Volkswagen Amarok pickup

Volkswagen’s move into the utility market is certainly no ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ although it will be named Amarok, which means ‘wolf’ in the Inuit language.

In August the Amarok will become the first pickup by a European volume manufacturer when it is unveiled in South America.

The South American launch is set for early 2010, with the Amarok coming to Europe in the northern hemisphere summer.

With the Amarok, Volkswagen is seeking to enter global pickup markets dominated for the most part by Japanese manufacturers.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles already presented an impressive concept truck at last year’s IAA Commercial Vehicles, providing a taste of the brand’s new fourth model.

The Amarok will be produced in Argentina at Volkswagen’s “Pacheco” plant near Buenos Aires.

© Source: caradvice
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Ken Block drives the Subaru Impreza – video

Ken Block and the Subaru Impreza look like quite a lethal combination in this video. In a display of pure Impreza acrobatics, we see the Subaru Impreza STI prepared by Crowford at 566 hp in a little industrial set rally car drive. With plenty of wheel spin and drifting going on, the top-notch video editing is part of the package.



© Source: youtube
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New Ford Mustang gets the virtual Mach 1 treatment

Few Mustang variants are as legendary or desirable as the classic Mach 1. Introduced in 1969 as a high-performance package to slot below the range-topping models from Shelby, the Mach 1 was the every-man's Mustang, and after the pony car lost its way in the late '70s, the Mach 1 wasn't seen again until 2003, when Ford reintroduced the package as the top performing 'Stang this side of the GT500.

We already know there's no Mach 1 for the 2010 model year, but there's at least a little speculation that the historic moniker could be revived for 2011, coinciding with the expected launch of Ford's latest 5.0-liter 400-horsepower Coyote V8 engine. What better excuse could there be for a performance edition? Fortunately for us, Edmundo Cano put mouse to Photoshop and created an enticing rendering of what a factory 2011 Mach 1 might look like.

We're particularly fond of the flat black paint running down the center of the Mustang's hood, which now features the obligatory shaker scoop. Similarly blacked-out 20-inch Torq-Thrust-style wheels look the part, and the whole package is rounded out with Hugger Orange paint and Mach 1 graphics package. We wholeheartedly approve and can't wait to see what Ford has in store in 2011.

© Source: autoblog
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GM reinvention commercial – video

We'll start off by saying that this spoof on General Motors' Re:invention commercial is not exactly fair and not exactly accurate... but it is funny. It comes from an Onion-esque type website with a decidedly sharp take on GM's situation, with story headlines like "GM Kicks Dog, Takes Candy from Baby" and "GM Kills Electric Car, Five Others in Shooting Spree." You can watch the original commercial and the spoof after the jump. Make sure you have your sense of humor switched on.



© Source: autoblog
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Porsche Cayenne spied pics

The Porsche Cayenne, originally a more controversial model for the company, is taking on a more refined Porsche look with a sloping bonnet, as seen in these Cayenne spy shots.

The car is expected to debut in 2010, and we had already seen the interior and the rear lights in previous pics. These spy shots take the glimpse a step further, showing a refined car smaller in size than the current Cayenne.

The height will be reduced by two centimetres; while in itself it is minimal, it shows the overall evolution of the vehicle. Driving pleasure and sports handling will be a focus compared to its cousins, the Audi Q7 and the Volkswagen Tuareg. The updated engines will be those already seen on the Panamera, including the future hybrid version and V6 diesel. Reports have been floating around of a V8 diesel as well.

© Source: eurocarblog
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Forza Motorsport 3 – video

Auto video game Forza Motorsport is undergoing an update with the third version containing more than 400 cars, 50 manufacturers and over 100 tracks. The game is developed by Microsoft Game and Turn 10 Studios, who have released this trailer and accompanying screenshots of the game. Apparently it’s ten times better than the current chapter and will be out by autumn. Give yourself a present, if you can’t afford a car.



