Mazda to participate in Norwegian national hydrogen project

Mazda Motor Corporation and HyNor (Hydrogen Road of Norway) have announced they will collaborate in the development of hydrogen fuel and hydrogen vehicles. This was formally agreed at a signing ceremony held at the Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo today (Wednesday). His Excellency Mr Åge B Grutle, Norwegian ambassador to Japan, Mr Ulf Hafseld, chairman of HyNor, and Mr Seita Kanai, a director and senior managing executive officer of Mazda, all signed a memorandum of understanding for the collaboration and support in the development of a Hydrogen Economy.The memorandum states that HyNor intends to purchase a total of 30 Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicles commencing in the summer 2008. These will be the first hydrogen vehicles sold by Mazda outside Japan. "I very much welcome the agreement between Mazda Motor Corporation and HyNor. The agreement illustrates that HyNor's efforts to contribute to the development of hydrogen-based technologies are recognised by Mazda as a major global actor in this field,” said H.E. Mr Åge Grutle, Norway’s ambassador to Japan. “The partnership between HyNor and Mazda is also very encouraging for Norway's broader efforts to strengthen its cooperation with Japan in promoting research and technologies within the context of climate change mitigation, including a Hydrogen Society. For the Norwegian embassy it is a top priority to support these efforts, working in close collaboration with Innovation Norway and the Research Council of Norway." The chairman of HyNor, Ulf Hafseld, commented: “HyNor is very pleased to sign this agreement with Mazda and we think this cooperation will speed up the process of introducing hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel. "By using the internal combustion engine as a feasible technology to accelerate realization of the real hydrogen world, we can develop a hydrogen infrastructure much faster. HyNor is focusing on a carbon neutral infrastructure, and using hydrogen in the Mazda cars will ensure a complete carbon free line of fuel.”
Mr Seita Kanai, Mazda’s director and senior managing executive officer in charge of Research and Development, stated: “This will be the first time a Hydrogen RE vehicle will be sold outside Japan and will be a big step in Mazda’s hydrogen vehicle development history. "Perhaps Norway is one of the countries closest to the realization of a hydrogen energy society. By cooperating with HyNor and jointly supporting the development of a hydrogen economy, we hope that Mazda will be able to contribute to the establishment of a Hydrogen society." HyNor is a unique Norwegian joint industry initiative to demonstrate real life implementation of a hydrogen energy infrastructure along a route of 580 kilometres from Oslo to Stavanger in Norway. The project comprises all steps required to develop a Hydrogen society adapted to local conditions. The joint project is planning for various means of transport – buses, taxis and private cars – and varying types of transport systems: urban, inter-city, regional and even long-distance national transport. In August 2006, Mazda attended a ceremony which commemorated the opening of Norway’s first hydrogen filling station created by HyNor. This was also the occasion of the first on-road demonstration of a Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle outside Japan.

New Ford Mondeo magic hits retail jackpot

Ford's newest models are catching the attention of increasing numbers of the car buying public, with the all-new Ford Mondeo leading the charge. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show how the Ford range is winning more retail business – and how more buyers are opting for top spec luxury models. Sales of the all-new Mondeo to private customers, as opposed to corporate fleet buyers, are up by over 20 per cent versus this time last year. And more than half of these retail orders are for top-of-the-range models.Since the latest Ford Mondeo went on sale in June, more than 16,500 have been registered and almost 52 per cent of customers have specified top trim levels such as Titanium. This compares with a share of under 35 per cent for equivalent high series Mondeos two years ago. Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: "The surge of interest in Ford among private car buyers, triggered by new Mondeo, means our plants are operating at full capacity. "Ford customers are impressed by the new Mondeo's equipment list. They're delighted by high-tech features such as adaptive cruise, which adjusts speed relative to the vehicle in front, active suspension and adaptive front lights which beam around corners. These Ford converts are helping us to hit the retail jackpot this year." The Ford Focus joins Mondeo as another high performing retail favourite. Ford Focus volumes destined for private buyers are up more than seven per cent compared with last year. Ford's Multi Purpose Vehicle range of Galaxy and S-MAX continue to enjoy soaring retail registrations – doubling since October 2006. In total this year 306,054 cars and 80,789 commercial vehicles have been registered by Ford – almost 6,500 more than last year. Demand for the UK-built Ford Transit, making up the majority of the company's CV sales, has led to extra production at the Southampton assembly plant.

2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

Introduction
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class happens to come in more flavors than Diet Coke -- literally. With two body styles, four engines and two drivetrains, this midsize luxury car provides buyers with a deep menu of choices. The Mercedes E350 and E550 are the most popular choices, as they provide ample power, an elegantly detailed interior and a suspension so smooth you'd swear its engineering inspiration was a canoe on a glassy lake. The wagon models provide a rear-facing third-row seat as well as interior space that rivals some five-passenger SUVs.

The E320 Bluetec, meanwhile, is the only midsize luxury sedan to come with a diesel-fueled engine. Introduced last year, this V6 engine has a special additive that allows it to run exceptionally clean. And, being a diesel, it boasts superior fuel mileage and plentiful torque. For the ultimate in power, the manic E63, powered by AMG's 507-horsepower V8, can do zero to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, quicker than most sports cars.

Powertrains and Performance
The E350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 268 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. A 0-60-mph sprint is accomplished in the mid-6-second range, while fuel economy for the rear-wheel-drive sedan is 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The E550 features a 5.5-liter V8 that makes 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. In performance testing, the E550 went from zero to 60 mph in a quick 5.2 seconds. The E550 rear-drive model has a 15/22 mpg fuel economy estimate.

