Ouuuuch; We admit, the late 3-Series Compact wasn’t a pretty sight to look at and we’d probably have preferred if BMW had ditched it altogether before it even came into production, but isn’t “ditching” it yourself sort of a overly drastic measure…? -Thanks for the tip Feodosiy!
Motortrend’s senior editor, Ed Loh, scooped a Ford S-MAX this morning on Sunset Boulevard in
Via: Motortrend
If you’re in your late 20’s – early 30’s like yours truly, you’ve probably spent countless hours as a kid in front of the TV watching Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff) and his blacked out K.I.T.T. 2000. Yes, we shamelessly admit that there was a time and a place were we dreamed of driving Knight’s talking Trans-Am –with a handful of chicks in it! But we better stop here before we make a complete “arse” of ourselves… Anyway, what we really wanted to tell you is that NBC is bringing back the 1980s action-drama series. According to Variety, the new "Knight Rider" could air as early as next fall. There’s no word on which car will substitute the Pontiac Trans-Am, but producers are exploring the idea of adding "evil" cars to offset K.I.T.T.
Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Variety
Mazda launched a pretty innovative contest today where the winner will have the chance to create a concept that’ll premiere at the 2007 L.A. Show in November. All you have to do is visit Mazda’s dedicated page on Facebook.com (membership required) and submit a 150-word description of your vision on a 2018 MAZDA3 including an optional sketch drawing.
Mazda’s design team will review the entries choosing 10 semi-finalists. Facebook community will then take over picking out five finalists which will be paired with a Mazda designer to hone their concept. Finally, the five projects will be subjected to a vote on Facebook. The winner will see his vision of a 2018 Mazda3 in a full-scale model at the LA Show. The contest, which is open only to
WANTED: DESIGNER TO CREATE THE 2018 MAZDA3, LIVE ON STAGE AT THE LA AUTO SHOW IN A WORLD-EXCLUSIVE DESIGN CHALLENGE
The “Mazda Design Challenge,” launched today on Facebook.com (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7602701619), will enlist help from Facebook members across the
To enter, contestants must submit a 150-word description of their vision of the 2018 MAZDA3 including an optional sketch drawing. The Mazda Design team will then judge each entry, choosing 10 semi-finalists. Five finalists will be chosen by the Facebook community. Each of the five finalists will be paired with a Mazda designer to hone their concept, which will then be judged and voted on in a second round by fellow Facebook members.
Voting will take place over the course of a week, with the winning designer traveling to
“The ‘Mazda Design Challenge’ is an exciting, interactive competition that capitalizes on the power and influence of social networking,” said David Klan, director of marketing, MNAO. “By inviting young voices into the highly classified and secretive design process, Mazda will prove it’s a company involved in an active partnership with its customers.”
“Usually the design ideas come from inside our studio, but this is a rare opportunity for my team to look at design through our potential customers’ eyes,” added von Holzhausen. “Never before has any other automaker built a concept car on the show stand, in full view of show attendees. The pressure’s really going to be on all of us – especially the contest winner – to get it finished in time for the closing weekend of the show.”
Travel, accommodations, $1,000 spending cash and a new MAZDA3 to drive during their stay awaits the winner. In addition, the winner will have the opportunity to take the microphone to introduce the final concept at its unveiling on the final day of the show.
The contest is open only to residents of the
Headquartered in
As many insiders predicted when General Motors and the United Auto Workers (UAW) shook hands earlier this week, the shift of $50 billion in health-care obligations to the union fund was just half the story.
Citing people with knowledge of the plan, Bloomberg is reporting today that GM and UAW have agreed to create a new class of jobs that’d pay about half the current rate thus breaking UAW's tradition of equal earnings for union members. Under the agreement, the so-called non-core employees like janitors and maintenance workers would get receive about $28 an hour in pay and benefits, compared with $51 for present employees. -Continued after the jump
While current “non-core” workers wouldn’t be affected by the accord, GM will try to by them out with the new pay structure applying to their replacements. But will this truly help GM? We can’t say for sure since it isn’t clear yet how many of GM's 73,000 current UAW- represented positions will be considered as non-core jobs. Analysts believe however that in order for this to have an substantial impact on GM, it would have to concern more than 5,000 workers.