© Source: eurocarblog
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2009 Superior 54 Sport Wagon

(from Super Glass Works) The Superior 54 Sport Wagon project was started in the 1980s by an individual trying to build his own piece of history. The years went by and the project languished. In 2004, Superior Glass Works acquired the unfinished dream. Five more years and many thousands of hours later, the Superior 54 Sport Wagon is available…at last.

The journey was one that combined old-school craftsmanship and leading-edge technology. One of the most significant pieces of this project was to create the ‘plug’ – the body from which a mold could be made. Without an original body to start with, the plug was build using wood, foam, fiberglass, body filler, steel and anything else that would yield the desired form. These materials were shaped entirely by hand using only simple tools to create an extremely accurate model from which the molds were made.

The next phase of the project blasted our team into the modern era of product design and development. The now-perfect plug was imaged with a 3-D scanner, producing electronic files of the body from every angle. These were handed off to a CAD drafter to digitally create all of the body and window trim pieces. Rapid-prototyping technology was utilized to produce each part in full scale that were then installed on the body. After final hand-fitting of each trim piece, the master parts were finished and ready for production and chrome.

The Superior 54 Sport Wagon chassis is equipped with modern, high-performance, C5 Corvette suspension that not even the renowned auto-innovator Harley Earl could have imagined. Designed and built in partnership with Art Morrison Enterprises, Inc., the chassis brings today's sports car technology to this classic.

© Source: seriouswheels
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Alfa Romeo MiTo Novitec tuning

While waiting for the Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA, whose presentation ocurred at the Geneva motor show, Novitec has revealed its interpretation of the MiTo. The tuning company from the Netherlands has worked on the MiTo engines, using the 1.4 litre petrol turbo at 155 hp, and the JTDm 1.3 litre and 1.6 litre at 90 and 120 hp respectively.

The petrol unit sees the power increased by 31 hp, up to 186 hp and requiring 7.4 seconds to reach 100 km/hr. Both the JTDm engines have had a power step of 20 hp and a new bodykit that lowers suspension by 40 mm. Further inclusions are an aerodynamic pack, a new exhaust and 18-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli tyres.

© Source: eurocarblog
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2009 Codename Hotrod by Ali Murat Keskin

(from Ali Murat Keskin) I finished the design/modeling of this luxury-sportscar a long time ago (early 2002). I changed the design slightly (side windows) in 2008 and re-rendered it both as studio and as outdoor style recently.

I was inspired by 1971-73 Buick Riviera Boattail, but I think my design looks more aggressive, so I named it Hotrod as project codename. I have some ideas about interior but I didn't design yet (just modeled it simply for now). I didn't draw any concept sketches (except some sections), I just imagined and modeled it directly. The design completed while I was modeling it.

I'm looking for a car body manufacturing company to bring my car to real life. After making the body exterior & interior, it can be placed on an existing car's platform (like 2000-2002 Mercedes CL).

İf I can find a company to manufacture it, I'm considering to make some refinements/changes on exterior and re-model it as class-A.

© Source: seriouswheels
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Infiniti G37 Convertible hits Europe

Infiniti has released today the final specification of the new Infiniti G37 Convertible for Europe. The Infiniti G37 Convertible in Europe will be powered by the 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine which sends 320PS to the rear wheels. The top speed of the European version of the Infiniti G37 Convertible is limited to 155 mph and the car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.

The Infiniti G37 Convertible will be available with Connectiviti - the company’s information and entertainment system - which includes a HDD navigation system with the Michelin Green Guide.

The Infiniti G37 Convertible also comes with Bose Personal speakers, air conditioned seats and adaptive climate control.

The Infiniti G37 Convertible price for EU will be announced at a later date, but before September 2009 when it goes on sale.

© Source: zercustoms
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Mitsubishi i-MiEV up for sale in July

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has chosen today, World Environment Day, to unveil the production version of the i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle (EV), describing it as “the pioneer that will open the door to the next 100 years of our automobile society.”

