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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Mercedes to shift C-Class production to U.S?
Several car firms have shifted production to the United States in the past few years to avoid rising labour costs and exchange rates and Mercedes could be expanding that initiative. According to the latest reports out of Germany, Mercedes-Benz in mulling shifting some C-Class production to the U.S. Mercedes is considering moving some production of its popular C-Class to the United States. If the
News in brief
GM cancels plans to build unibody pick up trucks - Via InsidelineRussian built Nissans due in 2012 - Via Autocar 2010 Lexus ES sedan pricing announced - Via Edmunds.comElectric Rolls-Royce Phantom under consideration - Via WorldCarFansOpel workers in Spain take to the streets to protest - Via AutocarOffice of Fair Trading (OFT) launched an inquiry into second hand cars (UK) - Via MSN UKTurkey
Alfa Romeo Milano Prototype Spied During Police Stop
Essentially a replacement for the aging 147, the Milano features modern MiTo-inspired
styling underneath all that camouflage. Since the car was already unmasked by
several cell phone pictures, taken at an Alfa Romeo factory, the new images
don't provide a lot of additional details.
As we have previously reported, the Milano will feature a wide variety of petrol
and diesel engines. While nothing is official, engine options are expected to
include a 1.4-liter four-cylinder petrol (with 120-160 hp) and a range-topping
1.75-liter four-cylinder petrol with around 200 hp.
Judging by the pace of development, look for a possible unveiling at Geneva
Motor Show in March 2010. According to documents released as part of Chrysler's
bankruptcy, the Milano also seems destined for North America.
more detail. ...
Tokyo Motor Show: Mazda Shows Off Updated Kiyora Concept
The 41st Tokyo Motor Show runs October 23-November 4, 2009, with press days starting October 21.
via:motorauthority
SUBARU HYBRID TOURER CONCEPT
Subaru has condensed its DNA, developed over many years around the Subaru's core technology of "Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)" and "Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine", into the integration of a luxurious and high-quality cabin atmosphere and an eye-catching sculpted body. The concept car features Subaru's latest evolutions in handling agility, riding comfort and superior safety performance. It proposes Subaru's vision of a future grand touring car that excels in environmental friendliness thanks to Subaru's unique hybrid system.
(1) Exterior
Subaru imagined wings with a feeling of freedom and confidence for driving far and wide in any environment. A luxurious and comfortable cabin, and advanced driving performance are contained within a sculpted aerodynamic form. The design features a combination of bright, open glass areas with a solid, reliable body.
(2) Interior
The original point of the ideal grand touring car is its interior design, featuring four independent and comfortably positioned seats. Passengers are enclosed within an atmosphere that provides a surpassing feeling of openness and stress-free reassurance, through the further pursuit of a human-centered philosophy, the essence of Subaru car design, and the incorporation of functions that are friendly to passengers.
The top of the dashboard is movable up and down to provide an optimal driving environment for the driver according to driving conditions.
A flat floor in the rear seat was achieved even with the implementation of AWD, for improved use and movement inside the cabin.
Specialized shielding is incorporated in the windshield to reduce eyestrain on the driver.
New leather covering developed with superior breathability and a ventilation function is used in the seats for improved comfort and texture.
In addition to refinements to Subaru's core technology such as Symmetrical AWD and Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine, further enhancements were made for improved environmental friendliness, driving performance and high safety performance by offering a next-generation power unit system and advanced safety technologies.
(1) Next-generation power unit system
2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine
The Horizontally-Opposed turbo gasoline engine, with a reputation for powerful acceleration, is combined with a direct fuel-injection system for improvements in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, and improved torque and response in practical range. This evolution in Subaru turbo technology excels in both environmental friendliness and engine performance.
Lineartronic, Subaru's new generation automatic transmission, achieves further improvements in both fuel efficiency and driving performance by reinforcing parts for use with the high-power output of a turbo engine.
Hybrid system
To further enhance the appeal of the Symmetrical AWD system, this unique hybrid two-motor system features a power/drive motor in the front and a drive motor in the rear.