The E320 Bluetec features a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 that makes 210 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. This engine gets the E320 from zero to 60 in 6.8 seconds, while fuel economy is exceptional at 23 mpg city/32 mpg highway. Already on sale throughout most of the country, the E320 Bluetec will be available on a two-year lease basis in the states with California's stricter emissions standards.

© Source: edmunds
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World Exclusive First Drive! Lamborghini Reventon

The "jet fighter for the street" concept has been around since the late 1970s, the ill-fated, never really worked Vector being the most obvious attempt. Three decades later it has finally arrived, thanks to Lamborghini.

The otherworldly Reventon is named after a particularly feisty fighting bull. With just 20 production cars to be made (11 coming to the U.S.), it'll be Lamborghini's most exclusive road car ever. Other "mosts" include price ($1.4-plus million at current exchange rates), and speed (210-plus mph).

The main inspiration for this most arresting of automotive shapes was the F22 Raptor. Well, duh! Manfred Fitzgerald, Lamborghini's director of brand and design and the man who's carefully guided the company's resurgence over the past decade, was at a European NATO base with his design team.

"We had a good contact with the base manager (and) sat in Tornados and different aircraft to get some inspiration," Fitzgerald says. "We took these impressions of their world and came back here [to Lamborghini's Centro Stile design center]. Then we went, 'What is the most impressive aircraft to date?' For us it was the F-22, the Raptor. It is an incredible piece of art as well. This sort of kicked it off. Everyone on the team had a go at it and we then selected one (proposal) from the competition."

Viewing the car outdoors makes the stealth-driven inspiration all the more obvious. Looking straight out of Area 51, sunlight dances off the sharp edged angles, creases and character lines that dominate the design and its details. If a picture is worth a thousand words, you could triple that count and not fully cover what the Centro Stile team created.

Like its 12-cylinder predecessors, the Reventon's doors open upward. After depressing the flush-fitting door handle on the door's upward-facing edge just below the window, you slide under the low-slung roofline into a deep, tight-fitting, very supportive bucket seat. With the seat all the way back, it's clear that linebackers, power forwards, and centers from either sport were not the design brief's target audience.

The interior is subdued and tastefully appointed with a mix of carbon, aluminum, Alcantara, and leather. The flat-bottom steering wheel is thick and nice to grip. Just behind it are the requisite E-gear up- and downshift paddles, although we're having a difficult time finding the switch for the afterburners...

The instrument binnacle is a housing milled from a single aluminum block that's then protected by a carbon-fiber casing. The instrument cluster looks lifted from some stealth aircraft and is different from that found on any production car. In place of conventional gauges are three TFT liquid crystal displays that can be modified at the touch of a button.

One setting features a "traditional" automotive layout with round analog instruments. The second is more in line with the Reventon's exterior and is innovative in the way it informs the driver of engine functions and speed. The left display has a tachometer of two inward-pointing lines that rise upward in unison as the revs increase. To its right is a large, digital speedometer. The small center gauge has a g-force meter, and supplemental gauges and other readouts are placed in the tachometer and speedometer nacelles.

This flat-screen instrument panel will keep any pilot or gadget geek smiling for weeks, and the overall effect is so impressive, so intuitively legible, that it's easy to see the concept starting a new trend in dash design where owners can scroll through variants to find their preferred configuration.

Like the standard Murcielago LP640, the Reventon has a 6496cc all-aluminum DOHC V-12 with four valves per cylinder that feature variable valve timing. Lamborghini quotes 650 horsepower at 8000 rpm for the Reventon, or 10 over the LP640.

Underpinnings are also from the Murcielago. The chassis is a rigid tubular steel frame with carbon-fiber components. The four-wheel independent suspension has double wishbones, electronically adjustable hydraulic shocks, anti-roll bars, and anti-dive and anti-squat characteristics. Brakes are large, ventilated discs with the requisite ABS.

There is no starter button, so give the key a twist and the engine erupts after a brief starter-motor whirr. The tach's two needles come to life, dancing up and down with each blip of the throttle. Tug the upshift paddle to engage first (the Reventon will only come with E-gear), and thanks to the accelerator's long travel, the pedal requires a good prod to get this handmade Lambo underway.

Visibility is expansive out front, more limited to the sides and rear. Heads turn wherever you go, everyone barely casting a passing glance at the bright green LP640 chase car, before returning their unwavering gaze to the star of the day.

The Reventon handles slow-speed duties with nary a hiccup, thanks to the tractable V-12's 487 lb-ft of torque. The short front overhang can be a concern, especially on a steep driveway, so Lambo uses the LP640's system that automatically raises the front end at the push of a button.

The Reventon make grand entries like no other car, but you'll want to get away from pedestrians and prying eyes as quickly as possible. Its charismatic powerplant completely changes character at 4500 rpm, and the thrust is titanic when you cross that marker with your foot buried on the floor. The engine's sonorous growl and the exhaust's deep bellow overwhelm the cabin as you're pinned in your seat. The tach's two needles instantaneously jump upward past 8000 rpm, and the digital speedometer readout changes so rapidly that not one kph seems to be missed.

A quick flick on the upshift paddle and that colossal shove continues unabated. The steering is light and responsive, with quick, even turn in. The ride is composed and comfortable, even over a patch of rough surface.

Pushing the car through a series of tight turns, the Reventon's suspension doesn't feel quite as planted as the LP640 we drove earlier on the same roads. The rear gives a little twitch coming out of a sharp right-hander, but we aren't going fast enough to require large amounts of correction. This brief twitch can likely be chalked up to being the first person other than company's test drivers to try the development prototype before it's fully sorted.