Mitsubishi i-MiEV will go on sale on the Japanese market in late July of this year, with a price tag that’s the equivalent of A$59,145, however buyers will be eligible for a government subsidy on that price equal to A$17,877.

Mitsubishi says the i-MiEV represents the crystallisation of some 40 years of electric vehicle development at Mitsubishi Motors. The company is presenting the production i-MiEV as the ultimate eco-car, a solution to the various challenges the automobile faces today including environmental pollution, global warming and the depletion of petroleum-based energy supplies.

The company will continue its extensive collaboration with both private and public sectors in Japan and overseas in developing infrastructure to promote ownership of EVs. Mitsubishi Motors said in a statement that it expects to distribute, on a maintenance lease basis, some 1400 i-MiEV models in 2009 principally to corporations and to local authorities.

The company plans to start sales of i-MiEV to individuals in April 2010 and will start taking orders in late July of this year.

© Source: caradvice
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Subaru Stella Electric Car on sale

Stella is an interesting name for an electric car, but that’s what Japanese manufacturer Subaru are calling its innovative plug-in electric car, which has gone on sale in Japan as of today. Subaru Stella will begin deliveries from late July.

The all-wheel drive company (although the Stella’s front-wheel drive only) expects to sell only 170 of the electric cars over the next Japanese fiscal year (finishing March 31, 2010). The best thing about the Stella is its city-friendly nature. If you live in the City or about 10-30km away from work, the Stella would be perfect.

It manages around 90 kilometers on a single charge, which may not sound like a lot, but wait for the best bit. It can be recharged up to 80 per cent capacity (72 kilometres) in just 15 minutes using its quick charge system.

While some cars claim to be environmentally friendly, given the Stella is all electric, it produces zero carbon-dioxide emissions.

There are some disadvantages though, it only has 47 kilowatts of power, which is adequate for city driving but may struggle on the highway.

© Source: caradvice
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Rolls Royce Mini John Cooper Works – spied shots

Rolls Royce was expected to have “tuned-up” a Mini all its own in a brand new Mini look. These spy shots show the first existence of this Rolls Royce Mini, which is equipped with a series of accessories from Goodwood.

The pics come from the Park Lane Mini dealership in London and seem to indicate that the base model will be the Mini John Cooper Works. The differences between the Rolls Royce Mini and the latter can be seen in the interior finishes of wood inserts and fine leather, though the eventual modifications are expected to involve much more.

As a little pearl on the exterior, Rolls Royce is using its Ming Blue colour that it used for the first time on the Corniche IV 25th Anniversary, built in 1992 in just 25 models. Goodwood numberplates may also be a feature.

© Source: eurocarblog
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First 2010 Subaru Legacy

The 5th-generation Subaru Legacy has officially begun production, with the first car rolling off the Lafayette, Indiana assembly line late last week to confetti-strewn, ribbon-cutting fanfare.

In keeping with Subaru's recent new-model introductions, beginning with the current Impreza and continuing with the new Forester, the 2010 Subaru Legacy wears controversial new bodywork that abandons the elegantly understated lines of the outgoing model in favor of a more stylized face attached to a car that has grown dimensionally in order to be better-positioned against the likes of the Honda Accord.

With production now underway, look for the new Subaru Legacy to start arriving in U.S. showrooms by July. We'll weigh in with our impressions of the car as soon as we can get our hands on one.

© Source: autoblog
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2010 BRABUS Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

With the new 2010 Mercedes E-Class Coupe officially on sale (in select markets, anyway), it's only fitting that we turn our attention to tuning programs for the new model. Always ahead of the pack with their tuning prowess, the first such program comes from BRABUS, with the company offering substantial styling and performance upgrades for the new E Coupe.

