"All New" Smart try to remove the funny impression

After briefly flirting with some leaks on the internet, finally Daimler AG Smart officially introduced the latest generation. The economical mini passenger car, now appear more macho, as if trying to remove the "funny" impression that had been attached.

Both models of 'All New' Smart using the Renault Twingo platform. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rDBQIT)

Smart introduced in two models at the same time, a third-generation ForTwo (two passengers) and a second-generation ForFour (four passengers). German manufacturer's hope, with the birth of this new generation, the Smart could be nipped in the city car market and the sold selling well in the global market.

"No one can combine the functional and emotional as well as we do, according the inventor of individual mobility. Latest generation ForTwo and ForFour adopt a proven concept, while offering almost everything, the room more spacious, more colorful, and more equipment," explained Annette Winkler, Head of Smart in Berlin, Germany on July 16, 2014.

2015 Smart ForTwo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rDBQIT)

From its looks, both models of Smart looks much more macho than the previous product. Its facia looks sharp with the Day Time Running Lightlamp design, combined chrome accented grille, and bloated bumper also the boxy taillight with LEDs in it.

2015 Smart ForFour. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rDBQIT)

The curve of the body side further supports sporty impression that try to offer. However, the greatest change occurred in the ForFour models, where from the first generation (2004-2006) produced using the Mitsubishi Colt platform. For this new generation, using the Renault Twingo platform, the same as the ForTwo. Both models use the same rear-wheel drive system and rear engine.

The interior is sporty and fit for modern urban. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rDBQIT)

Both models have the size the same width and height, 1,660 mm and 1,550 mm. However, different from the wheelbase and overall length. For a two-passenger version in width, 2,690 mm ​​with a 1,873 mm wheelbase, while four passengers 4,490 mm ​​with a wheelbase of 2,494 mm.

In addition, the rear doors can be opened up ForFour now almost 90 degrees so that adds to the comfort of passengers in and out access. Though tiny, the Smart ForTwo still offers luggage capacity of 260 liters with the rear, while ForFour 185 liters.

Turning radius becomes one of the advantages of this car, claimed just 6.95 meters to 8.65 meters for the ForTwo and ForFour.

Daimler also announced there are two engine options for both Smart models. First, the 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder-powered 72 ps and 91 Nm of torque. Both 0.9-liter, 3-cylinder, turbo power produces 90 ps and 135 Nm of torque. In addition to these two options, Daimler has set up a large version of the smaller and energy. Also there are two transmission options, manual 5-speed automatic with double clutch and 6-speed. Both using the rear wheels system.

Smart plans to go on sale in Europe in November 2014 is expected to remain the same tag as the previous model (ForTwo), while the more expensive ForFour estimated around 600 euros. For the United States market, Smart is only a two-seater version will market based on consumer characteristics. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION]

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Mini Panda that was agile for all-terrains

Fiat was re-transform a form of their Panda 4x4 into more formidable and bold figure on all-terrains. Now it comes with a much more powerful form, named Fiat Panda Cross that made ​​its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2014 which held on March 2014.

Fiat Panda Cross. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1qPYz2S)

Panda body kit looks more macho when fitted with offroad style front bumper that integrated with slick new fog lights. Manly impression even more powerful erupted when it also wore the roof bars and new rear bumper which has been enhanced by special 15 inches alloy wheels.

The latest Fiat's citycar is inherited Torque-on-Demand (ToD) features of Panda 4x4 system which has the function to regulate the flow of torque that is adapted to the condition of the engine. Not only that, to help a car while driving in the area up and down there is a Hill Descent Control feature which helps the stability of the car when crossing steep slope or a winding path.

Dashboard view of Fiat Panda Cross. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1mpPwle)

When driving on off-road terrain with this Fiat Panda Cross will still feel comfortable thanks to the new front suspension has been upgraded with MacPherson independent and torsion beam on the rear.

Rear three quarter of Fiat Panda Cross. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1qPYz2S)

There are two engine options offered by these cars. The first is a capacity of 0.9 liter TwinAir engine with turbocharger capable of spraying power 90 hp and 107 Nm of torque. The other engine options are 1.3-liter MultiJet turbodiesel that has power up to 80 hp and 140 Nm of torque. If seen, the two variants of the engine is 5 hp more powerful than the other Panda engines.

