2012 Honda Insight Hybrid 44-mpg Offers Highest Fuel Economy of Any New Vehicle Under $20,000

Upgraded 2012 Honda Insight Hybrid Offers New High-Tech Look, Improved Fuel Economy and More Features
44-mpg Insight offers highest fuel economy of any new vehicle under $20,000
A significantly updated 2012 Insight hybrid debuts today with new exterior styling, an enhanced interior, additional features on select models and an EPA fuel economy-rating1 improvement of 1 mpg.
The Insight’s city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy rating1 of 41/44/42 mpg, up from 40/43/41 on the prior model, continues to offer the highest EPA fuel economy rating of any new vehicle currently available with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting under $20,000.
The aerodynamically styled, five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid vehicle receives extensive changes inside and out for 2012. Exterior changes include a more distinctive grille design that introduces a thin, blue accent bar representative of the Insight’s high-tech hybrid identity. Restyled front and rear bumpers, along with changes under the vehicle, contribute to a 2-percent increase in aerodynamic performance. New designs for the headlight and brake light internal reflectors further complete the refreshed look. Insight and Insight LX models have new 15-inch wheel covers and the Insight EX has newly styled 15-inch alloy wheels. Slightly wider 185/60R15 tires, up from 175/65R15 tires on the prior model, contribute to confident driving performance.

The Insight’s interior refinements for 2012 include a reconfigured rear seat area for better leg and head room; a redesigned gauge cluster background with a more technically sophisticated appearance; reshaped center-console beverage holders that accommodate larger drinks; and a more supportive front armrest (Insight LX and EX).
The Insight LX has new, more premium seat fabric, while the Insight EX is upholstered with a combination of synthetic leather (new) and premium fabric. Rear-seat headroom improves by 0.6 inches with changes to the rear headliner shape and deeper sculpting of the rear seat cushion to improve rear passenger comfort. Rearward visibility improves with a more compactly mounted rear-wiper motor housing and a thinner rear spoiler that creates a larger viewing area out the lower back window. The Insight becomes quieter for 2012 with increased thickness to the vehicle’s existing noise-insulation materials and additional insulation panels in the cargo area.
Available on Insight EX models, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition2 receives several notable upgrades including the addition of a rearview camera. The system provides routing and guidance to individual addresses and more than 7-million points of interest within the continental United States. A 16-GB flash memory system replaces the 4.7-GB DVD-based system used on the prior model. The new system offers faster route calculation and includes FM traffic, a subscription-free service that alerts drivers to traffic conditions.

The Insight is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) system comprised of a 1.3-liter i‑VTEC® gasoline 4-cylinder engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor. The combination develops 98 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 123 lb-ft. of torque at 1000-1700 rpm. For 2012, friction-reducing measures in the engine and the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) contribute to the new model’s increased fuel economy. A 10.6-gallon fuel tank provides an estimated maximum driving range exceeding 400 miles.
The Insight features the Eco Assist™ System, an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback related to individual driving styles. Eco Assist can help drivers improve fuel efficiency, both by altering vehicle functionality and providing driver feedback, with fuel economy dependent on their given set of driving conditions. Pressing the ECON button can further enhance the efficiency of multiple vehicle systems: throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation (if equipped). Eco Assist also provides feedback about driving style via a 3D-like background within the speedometer. The background changes colors from green to blue to reflect how efficiently or inefficiently the driver is accelerating or braking (green is more efficient).
Aerodynamic refinements for 2012 include changes to the shape of the engine bay underbody cover and the addition of air diffusers under the rear bumper to smooth airflow exiting behind the vehicle. The strakes ahead of the front wheels have been extended by 0.4 inches to better direct air around the wider front tires.

