Posted on 31st October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Volkswagen | Leave a comment
Volkswagen are said to be debuting this cool concept vehicle at the China Auto Show. Labelled the ‘Neeza’, this stylish Crossover SUV looks like it’ll be sharing many components (including its platform) with audi’s Q7.
Those suicide doors are a nice touch.
Posted on 31st October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Volkswagen | Leave a comment
Volkswagen are developing a fuel cell car capable of operating at high temperatures. Until now, virtually all vehicles of this type only work at temperatures below 80 degrees celsius. Those clever guys at VW have come up with a fuel cell that can operate at 120 degrees celsius. This removes the need for cumbersome cooling systems, meaning less weight and less cost.
Volkswagen commented “The high temperature fuel cell independently developed by Volkswagen in seven years of research work will make the overall system in the car lighter, more compact, stable and cheaper. And those are the decisive criteria for putting fuel cells on the path towards mass series production.â€
That technology could be in road cars within 15 years.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Posted on 31st October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Rolls Royce | Leave a comment
Here’s a couple more pictures of an undisguised prototype of the forthcoming Rolls-Royce Convertible, out testing on German roads.
The uber rag-top uses a shortened version of the Phantoms platform as well as it’s 6.75L V12 powerplant.
The Corniche receives a few notable touches, including LED headlights and doors hinging in the opposite way to the norm, taking a styling cue from the rear doors of the Phantom.
It should be in showrooms next year, so get saving up.
[Source: MotorTrend]
Posted on 31st October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Audi | Leave a comment
Audi are said to be resurrecting their unloved A2 model. The unusual looking supermini was perhaps a little too out of the ordinary for most buyers tastes, with just 175,000 being bought.
It’s thought that Audi may enlist the help of their spanish cousin, SEAT in developing a successor based on the forthcoming Ibiza platform. Audi’s Ulrich Hackenberg has stated that “it is possible to work with Seat.”
The new A2 won’t be manufactured from aluminium though. We can expect a full steel bodyshell and many shared components with the next generation VW Polo.
VAG are certainly getting alot of use from that platform.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Posted on 31st October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Mini | Leave a comment
MINI have announced that they will be sponsoring the ‘Tezuka: the Marvel of Manga’ exhibition at NGV International in Melbourne.
Artist, Philip Brophy commented “Tezuka is revered as the figurehead of the manga and amime industries in Japan,†Mr Brophy said. “This exhibition will reveal the striking originality of his manga; its technical inventiveness, extraordinary calligraphic dynamism and its close relationship to his anime.â€
MINI marketing Manager, Jason Miller, stated “MINI is excited to be associated this exhibition.â€
“We appreciate that true artistry comes in many forms and the dedication and passion of Tezuka for his art provides pure joy to his fans. We hope the exhibition will open up this art to a wider audience.
“We have created three very distinctive MINIs to celebrate our sponsorship of the exhibition, using a full body wrap vinyl coating that turns the car into a rolling billboard for Tezuka’s art.â€
The exhibition runs from November 3rd – January 28th.
[Source: World Car Fans]
Posted on 31st October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Mercedes | Leave a comment
Auto Express have published these photos of a thinly disguised C-Class Mercedes.
Choice of engines will start with a 4-cylinder 1.8-litre developing between 150 and 190 bhp. Then comes the 2.5L and 3.5L V6 units, developing V6 210 and 270 bhp. Expect an M3 fighter to be propelled by AMG’s 5.4-litre churning out around 400 bhp. A 3.0L diesel is also on the cards.
[Source: Auto Express]
Posted on 31st October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Mercedes | Leave a comment
The AMG Mercedes CLK-DTM, may yet reach American shores, if there’s enough demand.
Mario Spitzner, AMG-Mercedes director of marketing & sales/branding, said “I get a lot of pressure from our best customers to bring it to the U.S.” He added “We would maybe do a bigger series for the U.S. Push us, and it may happen.”
The CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet develops 582 bhp thanks to its AMG 5.5-litre, supercharged V8, a newly developed AMG sports suspension, optional sports tyres and aerodynamics refined in the wind tunnel: this high-performance AMG sports car accelerates to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 186 mph (electronically limited). This makes the high-performance AMG Cabriolet the world’s fastest open-top four-seater.
[Source: Inside Line]
Posted on 30th October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in BMW | 1 Comment
Brunsbüttel based BMW tuners, G-POWER, have created this package for the latest 3-Series.
