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BMW unveils the 1-Series Coupe: US version announced
2007-07-05 14:20:00
With all these new launches in preparation of Frankfurt , we eclipsed a very important launch from our Bavarian friends. BMW released official information of the 1-Series Coupe on July 1st, and of course, the official hi-res images came along the ride. BMW will also put the 1-Series Coupe in North American showrooms. Here's a rundown of what we can expect for the US version.The US version is expected to go on sale in Spring 2008. Two variants will be available. The 128i will be powered by a 3.0L I6 producing 230HP with 200lb.ft. The range topper, 135i, will be standard with a stunning 3.0L I6 twin-turbo producing 300HP with 300lb.ft. The 135i goes 0-62 in 5.3 seconds and has an electronically limited maximum speed of 155mph. In the UK, the 135i produces 306HP, but 300HP is already good enough to be a proper modern BMW 2002.UK versions also receive two diesel powerplants. Both of them are equipped with BMW's Efficient Dynamics System, which includes stop/start, brake regeneration, a...
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Enter the Rumor Mill: Kia HM to be named Offenbach?
2007-07-05 06:09:00
That's the latest word from various major Korean automotive websites. Although there is no official word, websites like MegaAuto are reporting that Kia's latest attempt at the SUV market will be named "Offenbach". The name is a total different approach from the speculated Mesa nameplate, which is a city in the state of Arizona. The "Offenbach" name gains its roots from the city of Offenbach am Main in Frankfurt, Germany. The Hyundai/Kia Europe HQ is also located in Offenbach am Main.As of now, this is still a rumor and MegaAuto finished off their article saying, "Although Kia has recently registered the trademark Offenbach for the purpose of the production HM, there is a large possibility that Kia will resort to another name." In my opinion, Offenbach sounds elegant and premium, in which Kia is hoping to market the HM as when it goes on sale.
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Toyota unveils Auris/Corolla 3-Door for Europe
2007-07-04 14:23:00
Toyota unveiled the Auris 3-door hatchback for Europe an consumers today. The car will bear the Corolla name in other markets in the coming months. The 3-door offers the same amount of space as its five-door sibling, as they both have a 2.6m wheelbase. Standard features of the three-door Auris include electronic stability control and a MP3 capable CD player. Powertrain options remain the same as the five-door: two petrol engines (1.4L 97HP/1.6L 124HP) and two diesel engines (2.0L 126HP/2.2L 177HP). Some possible options of the Auris 3-door in the coming months include an optional AWD system and a V6 engine. The 3-door will be cheaper than its 5-door variant, costing ?700 less than the equivalent latter. What may possibly be the best-looking Corolla won't reach our shores anytime soon. Follow the jump to view more images of the three-door Auris.[Source: Motor Authority]
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Recall: DaimlerChrysler to recall over 80,000 Nitros and Wranglers
2007-07-04 14:07:00
The latest recall comes from the folks of Auburn Hills and this one affects a huge amount of vehicles, 80,894 to be exact. Models affected are the new Jeep Wrangler and the Dodge Nitro for a faulty power module. A brief interruption of the electrical power of the engine and the instrument panel can shortly stall the vehicle. Chrysler won't charge fees for the recall service and they expect all vehicles to be serviced by the end of the week. We're crossing our fingers that the recent winner of the Dodge Nitro over at Autoblog isn't affected in this recall. [Source: Autoblog]
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TheCarBlogger Exclusive: Details of 2009 Hyundai RWD Tiburon (BK)
2007-06-29 06:19:00
Sorry, no pics. However, we did manage to scoop out very crucial information on Hyundai 's upcoming RWD Tiburon Coupe. This information comes straight from many participants from an internal focus group of the new Tibby. We managed to translate what they had accounted of the event. Alongside the RWD Tiburon were the Nissan 350Z, Infiniti G35 Coupe, Audi TT and the 2007 Hyundai Tiburon. From that, we can imagine that Hyundai benchmarked some high-end vehicles.The vehicle on display was a loaded, full-option model. The front-end of the Tibby was noted to be bland at best and the hood resembled of the Avante (Elantra). Its overhangs were noted to be very short, while the overall length of the car increased dramatically. The vehicle was wearing 19-inchers. The rear-end, to many participants, resembled the Infiniti G35 Coupe with the all-red taillights. Not much was noted of the interior. However, the rear space was noted to be very spacious which was a plus for everyone.The vehicle was ...
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Toyota gives go-ahead for FSC production
2007-06-28 17:06:00
The crossover segment is growing quickly with competent offerings already on sale from Dearborn and Hiroshima. Toyota is set to join the crew with a production version of the FSC Concept. The FSC Concept is a combination of SUV and station wagon, and sits on the Camry platform. The FSC was unveiled in 2005 at Tokyo. The rumored name of the production FSC is Mark X Zio. The Mark X Zio will be powered by a 2.4L 4-cylinder or an optional 3.5L V6, similar to the powertrain options of the Camry.We have no information on whether the Mark X Zio will cross the Pacific and arrive in North America. The domestic version will likely debut in Tokyo this October. [Source: Autoblog]
More About: Production , Prod , Ahead

