Mercedes SL Facelift Revealed

Mercedes-Benz has just released details about the reworked SL range. We brought you leaked images of the new model last week, which showed a much more aggressive front end that resembles the headlights on the CLS and the grill of the CL. The new look certainly is more contemporary than before and does fit in well with the rest of Merc’s new range in terms of design but early comments have been the front can look awkward from some angles. Not much has changed at the rear in terms of design. The SL is the world’s most successful premium roadster and has been in production since 1954 with the introduction of the 300 SL (Gullwing). In total, Mercedes-Benz has produced more that 630,000 SL roadsters. Mercedes-Benz describes the SL as sports car...

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Corvette ZR1 Police Car

Imagine cruising in Michigan, going a smidge over the speed limit, when you see through your rear-view mirror a ZR1 with mars lights racing up behind you. If you're anything like us, you would probably need to change your Jockeys after such a sight. Luckily for us, the Michigan State Police Corvette ZR1 Bob Lutz posted to the GM FastLane Blog earlier today is not exactly a reality. Lutz is the Vice-Chairman at General Motors. We called the Michigan State PD just to be safe, and they assured us that they are not taking possession of any $100,000 cars... no matter how fun it would be to drive. The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has a LS9 supercharged 6.2L V8 engine, getting 620 horsepower and 595 ft-lb of torque. With a race hardened six-speed...

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BRABUS presents PowerXtra D6 BLUE Kit

When the aftermarket applies its go-faster magic to Mercedes products, it usually focuses on the already-hot AMG versions. BRABUS has set its sights a bit greener with its just-introduced Power Xtra D6 BLUE kit developed specifically for the new E300 BLUETEC. The kit boosts the diesel's output by 47 horses.The power gain is accomplished by means of an auxiliary engine management system that's designed to work in harmony with the BLUETEC's special catalysts and exhaust filters. The result is 258 horsepower and a stunning 450 ft-lb of torque from the 3.0 liter diesel V6. BRABUS claims a 6.8-second 0-62 mph sprint and a limited top speed of 155. The power gain is accomplished with no loss of fuel economy, as well. A modified suspension,...

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BMW X5 by Hamann

After a long series of mods on several BMW models, HAMANN has now created a series of pretty special X5 models, clad with a range of 20, 22 and 23-inch wheels, smoked to perfection, HAMANN style.Pimping this car stylistically hasn’t been the only thing on HAMMAN’s minds though. Touches have gone beyond the ordinary, with changes visible from flat-bottomed, velvet-covered (aka alcantara) steering wheel, foot pedals clearly meant for performance purposes and extensive I.C.E. options.This being a HAMANN, as opposed to a Versace conversion, performance has to match the talk. And in this regard the four engine plants fitted in the standard car have received treatment that goes a little beyond what Munich intended. At the forefront is the 4.8i V8,...

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Alfa Romeo Spider by Novitec

Novitec has added some finishing touches to the new Alfa Romeo Spider, just in time for the cabrio season. The open two-seater was voted Cabrio of the Year 2006 after its launch at the Geneva Motor Show that year. Novitec has designed a new front bumper and rear diffuser to underline the aerodynamics and to make it stand out from the factory spec Spiders. Novitec also bolted on a new stainless steel rear silencer accentuating the sound, while the four tailpipes (115x85 mm ovals) add some aggressiveness to the back end. Novitec also supplies some new footwear for the Alfa Spider, 20 inch N9 multi-piece rims wrapped in Pirelli 255/30R20 rubber while the suspension, adjustable in height from 35 mm to 75 mm and ride stiffness, ensures optimum ...

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BMW 320d Cabrio and 125i to Debut at Geneva

Today, BMW UK spilled the beans on their Geneva world debuts, the ones they want us know about in advance. No big surprises yet, BMW will show the new BMW 320d Convertible and 125i Coupé to an eager audience at the Geneva Motor Show starting March 4 alongside an EfficientDynamics Concept car. The BMW 320d Convertible uses a 2.0 liter engine, also found in the other 320d models, producing 177 hp and 350 Nm of torque. The cabrio will accelerate from stand-still to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 8.6 seconds, has a top speed of 139 mph (224 km/h) and manages a very respectable 53.3 mpg. The 320d Cabrio will go on sale in March 2008 priced at GBP 33,110 in the UK (approximately 44,500 Euro) while the M Sport model is priced slightly higher at GBP 35,735 (48,00...