Other standard equipment on the car among other things automatic climate control, electric mirrors, central locking, fog lights, leather steering wheel and gear knob, ESC with ELD and many others. However, you can also indulge in the many optional features and equipment to make it a comfortable as yous private car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION]

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'Four-winged' Dinosaur fossil found in China

Scientists on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 have described a strange dinosaur fossils whose body covered with feathers, and is seen as having "four wings" and might be able to fly. According to a study published in the Nature Communications journal, a meat-eating dinosaur that lived in China at 125 million years ago, called Changyuraptor yangi. The fossil unearthed in Liaoning Province, China.

Illustration of the new raptorial dinosaur, Changyuraptor. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/Wa0FBr)

This dinosaur has a very long tail and hairy, up to 1 ft (30 cm) and is the longest feathers on dinosaurs ever found. Fur is also close forelimb and foot of Changyuraptor, which is not regarded as a bird but more like a very bird-like dinosaurs. The length of the creature was about 4 ft (1.3 meters) and weighs roughly 9 lbs (4 kg).

If people see Changyuraptor, the reaction might be: "Hey! It was a strange bird," said Alan Turner, one of the researchers and paleontologists from Stony Brook University in New York, United States. "Think of a medium-size turkey with a very long tail," Turner said in a telephone interview.

The fossil found in Liaoning Province in northeastern China shows the details of Changyuraptor's plumage.. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1qmiqLe)

Scientists have identified dinosaurs with "two pairs of wings" known as microraptorine and Changyuraptor is the greatest. Bird stems from a small feathered dinosaur. Archaeopteryx, the size of a crow, which lived about 150 million years ago is regarded as the earliest known bird. But many before and after the dinosaurs had feathers and other birds of similar character.

"Changyuraptor was very, very similar to Archaeopteryx and other primitive birds. So there are a lot of other dinosaurs such as Anchiornis and Pedopenna., But they have some properties that are less in birds and lacking several properties owned by a bird," said Turner.

According to Luis Chiappe, a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, who led the study said that Changyuraptor live in a wooded environment with a mild climate, hunting of birds, mammals, reptiles, and small fish.

"Animals like Changyuraptor may not move with the power to fly like modern birds. Nevertheless, Changyuraptor and dinosaurs like he could flap its wings, and of course hairy surface on the front and hind legs," said Turner.

"So this increases the likelihood they can glide or" fly "with a kind of primitive way. Which I think: if you push them from the tree, they would fall quite slowly," he added. If Changyuraptor could fly, the long feather tail could help lower the current speed down and allow it to land safely.

"This helps explain how animals like Changyuraptor could move in some form of air movements - flying, hovering, and or down in a controlled manner - regardless of their size," said Turner.

At present birds, feathers have a wide-range of functions beyond the fly, including for show, species recognition and mating rituals. According to Turner, Changyuraptor fur also has several functions. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | REUTERS]

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ICON A5, a sports car in the sky

Flying an aeroplane is no longer a difficult dream for most people, especially in the United States, as long as it is so difficult to get a pilot's license. In line with the launch of a new regulation by the FAA on rule changes for the category of Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) in 2004, where the new rule allows each person can fly a plane without having to go through a long training process and do not need strict medical records are sometimes inhibit them to obtain certification.

ICON A5, a sports car in the sky. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1exfgbl)

For prospective pilots only takes 20 hours of flight training and just have to pay less than $3,500. But there are rules that must be obeyed the SPL (Sport Pilot License) pilot holders. They are only allowed to fly to a maximum altitude of 3,000 meters from the ground and aircraft speed must not exceed a maximum of 222 kph and should not conduct night flights. Similarly, the number of passengers is limited to a maximum only two people including the pilot and the minimum pilot age is 16 years.

ICON A5 with fully wings span. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1n06IC9)

The aircraft was first developed by Kirk Hawkins, a former USAF F-16 fighter pilot who was capture business opportunities of the expansion of new generation aircraft based on the FAA's new rule, allowing the vehicle to fly that offers convenience for consumers but has a different attraction to the sport plane in general.

ICON A5 with folded wings span. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1n06IC9)

The idea is akin to a person buying a sports car and operating it can quickly. Bailer was intercepted when Hawkisn met with Steen Strand, well known product designer who has 14 years of experience designing sports equipment, Hawkins vision to create 'sportcar in sky' getting closer to reality.

