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The Next Porsche 911
 Every 911 has taken its cues from the ones that preceded it. And every 911 has taken that knowledge and found entirely new way to amaze and awe the sports car enthusiast. The next 911 is not only faithful to that ideal, it builds on it in thrillingly new fashion.
Built from the ground up to redefine the sports car, the next 911 honors our past while embracing our future. The proof of which lies in a new seven-speed manual gearbox. A 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds. An executive-class interior. And a body that is nearly 100 pounds lighter, which when paired with its race-bred suspension, makes an already legendarily agile 911 even more surgically precise.
The result? Pure sports car exhilaration and pure dream fulfillment that are without parallel.
So join us on February 3, 2012 at 6PM, so you can witness the race-bred performance, the new interior and exterior styling, and executive class comforts that the next era of the sports car has to offer. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Date - Friday, February 3, 2012 Time - 6:00 - 9:00PM Catering by Talula's Table, Kennett Square
RSVP by Friday, January 27th to events@winnerauto.com or 302.292.8250
From the New York Times... In terms of outright capability, the Panamera Turbo S is on the extreme end of the sports car spectrum. Porsche claims 0-to-60 acceleration in 3.6 seconds, which puts the Panamera in roughly the league of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and the Audi R8. That’s decent company, considering that the Panamera is a four-door car with 44.1 cubic feet of cargo space. (For comparison, that’s within a couple of cubic feet of the cargo bed of a Cadillac Escalade EXT pickup truck.)  Read more... http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/automobiles/autoreviews/the-porsche-panamera-family-show-off.html?_r=1&nl=automobiles&emc=wheelsema4
DETROIT, Jan. 9, 2012 – The 2012 Hyundai Elantra took top honors in the most exclusive award in North America when it was named 2012 North American Car of the Year today.A jury of 50 independent North American automotive journalists evaluated each of the new cars introduced last year and chose the 2012 Hyundai Elantra as the winner. The award was announced at a news conference at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which marks Hyundai’s second win. The Hyundai Genesis was named North American Car of the Year in 2009.“Elantra speaks to the success of our recipe of bold design and great fuel economy,” said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor America. “In a year with some truly breakthrough competitors, we are honored that the jury recognizes Elantra’s far-reaching impact on the industry.”The jurors considered more than 50 new vehicles, before selecting the top three cars and top three trucks. The Volkswagen Passat and Ford Focus were the other car finalists.This is the 19th year of the awards, which were inspired by the prestigious European “Car of the Year.” The jury is administered by an organizing committee and funded exclusively with dues paid by the jurors. Jurors judge the cars on a number of factors including innovation, impact on the industry, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.HYUNDAI “FLUIDIC SCULPTURE” DESIGN
?  | | 2012 Hyundai Elantra - North American Car of the Year |
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Elantra exemplifies Hyundai’s emotional “Fluidic Sculpture” design principles. “Fluidic Sculpture” considers the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion. Elantra is an evolution of the design qualities found in Sonata.Along Elantra’s sides are Sonata’s flowing lines, with the addition of a strong undercut feature line starting at the front door. These lines, along with muscular wheel arches and a sleek roofline, create a memorable and spacious package. Flowing lines also lead to an aerodynamic body. The drag coefficient for the Elantra is an exceptionally low 0.28 that compares favorably to the Chevrolet Volt (0.29).Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front grille and detailed swept-back headlights give Elantra a compact athletic face. The assertive stance is complimented by 15-, 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels and athletic proportions. Available fog lights and side repeater mirrors complete the distinct design. Elantra was designed at Hyundai's North American Design Center in Irvine, Calif.40 MPG POWERTRAIN
Elantra’s standard fuel economy is EPA-rated at 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway, amd 33 mpg combined, with the six-speed automatic transmission or manual transmission. These figures give Elantra a highway-only driving range of up to 500 miles. Elantra’s strong EPA ratings are backed up by the highest owner satisfaction with real-world fuel economy in the compact class, according to data from J.D. Power and Associates.Under the hood, the Elantra is powered by an all-new 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque (145 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque for Elantra PZEV). Thanks to advanced clean engine technology, most Elantras sold in California, Oregon and several Northeast states are certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) by the EPA. The PZEV Elantra is as clean as many hybrid electric vehicles. The PZEV Elantra helps Hyundai meet its environmental commitments. Outside of these “green” states, the Elantra is available as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).Mark on the MarketMost importantly, Elantra is driving traffic to Hyundai showrooms. Elantra’s record 186,361 sales helped Hyundai achieve its record sales of 645,691 units in the U.S. in 2011. Hyundai Motor America posted a 20 percent increase over 2011 total sales.Visit Winner Hyundai for more details at WinnerHyundai.com
Audi today announced that the 2012 Audi A6 and 2012 Audi A7 vehicles have been named by Car and Driver, the world's largest automotive enthusiast publication, to the 30th annual “10Best” list. In its 30th year, “10Best” by Car and Driver recognizes the best all-new cars on the market under $80,000.
