Three of Italy’s most stunning cars, Alfa’s 8C Competizione and Maserati’s GrandTurismo and Quattroporte, are being recalled stateside.
Incorrectly torqued front and rear suspension upper and lower ball joint nuts are the issue at hand necessitating the recall. The problem could cause failure of the ball joint stud, resulting in damage or separation of the suspension arm.
On the streets of today’s China there are a growing number of new icons that Mao Zedong never dreamed of, with prestigious names like Rolex, Louis Vuitton — and Buick?
Look anywhere in China and there they are: Buick sedans, Buick station wagons, even Buick police cars. The old symbols are still there: the monuments, the uniforms, even the red flag. Six decades after the communist revolution, China has become the hottest capitalist engine on earth. And ironically, some of the most revered symbols of success in today’s China are Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet.
The pace of new car registrations in France slowed abruptly in October as consumers postponed purchases of big-ticket items due to increasing gloom about the economic outlook. Latest data by the car manufacturers’ association showed a drop of 7.3% in registrations last month compared with the same period a year earlier.
Unlike most other automobile markets in western Europe, France held up well over the first nine months, underpinned by the introduction of a system of bonuses and penalties aimed at dissuading consumers from buying fuel-thirsty cars and encouraging them to buy more environmentally friendly models.
Mercedes could unveil this new mid-engined model sometime around 2010.
Yummmmy!
VW plans to release super-efficient vehicle in 2010
That’s right – 2010. Motor Authority reported late last year that Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn confirmed that the VW L1 could potentially hit the market in 2010. Fuel consumption is reported to be around 1L/100km, which translates into 235 miles per gallon.
The 0.3L one-cylinder engine would reach a top speed of 75 mph according to EcoGeek. A highway vehicle that gets over 200 mpg? This sounds too good to be true.The obvious drawback to this vehicle is styling. Another interesting thing to note: this two-seater is different than most because the passenger sits behind the driver.
Increasing gas prices hurting American wallets
With oil reaching $126 a barrel today, SUV and truck owners are desperately trying to sell their trucks and SUVs but at considerable discounts. Dealerships are also starting to feel the pinch at the pump. Edmunds.com reported that cash rebates and incentives for SUVs reached over $4000 in March as unwanted SUV inventories pile up at dealerships.
In April alone, SUV sales fell 32.3% compared to a year earlier while small vehicle sales rose 18.6 percent. Crossover vehicle sales have also seen a boost in sales. Twice as many crossovers were sold compared to SUVs in March according to the Auto Dealers Association.
When It Comes To Naming Car Models, Who Takes The Cake?
Japan! The best part of this research, however, was the process of combing through the names of cars sold in Japan with odd English titles… Daihatsu Motor Naked; Honda Life Dunk and That’s; Isuzu GIGA 20 Light Dump and Mysterious Utility; Mazda Motor Bongo; Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear and Pistachio; Nissan Fairlady Z and Prairie Joy; Rickman Space Ranger; Rinspeed X-Dream; Suzuki Cappucino; Toyota Motor Deliboy and Toyopet; Volkswagen Thing and Volugrafo Bimbo.
In Abu Dhabi, a G55 AMG owner trying to outdo his neighbor’s Porsche Cayenne Turbo, decided to swap in the 5.5L 720 hp supercharged V8 engine found on the SLR McLaren. The result is a SUV capable of doing 0-60 in 4.2 seconds.
A Word from ImportsGuy: While this is a crazy accomplishment, I think its pretty pointless to do. In the end its still an SUV so by putting this extra horsepower into it, its just begging for you to lose control of it, or for the owner to sit at a light burning rubber for hours.
Mercedes Benz has announced that the new S400 BlueHybrid, set to go on sale in Europe mid-2009, will be using a lithium-ion battery. The S400 BlueHybrid will be the first production hybrid to use the lithium-ion technology. It will be powered by a 3.5 Liter V6 engine combined with an electric motor, which is good for 299 hp and 277 lb ft of torque. It hits 0-62 in 7.3 seconds, while still maintaining a low emissions level and 29.7 average mpg.
Green BMW To Roll Out At Geneva
BMW has announced they will reveal the X5 diesel/hybrid, dubbed Vision, at the Geneva auto show. With the X5 Vision being designed to silence the critics of big SUVs, the Vision claims to be as economical and clean as a modern sedan. The X5 Vision will be powered by a twin turbo 2.0 liter common rail diesel engine, paired with a 15 kilowatt electric motor. The diesel is rated at 204 hp and 295 tq, while the electric motor produces 155 lb ft of torque.
