Saturday, July 26, 2008
Renault Megane III coupe caught uncloaked in U.S!
Following the leaked images of the 5dr Megane and a journalist getting arrested, spies have caught the 3dr completely undisguised in the U.S, getting ready for a photoshoot. The new Renault Megane III will be launched at the Paris Motor Show in October and as you can see, will be a strong departure from the current Megane design.
The 5dr and 3dr Megane are almost ready for production with sales kicking off just before early 2009, after the debut.
Related links:
Renault takes a scenic route
'08 Renault Megane undisguised
2010 Renault SportMegane?
Motorshow: 2008 British International Motorshow
Yesterday, we attended the British International Motorshow (BIM). Although, in the morning it wasn't crowded, during the afternoon, it was heaving.
Its not surprising that Ford attracted heaps of attention thanks to the new Fiesta hatchback and Kuga SUV. Both cars had people swarming around them, particularly the Fiesta. So much so, there was a queue just to sit inside it. To draw more people in, Ford did a song and dance exclusively for the Fiesta's launch. The Fiesta looks just as good in pictures as in real life.
The Top Gear stand showed off Richard Hammond's pink Suzuki Vitara police car, alongside James May Lexus LS and Jeremy Clarksons Fiat Coupe police cars. Although the cars belonged to the BBC, no-one was allowed to sit in them.
The all-new Nissan Murano showed up with the Qashqai+2, Cube Denki and GT-R super-car, including the half-cut GT-R. The Qashqai+2 is a slightly revised and longer version of the regular Qashqai, just with a tweaked bootlid, boxier roofline and radiator grille.
The Murano sat alongside another 2 new Murano's. The interior was defiantly an improved over the outgoing model. Its fresh, practical and stylish. The front fascia turned me and others off since it looked as if the headlamps and radiator grille seamlessly blended into one, unlike the previous model. The 3.5 V6 petrol engine now emits 261g/km of CO2 and returns 18.5mpg around town and 25mpg combined. The current V6 emitted 295g/km CO2 and had a combined fuel economy of 23mpg. A diesel isn't planned but could find its way under the hood sometime in 2010. Both the Qashqai+2 and Murano crossover will go on sale in October with the Murano statring at £33k. All 3 GT-R's were on stands so no-one had any access into the cars. The Cube Denki looked chic and stylish. Its LED headlamps turned many heads along with its futuristic exterior and interior. The production version of the Cube will be unveiled at the Los Angeles motorshow in October.
The Renault Megane concept wowed the crowds with its unique gull-wing opening doors and its sleek, smooth exterior styling. This will be its last motorshow debut, before the production model premieres at October's Paris autoshow. The Laguna Coupe concept also stood with the Megane in its own stand. A production-version of the Kangoo MPV will go on sale in Spring 2009.
The Top Gear stand showed off Richard Hammond's pink Suzuki Vitara police car, alongside James May Lexus LS and Jeremy Clarksons Fiat Coupe police cars. Although the cars belonged to the BBC, no-one was allowed to sit in them.
The all-new Nissan Murano showed up with the Qashqai+2, Cube Denki and GT-R super-car, including the half-cut GT-R. The Qashqai+2 is a slightly revised and longer version of the regular Qashqai, just with a tweaked bootlid, boxier roofline and radiator grille.
The Murano sat alongside another 2 new Murano's. The interior was defiantly an improved over the outgoing model. Its fresh, practical and stylish. The front fascia turned me and others off since it looked as if the headlamps and radiator grille seamlessly blended into one, unlike the previous model. The 3.5 V6 petrol engine now emits 261g/km of CO2 and returns 18.5mpg around town and 25mpg combined. The current V6 emitted 295g/km CO2 and had a combined fuel economy of 23mpg. A diesel isn't planned but could find its way under the hood sometime in 2010. Both the Qashqai+2 and Murano crossover will go on sale in October with the Murano statring at £33k. All 3 GT-R's were on stands so no-one had any access into the cars. The Cube Denki looked chic and stylish. Its LED headlamps turned many heads along with its futuristic exterior and interior. The production version of the Cube will be unveiled at the Los Angeles motorshow in October.
