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Spied: 2009 Volkswagen Passat Coupe
2007-12-22 15:34:00
The wraps are finally off the Passat Coupé – and there’s no mistaking what has influenced the sleek newcomer’s shape. Our snappers uncovered the car during winter testing, where it was up against both the weather and the Mercedes CLS.As these pictures reveal, the VW shares the same rising waistline, low sweeping roof and high-set rear with the Merc star. At the front, the classy Passat carries a bold chrome grille and neat Eos-style front headlamps.Inside, much of the cabin is carried over from the saloon, but quality has been improved. A significant addition will be the adoption of the latest touchscreen technology. The centre console-mounted unit will store music and feature a Bluetooth connection. Underneath the rakish exterior will be equally hi-tech mechanicals. Range- toppers are set to get the muscular 3.6-litre V6 petrol, powering the 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system via the quick-shifting DSG gearbox.Entry-level models get the innovative turbo and supercharged 1.4-litr...
More About: Volkswagen , Volkswagen Passat , Coupe , Swag

New Car: 2009 Mercedes SLK
2007-12-22 15:27:00
The second-generation Mercedes -Benz SLK has always been a quick, good-looking, and luxurious sports car. By freshening the SLK for the 2009 model year, with revisions to the body, interior, and engine, Mercedes is attempting to make its sporting convertible that much better.The most noticeable change between old and new is the SLK's restyled front clip. Slightly altered air intakes and a boldly V-shaped bulge on the front hood were designed to more closely resemble the snout of Mercedes' Formula One car. At the rear, a diffuser-like look makes the SLK seem a bit more imposing to those following behind it.Inside, the new three-spoke sports steering wheel incorporates multifunction controls to keep the driver's focus on the road, while the updated instrument cluster with redesigned bezels helps to freshen-up the cabin. New technology has also been added, including NTG 2.5 audio and telematics systems, a media interface in the glovebox for iPod connectivity, standard Bluetooth compa...

New Car: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
2007-12-21 03:37:00
Asked the question, "Why do a ZR1?" Corvette Vehicle Line executive Tom Wallace shoots back, "Because we can. We have the technology inside General Motors to do a car that can go up against any supercar from around the world," he continues, punctuating the thought with this threat: "I can't wait to take on any Porsche with this car, and we're going to be right in there with the Ferrari [599s] and Lamborghini [Murcielagos]." Whoa, ease off the Red Bull, Tom. This is a just a souped-up C6 Corvette, right? Or did you slip a mid-engine V-12 in without the blogosphere noticing?An hour with chief engineer Tadge Juechter reveals that this is indeed a Z06 upgraded with the best tech in GM's arsenal. A ZR1 was never part of the original C6 plan, but, at an early program review, the Z06's proposed aluminum frame, carbon-fiber parts, and LS7 engine so impressed CEO Rick Wagoner that he reportedly wondered aloud, "Geez, if that's what you can do with $60,000, I wonder what a $100,000 Corve...
More About: Chevrolet , Vette

Spied: 2009 Audi A3
2007-12-21 03:33:00
We can think of few ways that Audi could improve its smart, winsome A3 hatchback (except maybe to add the Euro-market three-door and hot S3 to its U.S. lineup). But the A3 evidently has a minor face lift in the works for 2009.Okay, maybe it’s less of a face lift than an eye- lift. Hiding behind the white tape on the headlamps are new lens contours, and we expect top-shelf models to feature a wing-shaped strip of those nifty LED accent lights that make the front views so distinct on Audi’s scrumptious A5 and S5 coupes, new 2009 A4 sedan, and R8 supercar.The front and rear fascias are also slightly—very slightly—revised, but unless you put a current A3 beside the new one, you’ll have a hard time telling the difference. If you’re really sharp, you might even notice the new mirrors with tiny LED turn signals. Otherwise, that’s it.The freshened A3 should launch in Europe sometime in the middle of next year. The earliest we could expect to see it in the U.S. is next fall—a...

