Posted on January 7th, 2009
In the metro area of New York/New Jersey and Southern California Bmw has made it possible for individuals to rent one of their small hatchbacks for a price of $850/month, inclusive of insurance. The offer has caused a 4:1 individual to car applicant turnout. No one knows yet if all the cars have already been leased. So, if you are lining up, be prepared to be disappointed too.
If you are one of those people who are trying to get their hands on the MINI E, you need to know that the diminutive has only a range of 120 miles after which you have to recharge its batteries for 26 hours from a 110V outlet (only 3 hours is required for a 220V outlet). Beside these, you must also be prepared to take note of your ride experience and fill up different online surveys. However, from the turnout, it seems that these “obstacles” are not sufficient to deter 2000 plus applicants from lining up and hoping to get their hands on one of those much-coveted quite, zero emission Cooper.
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Posted on January 7th, 2009
Due to some turning points in the stock market Porsche Automobil Holing has boosted its stake in VW exceeding the 50% mark providing it control over the Swedish truck manufacturer Scania where Volkswagen owns 69% of its shares.
Previously Porsche only owned 42.6 percent of VW, but it now owns 50.76% of the German automaker when it acquired 8.16 percent at 6.1 billion euros (or $8.49). However, Porsche is further planning to increase its stake on VW to 75% within the current year.
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Posted on January 7th, 2009
In reaction to poor auto sales performance Toyota is turning the switch off in all of its Japan-based factories from February to March with a total of 11 days. Last November Toyota has already intended a 950,000 reduction in its production numbers, but is now increasing the figure due to a continually worsening sales scenario.
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Posted on January 7th, 2009
A 2011 model Audi A1 compact hatchback will be introduced to the market next year and it won’t be as affordable as either the Toyota iQ or the Vw Up! but it will be a high rated vehicle created to compete with the likes of the Mini Cooper and it will also have its own S1 sports version. The S1 will arrive several months subsequent to the introduction of the A1.
Leading the A1 series will be the Audi S1 which is equipped with 200 hp (147kW) and quattro all-wheel-drive. The S1 will be propelled by a 1.4-liter TFSI supercharged and turbocharged powerplant with a maximum torque of 221lb-ft (200 Nm) that comes with a 7-speed S-tronic double-clutch gear. The S1 can accelerate from standstill to 60mph in under six seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. Special features of the S1 consist of the following: stiffened suspension configured with magnetic dampers, a front to rear torque distribution of 40:60, a gearbox that can be programmed for various drive choices such as for comfort or competition. Distinction from the A1 is achieved by flared wheel curves courtesy of its athletic bodykit, 19 inches alloy rims, a spoiler mounted on the roof, and chrome accents. A steering wheel with a flat bottom, pedals made of aluminum, and athletic bucket seats round out the inside characteristics.
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Posted on January 6th, 2009
Miles Johnson, the manager of product public relations at Hyundai Motor America has rebutted speculations concerning a future convertible built using the latest Genesis Coupe platform. “It’s never in the plan. There was some internal discussion early on, but since we unveiled the coupe in New York, there’s been not talk,” Johnson said.
“The coupe wasn’t developed to be a convertible from the ground up. It was developed as a global car.” Although there are reports saying that retractable hardtops are already scheduled for later Hyundai products, Johnson insisted that that there are no plans whatsoever for Hyundai convertibles in the future.
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Posted on January 6th, 2009
Just under a week before the car is scheduled to be publicly introduced at the Tokyo Auto Salon, initial photographs of the bespoke 2009 Nissan 370Z have been made available by the Japanese tuner Matchless Crowd Racing (MCR).
The modifications of the 370Z consists of MCR sports exhaust system made of titanium, bespoke front spoiler, rear spoiler, rear wing, side steps, and bespoke wheels supplied by Enkei and dressed in Yokohama tires. All of the parts, excluding the rear wing and wheels, come in either carbon fiber or fiberglass. Other optional upgrades would include a brake system kit, ECU tuning, and a sport muffler. Photo gallery after the jump!
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Posted on January 6th, 2009
Right now Honda is in a more terrible mess than what was initially surmised. There has been a series of demises of new Honda models and concepts, namely, the latest Honda NSX, the Honda CR-Z hybrid, the Honda S2000 and a host of other RWDs with the Acura name. This was the consequence of the restructuring of its new model program and the disagreement among Honda engineers concerning the utilization of a fresh V8 powerplant, which some viewed as too big, too heavy and just plain pointless.
To cut down on development costs, which can reach billions of dollars, the present dual versions of Honda Accord, one for sale locally and the other globally, will become only a single version. The current move of Honda is toward small city hybrids which it claims to manufacture half a million units by the year 2012. This figure already includes the first hybrid supermini in the world, the Honda Insight, together with the gasoline-electric powered Honda Jazz (which is capable of 80 mpg and have a very low CO2 emission of 90g/km) and which will be available the following year.
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Posted on January 6th, 2009
Spotted testing on public streets, this model demonstrates how the company intends to make a unique targa roofed version that is outfitted with a full length opening sunroof in glass.
This vehicle is expected to be showcased in March during the Geneva Motor Show and will be designated ‘CE’ as it merges special features from both the E-class saloon and C-class coupe. The external revisions are supported by mechanical enhancements plus Mercedes‘ technology such as ‘adaptive damping,’ adjustable steering wheel and settings for body control. The engine that comes with this model ranges from the RWD C-class 1.8-liter gasoline unit used by C180 to the 3.0-liter V6 diesel powerplant found on the 320CDI. The price tag for this model begins at £26,000 ($38,500 or €28,580).