“As in years past, the cars on this year’s list represent the best overall vehicles on the market today,” said Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief, Car and Driver. “Out of 68 contenders, these are the ones that consistently perform the best, are a good value and are engaging, fun-to-drive vehicles.”
The all-new 2012 Audi A6 boasts an all-aluminum Audi 3.0 L TFSI® supercharged V6 engine with 310 horsepower. One of Audi’s most innovative and technologically-advanced models to date, the A6 makes up to 2,000 decisions per second to assist the driver. Safety in the all-new Audi A6 is enhanced by a thermal imaging camera with Night Vision Assistant as well as the Audi Pre-Sense Plus safety system. Other intelligent features include head-up display and a MMI® Touch pad that recognizes handwriting in multiple languages. Audi is the first company worldwide to feature factory-installed wireless internet, enabling features such as Audi connect™ for real-time weather, traffic news and live fuel prices, and MMI Navigation with 3-D Google Earth™ images.
The Audi A7 is the epitome of high style and artistry, with a five-door coupe design that is both sporty and elegant. The Audi A7 can also boast being the first car in the world to feature factory-installed Wi-Fi with Audi connect™ and navigation with 3-D Google Earth. From the groundbreaking MMI® touchpad and its gracefully integrated display screen, to the state-of-the-art head up display, the Audi A7 is the perfect marriage of progressive design and sophisticated engineering. The A7 also sets a high standard for performance, handling and efficiency with an all-aluminum Audi 3.0 liter TFSI® V6 engine, 310hp and 325 lb-ft. of torque.
Nominees for the 30th annual “10Best” list consist of all new cars, 2011 10Best winners, cars that were not available for the 2011 competition, and those with significant updates. All cars must fall under the base-price cap of $80,000 and be on sale in January 2012. Full coverage of the 2012 Car and Driver 10Best awards can be found in the January issue, on newsstands December 6, and online at http://www.caranddriver.com/201210bestIn a companion piece in the January issue, Car and Driver also named the 2012 Audi A8L and 2012 Audi R8 as ‘Favorites Over $80K.’ The A8L, Audi’s flagship sedan, was chosen for its imposing, luxurious design as well as its powerful 372 horsepower, V8 engine. The sporty R8 was selected for its supercar styling and “sci-fi bodywork.” Visit Audi Wilmington in Delaware for more information about the entire line-up of Audi models.
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? Audi will be permanently present in the world’s largest sales market in motorsport as well. Starting in 2012, the Audi R8 LMS Cup as an exclusive one-make racing series will underscore the company’s leading position in the premium segment in China. Audi Sport customer racing China will be responsible for the operational activities.
In 2012, Audi is setting a milestone in China’s still young motorsport tradition. The world’s first exclusive one-make cup for the Audi R8 LMS will be held in the fast-growing Chinese market. In October, with a growth rate of 61.7 percent compared to the same period of the prior year, Audi experienced a new record month in China. The next top performance followed in November, reflecting a 68.8 percent increase compared to the same prior-year month.
The R8 LMS GT3 race car with a power output of 411 kW (560 HP) will be competing at five events, including the internationally renowned circuits at Shanghai and Zhuhai, starting in the second quarter of 2012. Plans are for 16 vehicles of Audi’s customer sport model to be fielded in the one-make cup. The cars correspond to the GT3 version that has scored more than 100 international victories and 13 titles and feature the new Audi PS 1 safety seat as factory-supplied equipment. "The Audi R8 LMS Cup puts our motorsport activities in China on a permanent basis,” says Rene Koneberg, Head of Audi Sport customer racing China. "Audi was a pioneer in the premium vehicle market in China. Now we want to give motor racing in this country a similar impulse.”
Audi Sport customer racing China will be responsible for organizing the one-make cup. This new structure experienced an extremely impressive debut. At the finale of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) at Zhuhai the race team celebrated a one-two victory in the GTC class with the Audi R8 LMS. A week later, at the Macau GT Cup, Edoardo Mortara won an extremely challenging city street race in an Audi R8 LMS fielded by the team.