Excellent Lamborghini Cars' Articles:
+ The Baddest Bull: Lamborghini Miura Vs Countach Vs Murcielago LP640 - Jalopnik
+ 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show: 2008 Lamborghini Reventon - 1,000,000 Euro to own
+ Lamborghini Confirms "Very Expensive" Limited-Edition Sports Car For 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show
+ Faster than getting a coffee at Starbucks: GT2 laps the 'Ring in 7:32
+ 2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Photo Gallery
+ 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster Photo Gallery
+ 2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
+ Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
[source:MotorTrend]

Honda S2000 Type S at 2007 Tokyo Motor Show

The Tokyo Motor Show is about to burst at the seams and manufacturers are dropping names left and right. The latest of these is the Honda S2000 Type S which is based on the highly praised S2000 but adds a huge spoiler and a new aerodynamic package. In fact, it seems to be the US Honda S2000 Club Racer which made its debut at the New York Motor Show.

The Type S is powered by Honda's 237 hp 2.2 liter 4-cylinder DOHC engine and is, as the US press office so nicely stated, 'The S2000 CR is the closest thing you can get to a Honda-built racecar with license plate holders and a horn'.

Pricing in Japan starts at 3,800,000 (just over 23,500 EURO) and Honda hopes to sell 100 units every month and can be had in ten different colours with black and yellow interior, just like its US counterpart.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

More Eecellent Articles about 2007 Tokyo Motor Show:
+ 2007 Tokyo Motor Show:Mazda Taiki Concept
+ Tokyo Motor Show 2007: Subaru EXIGA Concept best 7-seat Legacy ever
+ Tokyo Motor Show: Mitsubishi’s i MIEV Sport plug-in
+ 2007 Tokyo Motor Show:Nissan to debut GT-R in Japan’s Super GT series
+ 2007 Tokyo Auto Show: Daihatsu Mud Master-C
+ Tokyo Motor Show 2007: Nissan R.D:B.X Concept
+ Honda confirms production FCX and car based on CR-Z Concept
+ Tokyo Motor Show: Mitsubishi previews next Galant in the Concept-ZT
+ 2007 Tokyo Motor Show: Getting intimate with the Nissan Intima
+ 2007 Tokyo Motor Show: 2008 Honda Fit gets Civic-minded makeover
+ Tokyo Motor Show 2007: Toyota Hi-CT
+ 2007 Tokyo Motor Show: Toyota’s unreal i-Real

 

Other Honda Cars:
+ Honda confirms production FCX and car based on CR-Z Concept
+ 2007 Tokyo Motor Show: 2008 Honda Fit gets Civic-minded makeover
+ LA Motor Show 2007: Honda Civic GX quick test drive
+ Tokyo Motor Show 2007 Preview:Honda CR-X is back
+ Tokyo Auto Show 2007 Preview: Honda CR-Z Concept Car
+ Tokyo Motor Show 2007 Preview: Honda DN-01 motorcycle features automatic transmission
+ A brand new version of Honda’s small car is set to hit the road
+ Tokyo Motor Show-2009 Honda Fit: Now With More Embargo-Breaking Interior Shots! - Jalopnik
+ Bigger, better Jazz ready to call the tune

2007 Ford Flex by Chip Foose

(from Ford Press Release) Star of Overhaulin’ and the hottest custom car designer on the scene, Foose gave the Flex a look of contemporary suburban luxury that accentuates its already stand-out good looks.

Riding on Foose Design 22-inch wheels and Eibach springs customized for a lower appearance, the Foose Flex exterior features a custom-mixed, tow-tone blue and cream pearl paint job.

Inside, this color scheme continues with three-tone blue, gray and tan premium leather surfaces by Katzkin Leather.

Custom front and rear fascias and rocker panels are complemented by a custom wrap-around chrome beltline. Additional exterior details include painted appliquй door handles and a relocated license plate. With custom upper and lower grilles and bold FORD lettering across the front and rear, the Foose Flex reflects the right amount of expressive luxury appeal.

“When Ford called, I was quite excited to be one of the first to get my hands on the Flex,” says Foose. “I didn’t want the individual pieces I added to be the most eye-catching parts. I wanted it to look as if it came from Ford’s design studio.”

© Source: seriouswheels
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2007 Fiat Punto Abarth

There are few things in motoring more appealing than a small, fast Italian car, and this new Grande Punto Abarth is one of the best ever.

All the ingredients are there: 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, light and sparky and free-revving and developing 155bhp, tight, well- honed chassis, good looks and plenty of chirpy Latin character. If you love cars, there's no way you could help but love a Punto Abarth, that's the bottom line.
The engine's powerful for a 1.4, but more importantly, it's torquey: 152 lb ft at 5000rpm, which increases to 170 lb ft at 3000rpm when you press the Sport Boost button in the middle of the dash. It's a good, useful button, that, firming up the steering at the same time. It transforms the nature of the car, with all of that boost punching in at lower revs.It really nails you into the seat: the 0-62mph time is 8.2secs, which is fairly brisk, and it's easy to zap through the six speed box because the change is quick and precise.

Throw it at a corner and the fun continues. There seems to be no understeer whatever, and the advantage of having such a small, light engine up front is obvious once you start changing direction in a manic fashion. You can turn the stability control system off, but it's never fully off, giving the fairly young potential buyers of this car a safety net. Idiotic hard-heads will be moaning at this, but it's a good idea - you can still have plenty of 'dorifto' fun before it cuts in.

