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Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart: unexpected attack from Mitsu

The Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is the company’s serious attempt to take on the recently launched Subaru WRX. On the menu 236bhp and twin clutch transmission.
The sporty version will be available with a choice of two bodies, the current saloon and the hatchback due to be unveiled at the next Geneva Motor Show. Some observers think the saloon will be intended for the US marker while Europe will get the hatchback. Sharing components with the Evo X, the Ralliart will feature the Mitsubishi’s all-wheel drive system with Active Yaw Control and Active Centre Differential.
Exact spec remains unknown but the car will sport a Ralliart radiator grille and will feature an aluminium bonnet panel, Recaro front seats, and sports steering wheel with paddle shift. Pricing should be close to the Subaru Impreza and VW Golf R32
Source: Autoblog
December 20, 2007
Creventic to unveil a circuit-biased Audi R8 in January

The Audi R8 has been more than well acclaimed by professional and has received several awards but oddly nobody had thought to bring the car on circuit until now. Netherlands-based Creventic BV is preparing a circuit version for the next 24 hours of Dubai.
Dubbed CR-8 to avoid confusion with the 24 hours Le Mans winner, it features a few changes. The engine gains 10 bhp to 424bhp with the help a re-mapped ECU. The main changes concern the suspension and new race spec. 18-inch BBS competition tires. The car also gets a 90 litre racing fuel tank and saves 660 lbs to weigh only 2976 lbs.
Creventic will be unveiled two CR-8 at Dubai in January.
Click here to see all the pictures
Read also: Dubai Motor Show: MTM R888
December 20, 2007
We are more accident prone across the Channel
Let’s be honest. We love crossing the Channel to chase bargains on the continent and it appears that we are more accident prone there because of our ignorance of road laws. “There are 45 major differences in the road laws between member states in the EU and people are just not aware of them,” said GEM Chief Executive David Williams. “It is not just a matter of ‘driving on the wrong side of the road’ that many seem to believe.”
Formerly known as the Guild of Experienced Motorists, the GEM is supporting a report published by the Association of British Insurers that warns of the dangers and is also urging people to apply for a free copy of its booklet A Guide to Driving in Europe.
You can order a booklet on www.motoringassist.com or call 01342 825676
December 20, 2007
Five stars for the Mazda 2 at EuroNCAP

The small Mazda won five stars at the latest EuroNCAP test and got 34 points out of 37 which is good news for the well acclaimed model.
This good score is interesting as Mazda focused on reducing weight recently. The Mazda 2 is nearly 100 kilograms lighter than the former model and still achieves the best score like its rivals. For many years, the weight has been justified by car maker as consequence of more equipment and more safety systems. Well, Mazda proved that it is still possible to make a light and safe car.
However if the Mazda 2 offers a high level of safety protection for occupants, the pedestrian safety is not so glorious as the small Mazda scores an average. In a world, it’s safer to be in a Mazda than being a pedestrian.
December 20, 2007
Top Gear toys for Christmas

If you are a Top Gear aficionado, you have probably watched all the seasons. Well, if you a son, it’s time to educate him to the best things in life thanks to Top Gear which sells various toys which will likely remind you the best episodes.
Let’s start with the great Aygo football match that featured two team of Aygos and a giant ball: £29.50

Don’t forget the Areil Atom: £9.99

We all remember the Reliant Shuttle which did rather well for a first attempt: £19.99

If you want to be generous, jump on the Top Gear circuit: £65.
December 20, 2007
Tata to unveil its low cost car in January

While bidding for Jaguar and Land Rover, the Indian car maker is working hard to finish its low cost car. In the case of Tata, a normal model costs £5-6,000 so its budget car will be offered for less than £1,300.
The small car will be officially unveiled at the New Delhi Motor Show next year and Tata executives have released some details about the car. On the inside it will be roomy enough for a six foot person and Tata has used more plastics to reduce weight. Secrecy surrounds the engine spec but RA Mashelkar, a nonexecutive director on Tata Motors’ board, told the AP that “It’s an eco-car with a 25km-per-litre mileage on petrol” which “meets every international standard and specification, including Euro-4 norms”. He also said thatthe car would offer perfromabce similar to the ubiquitous Maruti 800.
Suzuki won’t directly answer Tata’s new car but will unveil its own low cost model at the same Motor Show.
December 20, 2007
Holden started to build the Pontiac G8

Holden has started to roll out the G8 model off its production line which is good news for people eagerly-waiting the car to hit the showrooms. 620 vehicles will be built everyday and about half of it will leave the Australian soil.
GM has been very precautions with the G8 saloon as it expects to sell roughly 50,000 cars per year. If there is not enough demand for it, the manufacturer will be able to shift production from the US to other markets where the Holden Commodore is sold. The saloon is labelled Chevrolet in Middle East, Vauxhall on our shores and Daewoo in Korea.
In the US, the saloon will be available with a choice of two petrol engines, a 257bhp 3.6-litre V6 unit for the entry-level and a 357bhp V8 6.0-litre engine. The small engine is associated with a five speed automatic gearbox while the bigger unit gets a six speed automatic transmission. The V8 adopts the Active Fuel Management system which “turns off“ half of the cylinders under light-load conditions to improve fuel economy.
December 20, 2007
Toyota to develop safety systems for elderly people

In a country where elderly people will represent more than 25%, car makers are focusing on those people considered as unfit to drive. The easy way would be to end their driving licence, but varied studies showed that this solution has a dramatic impact on their lives. So, it would be better to help them to drive better. Toyota has teamed up with an unusual partner, Professor Ryuta Kawashima, famous for creating the Nintendo’s “Brain Age“ games to develop new safety systems.
Like Mercedes with its Attention Assist system, Toyota will work on systems identifying driving patterns to detect more easily dangerous behaviours. Another system would be to slow down the car if the driver put the brake on by accident. “Ultimately, we hope to develop cars that stimulate brain activity, so that driving itself becomes a form of brain training,“ Kawashima said.
Kawashima had been approached by Nissan but Toyota finally won and should install the new technologies into new vehicles within five years.
December 20, 2007
Rendering: BMW 7-series

The next-generation BMW’s flagship will go on sale from 2009 and has been caught a few times under testing by soy photographers. Motorauthority has released speculative rendering of the future executive saloon.
One does not expect a styling revolution as the current model did in 2001. This time, BMW doesn’t want to create a row over the design of the car and prefers to offer an evolution of the Flame surface design, denigrated at first and then acclaimed by almost everybody. As it has already been reported, the short and limousine bodies will be different. While the short wheelbase will feature a sporty design, the long wheelbase will get a more conservative and luxurious treatment.
From 60,486 vehicles being sold in 2002, the 7-series has suffered a bit from the arrival of the Mercedes S-class. Last year only 49,771 units were sold. BMW hopes the next-generation will do better than the current model with a target of 65,000 vehicles by 2010. The German expects the German market to make a difference. Indeed, 5,710 7-series found an owner there last year while it hopes it will sell 11,000 cars by 2010.
Click here to see all the pictures
Source figures: CSM Worldwide
December 20, 2007
Video: Bugatti Veyron’s engine

Here is a video of the Bugatti Veryron’s engine, one of the most sophisticated engine currently in production being built on the small production line. Volkswagen engineers used all their expertise in building a unique engine. While common car makers use V10 or V12, they chose the option of a W16 boosted by four turbochargers.
December 20, 2007