The Renault Megane concept wowed the crowds with its unique gull-wing opening doors and its sleek, smooth exterior styling. This will be its last motorshow debut, before the production model premieres at October's Paris autoshow. The Laguna Coupe concept also stood with the Megane in its own stand. A production-version of the Kangoo MPV will go on sale in Spring 2009.
Like many other cars at the show, Telsa didn't let anyone sit inside their new Roadster, which uses electricity to power it. A host of other electric cars were on display like the Smart ED, G-Wiz, Paggio Porter and the Quiet Car Company electric car.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Oil-burning Ford F-150 uncovered
The 2010 Ford F-150 diesel was caught under-going gruelling testing in Death Valley, CA and spy photographers were able to get detailed shots confirming that the prototype is indeed carrying a diesel engine.
Inside the cabin, a "Diesel Fuel Only" warning sticker sits below the redesigned gauge cluster, warning drivers not to fuel with petrol.
A quick look inside the F-150's fuel door revealed a urea fill port alongside the regular diesel fuel port. The urea port will allow use of an aqueous urea, which acts as a selective catalytic reducer, allowing the new F-150 diesel to meet emissions requirements. The urea tank is sized to be filled at the F-150's regular oil change intervals. A Powerstroke labeled engine cover makes it pretty clear that Ford will carry over its brand name from the heavy-duty diesel engine.
Fitted with a 4.4 litre V8, sources say the 2010 F-150 diesel will benefit from a 9% increase in power and a 15% increase in torque, while delivering a 20% increase in fuel economy when compared to Ford's current 5.4 litre V8 petrol engine. Expect the Expedition SUV to be carrying the same diesel engine in 2010.
The facelifted F-150 pick-up will go on sale in the U.S, late 2008 with the diesel engine on sale in late 2009, marketed as a 2010 model.
Moronic teenager plows new M3 coupe into a home (U.S)
This is what happens when you buy a childish 19 year old boy a brand new BMW M3 coupe. The teen picks up a couple of friends and decides to unleash 414bhp in a residential area.
Fortunately, apart from a few bruises and scratches, no-one was seriously injured during this incident. The young adults fled the scene, as soon as the M3 landed on its side in front of the house, only to be caught shortly after by the police. It just makes you wonder why on earth the parents bought him such a powerful car. Personally, if I bought my son a car just as powerful, I'd make sure I can trust him with my life before letting him climb into the drivers seat....
This is no surprise. A 19 year old teenager from Florida thought it would be cool if he had a drag race in his parents 2008 BMW M5 sedan, unfortunately this cost him and his friends their lives after the car struck a tree at 170 mph...
One of the passengers story:
crazy ****ing night....so my girlfriend had a kickback last night at her house. An hour after I arrive, a kid in a brand new 08 M3 shows up...car doesn't even have 1000 miles on it yet...so me and 2 others decide to go for a little ride in it...car was ridiculously loud and fast....so we go up and down a hill a few times to warm the car up...then the genius decides to put it in M mode....he floores it up the hill...****ing fastest **** ever...then he loses control...hopes a curb...car turns sideways...and we end up in someones front yard...everyone walked out though thank god...I think my thumb is broken and I have a bruise on my collar bone from the seat belt. BMW crash system was amazing...I don't know how anyone could survive that we were probably going 60 mph....
We ran and **** like that...they weren't very nice about it (meaning the police). Took my phone and started reading all my texts and going through my contacts and ****
Let me know what you think by hitting "Post a comment"
Press photos: British motorshow 2008
Although I couldn't afford to goto the press day on Tuesday 22nd July, I have found a photo gallery and video of the press day on the AutoBild website.
