Automotive
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German WRC: Loeb leads Citroen 1-2
August 29, 2005 Citroen notched up its first one-two of the season yesterday with Sebastien Loeb claiming his eighth victory of the season and extending his lead at the head of the Drivers’ Championship to 32 points with five events remaining. It is also the Frenchman’s fourth consecutive win in Germany. Team-mate Francois Duval repaid the team’s faith by claiming second, 37.4 seconds adrift of the reigning World Champion. Marcus Gronholm, winner of his home event in Finland, finished on the podium in third to retain second in the series. (read more...)
Jaguar's new generation XK sports car unveiled
August 28, 2005 Jaguar has revealed details of its eagerly anticipated new sports car – the all-new 2007 Jaguar XK. Making its world premiere next month at the Frankfurt International Auto Show in Germany, the all-new Jaguar XK will go on sale in North America next spring as a 2007 model year product. The light and agile XK is the first of a new generation of cars. It accelerates faster and stops quicker than the previous generation, steel-bodied XK8 and has exceptional dynamic abilities. Traditional Jaguar craftsmanship elements have been retained on the all-new Jaguar XK, but it's the use of aerospace technologies that have resulted in the most technically advanced Jaguar production car ever created. (read more...)
Peugeot's 500bhp 907 GT for Frankfurt
August 28, 2005 Peugeot always saves its best for it's home motor show and at last year's Paris Motor Show it unveiled several radical new designs, and without doubt one of the most beautiful motor vehicles ever seen - the magnificent 12 cylinder Peugeot 907 GT coupe. The 907 GT has been so popular and such an icon for the brand over the last twelve months that it will again be seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year. See our extensive photographic coverage of this archetypal touring car (read more...)
Peugeot's exciting new three wheeler - the 20CUP
August 29, 2005 Expressing Peugeot’s new alignment with sport, the 20Cup is an innovative concept, both fun and dynamic: suggesting an elegant synthesis between two worlds – that of the motor car by its front aspect and that of the motorcycle by its single rear wheel. This sporty, three-wheel roadster, shown in two examples, differentiated only by colour, promises real driving pleasure through the strong sensations it evokes. Confirming its presence in high-level motor sport, Peugeot recently announced its new commitment to competition via the LMES Championship. (read more...)
Thai debut for Mitsubishi's new Triton pickup truck
August 26 2005 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announced today the release on the Thailand market of the new “Triton” 1-ton pickup truck. Replacing the current Strada after a full redesign, the new Triton pickup is assembled at Mitsubishi Motors local facility in Laem Chabang, Thailand. Following the Thai launch, the company plans to start shipping this pickup model to other countries and regions, and thus, it is expected to play a major role in terms of the Company’s global market strategy and of achieving the Mitsubishi Motors Revitalization Plan. (read more...)
Tests show your heart beats five beats per minute lower in a Mercedes
August 25, 2005 We all know that driving can be stressful and to a large extent, most of us have long since accepted it as an occupational hazard. To luxury vehicle manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz though, producing feelings of well being in the driver is one of the core values of the brand. Now Mercedes benz has released research showing the psychophysical stress experienced by drivers travelling long distances in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is lower than in other vehicles. DaimlerChrysler Research compared the S-Class and competitor models under identical driving and traffic conditions on a 500 km route and found the average heart rate of drivers was up to six per cent (or five beats per minute) lower in the Mercedes than in the vehicles it was compared with. (read more...)
High Performance MINI is Now Ex-Works
August 23, 2005 MINI has announced its most potent factory built car yet. From this month, the steroid-enhanced MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works Tuning Kit is being built alongside MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S models on the Oxford production line. Previously, the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit had been retro fitted by MINI Garages. Now, MINI buyers can order the hot-shot 154 kW 1.6-litre supercharged engine version (with 254 Nm of torque) direct from Oxford. A MINI Cooper S fitted with the tuning kit is capable of generating a top speed of 143mph and reaches 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds. The 'Works' features a modified cylinder head with higher compression, modified engine electronics and increased throughput injectors. The factory option will also include the following JCW products as standard: air filter system, 16" disc brakes and calipers, exhaust pipe finisher, front apron and tailgate badges, certificate of authenticity. A limited slip differential is also included in the cost in the UK and for Australian buyers, any MINI Cooper S ordered with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit also includes additional specification, comprising the powerful John Cooper Works brakes package. (read more...)
