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| BMW crushes fans’ dreams, no M3 CSL or M1 supercar Posted: 27 Aug 2008 08:04 AM CDT  The M3 CSL has been expected since the launch of the standard M3, and several reports stated that it was on track for a 2010 release date. But according to Ludwig Willisch, the high performance M division boss, plans for a M3 CSL have been dropped, together with the ones for a M1 supercar of a M version based on the 1-series. The Coupe Sport Lightweight version of the M3 was set to be the most track-oriented version based on the 3-series. It was set to top the power output at around 470hp and coupled with a weight reduction of 100 kg would be a real monster on the circuits. The official “excuse” for the M division is that a reasonable demand wasn’t made from the market, so instead of throwing money out the window, their engineers are working on performance models for the X5 and X6 SUVs, models which have had a real succes on the market. Well it would seem that BMW sure took a risk with this decision and let’s hope no angry customers were made to reconsider buying an M3.
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| AU Readers’ Cars: Nick’s Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Posted: 27 Aug 2008 07:50 AM CDT  After a long break, today we resume our AU Readers’ Cars section with a very beautiful ride. This Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrio you see here belongs to Nick, one of our readers from Temecula, California.
So, what do you think, you like it? We definitely do. And don’t forget to send us photos of your own cars, we’d love to see them. For more details, go to the Readers’ Cars section. Photo Gallery: Nick’s Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrio
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| Posted: 27 Aug 2008 07:26 AM CDT  Saab is a pretty well known manufacturer fighting with the top class luxury constructors like BMW or Mercedes, but lately sales haven’t been all so good with the sweedish producer, partly due that the current generation of cars are already out of date design-wise although from an engineering point of view are reliable. That is why Saab wanted to stress the development of the new 9-5 model, to show that their engineers are hard at work, with the help of this sketch, depicting the future line of design that will be found in the next generation of models. Quite an agressive one in fact, the model resembling more of a coupe than a 4 door sedan which the sweedish manufacturer has got us used to. Rumours have also stated that this model will be set to contend performance-wise with the top AMG and M branded models from Mercedes and BMW, respectively. These rumours are based on the fact that Saab declared that the 9-5 will have “much of the fundamental technology already being produced in the Turbo X”, the current high performance model from the manufacturer. One thing’s for sure, the sweedish manufacturer is definitely going to have a success with this model if it can market it properly, because all other aspects like design or performance are assured by it’s history and high build quality. Source: Trollhattan Saab (Via MotorAuthority)  | ||||
| The Seat Leon gets new custom colors Posted: 27 Aug 2008 07:21 AM CDT  The Seat Leon is one of the most good looking hot-hatches in the market today, combining the agressive latin design with german engineering, all wrapped in some very cool colors, like the Crono Yellow or Candy White. But the spanish manufacturer didn’t think that these colors would be enough, at it has announced that it will offer a 4 new colors available in a custom pallete. For £550, UK customers will be able to choose from Lumina Orange, Speed Blue, Kiwi Green or Furia Grey. Like on the Ibiza, Seat took advantage of being in the Volkswagen Group and borrowed some colors from Lamborghini, providing them to further differentiate the Leon from it’s competitors. One thing’s for sure, these new colors really make the Leon stand out even more on the road and complete the agressive image of the model. More pictures after the jump.  Source: CarScoop  | ||||
| Several new BMW Z4’s spied in France Posted: 26 Aug 2008 03:15 PM CDT  Damn, this BMW camo sure is funny, looks like a circus show over there. The photos you see here were taken by one of the members of German forum zroadster. While on vacation at Col d’Turini, France, the dude spotted this BMW Z4 fleet undergoing some road tests. Pretty heavy camo on the cars, but the overall profile looks promising. Check out one more photo after the jump.  Source: Zroadster Forums (Via BMW Blog)  | ||||
| Fiat Portofino concept van to debut at Dusseldorf Posted: 26 Aug 2008 02:54 PM CDT  At the Caravan Salon, which will take place in Dusseldorf, Germany from August 29 to September 7, Fiat will be showcasing a new, interesting concept. The Fiat Portofino show van is based on the new Fiorino and it wants to be a modern interpretation of the classic beach buggy, built by some Italian coachbuilders in the 60’s. The concept was created by two companies Vernagallo-Holiday and SALT, the first one a specialist in small recreational vehicles and the second one an exclusive tuning programs specialist. The Portofino wants to be an useful, practical vehicle and luxurious at the same time: at 4 metres long and 1.7 metres wide it can accommodate 5 people while the 1/3 – 2/3 split rear seat that may be removed to allow very bulky items and tools to be carried. The seats benefit from waterproof upholstery and the floor has a special wood finish. Fiat also plans on releasing a covered version soon, which is meant to protect the passengers from rain or from too much sun. One more photo after the jump.   | ||||
| Your Bentley is dull? Try the new Golden Roof Posted: 26 Aug 2008 02:24 PM CDT  Since we started writing here, we’ve seen a lot of expensive customization programs for even more expensive cars. And this is another one, the Golden Roof from British company Alchemist. We know that this isn’t aimed at rich Arab customers because they’ll probably want the whole thing covered in gold, not just the roof, so its target is probably the ‘poorer’ rich dudes. Using a new patented process, Alchemist will cover your car's roof with a pure gold leaf, with pricing between £12,500 ($23,300) and €15,700 ($28,850). Also, if you’re willing to spend more, you can also get precious gemstones embeded. Each creation is signed and numbered and the client presented with a certificate of authenticity. Source: Carscoop  | ||||
| Seat Leon 1P bodykit by RDX Racedesign Posted: 26 Aug 2008 01:52 PM CDT  The German tuner RDX Racedesign has decided to do its magic on the Seat Leon. The aerodynamic bodykit, called “1P”, features a "GTI-Five" front spoiler bumper ($399), devised Turbo-look side skirts ($129.95) and a “GTI-Five” rear apron ($349), which doesn’t have exits for the exhaust pipes, so you can fit it very easily to yours. Besides that, the tuning package also includes Audi S6 daytime runnning lights placed above the air inlets on the left and right side and four different matching grid designs. Check out one more photo after the jump.  Source: RDX Racedesign (Via Babez.de)  |
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