sport auto x

Maruti Suzuki’s new Alto - A-star

2008-11-29T03:38:00.000-08:00

Recently we shown you our artisitic impression on Maruti Suzuki A-star but today we have few more special items in our menu. Here are two photos of new A-star which will be launched in India during diwali. But before that Maruti Suzuki’s A-star will be showcased at the upcoming Paris auto show in early October. The A-star will replace the Alto in european markets and in India it will co-exist with Alto and Wagon-R. The new car will be called as alto in europe and A-star in india

Maruti Suzuki A-star: Though the car is not as exciting as the concept car it looks great in the photos. The high bonnet line, vertically stacked headlamp cluster, low slung grille, neatly stacked fog lamps and four spoke alloy wheel adds chracter to the A-star. The high roof line tells that we can expect a roomy hatch from the alto maker. The upswept shoulder line moves upward near the C-pillar which means lesser glass area for the A-star’s rear passengers. Overall the styling is eye pleasing and will lure fair sex for sure.

Maruti Suzuki A-star: The A-star will be powered by a 1L K-series engine developing 65bhp. The new engine will give Alto or A-star customer more happiness with the much better fuel economy. This family car will feature lively cabin treatment and it will come with lots of comfort features and stylish features. The novel tachometer that first seen on the splash will make into the A-star. The rev counter will sit on top of the dashboard in its own individual housing. A-star will be price between Rs3-4 lakhs and there will be no diesel option atleat till the end of 2009. Looking for a small car! wait for two more months, the i10 killer is ready!

source : www.road-d.com/blog

Volkswagen 2009 Routan

2008-11-29T03:36:00.000-08:00

The 2009 Routan, Volkswagen’s all-new seven-passenger minivan,

delivers the best of both worlds: a vehicle that combines German sensibilities in design, fit and

finish and European ride and handling characteristics, together with market relevant features

while still delivering an outstanding value.

The Volkswagen Routan comes with a standard six-speed automatic transmission mated to a 3.8L V6 with 197 horsepower and 230 lbs. ft. of torque or an available 4.0L V6 with 253 horsepower and 262 lbs. ft. of torque.

Prices for Volkswagen Routan 2009 starts from $24,700 for the S model, $29,600 for the SE model and $33,200 for the well equipped SEL model.

source : www.road-d.com/blog

Frankfurt Motor Show: The Hamann Lamborghini Gallardo Victory

2007-12-05T23:39:00.000-08:00

Frankfurt Motor Show: The Hamann Lamborghini Gallardo Victory
For those who are bored with their Lamborghini Gallardo, Hamann offers a brand new body-kit called “Victory”. This kit was created to make the Gallardo the ultimate head turner.

The kit consists of a wide body-version front apron characterised by a Hamann front spoiler and an adjustable Cup racing-spoiler lip. More info after the jump!

Press release:

Lamborghini – the brand is synonymous with sporty automobile pleasure for the street. And when you see the Gallardo, you also know why. 520 hp is at work inside this attractive and, most importantly, airflow-optimized body. For owners, who think it leaves not enough impression on its beholders, can order the brand new wide HAMANN body-kit “Victory”, making the Gallardo the ultimate head turner. Various HAMANN power upgrades promise better perfomance.

Wider alternative “Victory“

Already the first impression of the HAMANN Lamborghini Gallardo “Victory” indicates that this is hardly a standard model. The eradicatively changeed look which is provided by the new HAMANN-made wide body-kit easily outpaces the series model.

The kit goes by the name of “Victory” and represents the newest coup from HAMANN for the Lamborghini Gallardo. The kit consists of a wide body-version front apron characterised by a HAMANN front spoiler and an adjustable Cup racing-spoiler lip.

HAMANN fender extensions are mainly responsible for the the beefy appearance. Perfectly matched are also wide body-side sills and a new rear apron. A four part rear wing is working together with a rear diffuser to achieve better downforce values. An air scoop on the roof finally rounds off the racing looks.

Thanks to the comprehensive aerodynamic components, the HAMANN Lamborghini Gallardo makes a clearly sportier, more individual and more exclusive impression.

mitsubishi new car - EVO X

2007-12-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

The press release Mitsubishi released today is ostensibly about the new naming scheme for the JDM Lancer, details of which can be found in paragraph 2 below. Of far greater importance, however, is the fact that the photos included with the release reveal the closest look yet at a production Evo X. They're officially described as a "design study," but we probably expect this to be a near-100% representation of the production car's appearance. There are differences between it and the Prototype X that was shown in Detroit earlier this year. These include a new grille, foglights, different mirrors, more detailed taillamps, slightly different headlamps (note the amber indicators), and new wheels. The hood from the Prototype X is carried over, as is the vent aft of the front wheel well. Like the show car, the production design study sports Brembos with red-painted calipers. Keep in mind that nothing is officially official until Mitsubishi pulls the wraps off the final production car. This is as close as we'll get until that happens, and we think it looks excellent. You can compare the Prototype X to the Lancer Evolution X via the galleries below. Now, on to the naming scheme.

In Japan, the redesigned Mitsubishi Lancer has been renamed Galant Fortis. We're sure Mitsubishi has a reason for this other than the fact that Fortis in Latin means "strong, steadfast and courageous," but they don't spell one out in their press release. The release also contains news that the highly-anticipated Lancer Evolution X will indeed be called -- wait for it -- the Lancer Evolution X when it arrives in Japan. (In Europe and the US, it'll be called the Lancer Evolution.) There's also word that in Europe, a 5-door Lancer will bow in September.

So, to summarize: In Japan, it looks like the Lancer nameplate has been reserved solely for the go-fast rally-style road carver. Fine by us (like it matters) -- and just for clarification, in the US, the Lancer is still called the Lancer. The Galant name is reserved for that big sedan with the funny-looking steering wheel.

Subaru delivers Impreza RB320

2007-12-04T19:54:00.001-08:00

Subaru’s special edition Impreza RB320, commissioned in memory of World Rally Champion, Richard Burns – who lost his brave battle with cancer in 2005 – proved so successful the limited run of 320 units sold out in weeks. One of the buyers was Richard’s father Alex who bought RB320 (117) for the Richard Burns Collection which is regularly used by the Richard Burns Foundation, set up in his honour to help inspire and support people with serious injuries and illness.

