General Motors plans to revamp Chevy Volt's battery

2011 Chevrolet Volt

Last month, the gasoline-electric hybrid car, the Chevrolet Volt, caught fire during a crash test from NHTSA. The NHTSA denied that the Chevy Volt or any other electric vehicle have greater risk of fire than petrol-fed vehicles.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/11/chevy-volt-battery-catches-fire-in-nhtsa-lab/

Then, NHTSA conducts investigation on the Chevrolet Volt's fire investigation, figuring out how did fire catch up on the Chevy Volt and it turned out that the battery is the caused of this.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/26/nhtsa-releases-chevy-volt-fire-investigation-details/

Because of this, General Motors may soon plan to revamp the Volt's battery so this event won't be happened again. Those 5,000 people in North America who had a Volt would consider having a "loaner car" until the Volt problem is solved. Also, General Motors delays the launch of the Opel Ampera, the Chevrolet Volt's German cousin, in the European region.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/01/gm-may-redesign-chevy-volt-battery/

Verdict: If you have a Volt, better not drive it for a while because of the "battery fire" issue or consider driving the Nissan Leaf instead. Besides, there's not even a Leaf-related "battery fire" issue. The question is, are electric cars has greater fire risks that petrol-fed vehicles? We're not really sure....

Toyota launches Hijet-based Pixis Truck and Pixis Van

2012 Toyota Pixis Truck

2012 Toyota Pixis Van

Based on the Daihatsu Hijet Truck and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo, the new Toyota Pixis Truck and Pixis Van is their latest addition of Toyota's new Pixis kei-car sub-brand. These two models are focused solely for small business owners by any means.

Firstly, the new Toyota Pixis Truck and Pixis Van are powered by a 658cc engine that produces 50PS of power and 64Nm of torque in manual transmission variants while automatic transmission variants produce 53PS of power.

Fuel economy for the Toyota Pixis Van 2WD MT is 17.0km/L 10-15 while the Toyota Pixis Van 2WD AT is 16.4km/L 10-15. The Pixis Truck's fuel economy is 18.2km/L 10-15.

Press Release: http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/11/12/1201.html

Renault Koleos Phase II

2012 Renault Koleos

With the facelifted Renault Samsung QM5 on sale now, it seems that Renault's Koleos is following suit as well. The Koleos' minor change now sports a new front face that makes is sophisticated and the grille can be somewhat similar to the Renault Latitude. As for the interior, it remains the same as the pre-facelift model.

The Renault Koleos Phase II comes with FF or 4WD layouts. It is available in dCi 150, and dCi 175 engines. It seems that this new Koleos is now only focused on the Euro V diesel variants rather than gasoline variants because most of the Europeans think that diesel is cheaper than unleaded, well that's a joke. Anyway, the 2.0L dCi 150 engine produces 150PS of power and 320Nm of torque. This helps the Koleos reach 0 -100kmh in 10 seconds and it can do flat out in 183kmh. It can even achieve a combined fuel economy of 17.5km/L (5.7L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 148g/km but with the 4WD layout, it can achieve a fuel economy of 15.6km/L (6.4L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 166g/km and with the 6-speed automatic equipped, it can achieve a fuel economy of 14.1km/L (7.1L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 186g/km.

The high end 2.0L dCi 175 with standard 4WD layout produces 175PS of power and 360Nm of torque, helping the Koleos achieve 0-100kmh in 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 191kmh. It can even achieve a combined fuel economy of 15.6km/L (6.4L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 166g/km.

With two lines, Carminat and Exception, available the new Renault Koleos comes in six colors such as Beige Mineral, Blanc Perle, Gris Argent, Gris Mars, Noir Métallique, and Blanc Glacier.

My comment:
This facelifted Koleos is all about being update on Renault's first full-fledged SUV but too bad though, it's still not offered in the United Kingdom because of poor sales.

Photo: RENAULT

Star Confusion

2013 Subaru BRZ

The Toyota 86 might be the first but it's not the only one. Appeared in the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the production-spec 2013 Subaru BRZ is a Toyota 86 with a different flavor. At first glance, it looks the same as the Toyota 86 but the BRZ has a different front.

This is a joint venture between Toyota and Subaru, and you should expect the same boxer engine developed within the joint venture.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-subaru-brz-sports-coupe-first.html

2012 Subaru BRZ Race Car

What's cool is that the Subaru BRZ is coming at the Super GT300 season soon, replacing the Subaru Legacy B4 GT300 Race Car. We think it's cool to see the BRZ in racing guise but will it work?

We are sure that the BRZ naming is confusing. Think CR-Z and RCZ, that's confusing and it was like Alpha Bert's arranging the letters of these. BRZ stands for "Boxer Rear-wheel-drive Zenith" and this is the first FR car from Subaru. Like the Toyota 86, the Subaru BRZ will debut in the first half of 2012.

