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Building a vehicle capable of going 1,000 miles per hour on land isnt something you do overnight. The folks behind the Bloodhound SSC project have been working toward reaching that insane speed since 2008 with the first record attempt still a year away. The goal is to go to the Hakskeen Pan in South Africa and obliterate the current land-speed record of about 763 mph, and to do it, the Bloodhound packs the same jet engine found in the Eurofighter Typhoon and a rocket to produce a combined 21 metric tons of thrust at full gallop. With that kind of power situated a few feet behind his head, driver Andy Green has a state-of-the-art cockpit to keep it all under control, and hes showing it off in a recent video.

As you can see in the image above, the interior looks more like something out of a sci-fi spaceship than a car. The whole thing has been sculpted specifically to fit Green; even the steering wheel was printed from powdered titanium to match the shape of his hands perfectly. The heart of the setup is the center screen that acts as a speedometer and thrust gauge for the engines. Its amazing how much work and engineering is going into this project, and its definitely worth scrolling down to watch Green explain it all on video.

The 120 hp diesel is the new entry-level model in the CR-V.


After the Civic , the new 1.6-liter diesel engine with 120 horsepower is now available in the large CR-V. The new CR-V entry-level model is only available with front-wheel drive and in conjunction with a manual 6 -speed transmission . As the new diesel engine to the spacious SUV fits .

Honda CR-V with ABS , ESP and six airbags already a Bergan and hill descent control , active cornering lights , 18 " alloy wheels , an alarm system , a parking assistant at front and rear, light and rain sensor , xenon headlights, Leder/Alcantara- seat cushion , a premium sound system with 360 watts of power, a reversing camera , heated front seats , cruise control , a High-Beam Assistant , electrically adjustable , - heated and foldable exterior mirrors and much more.

Looking into the interior, the CRV presents a very high quality and actually moves already in the premium segment , which is also the very good noise reduction underscores . The CR-V can also score with good clarity and a very tidy work space for the driver. You can find his way not only right away, you also feel from the first second to the CR-V very well .

The elevated seating position , a large center armrest and the very comfortable seats with Alcantara / leather upholstery provide comfort . Very good of us handily positioned gear lever and the variety have fallen to practical storage .

One of the many advantages of the CR-V is actually his space. On a length of 457 cm will find all passengers from a very generous amount of space , in this case the CR-V trumps even the most larger SUV. So also with the luggage space is 589 liters also very generously sized. By simply folding down the rear bench can be the trunk even up to 1,669 liters and larger so already make many compact MPV competition. A practical Rollo, a double bottom and an outlet round the usefulness of the CR-V cargo compartment further.

Now the question still remains to be clarified whether such a large SUV with about 1.6 tons is motorized enough even with the 120 hp diesel. Honda the worlds largest engine manufacturer is only entered very late in the diesel engine production for cars, but has already delivered with the 2.2 liter diesel an excellent unit .

Viewed paper the 120 hp ( 88 kW ) and maximum torque of 300 Nm at 2,000 r / min seem not bad , but not exactly overwhelming. The big surprise follows only if one has laid the first few meters back . Right after starting the engine surprised with a very high running smoothness and the fact that hardly any engine noise penetrating into the interior , which then even at higher speeds that way.

Even with the liveliness surprised the CR-V very positive with the small diesel engine . Even under 2,000 r / min sprints diesel very quickly and with much energy going on. According to plant the sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in 11.2 seconds , felt it is considerably faster on the road . The top speed is 182 km / h and thus should also be sufficient .

The manual 6- speed gearbox is translated surprisingly long, and the highest gear is called for only around 80 km / h the shift recommendation display . In addition to switching the recommendation of the speedometer is bordered on either side of a light strip that changes color depending on driving style . Is it sparingly on the road, the border glows green , signaling in addition , that the vehicle is moving very efficient.

The next positive surprise we experience then also in consumption . According to plant the CR - V will be satisfied with the new 1.6 -liter diesel that is 4.7 liters per 100 kilometers , and this value can also be implemented without sacrificing driving pleasure.

During our tests, we are in fact come to a value of 5.3 liters , with the start of the test drive our CR-V not even had 1000 km on the speedometer and thus must be taken into account by around 0.5 to 1.0 liter consumption. With this consumption in combination with vehicle category and space the CR-V is currently unbeatable economical way.

During the driving comfort of the CR-V can also convince . Chassis and suspension are all designed for a comfortable progress towards the road situation is still very good for an SUV . Even in fast cornering , the CR - V remains docile and barely shows a tendency to roll . Even without the four-wheel drive so you got along very well , only when driving off-road disadvantages would arise .

The good clarity is then reinforced with the standard parking assistant at front and rear and the rear camera so that the CR-V can be allocated with millimeter precision in narrow streets of the city without any problems.

The Honda CR-V with the new diesel engine so it can convince the entire length and offers a very high value for their money. He not only offers maximum space , an over complete equipment and perfect sound insulation , the engine is also very sophisticated and economical and can still come up with good performance .

