Auto Unleashed |
| AC Schnitzer tuning package for the BMW X6 Posted: 29 Jul 2008 08:08 AM CDT  Mechanical upgrades include a new Motor Control Unit (available for the 3.0dX and 3.5dX diesel versions) and an unique suspension spring kit. AC Schnitzer didn’t release any info about the car’s performance, but stay tuned because once we’ll know, you’ll know. Check out more photos after the jump.
 | ||||
| Audi A1 is the new kid on the block Posted: 29 Jul 2008 07:15 AM CDT  There will be plenty of engines to choose from, including petrol, diesel and hybrid. The petrol engines will be 1.2 and 1.4 liter, the diesel will be 1.6 and 2.0 liter and the hybrid will be powered by a 1.4 liter petrol and an electric motor. So let’s hope that the quality will make it a winner over the Mini. We’ll have to wait and see.  | ||||
| Posted: 29 Jul 2008 07:10 AM CDT  The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE is a new option package designed to offer improved fuel economy. Model-year 2008 also marks the return of the Cobalt SS high-performance model to this compact car’s roster. Manual-transmission Cobalt LS and LT models come with the XFE package, which includes specific tires and powertrain tweaks designed to maximize fuel economy. Note that the XFE package is not available on Cobalts equipped with the 2LT option package. Sport coupes and sedans have a 171-hp 2.4-liter engine, while the SS is a coupe only, and it has a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter powerplant. In terms of safety, the Chevrolet Cobalt is a mixed bag. In contrast to some cars in this class, rear disc brakes and ABS are optional except on the highest trim levels. Side curtain airbags became standard for ‘08, while they were previously optional. When equipped with the side curtain bags, the Cobalt has scored quite well in crash tests. Small Chevrolet cars have rarely been known for the quality of their interiors, and the Cobalt doesn’t do much to change this. In editorial reviews, the car has earned negative commentary in regard to its hard plastics, inconsistent build quality and limited storage. On the positive side, the Cobalt’s interior is nicely insulated from road and engine noise, and the front seats should be very comfortable for the majority of drivers and passengers. The Cobalt debuted for the 2005 model year. As such, it is only now starting to appear with frequency as a used vehicle. The Cobalt effectively replaced the long-running Chevy Cavalier, which was both smaller and of much poorer quality.  | ||||
| Performance details for the Nissan GT-R Spec V Posted: 29 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT  The Nissan GT-R is the sucessor to one of Japan’s icons in car performance, the Skyline, which was a tribute to the Japanese engineers. The GT-R has proved it is one of the most advanced, most fastest and most sought-after cars around. And this was only the base model, car magasine Road&Track announcing the performance details for the that the top of the line Spec V version of Nissan’s “monster”. The main differences are that it looses about 90 kb (200 lbs) and gains 40 horses as to the normal version. The impact on the performance ? Well with 520 bhp, 596 Nm (440 lb.-ft.) torque and weighing in at about 1640 kg (3615 lbs.) it will supposedly lap the Nurburgring under 7:30, and might even match the top time set by the Corvette ZR-1 of 7:26. According to Car&Driver magazine this model will be unveilled at the Paris Motor Show in October, with sales commencing as soon as December in Japan. Prices are repported to be around $130,000 USD which for the great car that it will be, isn’t that much.  | ||||
| Porsche 911 Targa: a half century career Posted: 28 Jul 2008 02:43 PM CDT  Porsche 911 is the first car introduced in the series, with glass area instead of metal or textile roof. Initially this solution has been received with enthusiasm. Although other builders have made this type of roof available, Porsche is the only one that remained faithful even today, 50 years later and they keep Targa models in their offer. After Porsche presented the facelift for most 911 versions, the time came for Targa to be changed. Besides the obvious visible changes, Targa comes in addition with mechanical improvements. The aesthetic changes consist in a wide glass area, 1.54 m, and more elegant styling. The sliding is done in 7 seconds and will offer passengers 0.54m of sky above their heads. For the days when the sun is burning, the interior can be protected with glass particularly treated against sun radiation or by sunshade which isolates heat perfectly. There is one little problem. The Targa 4 and Targa 4S reach the first 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5 and 4.7 seconds, 0.4 and 0.2 seconds less than the metallic roof versions. Maximum speed is also lower, the top of the range being able to reach 297 km/h (184 mph) and the base “only” 284 km/h (176 mph). The model will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October and prices will be announced at that time. Check out more photos after the jump.
 | ||||
| Posted: 28 Jul 2008 11:34 AM CDT  Sadly, this is the final episode of this season/series from Top Gear, the show going on a break until October but it has offered an awesome final episode, full of challenges, great cars and a classic battle between Britain and Germany. The show started off with James May presenting a few of Japan’s domestic cars, including a Rolls Royce copy (I thought only Chinese manufacturers did that) which he liked quite a bit, testing it while driving a traditional Sumo wrestler and his manager. Click here for the video. The news segment was enjoyable, James having received a lot of new facts about the Dacia Sandero :). Next up was the test drive of a German supercar, the Gumpert, which although offered quite a lot of settings to tweak, didn’t really appeal to the eyes of Richard. But what it did lack in the beauty department, it made up in the power one, the base model having roughly 650 bhp and the top one offering 800 horses. This really showed on the track, being driven by The Stig, it managed to set the fastest lap time, beating the Ascari A10. You can see this part here. The star in a reasonably priced car was British singer Jay Kay, which had previously set the best lap time in the old car, the Suzuki Liana. He proved his worth by setting the new fastest lap time, in the Lacetti. One of the best challenges this season, in my opinion, followed. A German car show had issued a challenge to the Top Gear team, which the trio gladly accepted. What followed is undescribable, the challenges consisting of double decker cars, drag, and manuevering races, culminating with a circuit race between racing prepared Porsche 911 and Aston Martin DBRS 9. Check it out here: part 1, 2 and 3. All in all, it was a great show to mark the end of the series, and we’re left wanting more but until October we have to settle our car show thirst with Fifth Gear, which will start in the middle of August. Meanwhile, check out the Gumpert part, it’s really cool. Enjoy!  | ||||
| ‘Racist’ license plates pulled out in Arkansas Posted: 28 Jul 2008 11:21 AM CDT  According to Local6, hundreds of Arkansas-issued license plates are being pulled out of circulation over letter combinations that some claim are racist. The Office of Motor Vehicles received a series of complaints from drivers who found the letter combination offensive. “I couldn’t imagine putting this on my car,” motorist Alice Kunce said as she held up her “018-NGR” license plate. Though some drivers said they were not offended by the letter combination, Roger Duren of the Office of Motor Vehicles said that “some folks might think it OK, others find it offensive [..] So, if anyone does, anything offensive we try not to issue”. The state decided to pull the entire series of plates after being made aware of the letter combination. The Office of Motor Vehicles said they must consider who may see the plates on other cars on the highway and become offended, the report said. Arkansas uses a computer program and then an employee to screen personal plates. Another employee and a plate vendor screen state-issued plates for offensive or derogatory statements.  |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Auto Unleashed To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email Delivery powered by FeedBurner |
Inbox too full?  Subscribe to the feed version of Auto Unleashed in a feed reader. | |
| If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: Auto Unleashed, c/o FeedBurner, 20 W Kinzie, 9th Floor, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