Audi through its Audi race experience China opens up the opportunity to contest races in professional conditions to the motorsport enthusiasts among its customers. The complete packages available to gentlemen drivers include everything a racer needs, from license training and the ready-to-run race car through to the organizational structure.
Audi expects to deliver more than 300,000 vehicles in China in fiscal year 2011. The company is the market leader in the premium segment. "China has meanwhile become a kind of second home to Audi,” says Dr. Dietmar Voggenreiter, Managing Director of Audi China. "By entering motorsport we aim to start proving ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ on the race tracks of this dynamic country as well.”
DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 9, 2011 – The MyFord® Mobile app aims to make driving a new Focus Electric from Ford as hassle-free as it is green by adding several industry-first features. The remote vehicle monitoring and management features that are available only through MyFord Mobile will be honored with the 2012 International CES Innovation Design and Engineering Award.“MyFord Mobile is designed to help Focus Electric drivers maximize their gasoline-free driving in a worry-free, low-effort way,” said Bill Frykman, Product & Business Development, Ford Connected Services. “Drivers can take advantage of information stored off-board to automatically charge their cars at the lowest possible cost and reduce range anxiety with plug-to-plug route planning.”The MyFord Mobile app harnesses the power of cloud computing through a unique partnership with Microsoft, to keep track of when local utilities switch to lower off-peak charging rates, helping to minimize the cost of ownership of the battery-powered Focus Electric.Drivers just need to enable a single setting in the app and then plug in their cars without ever worrying about what time the rates change in their area. The network monitors utility rate schedules and automatically transmits a signal to the vehicle through embedded cellular connectivity to start charging at the lowest cost. “With its quick 3 to 4 hour charge time using a 240-volt home charging station installed by Best Buy, the Focus Electric will be ready to go when the owner heads out in the morning,” said Frykman.The capabilities of the network also enable drivers to plan customized trips using navigation data from Mapquest. Drivers can use the app to find charging stations, estimate whether they can reach a station with the currently available charge, and create multi-stop, plug-to-plug journeys for their daily driving needs.The vehicle connectivity module and app also provide the driver with alerts when charging is complete or if charging is interrupted due to being unplugged or a power outage. The vehicle interior can be preheated or cooled while still plugged in using power from the grid to maximize driving range.“We want to give Focus Electric drivers the opportunity to maximize the EV ownership experience,” said Frykman. “We’re honored CES has recognized our efforts to use the latest connectivity and cloud technology to augment the capabilities of the car to promote greener driving.”The MyFord Mobile app will be available for use on most major smartphone platforms including Android, BlackBerry and iPhone. The same capabilities can also be accessed through a mobile web app for other platforms and a secure Ford website from any Internet-connected computer.Visit WinnerFordDover.com to see Ford's complete lineup.
DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 14, 2011 – Ford Motor Company today announces an exclusive collaboration with SHFT.com, the award-winning multimedia platform founded by actor and filmmaker Adrian Grenier and film producer Peter Glatzer. The automotive leader and green lifestyle website are joining forces to inspire people to make smarter environmental decisions through film, design, art, transportation and culture. As part of Ford’s mission to accelerate the development of more fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles, the company is teaming up with SHFT.com to put the power in the hands of millions of Americans who are interested in being more eco-conscious and saving money. “Our goal is to provide the vehicles and resources to help people live more sustainable lives,” said John Viera, director of Sustainability, Ford Motor Company. “We are working with organizations such as SHFT because they share a similar philosophy – looking at the small and large actions that can make a real difference in a creative and authentic way, which is part of Ford’s commitment to allow people to choose which fuel-efficient and green solution works best for them.” Selecting the right vehicle is a significant decision for individuals seeking greener lifestyles or just looking to save money when driving. In a recent national survey, Ford found nearly half of Americans are confused when it comes to green vehicle options, with 46 percent not knowing the difference between a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle. Ford aims to help address this confusion in the marketplace through its collaboration with SHFT.com and its power of choice philosophy.“SHFT.com celebrates businesses where great design, sustainability and innovation meet, which is why we are so excited to be forging this relationship with Ford,” said Grenier.“Shared core values are at the heart of our collaboration,” adds Glatzer. “Our common goal is to present the best sustainable options to the conscious consumer in an inspiring and entertaining way and to embrace the individualistic choices people need to make.”Together, Ford and SHFT are collaborating on a variety of programs to inspire and invite consumers to take a more sustainable approach in life. This includes developing the creation of a short documentary series profiling leaders in innovation who are shaping new sustainable businesses that are influencing positive change around the world. Ford and SHFT also are looking at live-event programs and film festivals to further spread their shared mission.Ford’s power of choice
