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Mercedes SLR McLaren Roadster Super Car On Frankfurt Motor Show
2007-09-09 18:36:00
2007 Frankfurt Auto Show   cars preview series: Mercedes SLR McLaren Roadster. Driving an “object” valued four-hundred-and-sixty thousand Euro. How many times something like that happen in life? And if it was not enough, passengers on another five-hundred-thirteen thousands. If the driver is a former professional pilot by the name of Gianni Morbidelli, it is the perfect day. On the Romagna circuit the new Mercedes-Benz Slr McLaren debuts (two months before the 2007 Frankfurt International Motor Show, 62th IAA ) alongside the limited 722 Edition, a gift to the 1955 affirmation at “Mille Miglia. The name refers to the time the race begun that day. It’s a very exclusive model. In Italy only two models of the 722 racing car will be delivered. The cost is prohibitive, but performances are shocking: it does not start, it take off (as metaphor, while in reality is very grounded to the street). Its acceleration is like a rolling. Even the doors’ opening, that recall the s...
More About: Super

Automotive BREAKING: Jim Press leaves Toyota for Chrysler!
2007-09-08 04:30:00
Despite recently renewing his contract with Chrysler , it’s looking more and more like Tom LaSorda’s days at the automaker are numbered. This morning, Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli revealed that Jim Press would be joining the company as Vice Chairman and President, the same title LaSorda has on his recently-updated business cards. Until today, Press had been none other than President and COO of Toyota North America, quietly leading the Japanese automaker’s charge in the U.S. for more market share. Press will be in charge of North American Sales, International Sales, Global Marketing, Product Strategy, and Service and Parts ,while LaSorda is still responsible for manufacturing, purchasing, labor and Global Business Development and Alliances. The full press release is after the jump. Recent Posts: + 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show Cars: GM Opel Flextreme Concpet + 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show Preview: Renault Laguna Coupe Concept + Ford Kuga 4×4 Hits the Road Spy Shot ...
More About: Automotive , Breaking

2008 Lexus GS 460 and 450h Hybrid Official Release
2007-09-08 02:53:00
As Lexus updated the 2008 Lexus GS a few days ago, but Toyota has released a slew of official high-res images and all the specs on its midlevel luxury sedan and hybrid counterpart. For 2008, the GS 430 has been cancelled and replaced with the GS 460 sporting a 4.6L V8 producing 342 hp and 339 ft-lbs of torque. The bigger motor is also mated to Lexus’ eight-speed transmission. The GS 350 retains its 3.5L V6 that produces a still respectable 303 hp and 274 ft-lbs. of torque. While all-wheel drive is available on the GS 350, it makes do with a mere six-speed auto. As we learned a few days ago, the Lexus 2008 GS line has received a minor refresh that focuses on its front end. Specifically, a new lower bumper with different air intakes, new grille with chrome surround, and sharper styling for the inset driving lights have been added. The interior has also been updated with a dash that appears much simpler with which to interface. That new nav screen at 800×480 pixels is par...
More About: Hybrid , Release , Official

2007 Frankfurt Auto Show Preview: Renault Laguna Coupe Concept
2007-09-08 02:21:00
The Renault Laguna Coupe Concept is expecting to be unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show next Tuesday. It’s based on the new Laguna platform that’s already spawned a Laguna sedan. We are going to see the production version of the sedan in person for the first time in Frankfurt Auto Show 2007, and the Coupe Concept, which is also likely headed for production, will be right beside it. There’s no official press release from Renault yet, so we can’t tell you details like power and fuel economy numbers about this Laguna coupe concept, but we can comment on the car’s design. The Laguna Coupe Concept sports extremely clean sheetmetal with character lines that flow uninterrupted around the whole vehicle. The surface detail is subtle but there, hidden by the color of the car until revealed by a contrast of light and shadow. No doubt a simple design, the Laguna Coupe Concept is still refreshing in its minimalism. One could argue, however, that it’s a...
More About: Preview

