AutoSpies.com Newsletter: Latest Spy News 08/07/2008

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2008 is shaping up to be one heck of an election year, but how does that affect the automotive enthusiast? I can affect you far more than you know, if Presidential candidates actually hold true to their promises. For example if hopeful Barack Obama has his way we may all be driving a hybrid car of one soft or another. Mr. Obama is singing a 7 billion dollar tune to the automotive industry if they jump on his bandwagon. Whether or not this is the right choice may not really matter if enough federal funds are tossed in the direction of domestic automakers to pay for what they might have done in the first place. Take a look at the comments and sound off with your opinion while the conversation is still hot.

With sales figures and financials both appearing last week there was plenty of bad news to go around. While it is pretty common to see dismal performance from our domestic makers, there a few surprises out there. Write off after write off of leasing programs headed the list, and even giants like Toyota and BMW had to reserve massive amounts of cash to cover losses. After scanning the numbers from a variety of sources Agent009 was taken back a bit by the perfect storm that is besieging Lexus. One the invincible kingpin in the US, Lexus has stumbled severely and is in the midst of a freefall. In desperation 009 reached out to our well informed readers and asked “What in the world is wrong at Lexus”.

Freefall or not, Lexus proved it still has a trick or two up it’s sleeve. JD Power and associates released their latest Vehicle Dependability Survey result and Lexus bounced back with a vengeance. If you remember American icon Buick tied with Lexus last year but Lexus proved it’s staying power by simply blowing the doors off the competition in 2008. Now if this is enough to turn the poor sales tide remains to be seen.

Agent00J was probably one of the first in the US to take ownership of his trusty BMW M3. With this new toy in his able bodied hands he has racked up an incredible 10,000 mile on the odometer. So what is it like living with an icon like the M3? Glad you asked, because 00J gave his full take on the M3 and his recommendations. Would he buy another? You going to have to read the article to find out!



Spy Shots
Hold On: Toyota Expecting Profits To Plunge
Submitted: 8/6/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:56:18 PM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 17 ) Comments

2011 Chevrolet Tacuma - Spy Shots
Submitted: 8/5/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:06:54 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Kia's ES Killer Undergoes Testing In Death Valley
Submitted: 8/5/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:38:05 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

Acura working on BMW X6 competitor
Submitted: 8/5/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:17:50 AM
( 22 ) Votes   ( 25 ) Comments

Spied: First Interior Images of the 2010 Chevrolet Cruze
Submitted: 8/5/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:31:28 AM
( 22 ) Votes   ( 25 ) Comments

2010 Volkswagen Robust Rendering
Submitted: 8/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:54:27 PM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 15 ) Comments

Spied: Unknown Ferarri Model
Submitted: 8/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:27:03 PM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 18 ) Comments

Spied: 2010 BMW PAS - Best Images
Submitted: 8/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:29:23 AM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 17 ) Comments

New Alfa Romeo 169
Submitted: 8/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:49:31 AM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 13 ) Comments

World Exclusive- First pictures of Tata Nano in assembly line
Submitted: 8/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:30:50 AM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

2010 Mercedes-Benz CLK Spied in California Desert
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:56:25 PM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 14 ) Comments

Ferrari California in California
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:36:03 PM
( 25 ) Votes   ( 22 ) Comments

Spy News
Hot News: Hydrogen Power For Next Mazda RX-8
Submitted: 8/5/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:20:57 AM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

2009 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 - First Test
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:08:16 PM
( 34 ) Votes   ( 45 ) Comments

Subject: 2009 Audi A4 Pricing Announcement
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:02:08 PM
( 22 ) Votes   ( 32 ) Comments

New Cars
KW Tuned 2008 BMW 3 Series Coupe
Submitted: 8/6/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:58:09 AM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

ML 450 hybrid delayed, Mercedes-Benz sues battery maker
Submitted: 8/6/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:45:49 AM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