Commenting on the report, Richard Block, a labor professor at Michigan State University in East Lansing told Bloomberg, “The company likes it because it cuts compensation costs and the union can swallow it because the people affected aren't going to vote because they don't exist yet,''. How true Mr. Block; what the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't grieve...
Via: bloomberg
We’ve no idea what these guys from
Hybrids are gaining momentum on just about everything that carries a set of wheels -even in commercial vehicles as Nissan proves. Renault’s partner in arms introduced a new Diesel-Hybrid version of its Atlas H43 light commercial vehicle (LCV) that will be available in
The Atlas H43 Diesel Hybrid features a power take-off (PTO) parallel drive system with the diesel engine and traction motor connected to separate drive shafts, allowing the vehicle to be powered by the diesel engine alone (in case the hybrid system malfunctions). The hybrid LCV features a heavy-duty vehicle fuel economy figure of 25.8 MPG or 9.1 lt/100 km and according to Nissan, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions have been reduced by an additional 10% from
Subie looks like its going to be teasing us over the next few weeks as it released the second blacked-out 2008 Impreza WRX STi image (see the first by clicking here). This time we’re getting a shadowy view of the STi’s arse with its quad exhaust pipes, the bulgy rear fenders and the miniscule –for an STi we mean, rear wing. We tried to enhance the image through photoshop, but apart from the kinky colored “STi” badge, we didn’t manage much. If you want to see the original picture just follow the jump.
The Phantom Coupe will be equipped with the same 6.75 litre V12 engine that we find in the other Phantom models producing 453bhp and 720Nm of torque. Compared to the Convertible, the Coupe will be subtly tuned with more emphasis placed on the driver. The body will be shorter than that of the Phantom sedan and there will be revisions to the suspension and chassis set-up. Rolls-Royce Chief Designer, Ian Cameron, said, “With this car we wanted to emphasise the performance potential of the 6.75 litre V12 engine and the effortless experience that it delivers. Whilst never overtly sporty, Rolls-Royce is a brand that has always offered owners a powerful and refined drive combined with, as Sir Henry Royce described it, a bit of fizz.” Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “This new model represents an important milestone in the company’s history. It completes the Phantom family and judging by the customer reaction to 101EX, we are confident of its success. Our challenge lies in meeting the exceptional levels of customer demand for the Phantom range and in preparing Goodwood to meet the needs of future new cars.”
Following BMW Group CEO, Norbert Reithofer’s announcements on the group’s future product plan (click here), Rolls Royce came out with further details on the Phantom Coupe. The British carmaker stated that the four-seater coupe inspired from the 101EX Concept, will be launched in 2008 with production scheduled to begin next summer at the company’s manufacturing plant in 
Peter Champion told Drive, “Our plan is to base the cars on a VE SS. We won't touch the cars mechanically, because we don't want to void the warranty, but if customers want performance modifications, we will look at it.” We'd like to revive the look of all four Group A Commodores and we're working on bodykits and talking to wheel suppliers as we speak. We also want to make sure there is a good supply of parts for the original Brock Commodores” Drive’s artist drew up a few impressions of how future HDT Commodores could look. You can check all of them out along with the full interview by clicking the link below. Via: Drive
It’s been a year since Holden racing legend Peter Brock lost his life in a tragic car accident at the Targa West rally in
Nestled in the suburbs of
Over the past week, at
Our advanced training consisted of collision avoidance, going about 50 mph in an Impala SS, reverse serpentine which I failed miserably especially in the massive Silverado, the reverse straight line which clearly indicated why the grass on the left side of my drive way is dieing, and the break and swerve in the grandfather of all Buicks the Lucerne.-Continued after the jump
The highlight however, was the opportunity we were given to experience the electronic stability control systems (ESC) a.k.a “stabilitrak”. ESC helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency land changes or avoidance maneuvers. The system detects any difference between the steering wheel position and the vehicles actual path. It selectively controls braking and engine power to gain control of the vehicles direction and keep it on course. GM started installing these systems on passenger cars in 97. It comes standard on about half of the 2006 and 2007 models and is projected to come standard on all the cars and light trucks sold by the end of 2010.
