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Spyshots: next-generation Mercedes-Benz CLK
The next-generation Mercedes-Benz CLK has been spotted during testing showing the latest visual details.
Due to be unveiled at the Paris motor show, the next CLK will feature the new company’s styling DAN with sharper lines and will be sold as a small CL-Class. On the inside, the future coupé will borrow equipments from the C-Class and will also borrow some equipments reserved to the flagships: Presafe brake assist system, night vision technologies and new Command System will be available on the options list.
The engine will be similar to that of the C-Class. The 268bhp V6 3.5-litre unit will be on offer and the topping-engine will be the 5.5-litre V8 unit on the CLK500. For the first time, the CLK will be offered with a 4Matic transmission.
May 30, 2008
Spyshots: Chevrolet Camaro V6 engine revealed
The V6-powered Camaro has been spotted during testing. As initially thought, the V6 is the same as in the Cadillac CTS.
The spotted coupé was powered by a V6 engine, one of the engines likely to be unveiled in September. The Chevrolet Camaro will offer a wide range of engine. The entry-level will be powered by a 260bhp turbocharged four cylinder unit,followed by the V6 which delivers 304bhp. Two V8 will be on offer, a 6.2-litre petrol engine and the LS3 V8 form the Pontiac G8 GXP which delivers 425bhp.
May 30, 2008
Karmann won’t build the future VW Golf Cabriolet
For the German coachbuilder, the future looks rather gloomy. After the end of the Chrysler Crossfire last year and the planned termination of the Audi A4 at the end of the year and the Mercedes-Benz CLK convertible next year, Volkswagen has decided to keep in-house the production of the next Golf convertible.
This news is a major blow for Karmann which has built 675,000 Golf convertibles since its first launch in 1979. Fortunately, the company will still build the BMW 1-Series convertible until 2013. However, current production capacities need to be used. Karmann isn’t the only coachbuilder that struggles to find replacement business. Heuliez, Bertone and Pininfarina have a tough time since the carmaker have decided to build niche vehicles in their own hands.
One opportunity for the coachbuilders might be to provide their production site to Indian and Chinese carmakers which have to buy expertise in order to compete with the Western major players.
May 28, 2008
Next Generation BMW 1-Series Spyshots
BMW has just expanded the 1-Series range that its engineers have started to work on the next-generation.
The next-generation has been spotted during testing when engineers were driving an early prototype. Technical details remain scarce although some observers believe that the next generation will carry the same architecture. Engineers will focus on weight reduction and are rumoured to use more aluminium in the construction. For the first time, the platform will also be available with an all-wheel drive transmission. Indeed, BMW has plan to launch later a small X1 that will take on the Ford Kuga and successful Nissan Qashqai.
Under the bonnet, the current engine range will be kept. If the smaller engines will likely remain unchanged, the six cylinder units will likely be re-engineered to comply with the latest emissions regulations.
Click here to see the spyshots
Source: MotorAuthority
May 28, 2008
A real targa roof for the 911
If you’re like me, don’t like the current 911 Targa and regret the old design, you will likely be glad to hear that a company has developed its own Targa version.
A long time ago, Porsche offered a targa variant of the 911 but disappeared ten years ago to be replaced a large sunroof. However, many Porsche enthusiasts miss the removable glass panel. A company called VeloTech has developed a classic hardtop that can be fitted on a Porsche 911 convertible.
The roof is comprised mainly of carbon fiber and costs £5,000 in the US. The company says that the price can be reduced to £3,000.
Source: Detroit News
May 28, 2008
More details emerge on 2010 Lotus Esprit
More details of the future Lotus Esprit have emerged on the Internet.
In February, Petrol-Head reported the latest information about the future Esprit that Lotus will likely unveil at the end of 2009. The car will reinforce the carmaker’s lineup and will boost is brand image required to sell more smaller models. The future supercar will be built on the company’s Variable vehicle Architecture which is also used by the Elise. However, the main concept behind this platform is its flexibility. The next Esprit won’t be a clone like the Europa will be, but a true new car.
As announced earlier, the new Esprit will be powered by a 4.4-litre V8 outsourced form BMW which will get a power boost to deliver 500bhp. Performance promises to be outstanding. The Esprit is expected to coast around £65,000.
May 28, 2008
VW Passat R36 Variant Styling Study unveiled at Worthersee Tour
Like Audi, Volkswagen has unveiled a special edition of the Passat R36 at the Wörther Lake in Austria. But VW engineers had less freedom than their counterparts at Ingolstadt.
Dubbed Variant Study, this special R36 comes with a unique paint scheme “Moonlight Blue”. The new color has also been applied to the chrome parts. The R36 Variant Study gets lowered suspension, while featuring bigger wheels. It sits on 20in alloy wheels which come straight from the Touareg R-Line and gets a 6-piston Brembo braking system upgrade.
On the inside, the Variant Study features a set of bicolour Recaro seats and dark blue chrome trims on the dashboard and the doors.
May 28, 2008
New Saab 9-5 to debut at the 2009 Geneva motor show
The launch date for the next-generation 9-5 is more and more confusing. Initially thought to be at the Paris Motor Show, Saab has announced it would be at Frankfurt. But latest information suggest Geneva in March of next year.
Paris, Geneva or Frankfurt? Paris would likely be the best shot for the Swedish carmaker as the aging 9-5 can’t really compete with the latest models. Geneva is a risky decision as Mercedes-Benz will unveil the next-generation E-Class, while BMW will likely unveil the next 5-Series at Frankfurt. In other words, the Saab 9-5 will get as much attention as the Skoda Superb in Geneva this year if a German carmaker unveils a new model at Geneva or Frankfurt.
The car has already been shown at the GMNext conference, but both the saloon and the estate were only dummies without engines and real suspension.
May 28, 2008
Mercedes updates the G-Class
Mercedes has unveiled an upgraded G-Class. On the menu, there are a more powerful engine and updated equipments.
Probably for the last time, Mercedes has upgraded the G-Class which has been in the lineup for the last 30 years. Like the previous iterations, the G-Class’ styling evolves slightly, just enough to keep up with the latest design trends. This revamped G-Class gets a new grille featuring three louvres replacing the former model’s seven louvres and new wheels.
On the inside, only the equipments is upgraded and adopts a new Telematics system and various options such as a Harman Kardon sound system.
Under the bonnet, the G500 gets a power boost. The power output jumps to 383bhp. The impressive G55 AMG also sees its power increased to 500bhp.
May 28, 2008
Peugeot 308 HDi 110 sets two new world recorlds
The Peugeot 308 HDi 110 has set two new world records: travelling 1192 miles on just 60 litres of diesel fuel and completing 9,062 miles at an average of 90.75 mpg.
The car was driven by a couple around the coast of Australia in a standard Peugeot 308 HDi 110. The unexpected team drove a completely standard Peugeot 308 HDi 110 hatchback on a 25 day, 9,000 mile journey around the coast of Australia. During the record breaking journey they broke two world records by recording an unprecedented 1192 miles on just 60 litres of diesel fuel and an average fuel consumption of 90.75 mpg.
The Peugeot 308 HDi 110 hatchback now holds the World Record for both the highest average fuel consumption on a journey, a record previously held by a Peugeot 307 hatchback, and the record for the furthest distance travelled on a full tank of fuel.
May 28, 2008