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Monster Motorbike For Motor Show

The Australian monster will be on show at the Melbourne Motor Show which runs from 29 February. What’s the Australian monster, you might ask? Is it a mutant kangaroo? No. Is it perhaps a pet Tazmanian devil? Wrong again. It’s a 13 ton/ 28 660 pound two-wheeler devised by Ray Baumann, a man who used to make a living out of trying to stop his own living. He was a stunt driver who has also driven trains, among other lifestyle activities.Powered by a Detroit Diesel truck engine, mated to a 6-speed Allison automatic, this thing stands almost 9 metres/ 29.5ft long and more than 3 metres/ 9.8ft high. In fact, as seen in these pics, a full grown man doesn’t even stand up to one of the Monster Motorbike’s wheels. Caterpillar provided these wheels straight...

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Ford developing turbocharged F-150

Dodge started a trend with the mighty (flawed) V10-powered Ram. Ford is now rumoured to be reenacting that scene with a turbocharged F150.Pickuptruck.com says the Raptor, as it is codenamed, will be longer than the standard vehicle. Lower suspension, wider track, uprated brakes, Fox Racing-developed shocks, are just some of the “improvements” expected. Standard tyre size will range between 30 and 35 inches, thus stupefying almost anything else next to it.A V8 turbo is not out of the question, something in excess of 500 bhp/ 373kW, and top speeds not normally associated with an event of this magnitude. Looks will be vastly different from the pictures you see of the standard vehicle.We are by no means averse to such a development; as car nuts...

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2009 Hummer H3T

It is time to reveal the new pick truck, which will be presented to the public in the next Chicago Auto Show. It would take a little longer for us to have the official images, but the magazine Truck Trend broke the embargo date (February 1, 2008) in its last issue.The Hummer H3T is build on the Chevrolet Colorado /H3 architecture. Although based on the SUV, the H3T’s wheelbase is 8,6 cm larger, reaching 3,41 m and allowing the presence of a pretty reasonable separate bed, with 1,5 m. The crew cab ca carry up to five passengers.Engine options range from a Vortec 3.7L I-5 with dual overhead cams and variable valve timing that generates 245 bhp at 5,600 rpm and 328 Nm at 4,600 rpm, mated to a five-speed manual transmition or an optional four-speed...

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New Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz has released the first official pictures of the new C Class Sport Coupe, or else, the CLC, the name the company has decided to give to the hatchback version of the C-Class. In fact, if the German manufacturer had kept the same name, it would be no problem, since it has already kept the old architecture.The CLC will be produced in Brazil, in the Juiz de Fora plant Mercedes-Benz built to produce the A-Class. With the end of its production, this facility almost closed its doors before the company managed to find out what to do with it. The solution was the production of the C-Class Sport Coupe, what in part explains why the company has decided to keep the previous platform structure for the CLC. Boot capacity, for example, is the...

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Is BWM 1 Series tii ready for production?

Few BMW vehicles have been more cherished than the 2002 tii. That is so true since BMW had chosen the car to demonstrate it could rebuild one of its classic vehicles only with spare parts, in 2006, and also used it as the inspiration for the BMW 1 Series Coupe tii Concept, presented at the Tokyo Motor Show. Natural decision, since this is a car BMW fans are eager to buy again. The good news is that it seems the production version of the concept car has been spotted in Germany by the website 1Addicts.com.Although there is no information along with the pictures, many features are exactly the same the BMW 1 Series Coupe tii Concept first presented, such as the wheels, the sports bucket seats with Alcantara cover, the rear air dam and the gurney...

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Tesla Roadster Receives U.S. FMVSS Certification

The green-minded enthusiasts who have put down deposits on Teslas have one less concern weighing on their minds today. In the wake of recent organizational upheaval, Tesla Motors released some good news for those eagerly awaiting the electric sports car's pending introduction. After a final round of crash tests, the Tesla now meets U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). With that hurdle cleared, the car officially meets DOT and EPA requirements to be sold in the United States. Production is scheduled to begin March 17 of this year.According to Malcolm Powell, Vice President of Vehicle Integration with Tesla, crash testing was only part of the gauntlet of tests the Tesla had to pass: windshield defrosting, mirror coverage...

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n2a Motors 789 - A Corvette with Impala touches

What can you expect from an automaker that calls itself n2a, or No Two Alike? A very exclusive vehicle, no doubt about it. And what could be more exclusive than an automobile built over the Corvette C6 platform, but inspired by the 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air and the 1958 and 1959 Chevrolet Impala? At this point, no answer would be easy, but we can provide the right one to you: look at the pictures on this article and consider yourself introduced to the n2a Motors 789.The name of the car, 789, refers to the model years of the Chevrolet vehicles that inspired the creation of n2a. And you can spot the influences pretty easily. Check out the “hooded eyes” and the grille of the 1957 Bel-Air, the middle section and the tri-toned interior, typical of...

