Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, today unveiled two new concept cars that move the Swedish brand in an audacious new direction and mark the official launch of its global small car strategy.
Today’s newly-revealed 40 series concepts demonstrate for the first time how Volvo Cars plans to expand into the large and lucrative global market for premium small cars with a range of vehicles that combine bold exterior and interior design with industry-leading connectivity, electrification and autonomous drive technologies.
The new concept cars will be the first built around Volvo Cars’ new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which has been specially created for smaller cars and which has liberated the company’s designers and engineers to explore bold and daring new directions.
“Each member of our product family has its own distinct character, just like the members of a real family. CMA has helped us to capture something special, something youthful in our new concept cars. They have an energy, a disruptive and engaging urban character that makes them stand out amongst the crowd. This is the flavour of small Volvos to come,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design, at Volvo Car Group.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7837051-volvo-new-range-of-smaller-cars/
When it comes to home décor, one of the easiest ways to update a room is with a fresh coat of paint. This year, FrogTape® brand painter’s tape is proving how simple it is to heighten your home’s appeal with the inaugural Paintover Challenge™ room makeover contest. The contest runs through May 25 and tests the design skills of six DIY home décor bloggers as they transform a space in need of a makeover.
The challenge is simple; all six bloggers must makeover their space using three things: paint, painter’s tape and a $1,000 budget. To up the ante, each blogger has been assigned one of the 2016 FrogTape® Design Trends identified by celebrity interior designer, Taniya Nayak, as this year’s hottest styles for the home. The process will be documented on their blogs and on paintoverchallenge.com with before, during and after shots of the room transformations. The winning blogger will be selected through public voting – which begins May 31 – and will receive $5,000 to donate to their favorite charity and appear in an upcoming national FrogTape® magazine advertisement. The winner will be announced on June 27.
“With the launch of the FrogTape® Paintover Challenge™, we’re hoping to inspire both expert and novice DIYers alike to step out of their comfort zone and push their creative limits – while showcasing the diversity of paint and painter’s tape,” said Allison Shagovac, influencer marketing manager, ShurTech Brands, LLC. “The participating bloggers each have their own unique styles and personalities, and we can’t wait to see what they create as they compete for a good cause.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7721331-frog-tape/
For decades, the Star Wars universe has been the home of epic encounters just as children’s rooms. Children’s rooms just need plenty of daylight during the day and dark environments at bedtime to ensure a good night’s sleep. Continuing their successful design collaboration, Disney and the VELUX Group meet the demands of modern children’s rooms with their “Star Wars & VELUX Galactic Night Collection”.
The new blind collection introduces a series of four total blackout blinds featuring popular Star Wars characters and adds home interior to the world’s most successful entertainment concepts.
The dual function of playroom and bedroom calls for high-benefit products when decorating modern children’s rooms and the collection is designed to fulfil these multiple needs, the dreams of playful children, for creativity and rest.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7781851-star-wars-velux-galactic-night-collection/
Martin Amado is a TV personality, interior decorator, lifestyle expert, and contributing writer on the subject of home décor. For over ten years, he’s been the host/designer on the home makeover segment, Room for Improvement, seen on WSVN 7 News, a FOX affiliate station in Miami, FL. In addition to his work in the general market as a host/designer for HGTV (Home & Garden Network) on shows such as Small Space, Big Style and Decorating Cents, Martin has been featured on numerous Spanish-language media platforms airing nationally in the United States and throughout Latin America. He is currently a home décor contributor to Un Nuevo Día, Telemundo’s national morning program. Prior to that, he was the lead designer on Decorando Contigo airing for five seasons on Galavisión. His decorating segments have been featured on FOXLife on programs such as Tu Vida Más Simple and Hogar Express. He was chosen by Moen, the #1 faucet brand in the United States, to be their Home Décor & DIY Expert for three consecutive years on their SaturDIY: Moen Makeover webisode series for the general market. Most recently, he can be seen co-hosting on ION Television and on HuffPost Voces.Com as their DIY expert on the Baño Chic and Hogar Chic webisode series. Martin has shared his decorating and lifestyle tips in the pages of Vista Magazine, People En Español, Latina Magazine, TV y Novelas, HuffPost Voces and Qué Rica Vida. His experience also includes being an On-Air Guest Expert for the HGTV Home brand on the Home Shopping Network. He draws on his keen eye for design, experience as a visual merchandiser, and savvy shopping skills to help homeowners realize that a beautifully-decorated space can be within their reach. Martin works exclusively with clients through his home styling company, The WOW Factor!, Inc., where he specializes in one-day makeovers and working with a minimal budget to achieve the decorator look for less! Please visit www.martinamado.com for additional information and press including features inside People En Español and other publications. You may follow him on Twitter @martinamadotv, join his Facebook fan page: Martin Amado: Home Décor & Lifestyle Expert, subscribe to his YouTube channel: Martin Amado and follow him on Instagram: @martinamadotv for more decorating tips and ideas.