Standard safety features on all Insight models include dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver’s and front-passenger’s active head restraints; and a front body structure designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries. The Insight also features Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, which provides improved occupant protection and crash compatibility between vehicles of different sizes and ride heights in frontal crashes.
The 2012 Insight is offered in three distinct models. The value-oriented base model, simply designated as “Insight,” is well equipped with a 160-watt, two-speaker audio system, automatic climate control, power windows, remote entry and more.
The Insight LX adds a four-speaker audio system, USB audio interface, armrest console, floor mats and a security system. New for 2012, the LX has map lights and steering wheel audio controls.
The Insight EX adds alloy wheels, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, an audio system with six speakers, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals and much more. For 2012, the EX gains Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®3, automatic headlights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The Insight EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition and rearview camera.
New exterior colors include Frosted Silver Metallic and Truffle Pearl, which replace Clear Sky Blue and Crimson Pearl.
Insight accolades include J.D. Power and Associates “Highest Ranked Compact Car in Initial Quality in a Tie” in their 2011 Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) (the Insight tied with the Civic). The IQS names the highest performers within the first 90 days of vehicle ownership. And for the past three consecutive years, the Insight was named a Top 10 Green Car by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com4. The Insight was also named one of the “Greenest Vehicles of 2011″ by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
Honda is a leader in developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies, including the original Honda Insight, introduced as America’s first mass-produced hybrid car in December 1999. Honda is also a leader in the development of advanced alternatives to gasoline, including the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity fuel-cell electric car, the world’s most-advanced production fuel cell automobile.
Honda’s diverse lineup of environmental vehicles also includes the Civic Natural Gas sedan, the only retail CNG passenger vehicle currently available from any automaker in the U.S., and three distinct gasoline-electric hybrid models: Civic Hybrid, CR-Z sport hybrid and Insight hybrid.
Honda was named America’s “Greenest Automaker” for the fifth consecutive time by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in late 2010. The award is earned by the company with the lowest combined score of its smog-forming and greenhouse gas emissions (primarily CO2) in its U.S. automobile fleet. Honda has led the UCS rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since the first UCS study in 2000, marking a decade of Honda leadership in reduced vehicle emissions. Honda earned the recognition with an industry-best score based on model year 2008 data, the latest available for analysis.
Insight Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price*
Insight: $18,350
Insight LX: $20,125
Insight EX: $21,815
Insight EX with Navigation: $23,540
* MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $770 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.


Source: DistroCar

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2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 427 Cubic Inches Engine Rated at 505 hp New & Revised Content for Available Z07 Performance Package

Chevrolet Centennial Edition, featuring Carbon Flash Metallic paint, satin-black graphics, satin-black Cup wheels with red stripe, unique badges, special-trimmed interior with red stitching and Magnetic Selective Ride Control
New and revised content for the available Z07 performance package for the Z06, including new Michelin® Pilot® Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires, lighter-weight Cup wheels, Magnetic Selective Ride Control and full-width rear spoiler
Available Magnetic Selective Ride Control with Cup wheels, Michelin PS2 tires and Performance Traction Management
Available carbon fiber hood
New seat design with optional microfiber inserts
New steering wheel with model-specific badges, streamlined switch trim and wrapped spokes
Padded center console and armrests standard on all trim levels
Contrast color stitching in red, blue and yellow offered with the custom leather-wrapped interior
New Bose Premium audio system with nine speakers available
New customer-selectable brake caliper colors offered in yellow, silver and gray (red calipers are standard)
New Carlisle Blue Metallic and Carbon Flash Metallic exterior colors
The Corvette Z06 is a dual-purpose sports car equally adept at daily driving or weekend excursions on the track. Its racing-inspired powertrain and suspension features, along with an aluminum frame and carbon fiber fenders and floor panels, contribute to a curb weight of only 3,199 pounds (1,451 kg), making it the lightest, best-balanced Corvette model and one of the most svelte supercars on the market.
Z06 capability is enhanced for 2012, with upgrades and new features for the available Z07 performance package, highlighted by new Michelin® Pilot® Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires. When combined with new-for-2012 Performance Traction Management (PTM) technology – which manages torque delivery for maximum performance – the tires are expected to help set new benchmarks for Corvette performance. Engineers estimate an 8-percent gain in maximum lateral acceleration, to more than 1.1g, and improved braking distance.
The enhanced Z07 package’s effectiveness was demonstrated with a new lap time of 7:22.7 around Germany’s legendary Nürburgring, making it one of the fastest production cars to circle the famous track.
Corvette Z06 also celebrates Chevrolet’s performance heritage with the 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette, which features a sleek black color scheme, unique design elements and Corvette’s sports car technology. The special package is inspired by Chevrolet’s racing-bred foundation and is offered on all Corvette models for 2012.
Corvette Z06 for 2012 includes interior improvements shared with all Corvette models, including new seats, a new steering wheel design and a new Bose Premium audio system.
Customers who opt for the Corvette Engine Build Experience (option code PBC) can participate in the assembly of their engine at the General Motors Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich.