New Audi Wagon Set for Fall Release
Audi has completed their redesigned lineup with the introduction of the new A4 avant wagon. The wagon set to debut in the fall will have a turbo charged four liter engine as its base engine. The Avant will also be equipped with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system and features a new retuned suspension. On the inside the A4 gets new climate controls and safety system. The safety system will control the force of the airbag deployment and the tension of the seat belts.
Ford is set to debut their global small car at the Geneva Auto Show. The joint development of the Fiesta by Ford’s European, African, Asian, American and Australian divisions marks the Fiesta as the first car to come from Ford’s global product development process. This means that there will specific models for the different markets. Sales will begin this fall in Europe, with 5 different engine options available, 3 gas and 2 diesel. The Fiesta will arrive in North America as a 2010 model, as a five door model, with the 3 door still being a possibility.
French Car Maker to Run Diesel in Le Mans
For their first North American race, Peugeot has decided to run their diesel powered car in the American Le Mans Series’ 12 Hours of Sebring. They will attempt to join Audi as the only other manufacturer to win with a diesel car in the event. Audi won with their TDI powered R10. During testing in January, Peugeot’s car posted up the fastest lap time on the course.
With Porsche’s introduction of the GT3 RS, many thought this was their idea of a street-going race car. But now comes the GT3 RS Cup S, a true track monster. The Cup has pretty much the same 3.6 liter boxer engine that is used in the Carrera Cup championships and the Mobil 1 supercup. With 440hp at 8000 rpm and 317lb-ft torque at 7250 rpms this car is more than capable on the track. With 10.5 in. wide wheels in the front, 12in wide wheels in the back, and a rear spoiler taller than some kids, grip and downforce are not a problem. On the track is where this car will truly shine, as the suspension is more than likely way too stiff for daily driving. So for the car enthusiast looking for that weekend track car that will satisfy all his or her racing desires, the Cup S is perfect car for them. The only thing that may come in the way is the $362000 price tag, 2.5 times that of the GT3RS.
One of Britain’s biggest leasing companies has revealed its top second-hand choices
Lex carried out a study to reveal which models are going to be worth the most on the second-hand market – and there’s good news for MINI, Mercedes, Audi and Honda. While the trendy supermini ranks first in the top 20 used cars of 2007, Audi is crowned the most coveted brand in the rundown. The prestige German maker’s TT and A5 sports cars occupy second and third places in the line-up respectively – and Mercedes has two models in the top 10.
2008 January: Smart Cars Head For The U.S.
The French-built Smarts come rolling off container ships in January. The company says it has already received 30,000 preorders, each involving a $99 deposit. “Americans are begging for this car,” says Smart USA President David C. Schembri. To be more exact, it’s Americans living in cities along both coasts that seem most interested in getting a Smart, which starts at $12,000 and gets about 40 mpg. NEWSWEEK’s Tara Weingarten talked to Schembri about how a Smart might do in a run-in with an SUV, why Consumer Reports hated the Smart, and if Americans are too fat to fit in such a small car. Measurements of a Smart: 8.5 Ft long, 5.5 Ft wide.
How Russia Is Increasing Their Population
Don’t be surprised if the streets are empty and curtains drawn in this central Russian region Wednesday as residents take up an offer by the regional governor to help stem Russia’s demographic crisis. Ulyanovsk Gov. Sergei Morozov has decreed Sept. 12 a Day of Conception and is giving couples time off from work to procreate. Couples who give birth nine months later on Russia’s national day — June 12– will receive money, cars, refrigerators and other prizes. It’s the third year that the Volga River region, about 550 miles east of Moscow, has held the contest. Since then, the number of competitors — and the number of babies born — has been on the rise. June 12 is a significant day because it is the holiday known as Russia Day (when the Russian parliament formally declared its sovereignty).
China Has The Worst Marketing. UFO, CEO? Are Those Supposed To Sound Cool?
The history of consumer items originated in the West, but copied and perfected in Asia is long. Will cars now be added to that list? Yes, according to DaimlerChrysler, which claims that a Chinese auto manufacturer is blatantly cloning one of its designs. Shuanghuan has denied that Noble is a copy of Smart Fortwo, or its CEO of BMW’s X5. Take a look at these copycat pictures, you’ll be amazed by the similarities. Would someone please send them some designers and marketing professionals. Please!
High-end auto maker Bugatti is driving into the gadget/home appliance business, giving everyone the chance to spend way too much money on something just because of a brand name. Bugatti is bringing their experience with engineering sports cars into the equally fast-paced world of toasters. Talk about degrading a name. Don’t put this on your Christmas list just yet… Price: $300 a toaster. Perhaps this one toasts bread really really fast. White bread to burnt bread in 8.8 seconds!
Get special car tips & industry inside knowledge. Also secret discounts and a market report. Sign up for your inside scoop today!
Rss Feed
|
Sitemap
|
Technorati Users
|
