Infiniti to Build Front-Drive Compact on Mercedes A-Class Platform

With the debut of the Etherea concept, Infiniti signaled that it’s developing a new compact hatchback to compete with models like the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series. What the company didn’t say then—but has subsequently told us—is that the car will borrow its underpinnings from the Mercedes-Benz parts bin. Nissan/Renault and Daimler recently announced a technology partnership, and one of the big components is the front-wheel-drive platform developed for Benz’s A- and B-class family.

We’re assured, though, that the Infiniti hatch will use its own version of the platform. Infiniti’s compact will have an atypical design for a five-door hatchback, with less of a two-box shape like the Audi A3's. It’s possible this could mean we’ll be seeing a small, low crossover from Infiniti, but it seems even more likely it’ll be a regular car with a fastback profile.

Basic powertrains will be gasoline and, for Europe, diesel, but we suspect that either a hybrid or fully electric version will be offered, as well.

The real head-scratcher here is why Nissan and Renault—which have more than 30 years of experience building front-wheel-drive platforms—would turn to Mercedes-Benz, a company with a core competency in building bigger, expensive, rear-wheel-drive luxury vehicles. We put this question directly to Nissan’s Executive Vice President Andy Palmer, who explained thusly:

“There are very few mass brands that make that walk into luxury. And there’s a reason for that, which is embedded somewhere within the way the products are executed and in the engineering. A luxury brand will need much better torsional rigidity, much better NVH than you would put into a mass brand.

If you have a product that handles like an A-class or a B-class, with that level of NVH, with that level of torsional rigidity, but you can do it at a cost which is closer to where a mass brand would be, then you’re in a very good place from a competitive point of view. And that’s where we’re trying to be.”

The Infiniti model, which will likely not be called the Etherea when it hits production, will definitely be coming to the U.S. market. Until it arrives, read our first drive of the show car here.

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2011 All New Kia Sportage compact SUV

Kia in 2011 this comes with a new SUV. That is the 2011 All New Kia Sportage  SUV, comes with a new bodyshell, new engines and fresh, bold style that introduces a new type of dynamic aesthetic. 2011 Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that is suitable for families, while also consuming less fuel and produce less CO2.
Having a dimension of 73.0 inches width, 174.8 inches length and 64.4 inches high, with the distance to the ground is 6.8 inches. Offered with prices ranging from ranging from $ 18,295 to type stadar. There is also the type LX priced around $ 20,295, type EX priced $ 25,295, and the type SX priced $ 25,795.

Very sporty exterior design for this type of car. With a high shoulder line and the curve of a sporty body, making this car look very handsome class. The All New Kia Sportage in design is lower and wider than the previous generation model. Also equipped with Xenon HID lights, LED lights running a high-tech.
For Wheels, The All New Kia Sportage uses 16-inch alloy wheels are five fingers and all season tires and can be upgraded. To use the door like most 5-door SUV with rear glass with light marks on both front doors that seemed to have become the standard model for the current SUV.

2011 All New Kia Sportage used car standard features like a five-seat SUV type with a cargo capacity is the best in class and the range of 564 liters with the rear seat of the occupation to 1353 liters with the rear seats folded. Equipped also with USB, AUX ports, and also iPod Cable as standard equipment in all types.

2011 All New Kia Sportage Using a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine churns that produces 176 horsepower, more than a V-6 engine than previous versions. Paired with a six-speed automatic. 0-60 mph takes about 8.5 seconds seemingly within easy reach. As an option, MCH also provides the type with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 136 ps and 304 Nm of torque from just 1,800 rpm. And ensure robust performance, this new diesel engine allows Kia compact SUV to provide a very competitive fuel economy and emissions figures. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard spec, while using the above three types of speed automatic, Kia offers a system also all-wheel-drive.

Kia Sportage engineering team designed a new electric power steering system to provide good steering feel and vehicle control is precise, with low effort during parking and city driving and greater feedback during the outskirts of the automobile.
The new MDPS (motor driven power steering) rack-and-pinion steering system is speed-sensitive and requires only 2.96 turns of the steering lock-to-lock. Switching from a hydraulic system of the previous models to help electricity offers increased 3.5% in fuel economy.
Both front and rear suspension systems are mounted on a hydro-formed subframe light, with a carefully fine-tuned rubber bushes to help isolate occupants from road irregularities in the surface. At the front, MacPherson Strut suspension compact accept a little fine-tuning for smooth operation and most were taken from previous models. Small changes in suspension geometry to improve feel and stability, while new side-load spring to reduce friction.
Benefits of the new Kia Sportage fully independent suspension system all-new, multi-link, rear. For the new model, dampers and coil springs are mounted separately to minimize intrusion into the cabin and luggage space.
On, a new rear silencer selective amplitude (ASD) can be fitted as an option. Silencer combines the ability to provide strong control over bumpy roads and when traveling at higher speeds (stiffness, relieve high amplitude), with a smooth ride city (soft, relieve low amplitude) at low speed.

All New Kia Sportage fitted with safety systems that include Electronic Stability Control, and three new systems – Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) to prevent slippage during the stop-start re-raising climbs, Downhill Brake Control (DBC) to ensure a safer trip down the steep slope with maintain stable 8 km / h (5 mph) speed and the Emergency Stop Signal System (ESS) automatically ‘flashing’ brake light every time the ABS or ESC system is triggered.

Kia Sportage performance all-disc braking system in extreme conditions is driven by the three systems – an ordinary ABS (anti-lock system), plus EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) to adjust the brake pressure front / rear and BAS (brake assist system) that recognize the emergency stop and give the maximum braking power.

Two active systems that are available to assist the driver with reversing maneuvers. Warning sensors help drivers to avoid contact with pedestrians by triggering audible warning whenever a vehicle approaches an obstacle.

A second option is the new rearview camera mounted on the tailgate. The camera is equipped with 130-degree, wide-angle lens that provides images to the LCD screen set in an interior rearview mirror, or with the navigation display if fitted. Simultaneously it allows the driver to check mirrors and blind spot below the rear window.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System is available as an option to alert the driver if tire pressure drops suffered more than 25%.

For the new Kia Sportage, the new roll-over sensors are part of the ESC system upgrade (standard in the European countries most), and can be ordered as an option in all others. These sensors monitor the roll-over may be the situation and trigger the deployment of side airbags, curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, if appropriate.

In European countries the most, the new Sportage will be equipped with six airbags as standard. Dual front airbags, dual front side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags (new rollover sensor linked to the ESC system and collision sensors) offer head protection for all occupants.

Active head restraints for front seats all the standard model in most European countries and protect occupants against whiplash injury.

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