Precisely in 2005, Hawkins founded ICON Aircraft with the developtment facilities located in Southern California. Not without reason this place was chosen as the base aircraft industry. California is known as a state that produces quality human resources in the field of aerospace as well as automotive design center of the world.

Interior view of ICON A5. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1exfgbl)

ICON Aircraft engineering team supported by people who have been involved in the development of phenomenal aircrafts such as Voyager, Global Flyer and Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne of Scaled Composite which located in Mojave, California.

Over the three years since the founding of ICON Aircraft, in June 2008 the hard work of developtment team successfully finished their first aircraft prototype named ICON A5, a petite amphibious sport aircraft with a capacity of two passengers. A month later, on July 15, 2008 ICON A5 flying premiere of a lake in California. Test fly directly addressed by the ICON's test pilot and also Aero engineer, Jon Karkow.

Left side view of ICON A5 Interior. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1n06IC9)

The first flight took place properly, the aircraft's performance even more than expected, but still conducted sustainable test until the aircraft ready going into production line. Since the beginning, ICON A5 is designed like a sports car, it could be seen from the shape of the snout and the sloping windshield and a pair of headlights that look like sports car.

ICON A5's simple flight instruments console. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1n06IC9)

So see the cabin, sports car feel more resilient feel, its dashboard panel really different than most aircraft. Detail design is perfect, until the pilot is believed to be sitting in the cockpit aboard a sports car feel rather than being steered plane.

Its equipment facilities include a simple analogue flight instruments, pilot's numerous flying aids, LCD multifunction display, plus a port for modern gadgets like iPod and MP3 to listen to music as well as the addition of glass can be removed while the fly.

To make the ICON A5 more practical, Icon's engineers thought the facility for owners and users of aircraft, such as the main wing can be folded manually or automatically. In folded back condition, the plane would have easily raised the trailer and furthermore can be towed by a car from the garage to the airport, river or lake nearby.

Special aircraft carrier trailer has also prepared by Icon Aircraft as an option. Then the landing gear can be retracted when flying or the landing wheels facilities can also be removed completely in Seaplane version.

ICON specs include a maximum speed of 120 mph and maximum range of 555 km. It measures 23' long and 7.1' high, with a wingspan of 34'. Other features include folding wings, retractable landing gear, Seawings platforms for easy access and docking.

The construction of aircraft structures are built using carbon fiber material, make very light weight and efficient in fuel use. By using a single Rotax 912 ULS engine power of 100 hp neatly embedded just behind the cabin that can consume the aviation or general fuel.

As the security features offered on the Icon A5 is a GPS moving map system that can provide information to the pilot about the nature and the local weather conditions in real time, then Wing Angel of Attack (AoA) indicator, patent-pending Propeller Guard and parachute that can inflate mini rockets launched from the roof when the plane experienced engine trouble while flying.

The aircraft with standard fittings sold at the price of $139,000. It is not expensive when compared with a sport car like Ferrari that sold at $224,640. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ICON AIRCRAFT | POPULAR MECHANICS]

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Luxury amphibious vehicle

For those of you who has a deep pockets and get bored with a collection of luxury cars, it would not hurt if you try to have one of these amphibious vehicles.

Chicago-based

Mercier-Jones, the world's first supercraft. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1oPp2uY)

start up hovercraft manufacturers, Mercier-Jones offering their new hybrid supercraft product, that has an unusual look as a hovercraft in general is merely pugnacious and "uncomfortable" impressed. Even with its design, this hovercraft can be regarded as the amphibious vehicle's Bugatti.

The supercraft equipped with a powerful 60 hp engine combined with two electric motors that are powered by lithium-ion batteries, Mercier-Jones Supercraft able to spewed a total power up to 102 hp.

Mercier-Jones Supercraft can be regarded as the amphibious vehicle's Bugatti. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nRyxNL)

It able to traverse any terrain, including land, ice, sand, water and even all terrain conditions that exist among them with a smooth and comfortable, this supercraft will certainly provide a new driving sensation for you.

The supercraft made of sporting carbon fibre body panels affixed to a still chromium alloy frame. Its open cockpit features two seats in tandem and carries an Android OS instrument panel complete with Bluetooth, on-board WiFi, navigation, and heated seats. Its interior is accented with wood inlays.

It is about the length of a Range Rover Evoque and the height of a Ferrari 458 Italia (or L x W x H = 4,318 mm x 2,159 mm x 1,219 mm) and a weight of 318 kg, the vehicle runs at a distance of 193 km at an average speed of 64.37 kph and sold at a price of U.S. $75,000 per unit. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MERCIER-JONES | THESCOUTLIFE]

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TVR's lightweight battle-axe sports car

Indeed, its name is not as popular as Ascari or Morgan, but this UK sports car which is no less stunning than the other sports cars. With a super sporty body design and backed by a 4.0-liter straight-six engine that capable of producing power of 380 horsepower, this car deserves to be admired and feared.

TVR Sagaris. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1yzDG0u)

TVR Sagaris also has a fairly light weight because it uses a fiberglass body so it is not surprising that this car has incredible speed. In just 3.7 seconds the sports car is capable of racing up to 100 kph and at the highest gear Sagaris capable of racing up to speeds of 290 kph.

The TVR Sagaris is a sports car designed and built by the British manufacturer TVR in their factory in Blackpool, Lancashire. And the sports car made its debut at the MPH03 Auto Show in 2003. The pre-production model was then shown at the 2004 Birmingham Motorshow.

Interior view of TVR Sagaris. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nhfRIg)

The car's name comes from the sagaris, the Greek name of a lightweight battle-axe used by the Scythians which was feared for its ability to penetrate the armor of their enemies. The car was designed by Graham Browne and Lee Hodgetts.

The straight-six engine of a Sagaris. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rvsyhS)

In 2005 the production model was released for public sale at TVR dealerships around the world. Based on the TVR T350, the Sagaris was designed with endurance racing in mind. Several design features of the production model lend themselves to TVR's intentions to use the car for such racing.

Left side view of TVR Sagaris. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1yzDG0u)

The multitude of air vents, intake openings and other features on the bodywork allow the car to be driven for extended periods of time on race tracks with no modifications required for cooling and ventilation. The final production model came with several variations from the pre-production show models e.g. the vents on the wings are not cut out, different wing mirrors, location of the fuel filler and bonnet hinges. There are other subtle differences as well.

Rear three quarter of TVR Sagaris. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1yzDG0u)

In 2008, TVR unveiled the Sagaris 2, which was designed to replace the original Sagaris. In the prototype revealed, there were minor changes to the car including a revised rear fascia and exhaust system, and modifications to the interior.

Rear view of TVR Sagaris. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nCURpy)

There is no other car on earth that looks so intimidating as the TVR Sagaris. With a slash here, the curve there, and exhaust protruding from the side like a deadly missile launchers, TVR Sagaris is one of the most frightening car behind or in front of you.

TVS sports car is rumored to be back in the sports car market with a new model next year, after revived by a company based in the UK. TVR's new boss, Les Edgar said it would develop a new vehicle that may be present in 2015. As reported by autoevolution on Friday, June 28, 2013.

In addition, Les Edgar also said it also was thinking about the new edition of the Sagaris, but no decision has been made​​. "We could do both. We have not made ​​a decision further. If it was not, we can also present a new model Sagaris within a year from now., But chances are we will first create a new TVR," Edgar said, adding that the TVR will be more affordable than a regular sports car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION ]

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Future Spaceship design

DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), an US military research division which engaged in the development of defense technology reveals the Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program. This program is making a new spaceship that is more efficient.

DARPA's XS-1, the design of future spacecraft. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1qMw4Dh)

Design concept aircraft has been shown through a video on YouTube. Visible spaceship with elongated capsules fitted a pair of wings. In the video length is 31 seconds, the new spaceship carrying a satellite to be released in space. Then, the plane returned to Earth for landing like an airplane in general.

As qouted from Gizmodo on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, the XS-1 program presents unmanned space fleet that can be flown from Earth and put a small satellite in space. Reportedly, the XS-1 fleet to fly 10 times in 10 days and can be bolted to the speed of Mach 10+.

This program will reduce the cost of carrying out the space to be less than U.S. $5 million per single flight times. DARPA has given major contracts Phase 1 of the XS-1 for three well-known companies such as The Boeing Company, Masten Space Systems and Northrop Grumman Corporation. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GIZMODO]

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