So that's the standard Abarth - and then there's the Abarth Essesse kit. For Essesse (pronounced essay-essay) read 'SS' or Super Sport. That gives you a full 180bhp and 200lb ft of torque. Nice - it's a properly fast car and it's definitely the option to go for, judging by my brief run in a prototype. Expect prices to start at around £13K, with about £4K more for the SS, when the Grande Punto Abarth goes on sale early next year. That sounds like a proper bargain to me.

© Source: topgear
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Added diesel choice for Suzuki’s sport x-over

Suzuki’s SX4 sport crossover range, which blends the character of a sporty compact with that of a lightweight SUV, is now being offered with a second diesel option. The new 1.6 DDiS engine – supplied by Peugeot – complements the existing 120 PS 1.9 DDiS unit and its 90 PS output and 215 Nm of torque ensure lively, flexible performance characteristics matched by strong fuel economy.Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and driving through the front wheels, the combined cycle figure is a frugal 53.3 mpg and CO2 emissions are 139 g/km, yet the latest SX4 clocks up 0-62 mph in 12.2 seconds and has a potential top speed of 109 mph. Equipment levels are similar to the SX4 1.6 GL but adds manual air conditioning, heated door mirrors, 16 inch alloys, roof rails, front fogs and wheelarch extensions. The on-the-road price is £11,999 and, in common with petrol-engined models, the new model qualifies for a 6D insurance grouping. Like the rest of the SX4 range, the 1.6 DDiS offers an exciting small car alternative, combining responsive driving dynamics, high levels of practicality and styling that suggests a freestyle approach to life. The roomy interior includes 60:40 split rear seats which tumble to create an almost flat floor and a boot capacity of 625 litres. An extensive array of safety features include front, side and curtain airbags, plus front seat pre-tensioners. As well as the larger 120 PS diesel, the SX4 also offers a 107 PS 1.6 VVT petrol engine with either two-wheel drive or – in the 4GRIP model – intelligent All Wheel Drive.

2007 Jay Leno E85 Chevrolet Corvette

(from General Motors Press Release)LAS VEGAS – “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno’s predilection for performance cars is no secret, but many fellow enthusiasts may not know that he is keenly interested in alternative fuels.

To prove that red-blooded power mixes easily with a touch of green, Leno partnered with Pratt & Miller – the engineering company that builds and campaigns C6.R Corvettes – to develop a modified Corvette Z06 that is capable of running on E85 ethanol. It was unveiled at the 2007 SEMA Show.

More than merely a conversion of the stock LS7 engine to E85 capability, Leno’s alternative-fuel supercar is powered by a custom, 8.2L (500-cubic-inch) all-aluminum small-block V-8 that pumps out approximately 600 horsepower and 585 lb.-ft. of torque.

The engine is built around a custom aluminum cylinder block that was CNC-milled from a single block of billet aluminum. And while the cylinder heads, intake system and dry-sump oiling system are stock LS7 components, the engine – which has larger bore and stroke dimensions than the 7.0L (427-cubic-inch) LS7 – uses a one-off reciprocating assembly, including a forged steel crankshaft, forged rods and forged pistons. Katech Engines, the company that builds engines for the Corvette C6.R racing program, developed the engine.

The fuel system and engine control computer were modified to accommodate E85, and spent gases exit through a Corsa exhaust system. Supporting the 600-horse engine’s power is a blueprinted and strengthened T-56 six-speed transmission and a high-performance Centerforce dual-friction clutch.

© Source: seriouswheels
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Take That on tour with Volkswagen

The British pop band, Take That, have chosen a Volkswagen Caravelle to use on their current European tour promoting their new album, Beautiful World. The Volkswagen Caravelle is the perfect people carrier to take on tour, not least because the middle row of seats can swivel to face the rear. This creates a sociable lounge area with a multi-functional table for Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Jason Orange to relax in before and after each concert.‘The Caravelle is stylish, comfortable and safe,’ commented Gary Barlow. Many other artists, including the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Chris de Burgh, have also found the Volkswagen Caravelle a popular choice for their recent tours. Apart from being the chosen vehicle for celebrities, the Volkswagen Caravelle is equally at home as a family vehicle or luxury limousine with seven seats, luxury SE and Executive specifications and the choice of 130 PS or 174 PS TDI diesel engines. Full details of the Take That Beautiful World Tour are available at www.takethattv.com; for information on the Caravelle, please visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/caravelle.

Kia Unveils Spectra5 SX Concept at 2007 SEMA Show

Kia Motors America (KMA) displayed its sporty new concept vehicle, the Spectra5 SX concept, at this year's SEMA Show today in Las Vegas. A product with influences from KMA's design team, the Spectra5 SX sets the stage for future concept and production vehicles to be shown throughout the upcoming auto show season by putting into action some of the styling cues that will soon become part of Kia's new overall design language."Spectra5 SX concept hints at some subtleties of Kia's new design language," said Tom Kearns, chief designer of KMA. "This concept vehicle is only the tip of the iceberg of what is to come from Kia in the near future." The Spectra5 SX concept is finished in an edgy three-stage Amped Amber exterior color that changes shades and color depending on the vantage point. Based off of the production Spectra5 SX, the Spectra5 SX concept displays a more aggressive stance -- dropped 1.4 inches in front and 1.2 inches in the rear -- further accentuated by a unique front fascia with an expanded opening and mesh inserts, which also hints Kia's new design philosophy. A similarly- styled rear fascia and rear diffuser round out the back end of the vehicle, atop a catback exhaust with a 2.25-inch outlet. The headlamps and tail lamps are also tinted to complete the look. This spry Kia ride sits on 18-inch wheels fitted with 235/45R18 performance tires with a twin-spoke wheel design and black chrome finish. To demonstrate its abilities, the Spectra5 SX concept is outfitted with high- performance cross-drilled and slotted four-wheel disc brakes with front Rotora four-piston aluminum calipers and rides on a performance suspension with high- performance Eibach springs.

Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue (video)

Volvo’s unveiled its new XC70 SR at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA), being held in Las Vegas from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. The car, Volvo indicates, was designed to emulate lifeguard vehicles seen at many California beaches. The four-door SUV features a 5-inch-lift suspension for improved ground clearance, heavily modified body panels, and specially-made oversized tires with a tread designed for increased grip on loose and sandy soil. The XC70 also includes first-aid equipment and custom rescue surfboards.

2008 Infiniti QX56 Review

Summary
If its styling agrees with you, then the rest of the 2008 Infiniti QX56 should, too, thanks to an improved interior and plenty of high-tech goodies.
Pros
High-tech electronic features, powerful and refined V8, impressive balance of ride and handling, massive towing capacity, roomy second- and third-row seats.

What's New for 2008
The Infiniti QX56 undergoes its first major freshening since its debut. The 2008 QX56 has subtle styling changes, a significant redesign of its interior and the addition of new standard and optional equipment that brings it more in line with other top, large luxury SUVs.

Powertrains and Performance
The 2008 QX56 is offered with either 2WD or 4WD with low-range gearing. Power comes from a 5.6-liter V8 that produces a healthy 320 horsepower and 393 pound-feet of torque. The V8 is matched to a standard five-speed automatic transmission. The QX56 is quick for a full-size SUV, going from zero to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Towing capacity is 9,000 pounds on rear-wheel-drive models when properly equipped. As is typical for this class of vehicle, gas mileage is poor, with 12 mpg city and 17/18 mpg highway using the EPA's revised 2008 testing regimen.

© Source: edmunds
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2007 SEMA Show: Motocross Is Springboard for Dodge Dakota MX Warrior Concept

LAS VEGAS — The over-the-top graphics on the Dodge Dakota MX Warrior concept at the 2007 SEMA Show make more sense when you understand how one of its co-creators spends his spare time.

Scott Waraniak, a design student at Detroit's College for Creative Studies, is also a motocrosser who races KTM bikes and is no stranger to flying dirt, rocks, adrenaline and horsepower. Hence the orange-and-battleship-gray vinyl wrap on the Dakota MX Warrior laid on top of the "surf blue" exterior. By the way, that's Waraniak's bike in the back of the Dakota, which Dodge likes to promote as more of a personal leisure vehicle instead of a workhorse like its bigger sibling.

The Dakota MX Warrior gets a suspension that's raised 4 inches, 20-inch Mopar chrome wheels and 31-inch tires. Other touches include a custom hood with one-off intake scoopers to feed air into the 4.7-liter Magnum V8. Custom steel bumpers and an integrated winch mounted on the front bumper round out the package.

What this means to you: A must-see if you're into motocross and Detroit muscle.

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Launch of the smart fortwo in the USA

San Francisco and Silicon Valley become “smart Valley” as the smart USA Media Test Drive event takes place in one of America’s “smartest” regions. The new smart fortwo is scheduled to roll on the streets of America in January. The shortest and most compact automobile currently in production will soon be launched in the world’s largest automobile market. The smart fortwo is the right car, at the right time for U.S. Drivers. Americans are faced with volatile fuel prices, increased urban congestion and a mindset of environmental responsibility. The smart fortwo offers a high level of comfort, agility, safety and ecology. Its unique features and attributes meet consumer wishes now and well into the 21st century.The Media Test Drive location was carefully chosen. California is a key market in the United States. The State of California and the Silicon Valley in particular, is a leading area in the United States for design, technology and environmental awareness. These features characterize the smart fortwo. Furthermore, both the smart brand and the model have roots in Silicon Valley dating back more then ten years. The Silicon Valley also stands for an open minded America. smart expresses the lifestyle of an enlightened and forward-thinking social class with joie de vivre that cannot be defined by age or social standing, but rather by an attitude, lifestyle and open-minded outlook on life. smart isn’t just another micro-car, it’s a statement by enlightened drivers of the 21st century who look at future challenges and actively and positively impact outcomes. Like owning an Apple i-Mac, i-Pod or i-Phone, smart documents the open-minded attitude of the “thought leaders”, who choose innovative solutions as an existential part of their everyday lives.
The stops of the smart Media Test Drive include the renowned Stanford University in Palo Alto and visits to world-famous high-tech companies such as Intel, Google, Apple, eBay and Sun Microsystems. These locations illustrate smart’s proximity to information technology that is characterized by creativity, visions and the courage to make pioneering decisions. The Computer History Museum at the heart of Silicon Valley in Mountain View does not only bring the history of the computer to life; a special limited exhibition also shows the development of smart with outstanding concept cars. The comparison of the evolution of computers with the smart fortwo also clearly shows that greatness is not a matter of size. Despite its compact dimensions, the smart fortwo offers the driver and passenger remarkable freedom of movement equal to or greater than some larger cars. On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, the two-seater quickly became popular following its launch in October 1998. The same is expected to hold true in the United States. More than 770,000 customers opted for a first generation smart fortwo; often to replace a larger car with the lively two-seater. The smart fortwo is a special car and clearly stands out from the crowd. It should not be taken for granted - the smart fortwo is simply fun to drive.
Apart from this, the vehicle concept is extremely practical - especially for people who live in large urban areas. Many Americans drive with just a single occupant. The size of the smart fortwo allows for faster movements in cities. Finding a parking space will also be simplified. In the context of the U.S. market smart is also redefining the distribution concept. This includes the new smart Center San Francisco. Roger Penske and Penske Automotive Group (PAG) will serve as the official distributor for the smart fortwo beginning in 2008. This partnership is unique and also demonstrates forward-thinking on the part of smart. The American mindset is changing. The smart fortwo proves that greatness is not a question of size. The smart fortwo has been embraced in the States long before the first vehicles are expected to arrive in the showrooms. The 24 week smart USA “street smart” road show has been touring the USA since May with three display trailers, test drive vehicles and product specialists presenting the smart fortwo from coast to coast. To date, the road show has attracted and convinced 65,000 visitors. The road show will continue until early November and when complete is expected to reach over 75,000 people in over 50 cities across the United States. The presentation of the brand and the road show have been very well received by the U.S. consumers and the American press. In many cities across the country, consumers waited in line for over an hour to test drive a fortwo. Many waited in temperatures over 100 ° F whilst others drove over 3 hours to attend a smart road show event. In the end road show surveys indicated the smart fortwo met or exceeded expectations. The presentation of the brand and model has been very well received by the US public and the press. For example, in Las Vegas; here, people waited patiently for an hour in temperatures of 104°F to test drive the cars in the parking garage of the Fashion Show Mall. Some even went straight back to the end of the queue again after the short jaunt in order to drive a smart one more time. Many enthusiastic comments were heard: “Driving a smart is really great. It’s really good fun.” Over 30,000 Americans have placed a $99 deposit on a smart fortwo. Dealers will begin to fill orders in January 2008. smart USA’s website - www.smartusa.com - has received over 3 million visits since June 2006, over 95,000 people have signed up as smart “insiders” and visitors spend an average of over five minutes on the site. The reaction of dealers has also been overwhelming: smart USA received more than 1400 applications. Although many were qualified, only a few were selected. Approximately 70 carefully selected dealerships will sell the fortwo in 2008 in major cities across the United States.

