AUTOBLOG - News of the Auto Industry

Dontblogaboutthis: BMW Teases Oddball 6 Series Concept

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:42:00 +0000

BMW has put up a new website called "Don't Blog About This" that shows an odd-looking 6-Series concept of some sort. While obviously based on the current generation (and soon to be replaced) 6-Series coupe, the matte-black car featured on the teaser videos and photos gets a low slung front end reminiscent of the Vision EfficientDynamics concept and tall but thin tires (195 if we're not mistaken) pushed out and housed under blistered wheel arches.

If we we're to wager a guess, we'd say it's some kind of an alternative-fuel concept - hopefully something more advanced than the Ferdinand 911 GT3 RS... Well, with the Paris Motor Show only a few weeks away, it won't be long before we find out.

Link: Dontblogaboutthis , Via: E90Post

______________________________________________________________________

Paris Preshow: Opel GTC Paris Concept revealed with 2.0-liter Turbo, ready to battle Scirocco

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:57:00 +0000

Finally, details and pics of the upcoming Opel Astra GTC have broken cover. Go on, have a peek. Technically labeled a concept in what can only be an effort to iron out some final kinks and tweaks, Opel's GTC Paris is a preview of GM's new VW Scirocco and Hyundai Veloster hunter.

Barring all the artsy literary references and mumbo jumbo, the facts go as follows: the GTC will be a compact, 3-door hatch for five with a coupe-like roofline. It measures 4.46 meters long and incorporates modern Opel design cues like the "blade" running along the rocker. Inside the concept appear to be some optional race-inspired cheek huggers.

The GTC Paris gets LED running lights / tail lights and rides on 21-inch rims which probably won't be available from your average dealer. Opel design VP Mark Adams says, "We wanted to express the most emotional side of the Opel brand and we believe this vehicle creates an appropriate visual impact to reinforce our dynamic sporty character." Well, it looks like it's ready to jet away in a cloud of front-wheel smoke, so mission accomplished.

Under the creased hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with direct injection hooked up to a 6-speed manual transmission and a start/stop system. The production model will be powered by a variety of petrol and diesel engines with the grapevine talking about a GTI-version of Opel's little hatch called the GSi with around 200-horsepower and an even crazier OPC model, possibly with as much as 280HP, maybe even more, to battle off VW's R offerings.

Official specs for the GTC will probably start to come out around the time of its Paris debut. For some more spy shots and video, check out our previous post from back in June. Could this foreshadow a potential higher-output compact luxury offering from Buick as well? Time will tell.

By Phil Alex

Paris Preshow: Peugeot Teases Mystery Concept Car

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:34:00 +0000

With this year's edition of the Paris Motor Show just around the corner, the product announcements on new models and concept cars keep dropping in. Today's Paris show strip tease comes from Peugeot, which will show a mysterious new concept vehicle alongside the already revealed 508 sedan and station wagon models (read more about that in our previous post here).

At this point, all we have are these three cryptic teaser photos that don't really reveal something about the car. Check out the rest of the shots after the jump and tell us what you think Peugeot is hiding here.

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X Transformed into a Coupe

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:35:00 +0000

Just because Mitsubishi doesn't offer a coupe variant of its Lancer EVO X sports car doesn't mean one cannot be created. Found on ebay thanks to a Carscoop tipster is this one-of-a-kind Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X that has been converted into a two-door model. As you can see in the photo gallery after the break, it's an unfinished project. According to the eBay seller of the custom build, "the previous owner [of the car] no longer wants to complete it".

Along with the two-door conversion, the custom Lancer EVO X also benefits from a wide body kit, deep-dish alloy wheels, a new coil over suspension, upgraded turbocharger and other mechanical improvements.

Kudos to Nick for the tip!

