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| Unique Visitors: 0 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 31947 |
| Visitors Out: 5902 |
| Total Visitors Out: 5902 |
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| First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI |
| 2008-09-21 07:32:00 |
The state of California has the toughest vehicle emissions regulations in the world in its LEV II (and the corresponding national Tier 2 Bin 5) standards. Those rules treat all engine types the same regardless of what fuel they use. It doesn't matter if the engine runs on gasoline, diesel or cow dung, the emissions standards are the same. These rules are so tight that no manufacturer has been able to sell light-duty passenger vehicles powered by diesel engines in California and four other states for the last several years. That's all about to change beginning with last month's sales launch of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The Jetta TDI is the first new diesel-powered car to meet the tough T2B5 standards, and it's fitting that VW invited us out to the birthplace of these emissions regulati...
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| Spy Shots: 2010 Buick LaCrosse caught with little camo plus interior |
| 2008-09-21 07:02:00 |
Let's forget about the Pontiac G3 for now and focus on what General Motors is doing right. Case in point is the upcoming 2010 Buick LaCrosse, which has just been caught undergoing testing wearing very little camouflage. We can clearly see now that Buick designers drew heavily on the Invicta concept for inspiration. Even the concept's character line remains that kinks just ahead of the rear wheels to create a smooth arch over the rear fenders.Photographers actually caught two LaCrosse models out testing, one of which showed a clean rear bumper and the other was brandishing two large, rectangular tailpipes and wearing demonstrably larger wheels. They even managed to snag a clear shot of the interior that shows an impressive dash design with what appears to be very high quality materials like...
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| 2008 SEMA Motor Show Preview: Performance West Group Ford F-350 Striker |
| 2008-09-21 04:46:00 |
Athletic governing bodies are coming down hard on steroids and HGH, which has probably led to a glut on the market. Performance West Group appears to have bought up the entire surplus and injected it into a Ford F-350 dually in order to create the Striker. Part pickup and part Ford Mustang GT500KR, the Striker will be intimidating other vehicles at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas.The greatest tuning minds of our generation are assisting PWG with the project. Gale Banks is tuning the PowerStroke V8 engine above its 350 hp and 650 lb-ft. Hulst Customs is fabricating the bodywork. American Lightweight will be providing the aluminum 24" wheels. Katzkin Leather and Sony are doing duty inside to make sure you enjoy what will surely be a monster system in beauteous comfort.PWG will then drape ...
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| Acura 2+1 design study takes superman shield to next level |
| 2008-09-21 04:36:00 |
Acura's new design language, as seen on the 2009 Acura TL, is fronted by a shield-like appendage that has received mixed reviews. The Acura 2+1 -- the numbers describe the seating arrangement -- by design student Leon Paz is what would happen if you took the shield theme to one natural conclusion. By maintaining the edge throughout the concept's "modern baroque styling," Paz has come up we something we kinda dig.The body is fashioned from a plastic that is harder than fiberglass, and Paz has done a great job in creating lines that evoke skin stretched over a frame. The upper surface is one continuous window that shows off the twin-turbo V6 and the Acura logo for the cylinder covers. There is no hood -- at your yearly service, the dealer would lift the glass and perform any engine maintenan...
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| Paris Motor Show 2008 Preview: 4-door Audi A1 concept expected to debut |
| 2008-09-16 08:38:00 |
After showing the Audi A1 Metroproject concept at last year's Tokyo Motor Show, Audi is reportedly planning to reveal a four-door variant in Paris next month. The production version of the A1 will go into production in 2009 at an Audi factory in Brussels, Belgium. Audi will be targeting the A1 at the premium small car segment to go up against the MINI. It's unknown if the Audi A1 will be offered in the U.S. market although the most recent reports have indicated that it would not. The Audi A1 is also expected to form the basis for an upcoming electric car from Audi in the next few years. More Excellent Articles and Pictures about Paris Motor Show 2008 in www Auto Com:+ VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION+ Infiniti bringing FX37 to Paris Motor Show 2008, no FX37 for the U.S+ Paris Moto...
