GM to offer wireless in-car phone charging pads

<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYgg60FRWI/AAAAAAADzs4/_2F-vCpw4qs/s1600/GM+Powermat+1.jpg"><img height="399" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYgg60FRWI/AAAAAAADzs4/_2F-vCpw4qs/s1600/GM+Powermat+1.jpg" width="600" /></a></center><br />GM announced this week that their venture capital arm called GM Ventures will invest $5 million in a small company called Powermat. The company makes a charging system that uses wireless technology to charge smartphones and other devices, and is considered a pioneer in the filed.<br /><br />What is Powermat? If you’ve recently visited your local Best Buy, you’ve probably seen the Powermat product in the ‘Mobile’ section. The product allows you to place your cell phone and other mobile technology on a mat and charge them without having to plug them into the wall.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />The new technology is said not only to eliminate the need for charging cords, but, according to Powermat CEO Ran Poliakine, it’s also safer and more efficient.<br /><br />Powermat already sells wireless charging devices for the home to consumers at major U.S. retail outlets such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy.<br /><br />Source: GM<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYgg60FRWI/AAAAAAADzs4/_2F-vCpw4qs/s1600/GM+Powermat+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(173, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559166539951064418" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYgg60FRWI/AAAAAAADzs4/_2F-vCpw4qs/s200/GM+Powermat+1.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; ; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 90px; " /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYggpu5xxI/AAAAAAADzsw/GvssHXdn6BE/s1600/GM+Powermat+6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(173, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559166535365936914" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYggpu5xxI/AAAAAAADzsw/GvssHXdn6BE/s200/GM+Powermat+6.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; ; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 90px; " /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYghf1DrlI/AAAAAAADztA/_LniP2zf75o/s1600/GM+Powermat+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(173, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559166549887266386" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYghf1DrlI/AAAAAAADztA/_LniP2zf75o/s200/GM+Powermat+2.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; ; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 90px; " /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYggnLVaQI/AAAAAAADzso/RTEJYVzi5pM/s1600/GM+Powermat+5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(173, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559166534679881986" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYggnLVaQI/AAAAAAADzso/RTEJYVzi5pM/s200/GM+Powermat+5.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; ; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 90px; " /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYggHtN0LI/AAAAAAADzsY/fYgHc_xP-eg/s1600/GM+Powermat+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 102, 204); text-decoration: underline; "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559166526232055986" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYggHtN0LI/AAAAAAADzsY/fYgHc_xP-eg/s200/GM+Powermat+3.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; ; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 90px; " /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYggZyn8wI/AAAAAAADzsg/AqCKVhNlHXM/s1600/GM+Powermat+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(173, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559166531086578434" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYggZyn8wI/AAAAAAADzsg/AqCKVhNlHXM/s200/GM+Powermat+4.