takes 18 hours to recharge on 110V circuit.

Boucherville, Que. – The goal of testing any vehicle, as I have elucidated many times, is to evaluate it relative to its intended use and competition.

Personal viewpoints about the viability of a market segment or the relative health of a company’s coffers may be relevant, but they should be discussions for another time and place.

A road test should be a completely objective assessment of particular merits, especially compared with the specific models against which it competes. It’s no good complaining that a Chevy Silverado pickup doesn’t handle like a Ferrari if the intended customer is really concerned about payload and towing capacity. And, to an autojournalist, it shouldn’t matter if he or she doesn’t personally like SUVs, only whether the Range Rover is indeed superior to its sport-brutish competition.

So, while the fact I am skeptical that non-range-extended electric vehicles are the salvation to all the ills of the internal-combustion engine, that’s a subject best kept to a Motor Mouth column.

This, being a road test, should not be concerned with EV viability so much as whether the Nissan Leaf is a better or worse electric vehicle than other EVs I’ve tested — namely the range-extended Chevrolet Volt, Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV and even Mini’s little E. So, while the Leaf, with apologies to Chevrolet’s Volt, may well be the very face of the electrification of the modern automobile, the real question is: “How does it drive?”

Surprisingly well, as a matter of fact. As Ian Forsyth, Nissan Canada’s director of corporate planning, says, the biggest surprise to all who test the new Leaf — consumer and professional road-tester alike — is how much the Leaf is like a “real car.”

Indeed, other than the eerie silence that accompanies any electric vehicle’s operation, there’s precious little — except for the multi-coloured, multi-panelled digital gauge display with floating trees and the like that all environmentally conscious automakers insist on foisting upon us — to differentiate the Leaf from a garden-variety Versa, which the Leaf resembles, at least in size and some areas of comportment.

That means there’s brisk acceleration to about 120 kilometres an hour, the electric motors’ prodigious torque at low speed making the Leaf quite responsive around town. If one were looking for an internal-combustion analogy — and enviroweenies will surely blanch at the comparison — the Leaf feels as torquey as a mid-displacement V6 at low speeds but only as powerful as a small four-banger once moving.

The transmission, what little there is, shifts much like a conventional automatic; over and forward for reverse, over and back for drive. Indeed, other than that eerie silence — punctuated by a slight whistle (to alert pedestrians) below 40 km/h and a beeping when reversing — and a complete lack of vibration, there’s simply nothing to differentiate the Leaf from any other car. The benefits of that lack of noise, vibration and harshness should not be diminished — it can be more relaxing to drive than a conventionally fuelled car in the urban grind.

The Leaf is about the same size as Nissan’s own Versa (though it weighs almost 300 kilograms more) and uses Versa-derived suspension bits, so it’s hardly surprising if its comportment is similar to the compact (the Volt, by the way, is similarly based on Chevy’s Cruze, so it, too, rides like a compact sedan). The ride is on the harsh side of firm but not destructively so, and the handling is surprisingly agile because the 300 or so kilograms of lithium-polymer battery are built into the cabin floor, lowering the centre of gravity.

Much has been written about the compromises that have been made to extend the Leaf’s range, namely re-engineering the heating and air conditioning systems to use less electricity. Heating a car’s cabin in the winter takes an extraordinary amount of energy, sapping the Leaf’s 24-kWh battery of electrons that could otherwise drive the wheels. Nissan’s solution is to heat all the seats (even the rear perches have a built-in electric heater), allowing the range-conscious owner to save those precious electrons for motivation. Indeed, one of the primary functions of the Leaf’s Eco mode, besides altering throttle response and increasing regenerative braking, is to moderate the HVAC system’s energy usage; it’s enough to extend range by about 10 per cent over the normal “power” mode.

That’s not to say that the air- conditioning system can’t generate much heat. Though it was still summer, I decided to crank up the Leaf’s interior to a sweltering 32 C. Although the electrically heated water-circulation system isn’t quite as fast to get to full boil as a conventional system, there’s adequate heat output. That said, the air-conditioning system gets fully frosty almost immediately, something my dear old dad — suffering from heat-induced COPD — would dearly welcome. Overall, I don’t expect the Leaf to sacrifice much in the way of creature comforts.