Volkswagen Shifts U.S. Headquarters From Michigan to Virginia
2007-09-07 20:36:00
Volkswagen is moving its U.S. headquarters from Auburn Hills, Mich., to the Northern Virginia suburbs, the Washington Post reported. In addition to announcing that it will invest roughly $100 million in a new facility in Herndon, Virginia, the company is expected to outline plans to develop more models for the U.S. market, the story said. The move is part of a broader effort by Europe’s largest automaker by sales volume to revitalize its money-losing U.S. operations and be closer to its traditional customers on the East Coast. + Ford Kuga 4×4 Hits the Road Spy Shot + Frankfurt Motor Show 2007 Preview: BioConcept Mustang GT RTD + 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show Preview: Mercedes-Benz S300 BLUETEC Hybrid + 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid come to Frankfurt + Volvo’s 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show Car:ReCharge PHEV Concept + 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid + Porsche Cayenne GTS Official Image for Frankfurt Motor Show 2007 + Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 and DB9 L...
More About: Volkswagen , Michigan , Headquarters , Quarter

Ford Kuga 4×4 Hits the Road Spy Shot
2007-09-07 20:31:00
Ford’s sensational SUV has blasted off – and we have the first pictures and full details. It’s here at last – Ford’s new 4×4 has broken cover. These are the first official pictures of the Focus-based off-roader, the Kuga, which is set to go on sale early next year. Following on from the exciting Verve – the stunning replacement for the Fiesta, which we revealed in last week’s issue – and the sleek new Mondeo, the sporty SUV shows that style really is at the top of agenda at Ford. Initially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September last year as the Iosis X, and later with some official sketches, the showroom-ready Kuga is every inch as attractive as the original concept. With its bold, twin-split trapezoidal grilles, huge headlights and lower protective metal tray, the Kuga has plenty of visual presence. That’s complemented by chunky wheelarches, large alloys and a raised ride height. The rising waistline forms distinctive angular C-pillars, while ...
More About: Ford , Shot , Times , Hits , Road

Mitsubishi Three Concepts For Tokyo Motor Show
2007-09-07 19:27:00
As all the concern surrounding the next week’s 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show , we were a little surprised to see this announcement from Mitsubishi revealing its lineup for next month’s 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. Mitsubishi will have three new concepts on show, the first being a new electric vehicle labeled the i MiEV Sport. Based on the current i MiEV, the new sports concept features in-wheel electric motors and the carmaker’s trademark S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control). Other modern features of the concept include its aluminum space frame construction, lithium-ion batteries and LED details. The car features two 20kW motors up front with a combined torque of 250Nm and one motor up back churning out 47kW and 180Nm of torque. Top speed is a claimed 180km/h and the car’s driving range is rated at 200km. The next show car is the Concept-ZT sedan, powered by a 2.2L clean-diesel engine mated to the new dual-clutch SST gearbox. The new diesel engine develops 140kW and maximum torque of 400 Nm....
More About: Concepts

Frankfurt Motor Show 2007 Preview: BioConcept Mustang GT RTD
2007-09-07 19:04:00
The 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show is a strange place for the unveiling of a biofuel powered American muscle car but that in fact will be the case when Germany’s FourMotor presents its new BioConcept Mustang GT RTD at next week’s 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. Though labelled a concept, the car has been raced in the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race by former DTM driver Thomas von Löwis and is scheduled to continue competing long after the Frankfurt show closes its doors. Powering the car is a 280hp (206kW) 2.0L four-banger developing maximum torque of 500Nm on pure bio-diesel, which is enough for it to reach a top speed of 245km/h. The car’s chassis is based on a Ford Mustang but the panels have been replaced with a new plastic shell derived from natural plant fibers developed in co-operation with Germany’s center for air and space travel. Also on display will be a bio-diesel Volkswagen Beetle that was tested doing speeds of up to 230km/h around the Nürburgring. + 2007 Frankfurt ...
More About: Preview