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| Mercedes-Benz GLK ready to storm 2008 SEMA Motor Show |
| 2008-09-16 08:19:00 |
Perhaps you've heard: Mercedes-Benz has this new SUV called the GLK, and it's not just the Sex and the City audience that's being targeted. The compact ute's getting-to-know-you tour will make a stop at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where four concept versions will be on display. We already told you about RENNtech's hybrid Rally Racer show truck, and now we have some info on the other three versions that'll join it in Vegas.Naturally, BRABUS will represent, skinning the GLK300 Bluetec in Widestar duds, new wheels, and the de rigeur custom interior. No power upgrade yet, it seems, but knowing BRABUS, they'll have a version putting out approximately a trillion horsepower by the time the GLK is in customers' hands.Boulevard Customs is prepping the GLK "Urban Whip", a garish creation sporting 26...
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| VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION |
| 2008-09-14 02:50:00 |
If you find yourself in Paris Motor Show 2008 next month, you'll see the Mercedes-Benz Concept FASCINATION on the floor. (It's so fascinating, it requires all caps, you see.) Chances are, the video embedded after the jump will be playing on a variety of screens behind it and around the Mercedes stand in general. It's your typical car show stuff: light electronica over moving pictures in which the car itself never moves. Still, the panning camera gives you a better view of some of the lines likely to be found on the next E-Class family. Just dim the lights a little and imagine the car surrounded by watchful Germans who are, in turn, surrounded by a number of people speaking French. See? We just saved you airfare to Paris.[Source: YouTube via TheCarFanatic] More Excellent Articles and Pic...
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| Infiniti bringing FX37 to Paris Motor Show 2008, no FX37 for the U.S. |
| 2008-09-14 02:42:00 |
We've just gotten confirmation that Infiniti will equip its European FX series crossover with the 330 hp, 3.7-liter V6 (VQ37VHR) and it's slated to make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show next month.Infiniti has decided to only offer the 3.7-liter V6 on its range of vehicles abroad, and there are no plans to bring the FX37 Stateside.Infiniti's crossover will be available in both FX37 GT and FX37S versions, with 0-60 times in the 6.8-second range and a top speed of 145 mph. Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloys, Scratch Shield paint, all-wheel-drive, xenon headlamps and a seven-speed automatic gearbox controlled via steering wheel-mounted paddles. The FX37S comes equipped with 21-inch wheels, sports seats and Continuous Damping Control. More Excellent Articles and Pictures abo...
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| Steven Millen and his Ford GT ready to run in Dunlop Targa Rally |
| 2008-09-13 07:24:00 |
A little over two years ago we had the chance to spend some time at the track with Steve Millen and his race-prepped Ford GT before the team embarked on its fifth excursion to New Zealand to run in the Targa Rally.Last year, the team wasn't able to compete due to health issues with a member of the Stillen consortium, but this year they're back and the orange GT is meaner than ever.For the 2006 campaign, Stillen built up the Ford GT in a few months, equipping the mid-engine supercar with a performance exhaust, catalytic converter delete pipes, AP Racing front brakes, Penske shocks, a full cage and MOMO racing seats and harnesses. This year, they've tweaked the suspension, upgraded the brakes front and rear, added a set of Nordskog gauges and a GPS speedometer, along with pulling a few more ...
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| First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST |
| 2008-09-13 07:13:00 |
Save the hot hatch for last. That's what we kept telling ourselves as we wandered the Belgian countryside looking for Ford's Lommel Proving Ground. As it turns out, the facility, located next to an air force base – restricted airspace, you know – is so secret, our hosts at Ford could hardly find it. So we had a little extra time to repeat the mantra: save the hot hatch for last.On our way to Italy to drive the new Fiesta, we took a detour to Lommel to sample some of Ford's European C-segment offerings. A variety of vehicles, including one with the new dual-clutch gearbox, a Kuga crossover and the fire-breathing Focus ST, would be on hand for us to drive around the track. But we knew that if we gave into temptation and drove the ST first, the rest would seem sluggish by comparison, even...