It’s also fairly roomy, its 90 cubic feet of interior volume qualifying as mid-sized (according to the EPA’s rating system, at least), though it looks like a compact-sized hatchback.

Headroom is NBA approved and, thanks to the upright seating position, there’s a lot of legroom, even in the rear. There’s also plenty of cargo space (20 cu. ft.) but, unfortunately, lowering the rear seats doesn’t result in a completely flat cargo floor because of the protrusion caused by the on-board charging unit.

A final gripe is that, although the interior build quality — namely the panel gaps — is excellent, it looks as if Nissan, as Honda did with its latest Insight hybrid, tried to offset some of the high cost of the EV technology by saving on materials. The interior’s plastic is simply not up to the standard compared to a conventional car costing $38,395 (the Leaf’s base price). And though the seat covering materials are laudable for having been created from recycled plastic bottles, they, too, are not up to snuff for a car that is priced like an entry-level luxury sedan.

These, however, are the few disappointments in the Leaf.

Of course, the bigger question is whether the Leaf is useful. I can’t decide whether an EV is appropriate for your lifestyle and driving habits, but I can tell you the following: Nissan claims — depending on how fast and where you drive — a range of between 100 and 160 kilometres on a charge. I managed 140 driving abnormally reasonably, which suggests that’s what’s achievable without “high-miling” it. Judge for yourself whether that will be adequate for enough of your driving to make it worthwhile. Remember that the car will take 18 hours to recharge on a 110-volt circuit and a full seven hours on 220V. The 30-minute recharge time you may have heard bandied about is only available if you buy a 480-volt/70-amp charging unit that currently retails for anywhere between $20,000 and $50,000!

As for comparisons with other EVs, the Nissan is more of a grown-up car than Mitusbishi’s i-MiEV. That’s neither a compliment nor an insult; those who consider EVs as small urban vehicles may think the i-MiEV is more appropriate. If you want a substitute for your everyday car, the Leaf might be more your size. The more obvious comparison is to Chevrolet’s Volt. Interestingly, despite the differences in technology and shape, there’s little difference in comportment and size. The biggest compliment I can pay the Leaf is that it is as good an electric car as the Volt; General Motors, after all, had a head start with the Saturn EV1 and, therefore, should be the segment leader. The difference is, of course, each car’s range. The Volt can travel 64 km on electric power alone, after which it reverts to its gasoline backup. The Leaf should average around 140 km on electric power alone, after which you’re the Pony Express waiting for your horse to be fed.



Electric Nissan LEAF coming to Massachusetts in time for Christmas

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After making its fully electric hatchback automobile available in states with moderate climates in Dec. 2010, it seems the Nissan LEAF will finally be making its way to New England.

On Thursday, Nissan dealers in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Colorado and the Bay State began taking orders for the eco-friendly buggy, which reportedly nets a 100 mile journey on a single charge.

The automaker says eager customers can expect delivery of the 2012 model, which has been equipped with "quick-charging and cold weather features," in December.

"Consumers have spoken, and it's clear that they are looking for a car that produces zero emissions and uses no gas," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America. "We are seeing tremendous consumer interest in the Nissan LEAF in these new markets, particularly in the New York metropolitan area."

Nissan Leaf

The LEAF's debut in colder climates was delayed when initial tests showed that the cold weather had a negative impact on the vehicle's mileage. The 2012 model includes a battery warmer to prevent the impact of the cold on performance.

The new model's pricing starts at $35,200, according to Edmunds.com, and represents an increase of more than $2,000 over the 2011 model.

Western Massachusetts Electric Company recently announced that it will be installing charging stations at the Springfield Community College Technology Park in Springfield, the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Hadley and another in Pittsfield.

With pre-orders kicking off in the Northeast U.S. and Colorado this week, Nissan says it will make the LEAF available in Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island by the end of the year.


BMW Plug-in Hybrid Sports Car Coming in 2013

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics
senior BMW executive last week told Edmunds.com that its 356-horsepower plug-in hybrid 2+2 concept sports car is headed for production in 2013. Only time will tell if the comment is backed by a real commitment from BMW. Regardless, the vehicle follows an emerging trend that the world’s fastest, most exotic, and most expensive sports vehicles will utilize some form of efficient electric-drive technology. It also, once again, shatters the image of a hybrid as slow and dorky.