* At start-up and extremely low speeds when fuel efficiency is low, such as when driving the car into a garage, the rear motor is used primarily to allow driving without utilizing the power of the engine.
* During normal driving, the front engine is primarily used. The direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline mated with the Symmetrical AWD offers a whole new, Subaru driving experience.
* During acceleration, the rear motor assists the driving power of the engine to achieve advanced driving performance.
* Further, when accelerating uphill, the front motor, which is normally used as a power generator, assists to drive the front axle for improved performance.
* The implementation of a non-idling function that stops the engine when the car comes to a halt reduces unnecessary fuel consumption.
* The use of a high-performance lithium battery is based on experience and know-how achieved with the Subaru Plug-in STELLA electric vehicle, launched this summer. This includes the use of a precise energy management system and regenerative brake controls, for improvements in excellent fuel efficiency.
<Major specifications>
Length x Width x Height: 4,630 x 1,890 x 1,420mm
Engine type: 2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed direct fuel-injection turbo
gasoline engine
Max output of Motor: 10kW (Front) / 20kW (Rear)
Transmission type: Lineartronic
Drive train: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with 2 motors assist
Battery type: Lithium-ion battery
STARTECH Expands Its Customization Program to Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover Automobiles
Until now the STARTECH brand stood globally as a synonym for exclusive tuning for the automobiles from Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep. With the world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show IAA 2009 STARTECH expands its portfolio with a sophisticated customization program for Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover automobiles.
All STARTECH products are designed and manufactured in accordance with the strict quality guidelines of the ISO 9001 norm, and all are tested and approved by the German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV).
The STARTECH product lineup for all makes of vehicles comprises the entire palette of professional tuning: Elegant and efficient aerodynamic-enhancement components as well as custom-tailored one-piece or multi-piece STARTECH Monostar light-alloy wheels characterize the outfit of a Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover, Jeep, Dodge or Chrysler refined by STARTECH.
To further improve active safety the STARTECH engineers have developed markedly comfortable sport suspensions and lowering kits. They offer more agile handling and easier controllability of the vehicle in extreme situations.
Special emphasis of the STARTECH activities lies on customizing and upgrading the interior. Exclusive accessories such as ergonomically shaped sport steering wheels, polished stainless-steel scuff plates with illuminated STARTECH logo or classy interior completion sets are part of the product lineup as are custom fully leather interiors crafted from especially soft, breathable and yet highly durable leather and Alcantara. Another specialty are exclusive wood inlays that can be manufactured in any desired color using special bleaching and staining techniques. Genuine carbon-fiber trim sets are also available in numerous variations for all models.
STARTECH also offers custom-tailored multimedia systems for all models.
Owners of Range Rover vehicles are highly discriminating automotive connoisseurs. They can now find the perfect solutions for customizing their vehicles at STARTECH.
With stylishly integrated LED daytime running lights STARTECH lends the Range Rover an even more striking appearance and further improved active safety. The light inserts come in the same color as the door handles and the front grille, eliminating the need for costly painting.
The new STARTECH Monostar IV light-alloy wheels are another eye catcher. The five-spoke wheels feature a beautiful combination of grey and polished surfaces with a matte lacquer finish. The size 10Jx22 wheels are mounted with high-performance tires in size 295/35 R 22 front and back.
Immediately noticeable in the rear are the dual trapezoidal stainless-steel exhaust tips, which were developed to add some more visual pizzazz to the stock exhaust system.
The STARTECH designers demonstrated their ingenuity in the interior as well. Leather door panels on all four doors in the same color as the production leather complete the leather interior. Special contrast-colored cords create a particularly customized look.
The company upholstery shop fulfills requests for even more customization with entire interiors crafted in any color, upholstery design and from any material imaginable, including exclusive precious wood. Innovative bleaching and staining techniques allow the creation of perfectly matched or stunningly contrasted wood colors with various surface finishes.