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| Rendered Speculation: Ferrari 430 Scuderia Spider |
| 2008-09-10 10:06:00 |
Lies. Damn lies and speculation. Rumor would be another way to put it, as word of a potential convertible version of the Ferrari 430 Scuderia spreads across cyberspace. Tentatively referred to as the 430 Scuderia Spider, the roadster would naturally be based on the lightweight, Enzo-rivaling 430 Scuderia supercar, but with the roof chopped off.Various reports have given conflicting information about what kind of roof mechanism would be fitted to the Spideria, including a retractable hard-top similar to that found on the new California, a manual cloth roof to keep weight down, or the same automatic fabric top from the conventional F430 Spider. Or maybe no roof at all, who knows. The wide range of speculation leads us to chalk this up to pure rumor. The removal of structural rigidity and the...
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| Paris Motor Show Preview: Chevrolet Orlando MPV to debut, Sequel gets real |
| 2008-09-10 09:33:00 |
The compact MPV that we've been seeing spy photos of for the last several months and referring to as the Chevy Tacuma now has an official name and introduction date. What now looks more like a crossover will be debut next month in Paris as the Chevrolet Orlando. The Orlando is built off the same Delta compact platform as the new Chevy Cruze and the Volt. In fact, the Orlando is likely to be the MPV that was identified last fall to be built at GM's Detroit Hamtramck plant alongside the Volt. If the Orlando pictured above looks vaguely familiar it's because it draws a lot from the stying of the Chevy Sequel fuel cell concept, particularly in the side glass and the overall proportions. The Orlando has three row seating for seven (although that third row is likely to be very snug. GM hasn't gi...
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| Jeremie Paret: automotive journalist starts his own tuning firm |
| 2008-09-10 09:18:00 |
What you see here is living, fire-breathing proof that there is life after automotive journalism. Jeremie Paret recently left his position as Editor in Chief of Modify magazine to start his own supercar tuning outfit. This customized Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 is his first creation.It takes a special kind of tuner to have the chutzpah to tinker with an Italian thoroughbred like the LP560-4, and there are only a handful of aftermarket outfits that are up to the task. Paret sets himself apart by offering a completely customized experience, with each vehicle designed by his team according to the specifications of the customer. This Gallardo has been fitted with Asanti Diamond wheels hiding pink brake calipers, plus a host of carbon fiber bits from the side skirts and door handles to the Rev...
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| Track Drive: 2008 Honda Civic Mugen Si |
| 2008-09-10 09:06:00 |
Watch the Honda Civic Mugen Si run the Streets of Willow circuit HEREThe realization hits three seconds after hurtling out of the banking, foot to the floor. Two seconds after sucking in a breath and holding it through the blind chicane. One second after the staccato left-right-left roar of the rumble strips. It hits just after the full pucker left, a millisecond behind the flick of the steering wheel that shoots the Honda Civic Mugen Si through the corner and out the other side, millimeters away from the track's edge and the infield runoff beyond.Whoa! This thing handles.And well it should. M-Tec, the company formerly known as Mugen and Honda's unofficial motorsports arm, is largely responsible for the modifications that turn a regular Civic Si sedan into a Mugen Si.What M-Tec has done is...
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| Seven-seat Land Rover LR2 could hijack LR3 name |
| 2008-09-08 09:04:00 |
The LR2 gives Land Rover a semi-affordable entry model that is much more fuel efficient than the rest of the luxury SUV-maker's lineup. To help keep LR2 sales strong in a car market that is increasingly tougher for crossovers and SUVs, Land Rover is reportedly looking at adding a third row of seats by 2010. So the question is, how does Land Rover differentiate the seven-seat LR2 from the five-seater? Sometimes an automaker will just increase the number in the model's name by one, but that apparently doesn't work well with the luxury automaker's brilliantly simple naming convention.One idea is to shuffle names around to differentiate the two LR2 models. The seven-seat LR2 could be called the LR3, while the current LR3, a different model entirely, would then get bumped up to LR4 status. We u...