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; ; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 90px; " /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYghsRXRrI/AAAAAAADztI/6EZ1kOwVU2c/s1600/GM+Powermat+7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(173, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559166553227216562" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSYghsRXRrI/AAAAAAADztI/6EZ1kOwVU2c/s200/GM+Powermat+7.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; ; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 90px; " /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><b>Press Release<br /><br /><i>GM, Powermat to Put Added ‘Charge' in Chevy Volt</i></b><i><br /><br />Automaker Invests in Start-Up to Do Away With Charging Cords<br /><br />LAS VEGAS - General Motors and Powermat, a pioneer in wireless charging technology, announced a commercial agreement today that will eliminate the need for charging cords for personal electronic devices in many future Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac products beginning mid-2012.<br /><br />GM Ventures, the company's venture capital subsidiary, will invest $5 million in Powermat to accelerate the technology's development and support efforts to grow Powermat's business globally.<br /><br />Powermat's technology allows electronic devices - smart phones, MP3 players and gaming devices - to be charged safely and efficiently, according to Powermat CEO Ran Poliakine.<br /><br />The Chevrolet Volt, conceived as a reinvention of the automobile that would help reduce America's dependence on oil, while providing the assurance of an extended driving range, will be one of the first GM vehicles to offer this technology. The technology is expected to revolutionize how electronic devices are charged in a car.<br /><br />"Imagine a mat or shelf where you could put your iPhone, your Droid or other personal device and charge it automatically while you commute to work, run errands or as you're driving on a family vacation," said Micky Bly, GM's lead electronics executive, including infotainment, hybrids and battery electric vehicles.<br /><br />"The Chevy Volt will be one of the first applications, but we intend to expand it across our vehicle portfolio," Bly said.<br /><br />Powermat, a private firm, was founded in 2007 and offers wireless charging products for the home in a number of retail stores, including Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart.<br /><br />Poliakine is excited to start with the Chevrolet Volt, which has swept major Car of the Year awards to date.<br /><br />"GM is among the rarest of giants in today's business climate: a forward-thinking innovator with the courage and good sense to care about the well-being of the consumer and the well-being of our planet," Poliakine said.<br /><br />Jon Lauckner, who helped create the Volt concept and now is President of GM Ventures, has been dreaming about a technology like Powermat for years.<br /><br />"We first developed the Volt concept car in 2006," Lauckner said. "The intent was to revolutionize every aspect of the car, not just the propulsion system. We had something like this in mind even then, and we think it will have widespread appeal."<br /><br /><b>About General Motors</b><br /><br />General Motors Company (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Russia. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.<br /><br /><b>About Powermat</b><br /><br />Powermat was the first company to perfect inductive-based wireless charging and to bring it to consumers in a widely available, meaningful way via mainstream retail channels. The undisputed leader in wireless charging, Powermat leads the category in all facets including technology, retail footprint, consumer experience, and brand. Powermat allows users to enable their electronic devices once with a Powermat receiver and then set down up to three devices on the charging mat for fast, safe and effective wireless charging. It's simple, effortless, and provides consumers with first-of-its-kind freedom from the need to constantly plug/unplug as well as the angst of running on empty.</i><br /></span><p></p>