The first unit, however, RB320 (001) subsequently found its way back onto the market and eagle-eyed dealer, Paul Flitton, Managing Director of Slipend Subaru of Luton, snapped it up.

Paul, a huge supporter of the Foundation, contacted Alex and they agreed to swap cars. Paul took RB320 (117) to this year’s prestigious ‘Festival of Speed’ at Goodwood where he managed to get many famous rally drivers to sign the car. This significantly increased its value and the car was sold to the highest bidder with the profit of £10,000 going to the Foundation.

A special presentation was held at Subaru (UK) Limited’s new headquarters in Coleshill, near Birmingham, not only to mark the occasion but to officially open a commemorative ‘Richard Burns’ room.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo Cannabis

2007-12-04T19:38:00.000-08:00

Porsche Cayenne Turbo Cannabis
Using Rinspeed components, the Russian tuner GTR-Auto decided to modify the Porsche Cayenne Turbo in a "greener way". GTR-Auto did quite a good job transforming the ordinary Cayenne Turbo in an special car. At the exterior the Porsche received a stylish sport pack with 4 exhaust pipes and some 20″ wheels while at the interior everything is so colorfull…The Russian tuner made a risky job by inserting colorfull pannels at the interior but at the end everything looks perfect next to the sport seats that have inserted the cannabis emblem.

Jaguar XF official revealed !

2007-12-04T19:32:00.000-08:00

Challenging convention and setting its own rules, the new Jaguar XF fuses the style and performance of a sports car with the refinement, space and sophistication of a luxury saloon. This is the beginning of a new era for Jaguar.

The new XF: a dramatic expression of a bold new Jaguar design language, with a driving experience that exceeds expectations created by the striking appearance: relaxed and confident, with outstanding ability and control.
Resolutely true to the Jaguar philosophy of creating Beautiful, Fast cars, the XF goes further, adding a new dimension to the marque. The four-door XF has the visual excitement of a coupe, but room inside for five adults to enjoy an interior wholly contemporary in style yet uniquely Jaguar.
As well as space, the new XF’s interior ambience is enriched by crafted, luxurious materials, sophisticated instruments and calm interior mood lighting. Engineering excellence and attention to detail mean the XF’s interior matches the best-in-class for refinement, while Jaguar’s intelligent use of technology and driver-friendly Touch-screen controls add new layers of comfort and ease of use.
Every XF model has shift-by-wire transmission control, with Jaguar’s class-leading sequential shift system – its popularity already confirmed by feedback from XK sports car customers – used for the first time in a saloon. Shift-by-wire replaces manual shift linkages with electronic commands and gives every XF rapid and very smooth gearshifts – faster, even, than the acclaimed XK’s transmission.
The Jaguar Sequential ShiftTM System gives the driver the option of one-touch manual gearchange control via steering-wheel mounted paddles. There are also multiple JaguarDrive ControlTM transmission modes, including Dynamic and Winter settings, which interact with throttle progression, Dynamic Stability Control thresholds and shift strategy to match mood and conditions.
But the most exciting feature of the XF’s transmission control is the all-new JaguarDrive SelectorTM – an industry-first rotary shift interface that combines precise, intuitive control with space-saving packaging, to allow maximisation of interior storage options.
Other innovative functional features add more ’surprise and delight’. Air-conditioning vents present a flush dashboard surface until the ignition is switched on, at which point they elegantly rotate to the open position. Another new technology - JaguarSenseTM - introduces touch or proximity-sensing control for overhead console lights and the glovebox release.

New Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S to be revealed at Frankfurt

2007-12-04T19:28:00.000-08:00

The new Quattroporte Sport GT S will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow for its worldwide preview. The Quattroporte Sport GT S is the ultimate expression of Maserati’s saloon sportiness.

Exclusively for those looking for an even stronger sporting edge in a luxury saloon, the Quattroporte Sport GT S, equipped with an automatic 6-speed gearbox, stands out for its exceptional dynamic behaviour and uncompromised handling.

This result was obtained with the introduction of new suspension layout, featuring single rate dampers and a “racing” set up. The Quattroporte Sport GT S sits 10mm lower at the front and 25mm at the rear compared to other versions of the Quattroporte, and also features new, stiffer springs and dampers.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S boasts a unique braking system developed in collaboration with Brembo. This innovative technology uses dual-cast brake discs, and this is the first time such a set up has been employed on a road car.

Unlike traditional cast iron discs, dual-cast discs are made of two materials, cast iron and aluminium, to ensure optimised braking, improving performance in the most extreme conditions and providing greater resistance to fade even at the highest temperatures. The Quattroporte Sport GT S’s new braking system also benefits from new mono-block, six-piston callipers at the front and tyres developed especially for this car (front 245/35-R20 and rear 295/30-R20).

The increased size of the rear tyres allows optimum use of the Maserati’s V8 power, whilst the new tyre compound helps the brakes and set-up to guarantee a superior level of handling and driving emotion.
The Quattroporte Sport GT S’s exterior is distinguished by a more aggressive look. Along with the black-chrome mesh front grille, a characteristic element of sporty Maseratis, the side window trims and the two double exhaust pipes are also in black, whilst door handles are in the same colour as the body of the car.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S is fitted with eye-catching dark-chrome 20″, seven spoke alloy wheels.

Even the choice of material for the interior of the Quattroporte Sport GT S reflects the car’s sporty character. Traditional Poltrona Frau leather has been combined with Alcantara, which covers the central zone of the seats, the interior door panels and the steering wheel. Maserati has previously used Alcantara for the interior of the Trofeo cars and the MC12.

The dashboard is finished in new carbon fibre with aluminium treads, whilst front seats are characterised by a new, more cosseting sporty shape.

Spy photos: Porsche 911 Targa facelift

2007-12-04T19:26:00.000-08:00

Porsche prepares a facelift for its 911 series. You can easily see that the 911 is adopting the same design of the stop lights as the new Porsche Cayenne.The new stop lights will also incorporate the LED technology making them more visible.

