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| Video: Maserati GranTurismo S styling Posted: 06 Aug 2008 07:04 AM CDT In the past, we’ve seen some great videos from Maserati. First we had the promo for the GranTurismo and then the one for the GranTurismo S. And now here’s another one, showing the car’s styling details. Beautiful, don’t you think? Enjoy!
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| AC Schnitzer Falcon tuning package for the BMW X5 Posted: 06 Aug 2008 06:38 AM CDT  The bodykit includes front spolier, rear skirt, front and rear wheel arch flairs (that’s where the Falcon name came from), two triangular metal-rimmed air intakes and 22 inch wheels. Mechanical modifications include an AC Schnitzer lowering spring kit and sport exhaust system. Check out more photos after the jump.
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| VW Tiguan from Russia for Russia Posted: 06 Aug 2008 06:03 AM CDT  Frank Witterman, CEO of VW in Russia has stated that "the decision to build the Tiguan locally is an indication of the strategic importance of the Russian market for the VW". It seems that VW is really taking into account the spending power of this new emerging market and it’s taste for modern vehicles. There will be two models available at the lauch of the Tiguan, one equipped with a 1.4 litre 150 bhp TSI engine priced at €27,900 (or 904,000 ruble) and another TSI engine, a 2.0 litre one, capable of delivering 170 bhp starting at €32,500 (or 1,053,550 ruble).
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| Epitome of bad taste: Arabian Toyota Landcruiser Posted: 06 Aug 2008 05:59 AM CDT  They say money can’t buy good taste, but this Toyota Landcruiser is the embodiment of bad taste. I agree that people want to be unique, to express their own personality through the objects that they own but the lenght some people go to make their cars unique, to know that there isn’t any car like their’s on the road is sometimes pretty scary. This car, which seems to be licensed to one of the United Arab Emirates, can easily be mistaken for an alien vehicle or one from the future, a future i won’t like to live in though.
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| New details about the VW Golf VI Posted: 06 Aug 2008 05:51 AM CDT  Earlier this week, we posted the leaked photos of the mark VI Volkswagen Golf. Now it seems that VW has released the official details about the launch calendar, new tehnologies employed in this car and the new engines that will be available for this model. The new Golf will make it’s commercial debut in October in Europe and after that in Africa, Asia, Australia and North America. The prices will start from €16,500, a bit more expensive than the previous Golf V. Among the new tehnologies that the new car will benefit are Automatic Distance Control (ACC), Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) and Park Steering Assistant. Besides these new features, a new ESP system will be fitted, this one having a finer response, also new safety equipements will be fitted like seven airbags including knee airbag, special anti-whiplash head restraints (WOKS) and a seatbelt detection feature for the rear seats. As for the engines, the Golf VI will be available right off the start with two 2.0 litre TDI engines, capable of delivering 81 kW / 110 bhp and 103 kW / 140 bhp. These two engines will be the first ones to benefit from the common rail injection, the old ones having pump duse injection. On the gasoline side, 4 engines will be featured in the new line-up, two normally aspirated ones, that will deliver 59 kW / 80 bhp and 75 kW / 102 bhp, and to TSI engines, either supercharged or turbocharged, that will deliver 90 kW / 122 bhp and 118 kW / 160 bhp. VW are really proud of these engines, having stated that these new engines have 28% better fuel economy and are compliant with future EURO 5 standards.