GM to offer wireless in-car phone charging pads

GM announced this week that their venture capital arm called GM Ventures will invest $5 million in a small company called Powermat. The comp...

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CES 2011: Toyota Entune Multimedia System Unveiled【Video】

<center><object height="378" width="600"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q-k9TlnZUBc"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q-k9TlnZUBc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="378" width="600"></embed></object></center><br />Toyota has unveiled the Entune infotainment system at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.<br /><br />Toyota Entune will be available as an option on select models this year. The featured apps of Toyota Entune include: Bing, iheartradio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable.com, and Pandora, as well as location-based services, such as personalized traffic, fuel prices, stocks, weather, and sports. A high quality JBL sound system is available as an option as well.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />The Toyota Entune system features an iheartradio app, which provides users with over 750 hometown stations, XM satellite radio and HD radio. It also features USB connectivity and voice recognition, so the driver can keep his focus on the road ahead.<br /><br />Entune can also read back text messages with its text-to-voice feature, and access your favorite Pandora radio stations, so it's sure to draw the eyes of those looking to other carmakers for the same functionality back to Toyota.<br /><br />Entune takes a different approach to in-car multimedia systems. Instead of duplicating many of the functions your smartphone can do, Toyota’s system is intricately tied to the device. Once you download the Entune application to your smartphone, you can use the interface on Toyota’s touch-screen display. The system is composed of multiple apps, Microsoft Bing search and a voice-recognition system that Toyota says is best in class.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ghpx-e7ywxDoQ6tqRiJQa_ny5cZddKRfoEPoOP_i9IZZxIplTG2mBRUDzRGJfJucNCghynZ3vnpU85z917sDcKeVdevdXa301RQzmvAHtpNMl2KmRxI1EMSBtTrUzPi1lcnWM_W4MDQ/s1600/entune_main_menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(51, 102, 153); "><img border="0" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ghpx-e7ywxDoQ6tqRiJQa_ny5cZddKRfoEPoOP_i9IZZxIplTG2mBRUDzRGJfJucNCghynZ3vnpU85z917sDcKeVdevdXa301RQzmvAHtpNMl2KmRxI1EMSBtTrUzPi1lcnWM_W4MDQ/s400/entune_main_menu.jpg" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; " width="130" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwbNDLEc56xnigzh_LXhxdEUG_EMH78otNOZcK9u5qD2se2QfLGZEcC1DeN4g36W4vvq7ki9M0CxONy-LKSlOCzAeL2QcrkFQ9swVfvlW9KyxWoRcFIPk2i7D_rXO4J2jF8_6LIGxtVg/s1600/entune_bing_voice_search.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(51, 102, 153); "><img border="0" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwbNDLEc56xnigzh_LXhxdEUG_EMH78otNOZcK9u5qD2se2QfLGZEcC1DeN4g36W4vvq7ki9M0CxONy-LKSlOCzAeL2QcrkFQ9swVfvlW9KyxWoRcFIPk2i7D_rXO4J2jF8_6LIGxtVg/s400/entune_bing_voice_search.jpg" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; " width="130" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nIYOFvi-5iiGpjRrVajomqh6Dqtpknltxu7HLmWJsOmxyEWXGJHEXCCLnrm-t53aWJ7zr7rGUNO09zu9sXZPbCRagkhX30oGHOxAcM5HqAIq0vdhF5XN-9zcxcBHmyGbYzyD6WlrPko/s1600/entune_pandora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(51, 102, 153); "><img border="0" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nIYOFvi-5iiGpjRrVajomqh6Dqtpknltxu7HLmWJsOmxyEWXGJHEXCCLnrm-t53aWJ7zr7rGUNO09zu9sXZPbCRagkhX30oGHOxAcM5HqAIq0vdhF5XN-9zcxcBHmyGbYzyD6WlrPko/s400/entune_pandora.jpg" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; " width="130" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQNvPlH6z_9RSQCY_bp7pb7h7vmDd26dWMhiAx_1bvU3XSMULnzwAkWYI-eA1-V3ZIS0VgUvuRYPz7rt7PoTB3Dmcs7EuNyTJzF4mfBJcxMIpTE_FhoXmivotyzarfZW8IfV3G5A6Sbs/s1600/entune_iheartradio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(51, 170, 255); "><img border="0" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQNvPlH6z_9RSQCY_bp7pb7h7vmDd26dWMhiAx_1bvU3XSMULnzwAkWYI-eA1-V3ZIS0VgUvuRYPz7rt7PoTB3Dmcs7EuNyTJzF4mfBJcxMIpTE_FhoXmivotyzarfZW8IfV3G5A6Sbs/s400/entune_iheartradio.jpg" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; " width="130" /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><b>Press Release</b><br /><br /> <div style="display: block;" class="pressrelease"> <p><strong><i>Toyota unveils Entune multimedia system at CES</i></strong></p> <p></p><ul><li><i> Toyota Offers the Largest Number of Mobile Apps with