GT-R Spec V Delayed, New S-Tune for the Interim
Submitted: 8/6/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:24:02 AM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 15 ) Comments

2009 BMW 7 Series Driving Impressions
Submitted: 8/5/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:08:28 PM
( 46 ) Votes   ( 59 ) Comments

Alpina Releases The D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe For The UK
Submitted: 8/5/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:03:50 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

Acura working on brand-new model for 2010
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:42:03 PM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

AMP All Electric Sports Car Hits The Roads
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:16:42 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Lexus To Debut Prius Spinoff At Detroit Auto Show
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:06:16 AM
( 29 ) Votes   ( 30 ) Comments

Honda's hybrid-only model will start at $18,500
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:42:47 AM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

BMW officially cancels plans for X7 SUV
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:41:43 AM
( 16 ) Votes   ( 15 ) Comments

Sixth Generation Volkswagen Golf Photos Are Here
Submitted: 8/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:49:34 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 14 ) Comments

Mazda6 will not come in a hybrid
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:00:27 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Edo Competition fits Lamborghini LP640 with 710 horsepower
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:01:19 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Subaru Takes the Impreza WRX To New Levels For 2009
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:31:41 AM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Chrysler's new mid-size sedan could be basd on Nissan Altima
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:36:48 PM
( 16 ) Votes   ( 16 ) Comments

MTM Audi RS6 with 580 HP
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:38:56 PM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

More leaked photos of the new Ford KA
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:24:38 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 9 ) Comments

GM on its way to cut its white collar work force by 15%
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:33:52 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

BMW Gives Us The Full Monte On Upcoming M Series Models
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:19:40 PM
( 18 ) Votes   ( 18 ) Comments

Misc News
Pininfarina boss dies in motorcycle crash!
Submitted: 8/7/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:32:00 AM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 12 ) Comments

Last MINI Cooper Convertible Produced
Submitted: 8/7/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:40:17 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Wooah! Aston Martin And Mercedes Benz Planning To Team Up
Submitted: 8/6/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:41:01 PM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 12 ) Comments

What In The World Is Wrong At Lexus?
Submitted: 8/6/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:38:50 PM
( 55 ) Votes   ( 83 ) Comments

Infiniti hybrid prototype revealed
Submitted: 8/6/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:29:23 AM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

Volkswagen Releases Sixth Generation Golf Details
Submitted: 8/5/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:55:32 PM
( 18 ) Votes   ( 18 ) Comments

Toyota Trims 800 Japanese Jobs Due To U.S. Sales Slump
Submitted: 8/5/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:44:12 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Jag XJ turns 40 years old
Submitted: 8/5/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:22:00 AM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Should Ford Sell It's Portion Of Mazda To Stay Afloat?
Submitted: 8/5/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:41:35 AM
( 18 ) Votes   ( 20 ) Comments

Did Toyota Give Scion A Kiss Of Death From The Very Beginning?
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:17:50 PM
( 25 ) Votes   ( 32 ) Comments

Could Future Car Repairs Financially Cripple You?
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:50:24 AM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 16 ) Comments

GM and Ford Explore Teaming Up For Powertrain Development
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:56:11 AM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Mazda say NO to 6 Hybrid
Submitted: 8/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:07:46 AM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Can Hybrid SUV's Survive This?
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:49:10 PM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

Kelley Blue Book - now Green - names top 10 Green Cars
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:42:04 PM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 12 ) Comments

BMW Sales Dip 1.6% In July While Mini Sales Leap Forward 24.4%
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:34:01 PM
( 30 ) Votes   ( 77 ) Comments

Nissan Sales Roll Forward 9.9% In July, Infiniti Dips 2.9%
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:14:28 PM
( 21 ) Votes   ( 23 ) Comments

GM Sales Tumble 26.7% For The Month Of July
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:20:11 PM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Porsche Sales Decrease 3% For July
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:40:54 PM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