We all took turns as passengers in one car equipped with stabilitrak and one without. There was an obvious difference between the too. Aside from that, the GM drivers that took us out on the test let it rip and showed us what stabilitrak can really do when things get out of control.
Posted by Daniella
ŠKODA YETI TO BE MANUFACTURED IN THE Production of Škoda’s fifth model line is due to start in 2009 and many new jobs will be created in the firm’s home country following this announcement. The Kvasiny facility, along with Škoda’s other plant in Vrchlabí, will be extensively modernised and expanded in order to meet the board’s aim of having three full-scale Czech factories by 2010. Mladá Boleslav, the carmaker’s main plant and headquarters, will continue to produce the Fabia and Octavia. However, the Volkswagen plant in Detlef Wittig, chairman of Škoda’s board of directors, said: “Thanks to the growing demand for the Octavia we are looking for suitable manufacturing capacities elsewhere that will enable us to quickly react to the enormous interest shown by customers in our model range. “
VW’s Czech subsidiary has confirmed that it will introduce it’s first ever SUV model based on the 2005 Yeti Concept (picture). Production of Skoda’s fifth model line will commence in 2009 with the Czech carmaker stating that it will be manufactured in its Kvasiny plant in the 
Commenting on the introduction of the MG 7, Nanjing MG’s sales director Yang Junhu said: “We are bringing British automotive culture to our country. Until now no other car from a British marque has been manufactured and sold in 
The former British built MG-ZT (sporty version of the BMW Groupe developed, Rover 75) has been officially launched in 
PRESS RELEASE: As part of its first official participation with the SEMA Show, Lexus will debut an all-new performance accessory line at a noon press conference, Tuesday, October 30, during the 2007 Show. All Lexus activities will be held at the exhibit tent or the Motor Trend Proving Ground powered by Lexus except where noted. Lexus' schedule of activities for the SEMA Show includes the following:
In addition to the presentation of nine projects tuned by the specialty-equipment industry, Lexus will also unveil an all-new performance accessory line at the SEMA Show on October 30. The Japanese firm didn’t give any details in its press release but expect something of the likes of Audi’s “S-Line” or BMW’s “M-Pack”. Also, Lexus added that the 400 HP IS-F will be available for test drives on the Motor Trend Proving Ground during the show. All you SEMA Show registered members can simply go to www.lexus.com/isfdrive and sign up for a lap around the circuit. -Press release after the jump
"The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, and Lexus is thrilled to participate this year,” says Brian Bolain, national Lexus interactive and automotive events manager. "SEMA is the perfect venue for the launch of our new performance line, to display our performance-oriented project vehicles and showcase our all-new Lexus IS F high-performance sport sedan.”
The press conference will be in the Lexus exhibit tent located outside, adjacent to the Central Hall of the
For a chance to drive the IS F on the Motor Trend Proving Ground, SEMA Show registered members can simply go to www.lexus.com/isfdrive and sign up for a lap around the circuit.
For those wanting an off-track experience with the IS F, Lexus will provide two virtual driving options. Located in the Lexus exhibit area will be an IS F mounted to a rear-wheel dynamometer, which will allow attendees to experience the high-performance feel, sound and power that the IS F has to offer. SEMA members can sit behind the wheel of the IS F and, using a pair of paddles located within a fingertip's reach, perform ultra-fast upshifts. Gear changes come within a tenth of a second, and downshifts are accompanied by incredibly precise throttle blips to match engine RPM to vehicle speed.
In addition, three synced racing simulators featuring an IS F sports seat with vibration and sound and three flat screens, will allow gaming fans a chance to virtually drive the all-new Lexus and compete against each other on a choice of three tracks. A fourth flat screen showing all three cars in race mode will be available for observers. Attendees will be able to take home a CD version of the specially designed video game.