Bentley Azure christened at Pebble Beach
August 22, 2005 Bentley Motors took the opportunity to announce the new name for its glamorous new four-seater convertible at the Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance yesterday. The car that was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2005 will carry the evocative Azure name and will go on sale in Spring 2006. The new Bentley Azure is an elegant four-seater convertible that provides a powerful and refined open-top driving experience while offering a unique blend of classic Bentley design and craftsmanship. The new Azure is the latest in a long line of much-admired Bentley convertibles, its design inspired by the 1955 Park Ward S1 Drophead Coupe and the original Azure introduced in 1995. Like its iconic predecessor, the new Azure becomes the flagship of the Bentley model range, reaffirming the company.s status as the prime provider of four-seater convertibles at the very pinnacle of the market. (read more...)
Raikkonen wins again in Turkey but Alonso's second further secures title
August 22, 2005 West McLaren Mercedes scored a convincing double podium at the inaugural Turkish Formula 1 Grand Prix yesterday, but the Mild Seven Renault F1 Team took strong second and fourth place finishes with Fernando Alonso’s second place finish meaning he loses just two points to rival Kimi Raikkonen in the drivers’ championship, and he now holds a 24 point lead with five races (50 points) to go. Whatsmore, with second and fourth placed finishes, Renault scored thirteen points, minimising McLaren’s advantage of a 16 points bonanza and retaining its lead in the Constructors’ Championship by nine points. (read more...)
Concorso Italiano: Lamborghini Concept S production version breaks cover
August 26, 2005 Gizmag's sometime-scribe David Fox ventured down to the Concorso Italiano in Monterey last weekend and posted his report focussed on a dramatic new production Lamborghini seen in public for the first time. Back in February we showed the first images of Lamborghini’s Concept S. Drawing inspiration from the classic single-seat racing cars of the fifties, the modern-day open top car was based on the Gallardo as “an extreme and spectacular expression of the Lamborghini brand.” Created at the Centro Stile Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese by Luc Donckerwolke, Head of Lamborghini Design, the "Concept S" in production form has yet to be named, but Lamborghini gave the first production car a public outing this weekend at the Concorso Italiano in Monterey along with the news that it will produce the machine in limited quantities. It didn't stop there though, because people are posting us links of great photographic coverage of the event, so this article is now linking to an evolving list of Concorso pages. Other Concorso and Pebble Beach links welcome. (read more...)
Subaru to commence electric vehicle production
August 20, 2005 Subaru makes kickbutt small cars – the WRX pocket-rocket started a cult and still more than holds its own in the World Rally Championship (WRC). But the news this week that the niche auto manufacturer plans to produce the R1e electric car is some of the most mouth-watering news we can imagine for EV fans. The R1 is already on sale in Japan with a traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) but since the R1e electric concept car was first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show 18 months ago, the fans have been begging for the car to go into production. Interestingly, the news from Japan yesterday that Subaru would commence electric and hybrid vehicle manufacture in 2009 saw share in Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI - Subaru’s owner) rise more than 4%. The R1e electric vehicle will be powered by an advanced, high energy density, manganese lithium-ion battery that FHI developed in conjunction with NEC and in Japan the battery can be charged by taking power from single-phase 22V AC outlets traditionally used for home air conditioners in Japan. Utilising advanced power control technology, the R1e is designed to travel more than 200 kilometers (125 miles) on a charge, and with its 2+2 layout in such a small-car form factor, the R1e looks to be immensely practical and an ideal alternative to ICE vehicles which are expected to be feeding a heroin-like (keep you poor and make you sick) addiction for fossil fuels which could be costing US$10 a gallon by 2009. (read more...)
The Aliens have arrived in London - driving a Citroen C2 ...
August 19, 2005 Looking unlike anything else on earth, an amazing one-off version of Citroen's C2 VTR has been built in the UK at a cost of GBP115,000 pounds, more than ten times the cost of a normal Citroen C2 VTR! The Alien-inspired Citroen C2 VTR is the culmination of six months work by renowned modification specialists, SQ Plus. Loaded with GBP30,000 pounds worth of stereo equipment from sound system experts Alpine, including 20 speakers, eight subwoofers and 11 amplifiers, the futuristic C2 by SQ Plus belts out an incredible 15,780 watts - similar to an average nightclub - guaranteeing that it's heard before it's seen! (read more...)
The original Alfa Romeo!