Top Hybrids and Electric Cars Must Buy 2016 [ Buying Guide ]
Top Recommended Hybrids and Electric Cars
List Car you need to buy:
====== 2016 Tesla Model S ========
We owned a 2013 Tesla Model S for 18 months and despite numerous dealer visits and maintenance issues, we were ultimately sad to see it go. It's quick, comfortable, quiet, spacious, and can tote as much cargo as some crossover SUVs. The "85" version can go 265 miles on a charge, so range anxiety is a nonissue. We even drove ours from L.A. to New York in less than three days using Tesla's free Supercharger quick-charge network. We definitely have gripes, including some underwhelming interior trim pieces and a lack of small item storage. There's also the below-average reliability, although our dealer experiences were exceptional. So even though it's not perfect, the Model S remains our favorite electric car.
============2016 Kia Soul EV============
Kia's first real foray into the electric vehicle world is a success. In fact, the funky Soul is arguably more appealing when it swaps out its internal combustion engine for an electric motor. In our testing, the Soul EV went farther on a charge than its similarly sized and priced competitors, and then recharged quickly thereafter. It also doesn't suffer a reduction in cargo space versus the non-EV Soul, meaning it provides the utility of a small SUV rather than that of a small hatchback like its rivals. A long warranty and generous features are other benefits.
===============2015 BMW i3=============
BMW's i3 is a remarkable vehicle. Its main structure is made of light yet strong carbon fiber instead of the usual steel or aluminum. This helps reduce the i3's weight, which pays dividends for both electric range and performance. With its electric motor in back and the battery under the floor, the i3 boasts sporty acceleration and handling.
======= 2015 BMW i8 ===========
You want your plug-in hybrid to be a head-turning sports car? Look no further than the BMW i8, the two-door supercar for the environmentally conscious. Like the more attainable BMW i3, the i8 is built around a carbon-fiber passenger cell. But in the i8 an electric motor drives the front wheels and a turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine pushes from behind.
===== Luxury Hybrid 2016 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid =====
Porsche's flagship sedan is the Panamera, a low-slung four-door with a hatchback trunk. The 2016 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is the plug-in hybrid version, and it offers 16 miles of pure electric driving before the supercharged 3.0-liter gasoline V6 engine takes over. Acceleration, handling and braking are pure Porsche, which is something of a trick for a car this large. It's perfect for those shoppers
======= Hybrid SUV 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid =========
No other automaker bothers to offer a hybrid version of its three-row SUV. But Toyota's Highlander Hybrid doesn't earn a spot in our Buying Guide purely by default. It continues to show just how well the hybrid formula can be applied to a big, family-friendly crossover SUV. The hybrid version earns a 28 mpg combined estimate, or 7-8 mpg better than the V6-powered Highlander. In addition to that, the Highlander Hybrid offers solid build quality, respectable acceleration, a sophisticated and quiet ride quality and plenty of standard and available features.
====== 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2016 Toyota Prius =====
Substantial changes last year vaulted the Toyota Camry Hybrid onto our top-recommended list. Although it doesn't quite match the fuel economy of some competitors, the real-world cost of that difference is negligible. Plus, dismissing the Camry simply because of an mpg or two would mean missing out on an otherwise compelling sedan. Comfort remains a Camry priority, but this latest Camry Hybrid also handles pretty well.
====== Hybrid Cars 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid / Energi =====
The 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a great choice for car shoppers who are new to hybrids. It's quiet, comfortable and feels very much like a normal family sedan, while delivering the fuel economy you expect from a hybrid. It's also a Ford Fusion, which means you also get impressive refinement, good road manners and plenty of standard and available high-tech features.
======= 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf =====
Among entry-level EVs, the Volkswagen e-Golf is our favorite. It handles well, has a handsome interior, delivers class-competitive range and has the optimal equipment for quick battery recharging. What's even better, cargo space is unchanged from the non-EV Golf because the batteries are located under the floor.
Regional winners of the Rotten Sneaker Contest® gathered at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Times Square for the 2016 national competition. Six contestants from across the country, ages seven to thirteen, went head-to head in New York City today to show off their foul smelling sneakers for a chance to win the national title. But only one pair of sneakers could be crowned the winner and they belonged to 12 year old, Mason Young-Hiss, from Berthoud, CO.
The Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest is the ultimate test that shows how offensive kids’ sneakers can get when they are playing outdoors, splashing through puddles, slogging through mud and more. The contest has a long history (over 40 years) and kids from across the country look forward to this annual event in their hometown. Participants take pride in mucking up their shoes to stand out from their competitors to ultimately win over the judges. Sneakers are judged on the interior and exterior conditions of the shoe, and most importantly odor, by a professional panel that includes NASA “Master Sniffer” George Aldrich, Chemical Specialist for NASA space missions, and Rachel Herz, Ph.D., an expert and author on the psychology of smell. Additionally, Brittany Every, Marketing Manager of Ripley’s Believe Or Not! Times Square joined the expert judges this year. Brittany is accustomed to seeing the unexpected and unusual at Ripley’s so she was up for the task.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7720051-odor-eaters-rotten-sneaker-contest/
Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the all-new 2017 Optima Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) at the Chicago Auto Show. Kia’s first PHEV joined two other fuel-efficient additions to the brand’s growing line-up of eco-friendly vehicles, including the all-new 2017 Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle (HUV) and all-new 2017 Optima Hybrid (HEV), all three of which are being introduced under the Kia Motors EcoDynamics environmentally friendly sub-brand. A host of new technologies and features in the Kia Optima PHEV, including a more powerful hybrid engine, a smarter and more robust telematics system, exterior design enhancements, and greater interior refinement, all combine to deliver a superior hybrid drive experience.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7731854-kia-optima-plug-in-hybrid-chicago-auto-show/
Today, Pardee Homes, a member of TRI Pointe Group, announced the completion of the Responsive Home project, in partnership with BUILDER Magazine, to design, build and sell the ideal home for today’s young home buyers. The two, new concept homes will be unveiled during this week’s NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in Las Vegas. Located in suburban Henderson, Nevada, just a few minutes away from the urban conveniences of the Las Vegas strip, the 2,145-square-foot Contemporary Farmhouse and the 3,194-square-foot Contemporary Transitional cater to Millennials’ desires for design and performance at a price point that young buyers can appreciate. Built in partnership with architect Bassenian Lagoni; landscape architects, AndersonBaron; along with celebrity interior designer Bobby Berk, the project’s Creative Director and fellow Millennial; the Responsive Homes maximize new home owners’ financial investment by increasing the longevity of the home’s lifespan. The concept homes are located within the master-planned Inspirada community and will be available for purchase in spring 2016.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7734751-responsive-home-project-millennials/
Over the summer, architects, contractors and designers have been busy with an incredible home transformation on the sunny coast of Florida to bring fans the first ever HGTV® Dream Home Giveaway renovation. The sneak peek at this beautiful, one-of-a-kind makeover is now available at hgtv.com/hgtvdreamhome.
The waterfront property is shaded by giant royal palm trees and situated on the Indian River Lagoon with Intracoastal Waterway access. The updated, transitional take on Floridian style offers casual elegance with a clever play on classic coastal. The light and bright paradise is built for entertaining and relaxing by the water, complete with a private pool and a three-car garage. With approximately 3,150 square feet of living space, including three bedrooms and five bathrooms, the home blends the sophistication of the Hamptons with punches of tropical vibrancy.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7687151-hgtv-dream-home-2016-renovation/
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Johnson Controls, a global multi-industrial company, is constantly focusing on improving the future of car seating. Thinking ahead, Johnson Controls will present its seating demonstrator vehicle SD15 to customers and media at the 66th Frankfurt Autoshow. The SD15 features a simulated vehicle environment with a focus on first- and second-row seating while addressing the three automotive megatrends from a seating perspective: autonomous driving, lightweight, and increasing customer demands towards individualization and style for future urban mobility.
“The SD15 is based on extensive proprietary research conducted by Johnson Controls that explored what consumers expect as car seating in 2020 and beyond,” said Beda Bolzenius, president of Johnson Controls Automotive Experience. “The driver side demonstrates superior comfort and the passenger side showcases features that maximize cargo capacity and interior flexibility.”
To view the multimedia release visit:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7592351-johnson-controls-new-SD15-seating-vehicle/
One lucky homeowner is going to be living the life in the mountain town of Asheville, North Carolina, location of the HGTV Urban Oasis® 2015. Viewers can now enter for a chance to win the grand prize package valued at more than $500,000 that will be awarded this fall. In addition to this approximately 1,300-square-foot residence and all its furnishings, the grand prize winner will receive a 2016 Acura TLX and $50,000 cash provided by national mortgage lender Quicken Loans.
During the giveaway period, which runs through September 24, eligible viewers can enter twice per day online at HGTV.com/UrbanOasis and can sign up for daily email reminders. HGTV Facebook and Twitter fans (#hgtvurbanoasis) can check in for ongoing updates and new details.
Decorated by interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn, the fully furnished HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 features an open-concept floorplan with two bedrooms and two baths. All the renovations on the home were overseen by HGTV house planner Jack Thomasson, which included raising the original roof to include a loft over the dining room. Designed by Wilson Architects and fully renovated by JAG and Associates Construction, the home remains indicative of the Asheville style: bold, transitional, creative, vintage, and handmade, with an emphasis on art and practicality.
To view the multimedia release visit:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7582251-hgtv-urban-oasis-2015/
