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Spyshots: Mercedes SL

The redesigned Mercedes SL unveils a little bit more of itself every week. Up until now, there has been much speculation surrounding the biggest change: the front face. Thanks to this close shot we can guess what the facelift will look like.
Like the new C-Class in its sporty variant, the SL will receive a more simplified grille that will feature a bigger Mercedes logo and bigger stripes. The headlights will be replaced with a new design which takes inspiration from the look and feel of the CLS. Even if it suits the four door coupé, we are not sure the boomerang headlamps will fit the SL-Class design as its original design is already six years old.
Under the bonnet, the redesigned SL-Class will feature new engines with direct injection, just like the first SL in 1955. The entry-level will start with the 350 CGI which produces 278bhp/272hp. The SL will be the first one to receive the 5.5 litre V8 equipped with a direct injection. These new engines will allow Mercedes to reduce its CO2 emissions. Finally, the charming SL55 will be replaced with a SL63 that will feature the 6.2 litre V8.
Source: Worldcarfans
August 3, 2007
Sales record for Bentley

There was a time when Bentley could barely sell its cars. Then, almost ten years ago, Volkswagen bought Bentley. Since then and the launch of the Continental GT, the British carmaker has broken its sales records every year. 2007 promises to be the best year yet. Indeed, Bentley sold 5,600 cars in the first semester or 2007, 18.8% more than the previous year over the same period. But the most impressive is the March sales figures. Bentley sold 1,200 cars in one month. With an entry-level starting at £117,500, it is hard to imagine.
Thanks to its sales, the company reported a turn over of 739 million euros and a record profit of 85 million euros compared to 26 million euros in the first half of 2006. The company met growing demand in Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as significant demand in emerging markets such as China and Russia.
August 3, 2007
Volvo to recall 42,000 XC90

Volvo is recalling 42,000 XC90 SUV sold in 2005 due to a suspect battery switch. The recall will only concern the U.S. as only American XC90 are equipped with the battery switch. The faulty switch may create a short circuit.
There have been no incidents reported so far but Volvo has opted to fix the fault to avoid the chance of a serious mishap occurring.
August 3, 2007
Audi A7 sketches

The Mercedes CLS-Class success makes other carmakers jealous, especially an aspiring luxury brand like Audi. The latter will unveil at the 2009 New York Auto Show its interpretation of the 4 door coupé. Thanks to Car Magazine and its smuggled sketches, we can catch a glimpse of the future model.
Based on the Audi A6 platform, the A7 will sit between the A6 saloon and the more exclusive A8 model. Like the CLS, it will feature a slopping roof and the interior will be more luxurious than the A6. The rough sketches does not say a lot about the A7 design unfortunately.
Obviously, the car will receive a similar engine range to the A6. Expect to see V6 and V8 engines but also a possible RS7 which will feature the V10 engine. Due to appear in the next Audi RS6, ti produces more than 500 bhp.
Last week we reported the rumour of an A5 Sportback. As Audi seems to build a four door coupé range, might we expect soon some information regarding an A7 Sportback?
August 3, 2007
Tajima’s monster hillclimb video

After 12 appearences the head of Suzuki Sport, Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima, finally broke the Pikes Peak record, reaching the summit in 10:01.408 minutes. This was three seconds less than the previous record achieved by Rod Millen in 1994. Here is a video of his crazy journey to the top!