“It’s the sports car of the future, the way BMW imagines it.” That’s how Adrian van Hooydonk, director of BMW’s group design, described the “BMW Vision EfficientDynamics” two-door vehicle that was unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show. BMW’s overarching goal was to combine breath-taking speed and groundbreaking efficiency. In the BMW Vision, that boils down to 4.8-second 0-to-60 miles per hour acceleration and 63 mile to the gallon.



2013 BMW 3-Series gets new facelift

2013 BMW M3 1 620x346 2013 BMW 3 Series gets new facelift

Here is a sneak peek of the 2013 BMW 3-Series. Like with many BMW iterations, only subtle changes are made in the 2013 BMW 3-Series. BMW will introduce its next generation BMW 3-Series with the codenamed F30, in the first quarter of 2012. BMW will offer five different 3-Series body styles for the first time with the standard four-door sedan in March 2012, touring wagon in September 2012, coupe in September 2013, and the hardtop convertible model in the third quarter of 2013.

The BMW 3-Series comes with four engine configurations for the new four bangers. From a 136 horsepower 1.6-liter to a 252 horsepower 2.0-liter gas engines, and 150 horsepower 1.6-liter to 245-hp 2.0-liter turbo diesel engines. No words on the V6 engine yet but we assume it will be same as this year model.

The next-generation BMW M3 also come in coupe and convertible models, and both will likely get a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight six-cylinder engine that pumps out about 450 hp. Below is the spy video of the 2013 BMW 3-Series.

2013 BMW 3 Series: Early Look

2013 BMW 3 Series Picture

2013 BMW 3 Series Picture

2013 BMW 3 Series Picture

Report: 2013 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics supercar moving toward production



According to Inside Line, which is quoting an unnamed "senior BMW authority out of Munich," the German automaker will indeed build a production version of the Vision EfficientDynamics concept that debuted last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. BMW is reportedly planning for a model run of between 5,000 and 10,000 units for 2013. We'll get to the details in a moment, but here's the best news: "That name that the marketing people forced on us [is] going to change for sure." Phew.

Apparently, BMW has no plans to ditch the radical plug-in hybrid powertrain, which put out 356 horsepower and a stonkin' 590 pound-feet of torque in the concept. That means we'll get something similar to the turbocharged three-cylinder diesel range extender and twin electric motors powered by a lithium polymer battery pack that was featured in Frankfurt. Sounds great so far, and BMW claims the performance will be even better than the 4.8-second 0 to 60 run quoted for the concept.

Naturally, some of the Vision's more outlandish exterior bits will go the way of the Dodo, but IL reports BMW's target of weight is still under 3,000 pounds, meaning that high-tech composites and construction techniques are a veritable lock. Price for this next-gen eco-friendly supercar? Nothing announced – but if you have to ask... well, you know the rest.

2013 BMW M5 Preview

In the summer of 2012, the 5th generation of BMW’s mighty M5 sedan will hit the streets again. And in typical, modern-day, sports-car fashion this latest BMW creation will offer more power, more torque and better fuel efficiency than its predecessor.
2013 BMW M5 front 3/4 view
Let's have a bit of a history lesson first just to get in the mood, shall we? The first “official” M5 hit the streets in 1985 and was powered by a 3.4L inline-6 that produced 256 hp in North America. OK, enough history: The 2013 model’s pony count is more than double compared to the original.

The 2013 BMW M5 will inherit a smaller engine than the outgoing M5, which was sold from 2006 to 2010 and was equipped with a 500-hp, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V10.

The new M5 sheds a couple of pistons by adopting the twin-turbo, 4.4L V8 that’s found in the X5 M and X6 M crossovers, albeit with a few modifications. Total output is rated at 560 hp and 500 lb.-ft. Yes, that makes the 2013 BMW M5 the German brand’s most powerful production car engine ever.

Code-named S63Tü (X5 M and X6 M got the S63), the blown V8 gets some internal modifications, larger air-to-liquid intercoolers, a retuned exhaust and a higher maximum boost pressure (1.5 bar versus 1.2). The 2013 M5’s peak torque is laid to the ground from 1,500 rpm all the way to 5,750 rpm, while the redline sits at 7,200 rpm – 200 revs north of the S63 engine.

