Automotive
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Valentino Rossi test drives Ferrari F1 Car
August 6, 2005 The prospects of the World’s best motorcycle racer switching to Formula 1 Motor Racing were enhanced significantly this week when Italian World Motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi tested the Ferrari F2005 car for two complete days at Ferrari’s private Fiorano test facility, lapping fast enough for former Ferrari test-driver Jean Alesi to describe his performance as “formidable”. Apart from Rossi’s 58.3 second lap of Fiorano (Michael Schumacher's track record is 55.999), further indication of the importance of the test was evident when Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo and F1 supremo Jean Todt were on hand for the drive. (read more...)
Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) engine to power the production “i” car
August 5, 2005 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has developed two Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) aluminium cylinder block engines to power two new models slated for introduction in the domestic Japanese market later this year. The new Outlander SUV, due to debut in showrooms this October, is to be powered by a new 4-cylinder 2.4-liter MIVEC engine. The new-concept minicar i, scheduled to join the MMC lineup in January next year, will use a new 3-cylinder 660cc MIVEC engine. The Smart lookalike “i” concept car was shown at the Frankfurt motor Show in 2003 and was a crowd favourite. The new turbocharged 3-cylinder 660cc MIVEC engine delivers outstanding power and torque, fuel economy and emissions performance. The unit produces 47kW (64PS) and with the MIVEC variable valve timing system, it is expected to return significantly better fuel economy than the concept vehicle which achieved maximum 5-Star ratings (lowest environmental impact) in fuel consumption and emissions testing conducted in Europe in 2003. The engine for the vehicle at that stage was a one litre motor producing 50kW. (read more...)
Fisker Coachbuild Tramonto - 610 horsepower two seater convertible
August 4, 2005 Fisker Coachbuild is a new company based on the expertise and growing international reputation of designer Henrik Fisker. Fisker has become somewhat of a celebrity designer in his relatively short career since graduating from the Art Center College of Design in 1989, having racked up a succession of landmark vehicles such as the Shelby GR1, BMW Z07 concept car, BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 and the soon-to-be-produced Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Now he has joined with another well known automotive designer in Bernhard Koehler to create a new luxury car company, FISKER COACHBUILD. Based in Southern California, the objective of FISKER COACHBUILD is to combine beautiful design with world-class engineering and the focus will be on designing and manufacturing exclusive high-end sports cars. The first two FISKER COACHBUILD designs will be shown at the Frankfurt International Auto Show and some teaser sketches and close-up shots have been released to build the anticipation. The exotic Fisker Tramonto will be the company’s inaugural offering - a 610 horsepower two seater convertible with a top down 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. (read more...)
Audi Q7 clocking up millions of pre-release kilometres
August 3, 2005 In one of the most meticulously planned and carefully orchestrated pre-debut publicity campaigns ever undertaken for an automotive product, we got to see more of the evolving Audi Q7 story this week when the German company’s PR machine released images of the Q7 undergoing equally exhaustive testing from Southern Africa to the Nurburgring. The Q7 has already notched up millions of test kilometres prior and worldwide testing under demonstrably extreme conditions for reliability, handling, comfort and flexibility makes an impressive story prior to its public showing in Frankfurt next month. (read more...)
New Astra TwinTop: Sporty, Elegant Four-Seat Cabrio-Coupe
August 1, 2005 Another significant vehicle making its world premiere at the Frankfurt Show in September will be Opel’s new cabrio-coupe: following the successful launches of the sedan, station wagon and GTC, the fourth distinctive Astra model will be known as the TwinTop. The elegant four-seater with a new-generation electro-hydraulic retractable steel roof will be at dealerships in spring 2006. A special highlight of the new Astra TwinTop is the clever kinematics of its innovative three-part roof system, which enable generous trunk space of around 440 liters. In the cabrio configuration, more than 200 liters are still available. A state-of-the-art “Easy Load” function increases practicality: at the touch of a button, the horizontally stacked roof parts in the trunk can be raised, so that cargo is easily accessible. In addition to generous luggage compartment space, the innovative roof technology also enables a dynamic, harmonious design with well-balanced proportions. With a length of almost 4.5 meters, the Astra TwinTop reaches dimensions comparable to mid-size segment cabrios. (read more...)
Stunning New Peugeot 407 Coupe Breaks Cover
August 1, 2005 The Peugeot brand has been associated with some great coupes over the years - cars such as the 404, 504 and 406 coupes have become icons of their time. Today a new Peugeot 407 Coupe four passengers and all their luggage and will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. (read more...)