G-POWER offer a wide range of engine tuning packages for your 3-Series. For example, they can tweak the 330i to 310 or give the 330d a handy 35 bhp hike. Alternatively, you can go for a complete engine transplant. Options include a 470 bhp 5.0L V8 or even a mighty 5.0L V10, pushing out a sledge-hammer-like 550 bhp.
The G-POWER HIGHLINE kit consists of bumper aprons,, side skirts and a discreet spoiler for the boot lid (or roof spoiler for the Sports Wagon). The kit is finished off with a carbon fibre front lip attachment and rear diffuser. For those wanting an even chunkier look, G-POWER off the GP-Extremo kit, consisting of 4 wheel arch extensions plus larger rear wing. Externally, the lightweight three piece rims (in 19 or 20 inch diameter) complete the look.
Interior upgrades include a Kjerba nappa leather re-trim and carbon fibre trim add-ons for the gear knob, hand brake and foot pedals.
[Source: G-POWER]
Posted on 30th October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Audi | Leave a comment
KW Automotive have been busy creating three new kits for the latest generation of Audi’s TT model.
The V1 kit relies on a fixed rate damper, with the spring mounted on a height adjustable threaded platform, allowing the owner to slam their brand new Coupe in the weeds, should they desire. V2 uses the same spring platform set-up as V1, but also enjoys the benefits of rebound adjustable dampers. Top of the tree is the V3 kit, which houses dampers capable of both rebound and compression adjustment.
How smooth does this TT look, from the rear?
[Source:AutoMotoPortal]
Posted on 30th October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Volkswagen | Leave a comment
Ibeos are to enter a team in the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Urban Challenge 2007. Team-LUX’s weapon of choice, will be a 2.0L Passat TDI for the event.
The object of the challenge is to create an autonomous vehicle that can navigate a 60-mile simulated urban driving course in less than six hours.
Ibeo is a specialist in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and is deeply involved in cutting edge European ADAS projects. Currently Ibeo operates 4 test vehicles (3 passenger cars and 1 truck), two of which are equipped for autonomous driving.
The race vehicle is a standard VW Passat 2.0 TDI, equipped with 3 laserscanners for 360° perception around the vehicle. No other sensors of any type are required! To take one step beyond the usual research vehicles, the LUX car is near-production in appearance, mostly without visible extensions such as sensors, antennas or processing systems.
[Source: Team LUX]
Posted on 30th October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Miscellaneous, Porsche | 1 Comment
Porsche fans may have spotted the Vertu sponsored GT3 Cup race cars competing at a circuit this year. The high class phone maker has created two new handsets in honour of the classic race circuits - Monza and Silverstone.
Vertu Racetrack Legends Series, feature a brushed aluminum finish and have either the Monza or Silverstone tracks etched on the battery cover.
Only a thousand units of each phone have been made, and every one is etched with its number in the series. The Price? A snip at $5000.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Posted on 30th October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Volkswagen | Leave a comment
Here’s a pretty cool video featuring Volkswagen’s 2007 Touareg. The music’s not too great though.
The body receives a new grille, bonnet, front wings and bumper, plus new headlights and mirrors. The rear lights, spoiler, bumper and exhaust pipes have also been freshened up.
Powerplants include a 3.6L V6 280 bhp petrol engine 2.5L TDI 174 bhp diesel, 3.0L V6 TDI 225 bhp diesel and the range-topping 5.0L V10 TDI producing 313 bhp.
Posted on 30th October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Audi | Leave a comment
A few lucky guys from the R8 Audi Forum, attended the R8’s unveiling event in London. It was a glamourous red carpet affair, complete with flowing champagne and live entertainment from the British soul singer Beverley Knight.
[Source: R8 Audi]
Posted on 29th October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Mercedes | 1 Comment
We recently brought you details of the amazing Mercedes S 600. This video shows it being tested to the limit. Those crazy guys at Mercedes try shooting at it and blowing it up, all to no avail.
Posted on 29th October, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Skoda, Volkswagen | Leave a comment
The Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation, German Gref, and the Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Dr. Bernd Pischetsrieder, laid the symbolic foundation stone for Volkswagen’s new Russian plant in Kaluga on Saturday.
It is planned to begin assembling Volkswagen and Skoda brand models as early as next year. The full plant with an annual capacity of 115,000 vehicles is to commence production in 2009. A body shop, paint shop, assembly lines and offices will be built on the approx. 400 hectare site located on the outskirts of the city of Kaluga.
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