A 7-speed dual-clutch sequential gearbox with wheel-mounted paddle shifters (dubbed M DCT) will be the only transmission offered when the rear-drive M5 goes on sale in mid-2012. Coupled with the twin-turbo V8, BMW says the car reaches 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds which actually sounds conservative. A speed limiter butts in at 250 km/h, which is more than enough.

A common trait with dual-clutch gearboxes is a jerkiness at low speeds; BMW claims their Low Speed Assistance function smooths out the engine’s power delivery in traffic while the driver is feathering the throttle. We’ll see.

2013 BMW M5 engine




Honda Brio and Mahindra XUV500 launch on September 28

Honda Brio 1.2 S

Two big launches on September 28 and there is a strong buzz in the air. Honda's cheapest offering in India, the Brio hatchback and Mahindra's boldest move since the Scorpio in 2002, the XUV500 will go through the song and dance routine on the same day.

The Honda Brio first. Probably the most important car since the launch of the City in 1998, the Brio is designed to be a urban hatch, what with its compact dimensions, light controls and peppy engine.

After Honda Jazz comes Honda Brio: right pricing will do the magic

Japanese automobile giant Honda has launched Honda Brio in India that comes after its Jazz variant. But the right pricing will do magic for Japanese car major.

Japanese car giant Honda is preparing to launch one of its cheapest cars in India, Honda Brio. The car seems to have been manufactured by the carmaker keeping the Indian consumers in mind who want the best specifications for the right price.

Earlier people were looking forward to Honda Jazz, but it was priced so high- going to the level of irrationality- that not many people bothered to buy it. So a great car that would have given other cars in the segment a tough time, ended up in the showrooms and warehouses.

This didn’t help Honda’s cause a bit. Honda Jazz looked good for price upto Rs 5.5 lakh. But being priced in excess of Rs 7 lakh was something insane and Honda paid a huge price for its inept handling and pricing of the car.

But now it seems that the company is taking some corrective steps. It has slashed the prices of Honda Jazz and also of Honda City –of course of select variants- and has introduced another hot selling car in India in the form of Brio.

reports that by this coming October this mini wagon will be available for the Indian customers. This time its small car Honda Brio has already created a hysteria long before its launch. The Japanese auto biggie is expected to price this small car competitively and it is said that Honda Brio price will be somewhere between Rs4.5 to 5 lakh. The new small car from Honda India comes fitted with 1.2 litre 1-VTEC engine. Honda Brio will also adorn features like ABS , airbags and will offer high fuel efficiency.

New Honda Brio comes fitted with powerful 1.2-litre Honda Jazz engine which is planned to get 1 litre motor in the near future. The wonderful car gives a displacement of 1198 cc which is one of the best figure to have in terms of engine in the hatchback segment. The engine used in Honda Brio runs on petrol and can give a peak power of 89 Bhp at 6200 rpm and beating torque of 110 Nm at 4800 rpm.

BMW 650i Convertible first drive experience in an ICB exclusive!

BMW 650i front 3 quarter

BMW 650i front 3 quarter

Team IndianCarsBikes was present at the inauguration of a brand new BMW showroom in Pune recently. BMW also had their fleet of press cars present at the event for us to sample. After the formal inauguration and lunch, I hopped into a BMW 530d press car for a short blast around one of the most upmarket areas in Pune, Camp. Now you might recall, ICB had driven the BMW 525d a year back and we brought you a comprehensive review of the same. Back then, we were impressed with the refined and fuel efficient diesel engine of the big Beemer and the 530D put a wider smile on our faces.
BMW 650i rear 3 quarter

BMW 650i rear 3 quarter

The 530d is a more powerful version of the awesome F10 BMW 5 Series we drove. Its the same 3.0 litre straight six under the hood but with added horsepower and more importantly torque. In fact the 530d has 245 bhp and 540 Nm of torque on tap compared to the 525d’s 204 bhp and 450 Nm. So, in terms of performance, the car does feel way more powerful and with the sports mode engaged, turbo lag is almost non-existent. In Sports mode, the throttle response is extremely crisp and the torque rush is addictively instantaneous. Gear shifts via the 8 speed automatic were seamless and even in heavy traffic, the going was effortless.

