Tuesday, 24 December 2013
Meet Lamborghini’s Huracán,its most technologically advanced model.
Beginning next month, Lamborghini’s successor to the outgoing Gallardo will be showcased to the world on a 60 city, 130 event tour. The 610 hp Huracán LP 610-4, which sports all-wheel-drive and a more dynamic chassis, will need to work hard to surpass the Gallardo’s ten year sales record and impress its loyal fan following.
Like most Lamborghini’s, the newest model to the Sant’Agata family is named after a fighting bull. Huracán (Spanish for hurricane) was a Spanish bull of the Conte de la Patilla breed that fought in Alicante in August 1879.
The Gallardo has been the company’s bread and butter model for the last decade, with over 14,000 vehicles sold, which gives the and the new ‘baby’ Lambo a good starting point from which to prove itself as a legitimate successor.
So what has Lamborghini done to improve upon the outgoing Gallardo? In addition to a new chassis, Lamborghini says the Huracán is its most technologically advanced model to date. Mounted amidship, the 610 hp V10 uses Lamborghini’s new ‘‘Iniezione Diretta Stratificata’’ (IDS) system that delivers both direct and indirect injections into finely honed cylinders.
The new 5.2 liter engine not only twists out 413 lb.ft (560 Nm) of torque but also reportedly delivers lower fuel use ratings and emission outputs, as compared to the Gallardo’s V10. A combined EU consumption figure of 12.5 liters /100 km (18.8 mpg) and emission outputs of 290 g/km CO2 are slated for the new car, with “Stop & Start” technology taking some credit for the improved data.
With power going to all four wheels, the Huracán is said to make 100 km/h (62 mph) in a rather lively 3.2 seconds, making it faster through the initial acceleration range than a 2012 Gallardo LP 570-4 by 0.2 seconds. The Huracán reaches 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).
Lamborghini’s rigid new “hybrid chassis” is comprised of a mix of carbon and aluminum components that result in a weight of 1,422 kg (3135 lb) and a power to weight ratio of 2.33 kg/hp (5.14 lb/hp). The outgoing Gallardo LP 560-4 does actually show a lower weight figure at 1,410 kg (3,109 lb) meaning the additional poundage must be coming from somewhere else in the build.
The exotic Spanish hurricane puts power to the road via a new 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. The LDF or ‘‘Lamborghini Doppia Frizione” transmission arrangement, in partner with the fully electronic all-wheel-drive system, allows drivers to setup the car for track or various road conditions. Like theA, drivers Aventador can access and adjust three system settings via a red switch at the 6 o'clock position on the steering wheel. Strada, Sport or Corsa modes provide an increasingly level of engine, transmission, suspension and exhaust outputs that progressively tighten up the car.
China to aim for 7.5 percent growth in 2014 as exports recover
The world's second-largest economy is widely seen growing around 7.6-7.7 percent in 2013, just ahead of the government's 7.5 percent growth target, but still near the weakest pace since the Asian 1997-98 financial crisis.
Stability remains the watchword as President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang seek to put the economy on a more sustainable footing. Li said economic growth of 7.2 percent was needed to keep a lid on unemployment.
Beijing had maintained a target for growth of 8 percent for eight years before cutting it in 2012 to 7.5 percent.
Some policy advisers believe the government may change the way it manages the economy by avoiding setting a specific growth target next year - in line with its pledge to allow market forces to play a decisive role allocating resources.
At a key party plenum in November, Chinese leaders pledged to make the most sweeping changes to the economy and the country's social fabric in nearly three decades.
"The government has said it will not intervene in allocating resources, so it will be difficult for it to set a target on economic growth," said Zhao Xijun, deputy head of the Finance and Securities Institute at Renmin University in Beijing.
"They can still refer to targets in 2013. To maintain stability means that economic growth cannot be lower than 2013 and inflation cannot be higher than 2013," he said.
STRONGER EXPORTS SEEN
The government may also stick with this year's 3.5 percent inflation target for 2014, but economists cautioned that price pressures could rise as China frees up energy and utility prices. Annual inflation in 2013 is seen at 2.6-2.7 percent, below the target.
With developed economies showing signs of sustained recovery, the government has more confidence in targeting steady economic growth next year, economists said.
The commerce ministry's think thank forecast that China's exports may grow at least 10 percent in 2014 thanks to improved global demand, especially from developed countries.
"The external environment may show some improvements from this year. Exports could grow 10 percent or slightly faster," Li Jian, head of foreign trade research of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told Reuters.
Source: Reuters
Advance Report on Durable Goods Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories and Orders November 2013
Source: US Department of Commerce
Asian markets closed higher
Japanese stocks rallied to a six-year closing high on Tuesday, after cruising past 16,000 for the first time since 2007.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 18 points or 0.12% at 15,889 after earlier breaching 16,000 for first time in six years.
The broader Topix fell 4 points at 1,257 while the Hang Seng added 257 points or 1.13% at 23,179 as concern about a cash crunch in China eased. Markets in Hong Kong closed early on Tuesday for the Christmas holiday.