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| 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged |
| 2008-09-08 07:37:00 |
Ford Motor Company sent Jaguar packing this year when it sold the storied English automaker, along with Land Rover, to Indian mega corp. Tata. On its way out the door, Jaguar took something special: the XF sedan. Its entire development process having been carried out under the stewardship of Ford, the XF is easily the most tasty fruit born of the cross pollination between the Blue Oval and Leaping Cat since they were first joined back in 1989. Read on to find out how the 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharge fared in the Autoblog Garage.The 2009 Jaguar XF is the second manifestation of Design Director Iam Callum's intention for the brand (the first was the 2006 XK) that heralds a completely new look for the automaker's entire lineup. Based on the CX-F concept car that debuted at the 2007 Detroit Auto...
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| GT-R tuning update: HKS GT570 package |
| 2008-09-05 07:43:00 |
Serious Nissan GT-R tuners aren't coming out of the woodwork – yet – but one of Japan's largest aftermarket firms has thrown its hat into the ring, and to good effect. HKS will begin offering its GT570 kit to consumers in Japan later this year (no word on U.S. distribution) and as it's name implies, output is getting close to the 600 hp mark. The package includes new wastegate actuators for the stock turbos and an electronic boost controller, along with aluminum intercooler piping, silicon hose couplers and straight pipes that replace the stock catalytic converters, reducing back pressure, but negating the GT-R's road-legal status.All of those tweaks add up to a total of – you guessed it – 570 PS, or 562 hp and 540 lb.-ft. of torque at the wheels. Check the gallery below to see the...
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| Spy Shots: More tormenting shots of 2010 Ford Mustang |
| 2008-09-05 07:33:00 |
It's not a continuation of the piece-by-piece unveiling that started the other day, but a member over at Mustang Forums managed to take a wealth of pics showing a heavily-covered 2010 Mustang mule out and about on the streets. Considering Ford has placed stickers on the windshields of these mules directing passers-by to check out the official 2010 Mustang teaser site, it's obvious that the Blue Oval wants this car to be seen. We'll bite. We've gathered together five shots and the rest of them can be seen here. There are some details that look fairly clear beneath what may be the world's best auto camo. Take special note of the front lights, which are a bit reminiscent of the vents from the '70 Boss 'Stang along with the quad light setup from the '69. All of these various cues make us keenl...
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| Mazda Kiyora city car concept, MX-5 facelift head to Paris |
| 2008-09-05 06:30:00 |
Mazda has confirmed its Paris Motor Show lineup, which will be led by the Kiyora concept, a water-themed, Nagare-styled city car built on a new platform that features a "next generation" direct-injected four-banger. No additional details have been relayed at this time, other than it's supposed to be lightweight and efficient, in keeping with Mazda's "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom" approach. (As an aside, you should know that it's quite amusing to watch grown adults actually say this stuff with a straight face at press conferences.) Also officially confirmed now is the updated Mazda MX-5, complete with the new happy face that hit the web on Wednesday. It's joined by the Mazda6 MZR-CD 2.2L diesel and the Mazda2 MZ-CD 1.6L diesel, both of which are also world premieres. As always, we'll be in Paris t...
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| Paris Motor Show Preview: 2009 Ford Focus RS revealed... again! |
| 2008-09-05 05:55:00 |
Though it first debuted the 2009 Focus RS at the London Motor Show in July, Ford of Europe will do it again at the Paris Motor Show next month and today has given us even more info about the fastest European car to ever wear the Blue Oval badge. The '09 Focus RS is powered by a turbocharged Duratec 2.5L five-cylinder producing about 300 horsepower and 325 ft-lbs of torque and can reach 62 mph in less than six seconds on its way to a top speed of 162 mph. The front-wheel-drive pocket rocket will channel all that energy to the ground through a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip diff and what Ford calls the 'RevoKnuckle' front suspension. We couldn't explain how it works, but Ford found the system so effective at reducing torque steer that a heavier all-wheel-drive was taken off th...