BMW 650i dashboard

BMW 650i dashboard

Next on our list was the recently launched BMW 650i convertible. My compatriot at CarTradeIndia, Quresh, took the wheel and I had to climb into the back seat as a BMW guy accompanied us. Initially, I thought getting into the back seat of the 2+2 Convertible was nigh-on impossible for me and mind you, I am almost 6 feet tall. Getting in to the rear seats is a bit of a faf but, once I got into the car and with Quresh in the driver’s seat it was’nt as bad as I’d thought it would be. I think, the rear seats are fine if an average Indian guy is at the wheel and with the roof down, it does not feel cramped. With the roof up though, its a completely different story. Headroom is minimal but then its a small compromise for what you get for 95 lakh rupees ex-showroom.

BMW 650i Instrument panel

BMW 650i Instrument panel

What we experienced is, with the roof down, the BMW 650i is the head-turner on the road but, with the fabric roof up most of its flashiness gets dialed down and you can enjoy a quite and comfortable ride. Being a GT (Gran Tourer), the ride is pliant although we did get the chance to test it on the worst of Pune’s notorious potholed roads. The steering is light and feels effortless even when maneuvering through heavy traffic which we didn’t fall short of. All the time we had teenagers following us on their tiny mopeds with the pillion taking snaps of the car, which to them was quite a rare sight as just 7 cars are on Indian roads right now.

BMW 650i rear seats

BMW 650i rear seats

Inside, the fit and finish is typically BMW with high quality materials making the ‘Joy’ of driving a BMW more classy and comfortable. Seats are supportive but since we haven’t had an extensive drive in the car I won’t be able to comment much on how comfy the seats would be on a long run. You sit low down in the car which does make life difficult when at the wheel and especially in traffic. Now, what surprised me was the absence of HUD and voice controls on the 650i. Both features come as optional extras unlike more inexpensive models like the BMW 530d which comes with HUD as standard fitment.

The Honda Brio Hatchback could be launched in September!

Team ICB has learnt from reliable sources that the Honda Brio Hatchback could see a September launch, close on the heels of the facelifted Honda Jazz’s launch, which incidentally is scheduled to happen later this month. The Honda Brio Hatchback is what Honda SIEL hopes will put the bang back in its car sales in India.
Honda Brio Hatchback

Honda Brio Hatchback

The smallest Honda car yet in India, the Honda Brio is a hotly anticipated product that potentially could do wonders for the Honda car brand in India, which for sometime now has gotten itself into a rut of sorts, with cars that are simply not selling as well they should ideally have done due to the lack of a diesel engine option across Honda’s Indian portfolio.

No, the Brio hatchback won’t come with a diesel engine during the launch, but what it will come with is a 1.2 Liter 90 Bhp petrol i-VTEC motor. Now, that much power in a sub 1000 kilo car could make things quite frisky to say the least apart from also ensuring that economy is taken care of since the motor has a smaller load to lug around.

Honda Brio Hatchback

Honda Brio Hatchback

The Honda Brio has already been launched in Thailand and it comes with beige interiors in the Thai marker to give the occupants a sense of spaciousness inside the car. For India though, we aren’t sure as to what Honda will decide to do in terms of the interior color scheme although beige is a color that plenty of Indians prefer for it’s premium feel although it isn’t exactly a very sensible option for dusty Indian conditions.

Honda has managed to get the localization levels quite high for the Honda Brio, which should allow the automaker to price the Brio quite competitively. A 4.5-4.8 Lakh Rupee or so starting price for the Brio could just perk things a bit in the segment as Indian customers would readily fork that much money for a car with the Honda badge on the bonnet. What say, Honda?

Honda Brio Hatchback

Honda Brio Small Car spotted again!

Honda Brio Hatchback

Honda Brio Hatchback

Even as the launch period of the Brio gets closer, the spy shots of the Honda Brio Hatchback seems to be getting clearer and clearer. This time around, the folks over at Carwale have managed to catch a slightly camouflaged Honda Brio doing the testing rounds on the Noida expressway. The Honda Brio caught on camera appears bog similar to the international variant, that Honda launched many months ago in Thailand.