But Porsche doesn’t stop here. The new 911 will get also an update at the engine. The 3.6 liter engine will get a power boost from 325 bhp to 360 bhp and the 3.8 liter engine from 355 bhp to arround 400 bhp. Also the fuel consumption will drop approximately 15% due to the sever laws regarding CO2 emissions.

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BMW 7-Series High Edition released

2007-12-04T19:23:00.000-08:00

Due to the next year’s launch of the new 7-series, Bmw is presenting an extra attractive BMW 7-Series High Edition. This model comes with a bunch of extra options with a relative affordable price. The most successful 7-Series in Bmw’s history comes now with options like: metallic paint, leather interior aith wood insertions, AdaptiveDrive, Soft Close Automatic system for the doors, comfort seat with heating, Park Distance Control, adaptive xenon curve lighting, smart air conditioning, Navigation System and a LOGIC 7 Surround HiFi system.

All of this will be offered at a price of € 13.050 for the standard models and € 13.100 for the models with long wheel ( 7XX L - series). The price for the options is good because usually these kind of option cost almost € 30.000 and with the High Edition Bmw makes a discount of almost 60% .

2008 Infiniti M45x gets AWD

2007-12-04T19:19:00.000-08:00

The new Infiniti M45 sports sedan is now available with the intelligent ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive. Powered by the 4.5-liter V8 DOHC engine, which is capable of producing 325 hp and 336 lb-ft (455 Nm), the car with the AWD system will be sold as Infiniti M45x, while the 'ordinary' Infiniti M45 will retain its rear-wheel-drive powertrain.

Also, company is reporting in its press release, the previous Infiniti M35 and Infiniti M45 Sport models will be discontinued and replaced with so called "Sport Package" consisting of new front and rear bumper styling kit, side sills and colored headlamps, as well as a RAS system, 19-inch high-performance wheels and low-profile tires, sized 245/45VR18 and 245/40WR19.

The higher level of active safety is ensured with standard 4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes with ABS, EBD, brake assist, and traction control.

Inside the cars you'll also find new navigation system with 9.3GB Music Box HDD and available XM NavTraffic, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, an Infiniti Information Display with 7-inch LCD touch screen, Infiniti voice recognition and RearView Monitor.

Citroen C-Airscape Concept revealed

2007-12-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

Citroen plans to present a cabriolet concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in September. Thanks to the website Planete-Citroen we have a set of official pictures with the C-Airscape Concept.

The car will be a 4-seater midsize cabrio equipped with a retractable soft-top. There is nothing more to say about this concept but stay tooned because the press release from the French automaker will soon appear. Until then enjoy the photos below!

Loremo L1 prototype will be presented in Frankfurt

2007-12-04T19:13:00.000-08:00

German company Loremo AG plans to use the first actually driveable prototype of its much over-hyped Loremo LS super fuel-efficient car as an entry to the recently announced Automotive X-Prize competition.

It is reported, that the Loremo L1 can go up to 400 kilometers (about 250 miles) on its 8-liter (2-gallon) tank of diesel fuel. It's about 2 liters per 100 km (or 117 mpg), so the German engineers have a pretty much good chance of taking the multi-million dollar prize with them.

Czech automaker Škoda

2007-12-04T19:02:00.000-08:00

Czech automaker Škoda will take advantage of the upcoming IAA motor show in Frankfurt to present the station wagon version of its popular Skoda Fabia supermini. Set to compete against the new Renault Clio Estate / Sport Tourer, the Skoda Fabia Estate will offer superior payload capacity and roomier interior space.

The car, Škoda is reporting in its press release, will be 7mm longer and 46mm higher than the previous generation Fabia, being 4,239mm long, 1,642mm wide and 1,498mm tall. It will feature up to 480 liters of cargo space, which is 41 liter more than the Renault Clio Estate can provide.

With the rear seats folded flat the stowage space totals at 1,460 liters, which is the best in its class and even dwarves some more expensive cars from the class above.

The Skoda Fabia II Estate will be shipped with a choice of six engines (three working on gas and three oil-burners). The gasoline engines are the 1.2 12V HTP (70bhp). The 1.4 16V (85bhp) and 1.6 16V (105bhp, mated with an optional six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission). The diesel engines are offered as the 1.4 TDI PD (70bhp), 1.4 TDI PD (80bhp) and 1.9 TDI PD (105bhp).

All engines are mated to a five-speed gearbox.

Porsche Boxster Limited Edition comes in orange

2007-12-04T19:00:00.001-08:00

The new Porsche Boxster Limited Edition will be officially launched on September 28, 2007 and will go on sale at a starting price of $49,900. Its more energetic sibling Porsche Boxster S Limited Edition will be start at a more breathtaking $59,900.

For the money, you'll get an orange-clad little sneaky beast equipped with a sports exhaust system, safety bars and Porsche's own SportDesign appearance package, which includes new front spoiler lips, an automatically extending rear spoiler, and modified rear trim with integrated diffuser.All this gear will roll on standard 18- and 19-inch wheels coming with the Porsche Boxster and Boxster S respectively.
Inside, you'll find black-colored Alcantara trim, three-spoke steering wheel from the Porsche 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 RS, and handbrake lever on vehicles with manual transmission. Of course there will also be a special "Limited Edition" plaque in the glove compartment.

2009 Audi A8 offers better mileage

2007-12-04T18:58:00.001-08:00

The updated Audi A8 executive sedan has not only received refreshed single-frame grille, revised fog-lamps and side mirrors with built-in turn signals, new wheels and, finally, new LED tail lamps but now also features better fuel efficiency, greener exhaust and more power.
As Audi is reporting in its press release, the 1,690 kg 2009 Audi A8 equipped with the company's new 2.8-liter FSI engine features a standard fuel consumption of only 8.3 liter per 100 km (that's about 34 mpg) and produces only 199 g/km of CO2 emissions, which is the best level in its class.

Performance is not sacrificed to the efficiency, though. The 2.8-liter V6 develops 210 bhp of power and delivers up to 280 Nm of torque available from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm. Not really impressive, but it will bring you from zero to 100 km/h in just 8.0 sec and will achieve a top speed of 238 km/h. Anyway, for those not so environmentally conscious there will be the range-topping Audi A8 W12 and Audi S8 with much more powerful motors.