Bing, iheartradio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable.com, and Pandora</i></li><li><i> Entune Boasts Industry-Leading Advanced Conversational Voice Recognition</i></li><li><i> Toyota Entune Is Compatible with Most Smartphones and Feature Phones</i></li></ul> <i><br />LAS VEGAS - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc. today unveiled the Toyota Entune^TM multimedia system at the Consumer Electronics Show. Toyota Entune leverages the customer's mobile phone to create a rich in-vehicle experience that offers fully integrated and upgradeable entertainment, navigation, and information services. By utilizing conversational voice recognition and in-vehicle controls, the driver doesn't have to touch their mobile phone, allowing for safer connectivity. Toyota Entune simplifies the interaction for customers and will be available in select vehicles this year.<br /><br />"Consumers have grown accustomed to having the world at their fingertips through their mobile phones," said Jon Bucci, vice president of the Advanced Technology Department at Toyota. "And unlike other industry solutions, Entune allows the driver to interact with informative and entertaining mobile content without fumbling with their phone. We offer features that our customers demand and integrate them seamlessly in the vehicle."<br /><br />After downloading the Toyota Entune mobile application and pairing a Bluetooth capable phone with their Toyota vehicle, customers can begin accessing a wide variety of personalized content and services. Toyota Entune is wirelessly upgradeable, so in-vehicle applications are never obsolete. Ensuring that nearly all customers can take advantage of this new technology, Toyota Entune is compatible with a wide variety of mobile phones with a data plan. Toyota Entune key features include:<br /><br /></i><ul><li><i> Mobile Apps - Toyota Entune debuts Bing, keeping navigation continuously up to date with more than 16 million points of interest; OpenTable, make a reservation at one of 15,000 restaurants; and MovieTickets.com, buy movie tickets and read reviews. All destinations can be seamlessly sent to the navigation system. Making drivers' lives even easier, Toyota Entune delivers customizable real time traffic, fuel prices, weather, stocks and sports.</i></li></ul><ul><li><i> Music - Toyota Entune brings you more music in more ways with iheartradio's 750+ hometown stations; personalized stations with Pandora; XM satellite radio 170+ channels with coast-to-coast coverage; and introducing HD Radio, digital broadcasts of your favorite terrestrial music. Toyota Entune also offers USB connectivity for portable media players and traditional terrestrial radio.</i></li></ul><ul><li><i> Voice Recognition - Featuring a best-in-class, advanced conversational voice recognition system, Toyota Entune eliminates the need to memorize thousands of voice commands. The intuitive interface allows the driver to focus more on the road ahead.</i></li></ul> <i><br />"Toyota has always been a leader in the automotive industry, so it makes sense it would bring the latest in mobile technology to the car," said Chris Daniels, general manager of Bing for Mobile, Microsoft Corp. "By bringing Bing Maps and Bing for Mobile technology to the car, we are helping Toyota enhance the overall in-vehicle experience to be as rich and robust as possible, which means personalizing the information to each driver's needs."<br /><br /><strong>Safety Connect</strong><br />Toyota Entune continues to build on the excellent foundation laid by Safety Connect, bringing peace of mind to drivers with an added layer of more personalized and convenience-oriented features. Safety Connect is the cornerstone of Toyota's telematics systems providing Automatic Collision notification, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and Roadside Assistance on select Toyota models. Safety Connect combined with Toyota Entune offers comprehensive safety services and mobile applications not found in any other vehicle make.<br /><br /><strong>Product Availability</strong><br />Toyota Entune will be available as an option on select models this year. The featured apps of Toyota Entune include: Bing, iheartradio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable.com, and Pandora, as well as location-based services, such as personalized traffic, fuel prices, stocks, weather, and sports. Toyota Entune also includes support for read-back and replay capabilities for text messages. These are combined with a fully featured entertainment and communication system, which includes XM radio, HD Radio, CD player, USB connectivity, Bluetooth streaming and phonebook. A high quality JBL sound system is available as an option as well.</i><p></p></div><br /></span><p>