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Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid

Shanghai GM, the Chinese arm of the (still) biggest automaker in the world, has announced its “Drive to Green” strategy in order to have a cleaner way of producing cars, as well as cars that pollute even less than the current ones. To prove wrong the ones that may think this is just a statement and nothing else, the company has also presented the first product from the strategy, the Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid.Capable of running 12 km/l of petrol, instead of the 10.2 km/l the regular version is able to achieve, the LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid is, according to Shanghai GM, the “first mainstream hybrid model in China’s upper-medium vehicle segment with volume production”. It offers almost an increase of 20% in fuel economy, but still nothing to be impressed...

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Bertone Reveals First Rescue Plans

Bertone Group’s fate has been given a direction last January 23, 2008, when Lilli Bertone and Domenico Reviglio, owner of the Gruppo Prototipo and turnaround specialist, finally signed a contract that will put Stile Bertone S.p.A., Bertone S.p.A. and Carrozzeria Bertone S.p.A under Reviglio’s control. According to the statement Bertone has released yesterday, 35% of the shares will remain in Ms. Bertone’s hands, while the other 65% will be assigned to Reviglio. “I am fully satisfied with this agreement,” said Lilli Bertone: “It represents a fundamental starting point on the basis of which our work to kick start all our activities, from styling to production, can begin. I have fought long and hard for this result, and I have had to steer...

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Dodge Challenger SRT8 coming soon

The embargo dam has broken on the hugely anticipated Dodge Challenger SRT8 production version, scheduled for its official unveiling at the Chicago auto show next month.Hitting the streets nearly 40 years after the original was first produced, the Challenger will be built atop the LX platform, which also underpins the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Charger.So does it have a Hemi? Yes, Mopar fans, it certainly does: a 6.1-liter V8 to be exact, the same motor found in other SRT models. Producing 425hp and 420lb-ft of torque, this modern interpretation of the iconic muscle car will blast to 60mph in the low five-second range, transmitting power to squealing rubber via a six-speed automatic transmission.The Challenger’s 116-inch wheelbase and four-piston...

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Suzuki ready for first full WRC season

With Finish driver Toni Gardemeister and Swedish driver Per-Gunnar Andersson Suzuki is ready for their first ever full World Rally Championship season. After running in the Corsica and Great Britain rally races last year, Suzuki team is ready to go for the 2008 competition. Andersson won the Junior Rally Championship in a Suzuki Swift 1600 last year.Starting with the Monte Carlo Rally this week, Suzuki will be vying for a a top slot in each of the 15 rally races this year. Awards for the Monte Carlo will be presented on Sunday. Suzuki has ran the race in Monte Carlo six times, but only in the Junior class. This will be their first run in the historic WRC event.Each of the rally teams will use Pirelli control tires with the same tread pattern...

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Fisker Karma Revealed in Detroit

Karma: a term describing that of cause and effect. And so it is appropriate that Fisker Automotive's first production car is so named. Dubbed as a vehicle allowing consumers the good practise of automotive karma, this environmentally-friendly plug-in hybrid is a new breed, bringing the extreme comfort and style of the luxury automobile category to an eco-friendlier one. Cutting-edge technology features at the new Karma's heart. Developed exclusively for Fisker Automotive by Quantum Technologies, Q-DRIVE provides a small petrol engine in turning a generator for power to its lithium-ion battery pack. The technology will be used to power future derivatives under the Fisker brand. Regenerative braking will be employed to regain power otherwise...

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2009 Mitsubishi Lancer RalliArt at Detroit

The Lancer Ralliart model is the latest addition to the sporty Lancer compact car family. This new model reinforces the sporty identity of the Lancer lineup (Lancer, Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Evolution) with aggressive styling and driving performance to be well positioned between the Lancer and the Lancer Evolution models. Lancer Ralliart is powered by a new 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC intercooled and turbocharged engine that develops an estimated 235 horsepower. The engine is mated to Mitsubishi's Twin Clutch-SST gearbox that delivers highly-efficient power transmission while enhancing the sporty driving qualities of the vehicle with lightning-quick, silky-smooth, paddle-actuated shifts or programmed fully-auto modes. The Lancer Ralliart's full-time...

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Corvette ZR1 at Detroit

Chevrolet officially announced the 2009 Corvette ZR1 – an American supercar that brings the technology and engineering refinement of carbon-fiber, ceramics and electronics together in a distinctive design.“Chevrolet’s goal with the new ZR1 is to show what an American supercar can deliver, at a price that trumps exotics that cost two, three or four times as much – and does so with exceptional driveability,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.The ZR1’s basic stats: All-new LS9 supercharged 6.2L V-8 targeted at producing at least 100 horsepower per liter, or 620 horsepower (462 kW), and approximately 595 lb.-ft. of torque (823 Nm)Six-speed, close-ratio, race-hardened manual transmissionNew, high-capacity dual-disc clutchHigher-capacity...

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