Your safety will be ensured with the help of new steering system and new adaptive air suspension, as well as a set of new electronic assistance systems such as Audi Lane Assist and Side Assist that will warn the driver when accidentally drifting out of the lane or getting to close to another car.

In Germany, the 2009 Audi A8 2.8 FSI will start from €61,900.

The new 8-piston high performance brake system from AC Schnitzer

2007-12-04T18:56:00.001-08:00

It’s not only sheer power which gives a car superlative performance, but also the braking system. What initially seems like a paradox makes sense: Racing drivers know that the better the braking system, the later they can leave braking before the corner and keep the speed at the limit for as long as possible.

Drivers of high power cars also have a high social responsibility. A powerful braking system allows a car, even driven at high speed, to be brought to a stop quickly, effectively and safely. To do this it must apply many times the car’s engine power.
To achieve a clear improvement in braking performance of the current 3, 5 and 6-series, the High Performance System from AC Schnitzer in Aachen uses an 8-piston fixed caliper. The pistons press the pads into the discs and therefore form the decisive interface in brake force transfer, which is particularly effective here.
A further advantage is the more even distribution of force over the friction surface. The design of the system with its one-piece cast fixed calipers is perfectly suited to very high forces with minimum distortion. So AC Schnitzer with its 374 x 36 millimetre brake discs has decisively improved braking performance.
But even when the vehicle has stopped, the generous brakes serve a purpose: the attractive design of the powerful calipers with the AC Schnitzer logo finally enhances the visual appearance
Installation site: front axle

Design feature: fixed caliper

Number of brake pistons: eight

Size of brake discs:374 x 36 millimetres

Application:
3-series (E90/E91/E92/E93) 325 i/d from 09.2007, 330 i/d from 09.2007, 335 i/d
5-series (E60/E61) M5, 545i, 550i
6-series (E63/E64) M6, 645Ci, 650i

Audi brakes another record

2007-12-04T18:54:00.000-08:00

AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. has set another engine production record during the first half of 2007: the company has already exceeded the one million mark in the first six months of the year. 1,013,697 (994,777)* engines were produced in Győr by the end of June, 1.9% more than in the same period last year.
There was also a significant increase in the production of the Audi TT and TT Roadster sports cars during the first half of the year. 32,089 (5,194) vehicles left the factory floor.

Audi Hungaria generated revenue of around EUR 3.14** billion (EUR 2.45 billion) during the first half of 2007. Of the total capital investments of EUR 300 million planned to be made by the end of 2007, around EUR 130 million was invested between January and June 2007.The total capital investments from the year in which the company was founded in 1993, to the end of June 2007 have thus increased to EUR 3.18 billion. **

The number of employees at AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. rose in recent months thus increasing the number of highly qualified staff. It had 5,498 (5,158) employees as at the end of June 2007, an increase of 6.6 percent.

AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AUDI AG with headquarters in Győr, has been one of the main engine suppliers of the Audi and the Volkswagen Group for twelve years. The Audi TT Coupé and TT Roadster sports cars are also assembled in Győr. Audi Hungaria has been Hungary’s biggest exporter for several years and is one of the highest revenue companies in the country.

* Figures in brackets refer to the first half of 2006
** Figures correspond to the IFRS international accounting standards

Lamborghini releases 2008 model year changes

2007-12-04T18:53:00.001-08:00

It's not as if Lamborghini has to make its products any more enticing, but the bull-badged fantasy folks are doing just that, making a few substantive changes to both the Gallardo and Murcielago LP640.

For the Gallardo, Lamborghini will be adding an onboard computer, iPod connectivity with USB, heated mirrors, along with Q-citura stitching that originally could only be found on the Nera model, as well as a beige soft-top on the Spyder.

The Murcie will also get the iPod connection and USB port, along with sat-nav, perforated leather steering wheel (accompanied by carbon weave) and the option of having the roof of the Roadster painted either dark blue, grey or black.

Get your orders in now, as Lamborghini has also extended its warranty coverage for three-years with unlimited miles.

Proton partner to build Lotus Europa in China

2007-12-04T18:51:00.000-08:00

The guys over at China Car Times are super-stoked over news that Proton has inked a deal that will see the Lotus Europa built in China.According to a China Daily report, Proton is working with its Chinese partner, Jinhua Neoplan Vehicle Co., to produce for Proton the Europa and a four-door sedan based on Proton's Gen-2.Jinhua Neoplan has until now manufactured buses, but in its new partnership will build as many as 150,000 cars for both the Chinese market and for export. Inside Line even goes so far as to predict future Chinese-built Lotus vehicles being sold in the U.S.

Spy Shots: Honda Accord coupe goes out for groceries

2007-12-04T18:49:00.001-08:00

have been spotted sporting artfully applied camo, these newest shots finally give us the full Monty, with only the badges being obscured by color-matched tape.

Compared to the concept that debuted in Detroit, the blocky front end has dispatched the hard angles for a much more curvaceous clip, with deeply contoured fog lamp recesses and a smoothed out lower air dam to feed the radiator. Out back, the lines are somewhat reminiscent of the shooter's Civic Si coupe, coupled with a set of taillights that hint at the last generation Audi A4. The interior is on par with the shots we've seen recently of the sedan, with a three-spoke wheel and nicely bolstered thrones.

You can view all the pics by checking out the gallery below, and comparing it to its concept counterpart.

Top tippage Guy!

Another Cheap FR Sports Car? Nissan joins the fray

2007-12-04T18:47:00.000-08:00

Japan's top two auto makers have a long and sordid history of ripping off each other's successful designs. No sooner had the Nissan Cube become a run away success in its home market than Toyota came up with the similarly boxy bB (Scion xB). Many years earlier, after the Toyota HiLux Surf (4Runner) proved a hit with, well, surfers, Nissan restyled their Terrano with nigh on identical lines, hoping to ride on the coattails of the Toyota. And let's not get in to the Supra vs. Z and Celica vs. Skyline wars.

Now, just weeks after confirming that Toyota does indeed have a successor to the lauded AE86 in the pipeline, Best Car magazine claims to have evidence that Nissan has got a team working on building a new Silvia. Like the final 2002 S15 Spec R Silvia the new car is reckoned to be powered by a turbocharged two-liter good for 247 HP, but will just be 10 kgs heavier at one and a quarter metric tons (2450lbs).