August 18, 2005 The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is the ultimate classic car show, attracting the most valuable, unique cars and their owners from around the world to the glorious - and wealthy - California town of Pebble Beach, near Monterey, and this year the featured marque is Alfa Romeo, with 62 of the rarest and most special Alfa Romeos in the world traveling to the USA for the event on 21 August. But one of the most special and, as it is the only one in the world, rarest Alfas has not traveled from Italy, it has arrived from Australia, the home of the only surviving car to first carry the name 'Alfa Romeo', the Alfa Romeo G1. "It is a unique and very special honour to be invited to take part in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance," says Neville Crichton, owner of the G1 and Alfa Romeo importer for Australia and New Zealand. "The organizers have put together what they, quite justifiably, say is the most significant display of Alfa Romeos seen anywhere in the world. The G1 is the start of a history of cars that have defined style, performance and engineering achievement. It will be a remarkable display." Apart from a stellar career as a motor-racing driver, Crichton is perhaps best known as the owner of some of the world's fastest racing yachts. (read more...)
Volvo experimenting with new safety features
August 18 2005 Volvo Cars’ most recent contribution to road safety is an experimental car equipped with a breathalyser lock integrated into the driver's seat belt clasp. Volvo Cars is also experimenting with a special ignition key that regulates the car’s top speed. The experimental technology requires the driver to perform a two-step safety check before the engine will start. The driver must first blow into the built-in breathalyser lock and the driver must also fasten the seat belt. When the breathalyser detects alcohol or if the driver does not fasten the seat belt, the engine will not start. The breathalyser will illuminate red when it positively detects alcohol, and the breathalyser will illuminate green when it does not detect alcohol. (read more...)
The new Audi Q7
August 17, 2005 Audi has finally unveiled the details of the Q7 it has been eeking out to the global press for the last few months - a vehicle that marks a new development in the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment. The Audi Q7 combines sportiness and versatility, sophisticated technology and the luxury of a premium-class vehicle. On the road it excels with the performance and driving dynamics of a sports car; off-road it redefines the benchmark in its category. A vehicle whose technology delivers on its promise – on any road and in all conditions. The Audi Q7 – the performance SUV from the creator of quattro. (read more...)
Mercedes-Benz 375 kW/510 hp ML 63 AMG
August 17, 2005 The Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG sets a new standard in the sporty off-roader segment. The new top-of-the–range model in the M-Class goes straight to the top of the competitive lineup with its 375 kW/510 hp AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine. This new off-roader developed by Mercedes-AMG stands for sportiness and dynamism at the highest level, while its exclusive appointments meet even the most demanding requirements. The ML 63 AMG celebrates its world premiere at the 61st International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main, and will be launched during the second quarter of 2006. (read more...)
Another innovative auto roof to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show
August 17, 2005 More announcements of new models due to be released, debuted or concepts to be tested came through today from Nissan Europe which will debut an innovative new small family car, a chic coupe/convertible and the new sporting Micra 160SR. Nissan is using the Frankfurt Motor Show to showcase its strengthened range of small cars but we think the pick of the bunch is the Micra with convertible roof – the third hardtop/no top car to be slated for showing at Frankfurt. Thanks to its clever folding roof, it allows owners the best of both worlds: fresh air when the weather allows and hardtop protection when the weather is inclement. What's more, the roof is all glass, so the elements can be enjoyed even in the depths of winter. (read more...)
The RoseMeyer Project: Homage to History
August 17, 2005 The Audi Rosemeyer design study has been developed purely as an exhibition car, and when you lay eyes on it for the first time, it seems scarcely to be of this world. Its flowing, aerodynamic lines are combined with an air of pure functional efficiency. A closer look, however, and more familiar features emerge: the monumental radiator grille, for instance, but also the gentle downward slope of the engine hood with its vertical air inlet slots, recall the historic Auto Union Silver Arrow racers. As on those cars, when the matt, shimmering brushed aluminium body reflects the light a glowing, almost magical aura is created. One can almost feel that this low-slung mid-engined coupe is powered, like the Silver Arrows, by a 16-cylinder engine, as there is ample space for one between the giant wheels in their bold, upwardly flared arches. The wheelbase is long and therefore easily accommodates the two occupants and a large engine in front of the rear axle. Named in honour of Bernd Rosemeyer, the Rosemeyer design study pays homage to the then 28-year old who was killed in a world speed record attempt on 28 January 1938 when his Auto Union Streamliner rolled over several times at some 440 km/h on the Frankfurt to Darmstadt autobahn. The Audi Rosemeyer is a sports car to which only superlatives can do justice. (read more...)
