Stuttgart. Very low-slung, very sporty, and very rare: The Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, launches a small edition of a new 911 Speedster. Paying homage to the first Porsche model that bore the name Speedster – the 356 Speedster –, the production run for the new model is limited to 356 cars. The two-seater is significantly different from the other members of the 911 family. In the best tradition, the 60 millimetre lower, more raked windscreen, the flat contour of the sporty-look manual hood, and the characteristic double-bubble hardcover for the soft top define the striking profile of the new 911 Speedster. This makes the body of this rear-wheel drive with its 44 millimetre wider rear stand out even more. The new Porsche 911 Speedster will celebrate its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in early October.
The new 911 Speedster combines the classic features of this type of Porsche sports car with further improved performance of the current 911 generation: The 3.8-litre flat six delivers 408 hp (300 kW), 23 hp more in comparison with the 911 Carrera S. With its average consumption of 10.3 litres/100 km (27.43 mpg imp) (NEDC), the new Speedster is no less efficient than the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet without Powerkit – an effect of Porsche Intelligent Performance. The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) is in charge of transmitting power to the rear axle fitted with a standard differential lock. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) are standard, too. Add to that exemplary protection for driver and passengers in the new 911 Speedster. Especially for this model, the Porsche engineers further improved the rollover protection system which is standard in all open-top Porsche cars.
The conception of the current Speedster comes from Porsche Exclusive – the company-owned "enhancer" specialising in individualisation of Porsche cars and small series. The 911 Speedster heralds the 25th anniversary of Porsche Exclusive which will be celebrated in 2011, and once again, demonstrates the small-series competence of Porsche Exclusive after the big success of the 911 Sport Classic.
Living up to the Porsche Exclusive standard, the 911 Speedster features almost all optional equipment of the 911 series and its appeal also comes from its meticulously hand-finished interior in black smooth-finish leather with numerous exterior colour painted details exclusive to the Speedster. These include decorative designs with checkerboard patterns in the seat centre section of the adaptive sports seats reminiscent of a chequered flag, and the leather side bolsters in the exterior colour.
The sporty flavour is further enhanced by the exterior colour “Pure Blue” that has been developed exclusively for the Speedster, providing an intriguing contrast with the tinted front lights, black headlight rings, black windscreen surround and other black decorative designs. Upon request, the Speedster is available in Carrara White, at no extra cost. It also features a special front apron, specific sideskirts and a distinct rear apron.
In 1953, the Speedster series was launched with a puristic sports car based on the Porsche 356, which had two sports bucket seats, doors with slide-in plastic side windows, and a shortened, elegantly curved windscreen. In 1988, the Speedster based on the 911 Carrera celebrated its revival with an added feature. For the first time, the hood compartment lid had the characteristic double bubbles. In 1993/1994, the next evolutionary stage of the 911 Carrera was ushered in with yet another Speedster.
In Germany, the 911 Speedster including country-specific equipment and 19 % VAT is priced at Euro 201,682 and will be launched in December 2010.
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Volvo's pioneering Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake technology has been named winner of the Car Safety category at the annual BusinessCar Techies awards. This is Volvo’s second consecutive win in the Car Safety category. This world-first technology can detect pedestrians in front of the car, warn if anyone walks out into its path and then automatically activate the car's full braking power if the driver fails to respond in time.
Paul Barker, Editor of BusinessCar, said: "Volvo's continuing commitment to pioneering safety developments is unsurpassed in the motoring industry, and a key reason for its second consecutive BusinessCar Techies victory. The Pedestrian Detection system takes vehicle safety into an area no other manufacturers are seriously addressing, and comes on the back of other industry leading innovations such as City Safety which show Volvo's reputation for safety excellence is well founded."
Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake consists of a newly developed radar unit integrated into the car's grille, a camera fitted in front of the interior rear-view mirror, and a central control unit. The radar's task is to detect any object in front of the car and to determine the distance to it, while the camera's job is to determine what type of object it is. The system can detect pedestrians who are over 80 cm tall, including children.
