Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid (HEV) at the Chicago Auto Show. The Optima HEV enjoys the same full redesign – inside and out – as the conventional gas-powered model, the all-new fourth-generation Optima sedan, bringing with it a new hybrid powertrain that targets a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy over the outgoing model. The enhanced HEV blends modern styling and a premium driving experience with an even more intense focus on efficiency and is being introduced under the Kia Motors EcoDynamics environmentally friendly sub-brand.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7731855-kia-2017-optima-hybrid-cas/
At the home of the world-famous Monte Carlo Rally and on the Col de Turini, site of some of racing’s most memorable moments, Groupe Renault today announced plans for a new Alpine sports car, and unveiled the Alpine Vision show car.
“Motorsports and sports cars are deeply rooted in the DNA of Groupe Renault,” Groupe Renault Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn said. “Earlier this month we announced our return to Formula One with a Renault team, and today we are announcing Alpine. This is an exciting next step in our strategy to leverage talent and technology between road and track, and we look forward to reaching new customers in the sport premium cars segment.”
The show car Alpine Vision combines sensual design with outstanding agility, true to the great Alpine A110 Berlinette loved and admired by enthusiasts around the world. Alpine Vision is powered by a new 4 cylinder turbocharged engine, built by experts at Renault Sport, and its low weight will allow the car to achieve 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.5 seconds - the target for the future production model.
Alpine will be managed by a small team of passionate experts within Groupe Renault, with one sole mission – to meet and exceed the expectations of the demanding sport premium customer. Michael van der Sande will lead as Alpine managing director, and Antony Villain will head Alpine design.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7762651-groupe-renault-unveils-plans-for-alpine/
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.
Moët Hennessy, Official Partner, reaffirms its support for Solar Impulse and its pursuit of the first round-the-world flight powered only by solar energy.
"Celebrating Sustainability"
Its support of Solar Impulse as an Official Partner shows Moët Hennessy's taste for pushing the envelope and conquering new territories, as well as recognizing the role of excellence and innovation as two key drivers of progress worldwide.
Growth in the Moët Hennessy group and its 22 prestigious brands has been powered by their pioneering spirit and the conquest of new territories. The first consignment of champagne was dispatched to Russia in 1780 by Veuve Clicquot. Hennessy began exporting cognac to the United States in 1787, two years before the French Revolution, followed by China in 1859. Today, Moët Hennessy exports 95% of its production and is the world's leading producer and exporter of luxury wines and spirits.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7813551-moet-hennessy-solar-impulse/
Moët Hennessy, Official Partner, reaffirms its support for Solar Impulse and its pursuit of the first round-the-world flight powered only by solar energy.
"Celebrating Sustainability"
Its support of Solar Impulse as an Official Partner shows Moët Hennessy's taste for pushing the envelope and conquering new territories, as well as recognizing the role of excellence and innovation as two key drivers of progress worldwide.
Growth in the Moët Hennessy group and its 22 prestigious brands has been powered by their pioneering spirit and the conquest of new territories. The first consignment of champagne was dispatched to Russia in 1780 by Veuve Clicquot. Hennessy began exporting cognac to the United States in 1787, two years before the French Revolution, followed by China in 1859. Today, Moët Hennessy exports 95% of its production and is the world's leading producer and exporter of luxury wines and spirits.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7813551-moet-hennessy-solar-impulse/
Madison Taliaferro spent weeks in the hospital in 2012. After a decade of suffering from cystic fibrosis, she underwent a double lung transplant. She powered through the difficult surgery and the recovery that followed –long days of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Her parents were there. Her best friend visited from Kansas. Grandparents rotated shifts so she was never alone. But one request still lingered.
“I just wanted to see my dogs,” she remembers.
Having suffered from the effects of chronic illness for the decade prior, Madison was no stranger to long days at home, isolated from the school germs that could turn her illness into a critical condition with a single sneeze. When her friends couldn’t visit, her dogs were there. But at the hospital, they weren’t.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7835951-purina-family-pet-center-st-louis-childrens/
Sephora, the leader in global prestige beauty retail, announced the launch of new exclusive features on its Sephora Virtual Artist application, adding a new false lash virtual try on to its immensely popular lip function, as well as a new way to teach beauty with step-by-step virtual tutorials using augmented reality technology. Available today for download on the Sephora App, it is the latest in a series of digital enhancements powered by the Sephora Innovation Lab to customize the retailer’s expanding beauty experiences.