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| 2009 Renault Megane images pop up online |
| 2008-09-03 07:30:00 |
Images of the next-gen 2009 Renault Megane III have leaked out onto the interwebs today revealing a more mature design for the French hatchback. The cornucopia of press shots show a five-door hatchback, and while we were told the new Megane III would sport styling inspired by the Megane Coupe Concept that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show last March, we're not seeing much of a resemblance. These shots show a design with swoops, curves and ripples, while the Coupe Concept was much more creased. Regardless, we like the new look, which is saying a lot considering we aren't normally fond of the French school of automotive design. No other details are known, but you can expect an engine range that is more powerful, cleaner and fuel efficient than before. [Source: km77 via Jalopnik]More Exce...
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| 2009 Honda Legend reveals de-shielded Acura RL |
| 2008-09-03 07:13:00 |
Remember when Superman chose to relinquish his super powers for love in the Man of Steel's first sequel? Without that 'S' on his chest, Clark Kent quickly got the crap kicked out of him by a truck driver. If the 2009 Acura RL (right) with its giant shield grille is Superman, then the Euro-only 2009 Honda Legend is surely Clark Kent. So many people have decried the new shield grille that we thought it'd be interesting to gauge reaction to the new Legend, which is basically the same car as the RL without the Acura overtones. To our eyes the Legend's new face is as boring and uninteresting as Acura's new grille is obnoxious, which truly does it make it the Clark Kent of cars.At the Moscow motor show, Honda has revealed the look of the re-styled Honda Legend to Europe.This revised model gives ...
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| Wald International preparing Nissan GT-R kit |
| 2008-09-02 10:10:00 |
Wald International has never been one to offer subtle styling. Whether it's the Lexus IS-F or the Mercedes-Benz CL, the Japanese tuner loves to create a bold look with vents, wings and wheels. The tuner recently turned its attention to the Nissan GT-R, and while we don't have official information on the car, the photos offer a good look at what the package will include. A vented front fascia and splitter, side skirts, rear fender flares, a rear diffuser, carbon fiber rear spoiler and 22-inch wheels all lend to the more aggressive look. We actually like the majority of the body kit, although we'd prefer the rear fender flares to be the same color as the body, and the larger wheels probably don't do much for the performance of the car. In the end, though, we'd probably spend our hard earned ...
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| Rendered Speculation: Aston Martin One-77 |
| 2008-09-01 09:57:00 |
As soon as David Richards & Co took over the Aston Martin brand that had stagnated under the stewardship of Ford, the rumours began to surface of a new supercar being launched. These rumours were confirmed to be true just a few short weeks a go when the British marque released the first teaser image of the Aston Martin One-77.For some people this teaser image wasn't enough, especially in the eyes of designer Jon Sibal who has created this new rendering of the model, you may also remember Jon for the superb rendering published here on WCF of the Mercedes McLaren SLR Roadster.Details about the model were left very much to the rumour mill, it is believed that the power will come from a hand-built 7.0 liter V12 engine which will be housed nicely inside a chassis made of aluminium and carb...
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| First Test: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V |
| 2008-09-01 06:28:00 |
Cadillac wants its "Standard of the World" slogan back. Toward that end, the brand is mounting sort of a "wreath-and-quest" global crusade to convert the heathen masses currently worshipping roundels, three-pointed stars, linked-rings, and the like. Its arsenal of enticements includes a small car (the Swedish-built BLS), diesel engines (including a new state-of-the-art 2.7L V-6), and even a sleek and slinky Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon due next year. But it needs a big-dog halo car-something to run with the Ms, AMGs, and RSs, capable of laying down big bragging-rights numbers at the Nrburgring. This CTS-V aims to be that car.The easy part of the project was the engine. The supercharged small-block V-8 was co-developed and cost-shared with Chevrolet, which uses it to power its halo-wearing Cor...
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| On the nautical ropes in the Fiat Portofino beach car |
| 2008-08-29 08:10:00 |
Fiat took one of its Fiorino vans, chopped off, well, most of it, and dubbed it the Portofino. Supposedly no more than a study for the Caravan Show that starts in Dusseldorf later this week, the golden, buggy-like conveyance is an homage to the 1960s. In a time before Fiat was building $200,000 supercars, coachbuilders were adding open-topped bodies to Fiat chassis like this for fun in the Italian sun.To stress the beachgoing theme, the Portofino has wood laminate flooring and natural fibers treated with a special waterproofing for the interior surfaces. The car can (optimistically) seat five, and the rear seat folds down for your surfboards and anchors.Instead of doors, the Portofino has nautical ropes -- which might sound risky, but the 12-foot car only has 75 horsepower, so you shouldn'...
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| 7:22! Dodge Viper ACR slays ZR1, GTR at the 'Ring |
| 2008-08-29 07:17:00 |
After Nissan announced in May of this year that its 480-horsepower, all-wheel-drive GT-R lapped Germany's infamous 20.8-km (12.9 miles) Nurburgring Nordschleife in a time of 7:29, Viper people became restless. Then, just a month later, following Chevrolet's declaration that its 638-horsepower supercharged Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 was the king of the hill, breaking the GT-R's record with a time of 7:26, Viper people became downright mad. Not the folks who work for Dodge, mind you, but the members of the Viper Club of America, a group of Viper fanatics that in fact stretches its arms well beyond America, as far as Japan and Germany. Sick and tired of hearing about other cars setting records at the Nordschleife, they wanted to see their pride and joy-namely, Dodge's new track-attacking 600-hors...
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| Bugatti releases new palette for Veyron Hermes |
| 2008-08-29 06:39:00 |
We know what you're thinking, because we're in the same lamentable position ourselves: you'd totally order up that uber-exclusive Hermes edition Veyron, but you're not a big fan of the brown and tan paint scheme. Fortunately Bugatti has heard your cries, brother, and announced the availability of new color options for the Veyron Fbg.The announcement actually came from Monterey but was quickly overshadowed, somewhat ironically, by the unveiling of the open-top Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport and the subsequent auction of its first example for $3.2 million. The unveiling of the new-tint Hermes Veyrons took place at the Quail motorsport gathering on Monterey Peninsula, where Bugatti revealed the four new color schemes available: "indigo blue and vermilion", "indigo blue and lime green", " black and g...
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| First Drive: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V-6 |
| 2008-08-27 08:18:00 |
No more guessing. No more hype. No more waiting. At long last, Chevrolet has opened the doors to its feverishly awaited 2010 Chevy Camaro sport coupe, and we've enjoyed a thorough shakedown run (in a "99%" prototype).Let's not keep you in suspense any longer. The envelope, please: Chevy's new two-door is...very good. Very, very, very good. At the risk of inducing insider trading, now would be a good time to sell your Mustang stock.The 99% prototype is admittedly rough around the edges-awful paint, not all parts to production shape, some interior bits held in place with tape while engineers test final pieces -- but in terms of hardware it's a "nearly done" Camaro. With minor tweaks, this is the car you'll be able to get by March.For this early drive, Chevy served up only the base, V-6 versi...
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| Moscow Auto Show 2008: Kesselman Mazda CX-7 |
| 2008-08-27 08:04:00 |
From afar, our first reaction was: what's a Matrix doing at the Mazda booth? Upon closer inspection, the dumped wagon you see above revealed itself as a tuned Mazda CX-7. Unfortunately, our Russian is about as good as our Swahili, so we weren't able to get any definitive details on what exactly has been done to Mazda's mid-level CUV. But the upgraded intercooler, ultra-low stance, gaudy body kit, stripped interior and six-point roll cage is proof that Russia's Kesselman tuning excels at answering questions that no one asked. More Excellent Articles and Pictures about Moscow Auto Show:+ 2008 Moscow Auto Show: Audi RS6 sedan in the sheetmetal+ Moscow Auto Show 2008: Lada shows off C-Cross concept......