In an emergency situation, the driver initially receives an audible warning combined with a flashing light in the windscreen's head-up display - resembling a brake light. At the same time, the car's brakes are pre-charged. If the driver does not react to the warning and an accident is deemed as imminent, full braking power is automatically applied to bring the car to a stop.
Half of all pedestrian accidents occur at speeds below 15 mph. This technology can avoid a collision with a pedestrian at speeds up to 21 mph if the driver does not react in time. At higher speeds, the focus is on reducing the car's speed as much as possible prior to the impact.
A lower speed of impact means that the risk of serious injury is significantly reduced. For instance, if speed is cut from 31 mph to 15 mph, Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake is expected to reduce the fatality risk as much as 20 per cent and, in some cases, up to 85 percent.
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The fun never stops with the Honda Jazz. Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is proud to introduce the first locally produced augmented reality (AR) technology in the country through its online game called ‘Chompin Jazz.’ AR basically overlays computer-generated imagery in a real-world environment. In ‘Chompin Jazz,’ you go through an amazing, real-time, virtual gaming experience of loading utility items of different shapes and sizes inside the Honda Jazz.
“We are very excited to be the first in the Philippines to integrate AR technology in our Jazz online game. In this digital age, we are providing everyone a revolutionary experience of playing with the Jazz, with the comfort and convenience of just a click away.” said Mr. Hiroshi Shimizu, President and General Manager of HCPI.
“It is actually very easy to operate. To play, you just need internet connection, web camera and AR code. Simply visit www.hondajazzfuv.com or Honda Jazz Philippines Facebook page to download AR code. Print downloaded AR code and hold it up to your web camera. By this time, you are now ready to play by simply moving the AR code to virtually move the Honda Jazz. The objective of the game is to fill up the Jazz’ big appetite for utility. We have reserved exciting prizes for high score players so better brush up on your gaming skills.” said Mr. Voltaire Gonzales, Vehicle Sales and Corporate Communications Head of HCPI.
Dubbed as the country’s Fun Utility Vehicle (FUV), the Honda Jazz is the perfect vehicle for your active lifestyle. It is engineered with a real understanding of what you need in a vehicle: class-leading power, superior fuel economy, huge storage space encased in a small packaging. Thanks to its ULTRA seats, the Honda Jazz has versatile seat configurations to accommodate long, tall and sizeable amount of utility.
Truly, the Honda Jazz is one small car that is definitely not ‘small’ in terms of space, features, performance, styling and most importantly, the FUN factor. Visit www.hondajazzfuv.com and you are in for an enjoyable ride!
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Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI), in its green advocacy to leave blue skies for the children, was supported by Honda Club of the Philippines (HCP) in the recently concluded 3rd Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS).
A total of 300 from HCP brought their Honda vehicles and gathered at the World Trade Center to act as Honda’s brand ambassadors in promoting green motoring.
“Together as a club, we are proud and thrilled to join Honda in this worthy cause. This is our simple way of expressing our accordance with environmentally responsible driving. With green engineering behind i-VTEC engines, owning a Honda imparts a badge of environment-friendliness.” said Mr. Jong Herrera, President of HCP.
In driving a Honda, HCP members, together with other Honda owners, help preserve the environment by consuming less fuel and by releasing less harmful emissions. All powered by the ingenious i-VTEC engine, Honda vehicles make the most out of every drop of fuel by adjusting valve timing and valve opening combination to pump in fuel as needed. Apart from fuel efficiency, Honda vehicles are also engineered to release less harmful emissions. Honda is the only local manufacturer that reaches EURO 4 levels for ALL its model line-up, even if Philippine regulations only mandate EURO 2 compliance. EURO 4 standards translate to approximately 56% reduction in harmful emissions as compared to EURO 2 standards. To date, almost 82,000 Honda units with EURO 4 levels have already been sold and ply Philippine roads.
“It was truly an amazing sight to behold 180 Honda vehicles all gathered in one venue! We are grateful for the passionate support of Honda enthusiasts in joining us for this green cause” said Mr. Voltaire Gonzales, Vehicle Sales and Corporate Communications Head of HCPI. “Another reason for great celebration is Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.’s upcoming 20th year of manufacturing clean and green driving machines this October. We are extremely excited to share this meaningful celebration with everyone.” he added.
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