CES 2011: Toyota Entune Multimedia System Unveiled【Video】

Toyota has unveiled the Entune infotainment system at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Toyota Entune will be available as an opti...

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Ciento Once by GWA

<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXSM1NvGYH-gZ_q3QVpoNfXHnUomNRyLD326sGhYpjHI0SQ8jlsYW9MOMaI1oxREpQVerTQlR0J8dkN9h8wGN6-NS2awWPdkeiKOJU-n9FYFC0ErM-gurW5m_gJqusaZzpidtYHTU2UQ/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-11.jpg"><img height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXSM1NvGYH-gZ_q3QVpoNfXHnUomNRyLD326sGhYpjHI0SQ8jlsYW9MOMaI1oxREpQVerTQlR0J8dkN9h8wGN6-NS2awWPdkeiKOJU-n9FYFC0ErM-gurW5m_gJqusaZzpidtYHTU2UQ/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-11.jpg" width="600" /></a></center><br />GWA Tuning, a North American firm, has revealed the images of the Ciento Once. The prototype is still under development and is a revival of a famous Mercedes Gullwing prototype from the 70s. GWA has created a modern take of the same vehicle.<br /><br />The Ciento Once is built upon a tubular space frame chassis, but instead of the original Wankel diesel that powered the concept car it gets aMercedes V12 with with 408 HP mounted in the middle visible through the glass hood. It is backed by a 6-speed Cima H type transaxle and a special tuned exhaust.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Wheelbase is slightly shorter than the original at 103 inches (2616 mm) and weight is similar at 1,400 kg (3086 lbs). Brakes are the same as on the S55 Mercedes-Benz.<br /><br />The interior of the GWA Tuning Ciento Once offers carbon fiber seats, brushed aluminum pedals and illuminated door sills. the car has the same wheel-tire setup as the Mercedes SLS AMG (19x9 wheels with 265/35/19 tires at the front and 20x11 wheels with 295/30/20 tires at the rear.)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MAAXzshSbUPBpv_yO-Y7s42yQO-ytzGuQNz6cF8l9Us1iW66nWSlacglLnYq-skvMt1SDjrINAdSp9jz2MQqedBXPhC5z43pLNCPJJzj9oGDEo6B363l3zA5iLyZWlA1W5WI9EcdDbc/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GWA Tuning Ciento Once" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558873591169678210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MAAXzshSbUPBpv_yO-Y7s42yQO-ytzGuQNz6cF8l9Us1iW66nWSlacglLnYq-skvMt1SDjrINAdSp9jz2MQqedBXPhC5z43pLNCPJJzj9oGDEo6B363l3zA5iLyZWlA1W5WI9EcdDbc/s200/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-5.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 78px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1En8WZSgLAIhUL2hRUyEt9F5yjCYnaKOG8X1kfJhowCqliaWsO9KaFe1dvatlfPSc6tOkTGeKKX-fDjZBNf61SAUYeAgCjfjn5UPHsevhtC-apS_lB1RHL7tN4TyccA8Ab-SPFqVleg/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GWA Tuning Ciento Once" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558873517769104994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1En8WZSgLAIhUL2hRUyEt9F5yjCYnaKOG8X1kfJhowCqliaWsO9KaFe1dvatlfPSc6tOkTGeKKX-fDjZBNf61SAUYeAgCjfjn5UPHsevhtC-apS_lB1RHL7tN4TyccA8Ab-SPFqVleg/s200/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-6.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 78px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyKuZPP4n5JTQ9Xov3CvxqFWoRIk1GA18xBirzFeKJQTZRUXfCqrnVOho-QJOG36R0XCLV5YZrlDYXO8J0t0eL2_zjUpT1_rgxb4eqtSOeL5MzM4Wc3hAgB64ama_Mv8C8UjFY2xFeFQ/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GWA Tuning Ciento Once" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558873446989900114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyKuZPP4n5JTQ9Xov3CvxqFWoRIk1GA18xBirzFeKJQTZRUXfCqrnVOho-QJOG36R0XCLV5YZrlDYXO8J0t0eL2_zjUpT1_rgxb4eqtSOeL5MzM4Wc3hAgB64ama_Mv8C8UjFY2xFeFQ/s200/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-10.