The new range should sell for between 2.5 and 2.8 million Yen ($21,000 - $23,700), but not until 2010. Best Car's scoop ties in nicely with photographs of a shortened Z, most likely a mule testing a new, smaller FR drive train, taken at the ring earlier in the summer. If the new Silvia is indeed to be based on a modified Z/Skyline LM platform, expect a similar wheelbase of 8' 6", but smaller overall dimensions, around 14' 4" long by 5' 8" wide.

Chances of Nissan bringing a concept car, possibly derived from the URGE shown in Detroit last year, to October's Tokyo Motor Show? 60-percet according to the magazine.

Racing of Corvette Z06 and past 13 pace vehicles

2007-12-04T18:46:00.001-08:00

The Corvette rating the sports ground at NASCAR Nextel Cup on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This one Artic White, lastly booked color for Ron Fellows, it’s a special edition of Z06.
The Chevy has paced all NASCAR Brickyard race. At first time they will use Chevrolet truck as a pace car.
The past 13 pace vehicles will be featured in special view at IMS, this is sponsored by Chevrolet.This race wil be show live on ESPN, starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, EST.
These cars top speed is 198 mph and they reach the speed of 0 to 60 within 3.7 seconds, and a dramatic white, blue and red paint scheme.

Spy Shots: BMW M X5 spotted

2007-12-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

BMW has consistently argued that a vehicle like the X5 is not fitting with the whole 'M' philosophy of increased performance through reduced weight but despite this spy-photographers have recently come across a new X5 prototype rolling around the streets of Munich with some very distinct M styling cues. The test-mule was seen sporting a new front bumper with much larger intakes than usual, while the back of the car was adorned with a quad-tailpipe arrangement sitting lower than the usual V8 models. A further clue to this mule being a high-performance version was the sound of the engine. The photographer claimed it sounded very different to any of the X5's current powerplants, suggesting that it could be a new V10 version or possibly a twin-turbo V8 set-up. The final giveaway is the prototype's performance tires, signalling that we may have a new M car on the way.We can picture the purists around the world shedding a tear at the thought of BMW adding an M badge to an SUV but if Porsche can get away with selling a sports off-roader, and AMG can pump up the Mercedes M-Class than we suppose BMW could too.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: Lamborghini LMX SUV

2007-12-04T18:39:00.001-08:00

Lamborghini could have a successor to the original LM002 if the prototype in these latest spy shots turns out to be the latest test-mule from the Italian supercar manufacturer. Although the prototype is dressed in the sheetmetal of a Porsche Cayenne, the widened fenders and lowered front-end suggests that this is no ordinary SUV.
Earlier reports suggested that Porsche’s next-gen Cayenne would be smaller and sportier than the current model but this test-mule is clearly larger. Rumors that it could be a new SUV model for Bentley are also unlikely to be true given the speeds the prototype has been seen reaching around Germany’s Nurburgring.

Based on a modified version of the Cayenne platform, the new Lambo SUV will likely feature the Gallardo’s V10. This could be followed by a smaller 4.5L V8 model and possibly a diesel variant running Audi’s 5.9L V12 TDI.

Lamborghini’s immediate plans will see it launch a new Murcielago-based-supercar at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show and possibly a new V8-powered entry-level Gallardo.

[source: subaruauto]

G-Power packs M3 CSL with an M5 V10

2007-12-04T18:35:00.000-08:00

German tuner G-Power has created a monster M3 CSL with a tweaked version of the M5 V10 under the hood. Ditching the venerable inline six in favor of the potent 5.0L V10, engineers then proceeded to modify the engine to an even higher state of tune.

The V10 now produces a supercar-like 550hp (410kW) and 580Nm (428lb-ft) of torque, propelling the modded M3 to a top speed of 335km/h - a huge improvement over the CSL’s standard top speed of 285km/h. The 0-100km/h time is also slashed down to 4.2 seconds with the 200km/h mark coming up in only 11.6 seconds.

This isn’t just a fancy one-off special either. For a price, G-Power will convert any current 3-series coupe, Z4, X5 or new M3 to the V10 specification. They are also working on a supercharger kit to take the power all the way from 550hp to a very tasty 750hp (559kW).

The engine isn’t the only part of the car to receive an upgarde. Engineers have also added a special KW automotive race-suspension kit that was specially honed on the Nurburgring.

2008 Bmw M3 CSL

2007-12-04T18:33:00.000-08:00

According to M3Post this car caught on the Nurburgring race track represents the future Bmw M3 CSL. For the moent this remains a mystery…but future articles will be available.

Frankfurt Motor Show: Audi A4 e Concept

2007-12-04T18:30:00.000-08:00

With the new Audi A4 e Concept, the German automaker plans to show how its new Modular Efficiency program is. The new concept uses just 4.9 litres per 100 km. Also the Co2 emissons is just 129 g/km, that means less than the limit that will be introduced in 2012!

The 2.0 TDI in the new Audi A4 presents itself in an essentially enhanced form. A common rail injection system supersedes the unit injection pumps used to date, its piezo injectors supplying fuel with a pressure of up to 1,800 bar, allowing extremely fine atomisation in the combustion chambers. This improves fuel combustion and smooth running.
Press release:
With the new 2.0 TDI e Concept, Audi is showing just how effective its new Modular Efficiency program is. The sporty middle class saloon undercuts the consumption limit of five litres per 100 km. The A4 2.0 TDI e Concept needs just 4.9 litres for 100 km on the EU cycle. This means CO2 emissions of just 129 g/km – less than the limit that the European Union aims to introduce for vehicle fleets from 2012. With an output of 105 kW / 143 bhp and a peak torque of 320 Nm, the A4 2.0 TDI e Concept is a powerful saloon – for Audi, a dynamic character always goes hand in hand with low consumption.

In this vehicle, Audi has realised a whole package of innovative engineering solutions. Some of these are already in series production on the new Audi A4. Others, such as the start/stop system or the energy recuperation system, will be introduced in the near future.

