Below you can read the press release for VAD.HO. and admire photos and even a movie with it.

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The eXasis is a real eye-catcher with nothing to hide and will be shown to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show (March 8-18, 2007).

The outer Makrolon shell, molded by the Swiss firm Mecaplex and coated with a tinge of yellow by the German hard coatings specialist, KRD, reveals the vehicle’s load-bearing aluminum chassis. The chassis looks as if it has been cut from a solid piece of material, and in fact the bulkheads are. Despite this, the entire construction exudes a sense of lightness like bamboo, underlined by a Lesonal chrome effect finish based on Bayer MaterialScience’s Desmodur� and Desmophen�. To finish the surfaces of the knobs and levers, the Bayer experts came up with a special soft-feel coating based on waterborne binders – their sole aim being to pamper the eyes and hands of the driver.

The two occupants sit in special seats designed in cooperation with Recaro. Each seat consists of twelve transparent Makrolon ribs � the same number as a human being has. The head restraint and armrests are made of transparent Technogel. The Hightex/Sellner Group, which is specialized in interior design, was responsible not only for the futuristic seat coverings and the design of the fabric-covered steering wheel, it has also added a number of other stylish highlights. One example is the innovative application of aluminized glass fiber material with a diamond-shape design on the wheel rims, trim, wishbones, fuel tank and headlamps.

The two transparent indicator and function displays are an absolute delight, both technically and optically. They seem to hover on both sides in the driver’s field of vision. By touching them, various functions can be displayed and controlled. Each of the touch-panels is made of a transparent CD/DVD Makrolon� blank that has been coated with electrically conductive Baytron� from H.C. Starck to trigger the switch functions. The displays were developed by the Swiss safety and closure system specialists, Kaba. The personalized access system to the car is also be integrated in the touch panels.

The “eXasis” is powered by an extremely lightweight, 150 bhp Weber engine driven by CO2-emission-reducing bioethanol. In view of the fact that the car weighs only 750 kg because of its lightweight plastic construction, one horsepower has to shift only 5 kg � and that is about the same as a very nippy Porsche.

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Toyota unveiled the all-new next-generation Highlander and Highlander Hybrid mid-size sport utility vehicles.

The 2008 Highlander is significantly larger, roomier and more powerful than the vehicle it replaces. Yet its fuel efficiency will be virtually unchanged. It is noticeably quieter, smarter, with improved versatility and ride comfort. It will offer the highest level of standard safety equipment in a segment where safety is at the top of purchase considerations. And, it’s all wrapped in a package designed for buyers who want to stand out and make a statement.

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The 2007 North American International Auto Show’s (NAIAS) first of three Press Days at Cobo Center kicked off today with a host of blockbuster product debuts.

See the video after jump

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General Motors Corp. unveiled a new electric vehicle concept that could nearly eliminate going to the gas station altogether.
The concept car, called the Chevrolet Volt, is a battery-powered electric vehicle that uses a gas engine to create additional electricity, thereby extending its range. The Chevy Volt draws from GM�s previous experience in starting the modern electric vehicle market when it launched the EV1 in 1996, according to GM Vice Chairman Robert A. Lutz.

The Chevrolet Volt can be fully charged by plugging it into a 110-volt outlet for approximately six hours each day. When the lithium-ion battery is fully charged, the Volt can deliver 40 city miles of pure electric vehicle range. When the battery is depleted, a 1-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged engine spins at a constant speed, or revolutions per minute (rpm), to create electricity and replenish the battery. According to Lutz, this increases the fuel economy and range.

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The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: NOS Kits for Snowmobiles and ATVs

Units: About 16

Distributor: Nitrous Oxide Systems, of Bowling Green, Ky.

Hazard: An incorrect burst disc, a component of the NOS bottle valve, may have been installed in the recalled NOS Kits. If the bottle is overfilled and overheated, it could forcefully burst, posing an impact injury hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries reported.

Description: NOS kits for these vehicles provide extra power for the engine. The recall involves certain NOS nitrous oxide systems designed for snowmobiles and ATVs. The valves were manufactured between February 1, 2006 and September 26, 2006. The date code is located on the NOS packaging.

Sold at: Nitrous Oxide Systems dealers nationwide from February 2006 through November 2006 for about $750.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled NOS system for snowmobiles and ATVs immediately and contact NOS to have the burst disc replaced. Registered owners have been notified about this recall by mail.

Consumer Contact: To return the product or for more information, please call Nitrous Oxide Systems toll-free at (800) 638-0032 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

With the official start of winter arriving, many areas of the country are faced with consistently chilly, even sub-freezing temperatures.

This time of year serves as a reminder that a drop in tire inflation pressures corresponds with the falling thermometer readings. Goodyear experts explain that air pressure in a tire typically goes down 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change.

“Odds are that many motorists haven’t checked their tire pressure since the weather began turning colder. If the last time the tire pressure was checked was during the heat of summer, with temperatures around 80 degrees, many people could be riding on severely underinflated tires without realizing it,” said Bob Toth, Goodyear marketing manager for auto tires.

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The Acura ‘Advanced Sports Car Concept’ will make its debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the division announced today. The concept provides a glimpse at the next generation Acura exotic sports car.

Additional details on the Advanced Sports Car Concept will be announced on Sunday, Jan. 7th at 1:20 pm the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The BMW Sauber F1 Team has a new super brain. Albert2, presented on Thursday to international media representatives in Hinwil, is Europe’s fastest machine used in industry according to the current Top-500 list. Albert2 is based on Intel processors and employed by the team for computational fluid dynamics (CFD). On average, it is about three times faster than its predecessor.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: “Aerodynamics has a crucial influence on the performance of modern Formula 1 cars, with experimental work in the wind tunnel and computational fluid dynamics complementing each other. The launch of Albert2 means a decisive reinforcement of our CFD capacity. Unlike other teams, we are not planning to build a second wind tunnel but will continue to bank on the consistently expanding potential in this area. For the new season, we have set the goal of further reducing the gap to the top. Our new Supercomputer based on Intel technology is an important tool supporting us in this effort.”

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The creator and patent holder of “the clear wheel” Doug McGoon and Forgiato have combined to turn this idea into a real drivable wheel.

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