The newest Aston Martin supercars

Aston Martin will introduce two new variants, the British manufacturer will be bringing the Vantage GT and DB9 Carbon Black to 2014 New York Auto Show. Although the new, Vantage GT is essentially a the "rename" version of Vantage N430. The car debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in March, is offered in two body styles i.e coupe and roadster.

2015 Aston Martin Vantage GT debut on 2014 New York International Auto Show. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1iCbR1b)

"Aston Martin will introduce two special edition exclusively for the North American market at the New York International Auto Show this week," said Aston Martin in a press release which reported by Inautonews on Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

From the side of the face, enveloping black exterior shades, with clear taillights. There is the graphite access on its side, as well sills derived from the Vantage S. Four 19 inch rims with a very aggressive design. Consumers can also add accessories such as coatings grille, special rearview mirror cover, up to a diffuser.

Front view of 2015 Aston Martin Vantage GT. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/PlDRKN)

The interior is definitely different, using sporty seat of the Vantage S V12, with an alcantara leather. Some sections which is polished using carbon layers, including around the gear lever. End of the lever using black magnesium coated. The car's navigation systems have become standard, coupled with other capabilities such as cruise control, Bluetooth, up to heated seats. The "entry level" model will start to launch the third quarter of this year.

This car power is supplied from a 4.7 liter V8 engine that is capable of spewing power of 430 hp or 320 kW with 489 Nm of torque. Tests conducted by the car manufacturer recorded the Vantage GT has an accelerating capability from 0-60 mph (96 kph) in 4.6 seconds. Top speed of this car so far claimed 190 mph or 305 kph.

Front three quarter of 2015 Aston Martin DB9 Carbon Black. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/PlDRKN)

Vantage GT will be priced at U.S. $99,900 and start on sale in the third quarter of this year. While to DB9 Carbon Edition was given a "little" sweeteners such as 10-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels, and some detail on the rear lights, carbon fiber side strake and red finished brake calipers. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | INAUTONEWS]
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This robot can speak English and more agile

Honda's masterpiece in the field of robotics, the Honda ASIMO continues to grow. In fact, now get in on the latest generation. The plan, the latest generation of ASIMO was introduced at the New York Auto Show 2014.

Honda’s new Asimo robot coming to New York Auto Show. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nATYAk)

Honda said bleak as quoted from autoevolution some time ago, Honda's ASIMO now has a new trick to include the ability to speak Japanese and American English, can run faster than before, more smoothly climb stairs, jump, balance on one foot, and a seamless transition between walking and running.

"Honda believes that improved Asimo brings us one step closer to our ultimate goal to be able to help all kinds of people in need," said Satoshi Shigemi, Senior Chief Engineer of Honda R & D Co.Ltd. in Japan, which is responsible for humanoid robotics.

It is a more compact version of the Asimo robot. It's much smaller than a human with 130 centimeters tall, weighs 50 pounds, and is made of magnesium alloy, plastic resins and other materials. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION]

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Viking Custom Bike Concept

This is what would happen if the three Danish collaborate to design a motorcycle concept named Viking Custom Bike Concept.

Maybe Henrik Fisker’s automotive manufacturing adventure has ended, but that doesn’t mean that the Danish designer can’t delight gearheads with his creations. Unlike some of his famous designs like the Aston Martin DB9 or BMW Z8, his latest work has only two wheels.

Viking Custom Bike Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1hbo1JA)

Fisker worked together with Anders Kirk Johansen, an industrialist or well known as CEO of LEGO toys on the Viking Concept, a design study that indicates a possible future direction for bespoke Danish custom bike builder, Uffe Lauge Jensen.

Their design unveiled at Monaco’s Top Marques luxury brands show, the Viking Concept points to a possible volume-production direction for Johansen’s Lauge Jensen brand. "We are finally realizing the Viking Concept, we show to the public in Monaco. It is a step in our company strategy to introduce a limited edition motorcycle custom bike Great Dane, " said Anders Kirk Johansen.

Rear three quarter of Viking Custom Bike Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1hbo1JA)

The Viking Concept is powered by a 45-degree V-twin engine producing 100 hp, allowing the bike to reach a top speed of more than 130 mph (209 kph). Furthermore, it is one of the first motorcycles of its type to comply with new Euro IV emissions regulations that come into effect in the year of 2016. The engine was built in Wisconsin, USA – coincidentally (or not) the state where Harley-Davidson is based.

"It’s been a dream of mine to design and create a motorcycle for many years and this is the first time I have the freedom to go and do it. I hope people like what we have created and that we can make more of them – for sure there’s plenty more to come from this collaboration between myself and Anders," said Henrik Fisker respond to this concept motorcycle. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOP]

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World Car of the Year 2014

Audi A3 was ceowned as the World Car of the Year 2014 at the 2014 New York Auto Show event, after an option jury consisting of 69 automotive journalists from 22 countries.

The third generation of the Audi A3 beat 23 other cars, including the BMW 4-Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.

When Audi A3 car was announced as the World Car of the Year 2014 in New York. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/RwHxLV)

"Audi A6 is our first car to win this award and we are delighted to repeat the feat with the Audi A3 as the World Car of the Year 2014," said Rupert Stadler, Head of the Board of Management of Audi AG, as quoted from Carscoop.

"Audi A3 has displayed Audi technical competence in all aspects of the manufacture of cars, not least in the field of lightweight technology, drivetrain, mobile infotainment and driver assistance systems," he said.