The Vauxhall Insignia, Nissan Qashqai+2, Honda OSM, Alfa Romeo MiTo and many more, had their world debut in London. Since I am going tomorrow, I will take as many pictures as possible.
Via AutoBild > Full photo gallery
Press day video is in German!
Infiniti G37 sedan and coupe, EX37 and FX pricing announced (ES)
Infiniti has released European specifications and prices for the Spanish market ahead of its launch in October.
Overall, Infiniti’s European line-up will consist of four models; G37 sedan and coupe, EX37 and FX. Prices in Spain will start from €42,500 for the entry-level 320PS G37 sedan to a cool €77,000 for the fully-equipped 390PS FX50S. Not bad considering the Mercedes ML500 which produces 388bhp starts at €80,700.
Spain isn’t the only market where Infiniti sales are about to start. October will also see the cars introduced in Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and Greece with prices for these markets set to be announced at the end of the summer. Sales will start in late 2009 in other European countries.
G37 sedan:
G37 42.500,00 €
G37 GT 44.100,00 €
G37S 46.600,00 €
G37 coupé:
G37 44.500,00 €
G37 GT 46.100,00 €
G37S 48.600,00 €
EX37:
EX37 51.500,00 €
EX37 GT 53.450,00 €
FX:
FX37 GT 58.500,00 €
FX37S 61.250,00 €
FX50S 77.000,00 €
(*) The Recommended Retail Price includes V.A.T. (16%), delivery and First Registration Tax. Costs of registration are not included.
Starting October 2008:
Belgium
Bulgaria
France
Greece
Italy
Netherlands
Poland
Spain
Switzerland
Late 2009:
Austria
Germany
Ireland
Sweden
United Kingdom
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Toyota sales plummeting (EU)
Toyota, the company which once seemed to have the Midas touch as far as winning new customers was concerned, must be scratching its head to work out what it is doing wrong just now in Europe, where its sales are tumbling faster than any of its competitors.
Most major players are suffering from the recent economic downturn, which has hit the Italian and Spanish markets particularly hard, but Toyota is the worst-hit of all the major manufacturers, with European sales crashing 19% in June alone.
The company’s premium Lexus division is suffering a similar decline, dipping below troubled Jaguar. It is miles adrift of BMW, Mercedes and Audi and has a big credibility gap to fill.
Despite building the vast majority of its mainstream cars at European plants and trumpeting they are designed by and for Europeans, Toyota’s range doesn’t seem to be top of anyone’s shopping list just at the moment.
The company’s understandable decision not to get involved in price cutting doesn’t help either, in an increasingly cut-throat market.
Toyota’s range starts well enough, with the extremely frugal Aygo hatchback, a Czech-built joint venture with Peugeot-Citroen which has brought some new younger customers to the brand. This minimalist 1.0-litre car, in three-door and five-door versions, manages to look better than its French sisters and is affordable too.
Above the Aygo is the Yaris hatchback, built in Toyota's factory in France. This is another economical choice although it is a little on the expensive side, particularly as it has to compete in one of the most hotly contested sectors of the whole European car market with buyers spolit for choice these days in terms of stylish, good quality bargain buys.
So far, so good - small cars are never going to lack buyers in the current climate. It is further up the range where things begin to look worse.
Toyota’s Auris hatchback, which is built in England, competes head on with the class-leading VW Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall/Opel Astra. Honda’s launch of the very bold new Civic made the Auris look particularly timid by comparison.
Next up in the Toyota pecking order is the ageing Avensis, also British-built and available as a four-door saloon, five-door hatchback and estate car but is getting replaced next year.
This is the classic configuration adopted by rivals like the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall/Opel Vectra, but the whole sector has been shrinking as people switch to cars with premium badges.
The Avensis comes across as perfectly adequate but nothing special. A lot of them seem to end up as taxis, whose drivers appreciate their bullet-proof reputation for reliability.