Honda Sales Dip 8.2% Acura Stays In The Cellar Down 17.7%
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:30:24 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

Mazda Sales Tumble 13.3% For The Month Of July
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:23:42 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Subaru Sales Rise 5% For July
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:18:05 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

FOMOCO Sales Continue To Falter - Down 14.9% For July
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:15:30 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Mercedes Benz Sales Jump 11.6% For July Sales Period
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:52:38 AM
( 27 ) Votes   ( 57 ) Comments

Audi Sales Slip 4.5% In July
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:29:45 AM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 19 ) Comments

Volkswagen Defies The Economy - Sales Rise 4% in July
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:21:54 AM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 15 ) Comments

Whopping $15.5 billion loss for GM
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:49:22 AM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

First Look: Bugatti open-top Grand Sport
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:45:09 AM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Exxon Rakes In $11.68 Billion Profit In Second Quarter!
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:41:40 AM
( 25 ) Votes   ( 31 ) Comments

Is This The Ultimate Detail Job Or What?
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:23:01 PM
( 23 ) Votes   ( 22 ) Comments

Grand Theft Auto sales stopped after taxi driver murdered
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:46:21 PM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 16 ) Comments

The Cars of Entourage Season 5,Plus Trailer
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:51:12 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

MINI Rooftop NYC
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:07:58 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Man ships his Lamborghini for service from Qatar to London
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:55:12 PM
( 26 ) Votes   ( 34 ) Comments

Lexus Finally Enters Sport Sedan Racing On US Soil
Submitted: 7/31/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:18:15 AM
( 17 ) Votes   ( 16 ) Comments

Report Cards
Jaguar Sales Increase 26.2% Year over Year In July
Submitted: 8/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:54:00 PM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 14 ) Comments

Reviews
Cadillac CTS review - better than A4 and 3-series?
Submitted: 8/6/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:31:22 PM
( 16 ) Votes   ( 26 ) Comments

Audi Travolution Project Minimizes Red Lights and Emissions
Submitted: 8/6/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:08:26 PM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

Driven: The 2009 Audi RS 6 Avant
Submitted: 8/6/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:56:56 AM
( 20 ) Votes   ( 30 ) Comments

Subaru Legacy S402, the Sports Sedan by STi (Review)
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:18:21 AM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro - Road Test
Submitted: 8/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:24:44 AM
( 20 ) Votes   ( 23 ) Comments

Videos
2011 BMW M5 Spied (Video)
Submitted: 8/4/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:55:06 AM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Polls



WorldCarFans.com Newsletter

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Hello!

This is your Daily WorldCarFans.com Newsletter! Designed to keep you updated with the latest news and events happening in the automotive world

