Just lately, Mazda has held the world introduction of the new Mazda3 five-door Hatchback in Italy at the Bologna Motor Show, in advance of its sales opening set for early 2009. Lately unveiled at the LA Auto Show is the second-generation Mazda3 Hatchback that keeps on the tracks of the four-door sedan.

The new hatch will come with identical engines with those set for the Sedan version. Of course, this shows that it will be introduced with two fresh powerhouses, a 148hp (110kW) 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with peak torque of 135lb-ft (183Nm) and a 167hp (124kW) 2.5-liter engine with top torque of 168lb-ft (227Nm). These powerhouses use high-tech electronic throttle actioni. A newly designed 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine will also be available for the European outlets. The powerhouse, which was just introduced in the Mazda6, will yield 182hp (136kW) and a torque of 295lb-ft (400Nm) while providing fuel efficiency rates of about 42mpg (5.6L/100km) - making it the most range-economical engine. More details and photos after the jump!

Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments »

Back in ‘99 Ford purchased Volvo for $6.4 billion. Today, ten years later, unofficial reports say the carmaker is selling the Swedish brand at $6 billion, almost the same amount.The move to sell Volvo may show the people in Washington that Ford is serious about cutting its costs. Even though Volvo is now up for grabs, it isn’t really that hot a catch considering that there is a falling of 24% in its third-quarter sales, and it has made redundant thousands of positions, and has already been in dialogue with the government of Sweden for financial aid.

Among the possible buyers of Volvo, two of the most likely are SAIC Motor Corp., China’s biggest carmaker, and South Korean manufacturer Hyundai Motor Co. Another alternative solution to the ongoing crisis would be to make the Swedish government as Volvo’s temporary owner pending an appropriate industrial buyer is determined, however, this move has as much chance as the federalization of the Detroit Big Three.

Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments »

The Honda F1 is at the end of its road. In a surprise pronouncement, Honda has affirmed that it is withdrawing from the grand prix effective immediately. Honda’s President Takeo Fukai outlined in a statement the firm’s grounds for making the drastic move.

“This difficult decision has been made in light of the quickly deteriorating operating environment facing the global auto industry,” Fukai said. “Honda must protect its core business activities and secure its long term future.” This shocking decision has left Jenson Button of Britain and his teammate Rubens Barrichello, along with the 700 staffers at the squad’s factory in Brackley, Northants, confronting an unsure future. But there is still some hope, as team managers Nick Fry and Ross Brawn have established that they are attempting to find a customer for the company. In a dialogue with the BBC, Fry stayed optimistic. “We have only had a short amount of time, but in the last 12 hours we’ve had three serious people come to us suggesting they would like to buy the team, so we are still hoping to be in Melbourne, Australia for the opening round of the 2009 season.”

Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments »

It was announced just recently by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) the signing of an agreement with Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (PONSB), Malaysia’s major auto manufacturer, including the technology for, together with the design and manufacture of, a new Proton vehicle.

Additionally, the agreement will provide a license to the Malaysian carmaker to produce a fresh Mitsubishi vehicle founded product. Through this and other partnership venture in the fields of design and manufacture, MMC targets to enlarge its Malaysian industry above the presnet export shipments of assembled vehicles from Japan. For its side, PONSB targets to labor with MMC to extend its model range in addition to raising levels in quality and making its manufacturing plant efficient.

No Comments »

In order that the introduction of the Ferrari California will coincide with it, Officine Panerai has presented a new two-counter watch in its “Ferrari Engineered by Officine Panerai” timepiece assortment.

The container of this restricted version Panerai timepiece measures 45mm in diameter, and shows a cushion shaped outline; brushed surfaces are principal with refined elements on the lugs and case corners offering an attractive and stylish contrast. Both pushpieces and signed winding crown highlight a delicately machined knurled surface. Reminiscent of the sensual, sporting structure of the Ferrari California, the black dial of this watch displays highlights in emblematic “Ferrari Red”, together with a dial area in the middle of 12 and 3 o’clock whose semi-circular sweep reminds one of the tachometer instrumentation of a Ferrari sports vehicle. More details and photos after the jump!

Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments »

The latest R15 TDI sport prototype is the focus of Audi’s motorsport programs for the 2009 season of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the modified A4 DTM racing touring car and the most recently designed R8 LMS for customer use in the GT3 class. The Audi Sport North America factory team will not stand for Audi in the 2009 American Le Mans Series.

Because of its realigned program, Audi provides its customers a made-to-order vehicle concept for the very first time. The new R8 LMS was developed by Audi Sport to fit the easy to use and frugal requisites in the production-based GT3 segment in international motorsport. The potent racecar that has in excess of 500 hp under the hood patterned on the Audi R8 is set to be conveyed in order to make its mark on the tracks throughout the season of 2009. More details and photos after the jump!

Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments »

Although sales for January have had a head start on the high street, but anyone buying a small car are wondering what happened to small price tags. The price tags of hatchbacks have gone so far up that a mid-range supermini costs in excess of five digits on the average.

However, buyers of the Hyundai i20 are in for a pleasant surprise. In spite of having outstanding levels of roominess, quality and safety, and a dynamics that can take on and beat the finest from both Japan and Europe, the diminutive Hyundai still has a price tag of at least £1,000 lesser compared to mainstream competition. Set to be available for sale next year, the entry level 1.2-liter Classic will begin at just £8,195 for the three-door and with a five-door fetching an extra £450. More details and photos after the jump!

Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments »

Mugen, the specialist in Honda vehicles released today its tuning kit for the new Honda Accord. This new kit includes a new front under spoiler or an optional front aero bumper, a new front grille, side sills, a rear air diffuser with integrated 2-pipe exhaust system, a rear wing spoiler, ventilated visors, a new suspension kit and a new sport exhaust system. The stylish kit is completed by the NR and NJ aluminum wheels. No words about the price yet! More photos after the jump!

Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments »

Although the Nissan 370Z a.k.a. Fairlady Z was just released few weeks ago, the Japanese manufacturer revealed the first aerodynamic package for the stylish coupe. This new package comes with a front lip spoiler, a rear wing, a new set of rear headlights and a redesigned rear bumper. Also a new set of 19 inch chromed wheels is available in order to complete this stylish kit. For those who want more they can check the Nismo S-Tune Package or full details of the 2009 Nissan 370Z. More photos after the jump!

Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments »

Mercedes-Benz may be building a new diminutive roadster based on the SLA concept from 2000. The popularity of premium-priced diminutives and the Smart car has encouraged Mercedes-Benz to contemplate on introducing the next generation of A- and B-class versions in North America. The small-car couple receives a remodeling for the 2012 model year with a fresh front-wheel-drive platform that comes with either a 4-cylinder gasoline or diesel powertain.

Information has reached AutoWeek that Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche is contemplating a proposal for a two-passenger roadster patterned on the A- and B-segment. The compact roadster equipped with front-wheel-drive brings back the idea at the back of the outstanding Vision SLA concept unveiled in 2000 at the Detroit auto show. The decision of Mercedes-Benz to visit the SLA again comes as Volkswagen plans to unveil a fresh mid-engine roadster concept in January at the auto show in Detroit, and is in keeping with the news that BMW is going forward with plans for a 1-series-based Z2 roadster placed under the Z4. More details after the jump!

Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments »