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550bhp for the future McLaren
Autocar has revealed a bit more details about the upcoming McLaren supercar that will take on the established rivals such as Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari F430.
Codenamed P11, the future supercar will be powered by a 550bhp V8 engine outsourced from the former company’s partner Mercedes-Benz in a heavily revised version and built by Mahle in the Cosworth factory, located in Northamptonshire.
The McLaren supercar will be launched as coupé at first sometime in 2009. Rumours mention a launch a the Frankfurt Motor Show before a sales launch in 2010. Later, McLaren will add a spider variant. The British carmaker also plans to launch in 2011 a topping version codenamed P12 and powered by a V10 engine with a power output rumoured to be around 600bhp. The P12 is expected to cost about £250,000.
May 9, 2008
20,000 interested in buying the Volt
Despite an unknown sales price, over 20,000 people have expressed interest in buying the future Chevrolet Volt.
This is good news for GM and confirms the appeal generated by electric cars for American consumers. However, this interest in buying the Volt might also become the company’s biggest nightmare as GM has already announced it will only build around 10,000 vehicles the first year. The carmaker is rumoured to favour "smile states" such as California, New York, Washington D.C. and Florida to sell the future model.
May 9, 2008
Alfa Romeo announces Prodrive collaboration
In an attempt to increase its sales and improve its brand image on the British market, the Italian carmaker has teamed up with Prodrive, to evolve the handling of the Alfa Brera coupe, specifically for our market.
Following a year’s intensive suspension development programme, including full sign-off from the engineering department in Italy, the result is a bespoke, British-honed, Alfa Brera S. According to Prodrive Project Leader, Peter Cambridge, the collaboration has “built on the existing model’s capabilities to deliver outstanding driver feedback and handling.” The Alfa Romeo Brera S will hit the showrooms on May 19 of this year. Details remain scarce although the two existing petrol engines in standard specifications will power this special edition.
Production of the Alfa Brera S will be limited to 500 numbered cars that will include further enhancements to the exterior and interior of the car.
May 8, 2008
BMW 3.0L twin-turbo awarded 2008 engine of the year
BMW has once again won the prestigious title of ‘International Engine of the Year 2008 for one of its engines, the 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol unit.
The powerful BMW unit was one of seven engines to triumph in the 2008 Awards that use turbocharging to achieve high power output from smaller displacement engines that use less fuel and produce less CO2. The 300bhp powertrain is found in many models from the 1-Series to the X6.BMW also wins ‘Best New Engine of the Year’ with its 2-litre Diesel Twin-Turbo unit and the ‘1.4-litre to 1.8-litre’ category with the co-engineered BMW-PSA 1.6-litre turbocharged engine.
Peter Langen, BMW’s director of powertrain who also witnessed his engines top the 3- to 4-litre and Above 4-litre categories, commented: “BMW rightly views these awards as the highest industry recognition of its outstanding achievements in engine technology and manufacturing. It is an honour for our 3-litre twin- turbo engine to have secured the highest accolade for the second year running, and we are truly delighted that so many of our other engines have been judged as class-leading.”
The Awards, which are judged by 65 motoring journalists from 32 countries from four continents, also rewarded a variety of other manufacturers for engine excellence across a number of different categories. The Volkswagen/Audi Group, Toyota, Porsche and Subaru were all worthy category winners.

International Engine of the Year Awards 2008: Winners
Best New Engine of 2008
BMW 2-litre Diesel Twin-Turbo (123d)
Green Engine of the Year
Toyota 1.5-litre Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius)

Best Performance Engine
Porsche 3.6-litre Turbo (911 Turbo, 911 GT2)

Sub 1-litre
Toyota 1-litre (Aygo, Yaris, Peugeot 107, Citroën C1, Subaru Justy)
1-litre to 1.4-litre
Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Golf, Touran, Tiguan, Jetta)

1.4-litre to 1.8-litre
BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo (MINI Cooper S, Clubman, Peugeot 207, 308)
1.8-litre to 2-litre
Volkswagen/Audi 2-litre Turbo (A3, A4 Cabrio, A6, TT, Eos, Jetta, Golf GTi, Seat Altea, Leon, Skoda Octavia)
2-litre to 2.5-litre
Subaru 2.5-litre Turbo (Forester, Impreza, Outback, Legacy)

2.5-litre to 3-litre
BMW 3-litre Twin-Turbo (135, 335, X6)