The tent will also feature a Lexus project car showcase, illustrating the high-end potential the car offers the specialty-equipment industry, including:
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.: Exhibit space open
12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m.: Press conference and lunch at Motor Trend Proving Ground
1:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m.: IS F course drives
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.: IS F course drives and exhibit space open
Thursday, November 1, 2007
9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.: IS F course drives and exhibit space open
Friday, November 2, 2007
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.: exhibit space open
Lexus will also join the CEC Wheels annual fashion show on Thursday, November 1, at the beautiful Bali Hai Golf Club. The LS 460 and IS F CEC project cars will join other modified luxury models in taking a turn on the catwalk. This annual event has proven to be one of the most coveted invitations during Show week.
General Motors invited Carscoop on its first official trip to
Through out the next week Dani will be posting our 2-day experience at the GM test track at the Milford Proving Grounds, also known as “Black Lake”, our interesting dinner and conversation with the “GM” (General Manager) of GM, Ed Peper, and other little interesting pieces of information that we picked up along the way. We’ll also post our own personal insight to the cars we got to drive and what we thought of them including the 2008 Cadillac CTS and the Saab 9-3. (Photo: Dani)
BTW: Carscoop attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, meaning that GM handled travel & accommodations
A new study conducted by researchers at
According to the study, in terms of high-volume "city" cars, the Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo are among the best, with ERV scores exceeding that of the Toyota Prius hybrid. Someone might point out that the Prius is a C-segment vehicle so the comparison is unjust. True, but Richard Barber, Clifford Thames Strategy and Business Development director believes that conventional petrol and diesel cars will quickly outpace
"While the Prius is presently the best among vehicles its size, we are seeing advances in traditional powertrain technology that will help other vehicles close the gap or even leapfrog existing hybrid solutions", said Barber.
Even though I’m not much of a Prius fan, I’ll have to disagree with Mr. Barber for the simple reason that the Prius uses multiple propulsion systems to provide power. In other words, the Prius combines a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Therefore, all
Links:
The Nissan ASV-4 warning system employs vehicle-to-vehicle communications to alert the driver to take defensive actions in situations where an on-coming vehicle is not yet visible, but poses a potential threat to road safety. While the system will be tested using real-time navigation information, it currently has some limitations because it is dependent on information received from vehicles equipped with the Nissan navigation system, therefore participating drivers must remain alert to other vehicles on the road that the system is unable to detect. The preventive safety technologies deployed on the Nissan ASV-4 were developed to address specific high-risk scenarios that account for approximately 60%*3 of traffic accidents in Cumulative data on traffic accidents reveal that most accidents occur within the following circumstances: The driver can both hear and see the warnings issued by the navigation system when a potentially dangerous situation has been identified. For example, as the vehicle approaches an intersection or attempts a right turn, the system can warn the driver of the potential danger with an on-coming vehicle as it accelerates after a stop, even when the driver fails to notice. Nissan will participate in Phase Four of the Advanced-Safety Vehicle project an initiative under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The company is also leading the ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) project in Kanagawa prefecture*4, involving customers’ vehicle participation, where the system is fed traffic data via links to traffic infrastructure (e.g. using beacons). Another on-going project employs telematics via cellular phones to improve traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion. To help reduce vehicle-pedestrian accidents, Nissan has developed an ITS system based on cellular communications between pedestrians and drivers, and is refining its information system to allow the driver to receive an alert on an unseen pedestrian. Nissan continues to accelerate the development of its advanced ITS-based accident-prevention technologies for commercial application. In 
Nissan presented the fourth-generation of its Advance Safety Vehicle (known as the ASV-4) which will be used by the Japanese carmaker to test various technologies in preparation for commercial application. Based on the JDM Fuga sedan (Infiniti M in the US), the ASV-4 employs advanced vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems alerting the driver in case of an on-coming vehicle which may not be visible, but poses a potential threat to road safety. -Press release and images after the jump
NISSAN DEVELOPS FOURTH-GENERATION NISSAN ADVANCED SAFETY VEHICLE
- Advanced vehicle-to-vehicle communications to help reduce accidents -
Even if you’re the type of guy who’d laugh at someone who supported that McPherson is a suspension layout and not a catwalk model, there's no way you wouldn't associate hybrids with Lexus. So, isn’t weird that Lexus has yet to present a high-performance hybrid model? It certainly is, and we were more than puzzled when Lexus announced that the IS-F (click here) would be powered by a “standard” V8 petrol engine.