“Sephora Virtual Artist has been an unprecedented success, with Sephora clients trying on over 70 million lip shades digitally since launching earlier this year,” said Bridget Dolan, VP of Innovation. “Live Tutorials are a revolutionary new way to learn new application techniques and trends, on your own face, one step at a time. The ability to leverage this exclusive augmented reality technology to mirror our Sephora store makeover experience on your own device is a game changer for our users.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7749652-sephora-virtual-artist-lip-lash/
Q&Q SmileSolar, known for its fun, color-driven and eco-friendly watches, unveils a digital campaign video filmed and animated by Cait Davis of Springtime Jellyfish. The video brings the brand’s core values to life in a fresh, modern way. Watches are available to purchase via the brand’s online store at store.smile-qq.com.
The Q&Q SmileSolar hero video highlights two of the brand’s most popular styles – the 20 Bar ($60 retail) and Mini ($40 retail) - that are completely solar-powered, keeping them operating up to approximately three-and-a-half months after one single charge. The watches are also all eco-friendly – the strap and case incorporate recycled materials – and each have a durable water-resistant casing as well.
The video also gives nod to the brand’s commitment to Table for Two, a non-profit that delivers school meals to children in Africa and Asia. A percentage of sales from each watch goes to support the cause. To date, Q&Q has donated over 131,000 meals.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7886551-q-and-q-smilesolar-hero-video
Saving 30 percent up-front on the cost of attractive and functional home improvement products, as well as installation costs, and then saving on annual energy costs by utilizing solar power, is an attractive opportunity for homeowners.
Skylights provide natural light and ventilation
Energy Star-qualified no leak solar powered fresh air skylights from VELUX America offer that opportunity. The 30 percent federal tax credit on products and installation can make these top-of-the-line skylights available for close to the cost of entry-level models. The skylights not only admit healthful natural light, but silently bring fresh air into the home to improve indoor air quality.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7920352-velux-solar-powered-skylights-tax-credit/
SEPHORA, the leader in global prestige beauty retail announces the launch of two new bot-powered beauty tools available now exclusively on Messenger. As one of the first beauty retailers to introduce a bot earlier this year, Sephora continues to pioneer fast, easy and fun mobile-first technologies that integrate beauty into their clients’ daily routine. Sephora Reservation Assistant is an appointment booking bot to reserve a makeover at Sephora stores across the United States. Color Match for Sephora Virtual Artist is a shade matching addition to the Sephora Virtual Artist bot that scans any photo and instantly provides the closest lipstick color match from Sephora’s entire assortment.
“Our two new bots for Messenger offer enhanced ways for our clients to engage with Sephora by streamlining how they access relevant service and product information on their mobile devices,” said Mary Beth Laughton, SVP of Digital for Sephora. “We’re excited to leverage the Messenger platform to create quick and natural conversational interactions that are client-led. This allows us to provide richer, more varied conversations that ensure clients get exactly what they want out of the experience.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7926152-sephora-messenger-beauty-tools/
Brookfield Residential is proud to introduce its latest innovative new home project, The Smart Home powered by Amazon Alexa. Get #BrookfieldSmart
The Brookfield Residential Smart Home, built in close collaboration with Amazon, integrates voice-enabled automation, incorporating the best-selling Alexa platform.
Created by the team in the homebuilder’s Washington, D.C., division, The Smart Home will be open daily for tours at the popular Avendale community in Northern Virginia. Home shoppers can see for themselves how this technology makes life easier and more convenient.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7991051-brookfield-residential-smart-home-amazon/
Starting this May, homeowners in Stockholm can access pay-per-use power tools for the garden, eliminating the need to maintain and store hedge trimmers, chainsaws and other tools that are used less frequently. The project is a pilot, and part of Husqvarna’s commitment to explore innovative and sustainable solutions for taking care of gardens and green spaces.
The Husqvarna Battery Box, is a "smart", 8x3 meter, unattended container with 30 electronic lockers that store battery powered garden care products. Via an iPhone app, homeowners can reserve tools, get instructions, pay, and open the locker to pick up their pre-booked power tool. The "box" will be placed at Bromma Blocks, a shopping center 15 min west of Stockholm city. Renting a garden care product will cost 350 SEK a day (approx 35 Euros or 38 USD).
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8087051-husqvarna-pay-per-use-power-tools/