TDI marries efficiency with dynamism

The 2.0 TDI in the new Audi A4 presents itself in an essentially enhanced form. A common rail injection system supersedes the unit injection pumps used to date, its piezo injectors supplying fuel with a pressure of up to 1,800 bar, allowing extremely fine atomisation in the combustion chambers. This improves fuel combustion and smooth running.

The refined engine develops a powerful 105 kW / 143 bhp of output. Even in the speed range between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm it puts a bullish 320 Nm of torque onto the crankshaft – this mighty pulling power at low revs is a one of the great strengths of the TDI principle. Modified piston geometry improves the thermodynamics in the combustion chambers. Other measures to reduce internal friction and for temperature management further increase fuel efficiency.
On the A4 e Concept, the 2.0 TDI engine is supplemented by the ultra low emission system. That means that this engine not only works highly efficiently, but it is also exceptionally clear and absolutely future-proof: Even today, it undercuts the strictest European emissions levels, which are not expected to come into force until 2014. The ultra low emission system, which makes the TDI the world’s cleanest diesel, will go into series production in 2008 as an option on the new Audi A4 3.0 TDI.

Low-friction gearbox
The TDI’s power is transmitted onto a newly developed six-speed manual gearbox that is characterised by greatly reduced internal friction. It has been specially tailored for the high-torque of the TDI engine – its transmission ratios are slightly longer in third to sixth gears. Like all Audi gearboxes, its gear changes are playfully light and extremely precise. The gear change indicator in the driver information system encourages an economical driving style. It indicates which gear is selected and if another gear is judged to be better while driving steadily, it will show this as a recommendation.
An especially fast and smooth start

Another important contribution is made by the start/stop system. It avoids the engine running inefficiently when the vehicle is stationary. This is important because much of our day-to-day driving is made up of trips that are shorter than ten kilometres, and these are interrupted by numerous stops at traffic lights.
As soon as the A4 2.0 TDI e Concept comes to a standstill, the gear lever is moved to neutral and the driver takes his foot off the clutch, the TDI is automatically switched off. The engine is restarted when the driver depresses the clutch. The TDI runs up while he is engaging the gear. It has reached idling speed by the time he releases the pedal. A specially developed starter motor turns the engine in little more than two tenths of a second – 60 percent faster than a conventional part, and yet especially comfortable acoustically.

Microhybrid gathers energy when coasting and braking

The recuperation system on board the A4 2.0 TDI e Concept converts kinetic energy into useful electrical energy as the vehicle decelerates. An innovative gel battery is used as the power source for the vehicle electrical system. This is extremely robust even at high loads and when it is heavily discharged, allowing it to achieve a particularly long service life.

When the A4 2.0 TDI e Concept is coasting or braking, the secondary voltage from the D/C converter is run up. The alternator is now able to convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy that is temporarily stored in the gel battery. When the saloon subsequently accelerates again, the battery feeds the energy back, relieving the load on the alternator.

The power steering has also been thoroughly modified – its effectiveness has been improved by around 50 percent because it is now fed hydraulic energy by a demand-controlled vane-cell pump. In contrast to conventional power steering pumps, which constantly recirculate large volumes, it only pumps as much oil as actually needed at that very moment.

On the automatic air conditioning system, Audi uses an innovative, thermostatically controlled refrigerant circuit with an internal heat exchanger. Along with intensive precision work on other components, has greatly improved the efficiency of the system – the new automatic air conditioning system requires 20 percent less fuel that its predecessor model did.

Sporty performance yet highly efficient

The A4 2.0 TDI e Concept glides smoothly and effortlessly through the wind. Its body is fundamentally extremely aerodynamic. Its boot lid has been given a slight additional separation edge. Specially designed alloy wheels improve the airflow across the wheels and wheel arches, while a sporty tuning has lowered the body by 20 millimetres. This modification reduces the frontal area, improving air resistance.

For Audi, efficiency means exactly the same as dynamics. For example, the tyres are configured for light running, but still have a sporty performance – they have the wide, visually attractive 225/50 R17 format. Yet the most impressive evidence of the potential of the A4 2.0 TDI e Concept is found in its performance figures. The middle class saloon sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.3 seconds. Its top speed is 215 km/h. A spurt from 80 to 120 km/h in 5th gear needs just 8.7 seconds.

Lexus launches 6 million pound hybrid campaign

2007-12-04T18:27:00.001-08:00

Lexus announced a multimedia campaign in which it will promote its range of hybrid models for the 4th quarter of 2007.“One day high performance will come with lower emissions….not one day but today” represents the tag line for this campaign.

A 40-second version will be screened on television, with an extended 60-second version for Virgin Atlantic services airing through to Christmas.

Press release:

Luxury car maker Lexus has announced a substantial multimedia ad campaign promoting its industry-leading range of hybrid models for the fourth quarter of 2007. The spend of more than 6 million pounds includes national TV, landmark billboard, on-line, and magazine activities.

Designed and co-ordinated by full service agency CHI & Partners with communications planning from ZenithOptimedia, the campaign will emphasise the engineering innovations that have enabled Lexus to build a range of high performance cars with substantially better emissions levels and fuel efficiency than rival premium market brands. It coincides with the October launch of the LS 600h hybrid power limousine, the new Lexus flagship model.

The television ads will air across six weeks from 17 September, the camerawork moving through prairie and desert panoramas to gradually reveal an LS 600h driving in an urban landscape. The tag line declares: “One day high performance will come with lower emissions….not one day but today.”

A 40-second version will be screened on television, with an extended 60-second version for Virgin Atlantic services airing through to Christmas.

SSC Ultimate Aero official the fastest car in the world!

2007-12-04T18:20:00.000-08:00

SSC Ultimate Aero official the fastest car in the world!
After several attempts the Shelby engineers did it: SSC Ultimate Aero is official the fastest car in the world!

The first pass was recorded at 257.11 MPH / 413.82 KMH, and the second pass was recorded at 254.55 MPH / 409.71 KMH. The official record was previously held by the Koenigsegg CCX . The unofficial record held by the Bugatti Veyron is 253.4 MPH.

