Archive for May, 2009

Audi A3 sets a new record: from Africa through Europe to Asia in 72 hours

Sunday, May 31st, 2009

Audi A3 RecordGerhard Plattner, the driving specialist, who covered well over 3,044 miles (4,900 km) in three days, is preparing for his next attempt at breaking a record of being the first driver to reach three continents in three days maximum.

The plan is to depart from Rabat, Morocco on June 8 in an Audi A3 1.9 TDI e with co-driver Franz Doppler to reach the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkey within 72 hours. Plattner has already gone around the world seven times in his attempt to set new world records. The latest challenge will test the team’s endurance as well as their driving abilities and physical wellness together with the reliability of the Audi A3 they will be utilizing in this endeavor. The trip will begin at the royal mausoleum in Rabat in June 8, then getting across to Tarifa in Spain on a high-speed ferry. Both drivers will thereafter drive along the Mediterranean coast of Spain, France and Italy. Continued after the jump!

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2009 Volkswagen California Black Edition revealed

Sunday, May 31st, 2009

Volkswagen California Black EditionThe German carmaker Volkswagen has recently removed the wraps off of its latest limited edition California Black Edition motor home to coincide with the beginning of summer season.

Patterned after the company’s Comfortline trim pack, it comes with a special monotone exterior with darkened lights at the rear section, 18-inch alloys finished in black, bi-xenon headlights, and lots of chrome trim. Special touches, as well as leather and Alcantara upholstery, tri-zone climate control, park distance control equipped with rear-view camera and GPS navigation finish the interior of the California Black Edition. The van’s deciding factor is the electrically operated pop-up roof. Power comes from a 130hp (96kW) TDI unit, and pricing begins at 77,740 Euros in the German market. Photo after the jump!

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Koenigsegg is one of the bidders left for Saab

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

Koenigsegg CCXThere are reports saying that Koenigsegg, the Swedish supercar manufacturer, is one of the bidders left for Saab. The other bidder has been identified as Ira Rennert, an American financier, and his company Renco Group.

It looks like Fiat has also some interest in Saab as part of its intention of taking over the European operations of GM. It was clearly stated by GM that Saab must go before the end of this year and three bidders have been included in the final list. A final decision is forthcoming within weeks. The anticipated battle, according to some sources, is between the American billionaire Ira Rennert and Koenigsegg. The latter has been reported to have been gathering support from some rich folks to finance the acquisition of Saab.

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Bmw Roadsters: 75-year anniversary

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

Bmw Roadster 507The German carmaker BMW will be commemorating its 75-year anniversary of creating sports cars familiarly known as Roadsters. The first Sports Roadster prototype was introduced by BMW in May of 1934 at the Berlin Motor Show with its long and smooth hood, low windshield, two seats and an emergency roof.

Since it was related to the 315 sedan, the car became known as the 315/1 and came with large wheel arches and rear wheels that were fully covered. Power came from a 1.5-liter straight-six engine worth 40hp (29kW). In succeeding years, more potent variants were added and the car participated in many races where it became quite successful. After the 315, the carmaker came out with the 328 Roadster which came with an 80hp (59kW) powerplant. It was able to reach a maximum speed of 155km/h and remains the rarest BMW since there were only a limited run of 464 copies. Then the 507 model came out which BMW introduced in 1995 at the New York event. More details and plenty of photos after the jump!

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Aston Martin preparing F1 debut by 2012

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

Aston Martin LogoIt has been established by David Richards that he has entered an entry under the banner of Prodrive with the FIA for the world championship next year. The F1’s decision to put a budget cap has motivated Richards to enter F1, but the level and timeframe for this is still the subject of much debate among teams that have already been established.

Prodrive chairman Richards expressed his appreciation for the support of FIA and FOM as they were putting their F1 team entry together. Funding was assisted by Dar Capital, together with their understanding of the most current proposals to help new teams, Prodrive deemed it the appropriate time to request the FIA for an entry into the F1. The latest entry of Prodrive is exactly 18 months after its last attempt to join F1 which was prevented due to a ban on customer chassis; with the team which struck a deal to get cars from McLaren. The relationship with McLaren is seen to remain in the technical partnership level, with engine package still to be unveiled. The project will be financially supported by two Middle-East-based financing firms, one of which is Dar International, a logistics and property company. Prodrive is the third new entry to apply for one of the three positions available currently in the 2010 season after Campos Metal 1 and US F1. Although Aston Martin is not mentioned in this report, it is expected that the team will rebrand as Aston Martin from 2012.

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Tesla recalls 345 Roadsters

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

Tesla RoadsterTesla has recently recalled 345 Roadster which were produced before 22 April 2009. The manufacturer motivated its recall saying that “rear, inner hub flange bolts on a smaller percentage of vehicles were improperly torqued.” The same problem happened to the Lotus Elise and Exige and because the Roadster is based on the two vehicles, we can say that this recall was expected.

Audi denies rumors regarding the R8 electric concept

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

Audi R8 SketchEarlier this week we told you that Audi is preparing an electric version of the R8, which will compete with the successful Tesla Roadster. It appears that this rumor, which came from the German publication Auto Motor und Sport is not true, says an Audi official. The good news is that the German manufacturer will bring the convertible version of the R8 at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show!

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2009 Savage Rivale Roadyacht GTS officially revealed

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Savage Rivale Roadyacht GTSThe sole four-door, top-down on demand supercar in the world is the Savage Rivale Roadyacht GTS. Driving one is a truly exhilarating experience with the wind washing over the car, the engine screaming and the glass top goes down in just 20 seconds.

Power under the hood comes from a powerful V8 that propels the car from 0-300km/h (0-186mph) in under 35 seconds. The supercar is a true celebration of design and the design is achieved from driving excitement. The Savage’s menacing front section demonstrates the cars inherit potency, while the broad beefy rear section exhibits unbreakable integrity. High quality finish exhibit unparalleled detail from front to rear. Photo gallery after the jump!

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Citroen DS Inside Concept interior revealed

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Citroen DS Inside ConceptFor the very first time, the DS Inside concept interior has been unveiled by the French carmaker Citroen and although the car is still in concept form it comes with a stereo, climate control and even a number plate, making it obviously ready for production.

Citroen has an eye on the Mini market and will use this car’s sportiness and quality to get a foothold there. The passenger compartment of the DS Inside is covered with leather, and comes with two-tone ergonomic seats with multiple sections that imitate a watch bracelet. To underscore the driver-centered characteristic of the car, the seats are located quite low behind a small sport steering wheel. More details and photos after the jump!

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Renault not planning a successor for the Vel Satis

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Renault Vel SatisBack in 2001, Renault released the Vel Satis flagship sedan which was built in order to compete with the Peugeot 607. The vehicle did not have the success that Renault expected and due to this the official decided that a successor of the sedan will not be built!


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