Audi A3 crowned as the World Car of the Year 2014 in New York. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/RwHxLV)

The third-generation of Audi A3 is available in three-door, five-door Sportback, Cabriolet and Coupe, and is available in a choice of TFSI petrol and TDI diesel. A3 Sportback also available in g-tron, which can be operated by using the e-gas (natural gas or gasoline) produced by Audi. Later this year, the A3 Sportback will also be available in a choice of e-tron plug-in hybrid.

As it has been known that the first-generation Audi A3 was launched in 1996 which marked in the premium compact class, while the second generation was present in 2003, as quoted from Carscoop. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOP]

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New Earth-sized planet discovered

Not too big, not too small, not too hot and not too cold. A newly discovered planet seems fitting to accommodate life, according to a group of international astronomers.

Overview of the Kepler planet-186f.Kepler-186f, new Earth-size planet. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1iyDl7O)

Orbiting a star located about 500 light-years away, the planet called Kepler-186f is similar to the size of Earth. It orbiting the star at the right distance for water on the surface, which is essential for life.

According to Elisa Quintana, a NASA planetary scientist, it is not similar to the Earth. "More to the Earth cousin, not the Earth twin. Similar characteristics, but the parent star is very different," she said. Mentioned that Kepler-186f orbiting the smaller and cooler stars than our Sun.

However, in a paper in the journal Science, the astronomers say the planet appears relatively close compared to most of the hundreds of planets that have been discovered so far. That some of them are covered gas giant planet with a thick atmosphere, while others orbit so close to their stars and are too hot for life.

The two planets were discovered last year is in the right orbit and may be good candidates for life, Quintana said, but it was bigger than the Earth. "For the first time, we can say that we now have a planet the same size as Earth and orbits within the habitable zone of a star," she said further.

The next step is to look for traces of lifes in the atmosphere of this distant world. This requires a more sophisticated space telescopes. But budget cuts threaten the mission. However, Quintana sure when the next generation telescope can be launched, people will find that they were not alone in this universe. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | VOA NEWS]

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Rubbee could change Your bike into e-bike at a glance

Bicycle could be change into E-bike in less than one minute, thanks to a device called Rubbee, an electronic device that is lightweight and can be mounted on the bike to replace of pedaling power. This device uses a battery and electric motor which is attached and spinning at the rear wheel.

Rubbee is self-contained battery, controller and motor. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nv9mhJ)

"Power is channeled directly to the rear wheels, so no need to chain, gear wheels, transmissions," said Gediminas Nemanis, the Rubbee inventor as quoted from Reuters. Rubbee claimed as waterproof and the device was mounted on a pole under the seat with the lock. And Rubbee's motor control attached on the handlebar.

The device can remain lit while the cyclists still pedaling because of its motor power can be adjusted, it is very functional when crossing the road climb. It has a weight was 6.5 kg (13.2 lbs) and a full recharge takes two hours. Rubbee using 14 volt 250 W battery that can be used to travel 25 km (15.53 miles). And has a top speed of 25 kph (15.53 mph).

"People do not need to replace their old bikes with electric bike," said Nemanis that sell the Rubbee at the price of U.S $1,200. There is a rod that serves as a shock absorber so that the device was still clinging tight to the bike rear wheels. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RUBBEE | REUTERS]

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Scientists claim to find the Moon in outer solar system

A group of astronomers claim to have found the possibility of their finding for the first time "exomoon" or a moon orbiting a planet outside the solar system. However, the object, the team of astronomers said, it could be a large planet orbiting a small star and faint, as set out in the report of the Astrophysical Journal.

"We will not have another chance to observe the candidates 'exomoon' in the future," said David Bennett, the head researcher of the University of Notre Dame through a press release the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that was reported by the Xinhua News Agency.

Researchers have detected the first potential "exomoon" candidate, a moon orbiting an alien planet beyond our solar system. This artist's illustration shows a possible view of the exomoon (left) and a version of the system if it is actually a star and planet. (Picture from: http://www.space.com/)

Objects suspected 'exomoon' was found during the research that led the team "Microlensing Observations in Astrophysucs" (MOA) of Japan, New Zealand and the United States and "Probing Lensing Anomalies NETwork" (PLANET), which uses a telescope from New Zealand and Australia.

The astronomers used a technique called gravitational microlensing, where the observations were made through one of the passes other stars, from the view of the Earth. Stars are closer can act as a magnifying glass to focus and describe distant starlight for a few days or weeks.

If the foreground star has orbiting planet, the planet acts as a second lens to illuminate or dim light. From the observation when the incident light, astronomers can see how much of the foreground star than the planet. But note, in some cases, the foreground object can be a free-floating planet, not a star. The researchers can only detect the large size of the planet compared to objects around it.

In a recent study funded by NASA, astronomers discovered a planet size ratio larger than the size of the companion by the ratio of 2000 to 1, even though the environment of foreground objects, and objects into the media lens is still not definitive.

That means that two objects can be small and faint stars, which dikelelilingi planet 18 times larger than Earth. Even planets that orbit it is estimated larger than Jupiter, plus, a month whose mass is lighter than Earth, astronomers said. However, researchers have not been able to conclude which one is correct and valid in between the two scenarios, given these events can only be observed at a time.

"The possibility of the use of the technique as it is a lens that finding palent and month (exomoon). If it will be a spectacular discovery," said Wes Traub, chief scientist for exoplanet exploration program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA, who was not involved in the research . "The conclusions of the research model used is the month, but if you look at the scenario in nature, the conclusion that the object could be a star," he said. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | XINHUA | SPACE]

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