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Kia Cerato earns top marks in safety for US market

In the US, the Kia Cerato, which is still known as the Forte, has been awarded the Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)(USA), which is the best possible rating. The award pertains to the car built after March 2017 that is equipped with the optional front crash prevention and high intensity discharge (HID) headlights with Dynamic Bending Light tech.

The latest accolade complements the one recently received by the car for being named highest-rated compact car in the 2017 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS). The results were tabulated based on data from customer satisfaction survey and issues reported in the first 90 days of ownership.

“Kia Forte is one of our most popular and best-selling vehicles,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, Product Planning KMA. “The new distinction of TSP+ rating from the highly-respected IIHS reconfirms the high priority we place on safety for our customers and why Forte remains a favorite in the compact sedan class.”

For a vehicle to qualify for the TSP, the IIHS states that these vehicles have to earn “good” ratings in five crash worthiness tests – small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength and head restraints – as well as an “advanced” or “superior” rating for front crash prevention and an “acceptable” or “goo” rating in headlight testing.

Over in the US, the Cerato is offered in three different trim levels, namely the LX, S and EX. All come with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine that produces either 147bhp or 164bhp and mated to a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

There’s also a whole host of sophisticated tech that comes with the car, which include autonomous emergency braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Warning, and Dynamic Bending Light system mentioned earlier.

Based on recent news, it looks like Kia is constantly improving by producing safe and technologically advanced models that are able to offer kit of more expensive European cars but at a much cheaper price.

Lotus Evora GTE430 is lightest and most track focused in the family

Lotus has released a new variant of its Evora sports car called the GT430 and boasting that its the most powerful road going car that it has ever produced. Sporting lightweight carbon-fibre panels and better performance, the car is pipped to be the most exhilarating Lotus on the road right now. In fact, it has even managed to beat the lap time of the super lightweight Lotus 3-Eleven on the manufacturer’s Hethel test track.

Its looks aren’t that dissimilar from other variants that bear the nameplate, however the devil is in the details. It has specially designed body panels that feature exposed carbon weave sections at the front and rear. The front and rear bumper, front splitter, front access panel, roof panel rear wing and tailgate are all made from carbon-fibre.

When placed side by side with the regular version, it becomes apparent that the GTE430 has larger front apertures, a new carbon fibre splitter, air blades and louvers positioned on top of each front wheel arch.

At the rear, aero ducts behind each wheel reduce pressure in the wheel arch, there’s wider Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, and a large rear diffuser. Both are crowned by the large, profiled carbon wing. As a whole, the car generates up to 250kg of downforce through its thoroughly tweaked aerodynamics.

And the extensive use of these lightweight materials has resulted in the car shedding 26kg at 1,258kg making it the lightest Evora produced, lighter still than the anorexic Evora Sport 410. This feat was accomplished despite the addition of 9kg worth of aero kit including the carbon-fibre rear wing as well as larger wheels and tyres.

The car is still powered by the same 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine that produces 430bhp and 440Nm of torque. The increase in torque is a direct result of a new air-to-liquid gearbox cooler which first debuted on the Evora 400.

The engine is mated to 6-speed manual gearbox that features a low inertia, single-mass flywheel. Lotus has also fitted the car with a Torsen-type limited slip differential (LSD) to give it better traction and faster exit speeds during cornering.

Thanks to the performance increase, the car is able to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top sped of 305km/h. And the edition of a titanium exhaust system that is 10kg lighter than the standed one, the car seems to hit all the right notes.

As for suspension, the car gets Öhlins TTX two-way adjustable shocks and Eibach Springs which not only offer a 10kg weight saving but provide drivers with better options to fine tune the setup to suit their needs.

Just like the exterior, the cabin incorporates the same carbon theme with the carbon trim panels, carbon race seats and carbon instrument binnacle cover that complement the graphics design on the instrument panel.

There’s the same dynamic stability modes (Drive, Race and Off) that alter the electronic safety systems based on how much control the driver prefers to have over the car.

Despite the extreme weight saving measures that were taken, Lotus still managed to give it a touchscreen infotainment system that offers iPod and bluetooth connectivity functions as well as satellite navigation and reverse camera integration.

The steering wheel, dashboard, door panels, transmission tunnel and centre console are all trimmed in a combination of black Alcantara and perforated leather, with a full leather or full Alcantara trim option available at no additional cost. All trim choices are complemented by contrasting twin colour stitching, in red and white, and matte black interior panels.

Speaking of the car, Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus plc said, “The Evora GT430 is a landmark car for Lotus. It’s a truly beautiful car, meticulously finished in hand-crafted carbon, and employing the latest aerodynamics and lightweight materials. This highly developed vehicle perfectly reflects Lotus’ attention to engineering and design.”