2008 Ferrari FXX Evolution

(from Ferrari Press Release) FXX programme extended for further two years thanks to new evolution kit developed with assistance of Client Test-Drivers

The innovative FXX programme, based on the eponymous prototype car and launched by Ferrari in June 2005, is being extended to 2008/2009. The FXX, which is the most advanced GT ever created at Maranello, has been updated with an evolution package aimed at further improving its handling and performance. The package was developed as a result of Ferrari's collaboration with its Client Test Drivers and with the invaluable support of Michael Schumacher. The FXXs equipped with this package will also sport a new livery in addition to new rear wing profiles.

The FXX is not homologated for road use and there are no plans to compete with it either. In fact, the FXX prototype is designed exclusively for track driving as part of a specific R&D programme agreed with a selected group of just over 20 clients involving 14 group test sessions and 14 private ones in the last two years. Thanks to readings taken over the 16,500 kilometres of tests carried out in 2006 and the 18,500 kilometres covered in 2007, the modifications made to the car have focused on honing its aerodynamics, running gear and electronics. Seven-times Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher also joined the ranks of the client test drivers and gave the programme the benefit of his vast experience on several occasions.

Maranello's engineers studied the wealth of information gained to develop a kit which will cut the FXX's Fiorano lap time to under 1'16'' (previously it was 1'18''). The FXX's 6262 cc V12 engine can now punch out a massive 860 hp at 9500 rpm. Gearshifting takes just 60 ms, a drop of 20 ms on the previous time, and the gear ratios have been adapted to make use of the extra 1000 rpm now delivered by the engine.

The FXX evolution package includes participation in a series of track events that Ferrari is organising at international circuits for 2008/2009. Six events are planned for each year (two in North America, two in Europe and two in Asia). In addition to these, the FXXs will also be participating, as per tradition, in the prestigious end-of-season Ferrari World Finals.

© Source: seriouswheels
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2008 Maserati GranTurismo Review

What We Know
The 2008 Maserati GranTurismo, a two-door coupe to complement the Quattroporte sedan, is yet another Italian beauty, this one penned by Pininfarina's Jason Castriota.

Successor to Maserati's Guigiaro-designed coupe and spyder, the upcoming GT is built on a shortened version of the Quattroporte's chassis. The GranTurismo is powered by a 405-horsepower version of the same Ferrari-sourced 4.2-liter V8 found across the Maserati range. In a nod toward the crucially important American market, where Maserati hopes to achieve significant sales gains with the GT, power is sent to the rear wheels through the ZF-built six-speed automatic transmission that just became available in the Quattroporte. With a platform converted from the rear-transaxle configuration necessary for the automated manual gearbox to the front-mounted automatic transmission, the GranTurismo should provide enough rear-seat space to make it something more than a cramped 2+2. Nevertheless, we expect a weight distribution of 49 percent front/51 percent rear, which should ensure excellent maneuverability. Meanwhile the GranTurismo's suspension will be similar in configuration to the Quattroporte's double-wishbone setup, but it'll be supplemented by Maserati's Skyhook active damping system. Throughout the rest of the car, extensive use of carbon composites and aluminum should provide the GT with an exhilarating power-to-weight ratio. Maserati hopes the GT will help alter the misperception that its cars are prohibitively expensive. Prices should begin somewhere around $110,000, putting the GT Coupe in good position to steal business from Porsche's 911 and the Mercedes-Benz SL. A hardtop convertible version of the GT, powered by a larger-bore version of the 4.2 and delivering around 470 hp, should arrive later in the year, and a Competizione model is sure to follow.
What Edmunds.com says
A gorgeous coupe with a Ferrari engine and a reasonable price. What more do you need?