The Brio’s launch is set to be soon after the Honda Jazz Facelift’s launch, which will happen later this month. So, a late September launch for the Brio might very well be on the cards as we’d reported earlier. The Honda Brio Hatchback is the model that Honda SIEL will be looking at to produce the all important volumes for the Honda car brand in India. The Brio will be available with a 1.2 Liter i-VTEC engine producing 90 Bhp.

Honda Brio Hatchback

Honda Brio Hatchback

This engine is the same unit that powers the bigger Jazz hatchback and if Honda decides not to detune it significantly, expect some perky performance due to the Brio’s light weight of under 1,000 kilograms. The Thai model of the Brio has beige interiors and if Honda does offer this trim, plenty of Indians will be quite pleased with the Brio’s interiors. Pricing remains the key for the Brio’s success in India and Honda SIEL will know it better than most other automakers now that the All New Honda City’s sales have dramatically picked up after the price correction.

Correspondingly, the facelifted Jazz that will arrive later this month is also expected to be priced quite competitively due to the higher amount of localization that Honda has managed to achieve. Talking of which, the same will hold good for the Brio Hatchback as well as Honda is said to have managed to localize almost 90% of the Brio, thus giving it an option to price the Brio very competitively.

Honda Brio Hatchback

Honda Brio scooped testing!

Honda Brio Hatchback Spyshot

Honda Brio Hatchback Spyshot

Later this year, during the Indian festive season of Dusshera and Diwali, Honda is expected to launch what could potentially change the car makers fortunes in India, the Honda Brio Hatchback. While Honda Brio Hatchback sightings have been few and far in between, here’s another one that was snapped up by Car’n'Bike Show Fan Rohit Anand, doing the testing rounds somewhere in Noida.

The car will be Honda’s second salvo in India’s most competitive and crowded Indian car segment, the Indian hatchback car space. While the Honda Jazz was a great product that failed miserably due to its high price, Honda is expected to make big amends when it comes to the Honda Brio’s pricing. To do just that, Honda has embarked on a localization effort, which has now brought local content in the Brio Hatchback to a whopping 90%.

Honda Brio Hatchback Spyshot

Honda Brio Hatchback Spyshot

What this essentially means is that Honda can now price the Brio very competitively, to ensure that the budget B segment hatchback has a a fighting chance to become a sales success in India. The Honda Brio Hatchback will feature a 1,200cc petrol engine with variable valve technology, producing around 90 Bhp. While this engine requires some revs to get things really going in the Jazz, the Brio’s low weight of under 1000 kilos is expected to endow it with both sprightly performance and stellar fuel economy.

A diesel engine option is expected to make its way to the Brio sometime after 2013. The Honda badge on the bonnet still enjoys tremendous brand recall in India and if Honda manages to price the Brio competitively, which we think it will now that the Honda City’s prices have been realigned and so will the facelifted Honda Jazz’s prices follow suit, the Brio Hatchback could become the biggest volumes puller for Honda, outdoing the All New Honda City.

Honda Brio Hatchback launch scheduled for 27th September, 2011!

Honda Brio Hatchback

Honda Brio Hatchback

Honda’s price warrior and volumes puller, the Brio Hatchback, is all set to be launched in India on the 27th of Sepetember, 2011, just ahead of the Indian festive season which kicks off in early October. India is the second market in which the Honda Brio Hatchback will be launched, after the Thai market, in which it was launched earlier this year.

First showcased at the 2010 Indian Auto Expo, the Honda Brio will finally become a reality after more than 18 months after it was first unveiled to great interest amongst the Indian car buying populace. However, a lot of things have changed from the 2010 Indian Auto Expo to now.

The Indian car market, which saw some giddying sales highs in the later part of 2010 and until the middle of 2011 in currently in the midst of a slowdown. Hence, the focus will be of affordability and fuel economy, both factors which the Honda Brio is said to pack in.

Honda Brio Hatchback

Honda Brio Hatchback

Honda has looked at increased localzation to bring the Brio’s price down to the all important 4 Lakh mark for the base variant. Also, Honda has been open in making a shift in its usual strategy of offering cars loaded with safety features. In the Brio, the base variant will come only with ABS, thus dispensing with airbags to sit at a more affordable price tag.