Photo Credit: © Honda

The Toyota Prius + is the version of "family" worlds best selling hybrid car, increased both in length and height, but also has 7 seats and a luggage compartment which if necessary can accommodate 1,750 liters of cargo. To create the first hybrid families Toyota engineers have developed with Panasonic lithium batteries that weigh 34 kg and steal just a little placed between the two front seats. All the rest is dedicated to the load and the habitability for 5 people, expandable to 6 or 7 passengers in case of need. Curiosity about this unusual type of "wagon electrified" led us to try out the richest and equipped, the Toyota Prius + 1.8 HSD Lounge which has a list price of 32,200 euro basis. It was a test a little longer than average, avendoci engaged for almost 2,500 km, but to fully understand the spirit of this Prius really need to drive it.

MODERN DESIGN
It is often said that the first impression is what counts in the case of the Prius + it is probably even more true. We must say that it is difficult to fall in love with edgy design of the Toyota Prius and a first look tends to leave indifferent fans of "nice cars", but this is not its main purpose. Its beauty is indeed in other eyes, those of those seeking spacious car for the family, ecological and low power consumption. In reality, the hybrid style is modern throughout, with the front and gritty "frowning" that echoes the design of the new Yaris and Auris. The complex headlights with LED daytime running lights and large vertical taillights go along with blued details typical of Toyota hybrid and contribute to a good overall design is complete, in the case of the test car, the rims 17 "ten-spoke. Only the rear looks a bit unbalanced and out of the general design language, but overall the forms "elongated hatchback" are original.

SPACESHIP SPACE FOR 7 PEOPLE
The same is also evident in the original, that for the less accustomed to the hybrid Toyota-Lexus can be almost futuristic. In the face of the instrument panel to the raised center of the dashboard and a lever of the automatic transmission that can bring a smile to their form and color blue, but there is the simple quality of the materials that we have used the Japanese. The Toyota Prius 1.8 HSD + Lounge is in fact equipped with various plastic finish and color who tend to do more of their function to satisfy the senses of the passengers. Door panels, dashboard, seats and sky are well made and sturdy, but those looking for frills elegant finishes or "chic" here is confused. Space on board is wide and the height for the head always abundant, and to give further light passenger thinks twice panoramic roof made of plastic. The driver has at its disposal a steering wheel design unconvincing and a series of more than 50 buttons that can be confusing. Too bad because the driving position is well designed and comfortable, although the seats prove a bit hard. The seats are uncomfortable and harder but those reserved for the occupants of the second row, they have available seats also widely adjustable backrest inclination, but thin and slightly padded. The luggage compartment accessible from the large hatch is large and well exploited in setting up 5 places, but if you are traveling in 7 is reduced to a small room where to put coats and handbags.

JUST YOU AND PROFITABLE go along with 4.8 L/100 KM
The futuristic aspect of the bridge, however, is just a taste of that very special way of driving which requires the Prius +. Only those who go to Toyota or Lexus hybrid can indeed understand what it means to adapt to the style of driving a car instead of imposing their own way of doing. The structure is well balanced and secure the steering is adequate, braking is powerful, but it all comes to the driver in a filtered, remote-controlled, as you were in command of a ship rather than behind the wheel of a car. The driving behavior of the Prius +, just like the Prius sister, delete any ambition sport and sends a feedback really muffled what is the state of the asphalt, the traveling speed or the triggering of an almost non-existent roll. Traveling the Toyota Prius + 1.8 HSD Lounge appears almost heavy, with a soft structure supported by a steering equally soft, but with little feeling and well away from any idea of ​​sportsmanship. It is this distance from any emotion driving may be for some the most difficult psychological hurdle to overcome, but for those seeking calm and pace "risparmiosa" is hard to find better. As for energy saving, the Toyota Prius HSD + 1.8 Lounge is indeed a first class, making forgive the lack of emotion with great satisfaction at the gas pump. In the course of our long test on a mixed route, the Prius + has scored an average consumption of 4.8 l/100 km in Eco mode, very good considering the 7 seats available and the tonnage of the car that exceeds 1,500 kg. Applicandoci virtuous in driving style "economy run" in suburban locations than a hundred kilometers we got a minimum consumption of 3.6 l/100 km, while driving with no particular qualms about traffic is difficult to consume more than 6.0 l/100 km. Always lower the distance in purely electric mode EV, rarely more than 1 km. Overall, therefore, the Toyota Prius + 1.8 HSD Lounge we tested is a perfect family car, spacious and comfortable, with excellent fuel efficiency as a diesel, but not recommended for drivers who love the most dynamic sports driving. You can tell in the first ascents or as soon as you try to beat heavy on the accelerator when the car seems to complain and point out with a sound unpleasant that this is not the right way to drive it.

34,100 EURO, full optional
The Toyota Prius 1.8 HSD Lounge has a list based on 32,200 euro, including automatic climate control system (not dual-zone), four electric windows, automatic, dual sunroof, cruise control, automatic transmission, 7 seats, reversing camera, Head-up monochrome display and multimedia system Toyota Touch screen 6.1 ", Bluetooth, USB and Aux and steering wheel controls. The car we tested was more Silver metallic paint (500 €), alloy wheels 17 "with tires 215/50 R17 which cost another 450 euro and a navigation screen integrated into the central Navi Box Plus (950 euro). The total has thus risen to 34,100 euro, which is not low at all, but still adequate for a hybrid for large loads. Just a quick comparison with the only rivals on the market, which is the French diesel + electric (Peugeot 3008, 508 and Citroen DS5 HYbrid4), to understand that the figure of 34,100 euro is not out of this world and the technology of this already looking to the future you pay for.

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