Mercedes SL Series

Mercedes SL Series

The first official details of the 2007 Mercedes SL facelift have surfaced online. the car gets an updated grille, and freshened headlamps and taillights. The SL 350 gets an updated V6 engine, with 272 horsepower instead of 245. The SL500 gets a larger V8 with 388 horses, compared to the previous 306. The V12 SL600 gets a bump from 500 horsepower to 517 hp. The SL 55 also gets a boost from 500 to 517 horsepower, via a supercharged V8. The range-topping SL65 remains unchanged, with 612 horses on tap. The V6 model reaches 62 mph in 6.6 seconds, while the SL500 does 5.4 seconds. The SL600 and SL55 tie at 4.5 seconds, leaving potential buyers to choose between a naturally-aspriated or supercharged engine. Lastly, the SL65 continues to rocket to 62mph in around 4.2 seconds.

Range Rover Sport HST

Range Rover Sport HST

Land Rover today unveiled the the Range Rover Sport HST. The new HST will be based on the Supercharged specification with the additional equipment including: electric sunroof, an electronic active locking rear differential and privacy glass. The interior is distinguished by a unique hand polished lined oak trim. The exterior design is the work of the same Land Rover team that created the original Range Stormer. It includes new flush-fitting front and rear bumpers and a new larger open-mouth grille. The front lower air intake is deeper and new front fog lamps are mounted in the spoiler. The lower doors and lower rear boot are body-coloured, making the body sides appear deeper, accentuating the vehicles road-hugging qualities. A new tail spoiler is also fitted, and the special rectangular tail-pipes are close to those used on the original Range Stormer concept vehicle. Further visual impact is provided by the 20 inch Stormer alloy wheels, chromed aluminium side vents and body-coloured door mirror cappings, unique to this derivative. So far, only U.K. pricing of £63,000 has been announced.

Dodge Nitro

Dodge Nitro

Chrysler Group today announced the 2007 Dodge Nitro the first mid-size sport-utility vehicle from the Dodge brand.The Dodge Nitro's styling delivers something extra; that little something mid-size buyers are still searching for attitude, said George Murphy, Senior Vice President - Global Marketing. In addition, the Dodge Nitro offers many features that are not typical of a mid-size SUV, such as two V-6 engines, 20-inch tires and chrome-clad aluminum wheels and a performance suspension. Engine choices include V6 engines at 210 and 255-horsepower.Three models are available: Dodge Nitro, Dodge Nitro SLT and Dodge Nitro R/T. Available on the Dodge Nitro and Dodge Nitro SLT is a 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine. It produces 210 hp (157 kW) @ 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm. The Dodge Nitro R/T features a new 4.0-liter V-6 engine that delivers 255 hp (190 kW) @ 5,800 rpm and 275 lb.-ft. torque (360 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm. Standard on the Dodge Nitro R/T and optional on the Nitro SLT is a new performance suspension and 20-inch tires and chrome-clad aluminum wheels, providing performance-oriented drivers with fun-to-drive handling and a firm ride.

gallardo nera

gallardo nera

The Nera is something of a showcase of Lamborghini's personalization choices available to all Gallardo customers. The vehicle features a glossy black paint scheme with matte black inserts. It has the same 520 horsepower V10 engine as the standard Gallardo, and the standard all-wheel-drive system. A total of 185 units will be produced. The vehicle was shown alongside the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Versace a custom version of its more expensive sibling.

Volkswagen Scirocco (Iroc)

Ce concept car présenté au salon mondial de Paris 2006 était baptisé Iroc.
On en déduit que sa version de série ajoutera un préfixe et un suffixe pour ressusciter le nom scirocco, celui d'un coupé apparu en 1973.
Volkswagen lui avait donné un successeur avec le Corrado puis avait délaissé le segment depuis 10 ans.
Sur un empattement de 2,68m, ce nouveau coupé 4-places étire sa ligne, muscle ses hanches et réduit son port-à-faux arrière.
Le hayon découvre un coffre de 300 dm cube extensible en abattant les dossiers arrière.
La base Golf autorise l'usage des Tsi, Tdi, voire V6, et permet d'envisager des versions 4 motion.