2013 Scion FR-S

Let's not forget that the 2013 Scion FR-S is now out in the open. This is just somewhat an Americanized version of the 2013 Toyota 86, and it will go on sale in North America next year.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/30/2013-scion-fr-s-makes-the-triangle-complete/

The Run of Lamborghini Aventador

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

The Lamborghini Aventador is a special car exclusive for those who bought Need For Speed The Run LIMITED EDITION. 

Name: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Nationality: Italian

Top Speed: 217MPH

0 to 60 time: 2.9 seconds

BHP: 690 @ 8,250RPM

Performance: Tier 5

Handling: Normal

Class: Supercar

Drivetrain: AWD

Value: $380,000

Manufacture Year: 2011

The Murcielago is dead. Long live the Aventador! With the success of Lamborghinis in the past that span half a century with V12 engines as their signature dish, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 continues the legendary tradition with its all new 6.5L V12 engine that produces 690BHP, which in Lamborghini math, it says 700. It can go 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds and flat-out, it can do 217MPH. Upon its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the Aventador became the star of the show and no wonder that a full-year supply of Aventador models have already been asked for, in short, SOLD OUT! Unlike most Lamborghinis in the past that focused only on Top Speed and leaving Handling as a low priority, the Aventador is different. It's now focused only on cornering, leaving top speed a low priority, but this car still cares about acceleration. It features a seven-speed paddle shift transmission, push-rod suspension, and carbon fiber monocoque.

Those who've already bought NFS The Run Limited Edition are going to enjoy the Aventador. It's all about "Conquering The Bull" and this could be an ideal weapon for the master.

THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 05

THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 05

The fifth addition of THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER lineup has arrived and this should be a hard buy if your snoozing around for a long time. THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 05 packs 15 tracks inspired from THE IDOLM@STER anime series aired on TBS.

These includes songs heard from episodes 11 to 15 and there are two bonus tracks for added enjoyment. This is a must have if you're busy collecting the rest of THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER range such as READY!!, THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 02, THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 03, and CHANGE!!!!

TRACK LIST:
01. 今日も元気！
02. #11劇中歌「笑って！」
03. #11エンディング・テーマ「START!!」
04. 蒼い鳥(Piano Instrumental Version)
05. #12劇中歌「ふるふるフューチャー☆」
06. #12エンディング・テーマ「ショッキングな彼」
07. GO MY WAY!!（BGM VERSION)
08. #13劇中歌「マリオネットの心(M@STER VERSION)」
09. #13劇中歌「自分REST@RT(M@STER VERSION)
10. #13エンディング・テーマ「 i 」
11. #14劇中歌「キミはメロディ(M@STER VERSION)
12. #14エンディング・テーマ「Colorful Days(M@STER VERSION)
13. #15エンディング・テーマ「MEGARE!(M@STER VERSION)」
14. ボーナス・トラック「音無小鳥の秘密レポート〜3度目の正直だけど、多分いつもと同じ編〜」
15. ボーナス・トラック2「第13話LIVE曲メドレー」

THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 03

THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 03

THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 03 is just another original soundtrack with the music inspired from THE IDOLM@STER anime series on TBS.

With 24 tracks total, this album packs more BGMs from the anime and some songs heard from episodes 6 to 10, keeping the fans craving for THE IDOLM@STER anime series as long as they love the musics heard on it.

TRACK LIST:

01 真剣なまなざし
02 #6劇中歌「SMOKY THRILL(M@STER VERSION)」　歌：竜宮小町(水瀬伊織、三浦あずさ、双海亜美)
03 プロデューサー、走る!
04 #6エンディング・テーマ「THE IDOLM@STER」　歌：765PRO ALLSTARS
05 いつも明るい(原曲：A-PARK)
06 #7劇中歌「キラメキラリ」　歌：高槻やよい
07 心情
08 #7エンディング・テーマ「おはよう!!朝ご飯(M@STER VERSION)」　歌：高槻やよい
09 緊迫感
10 #8劇中歌「晴れ色」　歌：三浦あずさ*新曲
11 #8劇中歌「エージェント夜を往く(M@STER VERSION)」　歌：菊地真
12 #8劇中歌「迷走Mind」　歌：菊地真
13 #8劇中歌「shiny smile(REM@STER-A)」　歌：菊地真、三浦あずさ
14 ガンバル…
15 #8エンディング・テーマ「ハニカミ!ファーストバイト」　歌：竜宮小町(水瀬伊織、三浦あずさ、双海亜美)
16 トラブル
17 #9劇中歌「Next Life(Instrumental)」
18 感情ダウン
19 #9エンディング・テーマ「黎明スターライン」　歌：双海亜美／真美
20 THE IDOLM@STER(BGM Version)
21 #10劇中歌「L・O・B・M」　歌：765PRO ALLSTARS
22 がんばるアイドルたち(原曲：IA-GRANDFINAL)
23 #10エンディング・テーマ「GO MY WAY!!」　歌：765+876PRO ALLSTARS
24 ボーナス・トラック「音無小鳥の765プロ秘密レポート～世紀末救世主編～」出演：高槻やよい、水瀬伊織、音無小鳥