Hungarian F1 Grand Prix: Raikkonen and Schumacher keep the season alive
August 1, 2005 McLaren-Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen won the Hungarian Grand Prix at Budapest here yesterday. After 70 laps he took the chequered flag 35.5sec ahead of Michael Schumacher's Ferrari, with runaway championship leader Fernando Alonso failing to score points. McLaren continued to dominate races with its results ravaged by reliability issues – McLaren’s other driver Juan Pablo Montoya retired on lap 41 with a driveshaft failure while leading the race. Third and fourth places were filled by Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli, putting both Schumacher brothers on the podium for the first time in a long time and giving Toyota a clear fourth place in the constructors championship behind Renault, McLaren and Ferrari. (read more...)
Two new versions of Maserati Quattroporte
July 31, 2005 Maserati will unveil two new versions of its luxurious performance sedan, the Quattroporte, at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September, that offer new features that enhance the performance and style of the unique four door Maserati. The Maserati Quattroporte was launched in 2003, blending elegant comfort with the performance expected of a car carrying the legendary Maserati Trident and provided by a quadcam 4.2 litre V8 engine boasting 294 kW (400 bhp). (read more...)
Fiat unveils the Punto Grande - the voluptuous economy car
July 29, 2005 Fiat has released the first pictures of the Punto Grande, a car that follows in the wheeltracks of the original hugely successful Punto hatchback, which has accounted for over six million sales since its launch in 1993. The new Punto Grande's global objective is to regain leadership of the highly competitive and crucially important European compact hatchback market. In order to accomplish this aim, Punto Grande has been designed from the outset to be a larger vehicle than is typical for the class, so as to offer the highest possible safety standards, class leading quality credentials, and the best range of diesel engines available in this category today, all at a very competitive price. (read more...)
Daimler returns with an all-new model: the Super Eight.
July 28, 2005 For over a century the Daimler name has evoked the memory of a succession of classic automobiles, from the famous Double Six V12-engined Daimlers of the 1920s that were owned by King George V of England, through to the Sovereign and Double Six models of the 1960s and ’70s. Britain’s oldest (109 years) automotive marque has always signified luxury, sophisticated style, authenticity, craftsmanship and individual statement. Owned by Jaguar since 1960, Daimler will return to showroom floors in November with the introduction of the Super Eight – a fully-optioned long wheelbase XJ8 Jaguar with the unique fluted radiator grille. The aluminium-bodied Super Eight will be powered by a supercharged 4.2 litre V8 engine, offering an “effortless and refined, high-speed cruising ability.” (read more...)
Porsche to build new Panamera four-door Sports Coupe for 2009 launch
July 28, 2005 Porsche is to build a new Panamera model line - a premium-class sports coupe with four seats, four doors, a front-mounted engine and rear wheel drive. Scheduled to enter the market in 2009, the Panamera will be the fourth model line from the Stuttgart carmaker following the 911, the Boxster and the Cayenne. The new car's name is derived from the legendary Carrera Panamericana long-distance race. (read more...)
Volvo Develops Inflatable Curtain (IC) for Cabriolets
July 26, 2005 Volvo’s Inflatable Curtain (IC), introduced in 1998, helps to protect the belted occupant’s head during a side impact or rollover scenario. IC has been developed for and is fitted as standard in Volvo’s sedans, wagons and XC models. This essential safety technology has been specifically adapted for the unique use in a cabriolet. The Inflatable Curtain will be available on Volvo's C70 hardtop cabriolet – a world-first safety development. In a fixed roof vehicle, the IC is fitted in the inner roof edge and is activated downward between the side window and the occupant’s head. This location has thus far made it impossible to fit the IC system in a cabriolet since there is no fixed roof for its installation. (read more...)
German F1 GP: Alonso's sixth win, Renault's seventh
July 24, 2005 Fernando Alonso took his sixth win of the season and the Mild Seven Renault F1 Team took its seventh win of the season at this afternoon’s 2005 German Grand Prix in Hockenheim. Fernando Alonso converted his third position on the grid into a comfortable victory after another McLaren DNF led to Kimi Raikkonen’s retirement from the lead halfway through the race. The Spaniard’s run to the chequered flag was uneventful, and he controlled his pace throughout the final stint. Any doubts about Alonso not becoming the youngest F1 champ in history were dispelled with the win – he now leads the drivers’ championship by 36 points with seven races to go. At 10 points for a win and six points for a second place, he could conceivably win the title if he didn’t turn up for the remainder of the season given the unreliability of his main adversary’s car. McLaren has had the fastest car at the last half a dozen races, but has failed to take advantage of its speed. (read more...)