Press release:

Speed testing has been conducted in the company’s home state of Washington and has been validated by Guinness World Records. The Shelby Supercars Ultimate Aero (with 1,183hp) finalized speed testing with a World Record Breaking speed of 255.83 MPH / 411.76 KMH.
The first pass was recorded at 257.11 MPH / 413.82 KMH, and the second pass was recorded at 254.55 MPH / 409.71 KMH. The official record was previously held by the Koenigsegg CCX (242 MPH). The unofficial record held by the Bugatti Veyron is 253.4 MPH.

There is a standard procedure outlined by Guinness World Records to validate a land speed record. The vehicle must drive the predetermined course, turn around, and drive back the opposite way within one hour. This is to negate any discrepancy there may be in the course or conditions. Top speeds from each run are then averaged to obtain the official speed. This method has been used for decades as the benchmark for land speed record attempts.

Dewetron, a company known for performance testing of missile, train, aerospace, and automotive capabilities will accurately monitor and measure the speed of the Ultimate Aero for the record run. Dewetron’s equipment is so precise that Guinness World Records approved their systems as a replacement for the standard 1,000m laser traps. Dewetron utilizes 4-12 satellites and numerous onboard sensors to track a vehicle’s speed.

New A4! Audi's new sedan in S-Line trim

2007-11-07T21:49:00.000-08:00

The leakage of information coming forth from Audi AG on its new A4 (some say 2008, others say 2009) continues, and along with eight new high-resolution, desktop-wallpaper size pics in our gallery, we also have four new shots of the A4 S-Line, which, while not as potent as the actual high-performance S4, at least looks the part. The S-Line treatment is seen here dressing up an A4 with the 3.2L FSI engine that produces 265 hp and 243 ft-lbs. of torque. The S-Line trim adds the obviously larger wheels with a strong seven split-spoke design, though other than that, exterior changes seem to be minimal. The paint color may be exclusive to the S-line, and it appears the chrome trim around the greenhouse has been blacked out, as well as the lower rear bumper.

Hamilton - F1 story

2007-11-07T21:31:00.000-08:00

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton took a dramatic revenge on team mate Fernando Alonso at the Hungaroring on Sunday afternoon, leading throughout the Hungarian Grand Prix to extend his world championship points lead to seven over the Spaniard, who could do no better than fourth place.

Hamilton jumped into the lead at the start, but soon came intense pressure from Kimi Raikkonen as the Ferrari indeed proved a lot better in race trim than it had in qualifying.

Raikkonen easily got the drop on front-row starter Nick Heidfeld in the BMW Sauber, but couldn’t quite muster the pace to challenge Hamilton, even though in traffic at times the gap between them was no more than half a second. The final laps were gripping as they duelled, while some 40 seconds back, Heidfeld was challenged by Alonso but similarly had little trouble keeping the McLaren driver at bay to score the second podium of BMW Sauber’s season.
Fifth place fell to Heidfeld’s team mate Robert Kubica, who made a great start and enjoyed excellent pit work from his team, while Ralf Schumacher hung in there for sixth for Toyota ahead of Nico Rosberg in the Williams. Like Heidfeld, Rosberg made three stops, the third dropping him back from fifth place.

The final point went to Heikki Kovalainen after a feisty race for Renault, from Red Bull’s Mark Webber. Toyota’s Jarno Trulli was a lapped 10th ahead of David Coulthard in the second Red Bull, while 12th was the subject of an intense fight between Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and Alex Wurz in the Williams, who finished in that order.

Takuma Sato was 15th for Super Aguri ahead of Toro Rosso debutant Sebastian Vettel, Adrian Sutil who had several off-track adventures in his Spyker, and a very unhappy Rubens Barrichello for Honda.

Vitantonio Liuzzi retired his Toro Rosso with mechanical problems, as did Jenson Button his Honda, while Anthony Davidson spun his Super Aguri after a clash with Fisichella, and Sakon Yamamoto lightly shunted his Spyker.

The victory gives Hamilton his third success of the season and 80 points, to Alonso’s 73, Raikkonen’s 60 and Massa’s 59. In the constructors’ championship, McLaren retain their lead over Ferrari but by a reduced 19-point margin following the FIA edict that they should not score constructors’ points in Hungary as penalty for Saturday’s qualifying incident. That decision could yet be overturned on appeal.

the word - Automobile

2007-11-07T18:54:00.000-08:00

Automobile
An automobile (from Greek auto, self and Latin mobile moving, a vehicle that moves itself rather than being moved by another vehicle or animal) or motor car (usually shortened to just car) is a wheeled passenger vehicle that carries its own motor. Most definitions of the term specify that automobiles are designed to run primarily on roads, to have seating for one to eight people, to typically have four wheels, and to be constructed principally for the transport of people rather than goods.However, the term is far from precise.There were 590 million passenger cars worldwide (roughly one car for every eleven people) as of 2002.

History of the automobile
Although Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot is often credited with the first self-propelled mechanical vehicle or automobile, this claim is disputed by some, who doubt Cugnot's three-wheeler ever ran, while others claim Ferdinand Verbiest, a member of a Jesuit mission in China, built the first steam powered car around 1672. In either case François Isaac de Rivaz, a Swiss inventor, designed the first internal combustion engine which was fuelled by a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen and used it to develop the world's first vehicle to run on such an engine.

The design was not very successful, as was the case with Samuel Brown, Samuel Morey, and Etienne Lenoir who each produced vehicles powered by clumsy internal combustion engines.In November 1881 French inventor Gustave Trouvé demonstrated a working three-wheeled automobile. This was at the International Exhibition of Electricity in Paris.An automobile powered by an Otto gasoline engine was built in Mannheim, Germany by Karl Benz in 1885 and granted a patent in January of the following year under the auspices of his major company, Benz & Cie. which was founded in 1883.Although several other German engineers (including Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach, and Siegfried Marcus) were working on the problem at about the same time, Karl Benz is generally acknowledged as the inventor of the modern automobile. In 1879 Benz was granted a patent for his first engine, designed in 1878. Many of his other inventions made the use of the internal combustion engine feasible for powering a vehicle and in 1896, Benz designed and patented the first internal combustion flat engine.Approximately 25 Benz vehicles were built and sold before 1893, when his first four-wheeler was introduced. They were powered with four-stroke engines of his own design. Emile Roger of France, already producing Benz engines under license, now added the Benz automobile to his line of products. Because France was more open to the early automobiles, more were built and sold in France through Roger than Benz sold in Germany.