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 78px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXSM1NvGYH-gZ_q3QVpoNfXHnUomNRyLD326sGhYpjHI0SQ8jlsYW9MOMaI1oxREpQVerTQlR0J8dkN9h8wGN6-NS2awWPdkeiKOJU-n9FYFC0ErM-gurW5m_gJqusaZzpidtYHTU2UQ/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-11.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GWA Tuning Ciento Once" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558873366092007698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXSM1NvGYH-gZ_q3QVpoNfXHnUomNRyLD326sGhYpjHI0SQ8jlsYW9MOMaI1oxREpQVerTQlR0J8dkN9h8wGN6-NS2awWPdkeiKOJU-n9FYFC0ErM-gurW5m_gJqusaZzpidtYHTU2UQ/s200/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-11.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 78px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9F2Ws7ORjWQYiI40V3RS3QTzMdIkKO0iQgarVw_5u6G_lWr2lgpSxjAToOsGu2-FfX_Dc8YQnIDKazfBNtdfoQ7ZTcrt_BBCsWu2ByRhrsBVnkHwkvmAlyhb0-jhOHFeupXfJnhbaLI/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-12.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GWA Tuning Ciento Once" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558873297817444114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9F2Ws7ORjWQYiI40V3RS3QTzMdIkKO0iQgarVw_5u6G_lWr2lgpSxjAToOsGu2-FfX_Dc8YQnIDKazfBNtdfoQ7ZTcrt_BBCsWu2ByRhrsBVnkHwkvmAlyhb0-jhOHFeupXfJnhbaLI/s200/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-12.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 78px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1Jtitfj2lnnvyG3c2lbE2nT6Bjwgsk9hsMOGpot-Jtgpoq0fAXcH6OLaSIN9O0AUy2G5YCDwN8T8vCNY5-a2RPoTazqpkJRnwyxOKxjs4ltVguClTiohcRaJPielfwkRUb_oYGm_WyU/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GWA Tuning Ciento Once" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558873232965719570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1Jtitfj2lnnvyG3c2lbE2nT6Bjwgsk9hsMOGpot-Jtgpoq0fAXcH6OLaSIN9O0AUy2G5YCDwN8T8vCNY5-a2RPoTazqpkJRnwyxOKxjs4ltVguClTiohcRaJPielfwkRUb_oYGm_WyU/s200/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-13.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 78px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFZK3NK1F5ZWmXOpBpz_ghR5WshA_Zrz5rtb6wXRqIJPEfRAyBdYYkRyEMvYQSF-Dfd1U4Y2-slmk57tRZJSNwu_XEtt0ZiXoY15AvOAqrvJehe9djJ8Ml_pKX5kIuMwKZNWneBxpCNA/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-14.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GWA Tuning Ciento Once" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558873131143315106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFZK3NK1F5ZWmXOpBpz_ghR5WshA_Zrz5rtb6wXRqIJPEfRAyBdYYkRyEMvYQSF-Dfd1U4Y2-slmk57tRZJSNwu_XEtt0ZiXoY15AvOAqrvJehe9djJ8Ml_pKX5kIuMwKZNWneBxpCNA/s200/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-14.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 78px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bQU-ULNszi5100-bqS6v4_CuikqunrG9aWv8RRKZ71zIAq6NpEEEQL8ocCmIlMEv6RwQTRQ3vGkUycofKQbaTHXu7SsHehUwMliQLhPxPR1fSCYI_HqEIoALhp9CrHAOXCiOjS-PUFA/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-15.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GWA Tuning Ciento Once" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558873038043124194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bQU-ULNszi5100-bqS6v4_CuikqunrG9aWv8RRKZ71zIAq6NpEEEQL8ocCmIlMEv6RwQTRQ3vGkUycofKQbaTHXu7SsHehUwMliQLhPxPR1fSCYI_HqEIoALhp9CrHAOXCiOjS-PUFA/s200/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-15.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 78px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezaova9WPm0MI5WwCQsJrOGd9j48Q6kSfAuE78ldGAG8fN0qI11BJZmlQ3bb3zGs70wajh94yYqqREqfEX9V2bXrlC7K6aXM8ZAkTt2PM8SgEq5FtOCr7yjDTrlALUgUb6H59wBZNU5U/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-16.