Kia VG Luxury Sedan Spied in Desert
This unknown vehicle was first caught on the streets of Korea last month but has since been identified as Kia's new luxury sedan, code named VG.
08.07.2008 10:00 PM ... view
Kia Sorento Spy Photos in the Desert
In pursuit of more car-like feel and performance, the Sorento will abandon its current body-on-chassis configuration in favor of a unibody platform that will also be shared by the Hyundai Veracruz.
08.07.2008 9:00 PM ... view
Last MINI Cabrio is Produced
In total, 164,000 MINI Cabrio models were produced with 79,500 Cooper Cabrios and around 56,500 Cooper S Cabrio (and John Cooper Works versions) units. The remainder were MINI One Cabrio models.
08.07.2008 8:00 PM ... view
Bang & Olufsen Adds Mercedes-AMG as New Partner
Danish high end audio and visual equipment maker Bang & Olufsen is adding Mercedes-AMG, the performance division of Mercedes-Benz Cars, to it's list of automotive clients which include Audi and the recently announced Aston Martin.
08.07.2008 7:00 PM ... view
All New Suzuki Alto Revealed
Positioned as Suzuki's new global car, the Alto will be produced at Maruti Suzuki India's Manesar plant, and sold mainly in Europe but also in India and other countries.
08.07.2008 6:00 PM ... view
Aston Martin and Mercedes Planning Cooperation?
Speaking with engineers and insiders, the secret partnership code named, Project Alligator, puts Mercedes powertrains such as diesel and hybrid technology plus Mercedes' 8-speed automatic transmission flowing towards Aston models.
08.07.2008 5:00 PM ... view
Lorinser Shows Mercedes GLK Design Study Sketches
Lorinser states a decision to move forward on this GLK design study has not been confirmed yet. So depending on the response, it could be back to the drawing board.
08.07.2008 4:00 PM ... view
Pininfarina CEO Dies in Road Accident
Andrea Pininarina, CEO of Italian car design and manufacturing firm, Pininfarina, died this Thursday morning in a road accident while riding his motorcycle to Pininfarina's design and r&d center.
08.07.2008 3:30 PM ... view
Infiniti Announces G37 Convertible, G37 Sedan and G37x AWD for 2009 (US)
The G37 Convertible makes its public debut in Los Angeles this November with sales starting in the first quarter of 2009.
08.07.2008 12:00 AM ... view
Porsche No. 1 to Show up at Pebble Beach
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Porsche is finally showing the historic 'Porsche No. 1' at this years Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 14.
08.06.2008 11:00 PM ... view
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The first Porsche to be presented at Pebble Beach

Posted: 07 Aug 2008 07:50 AM CDT

Porsche No.1

Porsche announced that at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance they’ll bring the Porsche No.1, the first Porsche created (built by Ferdinand Porsche more than 50 years ago, in 1947) and the car that started the Porsche legend. The one-of-a-kind, two-seat sports car was suppose to make its first North American appearance at Porsche's 50th Anniversary celebration at the Monterrey Historics in 1998, but the car was damaged in Chicago on its way to California.

Officially known as Type 356-001, Ferry Porsche's design concept took shape through the leadership of Karl Rabe, Porsche's talented chief designer who worked alongside Ferry's father to develop the original Volkswagen (VW). Starting with a hand-built tubular steel frame, engineers fitted already existing VW components including the suspension, headlights, clutch, gearbox, cable-operated brakes, worm-gear steering, and various small parts.

The basic Volkswagen air-cooled, 1.31-liter flat-four engine put out just 25 horsepower at 3,300 rpm, so the skilled Porsche team enlarged the bore from 70 to 75 mm, increased compression from 5.8:1 to 7.0:1, and added slightly larger inlet valves and ports and twin carburetors, boosting output to between 35 and 40 horsepower. The engine and transaxle were fitted into the frame in such a way that the engine ended up positioned in front of the rear axles with the transaxle trailing behind, making this a true mid-engine design. Mated to a four-speed gearbox, the drivetrain proved to be both lightweight and reliable.

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2009 Toyota Yaris US pricing announced

Posted: 07 Aug 2008 07:30 AM CDT

2009 Toyota Yaris US

Last week, Toyota USA announced the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for the 2009 Toyota Yaris. The subcompact car from the Japanese producer will be available in three body styles: sedan, three-door Liftback, and an all-new five-door liftback, each in Base and Sporty “S” grades. Estimated EPA fuel economy ratings are 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined for all three body styles with an automatic transmission and 29/36/32 mpg for the manual transmission models.

All Yaris grades will now feature a number of standard safety features, including anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags. New exterior colors for the 2009 Yaris include Zephyr Blue Metallic and Blue Streak Metallic on Sedan and Yellow Jolt and Carmine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmine Red Metallic on Liftback.

Prices for the Yaris three-door Liftback models range from $12,205 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and manual five-speed transmission to $14,825 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.

The all-new five-door Liftback model prices range from $13,305 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission to $15,125 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.

Yaris Sedan model pricing ranges from $12,965 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and manual five-speed transmission to $15,880 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.

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Tragedy: Pininfarina boss dies in motorcycle crash!

