The Volkswagen NILS Single Seat Electric Concept

Volkswagen NILS

The Volkswagen NILS is a single seat electric concept vehicle featuring an aluminium space frame, wing doors and free standing wheels.

Offering a range of 40 miles and a top speed of 80mph, the Volkswagen NILS is ideal for commuters. Figures from the German Bureau of Statistics, 73.9% of all commuters in Berlin and Munich cover under 15.5 miles on their way to work.

The Volkswagen NILS is 3.04 metres long, 0.39 metres wide wheel to wheel and 1.2 metres tall and weighs 460kg. The 17 inch alloy wheels are equipped with 115/80 (front) and 125/80 (rear) tyres optimised for low rolling resistance.

The electric motor provides 15kW nominal power and short term peak power of 25kW, allowing a 0-100km/h time of under 11 seconds with a top speed of 130km/h. The lithium ion battery capacity of 5.3kWh allows for a driving range of up to 65km.

The steering of the Volkswagen NILS is mechanical - due to the weight, no power assistance is required - giving go-kart like handling. The car features double wishbone suspension at front and back with ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme).

The Volkswagen NILS features an automatic distance control system utilising radar sensors to scan the area about 200 metres in front of the vehicle and uses brake interventions to maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front. The vehicle can be slowed using the four disc brakes as well as electric traction by the electric motor and battery regeneration.

The instrument cluster is a seven in TFT display with speed shown in the middle with energy flow represented by bars. The screen also displays information about the driving range. The second central instrument is a Portable Infotainment Device, like the one found on the Volkswagen Up!. The unit can be snapped into the A pillar to the right of the instrument cluster. Controlled by touchscreen, the system provides navigation, radio, media, telephone and trip computer. The PID will calculate the expected driving range and will provide both the route and a radius to show potential destinations which can be reached with the current charge.

The Volkswagen NILS features bi-xenon headlights, with LED indicator lights and daytime running lights. The rear lights are integrated in the rear section like small wings.

A New Three Year Brand Campaign Announced By Infiniti

Infiniti FX

Infiniti has launched a new multimedia campaign 'Since now, the perfect line is a curve' which will span the next three years. The initiative communicates that Infiniti is resetting the time on conventional approaches to design and performance, introducing a new approach to both utilising aesthetic and powerful aspects of curves.

The new brand campaign will be rolled out across principal markets including the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy, is part of a new plan to raise awareness with the global marketing partnership with the Red Bull Racing Formula One team and appointing Sebastian Vettel as their Global Brand Ambassador.

The new promotion sets Infiniti up as a 'challenger' brand, placing equal focus on design and performance credentials. Building on Infiniti's official tagline of 'Inspired Performance', the creative theme is based on the curves inherent in every model which enhances both the look and performance of the cars.

The media plan is extensive reaching 80% of ABC1 Adults 35+ and is active all the way through to December to maintain presence throughout the key sales periods.

Infiniti will be shown on television in the UK from 3rd September 2011 with three advertisements on ITV1, Channel 4 and Sky channels, featuring the Infiniti M35h as well as the FX and EX crossover models. The commercials will run alongside Infiniti's sponsorship of the Wednesday Selection on Eurosport, the pan-European television sport network.

Jean-Pierre Diernaz, Marketing Director, Infiniti Europe, says: "As well as raising awareness of the Infiniti marque in Europe, this campaign is about building brand familiarity so consumers understand what sets us apart from the competition. The promotion embodies the brand’s entire essence, articulating the design aesthetic with an emphasis on sensuality and curvaceousness, and most importantly, Infiniti's performance philosophy. The sheer driving pleasure of a car is achieved when there is an organic bond between driver and machine, attained through an almost philosophical understanding of the attention to detail that creates a sensational driving experience. This campaign supports this message in a highly impactful way."

NASCAR stars say no disrespect for Obama

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  Driver Kevin Harvick looks on in the garage during preparations for Sunday's NASCAR …

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) — Four NASCAR stars will take a pass on meeting President Obama at the White House.

