Author: karla

Mercedes-Benz is providing a glimpse of one potential technology that enables greater connectivity between the driver and his or her car. The technology is a wrist watch that connects with a car through the internet and provides feedback on vehicle diagnostics and other vehicle-related notifications. Developed by Pebble Technology, the watch connects with Mercedes’ existing Digital DriveStyle app and serves as a simultaneous transmitter and receiver of information. For example, when away from their vehicle, Mercedes drivers wearing the watch can review important vehicle information at a glance like fuel level, door-lock status, and vehicle location. When the car is on the road, the watch can alert the driver of real-time hazards through existing Car-2-Car technology, such as accidents, road construction, or stalled vehicles by simply vibrating.

Source: Motor Authority

Toyota calls it a personal mobility vehicle – and unlike Benz’s and GM’s similar three-wheelers, this one is actually headed for production. The fully enclosed tandem two-seater, unveiled as a concept car at the Geneva motor show in March, measures just 33.5in wide, about half the width of a conventional automobile. Power comes from a pair of 2.7-horsepower electric motors, one in each of the front wheel hubs. In October, Toyota announced that it would build a production version of the i-ROAD, though quantities will be modest and availability will be limited to Japan.

Source: BBC

The Dubai Police, known to have a fleet of cars that we can only dream about, have announced the latest addition to their growing supercar fleet is a McLaren MP4-12C. Dubbed a “Super Patrol Car,” the MP4-12C will hit the streets in a distinctive white and green livery that will probably attract more onlookers than criminals. As we have previously reported, the MP4-12C has a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine that develops 625 HP (460 kW) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque. It enables the coupe to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 329 km/h (204 mph).

Source: World Car Fans

Steering toward a more masculine design and away from the low-budget, econo-box design of 2012, the new Honda Civic features a set of crisp, bold lines that give the sheet metal a sportier, more athletic look. New wheel designs sharpen things even further. Inside, both Civic sedans and coupes receive an new instrument panel with plenty of chrome detailing. An impressive new seven-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system is new with LaneWatch blind spot monitoring. Under the hood, the standard 1.8-liter I-4 is still present, however, it can now be mated with a CVT transmission. The six-speed manual is available in the base model, but the traditional automatic is gone.

Source: Top Speed

Set to debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, the new 911 Targa should essentially be the same as the 911 Carrera or Carrera S, except for the roof system. This means the base 911 Targa will feature a 3.4-liter flat-six engine good for 350 horsepower and 287 pound feet of torque, while the 911 Targa S will benefit from a 3.8-liter flat-six engine putting out 400 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed manual will come as standard, with Porsche’s seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission offered as an option.

Source: Motor Authority