Posted: 07 Aug 2008 07:13 AM CDT

Andrea Pininfarina Death

The world’s auto industry stands still today, as the head of the famous Italian coachbuilder, Pininfarina, died in a road accident. 51 year old Andrea Pininfarina was involved in an accident in Trofarello near Turin. Police stated that he was riding a motorbike when he was involved in a collision with a Ford Fiesta. The Pininfarina Chief Executive, who was a part of the family business since 1983 and in current position since 2001, leaves behind a wife, two sons and a daughter. The company is expected to have a press release later today.

Our regrets to go his family and friends. Rest in Peace!


Source: Car Magazine

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Current generation Mini Cabrio production ends

Posted: 07 Aug 2008 05:25 AM CDT

Last Mini Cabrio

With the next generation Mini Cabrio coming next year, MINI has decided to end the production of the current model. The last car to come out of the Oxford assembly line was a MINI Cooper S Convertible Sidewalk painted in metallic White Silver that went to an US customer. Since spring 2004, since the MINI Convertible was introduced, the British company has managed to sell around 164,000 units worldwide. With more than 79,500 units, the bestselling edition was the 85 kW/115 bhp MINI Cooper Convertible, followed by the MINI Cooper S Convertible (125 kW/170 bhp), with around 56,500 units, and the MINI One Convertible (66 kW/90 bhp), with around 28,000 vehicles.

The main markets for the MINI Cabrio were the UK plus Ireland, USA, Germany, Italy and Japan, ‘responsible’ for 77 percent of the total sales, while sales were pretty good in Australia, Canada, China and Russia. What’s really interesting is that you’d imagine the MINI Cabrio sales went better in sunny countries, but it’s not actually like that. For example, there were twice as much customers in the Scandinavian countries than in Greece and five times more Austrians bought the MINI Cabrio than Portuguese.

Read the full press release here.

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Rental Lambo Gallardo acquainted with a tree

Posted: 07 Aug 2008 05:04 AM CDT

Lamborghini Gallardo Crash

If you go and rent a Lamborghini Gallardo, it’s common sense that you take care of it. It’s a supercar worth over 100,000 euros, not your average reasonably priced car. Such wasn’t the case with a group of late 20’s asian men, who attended a wedding with a whole fleet of supercars, rented of course, consisting of 3 Lamborghinis and a Bentley Continental GT.

British tabloid The Sun reports that after they arrived at the wedding reception, the group of men went for a drink and started bragging about their rental cars and how one of them took a car to 160 mph. Feeling all brave, they decided to take one of the Lambos to it’s limit and immediately left the reception. What happens when you mix alcohol and a powerful car ? The car was found crashed in a tree, with no trace of the asian men. Witnesses really enjoyed the exotic crash, actually taking bits out of the car or sitting in it.


Source: The Sun (Via CarScoop)

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Lamborghini Gallardo pushed to 930 bhp by Heffner

Posted: 07 Aug 2008 05:01 AM CDT

Lamborghini Gallardo Heffner

The Lamborghini Gallardo is a great car, but has always been in the shadow of it’s bigger brother, the Murcielago, performance-wise, getting a limited edition 540 bhp edition while the Murc got a 640 one. Although this power was enough for most people, Florida-based tuner Heffner decided to push the limits of the Gallardo’s engine and try to obtain the maximum power with any modification necessary. The result ? An astonishing 930 bhp (694 kW).

This of course was the result of the heavy modded 5 litre V10 engine, steel cylinder liners, new pistons, polished crankshaft journals, a new twin-turbo system fitted to a custon exhaust and intake systems, twin wastegates and blow-off valves, a twin-stage electronic boost controller and the most important, a heavy duty clutch to help put all that power down. To contain the power, upgraded fuel and water pumps were also installed, as were fuel injector and a water-cooled intercooler system. Exterior changes consist of a carbon fiber rear decklid and a Superleggera inspired rear difuser and spoiler.