However, that might change very soon as Lexus General Manager Jim Farley pointed out in an interview yesterday. “Lexus may build such gasoline-electric models to reach “enthusiast groups'” outside its core market”. Wondering what the first hybrid model of the “F” series might be? That remains a secret for now, but if we'd have to bet our monthly paycheck on it –we’re underpaid if you’re getting any weird ideas, our choice would go to a GS-F model.
Via: bloomberg
We just finished reading BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer’s speech at the Press Conference on the Strategic Realignment of the BMW Group and boy did he reveal some interesting stuff. But we completely understand your need to primarily learn about the announcements on the BMW Group’s future product portfolio so we decided to split our post on Reithofer’s speech into two, keeping the part concerning BMW’s new strategy for later.
So, BMW will expand its range with at least four new models by 2012. The confirmed products are: the X1 SUV based on the 1-Series hatch, a high-end four-door coupe based on the CS Concept (click here), the production version of the X6 Concept that we saw in
Reithofer also confirmed BMW Groups’ plan to add two new models in Rolls Royce’s portfolio; a Phantom Coupe based on the Cabriolet version and a smaller Rolls-Royce that will fit under the Phantom in terms of both size and price.
As far as MINI is concerned, Reithofer pointed out that the BMW Group has opted for a further model in the sports activity vehicle segment.
Reihofer noted that although further product decisions beyond the planning horizon until 2012 have been taken, he could not provide any details at this point
In collaboration with the editors of Mopar Muscle, Mopar Action and Mopar Collector’s Guide, Chryler’s Mopar division has picked out seven uniquely modified or restored, privately owned muscle cars that will attend this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas on Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, 2007. “These four Top Eliminator award winners, as well as the three winners we chose at Chryslers at
The four muscle cars that won the “2007 Top Elimator Awards” are: Robert Motz of Holland, Ohio who restored a 1970 Dodge Challenger RT; Mike Ege of Cornelius, N.C. who restored a 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340; Mark Halbach of Janesville, Iowa who transformed a 1970 Plymouth HEMI 340 ‘Cuda into a HEMICudzter and finally, George Sergakis, a Greek immigrant from Grand Island, NY who restored a rare 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440-6BBL. -Details and images after the jump
Mopar Announces Final Four “Top Eliminator” Award Winners for 2007 SEMA Show
Center Line,
“These four Top Eliminator award winners, as well as the three winners we chose at Chryslers at
Mopar Performance Parts Winner
Mike Ege of
Ege purchased the car from his parents in 1974 on his 16th birthday – his parents had purchased it used in 1970. From 1974 to 1977, he was a regular Friday night cruiser on ‘E’ Street in
The term “the real McCoy” takes on a whole new meaning for Ege’s restoration. He calls the two-year project, “rotisserie restoration.” His goal was to turn back the clock to 1969. Every effort was made to restore the Dart to “OE/Factory” specifications – the way the dealer would have received the Dart after it rolled off the assembly line. He used very few reproduction parts on the Dart. If new-old-stock (NOS) parts weren’t available [factory parts built by the original manufacturer], then he used a high-quality reproduction part.
His attention to detail paid off. At the 2006 Mopar Nationals in
The interior is stock and includes factory floor mats, plastic bags covering the seat belts and an engine-starting procedure tag hanging on the turn indicator lever. The engine and drive train were restored to OE specs as well. Even the odometer was reset to zero (before the restoration, the Dart had 117,000 miles). It’s painted R4/bright red.
A Mopar fan since 1966 when his father started racing
Mopar Muscle Winner
Mark Halbach of
He purchased the car in 2000 and began the ‘Cuda-to-HEMICudzter transformation in 2002. His original minor modifications soon spiraled into a hardcore “restomod.” Every part of the car’s interior and exterior is new, fabricated, rebuilt or customized down to the polished stainless steel bolts. Halbach even smoothed and sprayed clear coat on the undercarriage of the car.