Also. the Brio’s gear ratios have been suitably altered for squeezing out more fuel economy from the 1.2 Liter i-VTEC engine, which is the most powerful and torquey in its class.The car also comes with beige interiors, which usually are a major draw amongst Indian car buyers despite beige interiors being tough to maintain.

At a price point in the whereabouts of INR 4 Lakhs, the Honda badge on the bonnet is expected to be a major allure for first time car buyers, who until the arrival of the Brio wouldn’t have been able to afford Honda’s other higher priced products. Therefore, the Honda Brio Hatchback holds tremendous potential for Brand Honda in India.

Honda Brio Hatchback

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من هو جيم هانسون . هو اشهر محركي الدمى . معلومات عن جيم هانسون جيم هانسون ويكيبيديا . من هو جيم هانسون . معلومات عن جيم هانسون . جيم هانسون wiki صور جيم هانسون
إرث؟ تلك كلمة كبيرة نوعاً ما بالنسبة إلى رجل صنع سمعته بشكل أساسي من خلال تحريك يديه وهو يحمل ضفدعة.
بعد بضعة أيام، فيما كنت أجول بالسيارة مع ابني، سمعنا أغنية عبر الراديو. كانت عبارة عن نسخة من أغنية Rubber Duckie شهرتها شخصية ايرني، في برنامج الأولاد Sesame Street، وهي تجسد إحدى شخصيات الدمى التي ابتكرها هنسون. كانت النغمة مألوفة جداً، لكن الكلمات كانت تُغنّى باللغة المندرينية الصينية. تلك الأغنية التي تحمل اسم Xiang pi xiao ya متوافرة على شريط مدمج باسم Sesame Street Playground، لمجموعة Putumayo Kids. ما هي الخطوة التالية؟ النسخة المعدلة عام 1973 عن أغنية شخصية «كرميت الضفدع» بعنوان Bein’ Green للمغني فان موريسون. لعل استعمال تعبير «إرث» لم يكن مبالغاً فيه في نهاية المطاف.
إذا كان من الممكن أن يوضح «العالم الخيالي» أمرًا ما فهو هذا. اجتاز هنسون الذي توفي عام 1990 عن 53 عاماً، مسافة طويلة جداً منذ بداياته المتواضعة في واشنطن. في تلك المنطقة، أبصرت دُماه النور في منتصف خمسينات القرن الماضي، وكان ذلك في البداية عبر عرض تلفزيوني لمدة خمس دقائق بعنوان Sam and Friends، ولاحقاً ضمن سلسلة من الاعلانات القصيرة التي بقيت تعرض لوقت طويل لصالح شركة محلية اسمها Wilkins Coffee. يذكر أن بعضاً من تلك العروض القصيرة بالأبيض والأسود (استعملت لإعدادها تكنولوجيا قديمة رائعة) يرد من بين المواضيع الأكثر جاذبية في معرض {سميثسونيان} الذي يبدأ من التصاميم الأولى للإعلانات عن الحفلات والمسرحيات مذ كان هنسون طالباً في جامعة ماريلاند وصولاً إلى مقتنياته الخاصة كالأزياء والشخصيات التي ابتكرها لبعض الأفلام كفيلم The Dark Crystal عام 1982.
نجم تائه
ستبدو معظم مسيرته المهنية مألوفة، خصوصًا مع التطرق إلى برنامج الأولادSesame Street الذي عُرض للمرة الأولى عام 1969، مع شخصيات مشهورة منها الدمية التي تحمل اسم «أوسكار ذا غراوش» (Oscar the Grouch)، و{بيغ بيرد». ما لا يعرفه الكثيرون، وما أجده رائعاً بصراحة للراشدين أكثر منه للأولاد هو ما حصل في الكواليس والأقاويل التي تفصّل مسيرة هنسون الابداعية: لقطات تظهر التحول غير المتوقع للشخصيات التي أصبحت محبوبة الآن، فضلاً عن رسوم أولية وصور وثائقية تكشف عن مدى صعوبة جعل الدمى تتمتع بالحركة وبنوع من الحياة (ثم جعل هذا العمل الشاق كله يبدو سهلاً).