All these mods led to a peak torque of 1032Nm (762lb-ft ), an incredible amount for a street car, that’s why Heffner also put a two stage boost controller to help maintain a steady stream of power through 1st and 2nd gear. No word about the AWD system being disabled in this car, as was with previous versions, but for this kind of power, it would definetely be needed.


Source: MotorAuthority

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Mazda RX9 replaces RX8 and adds hydrogen

Posted: 07 Aug 2008 04:57 AM CDT

Mazda RX9 Hydrogen

The world renowed Rotary engine on the Mazda RX-8 is very likely to transform into a gas-hydrogen hybrid on the next generation, and that the hybrid model will be called RX-9 to distinguish itslef from the gas version. The downsize to this is that on hydrogen mode, power drops 20%, but Mazda hopes to introduce this as the city-mode, while it can switch on gas when full-power is needed. In terms of styling, the next generation is said to borrow elements from the Mazda Taiki concept.

Mazda hopes to have this up and running by 2012, meeting the current hybrid trend spreading world-wide.


Source: AutoExpress

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European Sports Car Manufacturers in danger of becoming Outlawed

Posted: 07 Aug 2008 04:54 AM CDT

EU Emission Standards

As the European Union is threatening to make the emissions screw even tighter, European Sports Cars Manufacturers become more and more worried about the future.

As we all know, whether its a Ferrari, Maseratti or a Lamborghini, it still has up to three times the emissions of a normal car. With Proposals from the EU that targets 120 gr/km in 2012 (compared to 160gr/now) the sports  car manufacturers are trying to make themselves heard. One card to play is rumored to be a tax exemption for the manufacturers that have less than 10.000 units/year (Aston, for example, hopes to have 7.500 this year) but that would be worthless for such as Lamborghini or Ferrari who are owned by larger groups (Fiat sells around 1.2 million cars each year).

Voices at Lamborghini talk about the preservation of European art that talks about the continent to the world, and so it must be protected, since emissions of 120gr/km for a V12 is not likely to happen.

Ferrari on the other hand talks about the fact that hybrid solutions will take much more time to become accepted by their clients, and that the ” less than 10.000 units/year exemption” would be nothing else than discrimination.

Also, the fact that supercar owners only take them out on rare occasions, and the number of supercars selled each year represents an insignificant percent of total car sales, is also brought to the table of negociations.

These dispute is likely to scale up to greater heights in the near future, between Sports Cars Manufacturers on one hand, The EU and Environmentalists on the other, as solutions seem to be scarce.

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2010 Mercedes Benz E-class New Spyshots

Posted: 07 Aug 2008 04:49 AM CDT

2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class Spy

One of the most expected cars from MercedesBenz, the E-class was spied again. Although under heavy camouflage, we can see that the headlights are not round anymore, and from some of the pictures we can partially distinguish the dashboard. The all new angular dashboard, now includes a huge center display screen (most likely S-class “stolen” from) and also the gear-lever on the steering column was added so that the 2010 E-class will align to the M class, GL and S Class trend.

The business class sedan and station-wagon is due to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, next year. With a wide selection of engines, diesels and petrol, the E-class is also expected to embrace hybrid technology, start-stop technology to fit into earlier stated plans of the manufacturer.


Via: WorldCarFans

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2012 Mercedes Benz GLA rumors

Posted: 06 Aug 2008 10:52 AM CDT

Mercedes Benz GLA

We already know that Mercedes is considering dropping the A and B Class and replace them with four new models. After last month we told you about the CLA (or the “baby CLS”), here’s another possible new car, the GLA. Though there’s no official confirmation from Mercedes, the GLA, which is a compact SUV, definetly fits in, especially with the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3 getting closer and closer to their debuts. The photo above shows a rendering published in the August issue of German car magazine Autozeitung. If the car really makes it into production, it will probably debut in 2011 and will be marketed as a 2012 model.


Source: Autozeitung (Via Carscoop)

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