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Despite a gloomy future, Jaguar is continuing to develop its unique new model, the XF, previewed at the last Detroit motor show. With the new XF, Jaguar gives the old British empire image up in order to adopt a German sporty spirit that meets with success in the biggest markets in the world. So, is there any better way to woe the public than offering a XFR that will produce 500 bhp/507 hp?
Under the hood this hot feline will have a supercharged 5 litre V8 unit that will produce 500 bhp/507 hp and a torque close to 500 lb ft/678 Nm. The engine will be shared with the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport SUVs. With such an engine, the XFR will probably run the 0-60mph in less than 5 seconds, a good figure to declare war to the German clique! Unfortunately, if we take into account the power escalation led by Audi, perhaps 493 bhp/500 hp will not be enough.
Officially launched at the next Frankfurt motor show in September, the XF will be available with a choice of 2.7-litre V6 diesel, 3.0-litre V6 petrol, 4.2-litre V8 petrol and supercharged 4.2-litre V8 power. No information has been given regarding the rumoured 4 cylinder engine.
July 5, 2007
2009 Mercedes E Class

Here are some renderings of the next Mercedes E-Class due to be launched in 2009, made by Auto Motor und Sport magazine. Known internally as the W212, the saloon will be revealed at the 2009 Geneva motor show while the estate will be launched at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show.
For Mercedes the challenge is to make the E-Class more appealing than the current model without encroaching upon the CLS battlefield, the four door coupé segment. The car will probably be a mix of a Mercedes C-Class and Mercedes CLS. Like the CLS , it will have a curved roof and will draw inspiration from the C-Class’ general design. However it will differentiate itself from both models by adopting unique headlamps. Say goodbye to the circular headlamps used by the curent model and say hello to new angular headlamps.
On the inside, it is reported that the C-Class will inherit a dashboard that mixes the luxury of the S-Class and the sportiness of the C-Class.
Under the hood, the car will get the usual family engine range made up of V6 and V8 engines. Expect to see the future E63 AMG reach 542 bhp/550 hp.
Click here to see all the pictures
July 5, 2007
Twingo 2 CC
According to the weekly French car magazine Auto Plus, Renault will display a Twingo II convertible at the next Geneva Motorshow in March 2008. The car will be sold a few months later at the competitive price of around £10,000/€15,000/$20,000.
Based on the idea of the Wind Concept car introduced at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the Twingo II CC will be a two-seater convertible and will compete with the tiny Daihatsu Copen and the Opel Tigra TwinTop. Unlike the latter, which a retractable hardtop, the Twingo will have a folding roof like Fioravanti’s concept cars and the Ferrari 575 Superamerica.
The car will not be built on the Twingo’s assembly lines in Slovenia, but in Renault Sport factory based in Dieppe, Northern France, where Renault usually assembles small volume cars.
According to Auto Plus, Renault could put? the small 1.2 litre engine that produces 99 bhp/100 hp under the hood but in a boosted form that will produce 118 bhp/120 hp.
Source: Auto Plus
July 5, 2007
Chrysler recalls 80,894 Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro

Chrysler announced it will recall 80,894 Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro models in the USA to correct a defect that could cause the engine to stall. Chrysler said the recall would allow dealers to reprogram the power module. This will eliminate the potential for a brief interruption of electrical power to the instrument panel and the engine.
According to the carmaker, power interruption could lead to an engine stall, but the engine would restart if the vehicle was running. Chrysler decided to recall the cars after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started an investigation in May. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had received 180 complaints regarding an engine stall occuring on the Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro models.
July 5, 2007
Passat CC

In its last issue, the German weekly magazine Automobilwoche provides further information regarding the mysterious and long-awaited Passat CC. Internally known as the CC or I/O 511, the 4 doors coupé will be sold in May 2008 after a preview at the next Detroit motor show.
According to Automobilwoche, the saloon will have a large engine range from the 1.8 TSI engine producing 160 hp/158 bhp to the powerful V6 FSI 3.6 litre with all-wheel-drive producing 300 hp/296 bhp. The entry level will be sold at £20,000/€30,000/$41,000 whereas the top of the range will cost £27,000/€40,000/$54,000. A diesel engine will also be available and take the form of a 2 litre TDi producing 140 hp/138 bhp. It will start at £22,000/€32,000/$46,000. The prices may appear low but the Phaeton’s failure taught Volkswagen that it cannot sell a car at just any price. Furthermore, it does not want its new saloon to compete with the future Audi A7.
Unlike the Passat, the new Saloon is not based on the Golf VI platform but on that of the Audi A6. Therefore, it will be longer than the Passat at 193”/4.90 m.
July 4, 2007
Cadillac BLS Wagon

It would seem that Cadillac still has faith in the BLS despite the low sales figures in 2006. The carmaker revealed an estate variant dubbed Wagon last March that will be finally sold in November, just after an official launch at the Frankfurt motor show.
On the outside, the BLS Wagon is an appealing estate, thanks to its Cadillac stylistic vocabulary. The lines are sharp and its compact look gives it a sporty feel. Like the Saab 9-3 SportCombi from which it is cloned, the BLS Wagon has poor boot capacity with only 419 litres. With the rear seats folded down, the total amount of cargo space adds up to 1285 litres.