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| How is ‘exclusive’ measured? Ford and ROUSH sued Posted: 05 Aug 2008 12:29 PM CDT  Ford and ROUSH are currently involved in a lawsuit filed by Drew Conner, a New York customer and other buyers, which feel like they’ve been cheated by the two companies. Last year, these customers paid $59,000 for the 2007 Roush Stage 3 BlackJack, which was announced in a limited run of 100 units. However, it looks like the limited tun was not so limited after all, because Ford and ROUSH are accused of building another 100 units, this year. And they’re really serious, seeking more than $12 million in damages. “The vehicles purchased by the plaintiff and the other class members were not as unique or rare as the defendants had stated them to be,” the complaint said. “Their value from scarcity and as collectors’ items were and are dramatically less than the buyers had been led to believe their value would be.”  | ||||
| Jaguar XK and XKR facelift spied Posted: 05 Aug 2008 12:17 PM CDT  The facelifts for the Jaguar XK and XKR are scheduled to be presented at the Paris Motor Show in October. Meanwhile, here are some spy photos of the cars, caught in Mahway, New Jersey, while they were out performing hot weather testing. From what we can see, the cars will feature a new front bumper with restyled air intakes, slightly redesigned rear bumpers and new LED taillights. Besides that, the cars will get stiffened suspension and quicker steering, plus Jaguar's new drive-select transmission interface. After the Paris debut, the Jaguar XK and XKR facelifts will go on sale early next year.
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| 52 mpg BMW Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe goes on sale in the UK Posted: 05 Aug 2008 12:02 PM CDT  As a response to current rising taxes paid by UK motorists, BMW announced that, in cooperation with Alpina they’ve developed the Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe, which will go on sale in the United Kingdom. The car is powered by the 2.0 liter twin turbo diesel engine from the BMW 123d, which has been slightly modified and boosted by 10 hp. The result? More power and less weight means that the the car achieves an overall power-to-weight ratio of 146hp/tonne, just like the 330d Coupe for example. The Alpina D3 does 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds, can reach a top speed of 152mph and achieves a very impressive 52.3mpg fuel consumption. Only 100 units of the Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe will be available this year, at a starting price of £32,950 (manual gearbox) and £34,540 (the automatic). Check out more photos after the jump.
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| Local Motors’ Rally Fighter to enter production Posted: 05 Aug 2008 11:31 AM CDT  Local Motors is a Massachusetts based company which plans on revolutionizing the way cars are produced. The community based company proposes a micro-factory paradigm to implement a national network of retail locations each capable of manufacturing, sales, and service of their community created designs. Will it work? Who knows, maybe. Meanwhile, Local Motors held a few design competition, in order to decide on the first vehicle to enter production. And the winning design is Sangho Kim’s Rally Fighter Concept, which, besides bringing $10,000 to its creator, will be taken by a team of engineers and master machinists from Local Motors and layered onto a universal chassis. The resulting prototype will be transfered to a network of suppliers who will analyze it and then deliver the components to Local Motors. Local Motors hopes to build around 2000 units per year up to a target price of $50,000. Don’t know if they’ll make it, but this sure is something worth keeping an eye on it. So, stay tuned, as we’ll bring more news when available. Meanwhile, check out more sketches after the jump.
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| Ford Mustang AV8R auctioned for $500,000 Posted: 05 Aug 2008 10:24 AM CDT  The Ford Mustang AV8R was built for the EAA Gathering of Eagles charity auction, that took place last Thursday. The winning bid was $500,000 and the auction took place during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008, the world’s largest annual aviation event. Proceeds from the sale will support EAA youth education and inspirational experiences that prepare young people to become the engineers, pilots and innovators. The Ford Mustang AV8R is powered by a 400 hp 4.6 litre 24-valve V8 supercharged engine and is fitted with a Ford Racing Handling Pack that includes dampers, lowering springs, anti-roll bar kit, strut tower brace and a Ford Racing Tuned Exhaust. The car features a unique “satin finish” aviation inspired paint with a black gloss treatment, with unique Star-in-Circle insignia laminate glass, special front and rear fascias, AV8R faux gas cap, plus a Mustang Bullitt grill and shift knob. The interior includes distressed “Bomber Jacket” leather inserts and trim panels and autographs from Harrison Ford, Edsel B. Ford II, Jack Roush, Carroll Shelby and others. Check out more photos of the Ford Mustang AV8R after the jump.
Via Autoblog  |
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