Volkswagen reveals Tiguan early
2007-06-28 15:42:00
Today, Volkswagen AG released the first official images of its compact SUV, Tiguan . The Tiguan is Volkswagen's second SUV and the Tiguan borrows its styling from the Tiguan Concept. It will be unveiled publicly in Frankfurt in September.By taking a look at its styling and specs, the Tiguan is no match for its intended competitors like the BMW X3. However, if VW prices it right, it could stand a big chance against cheaper compact SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson and the Toyota RAV4. The interior of the Tiguan seems to be directly lifted from the Golf Plus, which is a downside for us. The Tiguan can be opted with an array of engine options. Two TDI engines and three TSI engines top out the list. The two diesels achieve 140HP and 170HP respectively, while the turbocharged direct injection gasoline engines achieve 150HP, 170HP and 200HP.There is no word on when the Tiguan will reach showrooms in both Europe and North America. You can check out the developmental stages of the SUV at Tiguan ...
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Spied: 2008 Honda Accord Coupe/Sedan caught undisguised!
2007-06-28 05:46:00
In the mountains of Canada, Brenda Priddy & Company managed to obtain a set of images of the new Honda Accord Coupe and Sedan undisguised during a brochure photoshoot. Both models look great with their individual design characteristics that distinguish each other. The Coupe sticks to the Accord Coupe Concept, unveiled at the Detroit Autoshow this year. However, in our opinion, the production version looks more sophiscated and elegant. Both the Coupe and Sedan snapped here are the EX-V6 trims, which are the range-toppers in its line-up.According to Jalopnik and previous speculations, the Accord will be available with two powertrain options. The 4-cylinder 2.4L is expected to pump 180HP, while the V6 model will churn 270HP. That's equivalent to the Altima V6 and 2 more horsepowers than the Camry V6. We were able to catch a first glimpse of the facelifted 2008 Honda Odyssey in one of the pics (front 3/4 of Accord Coupe). The blue car behind the Coupe is indeed the new Odyssey and it s...
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Hyundai Genesis confirmed to use Hyundai nameplate
2007-06-25 14:37:00
At an automotive enthusiast meet-up in Jeju, South Korea, it was finally confirmed by someone from Hyundai that the new Genes is will use the Hyundai nameplate. Kim Dong-Jin, an executive of Hyundai, stated that the Genesis will be introduced as a Hyundai. The reason being that costs are way too high to create a massive dealer network of the proposed marque. This clears any rumors that suggested that the Genesis will be the first car to use Hyundai's rumored premium nameplate.Another tidbit we were able to dig was that the 4.6L Tau V8 would not be sold in its home market. The home-market will receive the 3.3L Lambda V6 and the 3.8L Lambda V6, which is speculated to produce 290HP. Some available features of the Genesis are adaptive headlamps, LED side repeaters, Bluetooth connectivity and Intelligent Key System.Hyundai has not set an official date for the unveiling of the Genesis, but speculations point to a late 2007 or early 2008 debut for the domestic version.
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Audi RS6 to have 571HP
2007-06-25 13:56:00
The new Audi RS6, which will be equipped with a 5.0L V10 twin turbo, will churn out 571HP. This information comes from the vehicle registration details of a mule which reveal the vehicle's technical specifications. The chassis code for the RS6 is 'Audi AG 4F 7967 21 AAJ N31 N30 579 426 5002'. The third last number indicates that the RS6 will have 579ps (metric unit), which is equivalent of 571HP. The second last number indicates the car will have 426kw whilst the last number indicates the engine capacity, 5002cc.According to Motor Authority, a more powerful variant of the RS6 will be unveiled following the release of the conventional RS6 and Avant. The "Plus" model is speculated to have around 620HP, which will no doubt blow the competition away.[Source: Motor Authority]

