Auto World News

Fiat’s comprehensive Grande Punto range has just expanded further with the arrival of the storming new 1.4 T-Jet 120 Sporting.

This major new addition to the popular range combines performance and driving enjoyment with Fiat’s advanced engine technology. The new T-Jet petrol engine uses the latest turbocharging expertise to give outstanding power and torque but with notably low emissions and fuel consumption.

Available now in both three- and five-door versions, the new Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 120 is based on the range’s Sporting trim level, and comes packed with stylish standard equipment, including:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Air conditioning
• Sports seats
• Leather steering wheel
• Chrome tailpipe
• Spoiler and sideskirts
• ESP
• Six airbags

It also features Blue & Me, Fiat’s innovative voice-activated music and communications system, developed in conjunction with Microsoft.

The new T-Jet 120 versions join the 25-strong Grande Punto range at a buoyant time – Fiat has sold more than 58,000 units in the UK since the car’s introduction last year, and the combination of Grande Punto’s affordable style combined with the T-Jet engine’s performance, economy and low emissions, makes the car a serious proposition in a crowded segment of the market place.

The 1368cc petrol powerplant is one of a new family of turbocharged T-Jet engines that made their debut this year in Fiat’s new Bravo range. Producing 120bhp and
152 lb ft of torque, this responsive new engine gives the Grande Punto a 0-62mph time of just 8.9 seconds and a top speed of 121mph. However, fuel consumption is modest, returning 42.8mpg on the combined cycle, while the engine emits just 155g/km CO₂.

Recommended retail prices for the 1.4 T-Jet 120 are £11,995 for the three-door model and £12,595 for the five-door.

1.4 16v T-Jet 120 bhp

Capacity:	1368cc
Type:	4-cylinders, 16 valves
Power:	120 bhp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:	152 lb ft @ 1750 rpm
Top speed:	121mph
Acceleration (0-62mph):	8.9 secs
Fuel consumption
Urban:	32.5mpg
Extra urban:	52.3mpg
Combined:	42.8mpg
CO2:	155 g/km

Ярлыки: Fiat

UGL Equis Corporation Represents Auto Finance Unit In Transaction

Hillwood has leased 75,344 square feet of its new 114,710 square-foot Heritage Commons II office building at Alliance to Mercedes-Benz Financial, the financial services partner for Mercedes-Benz dealerships throughout the United States. Heritage Commons II, which will be completed by the end of this month, is located along the west side of Interstate 35W between Alliance Blvd. and Westport Parkway.

Mercedes-Benz Financial will operate the center in support of its lease and retail contract portfolio.

Mercedes-Benz Financial will employ approximately 350 workers at its new location. The company plans to occupy the new building by January, 2008. The move is a result of a transfer of assets of Chrysler and Chrysler Financial to Cerberus Capital Management, which is expected to close in the third quarter. Approximately 750 Chrysler Financial employees will remain at the present location in Westlake.

"Alliance was a natural selection for Mercedes-Benz Financial," said Janet Marzett, Vice-President, of Customer Service and Remarketing. "We have had an excellent relationship with Hillwood at the building we lease in Westlake, which supported the combined group, Chrysler Financial and Mercedes-Benz Financial. The location, in proximity to our current employee base, together with the quality environment of Alliance, made our process very easy and keeps our Mercedes-Benz Financial team together."

Mercedes-Benz Financial was represented by Wendy Dobreff and Stuart Smith of UGL Equis. Hillwood was represented in-house by Steve Aldrich, vice president of Hillwood Properties, the developer of AllianceTexas.

"Office development has become an even bigger factor in the growth of AllianceTexas primarily due to the quality of the development and the recent residential growth that has given tremendous depth to the labor force in the area," said Aldrich. "With increased amenities and services adding a new dimension to the quality of life at AllianceTexas, Hillwood anticipates the office segment at the development to grow exponentially."

