Leaf pre-orders in Japan already exceed half of Nissan’s annual sales target
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Green Daily, Japan
2010 Nissan Leaf EV – Click above for high-res image gallery
Right now the Nissan Leaf is grabbing headlines left and right. The company just kicked off its U.S. reservation period for the vehicle and eager buyers have flocked to become the first in line for this breakthrough electric. In fact, we recently learned that 6,635 people in the U.S. have signed up to reserved their Leaf in just 65 short hours. That’s impressive. The amazing reception of the Leaf in the U.S. is a great indication of the general interest in electric vehicles (EVs) here, but what about elsewhere?
Over in Japan, the story is nearly the same. The reservation period for the Leaf has been open for about three weeks now and all signs are pointing towards great success for the world’s first mass-produced EV. The automaker has already booked 3,754 pre-orders for the Leaf, more than half of its predicted first-year sales of 6,000 vehicles nationwide. The pre-order period opened in Japan on the first day of April.
The number of orders don’t tell the whole story though. Nissan was kind enough to compile some stats that show us who wants the Leaf. It turns out that 64 percent of pre-orders were made by individuals with the rest submitted by corporations. Here’s where a bit of the unexpected shows up: more than half (61 percent) of those pre-orders were made by drivers 50 years of age and older, yet those under 40 only accounted for a mere 15 percent. Hmmm. Most predictions suggest that younger drivers would be the ones to show strong interest in electric vehicles, yet that’s not the case over there. We doubt that Nissan is concerned about who is interested in its EV, as long as the demand continues to grow.
Buick’s New Baby: Due For U.S. In Late 2011 – With A New Name
The new Buick Excelle compact looks set to continue the once-moribund GM brand’s astonishing success story in China. GM China Group president and managing director Kevin Wale says more than 8400 Excelles have been sold since the car’s launch in February. Buick sales in China topped 447,000 units in 2009, and first quarter sales for 2010 are up 50 percent year on year. More than 80 percent of all Buicks made are now sold in China.
“Without China we probably wouldn’t have Buick,” concedes Buick product marketing manager Craig Bierley. But it’s more than just maintaining a storied nameplate — Buick’s success in China is helping GM re-invent the brand in the U.S. Cars like the new LaCrosse, which was partly designed in China, have helped lower the average age of American Buick buyers from 72 to 65. Nearly half those buyers are trading non-GM brands, says Bierley, and 60 percent of those trades are of imports.
Beijing 2010: 2011 Audi A8 L W12 stretches onto the stage
Filed under: Sedan, Audi, Beijing Motor Show, Luxury
2011 Audi A8 L W12 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Measuring approximately 17.5 feet long, the 2011 Audi A8 L W12 is certainly quite grandioso. And while the 500-horsepower 12-cylinder engine and new eight-speed automatic transmission are certainly nothing to sneeze at, what’s most impressive about the long-wheelbase A8 is the rear seat accommodations. Holy mackerel.
You want gobs of leather, a full-length center console, heated and cooled seats that massage you as well as a folding ottoman for premium comfort? You got it. The A8 L’s 122.9-inch wheelbase means there’s tons of legroom (duh), and we’re seriously eager to get some R&R time in the back of this luxury barge. See for yourself in the galleries below.
Gallery: Beijing 2010: 2011 Audi A8 L W12
Beijing 2010: Honda Li Nisn Everus sedan concept
Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Sedan, China, Honda, Beijing Motor Show
Li Nian Everus Sedan – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Beijing Motor Show is well under way, and Honda is showing off a new concept slated for the Chinese market. Called the Li Nian Everus, the car is the fruit of a partnership between the Japanese automaker and its Chinese partner, Guangqi Honda Automobile. We don’t have too many details on the sedan other than the fact that at this point, it’s nothing more than a concept.
Judging by the renderings, we’re tempted to guess this thing has more than a little Civic DNA swimming around in its blood stream, though it looks like Honda raided the Acura design department for the car’s less-than-traditional nose and rear-end.
Speaking of the Civic, it would make some sense if Honda swapped a little sheet metal and called it a day. Honda’s compact is sold under the Dongfeng Honda banner, leaving Guangqi Honda Automobile without a comparable model. Our guess is that when the Everus comes to market, it will be slightly more upscale and boast more standard niceties than its sibling.
Volkswagen Vento Specifications
Volkswagen Vento is expected to be launched in July 2010 in India
Price: Rs 7 to 8 lakh
Variants: NA
Dimensions
Length: 4530 mm
Width: 1682 mm
Height: 1453 mm
Wheel Base: NA
Ground Clearance: NA
Kerb Weight: NA
Gross Weight: NA
No. of Doors: 4
Seating Capacity: 5 persons
Fuel Tank Capacity: NA
Engine
Type: Petrol / Diesel
Displacement: 1.6L Petrol / 1.6L Turbo Diesel
Power: 105 bhp / 105 bhp
Torque: 15.8 kgm / 25.5 kgm
Bore x Stroke:
Compression Ratio:
No Of Cylinders: 4
Cylinder Configuration: Inline
Valves Per Cylinder: NA
Video: 855 horsepower Lingenfelter Camaro runs 10.4 @ 139.9 mph
Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet
2010 Lingenfelter Camaro runs the 1/4 mile – Click above to watch the video after the jump
Earlier this week we told you about Camaro5fest, the largest gathering of current generation Camaros and their owners. While GM’s big news from the event was a three mile long parade of Camaros, others, like Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, were all about the drag racing at the South Georgia Motorsports Park.
The Decatur, IN maker of go-fast Chevys brought out their new LS9-powered 2010 Camaro packing 855 horsepower. The supercharged V8 has been fortified with various LPE performance parts like a more aggressive camshaft, CNC ported heads, JE forged aluminum pistons and a smaller supercharger pulley. Despite being equipped with a six-speed manual, the Lingenfelter Camaro posted a best run of 10.36 seconds at 139.5 mph. Thankfully the camcorders were rolling, and we have visual evidence of the car’s capabilities. You can see a similar run (10.41 at 139.9 mph) in the video posted after the jump.
[Source: Lingenfelter]
Continue reading Video: 855 horsepower Lingenfelter Camaro runs 10.4 @ 139.9 mph
Next Generation 2011 Hyundai Verna unveiled at Beijing Motor Show
Hyundai unveiled the next generation Verna / Accent at the Beijing Motor Show. The 2011 Hyundai Verna looks like a miniature 2010 Sonata with typical ‘floating design’.
Exterior design features sweptback headlights, a bold grille, and rearview mirrors with integrated LED turn signals. In the interior the design has been improved with use of quality materials.
Two new Gamma petrol engines of capacities 1.4L and 1.6L powers the new Verna and are equipped with 5 speed manual and 4 speed automatic transmission. The base 1.4L generates a maximum power of 107 PS and maximum torque of 135 Nm. The 5 speed automatic transmission delivers fuel economy of 17.5 kmpl where as the 4 speed automatic runs 16 km with a liter of petrol.