Hot News: 2010 Citroen C3
2007-12-20 15:25:00
We can reveal these exclusive pictures of the French firm’s next-generation supermini – and, as can be seen, they leave little to the imagination! The shots show the shape of things to come for the C3, and give away every detail of the new hatchback, as well as clearly illustrating how the firm’s stylists are going for bold with their Renault Clio rival. The existing C3 has remained virtually unchanged since its launch in 2001, and is now looking dated. The same can’t be said of its successor, which follows in the tracks of the C4 and C6, and confirms Citroen designers are on a roll. Due to be officially unveiled in October, the French fancy looks to the past for inspiration. We uncovered Citroen’s interest in resurrecting the legendary 2CV back in Issue 959 and, in profile, the new C3 carries over some of the broad styling cues from its much loved pre- decessor. At the front, the modern-day model’s round nose draws inspiration from Citroen’s latest concepts. The grill...
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Hot News: Toyota Tundra is Motor Trend Truck of the Year 2008
2007-12-20 15:20:00
When Toyota first announced it was coming out with a full-size pickup truck to go head to head with the big boys from Ford, Chevy, and Dodge, the question arose as to whether an import could truly compete as a heavyweight. The answer is in: The new Toyota Tundra is now ready to take on any American-made pickup truck -- on all levels.Superiority? Toyota is pulling no punches by introducing one of the biggest, strongest, and most capable vehicles in the segment, as well as investing billions in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in the heart of truck country-San Antonio, Texas. Significance? With Toyota looking to more than double its presence in the hotly contested half-ton marketplace, the Tundra represents one of the most highly anticipated new vehicle launches in many years -- car or truck. Value? The new Tundra offers three different powertrains (one V-6 and two V-8s), with the 5.7-liter V-8 a high-tech wonder and torque monster -- and is among the most powerful engines i...
More About: News , Motor , Truck , Trend

New Concept Car: Nissan Forum
2007-12-20 15:13:00
After Nissan teased us with the sketches of the Forum concept in November and December, the firm has finally released official images of the 'exploratory design concept' developed by Nissan Design America in La Jolla, CA. It will be unveiled at the NAIAS in January.The exterior design of the MPV is a basic one-box form, but adds a wide stance, high beltline and slightly aggressive front end appearance. LED lights feature front and rear, with a subtle LED light bar accenting the grille and hood designs. Design innovations include 90-degree opening front doors devoid of B-pillars - to facilitate access to the 2nd and 3rd row seats.Inside, the Forum is fitted with leather-appointed pedestal-style front seats and a cockpit area surrounded by wood and aluminum. A 'floating' IP design blends communications technology with simple controls and includes mood lighting under the upper and lower console areas. A built-in console-mounted microwave, sized to fit a bag of microwave popcorn, is...
More About: Concept Car , Concept , Nissan Forum

Unofficial Pictures: 2009 Mercedes GLK
2007-12-18 14:32:00
Despite being just a month away from the official unveiling of the Mercedes -Benz GLK crossover at the Detroit Auto Show in January, we couldn't resist showing you these recent spy photos taken on the set of "Sex and the City: The Movie" during filming in Beverly Hills, California.The lack of camouflage leaves little to the imagination, with the crossover featuring a sculpted front fascia that shares its lines with the C-Class sedan it is based on. An equally chiseled profile reveals contouring near the front wheelhouse, not unlike that of the C63 AMG Black Series -- definitely a sporty touch. The flared fenders also go a long way to ensure the GLK comes off a little more hardcore than it is likely to feel.The crossover is expected to receive Mercedes' 3.5-liter V-6, good for around 270 horses, which should be the primary engine choice stateside. Expect diesel variants to cruse the streets of Europe, and possibly later, the U.S.With BMW enjoying success with its X3 crossover, Merce...
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First Pictures: 2010 Ford Focus RS
2007-12-17 12:36:00
The Focus RS is back! Bosses at the blue oval have finally given the hot hatch the greenlight for production and they’ve even released this teaser image to give us a taste of what’s to come. Following in the footsteps of other legendary Ford s such as the Escort RS Cosworth and the original Focus RS, the new model will reach showrooms in 2009, with a concept version debuting next year. Priced at around £25,000, the new Focus RS will offer an incredible blend of pace and value. Although official details have yet to be released, the RS will be based on the current Focus ST.With rivals such as VW’s Golf R32, Mitsubishi’s EVO X and Subaru’s Impreza STI, the Focus RS will offer a huge leap in performance over ST, and is likely to pump out around 280bhp from its modified 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine. This will be achieved with a revised engine management system, increased boost pressure, free-flow air filter and performance exhaust. With at least 400Nm of torque, ...
More About: Pictures , Ford Focus

New Car: 2009 BMW X6
2007-12-17 12:34:00
Check out the power on the all-new BMW X6 that will make its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. This “sports activity coupe” almost deserves the coupe moniker—despite its actually having five doors—given what’s been stuffed under the hood.BMW is dead serious with this one, imbuing it with a new, twin-turbo direct-injection 4.4-liter V-8 generating 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. This all-new, aluminum engine found in the xDrive50i model and making its world debut as well, becomes the most powerful powerplant for a BMW SUV. It also is significant for the placement of the turbocharger in the V-section between the two banks of cylinders.A second engine choice is the xDrive35i, the twin-turbo, direct-injection, 3.0-liter inline-six with 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque also in the 335i and 535i. So while the notion of an X5-based notchback labeled a coupe still has us second-guessing, BMW is more than capable of leaving the skeptics ...