To increase the “wow” factor, he built a removable, rubber-sealed roadster hard top. Other restoration modifications include subframe connectors and four-link air-ride suspension in the back. He minitubbed the car and added air ride in the front to work in tandem with the torsion bar set up. He also made a floating roll bar for the back. The HEMICudzter is painted a custom PPG silver.
He originally dropped in a 5.7-liter HEMI engine to give it power. Then in the middle of the project, Mopar announced a 6.1-liter HEMI motor. He then upgraded to the 6.1 and mated it to a Tremec five-speed transmission for 430 hp. He also fitted it with a custom side exhaust. The rear axle is a Chrysler-built 8¾ in. with 3.91 gears.
"When I first saw Mark's ‘HEMICudzter, I was immediately drawn to the fact that he had created a beautiful, modernized muscle car. The attention to detail and the overall package creates exactly the kind of "modernized classic Mopar" that any enthusiast can really enjoy," said Randy Bolig, editor of Mopar Muscle.
Mopar Collector’s Guide Winner
George Sergakis of
One of only 108 produced with this engine/transmission combination, the vehicle had 54,000 miles on the odometer when he purchased it in 1992. When it was new, the car was ordered as a sleeper street fighter with the nickname "Thunder 71." It’s still known by that name in upstate
The tan and brown interior features bucket seats. It also has a
The exterior is black and features a Rallye hood and all available moldings.
The original 440 c.i.d engine with three 2BBL Holley carburetors churns out 385 hp and 490 lb.-ft. of torque. All internal components are Mopar Performance restoration parts. It has a manual four-speed A-833 transmission. The rear end came with an "A34" super track pack option, consisting of 4:10 gear ratio, 9.75-in. Dana 60 axle, sure grip, power disc brakes, maximum cooling and HEMI suspension.
“George, an immigrant to the
Mopar Action Winner
Robert Motz of Holland, Ohio restored a 1970 Dodge Challenger RT. Motz thought the ‘70 Dodge Challenger had the best styling of any muscle car on the road – back then and now. His son agreed and joined him in the restoration project. When he bought it, the car had no motor or transmission. It was not in very good shape.
Motz and his son first installed tubs for the rear wheels, a four-link system that he chromed, a fab nine rear end, strange axles and strange aluminum third member. He also installed a magnum force front-suspension system with Wilwood brakes on all four corners.
He then went to work on the body including new sheet metal, hood and bumpers. Using the vehicle’s body lines, he painted it a combination of candy apple red and black cherry. He painted “550 HEMI” in a variegated “old school” gold leaf on the side of the hood and on the body lines. He also used a “gold” line to break the black and red. Finally, he fitted the Challenger with a set of one-off Boyd Coddington 10-spoke wheels.
The motor is a Keith Black aluminum block with Mopar Performance aluminum heads, and a crane roller cam and valve train components. It has a 1250 dominator with a 500 hp NOS Proshot fogger – producing 810 hp. It has a Keisler five-speed transmission with a
He first designed a black and red interior and later changed to leather and suede. He installed bucket seats, custom steering wheel and an air-ride suspension with custom chrome dual air tanks (placed between the tubs).
The restoration took nearly five years. He and his son have enjoyed attending Classic Mopar car shows around the country. According to Motz, “Everyone loves a Mopar.”
“Mopar Action recognizes the innovation and fine craftsmanship on the part of Bob Motz in creating this Challenger. He retained the spirit of Dodge's classic muscle car, while infusing it with contemporary technology. He managed to come up with a package that's wild, yet still tasteful. Most important, Motz handled virtually every detail of the project himself, rather than farming out all to a shop. And that, we think, is the sign of a true Mopar enthusiast,” said Cliff Gromer, editor of Mopar Action.
According to The Sunday Mail, one source was quoted saying, "We are not sure who was most surprised. They certainly did not appreciate that they had arrived in a police yard!" You can say that again… Unfortunately, Tony Blair will have to wait a while before he gets his bungle-proof 7-Series as Via: Sunday Mail
Talk about being a unlucky; four asylum seekers were arrested in