"Mercedes-Benz Financial took a serious look at new generation office space immediately north of the Dallas Fort Worth Airport, but ultimately decided that both current and future employee demographics favor a location in the Alliance Corridor," says Stuart Smith, senior vice president of UGL Equis who represented Mercedes-Benz Financial in the transaction. "Hillwood's timing of construction completion of Heritage Commons II also fit perfectly with Mercedes-Benz Financial's relocation schedule"

Including Mercedes-Benz Financial, several global industry leaders have established major office facilities in more than 1 million square feet at AllianceTexas over the past few years. Fidelity Investments recently began construction on a 600,000 office building that will house more than 1,500 employees at its campus in the Circle T Ranch section of AllianceTexas. The company already has a 615,000 square-foot office building on the campus.

Last year DynCorp International moved into a 120,000 square-foot build-to- suit at Alliance. The company also expanded into 10,316 square feet of office space at Heritage Commons I earlier this year.

Textron continues to grow in the development and now occupies more than 52,000 square feet of office space in the Alliance Commerce Center 14 office building. Bell Helicopter utilizes close to 150,000 square feet of office space in several Alliance facilities, including 77,000 square feet in the recently completed Army Programs Center and 46,000 square feet in its Customer Service Center.

Other major office users at AllianceTexas include Galderma, TD AMERITRADE, Lockheed Martin, AIG, AT&T, Chrysler Financial, Ryder and IESI, one of the country's top waste management companies, which has its corporate headquarters in the development.

Located 15 miles northwest of DFW Airport, the 17,000-acre AllianceTexas development consists of the Alliance Global Logistics Hub, the corporate campuses and golf courses of Circle T Ranch and the high-tech mixed-use community of Heritage. AllianceTexas now houses 6,200 single-family homes and more than 140 companies that occupy 26 million square feet and employ 25,000 workers. More than 65 companies at AllianceTexas are ranked on the Fortune 500, Global 500 or Forbes List of Top Private Firms.

Mercedes-Benz Financial provides financing for Mercedes-Benz dealers' inventories and their retail customers. Currently, over 400,000 drivers in the United States enjoy the benefits of leasing or financing their Mercedes-Benz vehicles through Mercedes-Benz Financial, which is part of DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas LLC' s group of companies that operate in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and parts of South America with approximately 5,600 employees. DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas is part of the DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Group, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, which operates in over 40 countries and has an employee base of close to 11,000 and a global portfolio of approximately $150 billion. DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Group is one of the leading financial services enterprises worldwide.

For more information visit www.mercedesbenzfinancial.com

UGL Equis Corporation, through its affiliated companies, is a global corporate real estate firm that focuses exclusively on the business space user. With more than 3,300 affiliated employees in nearly 100 locations around the world, Chicago-based UGL Equis, a subsidiary of United Group Limited, , provides comprehensive real estate solutions through portfolio strategy and management, transaction advisory, corporate finance, project services, workplace integration, data management, facility management and audit & recovery services for national and global companies with office, industrial and retail opportunities throughout the United States, Mexico, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. The firm serves leading organizations in a range of market sectors, including Bayer Corp., Charter Communications, DaimlerChrysler, U.S. General Services Administration, GlaxoSmithKline, Qwest Communications and Watson Wyatt Worldwide.

For additional information, please visit www.ugl-equis.com

Hillwood, (www.hillwood.com) a Perot company, is ranked as one of the top commercial real estate developers in the country and the top residential developer in Dallas-Fort Worth. In addition to AllianceTexas, Hillwood is best known for its development of AllianceCalifornia in San Bernardino and the $420-million American Airlines Center and Victory district near downtown Dallas.