Toyota has a decent smaller MPV, the Verso, built in Turkey, which is once again competent but not a class-leader. It gains plenty of green kudos from the presence of the hybrid Prius, but rather fewer sales.
Despite some good engines the company hasn’t made the most of its sports models, and the decision to drop the distinctive Celica and MR2 without replacement did little to help Toyota’s image among enthusiasts.
Toyota’s prolonged success with 4x4's, particularly with the class-leading RAV4, also seems to be coming to an end with the arrival of Volkswagen’s newer, funkier Tiguan, and other European rivals. The larger Land Cruiser models, meanwhile, like all big 4x4s, are suffering from the double whammy of fuel prices and hefty new CO2 taxes.
In Germany, one of Europe’s biggest car market, Toyota’s share of the market has declined steeply to a just 3.6 per cent, down from 4.2% in 2007.
Globally, Toyota is now predicting sales of 9.5 million vehicles this year, down from a previous estimate of 9.85 million. As well as Europe, sales are falling in Japan, but expanding in new markets like China, Russia, India and Brazil - in the latter Toyota recently announced it is building a new 150,000-vehicle plant to come on stream by 2011. In Australia, Toyota sold over 25,000 cars in June.
This is all well and good, but Toyota can’t afford to lose its way in Europe, at a time when rival Nissan doing well with its new products, particularly the Qashqai.
Toyota still has a great reputation for reliability, but badly needs attractive new cars that connect with the consumer and are more than just a dependable appliance.
The company’s slogan used to be: “The Car In Front Is A Toyota” but nowadays that certainly doesn’t mean at the front of the pack.
Help will soon be at hand, with the first new Toyota model due to see the light of day being the tiny iQ microcar in January 2009. This should be followed by the Urban Cruiser small SUV in late spring.
However, the competition is far from standing still so let’s hope something interesting can be pulled out of the hat in the middle of the range too, or those sales figures could keep tumbling yet awhile.
Via Autosavant > Toyota sales plummet in Europe
Fiat 500 Abarth deposits taken online (UK)
Customers who want a 500 Abarth will have to place their deposits down online. However, if you decide to change your mind, your £500 is fully refundable.
Final prices for the 135bhp car haven't been set yet, but insiders say it will cost around £12,500. Deliveries will begin in early 2009.
You can place your deposits here.
Related links:
Fiat announces 500 cabrio
Fiat 500 sold out in the UK
FIAT 500 at 2008 F1 Grand Prix
FIAT 500 UK pricing
FIAT 500 production expands again
FIAT 500 crash test results
Private importers import FIAT 500 in UK
FIAT 500 production expands
FIAT 500 goes off-road
FIAT 500 Abarth expected in Tokyo
FIAT 500 goes on sale in France & Italy
FIAT 500 commercial shoot pictures
Ford Focus RS deposits roll in (UK)
Ahead of its world-wide debut today in London, the Ford Focus RS had received 11 deposits of £1,000 according to dealers. More deposits are expected in coming months, alongside a huge waiting list.
One dealer said: "The interest in the car is phenomenal, and Ford will be trying to maintain that level of interest by ensuring the car is always desirable – we'll be building less than we can sell" .
Related links:
Jaguar XK to get diesel engine
Jaguar engineers are currently hard at work on a diesel-powered XK.
Despite saying at launch that the coupe and cabriolet will only be petrol-fuelled, senior engineering sources have revealed that the economic situation has forced a rethink, as well as the success of the BMW 635d.
Power for the diesel will come from the uprated twin-turbo 3.0-litre version of the 2.7 V6 TD currently used in the XF and XJ sedans. It is likely to produce over 250bhp and should ensure that the XK is easily capable of over 30mpg in normal driving conditions.
The diesel will appear in the 2009 facelifted XK.