Spied: Autoblog reader snaps Porsche Panamera in California!
2007-06-24 23:40:00
Just days after an amateur car enthusiast snapped one of the best shots of the BMW M3 Sedan at the 'Ring, an Autoblog reader snapped pics of Porsche 's 4-door Panamera testing on American soil. Spotted driving on the 405 freeway in Carson, California , this green Panamera mule doesn't reveal anything new. However, the close-up shots of the side can give us more clues on how the real roofline of the car will be. Herschel Brown was cruising in his BMW 330i when he came upon this mule and quickly managed to snap some detailed shots. Head on over to Autoblog to view more images.[Source: Autoblog]
More About: Reader , Snaps

Ford releases images of F-150 Lariat Limited
2007-06-24 14:57:00
Ford released the first official images of the F-150 Lariat Limited today and we can conclude that Ford can definitely design a nice-looking truck. The Lariat Limited will sport a White Sand Metallic finish with a matching grille, factory 22-inch wheels and chrome running boards. Also included are gray headlight bezels, smoked taillight lenses, two-tone leather trimmed interior and definitely some Limited badgings to top out the list.Neither the official pricing or a shot of the interior was released as of now. Follow the jump to view one more image Ford released of its exterior.[Source: Autoblog]
More About: Ford , Images , Lease , Mite

DaimlerChrysler recalls 1650 Smart cars
2007-06-23 02:45:00
DaimlerChrysler AG announced today that they have recalled 1650 MKII Smart Fortwos in Europe after reports of steering problems. The recall was announced after DaimlerChrysler received numerous reports that a locking ring was not installed correctly.The second-generation Fortwos went on sale in April and they have sold 12000 units since. DaimlerChrysler spokesman Hubert Kogel stated that all affected vehicles were recalled, repaired, and returned to their owners. No accidents or injuries were caused by this issue.[Source: The Toronto Star]
More About: Cars , Daimler-Chrysler , Smart Car

Renault developing Laguna Coupe
2007-06-22 19:30:00
Renault is in the process of developing a 2-door variant of their Laguna mid-size flagship. The design, which will be heavily influenced from their Fluence Concept presented in 2004, will be a genuine 2+2 coupe with an interior directly lifted from the Laguna Sedan.The new Laguna Coupe will feature a Nissan-sourced powerplant for its range-topper and will provide an array of petrol and diesel engines. The vehicle can be opted with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The new Laguna Coupe will launch about 12 months after the launch of the Laguna Sedan and Estate.[Source: Motor Authority]
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Image of the Day 06.19.2007: Modern American Muscle Pt. 2
2007-06-20 05:30:00
2009 Chevrolet Camaro Concept: Modern American Muscle
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Saab to end 9-7X production
2007-06-20 04:10:00
Saab will cease production of their short-lived 9-7X SUV next year because of lackluster sales. The 9-7X shares underpinnings with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and both are built in GM's Moraine, Ohio plant. The TrailBlazer is also in death row as Chevrolet prepares to welcome its successor, which will share underpinnings with the Saturn Outlook. The 9-7X will be replaced by the 9-4X crossover, which will sit on GM's Theta architecure.The 9-7X was shortly available in Europe by approved importers. The 9-7X was never intended to be marketed outside North America. The deletion of the 9-7X and the TrailBlazer will cease the aged GMT-360 platform as a whole. The demise of the GMT-360 comes the coveted Lambda platform, which is already gaining praises from both the media and the consumers. The Lambda platform underpins the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and the Buick Enclave as of currently.[Source: Motor Authority]
More About: Saab , Production , Prod

Audi RS4 production not being cancelled
2007-06-20 02:01:00
Well, that was a close one. Recently, Autocar posted up the shocking news on the fate of the RS4. It was all a big misunderstanding as Winding Road received an e-mail from Audi USA that the RS4 will live for 2008. The RS4 and the RS6 wll sit alongside each other and as these two different models have a fairly large price gap, with the latter being more superior in performance features, they will do fine and won't likely cannibalise each other's sales.The RS6 will be officially unveiled in Frankfurt and North American sales will proceed next year, albeit in limited availability.[Source: Autoblog]
More About: Production , Bein , Being , Prod