Hot News: Pininfarina to Unveil New Concept Car at Geneva Motor Show 2008
2007-12-17 12:16:00
Famed Italian design house Pininfarina has announced that it will be unveiling a new concept at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show in March. Dubbed the Sintesi, the car is the first exclusive Pininfarina concept to be shown since the Maserati Birdcage 75th concept (pictured), three years ago.Lowie Vermeersch, design director at Pininfarina and overseer of the Sintesi concept, states that while functional, sporty, and elegant, the new concept also incorporates innovations in safety, technology, and efficient packaging. Andrea Pininfarina, Chairman and CEO of Pininfarina S.pA. said of the Sintesi, "In Sintesi, we put all our goodwill in looking at the future, first and foremost iThough Pininfarina has not yet released any images of the Sintesi concept, if it's coming from the Turin-based auto designer's doors, we expect to be impressed. After all, Pininfarina is best known as the most-contracted designer of Ferrari, responsible for such designs as the Ferrari Enzo supercar and current 612 S...
More About: News , Concept Car

Hot News: 2009 Mercedes E-Class
2007-12-15 00:28:00
Mercedes will launch an all-new E-class in September next year.The new E-class will target a new generation of younger and more dynamic customers, with the first move towards this being dramatically altered styling.We’ve seen enough from road-going prototypes now to ascertain that the new Mercedes cans the soft, rounded look, cultivated over the past two generations.As this Autocar image shows, it will have a tauter, edgier appearance inspired by the new C-class, including a clamshell-style bonnet, prominent swage lines along the flanks and a high boot line.Lightweight construction techniques will be used to help ensure the new 5-series andE-class do not gain much weight. Mercedes will use a full steel structure with greater use of tailored blanks to keep the kilograms in check.Mercedes is finally planning to use direct injection, with the adoption of the 3.5-litre V6 already offered in the CLS350 GDI.It will also introduce a new range of V8s. Based on the existing 4.5 and 5.5-lit...
More About: News , Mercedes , Class

Hot News: 2010 BMW 5 Series
2007-12-15 00:25:00
The new 5-series will go on sale in March 2009, and is expected to draw heavily on the current model for its styling, resulting in an evolutionary design. A larger grille treatment and greater use of LEDs to give its lighting a more hi-tech and distinguished look.The BMW is set to grow by 10mm to around 4849mm long, mostly through a stretch in the wheelbase.In order to prevent weight gain and reduce emissions, BMW will use a developed version of the current model’s aluminium spaceframe front end mated to a steel rear.The big news under the bonnet is the appearance of a new range-topping 4.4-litre V8 turbo with direct injection. It uses a similar twin-turbo system to BMW’s existing turbocharged 3.0-litre six for more than 400bhp.BMW and Mercedes-Benz want to ensure that the 5-series and E-class remain at the forefront of safety. Added to the long list of features already found in today’s models will be blind-spot recognition and automatic lane-change detection systems.Supportin...
More About: News , Series

Hot News: 2010 Mazda 3
2007-12-15 00:18:00
When it comes to stylish family hatchbacks, 3 really is the magic number. This is Mazda ’s all-new Ford Focus rival – which will reach showrooms in 2009 – and it debuts a smart new face and sleek body that should turn heads.The car has been designed to answer the criticism that the current model lacks the flair of some of its more stylish class competitors, such as the Honda Civic. As you can see, the new 3 takes its visual inspiration from the recently revealed Mazda 6 family car. But it also integrates elements of the firm’s striking 2018 design concept, which debuted at the Los Angeles Motor Show.Our image, which has been produced using exclusive inside information, reveals that the second-generation 3 is an altogether more sporty model than its predecessor, with muscular wheelarches.At the front, sleek headlights are mixed with deep air intakes and a low splitter. In profile, there’s the trademark angled C-pillar, but it’s joined by a waistline that kicks up over the ...
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