Hasta La Gadget!

Before the 2014 Corvette C7 was officially announced earlier this week, we got a very short glimpse of the all-digital instrument panel back in November, thanks to a teaser trailer about the new car. From just the split-second look that we had, we could tell that the gauge cluster was going to be fantastic, and it looks like that’s actually very true.

Autoblog ended up getting a much closer look at the new instrument panel in the 2014 Corvette at NAIAS 2013, and it’s about as stunning as you’d expect. You’re essentially looking at an 8-inch “high-resolution” display that’s fully reconfigurable, and it has three modes that you can scroll through.

Sport Mode features one large, central tachometer, and you can configure it to show different types of information, like G-forces, tire pressure, oil pressure, etc. Race Mode gives you a bar graph tachometer that’s meant for it to be easily read out of the corner of your eye to make sure that drivers keep their eyes on the racetrack. Touring Mode allows drivers to push the tachometer off to the side a bit and make room for infotainment information or navigation information.

Off to the sides of the 8-inch display are regular instrument clusters. Off to the left is the speedometer, which maxes out at 200mph, and then off the right side, is what appears to be the fuel gauge and the oil pressure gauge, both of which are slightly blocked by the steering wheel, so we’re not 100% sure, but this photo from Car and Driver gives an unobstructed view of the instrument panel.

[via Autoblog]

Chevrolet shows off 2014 Corvette all-digital instrument panel is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It’s taken a good, long while for the Cadillac Converj concept to break cover as a production machine, but at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the car has finally shrugged off its camouflage. You can think of this as the Chevy Volt’s better-mannered big-brother if you like, as this machine relies on the same Extended Range Electric Vehicle platform as its predecessor. That is, it has the same basic hybrid structure as the Volt that allows it to run as a pure EV for up to 35 miles before switching over to a more traditional parallel hybrid mode, burning gasoline for a maximum range of over 300 miles. But, that’s not to say this is a Volt that’s just made a trip to the tailor for a better-fitting suit — there’s a bit more to it than that. Join us after the break for the details.

Continue reading Cadillac ELR unveiled: A Volt for the luxury set (updated with pictures)

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Acura chose last year’s NAIAS to unveil the reborn NSX, heir to an epic throne of motorsports lineage. But, it was lacking a few things — most notably an interior. This year, Honda’s superlative brand is showing off a new generation of concept for the car that is still, sadly, at least two years away from production. As before it’s powered by the company’s Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, a system that’s spun most forcefully by a mid-mounted V6, helped by three electric motors. One is mounted to the V6 to provide a hybrid setup, the other two slung between the front wheels to give those tires up front little spin when needed. The new interior is a typically focused experience, full of leather and carbon fiber. It looks perfectly ready for production, but we’re told it’s just one potential design from a few they’re toying with. No word on how much Acura’s return to the supercar world might cost when it goes into production, but we’re just glad to see this on a definite path to availability.

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Today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, Honda officially unveiled the 2015 Acura NSX. It’s the company’s second try at an NSX concept, after they revealed the 2012 NSX concept at last year’s show. This new model looks relatively the same overall, with just a few minor changes coming in 2015.

The 2015 NSX Concept maintains its low and wide stance that we saw last year, and the car is highlighted by clean, modern, smooth, and simple surfacing, with edgy details that communicate a supercar feel and attitude. The overall shape reminds us of Audi’s own R8 supercar, with the slanted rear that goes all the way back to the tail.

Acura NSX production ended in 2005, and it’s seen a long history that goes back to 1990, when the first-year NSX was released. The 2015 model will feature a mid-mounted V6 engine with a seven-speed manual transmission. The car will also feature three electric motors that will work together to help drive all four wheels, and to assist with acceleration and braking.

This “Sports Hybrid AWD system” is expected to deliver V8 performance with “better-than-four-cylinder” fuel economy. Indeed, a three-motor, mid-engine supercar sounds like the ideal machine for a brand attempting to distinguish itself as a luxury and performance company without waste or excess. As far as price goes, there’s no set cost yet, but Acura says it will cost more than the Nissan GT-R, which already starts shy of $100,000.

2015 Acura NSX concept revealed at NAIAS 2013 is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you’re launching a line of extended-range electric vehicles, ala the Chevy Volt, it’s hard to imagine a better person to help you with the launch than Bob Lutz, the driving force behind that very car. Now he’s working with VIA Motors, which today introduced a line of electric vehicles of a rather different scale. The V-TRUX line of big boy toys includes modified GMC trucks, SUVs and vans, customized to include a Volt-like powertrain that enables up to 40 miles of electricity-only driving before switching over to the onboard 4.8 liter V8. More details after the break.

Continue reading VIA Motors introduces V-TRUX range of extended-range electric trucks, vans and SUVs

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