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| 500 electric MINI Coopers for California Posted: 09 Jul 2008 12:37 PM CDT  10 MINI Coopers will be used as show cars for advertising and the rest, 490, electric MINIs will be making their way to California for selected customers. A source from BMW said that the electric MINIs will be painted silver with a yellow roof. This program is a part of Project I established by BMW to test and develop low-emission cars. This project will focus on dealing with strict smissions requirements and restricted access to town and cities. Soon, BMW will announce if they are going to build electric vehicles or not later this year.  |
| After 50 years, Motor racing returns to Morocco Posted: 09 Jul 2008 12:30 PM CDT  Now, after fifty years have passed, races are scheduled to return for the World Touring Car Championship race in Marrakech. The construction of the new street circuit is scheduled to start later this month, instead of using the old Ain Diab circuit. Race organizers expect to attract around 100,000 fans at May 1, 2009 when the race will start, but after the cancellation Paris-Dakar Rally because of terrorist threats from Al-Qaeda, we would hope that race organizers will take seriously security measures.  |
| Posted: 09 Jul 2008 12:25 PM CDT  While it still runs on gas, the Lotus Eco Elise concept uses cutting-edge materials and production methods to reduce its environmental impact. Eco Elise has the same drivetrain as the Elise S, they use the same aluminum tub and have the same shape, but there are some differences. For Eco Elise they use a host of sustainable materials to make up the body and trim, including hemp, "eco wool", new high-tech, water-based paint which can be applied by hand. These things reduce the Eco Elise's footprint, limit the energy during production. Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc commented “This Eco Elise is a great example of the advanced and affordable green technologies Lotus is developing. We are at the cutting edge of environmental technology and are determined to push forward with our green agenda. The Lotus brand values of lightweight, fuel efficient and high performance are more relevant today than they ever have been. We are keen to ensure that Lotus as a company and its products offer an ethical, green option that appeals to our customers". The Eco Elise has a set of solar panels to help the power the electrical systems, reducing the drain on the engine and improving efficiency. A new green shift light appears on the instrumental panel that assists drivers in maximizing fuel efficiency. The Eco Elise weighs 32 kg less than the standard Elise S.  |
| Posted: 09 Jul 2008 12:21 PM CDT  The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is certainly one the best looking cars around and, in my opinion one of the most beautiful cars of all time. And with the 450hp V8 borrowed from Maserati it’s also a very fast one. With the initial run of 500 coupes almost over and another 500 convertibles planed after that it’s a pretty exclusive car too. It’s got the looks, the power and the exclusivity so how you’d think that Alfa would be pleased. Well, apparently, they weren’t as they’re planing an 8C that’s faster more exclusive and, though hard to believe, maybe even better looking the 8C GTA. They’re hoping to shed 150kg while also squeezing 50 more hp bringing the total to a nice round 500 hp. They’re also only making 100 of them just in time for Alfa’s 100th birthday in 2010. I guess that would make pretty nice birthday present. With a roumored 8C 2 maybe based on the upcoming Ferrari California (we’ll have to see what Ferrari has to say about that) I’d say Alfa is doing pretty well these days.  |
| Posted: 09 Jul 2008 12:09 PM CDT  The italian car maker, Fiat and the German car maker, BMW, are working togheter to develop new platforms for small cars,according to Automotive News Europe magazine. They are also considering a new family of gasoline and diesel engines, says the report from Automotive News` website. The report came because Sergio Marchionne, the Fiat Chief Executive Officer, told reporters that it would sign an industrial alliance in the car sector but he did not identify the partner. “We’ve been working on it for a good while. It’s something simple” said Sergio Marchionne. Fiat and BMW press officers declined to comment on the report but everyone knows that car makers are involved in many alliances to share production and other costs. Marchionne also said that FIAT’s target for this year includes a higher trading profit of 3.4-3.6 billion euros. “From what I can see, there is no reason to postpone the 2008 targets,” said Marchionne. In the US, other car makers are not doing it so well, like General Motors Corp are having a hard time. The US giant is considering in selling brands like Dodge, Buick, Pontiac, and Hummer. But that doesn’t affect anything at FIAT because “Fiat is not interested in any of the American group’s brands.”  |
| Audi Q5 European prices announced Posted: 09 Jul 2008 12:04 PM CDT  After much anticipation and lot of waiting, the prices for the new Audi Q5 have been announced. The car will be in the showrooms in late 2008 with a price tag starting at 38,300 Euros. It is in the same price range as its competitors BMW X3, Volvo XC60 and Mercedes GLK. Quite a crowded market for the once only member BMW X3. We can choose from one petrol engine and two diesels. The petrol powerplant is the 2.0 TFSI with 211 bhp. It takes 7.2 seconds to get to 100 km/h and the fuel consumotion is 8.5 litres/100 km on average. The 2.0 TDI has 170 bhp and gets to 100 kn/h in 9.5 seconds. The 3.0 TDI has 240 bhp and gets to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds, with a fuel consumption of 7.5 liters for 100 km. Source: TopSpeed  |
| Posted: 09 Jul 2008 12:01 PM CDT  Ian Hill is founding member and bassist for pioneering heavy-metal band Judas Priest. He drives a 2004 Mercedes ML 500. But he has a problem. He would prefer to own more cars made by a British-owned company. In the Midlands region was once the heart of the British motor industry. I think Ian is a sentimentalist, a gloomy man. He said that Austin was based in Longbridge and Jensen was made in West Bromwich. He remember the fact that a lot of motoring industry was there. Unfortunately for him, I must say that this is life. Real life. But, he has a great attitude. He bought a brand-new Rover for his wife. That means he is a nationalistic person. He lives everyday with enthusiasm. He brings joy and peace in his life. Al these things make him a happy man. Because in life counts just to do what you like, and keep your dreams alive. "Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war." - Otto Von Bismarck Source: MotorTrend  |
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