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| 2008 Moscow Auto Show: Audi RS6 sedan in the sheetmetal |
| 2008-08-27 08:03:00 |
All right. In 2008 Moscow Auto Show, Audi RS6 Avant or RS6 sedan? Both are packing the same twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 5.0-liter V10 putting out 580 hp and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. Both send power to all four wheels through a six-speed tiptronic tranny and both can be equipped with absolutely massive 420mm (front) and 356mm (rear) ceramic brakes. While it's hard to deny the practicality of the wagon, we think the sedan comes across as more elegant – in a brutally Teutonic way. The voting will commence in the comments and check the gallery below for a plenty of high-res images from the show floor. ......
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| Moscow Auto Show 2008: Lada shows off C-Cross concept |
| 2008-08-27 07:46:00 |
The Moscow Auto Show is underway and Damon's on site with camera in hand. The car you see here is the Lada C-Cross Concept, which looks kinda like a Chinese knock-off of a last-gen Euro Ford Focus with added ground clearance. The C-Cross show car presumably gives a sneak peek at what a future AvtoVAZ car-based crossover might look like, and if we had to guess, a production version probably isn't too far off. We'll pass on it, though. Our hearts and minds forever belong to the Lada Niva, whose old-school looks are like visual comfort food. Plus, something tells us that this C-Cross thing wouldn't do nearly as well underwater.[Source: The Auto Channel] ......
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| Hyundais caught testing in high elevations |
| 2008-08-25 09:02:00 |
Remember: When traveling to faraway locales, always have your camera. A reader by the name of Steve did just so and was rewarded with some pictures of Hyundai's latest and greatest models. Why, you may wonder, was the Korean automaker testing these vehicles? They were likely undergoing high elevation testing, as they were snapped on Mount Evans in Colorado. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway, leading to the summit overlook, is the highest paved road in North America (thanks, Wikipedia!).There's plenty to see here. We've all seen the Genesis Coupe before, but not in yellow, and it looks good. The Portico doesn't really get the blood boiling, but it could turn into an important Edge\Traverse fighter for the Koreans. Perhaps the most interesting car here is what appears to be a heavily disguised Eq...
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| Rolls-Royce creates special Peony edition Phantom for UAE |
| 2008-08-25 07:51:00 |
Wealthy customers in the United Arab Emirates seem to have a penchant for special editions of the most expensive luxury saloons. As if it wasn't enough to get the Maybach Landaulet revealed right there on their home turn, one Arabian customer recently ordered a custom gilded Rolls-Royce Drophead. Now Rolls-Royce has followed up with a special edition of its Phantom limousine targeted specifically for the UAE.Called the Peony edition, the bespoke Phantom borrows its name from the indigenous Asian flower that symbolizes royality in ancient Oriental culture. The car features a special two-tone pearl blue exterior and Seashell interior, emblazoned with the peony floral motif. It even comes with a complementary bottle of perfume specially crafted by Emirate fr...
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| First Test: 2008 Gurney Signature Edition Ford Mustang |
| 2008-08-25 07:45:00 |
Carroll Shelby has a 2008 Gurney Signature Edition Ford Mustang of his own (a whole bunch of 'em, in fact). Parnelli Jones has a Mustang of his own. And now another legendary racer, Dan Gurney, has a Mustang of his own, too. It's a limited-edition Saleen; just 300 will be sold. And, yup, like the Mustangs of his rivals, it's real fast.Gurney hasn't raced professionally since 1970, but he's nearly as famous now as he was in the Sixties. His resume includes four wins in Formula 1 world-championship events (including one in his own Eagle F1 car), seven Indy Car victories, five NASCAR wins, and countless first-place finishes in sports-car events. He was also, as he learned from the father of...