© Source: edmunds
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Mercedes-Benz: Acoustic logo enhances new brand image

As part of its new brand image, Mercedes-Benz is for the first time introducing an “acoustic trademark”: the new sound logo, which will be used in all ad broadcasts starting on November 1, 2007, is intended to enhance the further developed brand design. Combined with a new film fade-out, the distinctive sound serves to focus attention more sharply on the star as the Mercedes-Benz trademark.“Our new sound logo is going to make the Mercedes-Benz brand not only visually, but also acoustically distinctive, and thus more quickly recognizable,” says Dr. Olaf Göttgens, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. “This acoustic trademark is a perfect fit for Mercedes-Benz — it is emotional, elegant, and unmistakably associated with our brand.” The Mercedes-Benz sound logo is based on an original recording of an English boys choir from the 1990s. Sound engineers extracted a choir boy’s solo vocal from the recording and adapted it for use in the sound logo. The logo was developed in cooperation with Jung von Matt, Mercedes-Benz’ lead agency.

The Dodge looks interesting, but simply doesn’t feel like a modern SUV

The Dodge offers a thirsty 3.7-liter V6 petrol engine, or a suitably grunty 2.8-litre diesel; with 460Nm of torque, it isn’t short of pulling power. It’s smooth enough at idle, but is not terribly refined. The five-speed auto gives reasonably smooth changes, though, and the brakes have good feel and impressive performance. Sadly, the handling is a letdown, and the ride is uncomfortable. It seems to make no attempt at smoothing out bumps, crashing into them instead. At speed, the steering feels disconcertingly light either side of the dead-ahead position, yet at parking speeds the wheel becomes heavy. There’s also a fair degree of body roll to contend with in corners.

If you’re going to name a car Nitro, you can hardly give it insipid styling. Dodge’s designers haven’t done that – it looks like a great big toy truck. It’s not subtle or sophisticated, but certainly has presence. The all-American off-roader is packed with character, and is a stand-out budget rival to the Land Rover Discovery. It competes alongside models including the Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Pathfinder and Kia Sorento. There are just the two engines, and two trim lines – SE and SXT. The diesel version will easily be the best seller, and it’s offered with a six-sped manual or a five-speed auto gearbox. Equipment levels are all-inclusive and prices are extremely competitive; the base diesel comes in at under £20,000.

While it looks solid and expensive from the outside, the same can’t be said of the interior. The plastics are cheap and brittle, build quality is average and as with the exterior, square lines dominate. The dash is also exceptionally shallow for an SUV, giving the Nitro an old-fashioned feel. At least the controls are logically laid out, while you won’t miss the pistol-grip handbrake; it’s one of the largest we have ever encountered. You sit high up front, and the driving position could do with more adjustment. The rear initially feels OK, with good headroom and lots of legroom. However, the rear seats don’t offer enough underthigh support, and the transmission tunnel forces middle occupants to angle their feet uncomfortably out. The 389-litre boot is a reasonable size and there’s a slide-out floor. However, even the diesel isn’t very economical and retained values are unimpressive, though servicing costs are low.

2008 Chrysler 300 Review

What's New for 2008
Significant changes are in store for the 2008 Chrysler 300. An updated interior includes new soft-touch surfaces, revised instrument panel and console designs, and available LED accent lighting. New luxury-oriented options include adaptive cruise control, a surround-sound audio system, a dedicated iPod interface, Sirius Backseat TV for the rear entertainment system and a new hard-drive based MyGIG multimedia system with optional navigation.

Safety has been enhanced with new front seat-mounted side airbags added to the 300's available side curtain airbag system. Wrapping everything up is freshened front and rear exterior styling and Chrysler's new limited lifetime powertrain warranty.

Introduction
Mold-breaking cars don't come along very often. But that's exactly what happened when the Chrysler 300 debuted four years ago. Previous to the 300, modern full-size cars provided plenty of interior room and comfort but typically generated all the pizzazz and excitement of an ice cream social in a Florida retirement community. With the 300, Chrysler proved that this type of car could actually be fun and desirable. Shoppers loved its artful, edgy styling, rear-drive layout and powerful V8 engine options, and it was an immediate hit.

Powertrains and Performance
The base rear-wheel-drive 300 LX comes with a 2.7-liter V6 good for 178 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. Touring and Limited models upgrade to a 3.5-liter V6 capable of 250 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. These two models are available with your choice of either rear- or all-wheel drive, as is the more muscular 300C with its 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that generates 340 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

© Source: edmunds
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2008 Porsche 911 GT2

(from Porsche Press Release) Presenting the new 911 GT2 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is proudly launching the most powerful 911 so far homologated for road use.

Through its striking design with large air intakes at the front and the rear wing so characteristic of this very special model, the new 911 GT2 expresses the power and performance potential of the fastest-ever 911 right from the start even at a standstill. Available exclusively with rear-wheel drive and a manual six-speed gearbox, this high-performance athlete accelerates to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 329 km/h (204 mph) on average fuel consumption of just 12.5 litres/100 km (equal to 22.6 mpg imp) in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), thus offering a level of fuel economy regarded as quite impossible in this performance class just a few years ago.

The power unit of the new 911 GT2 is based on the six-cylinder boxer engine of the 911 Turbo, with air supply by two exhaust gas turbochargers featuring variable turbine geometry (VTG). The 3.6-litre boxer engine achieves its maximum output of 530 bhp (390 kW) at 6500 rpm, with maximum torque of 680 Newton-metres maintained consistently between 2,200 and 4,500 rpm. With its unladen weight of 1,440 kg or 3,175 lb, finally, the 911 GT2 offers a power-to-weight ratio of just 2.72 kg/6.00 lb per horsepower.