Source: Mercedes-Benz Financial

Ярлыки: Mercedes-Benz

* Professionals showed how drivers are rescued from an Atego or Actros cab using a hydraulic cutter/spreader system
* A crash-tested Atego and a brand new Actros were cut open for the purpose of rescue crew training
* Active demonstration of the Mercedes-Benz Guidelines for Rescue Services – rescue from the cab as the final element of the Mercedes-Benz truck safety strategy
* Demonstration of the safety systems in the Actros Safety Truck
Stuttgart, Aug 02, 2007– Adenau/ Nürburgring -- The accident analysis team from Daimler­Chrysler AG, the truck magazine publisher ETM as well as DEKRA Automotive joined forces to stage live demonstrations during the Truck Grand Prix at the Nürburgring under the mottos of "Preventing accidents" and "Rescuing accident victims".

The exhibits were a Mercedes-Benz Atego with a cab that had already been crashed in an accident test as well as a brand new Mercedes-Benz Actros - both were cut in the correct manner for occupant rescue, then opened to rescue the accident victims inside. In the past, this type of display had only ever been staged in front of experts from the rescue services. This was the first time that the rescue of accident victims from a truck cab following a crash had been demon­strated in front of such a large audience. Over the two days, over 150,000 on­lookers followed the presentation live on the large-screen grandstand monitors, in addition to the 300+ spectators at the actual demonstration scene. Many more will, of course, have followed the action on television or read about it in the press.



The rescue presentations were staged by 20 members of the Ravensburg fire-fighting service, Dr. Rainer Zinser, an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in truck accidents, paramedics from Adenau, specialist cutter manufacturer Weber, as well as the team from Mercedes-Benz. The vehicles in action comprised two LF 16/20 fire tenders including the very latest model from Rosenbauer developed on the platform of the Atego, a rapid-response rescue vehicle built on the basis of a cross-country vehicle, as well as a rescue vehicle belonging to the Adenau branch of the German Red Cross.

The driver of the Atego - a professional truck driver chosen from amongst the spectators - was hauled out of the vehicle after just 15 minutes, while the Actros driver was rescued in around 25 minutes. This despite the frequent pauses to explain each of the individual steps to the rescue personnel present and to the spectators. To put it in its most simple terms, accident rescue from trucks is like opening a tin of sardines. In a series of individual steps, the cab was first fixed in position by means of tensioning straps, the front windscreen sawn out, the driver's door prised off its hinges using a spreader, the cab separated at the A-pillar, then the door sill slit open using a Y-cut, as it is known, in order to allow the crushed cab to be expanded using telescopic rescue rams. Finally, the accident victim was properly attended to by the emergency medic and the paramedics before being rescued from the vehicle by the fire crew.

After the official public demonstration, the event organisers also gave members of the regional fire-fighting services and of the Federal Technical Relief Agency the opportunity to receive training in the use of the rescue apparatus from the rescue experts from Weber Hydraulics.

A practical exhibition of the safety systems in the Mercedes-Benz Actros Safety Truck demonstrated the topic of "accident prevention" to the largest audience to date. First, the effectiveness of the Electronic Stability Program was illustrated, starting with an articulated truck without any assistance systems (but fitted with outrigger wheels) which showed just how quickly a tractor/trailer combination without Telligent stability control can tip over. The same driving manoeuvre performed in the yellow Safety Truck fitted with Telligent stability control, on the other hand, had no spectacular consequences and made it quite clear just how effective the system is. The thrilling highlight for the spectators in the Nürburgring grandstands was the demonstration of the Active Brake Assist system, when the Safety Truck automatically initiated a full application of the brakes at the very last moment as it approached a passenger car - representing the end of a tailback - from behind and came to a stop in time. In everyday traffic out on the road, this saves lives.