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GWA Tuning Ciento Once" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558872971221396034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezaova9WPm0MI5WwCQsJrOGd9j48Q6kSfAuE78ldGAG8fN0qI11BJZmlQ3bb3zGs70wajh94yYqqREqfEX9V2bXrlC7K6aXM8ZAkTt2PM8SgEq5FtOCr7yjDTrlALUgUb6H59wBZNU5U/s200/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-16.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 78px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetOnXE_bu-e2IkZbwTRLgg-ahpXg4oLek4AvXZzDuvSZDGKOvL6AUJJrc3c3Y8VymEACrZOR2nIkQ2opp2UK9zF6fVdZHnhAx_AaCQi7rSuwMCrP_YMZkkm2E2nVuJcAf96K1DIzb2UE/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GWA Tuning Ciento Once" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558872844407480466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetOnXE_bu-e2IkZbwTRLgg-ahpXg4oLek4AvXZzDuvSZDGKOvL6AUJJrc3c3Y8VymEACrZOR2nIkQ2opp2UK9zF6fVdZHnhAx_AaCQi7rSuwMCrP_YMZkkm2E2nVuJcAf96K1DIzb2UE/s200/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-4.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 78px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7lRU8bHO02xRQrQpQS8Nnx55oLW-ar01eA7bsf2Cnsbx_S3ZuyFOQTKP17M_Uo4NxiCuoH7AJck9SgBl2wQcMZFdizWQTpndkq1jMFY6SAZdtbUJqiIqtw2Z3oHDWcjGcVtUB7CWNSA/s1600/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GWA Tuning Ciento Once" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558872705133564674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7lRU8bHO02xRQrQpQS8Nnx55oLW-ar01eA7bsf2Cnsbx_S3ZuyFOQTKP17M_Uo4NxiCuoH7AJck9SgBl2wQcMZFdizWQTpndkq1jMFY6SAZdtbUJqiIqtw2Z3oHDWcjGcVtUB7CWNSA/s200/GWA-Tuning-Ciento-Once-2.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 78px;" /></a> </center><br /><br /><br /><br /><i><b>Exterior and Interior</b><br /><br />The Ciento Once will come with a body made out of high-grade aluminum and an electrically operated rear adjustable wing. Other elements that will be added to this one-off vehicle include a swooping front hood, front spoiler with large air intake, a rear diffusor, and of course, those gull wing doors.<br /><br />Comparing it to the 1970 Mercedes-Benz C111 from which it was based on, the Ciento Once will come with a slightly shorter wheelbase at 103 inches while maintaining the same weight – around 1,400 kg – as its inspiration. The one-off car also runs on GWA Type A wheels, 19X9 front and 20X11 rears, with 265/35/19 and 295/30/20 rubber.<br /><br />As for the interior, GWA Tuning gave the Ciento Once a modern take while also taking into account a vintage retro feel. Modern items include carbon fiber seats covered in plaid, an instrument panel that’s been modeled after a W120R MB, modern dashboard accents, illuminated door sills, and brushed AMG aluminum pedals.<br /><br /><b>Performance</b><br /><br />GWA Tuning certainly made sure to give the Ciento Once an engine worthy of its one-off status. Housed in a tubular space frame chassis, the car’s power plant is derived from a M120 Mercedes V12 engine that produces a robust 408 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed Cima H-type transaxle and a special tuned exhaust. Even better, the car’s powerful engine can be seen through a glass on the rear deck, making for some nice ‘ooohing’ and ‘aaahing’ from passersby.<br /><br /><b>Pricing</b><br /><br />No word yet on how much it’s going to cost, but considering it’s most likely going to be a one-off vehicle, there’s a very big chance that it’s going to come with a steep price tag. How steep? Well, we wouldn’t be surprised if it punches a number north of six digits.<br /><br /><b>Competition</b><br /><br />Scoff if you want, but if you’re in the market for a one-of-a-kind Mercedes with gullwing doors to rival your neighbor’s SLS AMG, then GWA Tuning’s Ciento Once is the perfect candidate for that. Just make sure you call ‘dibs’ on the car before everybody else.</i><br /></span><p>

