Scion Introduces iQ Concept in New York

Micro-car appeals to active urbanites

Scion iQ Concept

The recent fuel crisis has forced many Americans to rethink downsizing. The Scion iQ, a micro-subcompact car currently sold in Japan and Europe, might be ready to come ashore.

A customized version on display at this week’s New York International Auto Show proves that small doesn’t mean dull. Five Axis of Huntington Beach, California transformed the iQ exterior with custom lighting, wheels and ground effects. The show car’s lime green paint could stop traffic in Times Square.

But the real beauty for people with active lifestyles is its versatile interior. Despite its 6-1/2 foot wheelbase, the iQ has enough room inside for three adults and their luggage.

Engineers made the most of the car’s small footprint by positioning a flat gas tank under the floor to reduce its rear overhang. A compact air conditioning unit located near the center of the front console saves room under the hood.

The rear seats fold flat in a 50/50 pattern to extend the cargo floor. The rear seat cushion flips up to reveal a flat storage space beneath for stashing a thin laptop, or other electronic devices.

With an overall width of 71.4-inches, the iQ is narrow enough to weave through traffic. Its overall length is just over 10 feet, so the iQ slips easily into parallel parking spots.

The concept car’s eighteen-inch rims and LED headlamps appeal to the tuner crowd. A ten-inch multi-function display inside serves as the hub for the navigation system and entertainment console. The touch screen can also play movies when the car is parked.

An eco lamp illuminates to indicate driver efficiency. Comfort and convenience features include dual-zone climate controls and a downloadable hard drive.

The iQ comes with standard antilock brakes, vehicle stability control and nine airbags, including the first rear window curtain airbag.

For a closer look at the iQ, visit Scion’s public web site.

Land Rover Reveals New LR4 in New York

Fourth-generation sport-utility vehicle packs a more powerful engine and revised terrain-response system

2010 Land Rover LR4

The Land Rover LR3 is a three-time Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year winner: athletes love its cargo versatility and user-friendly interior. So the LR4, one of three new Land Rovers revealed at the New York International Auto Show, is high on our radar.

The LR4 improves on the original formula with a more powerful engine, revised terrain-response system, new safety technology and fresh styling. Its 5-liter V-8 engine is a variation on the block in the Jaguar XF, optimized for off-road driving.

The engine has a deeper sump than the Jaguar block to prevent oil starvation when the vehicle is at extreme angles. Engineers waterproofed the belt drives, alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump and starter motor to maintain the vehicle’s water-fording capabilities.

The 375-horsepower engine mates to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission: zero-to-sixty acceleration is 7.5 seconds. Engineering advances have increased scheduled service intervals to 15,000 miles.

Revised suspension, bigger brakes

The LR4 is more stable on uneven terrain, thanks to new suspension knuckles and a larger anti-roll bar. New brakes derived from the Range Rover Sport include 14.2-inch discs with dual-piston calipers up front, and 13.8-inch rear discs with single-piston calipers.

Engineers have added a sand launch control to the terrain response system, improving the LR4‘s performance in soft sand.  In rock crawl mode, the system automatically applies small amounts of braking at speeds below three miles-per hour to reduce the car’s tendency to roll.

A gradient release feature on the hill descent control system prevents the car from lunging when the driver releases the brakes on a steep grade. The system temporarily maintains brake pressure when the driver takes his foot off the pedal, and progressively eases the brakes off to control acceleration. Read the rest of this entry »