Corvette Z06 design
Fixed-roof body style optimizes body rigidity and mass; offered in three trim levels – 1LZ, 2LZ and 3LZ.
Wide front fascia with a large, forward-facing grille opening, a splitter along the bottom and wheel opening extensions along the sides to provide aerodynamic downforce.
Cold-air scoop in front of the hood that integrates an air inlet system for the engine.
Wide carbon fiber front fenders and carbon fiber floor panels.
Available carbon fiber hood.
Available “CFZ” carbon fiber package, with carbon fiber roof, rocker extensions, front splitter and ZR1-style rear spoiler.
Wide rear fenders with flares cover the massive rear tires and a brake cooling scoop in front of the wheels visually balances the fender extractor.
Tall rear spoiler houses the CHMSL on the top of the rear fascia.
Ten-spoke spider-design wheels (18-inch front; 19-inch rear).
Four large stainless steel exhaust outlets.
Z06 badging on the carbon-fiber front fenders.
Standard high-intensity discharge headlamps.
Two new exterior colors for 2012: Carlisle Blue Metallic and Carbon Flash Metallic (Chevrolet Centennial edition only). Also offered are Arctic White, Blade Silver Metallic, Inferno Orange Metallic, Velocity Yellow Tintcoat, Torch Red , Supersonic Blue Metallic,Cyber Gray and Crystal Red Tintcoat
New customer-selectable brake caliper colors offered in yellow, silver and gray. Red calipers are standard.
Chevrolet Centennial Edition Special Edition
Offered exclusively in Carbon Flash Metallic with satin-black graphics.
Special badges that signify Chevrolet’s racing history, including a graphic logo featuring an image of Louis Chevrolet on the B-pillars, the wheel center caps and the center of the steering wheel.
The historic Corvette crossed flags badge contains a small adaptation, with “100” in place of the traditional fleur-de-lis symbol in black, only for the Centennial Edition.
Unique Centennial Satin Black wheels with red stripe, sized specifically to the respective Corvette models, including 19-inch/20-inch for Z06.
Magnetic Selective Ride Control is standard.
Ebony leather-wrapped instrument panel and doors complemented by red stitching, also on the steering wheel, seats, console and shifter.
The seats feature microfiber suede accents on seats, steering wheel, shifter and armrests, which were first used on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Limited Edition.
Seat headrests carry an embossed centennial logo.
Available on all Corvette models via order code ZLC.

Corvette Z06 interior
Corvette’s interior is inspired by the car’s dual-cockpit heritage.
New seats feature improved appearance and larger bolsters on the seat back and cushion areas to provide better driver support, especially in high-performance driving
Microfiber seat inserts are included with the leather-wrapped interior (3LZ).
New steering wheel with model-specific badges, streamlined switch trim and wrapped spokes.
An AM/FM/XM radio with CD player and audio input jack is standard.
New, optional Bose Premium audio system includes nine speakers (vs. seven in 2011), including new tweeters located in the instrument panel and improve Bose Nd next-generation bass performance.
Steering-wheel mounted audio controls are on all models.
SiriusXM Satellite Radio with a one-year subscription is included with the Bose audio system.
An onboard navigation system with voice recognition is included with 2LZ and 3LZ models. It is a DVD-based system that uses a 6.5-inch (165 mm) color touch-screen display.
Head-up display is available on 2LZ and 3LZ models and includes Track Mode with g-meter.
Gauge cluster displays the Z06 logo on a 7,000-rpm tachometer and includes a readout on the oil pressure instrument to reflect the higher standard pressure of the Z06’s dry-sump oiling system.
A custom leather-wrapped interior package is standard on the 3LZ trim, featuring a leather-wrapped upper and lower instrument panel, door pads and seats; choice of exclusive colors: Dark Titanium, Ebony or Cashmere, with unique color breakup; padded door panel armrests; “Corvette” embroidered on passenger-side dash pad and a unique center trim plate with a gunmetal pattern.
Corvette Z06 performance
LS7 7.0L (427 cubic inches) engine rated at 505 horsepower (377 kW).
Forged steel crankshaft.
Racing-derived high-flow cylinder heads with lightweight titanium intake valves.
Titanium connecting rods.
Racing-style dry-sump oiling system that ensures adequate oil pressure during high-load cornering.
The LS7 is hand-assembled at GM’s Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich., and incorporates special processes typically seen in racing engines to produce a highly refined and precise product.
Lightweight, four-into-one exhaust headers discharge into close-coupled catalytic converters.
Two-mode mufflers that feature a vacuum-actuated outlet valves, which control exhaust noise during low-load operation but open for maximum power.
Six-speed manual transmission – automatic not available – that is strengthened for the LS7’s torque and incorporates a pump that sends transmission fluid to the front radiator for cooling. Upon its return, the fluid removes additional heat from the differential lube before returning to the transmission.
A single-mass flywheel and lightweight, high-capacity clutch channel torque to the rear transaxle.
Limited-slip differential, with enlarged ring and pinion gears.
Stronger axle half-shafts with stronger universal joints transmit power to the rear wheels.
0-60 performance of 3.7 seconds in first gear, quarter-mile times of 11.7 seconds at 125 mph and a top speed of 198 mph.