August 3, 2007
Spyshots: Hyundai Genesis

Unveiled at the last New York Auto Show, the Hyundai Genesis served as a message to Japanese and German carmakers: Hyundai wants to have its share of the luxury car segment. Since then, Hyundai engineers have been working on finishing the production car. These new spyshots reveal the latest changes.
On the outside, the front grille has lost its round corners in favour of Hyundai’s angular look. The three large stripes have been replaced by five thin stripes. The front headlights seem to have increased in size and the nice curves of the front bumper have been replaced with an unremarkable design. In a way, the front face has lost the concept car finesse and its style has weakened. This is a pity as the concept car design appeared to be close to production.
Hyundai never unveiled the interior of the concept car, but some spyshots were available on the internet in mid 2005. Hyundai has upgraded the interior with the latest technology. The navigation system has adopted a bigger screen while its controls have been replaced with a knob similar to the BMW’s iDrive. The wheel has lost its American influence to become more Japanese.
Even if the new exterior changes suggest a weaker design than the concapt car, the inside improvements are welcome. The Genesis will be sold with a choice of two engines, a V6 already available on the Azera/Grandeur and the new V8, which will produce more than 300 bhp. As for the price, it will be less than £14,800/€22,000/$30,000 for the entry-level. The last stumbling block might be the carmaker’s brand image. In order to improve its image, Hyundai hired Joel Ewanick in February. Ewanick has impressive credentials: in the past he has worked on improving the brand image of both Porsche and Lexus.
Source: KGP Photography
August 3, 2007
Configure your Gran Turismo

Car configurators are never very much fun. They are dedicated either to mainstream cars with dull packages or supercars with few options. At least, that was the case before the configurator for the new Gran Turismo went online. With the Maserati configurator you do not waste your time on the optional packages but on the colours for the paintwork and the brake callipers. On the inside, you can change every piece of leather and every trim. There is only one downside to this configurator: you have to register to use it. This involves filling in a long and complicated form. But do not let this put you off. The reward is worth it.

Click here to configurate your future Maserati Gran Turismo
July 30, 2007
Spyshots: Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 has been spotted in the Austrian Alps. This time, despite the covers, there is no doubt regarding the general design. As expected, the Q5 is close to the Shanghai Cross Coupe concept car. The hatchback will be different and the Q5 is higher than the concept car.
Based on the modular platform used by the A5, the Q5 is set to compete with the current BMW X3 and the future Mercedes GLK. It will feature a large engine range thanks to the Audi A4. Expect to see the 414bhp/420hp 4.2 litre V8 at the top of the range for the petrol versions and the V6 3.0 litre TDI for the diesel versions.
With the Audi A4 to be unveiled at the end of the year and sold in 2008, Audi will have a complete range to compete with BMW and Mercedes: the A4 sedan, the A4 estate dubbed Avant, the A4 convertible, the A5 coupé, the Q5 SUV. An A5 convertible and an A5 Sportback might join the team later.

Click here to see all the pictures
July 30, 2007
Lamborghini Gallardo V8 spotted at Sant’Agata headquarters

The website AutoGespot has released some pictures of the upcoming Gallardo V8, taken at Lamborghini’s headquarters in the Italian village of Sant’Agata.
Not officialy confirmed by the Italian carmaker, the V8 version will receive the V8 engine, which equips the Audi R8. In the Gallardo, it will be a bit more powerful with 430bhp.
As we already reported, the Gallardo V8 makes sense for Audi Group. Audi can’t build enough R8 to satisfy demand because of fibre panels that are difficult to make. It can only build 20 R8 a day.Selling a cheaper Gallardo with the same engine as the R8 would enable Audi to redirect the unsatisfied demand to the Italian carmaker.
Source: AutoGespot
July 28, 2007
Audi R8 Spider revealed

Yesterday we reported the A1 sketches scooped by the British magazine CAR. A day later the people at CAR have done it again. They have now released a sketch of the next R8 Spider. Its makes us wonder if they really did smuggle out the sketches as they claim.
Due to be launched in autumn 2009 with a worldwide debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Spider features twin speedster humps, which incorporate vents to bring fresh air to the engine. The general design is almost the same as the coupé, apart from Audi’s addition of an aluminium-look panel just behind the doors.
Like the coupé, the convertible version will use the V8 4.2 litre V8 which produces 414bhp/420hp. It will also probably feature the V10 engine, which produces more than 500bhp.
Considering that Audi wants to launch 18 new cars over the next few years, I can’t help but wonder if the supercar Audi A8 will be available one day in a Sportback version.
July 28, 2007