Ford believes in the power of choice – offering customers a range of fuel-efficient vehicles is the best way to reduce CO2 emissions, while still meeting the various needs of individuals. In line with this philosophy, Ford is delivering a range of eco-friendly driving options, spanning both traditional gas-powered vehicles and electrified vehicles.Thanks to Ford technologies such as EcoBoost®, flex-fuel powertrains and hybrid batteries, consumers have access to a variety of vehicles that promise function and style while making driving a greener and more affordable experience.Green driving leadership
Electrification also is an important piece of Ford’s overall product sustainability strategy, which includes five Ford electrified vehicles for the market, the Focus Electric, Fusion Hybrid, C-MAX Hybrid, C-MAX Energi plug-in Hybrid and Transit Connect Electric. Additionally, Ford Motor Company has four cars that achieve an EPA-rated 40 mpg or higher, including Fiesta, Focus, Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
“Ford is excited to be collaborating with innovators at SHFT to develop real solutions to help consumers live a more sustainable lifestyle,” said Viera. Visit WinnerFordDover.com to see Ford's complete lineup.
Experiments in Motion – a cutting-edge new research project conducted in partnership between Audi of America and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) – kicked off on Monday, November 7 with a curated "dinner in motion" at the New Museum in New York City. Conceived as a series of experiments to identify new paradigms of motion, mobility and design, Experiments in Motion is led by Mark Wigley, Dean of Columbia’s GSAPP, and will draw from global thought leaders from around the university, architecture and design professionals, and an expanded network of urban mobility experts from New York City and Audi.
Experiments in Motion is part of the Audi Urban Future Initiative, a long-term, multi-level program that brings together different visions on how mobility, urban living and the role of the transportation will change in the coming years. The initiative’s academic research also includes Urbanizing Technologies: The Mobility Complex, conducted by another of the world’s leading urban thinkers, Saskia Sassen, the Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology and Co-Director of The Committee on Global Thought at Columbia University.
“Experiments in Motion is the beginning of a new dialogue on mobility and represents a radical new way of collaboration between a corporation and a research institution. We are thrilled to partner with Mark Wigley and GSAPP, one of the most visionary schools of thought globally,” said Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer, Audi of America. “At the same time, the program is designed to foster emerging talent and empower young, bright minds that will both shape the future, and live in it. What better place to choose as testing ground for these experiments than New York City?”
Under the patronage of Wigley, Monday night’s dinner discussed new theories and new images of motion. A custom-made table by C-Lab and Studio-X served as centerpiece, designed specifically to foster conversation and mobility between participants. In preparation, Wigley conducted an internal workshop with the experimental research units of both Audi and Columbia GSAPP – including the Audi Urban Future Insight Team and Columbia’s C-LAB and Studio-X – to look at how an interrogation of the concept of motion can destabilize conventional thinking in both architecture and the mobility industry.
“This is an exciting research project that galvanizes the very latest thinking to energize a whole new conversation about the future of our cities,” said Wigley. “The most innovative minds are being brought together to inspire a new level of engaged creativity in the university, the design community and industry.”
By opening up the dialogue to a carefully curated group of experts, from historians of science, to filmmakers, artists and curators, the output of the discussion at the New Museum will serve to sharpen the project as it evolves. Experiments in Motion will continue in phases through 2012. In the spring of 2012, the insights of the think tank will be used to structure a new set of student architecture design studios at Columbia GSAPP focused on New York City that will connect to the school’s global network of urban research laboratories. The third phase of the experiment in summer 2012 will open the project up in a new form of public participation.
“As a project about newness – new paradigms of motion, new methods of teaching, new forms of participation – its crucial to have two partner institutions willing to work together in new ways,” said Chris Barley and Troy Conrad Therrien of design practice Th–ey, responsible for the curatorial concept of Experiments in Motion. “Although still fresh, Audi and Columbia have already begun to pose novel questions through their openness to this idea.”