The choices are virtually unlimited: The product lineup ranges from an upgrade for the stock wood trim in the form of a precious-wood molding for the center console to complete trim sets made from any desired wood grain or from genuine carbon fiber.
Upon customer request STARTECH transforms the Range Rover into an exclusive office on wheels or into a mobile multimedia lounge with state-of-the-art communication technology.
The development of the STARTECH program for the updated Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles of model year 2010 is already running at full steam. It will include a sporty yet elegant aerodynamic-enhancement kit, custom-tailored 22-inch wheels, suspension modifications and exclusive interiors with fully leather and Alcantara upholsteries and precious-wood inlays in any color and grain, all made exactly to customer's specifications.
Following the development and implementation of a globally successful customization program for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep automobiles STARTECH now also refines British Land Rover and Jaguar vehicles. At the Frankfurt Motor Show IAA 2009 the Land Rover Freelander 2 with STARTECH design celebrates its world debut.
The face of the English SUV receives more character with the sporty yet elegant STARTECH front element with integrated LED daytime running lights. The new front element was designed to attach to the lower part of the production bumper.
The STARTECH attachment for the liftgate continues the contour of the rear bumper across its entire width. The result is an even more balanced rear appearance of the Freelander 2 compared with the production car.
The fully stainless-steel STARTECH sport exhaust system with chrome-plated tailpipes left and right adds yet another visual and acoustic highlight. Custom-tailored versions of the exhaust system are available for all Freelander 2 models.
STARTECH Monostar IV light-alloy wheels give the Freelander 2 an even more refined appearance and increase both driving fun and safety reserves. The one-piece five-spoke wheels in size 9Jx20 are mounted with size 265/45 R 20 tires front and back and make full use of the available space under the wheel arches.
The STARTECH program also offers a multitude of customization options for the interior of the smallest Land Rover model: The company upholstery shop can answer the exclusive requests of any Freelander 2 owner, perfect down to the last detail. The upholsterers masterfully handcraft interiors in any color and upholstery design imaginable. The materials of choice for the exclusive STARTECH interiors are especially soft and breathable leathers and Alcantara.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Nippon style bumper kit - UPDATE Skirts pictures
The Skirts don't fit really well
Price:
front €279
back €269
skirt €159
More HERE
Thx EJS for the tip, Thx Franzz for the pictures
Germany’s E-Wolf Targets Ferrari With New Electric Supercar
It seems these days that a new electric sports car concept is announced almost every month but it's not often that we get to see the actual concept in the metal, so to speak, or in the case of the new E1, in the carbon-fiber composite. The E1 electric roadster is the latest creation of German firm E-Wolf and it is just one of two new electric vehicles from the company, with the latter vehicle set to compete with the likes of Ferrari in the performance arena.
Working in partnership with the Saxony Lightweight Center and the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Polymer Technology at the Technical University of Dresden, E-Wolf unveiled its street-legal E1 roadster at the recent 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show and plans to add the E2 supercar to its lineup in about two years.
The key to the cars’ performance is a light weight structure. In the case of the E1, the entire chassis weighs in at just 1,102-pounds but this comes at a cost as the vehicle can only accommodate drivers weighing up to 150-pounds.
Power comes from a 150-horsepower AC induction motor with 185-pound-feet of torque. This is enough to propel the E1 from 0-62 mph in less than five seconds and see it reach a top speed of 143 mph. An array of lithium-ion batteries will see the E1 drive up to 200-miles on a single charge.
While the E1 can be bought today at a price of €150,000 (approximately $218,818), E-Wolf is also working on an E2 supercar due in 2011.
The E2 will feature four electric motors, one in each wheel, delivering a combined output of 544-horsepower and 737-pound-feet of torque--All this in a chassis that is expected to weigh around 2,000-pounds.
So far the E2 only exists in computer-generated rendering form but its designers promise the car will be able to reach a top speed of 155 mph. Hopefully the production version will stay true to the concept’s lines.
