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| Rolls Royce Phantom ‘Peony’ limited edition Posted: 25 Aug 2008 08:05 AM CDT  The UAE is definitely the best market for luxury products, there’s no doubt about that. And cars are no exception. So Rolls Royce decided to create a limited edition especially for its loyal and wealthy arab customers. Dubbed “Peony”, the car’s name comes from a the 'Peony' flower design, which is an ancient oriental motif that represents royalty, wealth and distinction. The limited edition features a two-tone exterior of Pearl Blue with a contrasting Moonstone Pearl Blue and Seashell interior. The flower motif, in traditional blue and yellow, is used throughout the vehicle, including an exterior logo along with interior wood trim inlay and oriental art door capping. Besides customised tread plates, customers will also receive a special HIND perfume. Though the car’s mechanics remain the same (6.75 liter V12 engine with 453 hp (338kW) and 530lb-ft (720Nm) of torque), the ‘Peony’ limited edition is a part of Rolls Royce’s ‘Bespoke Program’, a special exclusive program where customers are able to fully customise the car (paints, materials, mechanics). The car’s pricing? Who knows, who cares?   |
| Smart ForTwo’s recalled for paint problem Posted: 25 Aug 2008 07:48 AM CDT  So far, the weirdest recall we remember was the one involving the three SLRs, but I think this one tops that on a ‘weirdness’ scale. Smart USA announced that 43 Smart ForTwo’s will be recalled due to a…paint problem. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem comes from the car's unique construction methods and, because the paint is a delaminating risk, and if it comes apart near the portion where the windshield and roof are adhesive-mounted, they could separate from the rest of the car, which could cause a crash if the roof or windshield separated from the vehicle while in motion.  |
| Bugatti news: more powerful Veyron GT, new car in 2012 Posted: 25 Aug 2008 07:34 AM CDT  Bugatti has announced that the Veyron production will end in 2012 and its replacement will be another ultra expensive model. This contradicts the recent rumors that the French company is working on a smaller, cheaper car. "We will be staying on top of everybody else and we will not be producing a smaller, or cheaper car and we will not be moving volumes up. Bugatti customers are very extreme people," Bugatti boss Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen told AutoCar. Though nothing is certain for the moment, it seems that the new car will be a luxury rival to the Rolls Royce Phantom, that could also benefit from advanced biofuel or diesel technology. After the Grand Sport recently debuted, rumors are also going around about Bugatti ending the Veyron production with a more powerful ‘GT’ version. Thought Bugatti denies so far, these rumors are supported by the fact that Bugatti engineering boss, Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber recently said that the quad-turbocharged 16 cylinder engine from the Bugatti could generate even more power and torque. Also, it seems that there are a few customers that already put down deposits for the ‘GT’ version, that could develop 1200 hp and reach a top speed of 270 mph (434 km/h).
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| The trailer for the Fast and Furious 4 Posted: 25 Aug 2008 06:41 AM CDT I’m pretty sure every car fan out there has seen at least one movie from “The Fast and Furious” series. Now, for the fourth part of the movie, Vin Diesel and Paul Walker are back and you can check out the trailer that was screened at this weekend’s during Death Race’s preview (another car movie). Yeah, we know that’s not the best quality, but at least it’s something, we can get an idea of how the movie’s going to be like. So, what do you think?  |
| New Blue Lion logo for Peugeot eco models Posted: 25 Aug 2008 06:28 AM CDT  Peugeot announced that all their economical models will be called ‘Blue Lion’ and to help buyers identify these models easier, they’ve also came up with a new logo for these cars. Instead of the regular silver lion badge, the eco models will be given a new ‘Blue Lion’ logo. Actually, this is really cool, it sets Peugeot apart from the rest of the economical cars. To be a part of the ‘Blue Lion’ range, the cars will need to return between 56mpg (46 US mpg or 5 liters/100 km) and 64mpg (53 US mpg or 4.4 liters/100 km) and emit 109-130g/km of CO2. This will allow the models to qualify for UK annual road tax between £35 and £120 and company car tax breaks. Models that will be part of the ‘Blue Lion’ range are the 107, 207 (all versions) and 308 (all version, including the SW).
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| Watch Top Gear legally on YouTube in their own channel Posted: 25 Aug 2008 04:48 AM CDT  As you all know, Top Gear, one of the most popular car shows in the world, is on hiatus until October. That left us with a desire to watch more of the old adventures of Jeremy, Richard and James, so we don’t have a choice than to go on YouTube and just search for Top Gear and hope the videos posted by fans weren’t deleted by YT admins. That time has ended, TG launching their own YouTube channel, dedicated to bring the most interesting and hilarious moments of their shows to us, the public from all around the world. You can access it here and they already put up a lot of videos for you to see such as the 24 hour race the boys did at Silverstone, or the race between the Bugatti Veyron and the Eurofighter jet aircraft. Enjoy!  |
| New car launched? Endorse it with a soccer team Posted: 25 Aug 2008 04:44 AM CDT  In Europe and the whole world, soccer, or football as we call it, is pretty big and car manufacturers know that so advertising with a team is a good investment. This led to teams playing with the brand on their T-shirts, getting free cars from the producers, or even naming stadiums after the manufacturer (Mercedes-Benz Arena anyone?). But lately, car makers have taken a new leap of faith, with their new models, Ford, with the Focus, and Volkswagen with their Polo, launched customized versions of those cars, fitted with vinyls with the logo of the teams, FC Cologne for Ford respectively Werder Bremen for VW. The vinyls aren’t all that exciting but to a true fan they will definitely be a must-have. I can’t help wonder what will happen if you go to an away match to a traditional rival of those clubs in a car with that sort of vinyl, one thing’s for sure, I wouldn’t want to be in that car  Source: CarScoop  |
Check out the VW after the jump. 
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