Nezt Mazda6 to bow in Frankfurt
2007-06-19 05:13:00
Many websites are reporting that they have received an internal e-mail from an anonymous source confirming that the next Mazda 6 will debut in Frank furt this September. The e-mail also stated that the Mazda6 will go on sale in Europe in November.Although we have to question the credibility of this e-mail, it also stated that the mid-size car will be based on the Ford Mondeo/S-MAX platform. We have no speculations regarding on which bodystyle will debut in Germany, but we can bet on a pack of Bud Light that all three bodystyles (sedan, hatchback, wagon) will debut alongside each other. The original Mazda6 debuted in Detroit in 2002 with all three bodystyles and we speculate that Mazda will continue the tradition.[Source: Winding Road]

Jaguar adds 3.5L V8 to XK range
2007-06-19 03:34:00
Jaguar is prepping the launch of the 3.5L, entry-level variant of the XK range. The 3.5L V8, good for 260hp, is also found in the Jaguar XJ Saloon. Sources say the model could reach showrooms as early as this October. Pricing has not been announced, but is speculated that it will be around ?10,000 less than the starting price of the 4.2L V8 model.Exact power figures have not been announced, but sources say the engine is moderately boosted for the XK and the 0-62mph time should be good for 7 seconds. The entry-level model will be only available in Europe. Other changes made to the XK for this year include an upgraded stereo system, optional 20 inch Senta wheels and an antenna mounted onto the rear spoiler. [Source: Motor Authority]
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Image of the Day 06.18.2007: Modern American Muscle Pt. 1
2007-06-19 03:12:00
2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: Modern American Muscle
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TheCarBlogger reaches 500 posts!
2007-06-19 02:29:00
January 14th, 2007 marked the genesis of TheCarBlogg er. Since then, we have reached our 500th post today. From our first day of operation, we have changed dramatically inside and out. Just looking back at our archives to our first weeks imply that we have definitely improved abundantly. All of this, however, would not have been done if it weren't for our faithful readers. It was your visits that motivated us to advance everyday and we can't thank you guys enough for visiting TheCarBlogger. Writing our 100th post, which was an article regarding the introduction of the Land Rover LR3 Cargo, seems like just yesterday to us. We'd like to give a big thanks to our friends over at Autoblog for their continuous support for TheCarBlogger. 500 posts is just the beginning for us. We will, no doubt, bring you fresh automotive news hot off the press everyday. As a little extra treat for our readers, we'll spill the beans on what's in the pipeline for us in the coming days. Bi-weekly podcast...
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Spied: M3Post reader snaps BMW M3 Sedan
2007-06-18 20:09:00
A member of a BMW M3 enthusiasts forum, M3Post.com, has snapped a BMW M3 Sedan mule undergoing testing at the Ring and up close. Larry Blunk was able to take some quality pictures of the M3 Sedan running its course at the Ring and was able to taker detailed close-up shots of the mule when it was parked just outside momentarily.From these shots, we can tell the M3 Sedan will get the same body treatments as its 2-door variant. We can guess that the M3 Sedan will debut in Frankfurt this September with sales proceeding sometime next year. The M3 Sedan will go head-to-head with the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, which will also debut in Frankfurt. Follow the link to see more of the shots Larry was able to get.[Source: Larry Blunk/M3Post.com]
More About: Reader , Snaps , Edan