The world’s fastest, meanest, toughest tyre-torturing truck sets a world record
The truck billed as the world’s fastest, meanest, toughest tyre-torturing machine is now officially the world’s fastest truck thanks to a record breaking exhibition run at the Queensland International Air Show held at Bundaberg Airport on July 16 -17, 2005. The Bandag Bullet smashed the world record for a one kilometre run and potentially set eight world records on the way. The eight tonne Kenworth T400-based Bandag Bullet ran a standing start kilometre in 18.6 seconds with a terminal speed of over 300km/h. How can such a massive truck go so fast? Because it has two twin-turbo , nitrous oxide injected V8 diesel engines with a total capacity of 24 litres (1500 cubic inches), which produce 1100bhp and 5600 ft/lb of torque EACH. When the nitrous is pumping the motors put out 1400 bhp each for a total 2800hp at 3000rpm with power transmitted by an Allison CR 6000 transmission and standard Bandag retread truck tyres – the Bandag sponsorship of the truck is now in its 23rd year – 18 years ago the Bullet broke the world truck standing quarter mile with a 14.0 second pass - also on standard retreads, an indication the tyres are as strong as the relationship between the companies! (read more...)
Volvo's ingenious convertible coupe
July 19, 2005 The next generation Volvo C70 shown here for the first time, can be reasonably expected to grab a significant slice of upmarket consumer attention in that it converts from a hardtop coupe to an open air convertible at the press of a button. The second generation C70 has an innovative three-piece retractable hardtop and can hence offer two cars for the price of one. With the top up, it's an elegant coupe and with the top stowed below the rear deck, it offers wind-in-the-hair sports car fun with room for four people. The all-new Volvo C70 will be unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September, with sales beginning in the U.S. in the spring of 2006 – just in time for summer. (read more...)
WRC: Citroen and Loeb continue record smashing spree
July 17, 2005 Sebastien Loeb and Citroen broke a number of rallying's world records with a dominant performance in the Argentinean round of the World Rally Championship at the weekend (15-17 July 2005) giving them the record for the most consecutive wins in a season (six) and, adding their win in the Monte Carlo season-opener, the most wins in one season … with seven more rounds to come. Loeb, who just a short few years ago was dismissed as a tarmac-only expert, has set the records on six out of seven gravel events so we can expect more wins and more records as the season unfolds. (read more...)
The world’s most powerful naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine
July 16, 2005 Not as yet presented in an automobile, Mercedes-AMG has released details of its new high-revving, large displacement 6.3-litre V8 engine. Developed entirely by AMG, this engine generates 375 kW/510 hp at 6800 rpm, with a maximum torque of 630 Newton metres, making it the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated eight-cylinder production engine. That’s around 20 percent more torque than comparable naturally aspirated engines in this performance class. Made completely from high-strength aluminium, the V8 has a wealth of features derived from motorsport such as a variable intake manifold, the vertical arrangement of the intake and exhaust ducts, variable camshaft adjustment, a particularly rigid closed-deck crankcase and cylinder walls with a new LDS coating. (read more...)
Nissan unveils BaseCamp Airstream Trailer
July 15, 2005 Nissan Design America (NDA) celebrated 25 years in California this week by unveiling its latest design – a lightweight, aluminium-based trailer designed by Nissan in collaboration with specialist trailer manufacturer Airstream and called the BaseCamp. The Airstream BaseCamp is a micro-light tent-trailer hybrid that blends the convenience of RV travel with the versatility of car camping. The BaseCamp is the first of its kind offering a whole new level of versatility, durability and comfort for the adventurer. (read more...)
New Honda Hybrid System with 3-Stage i-VTEC + IMA
July 15, 2005 Honda will introduce a new Honda Hybrid System in the 2006 Civic Hybrid that features a 3-stage i-VTEC engine that employs Honda’s “intelligent” VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system to provide three stages of valve timing (low-rpm, high-rpm and cylinder idle mode), combined with a significantly more compact and efficient Honda IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system. The new Honda Hybrid System will be introduced in the all-new Civic Hybrid, to be launched Q3, and will offer significantly improved performance and fuel economy over the current system. The new Honda Hybrid System employs intelligent engine functions and a more efficient IMA system to achieve an approximate 20 percent increase in system output over the current system and performance similar to a 1.8-liter engine while improving fuel economy by about 5 percent, reducing the system size by 5 percent and significantly improving emissions performance. (read more...)