BMW CS concept

BMW CS concept
Si les nouveautés exposées sur le stand BMW lors du récent salon de Genève étaient prévisibles, la firme de Munich a réservé une belle surprise aux visiteurs du salon de Shanghaï avec cette élégante ­étude d'un modèle grand tourisme ­à quatre portes prénommée Concept CS.
Le style est affaire de goût, mais nous ne serions pas étonnés que, pour une fois, le travail entrepris par l'équipe de stylistes placée sous la direction de Chris Bangle fasse l'unanimité. Le Concept CS préfigure certainement une riposte de BMW à l'offensive que Mercedes a lancée à son encontre avec la CLS.
Et pour faire bonne mesure, la firme à l'hélice présente une carrosserie plus longue (5,10 m de longueur au lieu de 4,91 m) et plus basse (1,36 m de hauteur contre 1,43 m) que celle de Mercedes.
BMW promet aussi une construction légère, mais n'a rien laissé filtrer quant aux moteurs qui pourraient la propulser.
Mais avec ce que ce motoriste hors pair possède en magasin, il n'y a aucune inquiétude à avoir sur le sujet.
En attendant, avec le lancement en 2009 de l'Aston Martin Rapide et de la Porsche Panamera, le grand-tourisme à quatre portes apparaît comme une catégorie en vogue.

History
Enzo Ferrari was born on February 18, 1898 near Modena, Italy. When he was 10 his father took him to an automobile race in Bologna. After attending a number of other races, he decided he wanted to become a racing car driver.
While working at a small carmaker involved with converting war surplus, Ferrari took up racing. In 1919 he finished ninth at the Targa Florio. He ended up landing a job with Alfa Romeo and drove a modified production car in the 1920 Targa Florio. Ferrario managed to finish second.
In 1923 while racing at the Circuit of Sivocci at Ravenna he was approached by Count Enrico and Countess Paolina Baracca, the parents of the heroic Italian pilot Francesco Baracca. Francesco was known as the Italian ace of aces. He died on Mount Montello during the war. His parents gave Ferrari their son's squadron badge, which was the famous prancing horse on a yellow shield.
Enzo Ferrari was connected with Alfa Romeo for many years, however, he built only a few sports cars bearing his name and his famous prancing horse badge. In 1929 Enzo formed the Scuderia Ferrari with the aim of organizing racing for members. The Scuderia Ferrari team competed in 22 events and scored 8 victories and several good placings.
In 1940 Enzo Ferrari left Alfa Romeo and started a new company Auto-Avio Costruzioni Ferrari. During World War II the Ferrari workshop moved from Modena to Maranello. The workshop became a victim of the war in 1944 - it was leveled by bombs. A year after the war in 1946 the shop was rebuilt and work began on the first ever Ferrari motorcar, the 125 Sport. This car started a grand tradition of winning for Ferrari. Since it's first race in 1947, Ferrari's have had over 5,000 successes on race tracks around the globe.
In 1969 Enzo Ferrari sold 50% of Ferrari's share capital to the Fiat group. That figure grew to 90% in 1988. Enzo Ferrari died at the age of 90 in Modena on August 14, 1988.