Infiniti G37 Coupe Anniversary
The Infiniti G37 Coupe Anniversary was built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil and will be auctioned for charity at a later date.
Infiniti unveiled at the end of last week the Infiniti G37 Coupe Anniversary Art Project Vehicle at the 14th Annual Canadian Art Gallery Hop Gala in Toronto. The one-of-a-kind Infiniti G37 Coupe Anniversary was done in partnership with Cirque du Soleil and was hand-painted by Heidi Taillefer. The process took almost one month.
"Celebrating 20 years of Infiniti is an important milestone and we wanted to do something truly unique and representative of the Infiniti brand to commemorate this occasion," said Wendy Durward, Director of Infiniti Canada. “The intricate, beautiful design is an expression of Infiniti’s commitment to Inspired Performance in everything we do."
NEW MEGANE RENAULT SPORT APPEARS IN THE LATEST RELEASE OF THE NEED FOR SPEED VIDEO GAME SERIES "NEED FOR SPEED SHIFT"
Following the successful incorporation of New Mégane Coupé in Need for Speed Undercover which was released last November, Renault and Electronic Arts have continued their association with the inclusion of New Mégane R.S. in Need for Speed Shift, the latest addition to the NFS series which went on sale on September 17.
Need for Speed's development team were won over by the looks and performance credentials of New Mégane R.S., and have featured it in the game's line-up of 70 cars which are considered to be the most legendary models of the past three-and-a-half decades.
Renault's experts and Electronic Arts developers worked hand-in-hand for almost a year to make New Mégane R.S.'s role in the game as lifelike as possible.
Need for Speed Shift delivers driving sensations on a par with those felt behind the wheel of the cars themselves, and its unique gameplay features provide players with an unparalleled experience as they embark on a world tour of the planet's most legendary circuits.
Created 15 years ago, Need for Speed evolves from year to year, enabling players to enjoy the thrills of motor racing with increasing realism. More than 100 million copies of Need for Speed have been sold, making it the biggest motor racing video game franchise ever thanks to its combination of prestigious cars and incomparable technical qualities and graphics. The game is developed and published by Electronic Arts, the world's leading video game publisher, whose products constantly seek to push out the envelope when it comes to innovation, player immersion and intensity.
via:worldcarfans
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Lexus RX350 - RX450h
Feast your eyes on one of Wald International's latest Black Bison styling packages that give the Lexus RX350 and its hybrid counterpart, the RX450h an aggressive new look. The cosmetic makeover includes a new front bumper with large air-inlets, matching side skirts, a new rear bumper that houses a diffuser, different treatment for the grille and a pair of twin tail pipes.
A roof spoiler and Wald International's multispoke alloy wheels shod in chunkier rubber help complete the new look for the Japanese automaker's luxury SUV. Customers can also upgrade the car with interior enhancements such as an alloy pedal set and specific floor mats.
via:carscoop.blogspot.com
Mitsuoka to offer unique rental cars in Japan and China
Mitsuoka, the Japanese car company whose mission seems to be hoarding all the ugly in the entire world and using it to design automobiles, will expand into Japan's rental car market and offer its luxury range in China. Japanese drivers will be able to rent the Orochi for ¥25,000 ($279 US) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., or for three whole days for ¥45,000 ($501 US). They can also sport the Himiko for ¥20,000 ($223 US) for those nine hours, or ¥36,000 ($401 US) for 72 hours.
The sea monster-faced Orochi will also spearhead Mitsuoka's charge into China. The company plans to display the car at next year's Beijing Auto Show, and to open dealerships in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. We know the Chinese have occasionally fascinating taste in car design, but we can't wait to see how they receive the Orochi. Mitsuoka wants to move 35 units in its first year, and as if its looks weren't queer enough, the car is expected to cost 50% more in China than it does in Japan, where it will already set you back ¥9,345,000 ($87,287 USD). Any takers?
More Photos
Honda Insight Hybrid 2010
Honda Insight Hybrid 2010Honda Insight Hybrid 2010Honda Insight Hybrid 2010 Pictures
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