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| 2010 Chevy Camaro SS gets unfortunate Fergalicious debut |
| 2008-08-22 08:30:00 |
Of all the places for Chevy reveal the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, it's chosen a GM-sponsored photo spread for Conde Nast. The free supplement's zeitgeist is "Fashion Rocks" and in keeping with the theme, they've chosen the decidedly un-rocking Fergie as the musical icon to accompany the Camaro SS on glossy stock.Comparing the image above with the pictures Chevrolet released last month, you can clearly see the SS badging, deeper fascia and upgraded brakes, reported to be sized 14-inches up front and clamped by calipers by Brembo.The Camaro SS will be packing a 422 hp (estimated), 6.2-liter V8 and will go on sale in March of next year, along with the V6 RS models.[Source: InsideLine] More Chevrolet Cars in Autoshows:+ First Drive: 2009 Corvette ZR1+ ABG Fir...
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| Swiss Missile: Sportec SP750 Porsche 997 GT2 |
| 2008-08-22 07:12:00 |
Porsche enthusiasts will undoubtedly count the 997-generation Porsche 911 GT2 as one of the most extreme supercars ever to roll out of Stuttgart – right up there with the 959 and the Carrera GT. But where there's speed, there's always room for more speed, and the Swiss aren't about to stay neutral on this matter. Switzerland-based Sportec has just released its latest offering: the SP750. The tuning firm is known for producing seriously fast Porsches – including the 997 Turbo-based SP580 and the record-chasing SPR1 and SP600M Cayenne – and has put some serious effort into carrying on this legacy with the new SP750.Modifications to the GT2 – already very blitzschnell in its own right – are available in four increments, starting with the 600-hp St...
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| Exclusive First Drive: Italdesign Quaranta hybrid |
| 2008-08-22 06:44:00 |
The electroluminescent speedometer brushes 200 kph as we hurtle down the back straight of a secluded, banked-oval test track near Turin, Italy. From the seat to my left, snapper Bramley captures the moment with his Canons. To my right is Fabrizio Giugiaro, director of styling of Italdesign and the primary creative force behind the outrageous machine we're riding in. I'm the man in the middle. That's correct, because a central driving position is one of many fascinating design aspects of the Italdesign Quaranta."200K! Not bad for a concept car, no?" Giugiaro is engaging, passionate, fashion-model handsome, and funnier than Letterman. The engine blares and blats under full throttle, yet as we glide this futuristic, fighter-jet canopied doorstop to a halt, the expected guttural thrum from an ...
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| First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit |
| 2008-08-20 08:02:00 |
If there's a company that sweats the details, it's 2009 Honda Hit. When times are good, it's up two or three percent. When times are bad, it's down two or three percent. Not bad performance, unless you're looking for big headlines and the limelight. Other companies will make a bigger splash or know how to market a fortunate opportunity, but Honda just keeps plugging along.Right now, times are good for Honda as it's the only major player in the U.S. to show a profit this year, and there's good reason. Take the new Gen II Honda Fit, for example. Honda brought it into the U.S. in 2006 reluctantly and with low expectations, hinting it would be happy to sell 50,000 units. Then fuel prices jumped, and now Honda's looking to sell a tick over 90,000 units at the en...
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| First Drive: 2009 Corvette ZR1 |
| 2008-08-20 07:50:00 |
Last week, General Motors' Bowling Green, KY assembly plant began manufacturing the fastest, most powerful production Corvette in its 55-year history. We got our first official look at the 2009 Corvette ZR1 at the Detroit Auto Show in January and, at that time, Chevrolet officials hadn't finalized the numbers. Over the intervening months, GM continued to tease us with bits of information, including the ZR1's 205 mph top speed, 638 horsepower, 605 lb.-ft. of torque, and 7:26.4 lap time at the Nurburgring. Throughout all of this, we've been waiting patiently for one of the most anticipated invitations of 2008: the ZR1 First Drive. That wait finally ended a few weeks ago when we got the call to arrive at GM's Milford Proving Grounds. All we needed was coope...
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