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 18, 2011 – Ford has released its latest free SYNC® software update, G1 V3.2.2, to give more SYNC users the ability to have text messages read aloud to them while driving.Tailored for owners of select SYNC-equipped 2011 and early-release 2012 vehicles, the update includes the emerging Message Access Profile (MAP) Bluetooth® standard, which is custom-made for the automotive hands-free environment and outlines a set of features and procedures used to exchange email, SMS and MMS between devices – in this case SYNC and the smartphone. Last year, Ford announced it was voluntarily integrating MAP into SYNC for all 2011 MyFord Touch®-equipped vehicles and is now extending the capability to the broader SYNC user community – with thousands of 2011 and 2012 vehicles equipped with the first generation SYNC system.“A limited population of phones has the capability to work with the text message readback feature of SYNC,” said Mark Porter, supervisor of SYNC Product Development. “With our initial adoption of MAP for our latest generation of SYNC and our recent efforts to integrate it into our previous variations of the system, we hope we are setting an example that encourages more collaboration between Ford, the phonemakers and the wireless industry to help drivers find smarter alternatives to hand-held texting while on the road.”According to Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), MAP adoption by mobile device manufacturers is still in its infancy but the growth needle is starting to quiver.“Texting is becoming a ubiquitous part of our day, so it stands to reason the remote message access profile is an essential addition for handsets, automobiles, headsets and aftermarket car kits,” said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director Bluetooth SIG. “The Bluetooth MAP standard gives users the ability to simply and smartly manage incoming text messages from their vehicle while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. We are seeing significant uptake in MAP adoption among phonemakers, in particular with recent qualifications from manufacturers such as HTC, RIM, Samsung and LG.”Ready for an update
Since SYNC launched in 2007, Ford has offered several significant and simple software-based updates. And owners are taking advantage, with software downloads recorded on www.syncmyride.com ranging up to nearly 14,000 each month in 2011.Major SYNC updates that have been released to date include:- G1 V2.0 – availability of 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report for 2008 SYNC-equipped vehicles (dealership installation required) (December 2008)
- G1 V3.0/V3.1 – availability of SYNC Services for Traffic, Directions and Information services for 2010 SYNC-equipped vehicles (June 2009)
- G1 V3.2 – improved voice command structure, constant display of turn-by-turn directions and GPS coordinates for 911 Assist for 2011 SYNC-equipped vehicles (April 2010)
- G1 V4.0 – AppLink™ software application for hands-free voice control of smartphone apps for the 2011 Ford Fiesta only (December 2010)
- G1 V3.2.2 (non-AppLink)/V4.0.2 (AppLink-equipped) – increased MAP support for select 2011 and early-release 2012 SYNC-equipped vehicles with AppLink such as Ford Mustang (May 2011)
Ford owners interested in finding out if their SYNC-equipped vehicle is eligible for any of the available SYNC updates can visit www.syncmyride.com and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If eligible, owners can simply download the update to a USB memory stick and bring into their vehicle for installation through SYNC’s USB port.
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 12, 2011 – Recognizing the importance of a single international approach for DC fast charging, Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen have agreed on the combined charging system as an international standardized approach to charge electric vehicles (EV) in Europe and the United States.The system is a combined charging approach integrating all charging scenarios into one vehicle inlet/charging connector and uses identical ways for the vehicle to communicate with the charging station. This allows electric vehicles from Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen can share the same fast charging stations.The seven auto manufacturers believe the development of a common charging approach is good for customers, the industry and charging infrastructure providers. Standardization will reduce build complexity for manufacturers, accelerate the installation of common systems internationally and most importantly, improve the ownership experience for EV drivers.The endorsement of the combined charging system was based on reviews and analysis of existing charging strategies, the ergonomics of the connector and the preferences of customers in both the United States and Europe. The harmonized approach – across both continents and all manufacturers - will provide a framework for future infrastructure planning as well as a communication protocol to assist in the integration of electric vehicles into the smart grids.The seven auto manufacturers also agreed to use HomePlug Green Phy as the communication protocol. This approach will also facilitate integration of the electric vehicle into future smart grid applications.Automakers point to the success of Level 1 and Level 2 (for 220V charging in the U.S.) as an example of how standardization will increase the adoption of electric vehicles and increase customer satisfaction. The harmonized electric vehicle charging solution is backward compatible with the J1772 connector standard in the U.S. Backward compatibility also has been achieved in Europe where the system is based on the IEC 62196 Type 2. The approval of the J1772 standard has given electric vehicle owners the comfort of knowing they can charge at all Level 2 charging stations. Prior to standardization an EV owner had no way of knowing if the charge port they were pulling up to was compatible with their vehicle.
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Winner Autoworld
Contact Joe Pagliaccetti
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