"We are delighted to be able to present the all-encompassing safety strategy of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. This is split into active safety, covering driver assistance systems such as the "stability control", "Lane Assistant", "proximity control" and "Active Brake Assist" systems featured in the accident-averting Actros Safety Truck, and into the passive safety systems, which serve to both help mitigate the consequences of an accident for both the truck occupants and the other road user involved and to expedite the swift rescue of truck occupants following a crash. For the first time, we have now been able to give a demonstration of this by cutting our Atego and Actros trucks and training the rescue crews based on the information in our Truck Guidelines for Rescue," explained Professor Hans-Christian Pflug from the advanced truck development department at DaimlerChrysler AG, who is also responsible for accident analysis and the safety strategy.

A truck driver's wife who was at the event remarked to the rescue crews there that she often worried about her husband when he was away trucking. After this demonstration she is bound to have gone home reassured in the knowledge that DaimlerChrysler, as well as being committed to designing safe trucks, also trains rescue services to ensure that, if her husband or any other truck driver is ever involved in an accident, they will be rescued in the correct manner.

Source: DaimlerChrysler

Ярлыки: Daimler­Chrylser

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has revealed a new concept car featuring multiple preventative features designed to help reduce drunk driving. Presently integrated on-board a production model Nissan Fuga sedan, the various technologies are designed to detect the driver's state of sobriety and to activate a range of preventive measures including immobilization of the vehicle.


Alcohol Odor Sensors

1. A hi-sensitivity alcohol odor sensor is built into the transmission shift knob, which is able to detect the presence of alcohol in the perspiration of the driver's palm as he or she attempts to start driving. When the alcohol-level detected is above the pre-determined threshold, the system automatically locks the transmission, immobilizing the car. A “drunk driving” voice alert is also issued via the car navigation system.
2. Additional alcohol odor sensors are also incorporated into the driver’s and passenger seats to detect the presence of alcohol in the air inside the vehicle cabin. When alcohol is detected, the system issues both a voice alert and a message alert on the navigation system monitor.



Facial Recognition System

A camera is mounted on the instrument cluster facing the driver to monitor the driver’s face. The system is calibrated to monitor the driver's state of consciousness through the blinking of the eyes.

When the system detects signs of drowsiness, a voice and message alert is triggered via the navigation system. Additionally, a seat-belt mechanism is activated which tightens around the driver to gain his or her immediate attention.

Driving Behavior

By constantly monitoring the operational behavior of the vehicle (e.g. sensing if the vehicle is veering out of its driving lane), the system can identify signs of inattentiveness or distraction in the driver. When the system detects such behavior, voice and message alerts are issued via the navigation system. The seat-belt alert mechanism is also activated, tightening around the driver to gain immediate attention.



This concept car was developed as an exploratory platform to showcase breakthrough technologies that could potentially be applied in future production cars, part of an ongoing program from Nissan contributing towards the prevention of drunk driving.

Nissan has already launched and is developing several initiatives to help prevent drunk driving. In June, the company introduced the “drunk driving” message alert on its navigation system. In July, Nissan also began testing of a new on-board breathalyzer system in cooperation with several local government authorities, where an interlock mechanism will immobilize the vehicle if the driver’s breath indicates the presence of alcohol above a specified level.

Nissan is taking holistic approach towards safety that extends beyond the technology built into its vehicles. To achieve a “safe driving environment”, Nissan has embarked on the Intelligent Transport System Project (ITS) in Kanagawa Prefecture – aimed at helping to reduce road accidents via the analysis of traffic data collected from on-the-road vehicles and traffic beacons. In Japan, the company’s safety vision is to halve the number of traffic fatalities or serious injuries involving Nissan vehicles by 2015 compared with the level in 1995.

Ярлыки: Nissan

Saab's Limited Edition SUV Offers Jet-Like Performance


Saab takes SUV-performance to a new altitude as it announces the Aero performance version of the 2008 Saab 9-7X today. The limited edition Saab 9-7X Aero will make its way to dealer showrooms early this autumn.