Jeep 2008

The 2008 Jeep Liberty
The Jeep® Liberty has been a sales leader in the mid-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) market since it replaced the Cherokee in 2002. The Jeep Liberty has two Trail Rated® four-wheel-drive systems – Command-Trac® and the Selec-Trac® II - and on-road ride and handling have been improved with the new independent front suspension, five-link rear suspension, and rack-and-pinion steering. The interior returns to the squarish Cherokee look, enhanced by the new Sky Slider™ full-open canvas roof, giving the Jeep Liberty an open-air experience. See our Auto Show coverage for introduction photos and information.
Inside, cargo and storage space increased and seat comfort improved; remote start, rain-sensing wipers, memory seats and mirrors, and express up/down windows were added.
The six speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions continue. The standard 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine produces 210 hp (157 kW) @ 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque @ 4,000 rpm. Fuel economy (with the standard - and only - V6) was improved by about 2 mpg with either stick or automatic; it is now an estimated 16 city (18 mpg using 2007 EPA standards), and 22 mpg on the highway (23 mpg based on 2007 EPA standards). Wind drag remains high but is now lower than the Dodge Shadow; the improvement in aerodynamics may have counteracted the increase in weight.
The 2008 Jeep Liberty has safety systems including standard electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, all-speed traction control, brake assist, anti-lock brakes, rain sensing wipers, tire pressure monitoring, and side-curtain air bags.

Chrysler

Chrysler

For other uses, including the Chrysler Brand, see Chrysler (disambiguation).
DaimlerChrysler Motors Company LLC, soon to be called Chrysler Holding LLC, is an American automobile manufacturer that has independently been producing automobiles since 1925. It is often called the Chrysler Group and referred to internally within DaimlerChrysler as such.
On May 14, 2007 DaimlerChrysler AG announced the sale of 80.1% of Chrysler to American equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. When the transaction completes, Chrysler will take on the name Chrysler Holding LLC.[1]
Chrysler and its subsidiaries were part of the German based DaimlerChrysler AG after an arduous deal dubbed a "Merger of Equals" with Daimler-Benz in 1998 [2]. Prior to the acquisition in 1998, Chrysler Corporation traded under the "C" symbol on the NYSE. The U.S. operations are generally referred to today as the "Chrysler Group." Another popular term for all Chrysler cars is Mopar, the name for its parts operation.

Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne is a mid-size luxury SUV produced by the German automaker Porsche since 2002. It is the first V8 engined vehicle built by Porsche since 1995, when the Porsche 928was discontinued. Sales of the Cayenne have been strong, with 100,000 sold as of June 2005, becoming Porsche's best-selling vehicle in North America. 40% of Cayenne sales are in North America. Sales slowed by 2006. The Cayenne was skipped for the 2007 model year, but has been redesigned for 2008. The 2008 model with feature a 4.8L V-8 engine with two turbochargers producing 500 hp and 516 lb./ft. of torque reaching an estimated top speed of 171

mph.

Cayenne Turbo S

Porsche introduced a higher-output Turbo S version at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show to compete with the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, which produces 510 hp (375 kW) and accelerates from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds. The Turbo S produces 520 hp (389 kW) and 531 ft·lbf (720 N·m), making it the second most powerful vehicle Porsche has ever built for the road, after the Carrera GT. It is able to accelerate to 60 mph quicker than the Cayman S at 5.1 seconds (mfg. claim). It releases 378 gCO2/km.
The Turbo S also has a recalibrated suspension, 20 inch wheels, and larger brake discs. It lowers 27 mm above 125 km/h and 11 mm more above 210 km/h.