Link: eBay

Malignant Rumors: Toyota set to build Yaris / Vitz hybrid in Europe next year

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:50:00 +0000

Now that hybrid tech is becoming more widespread, Toyota is looking to push its gas-electric offerings down a notch after the not-too-well-received Sai-based Lexus HS. According to Reuters, Toyota ain't scurred of the hit it has recently taken to its hybrid sales and is readying a European-market Yaris (Vitz in Japan) hybrid that will be manufactured in Valenciennes, France next year.

With Honda set to debut its Jazz / Fit hybrid in Paris, Toyota thinks a Yaris hybrid may be able to help get more Europeans on its own hybrid bandwagon. Clearly hybrids are still a good way promote backing off of oil dependency, but Toyota has a couple hurdles to clear before success is in the cards.

First, hybrids have not been a huge hit in Europe, a market that traditionally prefers diesel engines, and second, Toyota needs to continue to improve its image after the recalls it has been enduring.

If a Yaris hybrid officially gets a green light, we could see a concept /prototype / teaser as early as Paris or possibly early next year. We'll let you know more as soon as we know more.

By Phil Alex

Source: Reuters

*Regular European market Toyota Yaris shown in photos

2011 Dodge Charger Facelift Shown at Police Fleet Expo [with Video]

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:06:00 +0000

Following on from some revealing reader spy photos and an official, single teaser image of the Pursuit car version of the redesigned 2011 (or 2012MY) Dodge Charger, we now have a walk around video of the facelifted model shot during the Police Fleet Expo.

The differences between the civilian and police versions of the 2011 Dodge Charger are limited to the decals and the necessary police car equipment, so what you see here in terms of sheetmetal changes is what you'll get when the sedan arrives in showrooms later this year.

The videos give us another look at the sedan's redesigned exterior that features a reworked and angrier looking front end with new headlamps and a fresh interpretation of the firm's trademark cross hair grille, as well as of the re-sculptured profile and the new rear end with a full-width tail light design similar to the Challenger.

In addition to the freshened exterior design, the 2011 Charger will also benefit from a revamped interior with a new dashboard styling and higher-quality materials, and an upgraded engine line up that will include the Chrysler Group's new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6, which is good for 290-horsepower in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Expect a full revealing of the 2011 Dodge Charger within the next few weeks.

Source: Youtube / Lundindustries , Via: Allpar

_________________________________________________________________

Kia UK Adds 2.0-liter Petrol Engine to 2011 Sportage Range

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:25:00 +0000

Following the initial release of 850 units of the diesel-powered 2011 Sportage First Edition 2.0 CRDi AWD in Britain ahead of the full-range going on sale later in the year, Kia UK has announced the addition 300 petrol engined versions of its newest crossover after what the company describes as strong demand.

"We will not have too long to wait for the full range of new Sportage – from November we will have 2WD and AWD versions featuring four engines including a 1.6GDI and a 1.7 Turbo-Diesel, but such is the excitement about new Sportage that we simply couldn't disappoint those customers who wanted First Edition but with a petrol engine," said Michael Cole, Managing Director of Kia Motors UK.

Available for order now with first deliveries in October, the Sportage First Edition 2.0 AWD is powered by Kia's Theta-II 2.0 petrol engine and comes with a 5-speed manual transmission producing 161bhp at 5,200rpm and 194Nm torque at 4,600rpm.

The automaker said the petrol-engine-powered Sportage has a top speed of 113mph (181km/h), accelerates from rest to 60mph (96km/h) in 10.3 seconds and achieves a combined cycle fuel consumption of 35.8 mpg UK (equal to 7.9lt/100km and 29.8mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 188g/km.

Priced at £19,495 'On-The-Road', the new version of the Sportage comes with standard black leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights, Bluetooth, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers and a colour rear parking camera system integrated into the rear view mirror.

Buyers have a choice of four exterior colors: Clyde Blue, Phantom Black metallic, Silver Storm metallic and the Techno Orange metallic.