The 2008 Saab 9-7X brings unique Saab brand characteristics to the midsize SUV segment, including sophisticated styling inside and out, premium design features, and the sporty and spirited performance inherent to Saab vehicles. Since its debut two years ago, more than 12,000 have been sold in the U.S. and Canada. For 2008, Saab adds the Aero model - the symbol of serious Saab performance - to the 9-7X lineup. The limited edition 9-7X Aero takes Saab's interpretation on the midsize SUV to an entirely new level accelerating the performance aspect of the sophisticated vehicle with a 6.0L V-8, 20-inch wheels and tires, unique paint and custom interior accouterments.

"The Saab 9-7X Aero is one great SUV to pilot," Shannon said. "We are excited to offer enthusiastic drivers an increased level of performance with the Aero, a symbol of Saab performance, in the midsize SUV segment."

The new Saab 9-7X Aero features a powerful, 6.0L small-block V-8 delivering 390 horsepower (295 kW) and 395 lb.-ft. (542 Nm) of torque. With 0-60 mph acceleration under six seconds, the 9-7X Aero is a treat for those who are actively passionate about the driving experience.

The Saab 9-7X Aero will be easy to spot as it wears a paint color all its own: Carbon Flash Metallic. The charcoal metallic paint nicely enhances the SUV's clean lines. Specific to the 9-7X Aero are 20-inch polished, aluminum wheels wrapped with P255/50R20 V-speed-rated performance tires that provide the optimum balance between ride and handling. Complementing the refined and driver-oriented cockpit-inspired interior are "Aero" embroidered leather seats and embossed floor mats.

Under the hood of the Saab 9-7X Aero is the LS2 6.0L V-8 with a cold air induction package, rated at 390 horsepower (295 kW)* at 6,000 rpm and 395 lb.-ft. of torque (542 Nm)* at 4,000 rpm. The LS2 6.0L is based on the small-block V-8 architecture and delivers excellent down-low torque for strong off-the-line performance. Torque is inherent to the engine's cam-in-block design, which features large 4.00-inch-diameter (101,6 mm) bores and a 3.62-inch (92 mm) stroke. Response is crisp and immediate, thanks to the electronically controlled throttle.

Unique to the Saab 9-7X Aero's version of the engine is a composite intake manifold adapted to the LS2 engine to help produce balanced torque and horsepower. Maximum towing capacity on 9-7X Aero model is 6,600 pounds (2994 kg).

Like all Saabs, the new Saab 9-7X Aero is driver-focused, with a lowered chassis tuned and tested to deliver responsive, balanced handling. Corner control and body roll control are improved with front stabilizer bars that are approximately 10 percent larger in diameter. Additional strength is provided by a heavy-duty rear axle with limited-slip differential.

With a four-wheel disc braking system enhanced with larger, 12.8-inch (325 mm) front disc rotors and iron twin-piston calipers, it's not difficult to put a stop to things in the more powerful 9-7X Aero. The heavy-duty iron calipers are stiff and retain their shape under high-pressure / high-heat braking conditions, providing a more linear feel and reduced pedal travel in high-energy stops. The brake pads use high-performance linings for strong fade resistance.

ABS and automatic all-wheel-drive are standard on all Saab 9-7X models as well as the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system that provides confident, sure-footed travel. The performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system delivers impressive on-road grip and enhanced "launch" feel. The always-engaged system uses a Torsen center differential to split torque between the front and rear wheels. It is a torque-bias system that detects low traction at one axle and directs more torque to the other when needed.

Like all Saab 9-7X models, the Aero model represents a terrific value with a high-level of standard equipment. In fact, the Saab 9-7X boasts the most standard features in its class while offering a very competitive starting price at $39,935. The limited edition Saab 9-7X Aero will start at $45,690, which includes a $745 destination fee and will begin arriving at dealerships this fall.

Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of Saab 9-3, Saab 9-5 and Saab 9-7X automobiles for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. In 2007, Saab celebrates 60 years since first being introduced to the automotive scene as the vision-turned-reality of 16 aircraft engineers.

Ярлыки: Saab