It doesn't have anything to do with politics.

When word got out that Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards wouldn't be going to the White House next Wednesday, it sparked plenty of chatter on talk shows and social media networks. There was speculation the four were making some sort of protest about Obama's policies on behalf of a generally conservative sport.

Nonsense, insisted Biffle, who said he has to go to a two-day retreat in Minnesota for 3M, the major sponsor of his No. 16 car. The event has been scheduled for months and will be attended by clients from around the world.

"I saw some comments that we rejected the invitation," Biffle said Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. "To me, that's not what we did. Rejecting means, 'No, I don't want to go. I'm not going to go. You can't make me go.' That's rejecting. Having a conflict and not being able to participate is something different."

Stewart also had a scheduling conflict, though he declined to go into details.

"Trust me, if we could be there, we'd definitely be there," he said. "I've always viewed it as an honor just to get an invitation to go. I've enjoyed every trip every time I've gone there. I've learned more and more about it. And it's pretty cool feeling to be with most powerful man in the world. That's not an invitation we take lightly."

Eight other drivers who made last year's Cup playoff, including five-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson, plan to be there along with NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France.

"Regardless of political views, when (president of the United States) sends an invite and wants to honor you at the White House, you accept," Johnson wrote on Twitter, accompanied by a hash tag with the word "respect." He added that some fans had complained about him accepting an invitation from Obama.

Biffle and Stewart pointed out they've been to the White House several times, meeting both former President George W. Bush and Obama, who was inaugurated in 2009.

"I've been there since he's been in office," Biffle said. "I've got a handshake picture with the president and I in the bookcase in my office, right behind my desk."

Stewart said he wasn't "going to put anybody under the bus by talking about" his conflicting plans, but insisted it was something he couldn't break or change. Otherwise, he would have been at the White House.

"Every time I go, I learn more about each room," Stewart said. "If you get the chance, you should go. It's really worth it."

Jeff Burton is among the drivers who will be meeting with the Democratic president, even though he's thought to harbor future political ambitions as a Republican.

This isn't about politics, Burton said.

"I worked really hard to free up my schedule when I got the invitation because, to me, it's important for the president of the United States to invite NASCAR to come so he can honor us," he said. "I mean, that's really what this is. A lot of people have turned this around like we're going to honor the president. The president asked us to come to honor us. That's a hell off a compliment for our sport and us as individual drivers and teams."

Harvick said it's a tough time of year to find some spare time in his already crowded schedule. The Washington visit was scheduled three days before the race at Richmond, Va., that will set the 12-driver field competing for the Sprint Cup championship.

"Most everything we do is scheduled months in advance," Harvick said. "I have been to the White House before and it's an honor just to go the White House and be in the Oval Office and on the premises at the White House. I understand the honor. Just with everything we have going on right now, there is no way to reschedule the things we have going next week."

Such as?

"I don't think that is anyone's business," Harvick said. "It is just a bad week for us."

Some media outlets reported that Kurt Busch wouldn't be going to the White House, either. Not so. His team rescheduled an important photo shoot for next year's merchandise and marketing campaigns, a session that must be done by the end of the month to get everything ready before the team heads to Daytona for the start of the 2012 season.

"All along, it was my intention to go," Busch said. "Who's going to turn down an opportunity to go to the White House? For me, it's an honor and a privilege. I have met both Bush and Obama. To be a Chase driver and go to the White House, that's an important visit. You might not make the Chase every year and miss out on those opportunities."

Burton said all the debate about NASCAR's visit to the White House symbolizes a larger divide within the country.

"Ten years ago, after 9-11, this country was unified. This country was together," he said. "Today, we're sitting here talking as if someone, for political reasons, is going or not going to the White House. And we wonder why this country is in trouble. We can point the finger and blame all the people in Washington. Well, maybe we need to look in the damn mirror a little bit. Really. It's our country."

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