According to Lotus, only 60 of these cars will ever be produced making it one of the rarest Evora cars in the history of the company. We shall have to wait and see if one or two manages to make its way to our shores.

Honda releases heartwarming video of its efforts to improve mobility of young patients

Honda has released a new video that chronicles the struggles of Brynn Fraser, an 8-year-old boy who suffers from serious birth defects. This touching short story portrays Honda’s goals in the health sector, especially when it comes to mobility.

Technology that it has developed will be able to improve the quality of living of young people like Brynn as well as empower them to overcome their disabilities. The automaker’s Asimo robot also stars in the clip and can be seen performing varies activities much to the amazement of the young patients who suffer similar disabilities as young Brynn.

We recently covered a story where Honda announced that it had invested heavily in Nationwide Children’s hospital in Ohio for the construction of a new facility that will focus on Gait Analysis and Mobility Enhancement.

And this latest video is to serve as a tool to raise awareness and bring in more funds for the project. Honda has been posted it on several of its social media sites including Youtube and Twitter, and is asking fans to head on over to throw their support behind this programme.

“We hope everyone who sees this video will be inspired by the passion and determination of the doctors and staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” said Jeffrey Smith, vice president of Corporate Communications for Honda North America.

He later added, “When we saw these young patients’ positive reaction to Honda’s ASIMO, we wanted to create an opportunity for others to join us in supporting this new effort to help children with mobility issues.”

For very “Like” or “Share” of this video, Honda will donate $1 to this facility that helps young patients overcome their disabilities that is a result of birth defects, disease or injury. The new center will also conduct spine motion analysis, sports performance programs and injury prevention programs.

In addition to that, it will also be conducting extensive R&D in prosthetic and wheelchair development, which will aid the improvement of these young kids’ mobility problems. Check out the video and let us know what you think of Honda’s new initiative and whether other automakers should be doing the same.

Mercedes-Benz to issue voluntary fix of 3 million diesel vehicles

Luxury vehicle maker, Mercedes-Benz may be in a little bit of a pickle according to a report by AutoExpress. An article published on the website stated that the German automaker has announced a voluntary fix for about 3 million vehicles with diesel engines.

Apparently, its parent company, Daimler has been accussed of selling over a million vehicles that produce more emissions than their supposed to, in markets such as the US and Europe between 2008 and 2016. In fact, the article also states that a German court has issued a search warrant against the company, which should signal that a thorough investigation into this matter is already in the works.

However, the Stuttgart based manufacturer has stated that, this voluntary fix is meant to reassure its customers that the engines that bear the Mercedes-Benz name have the latest diesel technology and adhere to the stipulated requirements. In other words, to them, the programme isn’t an admission of guilt, rather its about the automaker’s commitment and restoring confidence in the oil burning platform.

It will carry out these fixes as well work with the various German regulatory bodies to resolve this issue in a professional manner. The work will be done at no cost to customers, which means that like most other service campaigns, customers are only required to schedule an appointment, then show up at the stipulated time.

Ever since the Volkswagen dieselgate debacle, regulatory bodies are starting to operate with a higher level of scrutiny when it comes to emissions regulation issues. This comes at the heels of rumours that VW wasn’t alone in this. It is believed that emission regulations have become so stringent in recent years, that automakers have had to resort to cheating in order to comply with them.

That said, until actual concrete evidence surfaces, these are baseless accusations from certain parties as a means to ruin the image of certain automakers. As for Mercedes-Benz, they should be able to come out of this fiasco unscathed as long as they are able to weather this storm perfectly well. Bear in mind that the brand produces some of the best vehicles and engines at the moment, which says a lot about its reputation and what the company stands for.

Regardless of how this event pans out, we will be bring you the latest news as soon as we find out.

Source: AutoExpress

Mercedes-Benz X-Class to bridge gap between luxury SUV and utilitarian workhorse

Mercedes-Benz’s new pick-up truck is meant to offer the best of both worlds by combining the rugged ‘go-anywhere’ capabilities with luxuries better suited for more upmarket sedans. Called the X-Class, this pick-up is based on the Nissan Navara, which means it shares pretty much the same wheelbase and similar dimensions with its Japanese sibling.

Much to our dismay, the production version of the X-Class bares very little resemblance to the ludicrously outlandish concept vehicle that was revealed not long ago. The contours are far more conservative this time around, the lines and curves mimic that of the M-Class vehicles, which isn’t a bad thing. Around the back, things are pretty docile too, however depending on the trim level that is chosen, the X-Class will come with number of exterior add-ons that will that make it look a little more special.