Related links:
'09 Jaguar XK facelift
Upcoming Jaguar and Land Rover rumors
Vauxhall Insignia pricing announced (UK)
Vauxhall has announced pricing on one of its most important models to ever land in the UK, the Insignia. The Mondeo rival will start at £15, 935 for the base "S" trim-level. For your money, you get:
Driver's and front passenger's airbags
Front seat side-impact airbags
Full-size curtain airbags
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
Active-safety front seat head restraints
Air conditioning
Hot Shot (heated washer fluid)
Cruise control
Automatic lighting control
Remote control security alarm
Electric four-way lumbar adjustment on driver's seat
Electric height adjustable driver's seat
Steering column adjustable for reach and rake
Remote control central deadlocking
CD 300 stereo radio/CD player
Steering wheel mounted audio controls
Electrically operated front windows
Electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors
Front seat side-impact airbags
Full-size curtain airbags
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
Active-safety front seat head restraints
Air conditioning
Hot Shot (heated washer fluid)
Cruise control
Automatic lighting control
Remote control security alarm
Electric four-way lumbar adjustment on driver's seat
Electric height adjustable driver's seat
Steering column adjustable for reach and rake
Remote control central deadlocking
CD 300 stereo radio/CD player
Steering wheel mounted audio controls
Electrically operated front windows
Electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors
Next up is the Exclusiv grade which features the "S" equipment plus:
17-inch Structure wheels with ultra-low profile tyres
Cruise control
CD 300 stereo radio/CD player
Steering wheel mounted audio controls
Body-colour door handles
Chrome-effect exterior window surround
Single-zone electronic climate control
Front seat side-impact airbags
Full-size curtain airbags
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
Steering column adjustable for reach and rake
Remote control ultrasonic security alarm
Rear seat drinks holders
Front map reading lights
Two rear reading lights
DVD 800 Navi satellite navigation with colour monitor/stereo radio/CD player*
*Only available with Exclusiv Nav at £17,185
Exclusiv starts at £16,735
SRi features Exclusiv features, plus:
18-inch alloy wheels with ultra-low profile tyres
Lowered and uprated sports suspension
Aluminium pedals
Sports instruments
Leather-covered sports steering wheel
Front seat side-impact airbags
Full-size curtain airbags
Visible exhaust tailpipe
Ergonomic sports front seats with extendable seat cushion
Electrically operated rear windows
Cruise control
CD 300 stereo radio/CD player
Steering wheel mounted audio controls
Body-colour door handles
Chrome-effect exterior window surround
Lowered and uprated sports suspension
Aluminium pedals
Sports instruments
Leather-covered sports steering wheel
Front seat side-impact airbags
Full-size curtain airbags
Visible exhaust tailpipe
Ergonomic sports front seats with extendable seat cushion
Electrically operated rear windows
Cruise control
CD 300 stereo radio/CD player
Steering wheel mounted audio controls
Body-colour door handles
Chrome-effect exterior window surround
Adaptive four wheel drive*
DVD 800 Navi satellite navigation with colour monitor/stereo radio/CD player**
The SRi starts at £18,285
* SRi 4x4 starts at £21,885
** SRi Nav starts at £19,085
SRi Nav 4x4 starts at £22,685
SE features SRi equipment plus:
18-inch alloy wheels with ultra-low profile tyres
Electronic parking brake with Hill Strart Assist (HSA)
Electronic parking brake with Hill Start Assist
Driver's seat with tilt adjustment
Electric height adjustable passenger's seat
Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers
Tunnel detection for automatic lighting control
Electrically operated rear windows
Visible exhaust tailpipe
CDC 400 integral six-disc CD autochanger with MP3 format
Stereo radio with DAB
Graphic Information Display
Electronic parking brake with Hill Strart Assist (HSA)
Electronic parking brake with Hill Start Assist
Driver's seat with tilt adjustment
Electric height adjustable passenger's seat
Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers
Tunnel detection for automatic lighting control
Electrically operated rear windows
Visible exhaust tailpipe