Brabus

Brabus
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BRABUS Weber is a high-performance aftermarket tuning company which specializes in Mercedes-Benz, Smart and Maybach vehicles, similar to Hamann which modifies Ferraris and BMW. Founded in 1977 by Bodo Buschmann, Brabus has since become the largest Mercedes tuner other than the DaimlerChrysler affiliate Mercedes-AMG. The company is based in Bottrop, near Düsseldorf, Germany. The English franchisee was, until recently, owned by Baron Martin Stillman von Brabus, an early lover of Margaret, Duchess of Argyll. Its competitors include Lorinser, Carlsson, Kleemann, and RENNtech.
Brabus's primary focus is to achieve maximum engine performance through the increase of both horsepower and torque. Customers can either buy cars straight from Brabus or send in their Mercedes to be customized and/or overhauled. If a customer orders a car from Brabus, Brabus buys the particular car from Mercedes and then modifies it in-house according to the customer's requests. Brabus actually has no price list for its upgrades since the modifications vary so much, but realistically anyone who needs to ask probably cannot afford the level of upgrades provided.
Brabus offers simple upgrades such as low profile spoilers, bodykits, carbon fiber splitters, and multi-piece alloy wheels. More serious upgrades include racing LSD's, open racig exhaust systems, twelve-piston disc brakes, and engine remapping. However, most customers pay for complete engine overhauls that Brabus has become famous for. The company typically orders crate engines from AMG and completely redesigns them to the level where Brabus is now officially considered its own auto manufacturer as opposed to a tuning company. Brabus engines range from small 200 horsepower K4 blocks for SLK roadsters and CLK-Class to 730 horsepower twin-turbo blocks for the CL-Class, CLS-Class, and S-Class. The company also provides improvements to the interior from custom upholstery, gauges, shiftknobs, pedals, and trim to various electronics such as wider LCD screens for the Maybach.

Hummer

Few vehicles are as instantly recognizable as a Hummer SUV. Unapologetically boxy and impossibly wide, these rugged vehicles were originally built for military use, and it shows. For Hummer aficionados, the fact that these mammoth rock-crawlers are tank-like both in appearance and nature is a selling point, not a flaw. Go to a Hummer dealer and all you'll see are SUVs. There is no such thing as a Hummer car, at least not yet. The Hummer brand can actually trace its roots back to another military icon -- the Jeep. Designed by the Willys-Overland company in the 1940s, the Jeep became so popular that when Henry J. Kaiser purchased the Willys-Overland company in 1953, the name was changed to Kaiser-Jeep. In 1970, American Motors bought Kaiser-Jeep and renamed it the Jeep Corporation. At that point, Jeep was producing vehicles through two divisions: the Commercial Products division in Toledo, Ohio, and the Government Products division in South Bend, Indiana. A year later, the Government Products division was spun off as a wholly owned subsidiary known as AM General. In the early 1980s, the company, now owned by the LTV Corporation, designed a vehicle to compete for a contract offered by the U.S. Army. Called the High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee, as it came to be known), it was designed to serve as the military's main light tactical vehicle. AM General won a 1983 production contract (the first of many with the U.S. Army) that required the delivery of 55,000 vehicles over a five-year period. AM General's Humvees distinguished themselves in active duty during the Persian Gulf War in the early '90s. The vehicle's wartime prowess garnered a great deal of positive publicity, and not just within military circles. As a result, AM General (now under the ownership of the Renco Group) decided to introduce a civilian version of the Humvee, dubbed the Hummer, in 1992. In 1999, General Motors bought the rights to the Hummer brand name and became responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of future Hummer SUVs. The original Hummer, now called the H1, is still very much a niche offering and only a small number are produced each year. This exclusivity has played a part in making the pricey SUV a rather conspicuous status symbol. Under GM's guidance, the brand has expanded to include additional vehicles that still possess the Hummer bravado but with civilized road matters better suited for general public consumption.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Road Test
This car is already the stuff of legend. In the early days of its development, so one of the stories goes, the engineers were struggling to get the needed power from the engine. So they asked for a meeting with Dr. Ferdinan Piech of parent company VW/Audi and suggested it might be easier to launch the Veyron with 700 to 800 hp and work up to 1000 hp with later derivatives, once they'd figured out how to do it. Piech fixed them with the famous deathrays, dismissed their suggestion and ordered them out, telling them not to return until the power figure started with a one.
But the horsepower isn't the only extraordinary statistic, of course. On the evening before our test drive, we'd only been in Sicily for a couple of hours, and I was already suffering from number fatigue

