Auto Unleashed |
| Posted: 14 Aug 2008 08:02 AM CDT  The new Dodge Ram features: solid axle, coil spring, multi-link rear suspension, cargo management system including unique "RamBox" weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins, store-in-the-floor bins with removable liners, factory-installed 4-inch dual exhaust, live Sirius Backseat TV and surround-sound audio system. Also, a new engine is available, a 5.7 liter HEMI that produces 390 hp and 407 lb.-ft. of torque, that goes 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds while fuel consumption is at 20 mpg on the highway.  | ||||
| First details on the Toyota Hilux facelift Posted: 14 Aug 2008 07:52 AM CDT  Via Paultan  | ||||
| 200,000 BMWs recalled for airbag issue Posted: 14 Aug 2008 07:38 AM CDT  NHSTA announced that about 200,000 BMW vehicles in the U.S. will be recalled over a sensor problem that may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash. NHTSA says that if the front passenger seat is used often, that might cause small crack to develop in the seat detection mat. This deactivates the airbag and the airbag warning lamp and turns on the passenger airbag “on/off” lamp. The recall, which is expected to begin during late September, affects the 2006 3-Series, the 2004-2005 5-Series and the 2004-2006 X3. BMW announced that the dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat and also the warranty will be extended to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit.  | ||||
| No El Camino, Pontiac’s new sport truck called “G8 ST” Posted: 14 Aug 2008 07:23 AM CDT  With the “Tame the Name” promotion, GM tried to find the best name for the Pontiac G8 sport truck and their final decision was the “G8 ST”. Not very complicated, huh? Though a lot of us were expecting the “El Camino” name to be adopted, it seems that they’ve decided not to choose that name. "We actually thought very long about El Camino," said Craig Bierley, BPG product marketing director for cars and crossovers. "In the end, we felt it was more appropriate to honor the El Camino's unique place as part of Chevy's heritage and not use that nameplate on a Pontiac." After sifting through more than 18,000 possibilities, Pontiac has chosen to keep it simple, naming the recently revealed G8 sport truck the " G8 ST." The Pontiac G8 ST basically creates a new niche, a sports car with truck-like cargo and towing capabilities. Sharing the basic architecture and 361 hp V8 engine as the G8 GT performance sedan, it will offer a 73.9-inch cargo bed that has 42.7 cubic feet of cargo space and can carry a payload of 1,000 pounds (453 kg) or tow a 3,500-pound (1,587 kg) trailer. The G8 ST will be available in late 2009 as a 2010 model and will be backed by GM's industry best 100,000 mile, 5-year powertrain warranty. Pricing will be announced closer to availability.  | ||||
| BMW M3 Cabrio tuning by AC Schnitzer Posted: 14 Aug 2008 06:12 AM CDT  BMW’s M3 is quite a good looking car, and the Cabrio version is even better. That being said, tuners can’t really do quite a lot to that car, BMW doing a great job on the exterior styling of the car. But AC Schnitzer decided to have a go at the sporty convertible and here’s the result: the ACS3 Sport Cabriolet. The german tuners have stayed away from the 420 bhp V8 engine, and instead opted to fit the model with a new sport suspension, and for a cooler noise, fitted the powerdome of the engine with two AC Schnitzer Vents to give a more gruntled sound. The exterior was slightly remodelled, the front end gaining a new carbon fiber lip, modular side skirts to attract attention to the 20 inch wheels and the new AC Schnitzer high performance braking system. The rear was fitted with a carbon fiber rear diffuser and a silencer with chromed tailpipes. More quality pictures of the car after the jump. Photo Gallery: BMW M3 Cabrio Tuning by AC Schnitzer
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| Audi R8 Targa without camouflage Posted: 13 Aug 2008 02:37 PM CDT  These are the first spy photos of the Audi R8 Targa, without any camouflage. The new Audi R8 Targa is scheduled for official launch in March 2009. There are speculations about the name of the new Audi R8 supercar: Targa, Convertible, Cabrio or Spider. But the most likely name will be Audi R8 Targa, as shown in the planning documents for the next years. About the engine, besides the 4.2 liter FSI powerplant that develops 420HP, we could also see the 5 liter V10 twin turbo engine with 580HP, from the Audi RS6. The new Audi R8 Targa is scheduled for official launch at Geneva Motor Show in March 2009. Via WorldCarFans  | ||||
| Official blueprints of the Mazda MX5 Facelift Posted: 13 Aug 2008 02:32 PM CDT  Perhaps you remember the design of the new Mazda3, recorded a few days ago by the Japanese manufacturer on the European organization OHIM (Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market). In addition to this, Mazda recorded the new MX-5 roadster design, which will have a minor facelift on the radiator grille, headlights and fog projectors. Because only the front part is highlighted, we believe that the remaining body will not suffer major changes. Or maybe will be made later. The latest information said that the new Mazda MX-5 will be presented in premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008.  | ||||
| Batman passion to the extreme: Real life Tumbler Posted: 13 Aug 2008 02:26 PM CDT  Sure, a lot of people have come to love Batman, partly due to the great success it had with the latest two films, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. But Bob Dullam has taken his passion for the Capped Crusader to new heights, building a life size working replica of Batman’s current vehicle of choice, the Tumbler. Sure, you may think that it wasn’t that hard if you have the blueprints and schematics at hand, but Bob didn’t have those things, building the vehicle from scratch, after pictures taken from the Internet. It wasn’t an easy build, nor a cheap one, the costs taking him at about $60,000. But he didn’t stop at building the Tumbler, he also made a Batman costume to go with the car, and has also said that he will begin working on the Batpod, which also starred in the two films. So if you see this car in your rear-view mirror, rest assured that Batman is watching over you  | ||||
| New Mitsubishi Colt to debut in Paris Posted: 13 Aug 2008 02:22 PM CDT  The Colt, Mitsubishi’s answer to the small european cars like the Mini or Fiat Grande Punto, was set to receive a facelift for quite some time now. Recently, a newspaper article scan, shows us this facelifted version captured at a promotional shoot in Berlin, Germany. The changes are quite surprinsing in the front end, Mitsubishi’s engineers borrowing the shark like nose of the new Lancer and adapting it to the Colt chasis. Although the rest of the changes are quite insignificative, the front end is sure to conquer a lot of people, and just might be the ace in the constructor’s sleeve in the fierce battle on the European market which has shown a lot of demand for small hatchbacks due to their practicality in the big cities. This new version will make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show in October with sales due to commence a small time after it. Check out one more scan after the jump.  Source: Autoweek (Via CarScoop)  |
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