Corvette Z06 chassis and suspension
An aluminum body structure for optimum stiffness and light weight for the fixed-roof body style.
Perimeter rails are one-piece hydroformed aluminum members featuring cast suspension nodes, which replace many welded steel components on other Corvette models.
Advanced structural composites featuring carbon fiber are bonded to the aluminum structure. The wider front wheelhouses, for example, are carbon composites, and the passenger compartment floors combine carbon-fiber skins with an ultra-lightweight balsa wood core.
A magnesium cradle that serves as the attachment point for the engine and some front suspension components. It is lighter than aluminum, yet incredibly strong, and helps improve the front-to-rear weight distribution, as do carbon-fiber front fenders and wheelhouses.
Battery relocated from underhood to a position in the rear cargo area, behind one of the rear wheels.
Z06-specific wheels, tires and brakes, as well as rear spring and roll stabilizer.
Large 18 x 9.5-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels and 275/35ZR18 tires in the front, and 19 x 12-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear. Goodyear F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires are standard.
Four-wheel disc brake system, consisting of 14-inch (355 mm) vented and cross-drilled front rotors and 13.4-inch (340 mm) vented and cross-drilled rear rotors.
Red-painted six-piston front calipers that use six individual brake pads. Individual brake pads are used because they deliver more equalized wear compared to what would otherwise be a pair of very long single-piece pads.
Rear brakes use four-piston calipers with four individual brake pads.
A four-channel ABS system is standard, as is a very competent Active Handling system – complete with a Competitive Driving mode.
Z07 Performance Package content
New Michelin® Pilot® Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires, developed by the same Michelin engineers who develop tires for Corvette Racing in the American Le Mans Series. They are essentially street-legal versions of a racing tire.
The 285/30-19 (front) and 335/25-20 (rear) tires are matched with all-new aluminum Cup-style wheels in satin black or machined finishes. They are about five pounds lighter (2.2 kg) and stronger than the ZR1 20-spoke wheel offered in 2011.
A new, full-width racing style spoiler for improved aerodynamics.
Enhanced cooling.
Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
Brembo carbon ceramic brakes.
Corvette safety and crash-avoidance features
The Corvette is designed to help drivers avoid crashes, while protecting the occupants in the event a crash occurs.
Four standard air bags include side-impact air bags, which provide head protection for outboard passengers in the event of a side-impact or rollover crash.
Active Handling electronic stability control system helps reduce the risk of rollover crashes by keeping the vehicle in the driver’s intended path by applying throttle, braking or a combination of both.
Standard four-wheel-disc brake system
Pretensioners minimize forward movement during a collision, and are standard on the front safety belts. Load-limiting retractors cinch the belt more tightly.
Tire pressure monitoring system and run-flat tires are standard on all models.
Standard remote keyless access with push-button starting.
Strong body structure to absorb crash energy and provide a protective “safety cage” around occupants.
OnStar details
Corvette Z06 is offered with OnStar as standard on all models. It uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of crash. OnStar subscribers also can use the service to be Good Samaritans by sending help to other motorists, and to call for help in other non-crash emergencies.
OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada.
Six months of complimentary OnStar Directions and Connections service with Turn-by-Turn Navigation for easier route guidance on all Corvette models. The feature is easy to use because all directions are sent to the car by an advisor, without the need to stop.
Stolen Vehicle Assistance helps police track the vehicle in the event of a theft.


Source: DistroCar

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Kia's RWD K9 flagship caught testing in the snow

Kia has taken the company's K9 to Northern Sweden for a little winter testing, and our spy photographers were on hand to catch a glimpse of the vehicle as it went dashing through the snow. The vehicle will borrow from the rear-wheel drive architecture pioneered on the Hyundai Genesis, though will likely boast design cues inspired by the Kia GT Concept. Judging by these photos, full LED headlights will make their way to the model, at least on some trims. Odds are the K9 will boast power from both a 3.8-liter V6 and a 4.6-liter V8 as well as a more powerful 5.0-liter V8 engine borrowed from the Genesis R-Spec.

A standard eight-speed automatic transmission is likely to handle gear-swapping duties, but rumor has it Kia is also working on a new 10-speed transmission, and there's a chance that gearbox will be available in the K9 in the near future. Look for the vehicle to make a full debut later this year as a 2013 model.

Source: Autoblog

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Jenson Interceptor FF and Ferrari FF take to the slopes of St. Moritz

The Jensen Interceptor FF and the Ferrari FF share two letters, but the commonality extends far beyond a nameplate. Both cars are exotic GTs, both have rather unusual roof profiles and 2+2 seating, both are pioneers in all-wheel drive... and both would be fantastic for a trip through the Swiss alps.

To put that last bit to the test, Classic Driver took the pair up to St. Moritz, and brought along a video crew to document the encounter.

Source: Autoblog

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