Stocks on the move included industrial robot maker Fanuc, up 1.8% while telecommunications giant KDDI bulked up 3.1%. Camera maker Canon advanced 1% helped by a resilient dollar.
In currency news, the yen eased slightly against the dollar on Tuesday and was last seen trading at around ¥104.20.
Otherwise investors were keeping a close eye on China's benchmark money market rate in the wake of a spike in the interest rate markets. The recent surge, to levels not seen since June, underlined the difficulties faced by China's central bank in managing the financial system.
The People's Bank of China boosted funds for the first time in three weeks, although jitters remain about a cash crunch.
Hong Kong listed telecom companies moved ahead on news of fee reductions by regulators. China Unicom climbed 1.8%, China Mobile firmed 0.5% while China Telecom rose 1.7%.
Source: LiveCharts
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 18 points or 0.12% at 15,889 after earlier breaching 16,000 for first time in six years.
The broader Topix fell 4 points at 1,257 while the Hang Seng added 257 points or 1.13% at 23,179 as concern about a cash crunch in China eased. Markets in Hong Kong closed early on Tuesday for the Christmas holiday.
Stocks on the move included industrial robot maker Fanuc, up 1.8% while telecommunications giant KDDI bulked up 3.1%. Camera maker Canon advanced 1% helped by a resilient dollar.
In currency news, the yen eased slightly against the dollar on Tuesday and was last seen trading at around ¥104.20.
Otherwise investors were keeping a close eye on China's benchmark money market rate in the wake of a spike in the interest rate markets. The recent surge, to levels not seen since June, underlined the difficulties faced by China's central bank in managing the financial system.
The People's Bank of China boosted funds for the first time in three weeks, although jitters remain about a cash crunch.
Hong Kong listed telecom companies moved ahead on news of fee reductions by regulators. China Unicom climbed 1.8%, China Mobile firmed 0.5% while China Telecom rose 1.7%.
Source: LiveCharts
| LAST | CHANGE | % CHG | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get index data by Email | ||||
| Japan: Nikkei 225 | 15889.33 | 18.91 | 0.12% | |
| Hang Seng | 23179.55 | 257.99 | 1.13% | |
| Shanghai Composite | 2092.91 | 3.20 | 0.15% | |
| S&P BSE Sensex | 21032.71 | -68.32 | -0.32% | |
| Australia: S&P/ASX | 5327.20 | 35.30 | 0.67% | |
| Source: | wsj | |||
| 7 | ||||
French GDP contracted 0.1% Q/Q during Q3
French gross domestic product contracted at an 0.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter clip during the three months ended in September, according to the latest data published by INSEE.
That was as expected by economists.
Foreign trade rose sharply, at a 1.0% rate over the quarter, recovering from the swoon seen in the previous quarter, as exports again sped ahead quickly, at a 2.5% pace.
However, an 0.8% quarter-on-quarter contraction in the amount of stocks held compensated almost completely for the above, as the inventory cycle seemingly reverted. Gross capital information slipped by 1.2%.
A 1.4% rise in public sector consumption failed to offset a 0.4% drop in households´ expenditure.
Source: LiveCharts
That was as expected by economists.
Foreign trade rose sharply, at a 1.0% rate over the quarter, recovering from the swoon seen in the previous quarter, as exports again sped ahead quickly, at a 2.5% pace.
However, an 0.8% quarter-on-quarter contraction in the amount of stocks held compensated almost completely for the above, as the inventory cycle seemingly reverted. Gross capital information slipped by 1.2%.
A 1.4% rise in public sector consumption failed to offset a 0.4% drop in households´ expenditure.
Source: LiveCharts
French consumer Spending rebounds in November due to higher energy
French consumer spending rebounded in November due to higher energy spending, according to data published on Tuesday by the France's national statistics office Insee.
Specifically, consumer spending rebounded 1.4% month-on-month, after October data was revised to record a 0.1% drop. Consensus was looking for a 0.4% increase.
The jump was based on a 7.5% increase in energy spending while spending on food and durable goods dropped 0.6% and 0.3%, respectively.
The Eurozone's second largest economy has been called the "sick man of Europe" by experts at Markit after the latest purchasing managers' index (PMI) was published. The French government also confirmed on Tuesday that the economy contracted 0.1% in the third quarter.
French officials still expect the country to return to growth in the fourth quarter.
Source: LiveCharts
Specifically, consumer spending rebounded 1.4% month-on-month, after October data was revised to record a 0.1% drop. Consensus was looking for a 0.4% increase.
The jump was based on a 7.5% increase in energy spending while spending on food and durable goods dropped 0.6% and 0.3%, respectively.
The Eurozone's second largest economy has been called the "sick man of Europe" by experts at Markit after the latest purchasing managers' index (PMI) was published. The French government also confirmed on Tuesday that the economy contracted 0.1% in the third quarter.
French officials still expect the country to return to growth in the fourth quarter.
Source: LiveCharts
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