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Posted on January 6th, 2009
Gemballa, the well-known tuning specialist of Porsche, will be coming out with a complete product line of its current kit patterned on the first concept of the ‘Tornado’ Cayenne GTS. The Tornado production models will be limited to 50 units and will come in two distinct variants with three levels of tuning.
The inspiration for the appearance of the big SUV comes directly from the remarkable Carrera GT supercar which comes with alloy wheels of five spokes, front bumpers with large air vents, a hood made of carbon fiber, a wide-view sunroof, a built-in rear diffuser and the latest taillight design. In addition, some of the revisions done required fresh intercoolers, an ECU uprate and a high-flow exhaust system.There are two Tornado models that will make it to the market: GTS and GTR. In the GTR model, which was almost exclusively built for performance, Gemballa got rid of almost all of its luxury elements and transformed the AWD SUV into an RWD, thereby cutting down overall weight by a whopping 250 kilograms! Compared to the GTS’s 495 hp, the GTR can, contingent on buyer requirement, generate three potency levels of 542 hp, 641 hp and 740 hp. Photo gallery after the jump!
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Posted on January 6th, 2009
The Nissan GT-R limited forged magnesium BRW09 MAG wheels lineup have been opened and made available by Blitz. These are offered in a variety of models such as Metal Silver color in sizes 20×9.5 inches +38 offset front and 20×10.5 inches +18 offset rear.
Wheels made from magnesium are extremely light, and in this instance the BRW09 MAG front wheels each only weigh 9.65kg and the rear 10.65kg each resulting in 2kg weight savings on each wheel. It was likewise made public by Blitz that they will be present at the Tokyo AutoSalon along with several of their demo vehicles which includes the Blitz GT-R. The Blitz Evo X, and Blitz Toyota IQ will also be showcased besides a lineup of components. Photos after the jump!
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Posted on January 6th, 2009
Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover Sport versions will be using the 3.0-liter diesel powerplant of Jaguar that can generate either 272 hp and 237 hp. The powerplant is an enhanced model of the 2.7-liter AJV6 presently utilized by the Land Rover Discovery. No available information has been received to establish if the modified powerplant will substitute or support the 2.7-liter unit, which is configured for twin-turbo on Jaguars but only a single turbocharger on Land Rover versions.
The latest engine will emerge simultaneously with the modified versions of the Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover Sport in September of this year. The Land Rover Discovery go for the 237 hp engine, although the Range Rover Sport will have the 272 hp unit only and get an boot of 66 percent in torque attaining 420lb-ft. Other Land Rover models has no intention of utilizing the latest V6 unit, while the modified Range Rover, also set for September, will keep its regular V8 diesel powerplant.
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Posted on January 6th, 2009
The latest addition to the Bentley family, after the 2010 Azure T Convertible, is the Continental GTC Speed. What does this means, is that the W12 engine received a boost of 40 hp, developing now an impressive 600 hp, providing a top speed of 200 mph (322 km/h) with the roof up and 195 mph (314 km/h) with the roof down.
Also the sprint from 0-60 mph is achieved now in 4.5 seconds (100 km/h in 4.8 seconds) while the 100 mph barrier is broken in 10.6 seconds (160 km/h in 10.5 seconds)/ With that 6.0-liter engine don’t expect the car to be fuel efficient because it is not: the Continental GTC Speed has an urban fuel consumption of 11.2 mpg (25.3 litres/100 km) while in the extra-urban this drops to 24.3 mpg (11.6 litres/100 km). More details and plenty of photos after the jump!
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Posted on January 6th, 2009
The popular German tuner, Oettinger, showcased their latest tuning series for the Audi S3 8P designated as the S350 which can produce 350 hp and 470 Nm of torque. Oettinger’s tuning package include AWD as standard along with its sports suspension and rim/rubber mixture resulting in a quite significant enhancement to vehicle handling dynamics.
The engine modifications of the S350 are: Oettinger turbocharger, recalibration of the engine management via Directport, v-max limiter open, motorsport catalytic converter, front- and main silencer, rear silencer and a high pressure fuel pump. Other modifications were added to improve seamless design and boost aerodynamics of the vehicle plus new stainless steel exhaust systems to offer powerful exhaust audio, while sitting on adaptable sports suspension that comes with wheels reaching 19 inches in diameter. Prices are not available yet. Photos after the jump!
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Posted on January 6th, 2009
Due to the current worldwide economic crisis Suzuki is forced to delay its intentions for the following year introduce its latest large car, and this decision also includes the delay of the construction of their new manufacturing plants located in Thailand and Russia.
It was reported by the daily Nikkei publication of Japan and preserves identical pronouncements from a list of automotive manufacturers as the auto industry maintains a dormant posture. The initial intention was to publicly introduce a large car concept in the following year modeled after the Kizashi variants, the latest of which was the Kizashi 3, a chic sedan concept introduced at the New York Auto Show the previous year that most resembled a standard factory sedan among the three show cars. Continued after the jump!
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Posted on January 6th, 2009
From the available illustrations it looks like the Hyundai Equus of 2010 is following the footsteps of Lexus where design strategy is concerned. Underneath the aggressiveness of the Equus is found a Genesis, providing both potency and pleasurable experience.
The Equus is a rear-wheel drive vehicle that will come with the 4.6-liter V8 powerhouse by Genesis that comes with Hyundai’s very own 8-speed automatic gearbox. Subsequently, this engine will be substituted by a 5.0-liter V8 equipped with direct injection and cylinder deactivation and can generate a potency of up to 420 hp. Furthermore, there are some speculations that it will also probably be optionally joined by a 5.5-liter supercharged unit. Other important elements would include a Lane Departure Warning System, Pre-Safety Seatbelt System, and headlights and taillights that come with LEDs. This vehicle will come out in February in South Korean dealers. Photos after the jump!
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