Overall, the German automaker has done a fantastic job at concealing what is essentially a Navara pick-up by conferring their own design language onto that of the Japanese stalwart. And it will be available in three different variants which are the Pure, Progressive and Power.

The Pure variant is being marketed as a workhorse that will spend most of its days hauling cargo and getting the dirty jobs done while offering a comfortable ride and decent interior. Then there’s the Progressive, which is aimed at buyers who want a rugged outdoors vehicle that still has decent styling and creature comforts that are required by business people.

https://youtu.be/7aGK4xW2jFM

Lastly, the Power variant is the most expensive of the lot and comes loaded with the best kit that is available. It still has the same rugged off-road capabilities but sports more grown up looks – both inside and out. Merc hopes that this variant will attract the execs who want both style and 4×4 abilities.

The X-Class is being offered with two engine choices, a petrol and a diesel one with a displacement of 2.3-litres. However, power outputs of these engines vary depending on the state of tune with the lowest being 163bhp and the most powerful of the lot having 190bhp.

A more powerful V6 diesel will be released next year and it will deliver 258bhp and a colossal 550Nm of torque. Depending on the model, you will also get paddle shifters, engine stop/start function, as well as drive programs that alter engine behavior based on Which you choose: Comfort, ECO, Sport, Manual and Off-road.

These engine can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed (7G-Tronic Plus) automatic transmission. Buyers can even opt to have either all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive configuration. Basically, its a vehicle that has been designed to appeal to a variety of needs and wants especially to those who want a luxury pick-up truck rather than a humble workhorse.

The suspension features MacPherson struts upfront and multi-link rear as well as a 1,632mm front and 1,625mm rear track, which is much wider than what its competitors are able to offer. At 3,150mm its got a significantly longer wheelbase, shorter front and rear overhangs as well as 202mm ground clearance, making it an ideal vehicle for off-road excursions.

https://youtu.be/_00I5RfvAGw

Inside, things are far more pleasant. The leather upholstery and leather stitched steering wheel give the cabin a luxurious ambiance, something that’s to be expected of the automaker. The seats come with lumbar support, which makes it easier on your back and should make for a more plient ride quality.

There’s also the COMMAND infotainment, touch controls and crisp LCD display. Everything is laid out pretty wheel, making it feel more like an M-Class rather than an X.

Just like other Mercs, this one is equipped with a slew of safety tech that include Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, as well as giving drivers live traffic information.

Check out the extensive picture gallery below to know in detail whether upcoming Mercedes-Benz pick-up truck appeals to you.

Lexus LC to star as Black Panther’s sidekick

The highly anticipated Marvel movie, Black Panther will feature a Lexus LC as the Protagonist’s ‘sidekick’. The Japanese automaker has teamed up with Marvel for a collaboration that will see the new 2018 Lexus LC be the car of choice for the Black Panther character in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, slated to hit theaters on Feb. 16, 2018.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, and starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o, the film follows T’Challa, who, after the events of Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Civil War,” goes back home where he takes the place of his father as King of the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda.

“Marvel continuously captures audiences through charismatic characters and inspiring stories — the ideal fit for Lexus’ mission to craft amazing, engaging experiences,” said Brian Bolain general manager, Lexus marketing. “And the LC’s aggressive styling, high performance and agile handling are a perfect fit for the Black Panther’s quick, cat-like reflexes and superhuman feats. We’re excited to see the duo in action.”

Taking the significance of this vehicle to the next level, Lexus also teamed up with Marvel Custom Solutions to create an original graphic novel by writer Fabian Nicieza and cover illustrations by artists Scott “Rahzzah” Wilson and Szymon Kudranski.

In the comic, the LEXUS LC 500 plays an important role in helping the Black Panther defeat a legendary villain in what is probably going to be an entertaining and well illustrated comic. No word yet on when exactly that this comic will go on sale, but it will probably be after the launch of the movie.

As a means to celebrate the partnership, Lexus and Marvel will host an exclusive Black Panther themed event on Friday, July 21 during Comic-Con after-hours. There will be special performances by DJ Lulo Café and a surprise headliner. It is at that invite-only event that the duo will be unveiling six variant covers for the graphic novel to industry guests and comic enthusiasts.

In case you didn’t know, the Lexus LC is a new sports car from Lexus with a 5.0-litre V8 engine that produces 471bhp and 398Nm of torque. It is mated to a 10-speed electronically controlled Direct-Shift transmission with magnesium paddle shifters. Working together, the powertrain allows the car to accomplish the 0-100km/h sprint in a mere 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 270km/h.

Sporting an angular design that is both aggressive yet elegant, the LC 500 is touted as a luxury sports car that offers the best of both worlds.