Ciento Once by GWA

GWA Tuning, a North American firm, has revealed the images of the Ciento Once. The prototype is still under development and is a revival of ...

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2012 Kia Picanto

<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSM46FUt_uI/AAAAAAADzQk/UKvtNtPHiqs/s1600/2011+Kia+Picanto.jpg"><img height="399" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSM46FUt_uI/AAAAAAADzQk/UKvtNtPHiqs/s1600/2011+Kia+Picanto.jpg" width="600" /></a></center><br />Kia has released the details and images of the new generation, 2012 Kia Picanto which will have its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show.<br /><br />Designed by the company's European design team in Germany, the 2012 Kia Picanto will be available with four engine choices, ranging from 1.0-litre to 1.2-litres in capacity, among which a new three-cylinder turbo diesel. <br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Under the hood, power will be provided by "four all-new powertrains in 1.0- and 1.2-liter displacements." Details are limited, but Kia says they will all deliver "class leading CO2 emissions levels."<br /><br />Peter Schreyer, Kia’s Chief Design Officer shared: “In profile, new Picanto features significant sculpting and a very prominent rising character line. The result is a layering of light and shadow and this breaks up the height, giving the car a more sure-footed stance.”<br /><br />Source: Kia<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSM46FUt_uI/AAAAAAADzQk/UKvtNtPHiqs/s1600/2011+Kia+Picanto.jpg" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(173, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; "><img alt="2012 Kia Picanto" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558348935617969890" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSM46FUt_uI/AAAAAAADzQk/UKvtNtPHiqs/s320/2011+Kia+Picanto.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; ; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 86px; " /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSM44iJ0mEI/AAAAAAADzQc/-3_hirF_AFE/s1600/2011+Kia+Picanto+2.jpg" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 102, 204); text-decoration: underline; "><img alt="2012 Kia Picanto" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558348908997154882" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TSM44iJ0mEI/AAAAAAADzQc/-3_hirF_AFE/s320/2011+Kia+Picanto+2.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; ; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 86px; " /></a></center><br /><br /><b>Press Release</b><br /><br /> <div style="display: block;" class="pressrelease"> <p><i><strong>Next generation Kia Picanto - a design that's small but grown-up</strong><br /></i></p><ul> <li><i>Kia releases first official photos of 'mature' and 'sculpted' new model</i></li> <li><i>Next generation offered in two body styles with four all-new powertrains</i></li> <li><i>Production vehicle to be revealed at 2011 Geneva Motor Show</i></li> </ul><i> (SEOUL) January 4, 2011 - Kia Motors Corporation has released the first official photos of the next generation Picanto city car, which now offers a bolder, more mature and more self confident look. </i><p><i>Completely redesigned and re-engineered, the new car has grown in overall length and wheelbase and is set to redefine its position as one of the most competitive vehicles in its segment.</i></p> <p><i>Kia's Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, said, "In profile, new Picanto features significant sculpting and a very prominent rising character line. The result is a layering of light and shadow and this breaks up the height, giving the car a more sure-footed stance."</i></p> <p><i>Picanto has never been sold in Australia but Kia Motors Australia has not shut the door on the latest generation.</i></p> <p><i>"While there are no immediate plans to bring Picanto to Australia we have been, and will continue, to look at opportunities in areas in which we do not currently compete," Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Mr Tony Barlow, said. "The Picanto now has the advantage of being an all-new car and if it makes sense as a business case then it is certainly not off the agenda."</i></p> <p><i>While the current Picanto is available only as a five-door hatchback, the new generation version will be offered as a five-door globally while a sportier three-door body style will also be marketed in Europe.</i></p> <p><i>The new Picanto will feature four all-new powertrains in 1.0- and 1.2-litre displacements, all boasting class leading CO2 emissions levels. In addition to petrol engines, LPG bi-fuel and flex fuel variations will be available depending on market.</i></p> <p><i>The next generation Picanto will be officially unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March when further technical specifications will be available.</i></p></div><br /></span><p>

2012 Kia Picanto

Kia has released the details and images of the new generation, 2012 Kia Picanto which will have its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Intern...

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