Under the hood the big changes are the new diesel engine already available on the Saab 9-3. The 1.9 litre engine is equipped with two turbos integrated as a single unit and a common rail fuel injection. It produces 180 hp/177 bhp and torque of 400 Nm/133 lb/ft. The other big news is the announcement of a bio-ethanol engine for 2008. In addition to these new engines, the BLS wagon keeps the current ones available on the saloon: the two 2.0 litres four-cylinder turbocharged units developing 175 hp/173 bhp and 210 hp/207 bhp and the 2.8 litres V-6 developing 255 hp/251 bhp.
The BLS Wgaon will offer 4 trim levels: Business, Elegance, Sport and Sport Luxury.
The first one offers 16-inch alloy wheels, Cadillac’s StabiliTrak electronic stability program, front, side and head curtain airbags, three-spoke leather steering wheel, cruise control, air conditioning and a seven-speaker audio system with CD player.
The second one adds wipers with rain sensors, eight-way power seats, dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels and red walnut wood veneer trims.
The third one adds 18-inch wheels and lowered sports suspension. Inside the aluminum trim replaces the wood panels.
The fourth one, only available on the top 2.8 V6 and the 1.9 diesel engine, adds Bi-Xenon headlamps and heated and electrically adjustable leather seats with memory function.
July 4, 2007
Novitec Maserati Quattroporte

The tuning firm Novitec has turned its attention to the Maserati Quattroporte. Unlike some German counterparts that succeed in making their tuned cars uglier than the original model, Novitec shows some respect to the Italian design.

On probably the most beautiful saloon in the world, the German tuner made minor changes: the body remains unchanged except for the new 20-inch wheels, fitted with 245/35 and 285/30 Pirelli P-Zeros front and rear respectively. The Quattroporte is lowered by an improved suspension.
Under the hood, the changes to the 4.2-litre V8 have been limited to a revised ECU, increasing the power by 13 hp to reach 413hp/407bhp and the torque by 17 Nm/12 lb/ft to reach 468 Nm/345 lb/ft.
July 4, 2007
Volvo R-Design

It was reported here two weeks ago. Now it is official. Volvo is launching a new sport package that will be available on the C30, S40 and V50. With this package, Volvo allows the customer to tailor his car to his personal taste … Under the condition that his tastes are available in the package.

The customer will have the choice between 10 specific colours. Exterior changes include a satin matt-finish grille, coloured bumpers, lower side mouldings, rear or roof spoiler, satin matt-finish door mirror caps and five-spoke aluminium wheels (17 inches, 18 inches available as option).

The interior changes are more obvious with dual-colour and Vulcaflex seats. Vulcaflex is a material that tries to offer the best of leather and neoprene. It’s too smooth to be leather but not as rubbery or spongy as neoprene. It doesn’t sound terribly inviting but on a sunny day it won’t stick to you. The seats offer a contrast between black and cream. Other interior details include specific blue gauges, leather wheel with the R-Design logo, specially-designed aluminium trim on the dashboard and the inevitable aluminium pedals.
Available on the Sport and SE Sport trims on the C30 and S40, the prices start at £16,600/€27,350/$33,500. The V50 estate starts at £19,995/€29,650/$38,800.
Other photos
July 4, 2007
Porsche 911 GT2

Here are some new pictures of the most powerful 911 ever produced. To be revealed officially at the next Frankfurt motor show, the GT2 will also become the first 911 to have more than 500 hp/500 bhp.
Compared to the normal Turbo, the GT2 will discard the 4×4 drive train, saving about 100 kg. Its weight will also be reduced by lighter body panels and ceramic brakes discs. The most outstanding feature will be an all-titanium exhaust system.
While cutting its weight, the GT2 will also be given a power boost. Changes to the turbocharger will provide 530 hp/523 bhp, enabling the GT2 to run the 0-60mph in 3.7s and achieve a top speed over 190mph.
Obviously, the GT2 will be more expensive than the Turbo. Expect a price of about £135,000/€200,000/$272,000.
Click here to see all the pictures
July 4, 2007
Audi A3 convertible to be built in Hungary

The long-awaited open-top Audi A3 will join the Audi TT coupé and roadster on the assembly lines in Audi’s Hungarian factory. In a statement, Audi declared “”The Gyor (production) site (in western Hungary) has excelled in the production of premium vehicles during recent years … therefore it is optimally suited for the assembly of a new model.“
Commentators may say that the factory was elected thanks to the tax exemption given to Audi by the Hungarian government. Indeed in October 2006, Hungary set up a new solidarity tax – 4% – payable by all companies in order to reduce the public deficit from 10.1% to 3.2%. Unhappy with this development, Audi declared that it would stop investing in Hungary. As the first exporter in the country and employer of more than 5,000 people, the company’s statements tend to be considered as requests. After negotiations, the Hungarian government modified the law to please the German carmaker.
This is not the first tax exemption Audi has received as a sweetener from Hungary. When Audi decided to open a factory in the country, it was offered a profit tax exemption until 2011. Since then, it has invested 3 billion Euros and will invest one billion more to build the Audi A3 convertible.
Source: Reuters
Source photo: Auto, Motor und Sport
July 4, 2007