BMW Reveals M Sports Package for New 3 Series Sedan
August 15, 2005 BMW Group has announced the introduction of the M Sport Package for the successful E90 3 Series sedan. The optional M Sport Package highlights the performance-oriented qualities of the 3 Series sedan and enables customers to personalise their car to an even higher standard. Among its features, the M Sport Package comprises a specially tuned sports suspension set-up, the Aerodynamic Package (comprising the front and rear air dams as well as side sill covers), fog lamps and exclusive light-alloy wheels (in 17-inch or optional 18-inch sizes) featuring wider rear tyres. The M Sport Package is available on the 320 Executive, 325i and 330i. (read more...)
Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione to be unveiled at Pebble Beach this weekend
August 15, 2005 The Beach Concours d'Elegance may be the world's leading classic car event, but the 2005 event, which opens is doors on 21 August in Pebble Beach near Monterey, will have a display of prototypes that would put most motor shows to shame and the headline car is one never seen before in public: The Alfa Romeo 8C Spider. (read more...)
The new Golf R32 – 250 bhp, 250 km/h, 4-wheel drive.
August 11, 2005 The Golf R32 powered by a 177 kW (241 bhp) engine was first launched in August 2002. Not only was it one of the hottest cars on the road, it also sold like hot cakes: three times as many R32's were sold than originally planned. These prospects for its successor, the new R32 based on the Golf V generation, are equally as promising. This time it packs 184 kW (250 bhp) under the bonnet; the permanent 4MOTION four-wheel drive again promises excellent roadholding. The new model will see its world premiere at the 59th Frankfurt Motor Show (15 to 25 September). Presales in Germany start on 19 August and the market launch will be at the end of September. Prices for the new Golf R32 start at 32,200 Euro. (read more...)
Renault Egeus concept car: the elegance of a saloon, the dynamic personality of a coupe
August 10, 2005 Renault will show a new Egeus concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, a resolutely upmarket 4WD SUV with the seductive elegance and luxurious, comfortable interior of a saloon. Thanks to its SUV size, Egeus offers a spacious interior while its exterior promises solidity and a dynamic personality. The longer bonnet highlights a soft, flowing design worthy of an upper-segment coupe. Egeus is about how Renault sees the high-end SUV segment. Patrick le Quement, Senior VP of Corporate Design at Renault describes the Egeus thus - an SUV for city driving and the open road, a sort of tall coupe that combines driving pleasure with elegance and sportiness. (read more...)
Citroen's C-SportLounge concept car
August 10, 2005 It's that wonderful time of year before the major European Auto Show again, and all the heavyweight automotive manufacturers are teasing the automotive world with their next big concept vehicle that will be released at, in this case, this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show (12-25 September). The latest example of cutting-edge styling from the Citroen design team, the C-SportLounge concept car looks set to wow the crowds this year. With its distinctive combination of powerful, sleek lines and 2+2 comfort and refinement, the C-SportLounge captures the true essence of a 21st century Grand Tourer. (read more...)
Dodge Caliber to be produced with new Continuously Variable Transmission
August 9, 2005 Chrysler has confirmed production of the Dodge Caliber, the global concept car first shown at 75th Annual Geneva International Motor Show in March, with a range of innovative engines and transmissions designed to deliver world-class performance, fuel economy and roadholding. The 2007 Dodge Caliber will be available in 2006 and will be the first Chrysler Group vehicle to offer a continuously variable transmission, the World Engine family of four-cylinder gasoline engines, a new 2.0-liter diesel engine and all-wheel drive. The all-new Dodge Caliber will use the newest generation of continuously variable transmissions, CVT2, offering several advantages compared with previous CVTs. (read more...)
WRC Rally Finland: Gronholm and Peugeot break Loeb/Citroen winning run
August 7, 2005 Peugeot’s Marcus Gronholm has taken a magnificent fifth victory in his native Rally Finland, his seventeenth WRC win in his career, and boosted himself to second in the drivers' championship. Team-mate Markko Martin completed a great team result to end the rally in third place, less than 30 seconds behind runaway championship leader Sebastien Loeb who finished second. Peugeot’s strong team showing has enabled the marque to retake the lead of the Manufacturers Championship by a single championship point over Citroen. (read more...)
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