TheCarBlogger Exclusive: Kia Mesa (HM) snapped!
2007-06-18 05:07:00
Kia shows massive improvement with each new vehicle they release. It makes the Korean automaker's laughable past even harder to believe as time goes by. These new spyshots of Kia's new full-size SUV indicate that Kia is no longer the easy target for late-night talk show hosts. Kia unveiled the Mesa Concept at the North American International Autoshow in 2005. It showcased their attempt at the competitive, but dwindling full-size SUV segment. Kia gave the green light for production shortly after the concept's initial debut.Caught in South Korea, these new spyshots suggest that it won't be too long before Kia officially pulls the wraps off the new 'HM'. Kia has not revealed the official name of the vehicle as of yet. Kia will influence the HM's design heavily from the Mesa Concept and some of the key design cues of the concept like the horizontal-slat chrome grille seems to stay on the production version. The HM will house seven seats and will slot above the Sorento. The HM wil...
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KTM X-Bow pre-orders exceed 1000
2007-06-18 01:34:00
KTM announced that they have just surpassed the 1000 mark in the amount of pre-orders they have received for their hard-core sports car, the X-Bow. The X-Bow, powered by an Audi TFSI engine, proves to be an enormous success even though it's not out yet. The X-Bows will be produced by Magna Steyr in Germany. KTM projected an annual production number of 1000 which means their first-year allotment has been sold out already.You can reserve a KTM X-Bow at the X-Bow website or via KTM motorcycle dealers throughout Europe. Follow the jump to view the official press release. We really think KTM needs to proofread their press release as grammar mistakes are notable throughout. [Source: Autoblog]PRESS RELEASE:Overwhelming Success for the X-BowThree months after the official premiere of the X-Bow, KTM is very happy about the thousandth order for the lightweight-sports car. The interest in this project exceeds all expectations of the Austrian company.Innovative like the car is also the distrib...
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Image of the day: Evolution
2007-06-18 01:08:00
The evolution of the Mercedes-Benz SL. 1957-2007[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
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Audi RS4 canned in favor of RS6?
2007-06-16 14:40:00
Words are emerging that the Audi RS4 production has already stopped to make way for the RS6, which will debut at Frankfurt this September. The RS4 has been regarded one of the finest sports cars by both Audi enthusiasts and the media. The deletion of the RS4 couldn't come at a worse time for Audi as BMW is in their final stages of developing their M3 Sedan and Mercedes-Benz is preparing to unveil the C63 AMG at Frankfurt.Autocar reports that the Avant and Cabrio models will continue on, but we are unsure whether they will be canned anytime soon. According to the report, the decision has been made because the RS4 would cannibalise the sales of the RS6. We'd have to question that as the RS4 and RS6 would have a massive price gap and they would not cannibalise each other's sales if Audi markets them right. There is a market for the RS4 which consists of the BMW M3 Sedan and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. The RS6 will have its share of competitors like the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-Benz E...
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Next-gen Toyota Prius production delayed
2007-06-15 14:09:00
Every automaker suffers obstacles in their ambitions to bring something revolutionary to our market. Toyota seems to have suffered that with their development of the next-generation Prius . The new Prius will be equipped with lithium-ion battery technology, which replaces the previous nickel-metal hydride battery. The lithium-ion battery would cost less and save a lot of weight, in which will improve the performance of the car and reduce the price.We speculated that the next Prius would be out by late next year, but sources say that could be pushed further to 2009. Apparently, the company developing the new battery, Matsushita Industrial, needs to tweak the battery a bit for safety concerns as well as how it will react during an accident or a fire.[Source: Motor Authority]
More About: Green , Production , Prod

MINI Cooper D headed to Canada
2007-06-15 13:52:00
The Globe and Mail is reporting that BMW will send Canadians the new MINI Coop er D. The Cooper D is the diesel counterpart of the Cooper and it gets a mileage of around 60MPG which is quite impressive. BMW will be also sending Canadians the diesel variants of various BMW models such as the 320d and the 525d.Unfortunately, BMW has no plans to export their diesels to the US. However, if reception is massive of the diesel Bimmers or the diesel MINI in the US, this just might be another story like the Smart. [Source: Autoblog]
More About: Canada , Green , Mini

Citroen C5 II leaked ahead of Frankfurt debut
2007-06-15 05:36:00
This was very unexpected as even spyshots of the new C5 did not emerge as of yet. However, thanks to CARSCOOP, we bring you undisguised shots of the Citroen 's new mid-size C5 II. Auto-Journal posted up these images on their website, ahead of its public unveiling at the Frank furt International Autoshow in September.The new C5 influences its design heavily from its C4 and C6 siblings. With the signature Citroen grille, the C5 II ditches its predecessor's conventional look in favor of a sleeker and quirkier design that brings thoughts of the C4 Picasso. We certainly like the front and we like the unique touches that the French automaker has added in its interior. We think the rear needs some rethinking as it does not flow well with the rest of the design and it looks somewhat rushed. These shots are certainly not the best quality, so we'll leave it at that and wait until Citroen releases their official studio shots. Follow the jump to view more shots.[Source: CARSCOOP]
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TheCarBlogger gets its own facelift
2007-06-15 05:01:00
We think all our readers were smart enough to notice the minor redesign that we implemented not too long ago. To newcomers, we forgive you as TheCarBlogg er shows massive growth everyday and new readers pour in everyday. As we look for improvements each day, we decided to undertake a minor redesign of the blog template. The main highlight of the changes is the riddance of the old two-column design in favor of the new three-column design we implemented. This new change gives the the blog a fresher and more organized look.A minor change that we've also installed is the labels at the left column which makes viewing the blog more efficient than ever. Select the category you wish to view from the massive list of categories and you'll get there in a click.A new widget has been also installed in our blog below each post. The AddThis Social Bookmarking makes bookmarking or sharing a post we've made easier than ever. Some of the services that you can share a post include: Del.icio.us, Digg...
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