CDC 400 integral six-disc CD autochanger with MP3 format
Stereo radio with DAB
Graphic Information Display
Adaptive four wheel drive*
DVD 800 Navi satellite navigation with colour monitor/stereo radio/CD player**
SE pricing starts at £18,985
*SE 4x4 starts at £22,585
**SE Nav starts at £19,785
SE 4x4 Nav starts at £23,385
Elite features SE, plus:
Dual-zone electronic climate control with heat reflective windscreen and humidity sensor
Front and rear parking distance sensors
Front fog lights
18-inch alloy wheels with ultra-low profile tyres
Electronic parking brake with Hill Strart Assist (HSA)
Driver's seat with tilt adjustment
Electric height adjustable passenger's seat
Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers
Driver's and front passenger's airbags
Front seat side-impact airbags
Full-size curtain airbags
Adaptive four wheel drive*
DVD 800 Navi satellite navigation with colour monitor/stereo radio/CD player**
Elite starts at £20,985
*Elite 4x4 starts at £24,585
**Elite Nav starts at £21,785
Elite 4x4 Nav starts at £25,385
Unfortunately, the 4x4 models are only available with a 2.0i litre petrol engine mated to both manual and automatic transmissions. Following the sedan and hatchback is a wagon, which is due next year and the powerful VXR/OPC sport variants. These are set to be powered by a 2.8i litre V6, which are borrowed from Saab. The new Insignia is primarily designed for Europe and the UK is expected to be the most important market.
Sales begin today with first deliveries expected this Winter.
Ford Fiesta pricing announced (UK)
The all-new Ford Fiesta hatchback will start at £8,695 for the entry-level Studio trim-level, undercutting the recently launched Seat Ibiza by £300.
The firm also took the wraps of the sporty, range topping Zetec S, which gets body colour front and rear bumper skirts – self coloured sport grille insert, front fog lights , 16” 5-spoke alloy wheels, halogen projector headlights with chrome surround, lowered sports suspension, sports seats, air conditioning. leather steering wheel, trip computer and perimeter alarm. This will cost £12,595.
The most popular model is expected to be the Zetec trim, which costs from £10,995 and features 15" alloy wheels, ambient lighting pack, chrome lower front grille surround, chrome belt line finisher, front fog lights with chrome surround, halogen projector headlights with chrome surround. chrome tailgate handle, leather steering wheel and trip computer.
The company also revealed that the Fiesta ECOnetic – the greenest supermini currently available – with a CO2 emissions of just 98g/km, will cost £11,845. Featuring a specially tuned 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine, lowered suspension and low rolling resistance tyres, it returns 76.3mpg and is exempt from road tax, as well as the London Congestion Charge.
The firm also took the wraps of the sporty, range topping Zetec S, which gets body colour front and rear bumper skirts – self coloured sport grille insert, front fog lights , 16” 5-spoke alloy wheels, halogen projector headlights with chrome surround, lowered sports suspension, sports seats, air conditioning. leather steering wheel, trip computer and perimeter alarm. This will cost £12,595.
The most popular model is expected to be the Zetec trim, which costs from £10,995 and features 15" alloy wheels, ambient lighting pack, chrome lower front grille surround, chrome belt line finisher, front fog lights with chrome surround, halogen projector headlights with chrome surround. chrome tailgate handle, leather steering wheel and trip computer.
The most luxurious model will be the Titanium, which will cost from £12,095, features 16” 17-spoke alloy wheels, Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC), power fold mirrors, privacy glass, cruise control, automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers, floor mats and a perimeter alarm.
Diesel engines will consist of 67bhp 1.4 or 89bhp 1.6 TDCI units. The petrol line-up will range from a 60bhp or 81bhp 1.25-litre, 95bhp 1.4 and a brand new 118bhp 1.6-litre Ti-VCT engine.
The Fiesta will go on sale in the UK during Autumn 2008.
Today is the press day at the London motorshow with prime-mister, Gordon Brown attending, along with reality-show star Christopher Biggins.
Related link:
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