Daimler and Maybach founded Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (Daimler Motor Company, DMG) in Cannstatt in 1890 and under the brand name, Daimler, sold their first automobile in 1892. By 1895 about 30 vehicles had been built by Daimler and Maybach, either at the Daimler works or in the Hotel Hermann, where they set up shop after falling out with their backers. Benz and Daimler seem to have been unaware of each other's early work and worked independently.Daimler died in 1900 and later that year, Maybach designed a model named Daimler-Mercedes, special-ordered by Emil Jellinek. Two years later, a new model DMG automobile was produced and named Mercedes after the engine. Maybach quit DMG shortly thereafter and opened a business of his own. Rights to the Daimler brand name were sold to other manufacturers.Karl Benz proposed co-operation between DMG and Benz & Cie. when economic conditions began to deteriorate in Germany following the First World War, but the directors of DMG refused to consider it initially. Negotiations between the two companies resumed several years later and in 1924 they signed an Agreement of Mutual Interest valid until the year 2000. Both enterprises standardized design, production, purchasing, sales, and advertising—marketing their automobile models jointly—although keeping their respective brands. On June 28, 1926, Benz & Cie. and DMG finally merged as the Daimler-Benz company, baptizing all of its automobiles Mercedes Benz honoring the most important model of the DMG automobiles, the Maybach design later referred to as the 1902 Mercedes-35hp, along with the Benz name. Karl Benz remained a member of the board of directors of Daimler-Benz until his death in 1929.In 1890, Emile Levassor and Armand Peugeot of France began producing vehicles with Daimler engines, and so laid the foundation of the motor industry in France. The first American car with a gasoline internal combustion engine supposedly was designed in 1877 by George Selden of Rochester, New York, who applied for a patent on an automobile in 1879.

In Britain there had been several attempts to build steam cars with varying degrees of success with Thomas Rickett even attempting a production run in 1860. Santler from Malvern is recognized by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain as having made the first petrol-powered car in the country in 1894followed by Frederick William Lanchester in 1895 but these were both one-offs. The first production vehicles came from the Daimler Motor Company, founded by Harry J. Lawson in 1896, and making their first cars in 1897.In 1892, German engineer Rudolf Diesel got a patent for a "New Rational Combustion Engine". In 1897 he built the first Diesel Engine. In 1895, Selden was granted a United States patent(U.S. Patent 549,160 ) for a two-stroke automobile engine, which hindered more than encouraged development of autos in the United States. Steam, electric, and gasoline powered autos competed for decades, with gasoline internal combustion engines achieving dominance in the 1910s.Ransom E. Olds.The large-scale, production-line manufacturing of affordable automobiles was debuted by Ransom Olds at his Oldsmobile factory in 1902. This assembly line concept was then greatly expanded by Henry Ford in the 1910s. Development of automotive technology was rapid, due in part to the hundreds of small manufacturers competing to gain the world's attention. Key developments included electric ignition and the electric self-starter (both by Charles Kettering, for the Cadillac Motor Company in 1910-1911), independent suspension, and four-wheel brakes.Although various pistonless rotary engine designs have attempted to compete with the conventional piston and crankshaft design, only Mazda's version of the Wankel engine has had more than very limited success.Ford Model T, 1927, regarded as the first affordable automobileSince the 1920s, nearly all cars have been mass-produced to meet market needs, so marketing plans have often heavily influenced automobile design. It was Alfred P. Sloan who established the idea of different makes of cars produced by one company, so buyers could "move up" as their fortunes improved. The makes shared parts with one another so larger production volume resulted in lower costs for each price range. For example, in the 1950s, Chevrolet shared hood, doors, roof, and windows with Pontiac; the LaSalle of the 1930s, sold by Cadillac, used cheaper mechanical parts made by the Oldsmobile division.

DesignMain article:
Automotive design The 1955 Citroën DS; revolutionary visual design and technological innovation.The design of modern cars is typically handled by a large team of designers and engineers from many different disciplines. As part of the product development effort the team of designers will work closely with teams of design engineers responsible for all aspects of the vehicle. These engineering teams include: chassis, body and trim, powertrain, electrical and production. The design team under the leadership of the design director will typically comprise of an exterior designer, an interior designer (usually referred to as stylists), and a color and materials designer. A few other designers will be involved in detail design of both exterior and interior.
For example, a designer might be tasked with designing the rear light clusters or the steering wheel. The color and materials designer will work closely with the exterior and interior designers in developing exterior color paints, interior colors, fabrics, leathers, carpet, wood trim, and so on.In 1924 the American national automobile market began reaching saturation. To maintain unit sales, General Motors instituted annual model-year design changes (also credited to Alfred Sloan) in order to convince car owners they needed a replacement each year. Since 1935 automotive form has been driven more by consumer expectations than engineering improvement.There have been many efforts to innovate automobile design funded by the NHTSA, including the work of the NavLab group at Carnegie Mellon University. Recent efforts include the highly publicized DARPA Grand Challenge race.Acceleration, braking, and measures of turning or agility vary widely between different makes and models of automobile. The automotive publication industry has developed around these performance measures as a way to quantify and qualify the characteristics of a particular vehicle. See quarter mile and 0 to 60 mph.Fuel and propulsion technologiesSee also: Alternative fuel vehicleMost automobiles in use today are propelled by gasoline (also known as petrol) or diesel internal combustion engines, which are known to cause air pollution and are also blamed for contributing to climate change and global warming.Increasing costs of oil-based fuels and tightening environmental law and restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions are propelling work on alternative power systems for automobiles. Efforts to improve or replace these technologies include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles.

Diesel
Diesel engined cars have long been popular in Europe with the first models being introduced in the 1930s by Mercedes Benz and Citroen. The main benefit of Diesels are a 50% fuel burn efficiency compared with 27% in the best gasoline engines. A down side of the diesel is the presence in the exhaust gases of fine soot particulates and manufacturers are now starting to fit filters to remove these. Many diesel powered cars can also run with little or no modifications on 100% biodiesel.