Outside, changes range from a new BRABUS front spoiler, front quarter panels, rocker panels and a rear apron to new BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels in your choice of 17, 18, 19 or 20 inches. Complimenting its sportier appearance, BRABUS boosted the E500 (and E550) Coupe's displacement to 6.1-Liters, resulting in a total output of 462 hp (456 bhp) / 340 kW and a peak torque of 615 Nm (453 lb-ft) at just 3,100 rpm. As a result, the tuned E500 Coupe can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 196 mph.

To ensure your performance-oriented E-Class Coupe stays planted firmly on the road, BRABUS has also added a height-adjustable coil-over sport suspension along with a high performance brake system – one that features six-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 360 mm (14.2 inches) vented and cross-drilled discs on the front axle (four-piston aluminum fixed calipers are fitted on the rear).

As is the case with all the BRABUS Mercedes tuning programs, there are a host of options which can be customized based on your specific requirements, including performance enhancements for different engine variants, interior enhancements, etc. As for the specific engine tuning program noted above for the E500 Coupe (E550 Coupe in the U.S.), it'll set you back EUR 29,000.

© Source: emercedesbenz
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2010 Lexus LF-A For Tokyo Motor Show Debut

Since pretty much everyone is ditching the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, rumor has it Toyota will finally unveil the production 2010 Lexus LF-A, a laughably expensive, V10-powered supercar with only 500 copies available.

If the rumor-mill is on its "A" game, Toyota will finally be trotting out the production version of its Formula 1 inspired super-mega-awesome-car from the land of the rising sun at their Tokyo show stand. The production will be as scarce as the unicorn farts used to carbonize the surface of the cams (the equivalent of 500 copies). It'll reportedly get two models, the pedestrian GT550 and the more raucous SS550, which will inevitably cause consternation amongst the l33t speakers in the supercar market.

That banshee of a V10 under the hood should be good for engineering pr0n and produce somewhere around 500 HP, which, seems a bit weak for the expected $310,000 asking price. Since we're pretty sure conspicuous consumption is still the "in" thing among the legally wealthy, we're expecting the super expensive, obnoxiously styled, limited run automobile will find plenty of fine homes in fortified compounds across the world.

© Source: jalopnik
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2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400

(from Mitsubishi Press Release) The tenth version of Mitsubishi’s iconic Lancer Evolution models has a new performance flagship model to top its range, the FQ-400.

Extreme Evolution
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400 is the fastest and most extreme version of Mitsubishi’s motorsport derived machine. With 403bhp and 387lb.ft of torque on offer from its advanced, lightweight aluminium 2.0-litre turbocharged MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) petrol engine the FQ-400 is able to reach 62mph from standstill in an estimated 3.8 seconds before reaching an electronically limited 155mph – where permitted.

Traction and handling
Ensuring all the FQ-400’s power is put to good use is Mitsubishi’s sophisticated Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) four-wheel-drive system which appropriates power to the wheels that can best use it, giving the FQ-400 quite sensational cross-country performance.

Extreme Power
To achieve the incredible 403bhp from just 2.0-litres Mitsubishi has had to significantly revise the FQ-400’s advanced powerplant. Motorsport specification high-flow fuel injectors are fitted to the aluminium cylinder head and a new hybrid turbocharger is also fitted. The higher specification turbocharger features low-friction bearings, a high temperature turbine and strengthened thrust bearing to increase response and reduce turbo lag. Feeding the turbocharger cooled air, improving its performance and efficiency, is an enhanced intercooler, while the exhaust’s gasses flow from the engine via a 3-inch diameter high flow stainless steel piping and catalytic convertor before exiting through a centrally positioned exhaust.

Mitsubishi has remapped the Engine Control Unit (ECU) extensively with over 500 hours of development time to allow its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine to not just produce its exceptional output but to do so with excellent driveability. The FQ-400’s acceleration is sensational, it pulling hard through the gears regardless of engine revs. With peak torque of 387lb.ft on offer from just 3,500rpm, the FQ-400 is just as able to trickle through town traffic as it is taking a rally special stage.

© Source: seriouswheels
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