Skoda Expands Octavia Range with New 1.2-Liter Turbo Petrol, Adds DSG Option to 1.6 TDI The refreshed Octavia, which is essentially Skoda's (better) take on...
2011 Kia Sportage Compact SUV Spied Inside and Out Kia is continuing the development of its next generation Sportage...
BMW Adds New Four- and Six-Cylinder Gasoline Engines to X1 SUV Range Starting from March 2010, BMW's most compact X model will...

Список похожих постов предоставлен вам плагином YARPP.

Paris Preshow: 2011 Bentley Continental GT Facelift Revealed, gains 4.0-liter V8 Engine

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:12:00 +0000

Having been introduced in 2003, Bentley's Continental GT is officially the oldest model in the British automaker's lineup. About time for a facelift? Bentley thought so, too. The 2011 Conti has been brought up to date with an evolved interior and exterior that put it more in-line with the brand's Mulsanne flagship, while a new 4.0-liter V8 engine will join the tweaked W12 in 2011.

One can see a similar design in back, where Bentley utilized the Mulsanne's "double horse-shoe" theme. On either side of the boot, the rear fenders have gained some more definition and the car's taillights are slightly more squared-off. The overall package increases track width by 41-mm in front and 48-mm at the rear.

With the extra 15 horsepower (and the car's weight reduced by 65 kg), the W12 is good for a 0-60mph (96km/h) burst in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph / 318 km/h. Bentley is keeping its lips sealed about the 8-cylinder's output for now, but they say "high-output", so expect a screamer.

In the field of putting power to pavement, the revised 6-speed automatic transmission allows "double downshifts" while still running all four wheels; the 20- or 21-inch rollers now get 40/60 front-to-rear power distribution (versus the outgoing model, which was 50/50).

The interior, while clearly still Continental, gets updated as well: there's a spruced-up dash, a new touchscreen infotainment unit with a 30GB hard drive (15 GB specifically for music), and redesigned front seats that offer rear cargo an extra 46-mm of legroom. Sounds are brought to you by 11-speakers from Naim, and there is TV/DVD/Phone/iPod/etc. connectivity; pretty much everything one you'd expect in a Bentley.

Overall, Bentley has succeeded in updating its breadwinner while keeping it very identifiable and distinct. Expect to see it next to the Mulsanne in Paris, and as soon as there are some official numbers on the V8, we'll let you know. Now back to your regularly-scheduled daydreaming.

By Phil Alex

2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe Realistically Rendered

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:17:00 +0000

Talented photoshop artist 'Alpine325Ci' from the 1Addicts bimmer forums is at it again. This time he created a very realistic CGI of the upcoming BMW 1-Series M Coupe based on what we've seen of the car up until now in the official teaser videos. If you want our opinion, the wheels need to be a bit larger (especially the rear set), but other than that, the rendering looks pretty accurate.

The smallest member of BMW's family of 'M' models will enter production in a limited run next year. Official intel on the mechanics remain scarce, though it is believed that the car will get a tweaked version of the 135i's 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six producing somewhere in the vicinity of 330-350 horsepower.

Source: 1Addicts

Buick’s VW Jetta-Fighting Small Sedan Realistically Rendered Using an official sketch that was revealed at Buick's Los...
Volkswagen’s 2011 U.S.-Made Passat Replacement More Realistically Rendered Just last week, Volkswagen released a second teaser sketch...
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe: First Official Photos of GM’s BMW 3-Series Coupe Rival This here is the production version of Cadillac's 2008 CT...

Список похожих постов предоставлен вам плагином YARPP.

Bavarian Potpourri: E36 BMW 325i Cabrio with E90 3-Series Front and E60 5-Series Rear

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:11:00 +0000

Now here's a BMW owner with a joyfully vivid imagination. What you're looking at here could be Holland's answer the Japanese Civic/Lexus/Toyota thingamajig we showed you last month: a E36 (1990-2000) 3-Series Convertible with a removable hardtop that has been "facelifted" with the front end of the latest E90 3-Series and the buttocks of an E60 5-Series sedan. The best of all worlds... or the worst? It's up to you to make the call. More photos after the jump.

Via: Autoblog.nl / Autojunk.nl