صور جيم هانسون

الذكري ال75 لميلاد جيم هانسون Jim Henson احتفال Google بعيد ميلاد Jim Hanson جيم هانسون اكتسب جيم هنسون شهرته من خلال ابتكار شخصيات محبوبة على غرار كرميت، لكن «عالم جيم هنسون الخيالي»، الذي يُكشَف النقاب عنه في واشنطن، يحتوي أيضاً على أعماله المبدعة الأخرى أخرج جيم هنسون فيلم Time Piece وأدى الدور الرئيس فيه، والفيلم جزء من الأشياء المعروضة في «عالم جيم هنسون الخيالي» في معرض {سميثسونيان» في واشنطن.

صور جيم هانسون Jim Henson


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جيم هانسون...أكثر من مبدع في تحريك الدمى! - مجلة قصيمي,جديد جيم هانسون...أكثر من مبدع في تحريك الدمى! - مجلة قصيمي,اخبار عالمية منوعة.

الذكرى ال75 لميلاد جيم هانسون Jim Henson's 75th Birthda

اليوم 24/9/2011 يحتفل محرك البحث العالمي "جوجل" بالذكرى ال75 لميلاد "جيم هانسون" الشهير بتحريك الدمى,

والذي اشتهر باتقانه بتحريك الدمى بلبس ضفدع في يده وتحريكه بشكل جميل ومنظم..

الذكرى ال75 لميلاد جيم هانسون محرك الدُمى Henson

وترك "جيم هانسون" ارثاً كبيراً في عالم الدمى الخيالي, ولا يزال عشاق هذا العالم يكنون التقدير لمبتكر العديد من شخصيات الدمى المحببه لدى الكثير.

من اهم اعمال جيم هانسون,,
Time Piece وهو فيلم يمتد لـ 90 دقيقة، وكان قد أعده هانسون عام 1965، وقد رشح للحصول على جائزة الاوسكار عن هذا الفيلم، وكان الفيلم يخلو من الكلام ويركز على عامل الوقت الذي ظهر فيه هانسون تائها في الزمن، مما عكس مقدرته في الاخراج، وعد هذا الفيلم نموذجا في الاخراج الاولي للافلام.
ايضا من ضمن ابداعاته برنامج الاطفال Sesame Street الذي عرض للمرة الأولى عام 1969، مع شخصيات مشهورة منها الدمية التي تحمل اسم «أوسكار ذا غراوش» (Oscar the Grouch)، و"بيغ بيرد".

الذكرى ال75 لميلاد جيم هانسون محرك الدُمى Henson

الذكرى ال75 لميلاد جيم هانسون محرك الدُمى

jim henson, الدمى, اليوم, جوجل, جيم, جيم هانسون, دميه, شعار, هانسون

الذكرى ال75 لميلاد جيم هانسون محرك الدُمى Jim Henson

الذكرى ال75 لميلاد جيم هانسون Jim Henson's 75th Birthda

الذكرى ال75 لميلاد جيم هانسون محرك الدُمى Henson
صورة "جيم هانسون" مع الدُمى

Hyundai Eon launching soon in India, sits below i10

Hyundai is ready to roll out a small car in India that sits below the i10. Called Eon, the affordable five-door hatch will be Hyundai’s weapon against India’s best seller, the Maruti Alto (not to be confused with our Suzuki Alto, which is called A-Star there) as well as high spec versions of the Tata Nano.

These sketches show that although the Hyundai Eon will be a bargain basement model, design is still very much on the agenda. We can see the company’s Fluidic Sculpture design in full play here – familiar cues include Hyundai’s hexagon grille, long headlamps and wavy surfacing on the profile.

The rear end is also unmistakably Hyundai with those long vertical lamps. With such sophisticated design, this is a cheap car that doesn’t look cheap.

The same goes for the interior, which is dual toned and equally curvy. The design, which directs one’s eyes to the centre console, is also in line with Hyundai’s latest products.

Reports from India are speculating that the Eon, codenamed HA, sits on a new platform that’s not shared with the i10. Apparently, it will be powered by a 814 cc SOHC 3-cylinder petrol engine with 56 PS and 75 Nm. The speculated ex-showroom price is 2.5 to 3 lakh rupees, which is roughly equivalent to RM16.2k to RM19.5k.