British F1 GP: McLaren 1st and 3rd but Alonso/Renault extend lead
July 10, 2005 McLaren’s Juan Pablo Montoya took his fifth career win here at Silverstone, but the real story played out on the lower podium steps where Renault’s Fernando Alonso took second place and extended his championship lead over third placed Kimi Raikkonen. For Montoya, it was his first ever win for West McLaren Mercedes (indeed his first ever podium with the team) since he joined at the start of this season. Kimi Raikkonen put in another gritty drive, overcoming a ten place penalty on the grid due to an engine change after qualifying, fighting his way up from 12th on the grid to third at the flag. (read more...)
Mitsubishi unveils Concept Sportback
September 9, 2005 UPDATED, NEW IMAGES With less than a week to go before the Frankfurt Motor Show, Mitsubishi has finally released images of the next-generation sports hatchbac "Concept Sportback" it will be exhibiting at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Concept-Sportback is a concept for the 5-door sports hatchback class that is becoming highly popular in Europe. This concept previews a brand new Mitsubishi Motors C-segment platform. The direction Mitsubishi Motors' design is set to take for the near future is readily apparent in the concept's sporty exterior. (read more...)
Galleria Ferrari - the Ferrari museum
July 8, 2005 Ferrari has opened what must the be the ultimate museum experience for any motoring or motorsport fan, the Galleria Ferrari in Ferrari's home town of Maranello in northern Italy. Expanding on the legendary company's original display, the new Galleria Ferrari has been expanded with three new display areas, a new surround sound equipped cinema and a restaurant, as well as a host of new cars and displays, many of which have never been seen before. It is also the best place to see the newest Ferrari models. (read more...)
Mercedes-Benz Trailer Stability Assist combats the dreaded fishtailing: Trailer towing made safe
July 8, 2005 Most Mercedes-Benz models can be used to tow a trailer without any problems, though few are likely to encounter a load as hevy as this M-Class did recently when Mercedes-Benz engineers set out to highlight one of the company’s new design features. The M-Class was put to the test at Stuttgart Airport pulling an Airbus A319 aeroplane weighing around 60 tonnes. The point of the exercise was to showcase the new Mercedes-Benz Trailer Stability Assist (TSA). TSA is capable of detecting the dreaded fishtailing motion swiftly and nipping it in the bud effectively. To do this, it uses the ESP program's own sensory system and initiates precision brake applications at the front left and right wheels individually and alternately to stabilise the car/trailer outfit. (read more...)
Wild 120kW Citroen C2
July 6, 2005 Citroen UK has built a very special Citroen C2, christened the Citroen C2 Ninja, for Max Power Live, the UK's largest gathering of performance car and special car conversion fans, which boasts a very special body and a wild 120 kW engine. Valued at more than twice the normal Citroen C2's price tag, the Citroen C2 Ninja has a custom made turbo-charged engine that lifts power from 83 kW to 120 kW, a unique body kit, huge wings and spoilers and bulging wheel arches to accommodate its 18 inch alloy wheels. Inside is a sound system that is more than capable of drowning out all other sounds, while special upholstery and dashboard trim completes the visual feast. (read more...)
Mercedes A-Class gets a 2 litre turbo
July 7, 2005 Mercedes-Benz is adding a high-performance two litre turbo variant to the second-generation A-Class range, delivering an economy car with the performance characteristics of a sportscar - 142 kW/193 hp and a maximum speed of 228 km/h. The new Mercedes-Benz A 200 TURBO is the most powerful model in the compact A-Class, and rounds the model range off at the top end. With an output of 142 kW/193 hp, its new, up-to-date lightweight power unit with turbocharging and sodium-cooled exhaust valves is among the most powerful in its displacement class, and generates a maximum torque of 280 Newton metres which remains constant from just 1800 rpm. Accordingly the four-cylinder petrol unit guarantees outstanding performance characteristics. The A 200 TURBO takes just 7.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h from standstill and achieves a maximum speed of 228 km/h, yet its fuel consumption remains comparatively modest at 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres. (read more...)
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