The increase in engine power by 50 bhp over the ”regular“ power unit is provided in the new 911 GT2 by two turbochargers with a larger compressor wheel and a flow-optimised turbine housing raising turbocharger pressure to an even higher level. And for the first time Porsche’s engineers have combined the turbocharged engine with an expansion-type intake manifold – a genuine revolution on turbocharged power units.

The new 911 GT2 will be at the dealership in November 2007. The base price of the car in Germany is Euro 159,100.-, the market price including 19 per cent value-added tax Euro 189,496

© Source: seriouswheels
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The Dodge looks interesting, but simply doesn’t feel like a modern SUV

The Dodge offers a thirsty 3.7-liter V6 petrol engine, or a suitably grunty 2.8-litre diesel; with 460Nm of torque, it isn’t short of pulling power. It’s smooth enough at idle, but is not terribly refined. The five-speed auto gives reasonably smooth changes, though, and the brakes have good feel and impressive performance. Sadly, the handling is a letdown, and the ride is uncomfortable. It seems to make no attempt at smoothing out bumps, crashing into them instead. At speed, the steering feels disconcertingly light either side of the dead-ahead position, yet at parking speeds the wheel becomes heavy. There’s also a fair degree of body roll to contend with in corners.

If you’re going to name a car Nitro, you can hardly give it insipid styling. Dodge’s designers haven’t done that – it looks like a great big toy truck. It’s not subtle or sophisticated, but certainly has presence. The all-American off-roader is packed with character, and is a stand-out budget rival to the Land Rover Discovery. It competes alongside models including the Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Pathfinder and Kia Sorento. There are just the two engines, and two trim lines – SE and SXT. The diesel version will easily be the best seller, and it’s offered with a six-sped manual or a five-speed auto gearbox. Equipment levels are all-inclusive and prices are extremely competitive; the base diesel comes in at under £20,000.

While it looks solid and expensive from the outside, the same can’t be said of the interior. The plastics are cheap and brittle, build quality is average and as with the exterior, square lines dominate. The dash is also exceptionally shallow for an SUV, giving the Nitro an old-fashioned feel. At least the controls are logically laid out, while you won’t miss the pistol-grip handbrake; it’s one of the largest we have ever encountered. You sit high up front, and the driving position could do with more adjustment. The rear initially feels OK, with good headroom and lots of legroom. However, the rear seats don’t offer enough underthigh support, and the transmission tunnel forces middle occupants to angle their feet uncomfortably out. The 389-litre boot is a reasonable size and there’s a slide-out floor. However, even the diesel isn’t very economical and retained values are unimpressive, though servicing costs are low.

Tokyo Motor Show 2007: Nissan R.D:B.X Concept

The R.D:B.X... as in Round Box. Could this be a hint of what will replace the (currently) JDM only Nissan Cube? Japan's youth, who are already way too cool for the current model, let alone the Toyota Bb (Scion XB), should certainly hope so.

Check out that amazing interior, complete with a totally digital dash, in our high-res gallery of live shots below

[source: AutoBlog]

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First Drive 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.

The corner was slow, even unremarkable. A constant-radius, 2nd-gear curve that happened to be a part of Circuito de Balocco, Fiat's official test track, although it could have been any decent-size roundabout in the world.


Back From the Brink of Front-Wheel Drive
These are such simple pleasures that it seems absurd that one of the world's most evocative, emotive marques, one that built its brand on pure driving pleasure, has been denying them to its devotees this last decade and a half. Since 1992, a rear-wheel-drive Alfa Romeo has not been available, as a succession of front- and all-wheel-drive platforms was supplied to Alfa Romeo from its Fiat parent.

The car responsible is the 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. It's been a long time coming. First shown in concept form at the 2003 Frankfurt Auto Show, the car finally is scheduled to go into production next year. You know the wait has been worth it as soon as you see how little its shape deviates from the original, how wonderfully proportioned it is and how it acknowledges Alfa's past without being defined by it.

All 500 8Cs that will be made in 2008-'09 were sold long before anyone so much as sat in one, even at a price of about $226,000. The 8C will also reintroduce Alfa Romeo to the United States. About 99 cars of the production allotment will cross the pond, and then 500 8C Spiders will be built and a batch will also come to America.
Speed Thrills
Hard driving is what this car invites more than most, even in the rarefied air of the six-figure supercar. After waiting so long for an Alfa whose direction of travel can be determined as much by your foot as your fingers, the temptation to streak off into the sunset is overwhelming. Only the concrete confines of Balocco stop us from doing so.

Initial impressions are uniformly good. The engine note is perfect. This 450-horsepower V8 has a similar capacity to a small-block Ford in the classic Mustang, but its voice is not a transatlantic rumble but instead the smooth, sweet melody of the true European aristocrat. Hit the Sport button, which sharpens the throttle response, cuts the shift times in half and opens a valve in the exhaust, and the 8C sounds at once gloriously rich, angry and assertive.

There are 354 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 rpm, so if you hit the throttle pedal hard enough, this Alfa sits back on its heels, takes a deep breath and then cannons you up the road, with its fat, rear 285/35R20 Pirellis yelping all the way. The engine develops its 450 hp all the way up at 7,000 rpm, and the 8C will fling you past 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds on its way to the far side of 180 mph. The swiftness of the gearchanges doesn't defy logic as with the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, but it's still quicker than you'd manage on your own.

© Source: seriouswheels
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