3-litre to 4-litre
BMW 4-litre V8 (M3)
Above 4-litre
BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)
May 8, 2008
Ford spices up the Ford Mondeo with the Titanium X Sport trim level
Ford has unveiled a new topping trim level on the Mondeo dubbed Titanium X Sport that combines luxury and sporty look.
Available in five-door hatchback and estate body styles, Titanium X Sport models come with 18in alloy wheels twin chromed exhaust tailpipes and body-coloured side skirts. The interior is also themed with sporty red stitching on the leather/alcantara seats, leather steering wheel and gear shift lever. Aluminium trim detailing is replaced with stylish piano black inlays.
The Mondeo Titanium X Sport’s standard equipment includes in-dash Sony six CD player, voice control, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlights, front and rear park assist, dual-zone climate control and start button.
The new trim level is only available with two engines, the five-cylinder 217bhp 2.5-litre petrol unit and the new 173bhp 2.2-litre TDCi engine. The five door version starts at £23,355, while the estate starts at £26,605.
May 8, 2008
Future A1 and next-generation Polo to get AWD
An Audi model isn’t a true Audi without an all-wheel drive and the future small A1 won’t avoid its fate. The Volkswagen Group is currently working on a four-wheel drive variant of the PQ25 platform shared Bentley
the future Audi A1 and VW Polo, and the new Seat Ibiza.
In an interview with Automotive News, Erich Schmitt, president of Seat, has revealed that "The new small-car platform architecture includes an all-wheel drive option. Seat won’t offer AWD for its new Ibiza, but other group models could use it." The next-generation AWD Polo will be similar to the current CrossPolo.
Technical details remain secret. Will Volkswagen Group use the Quattro system or the Haldex system, unless it takes inspiration from the A1 MetroProject seen at the last Tokyo Motor Show. The concept-car that previewed the eagerly-awaited Audi A1 was powered by two engines, a 150bhp petrol engine at the front and a 41bhp electric engine at the back.
May 8, 2008
Future Ibiza Cupra to be based on the Bocanegra
Initially unveiled as a preview of the new Ibiza, the Bocanegra was so praised by the press and the public that Seat will use it as a basis for the upcoming Cupra version.
If the Bocanegra was a striking concept, the new Ibiza features a disappointing despite Luc Donckerwolke promoting the “Arrow Design” concept. But when the same Donckerwolke reveals in an interview given to Auto Express that Spanish carmaker will build the Bocanegra, a large smile appears on our face. However, one will wait the launch of the Cupra next year to have a final opinion. The production version will likely feature the body kit and the panoramic glass sunroof.
The Cupra version will be powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine delivering a power output of 180bhp and hooked up to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox to keep up with the Peugeot 207 RC, the Vauxhall Corsa VXR and the Clio RS.
May 8, 2008
Mercedes introduces the SL 63 AMG Edition IWC
The German carmaker has unveiled a limited edition of the facelifted SL63 AMG dubbed IWC and limited to a mere 200 units.
If the 6.3-litre engine remains unchanged, this special edition comes with an AMG Performance package featuring 19in wheels, an AMG Performance chassis equipped with Active Body Control, rear-axle, multi-disc limited-slip differential with a lock factor of 40 percent, a smaller-diamter steering wheel and silver-finish aluminum gearshift paddles. There is also an all-new exterior white paint color called Kashmir.
On the inside, the SL63 AMG IWC features a Tobago Brown nappa leather interior with carbon accents on both the door panels and central console. Other interior specific equipments include AMG sports seats featuring multicontour and memory functions, heating, an AMG-specific perforation pattern, a special design and AMG badges; black AMG floormats with Tobago Brown leather piping; AMG door sills with white illuminated AMG lettering; and the IWC logo on the lid of the central console.
As the moniker refers to the Swiss watch manufacturer, the SL63 AMG IWC also comes with IWC Schaffhausen’s “Grosser Ingenieur”. First models will be delivered in November of this year.

May 8, 2008
Mercedes introduces the SL 63 AMG Edition IWC
The German carmaker has unveiled a limited edition of the facelifted SL63 AMG dubbed IWC and limited to a mere 200 units.
If the 6.3-litre engine remains unchanged, this special edition comes with an AMG Performance package featuring 19in wheels, an AMG Performance chassis equipped with Active Body Control, rear-axle, multi-disc limited-slip differential with a lock factor of 40 percent, a smaller-diamter steering wheel and silver-finish aluminum gearshift paddles. There is also an all-new exterior white paint color called Kashmir.
On the inside, the SL63 AMG IWC features a Tobago Brown nappa leather interior with carbon accents on both the door panels and central console. Other interior specific equipments include AMG sports seats featuring multicontour and memory functions, heating, an AMG-specific perforation pattern, a special design and AMG badges; black AMG floormats with Tobago Brown leather piping; AMG door sills with white illuminated AMG lettering; and the IWC logo on the lid of the central console.
As the moniker refers to the Swiss watch manufacturer, the SL63 AMG IWC also comes with IWC Schaffhausen’s “Grosser Ingenieur”. First models will be delivered in November of this year.
May 8, 2008
MG to launch a new TF in 2010
SAIC is determined to become a major player on the European market thanks to the MG and Roewe labels. After the promising 550 saloon unveiled at the recent Beijing Motor Show, the Chinese carmaker plans to launch an all-new MG TF according to Auto Express.
Expected in 2010, the future roadster, presented as the roadster of the next decade by the magazine, will also be available as a coupé. it will take its styling cues from the MG SV and X80 models. Despite sharing its underpinnings with the Roewe 550, the future model will be a rear-wheel drive vehicle. Two petrol engines will be available, a turbocharged 1.8-litre unit and a 2.5-litre V6 unit, both from former Rover.
Without a doubt, the future roadster/coupé will be sold at a competitive price, competing with the Mazda MX-5. a bit larger than the Japanese roadster, the next TF will also try to compete with the more expensive Alfa Romeo Spider and the Audi TT.
May 8, 2008