Auto Unleashed

Auto Unleashed

Mini Clubman rickshaws at the Olympics

Posted: 11 Aug 2008 07:49 AM CDT

Minirick

While the World’s head is turned towards the Olympics that just started in Beijing, that is the definitive place to have your commercial campaigns. Mini Clubman brings a whole new meaning to “chinese traditional transport”, with its very inspired campaign in the current capital of worldwide sports. The Mini-Rickshaws hit the headlines, and make the Mini Clubman campaign very sucessfull. The rickshaw is a traditional Chinese transport means, it was first powered by men on foot and dates back to 1868. Guess the Mini marketing team really hit the spot this time.

Source: China Car Times via: Autoblog

Fast & Furious 4 to feature the Impreza WRX STI

Posted: 11 Aug 2008 05:06 AM CDT

Subaru Impreza WRX STi

The Fast & Furious films have been one of the most successful films about car racing and the tuning scene. Cars which have been listed in their exclusive roster include Nissan Skyline GT-R, Mitsubishi EVO IX or Ford Mustang. For the fourth installment of the film one of the cars will be the new Subaru Impreza WRX STI, having been seen at a Motor Press Guild meeting in Los Angeles. The design a interesting to say the least, featuring a two tone color and several red stripes, black rims and a full body kit complete the import tuner look. F&F4 is set to be launched in June 2009, Vin Diesel is set a comeback after staring in the first film and having a short cameo in Tokyo Drift. Here are a few pictures:

Source: Carscoop

ABC presents the status report on the Chevy Volt

Posted: 11 Aug 2008 04:54 AM CDT

From the new wave of more efficient hybrids, the Chevrolet Volt is one of the most expected, and for GM, it is the bet they’re hoping to win or else their financial crysis is going to get even worse.

ABC’s reporter talks with the exterior design executive director, Michael Simcoe, who actually shows off a piece of the front left side of the car, demonstrating that the exterior has been altered since the official prototype’s presentation at the Detroit Motor Show. He also talks with the battery testing department of GM, who works really hard to find a suitable battery for this model. All of the workers seem a bit sceptic on the late-2010 release date, but are confident that GM will pull it off. Here’s the video:

Source: CarScoop

Porsche Confirms: Diesel for Cayenne

Posted: 11 Aug 2008 04:49 AM CDT

Porsche Cayenne Diesel

Yes, the “big bad wolf” of the SUVs gets a diesel engine. It is now official. Since Porsche owns a big share of VW, it was only a matter of Brand Image before they would have introduced a diesel on their models. Cayenne will get the 3.0 L V6 diesel that runs on both VW Touareg and Audi Q7. The 240hp engine could be a choice for the Panamera model, as well, although a hybrid was discussed for the 4 door Porsche saloon.


Source: AutoBild via Autobloggreen

Official photos of the Suzuki Alto

Posted: 11 Aug 2008 04:45 AM CDT

Suzuki Alto

This is the latest creation from the Japanese carmaker, as a response to global warming. After the A-Star Concept’s debut at the New Delhi Auto Expo, the new Suzuki will officially be unveiled in October at the Paris Motor Show. Powered by a 1.0 liter Euro5 engine, the vehicle’s emissions will be only 109g of CO2/km. Assembled at the Suzuki plant in India, the Suzuki Alto will be marketed in Europe, India and other countries, especially if we think that Suzuki officials emphasized on the globally-car design. The first deliveries will begin at the end of this year.

Check out one more photo after the jump.

Suzuki Alto

Aston Martin’s show of force: the €1.25 million One-77

Posted: 11 Aug 2008 03:58 AM CDT

Aston Martin One-77

Exclusivity is the name of the game in these days, the more exclusive and luxurios is the model, the more it will be sought after by people who don’t want their car driven by a mere mortals like us. Such was the case with the Lamborghini Reventon, 25 cars being made, such is now the case with the Aston Martin One-77.

Today, they have just launched the official site of this model with a couple of teaser photos. The name, derives from the number of models that will be put to sale, 77. If you’re interested, you should now know that the list of customers has reached 500 names in just a couple of hours, so the chances of getting one are pretty slim. And if the list doesn’t hold you back, then the price tag of €1.25 million will have, it’s even more expensive then the Bugatti Veyron, which sells at the low price of €1.2 million. But these lucky 77 customers will have at their disposal an entire team from Aston Martin which will help to customize their car in every way imaginable.

The tehnical details are pretty impressive, the car will be powered by a hand built 7.0 litre V12 engine. This monster, which will be housed in a body made of aluminium and carbon fiber, is going to take the One-77 to a top speed of over 320 km/h (198 mph) with an accelaration of 0-100 km/h (60 mph) at about 3.5 seconds. The power output of the engine is yet unknown but specialists estimate it at about 650 bhp.

This model will be the first after the manufacturer’s depart from the Ford group and some people think that it will be a part of Project Alligator which described a partnership between Mercedes Benz and Aston Martin.


Source: AutoBlog

 
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