Porsche 911 Targa

Porsche 911 Targa

Porsche today announced the 2007 Porsche 911 Targa (997), which, for the first time, will be sold with all-wheel-drive only. The Targa 4 is powered by the familiar flat-six engine, delivering 325 hp of power from 3.6 liters. It accelerates the car from 0 to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 175 mph. The more powerful S variant features a 3.8-liter engine producing 355 bhp. This model sprints to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 180 mph. Thanks to Porsche’s VarioCam Plus valve control system, the Targa 4 develops maximum torque of 370 Newton meters at 4,250 revolutions per minute. The equivalent for the S version is 400 Newton meters at 4,600 rpm. Power transmission is via a six-speed manual gearbox with short, precise shift strokes. Optionally, customers can choose Porsche's five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission. The basic euro-price for the 911 Targa 4 is 79,000 euros, or 87,900 euros for the 911 Targa 4S.

bmw m5

BMW today disclosed official details on the 2007 M5, which gains a number of new features for the 2007 model year. The car will be offered with an optional six-speed manual transmission, a tire pressure monitor to alert the driver to loss of tire pressure, and a Real Time Traffic Information system. A new base price of $83,195 includes destination and handling charge.The 6-speed manual transmission will be available as a no-extra-charge option. As in the previous M5, it is controlled by a stylish shift knob with illuminated 6-speed pattern and M logo. A dual-mass, hydraulically damped flywheel between engine and clutch is specially tuned to the 10-cylinder engine’s power pulses. The primary clutch plate is made of forged steel for high strength. The clutch is self-adjusting, maintaining consistent pedal forces over the life of the clutch; this helped the engineers achieve the necessary high torque capacity with reasonable pedal effort

audi r8

The R8 was built to take your breath away. Audi’s leading designers have pushed the boundaries of racing technology, futuristic construction and luxury refinement to deliver a genuine masterpiece. The R8’s features include a centrally-mounted, high-revving V8 petrol engine, Audi Space Frame (ASF) construction, front and rear double wishbone suspension and the stability of quattro four-wheel-drive.

Dodge Viper SRT10

Chrysler has revealed the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10---- a more powerful version of its popular two-seat sports cars. It will arrive in Dodge showrooms in North America this summer. The SRT model gains an additional 90 horsepower from the new 8.4-liter powerplant, for a total of 600 hp and 560 lb.-ft. of torque. Zero to 60 mph takes under four seconds, and 0-100-0 mph is completed in just over 12 seconds. The Viper SRT10's 8.4-liter engine breathes through new cylinder heads equipped with CNC-machhined combustion chambers, larger valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). VVT electronically adjusts when the exhaust valves are open and closed according to engine speed and load.The Viper SRT10's V10 channels its power through a new, smaller-diameter, twin-disc clutch. The transmission is the latest evolution of the Tremec T56 six-speed manual, known as the TR6060. It features 10 percent wider gears for higher torque capacity and a new synchronizer package. Stopping power is another key attribute of the Dodge Viper SRT10 formula, with 14-inch brake rotors gripped by Brembo dual opposing calipers, good for 60-to-0 mph in less than 100 feet.

NEW 2007 BMW X5 (E70)

NEW 2007 BMW X5 (E70)
NEW 2007 BMW X5 (E70)


This is BMW’s new X5, the second in it’s generation since it’s release back in 1999. Like it’s predecessor, BMW calls the new E70 a Sports Activity Vehicle or SAV rather than an SUV, as BMW says it’s dynamics are a step above it’s rivals’ utilitarian construction. So what’s new with BMW’s flagship 4WD? More details after the jump.
One of the key points of improvement in this new BMW X5 over the previous version is third-row seating. The previous BMW X5 only seated 5, which made it unattractive for people with large families. This third row is optional, and with the third row seats installed the new BMW X5 seats 7, 2 in front, 3 in the middle and 2 at the back. To accomodate this extra seating, the X5 has grown longer by 19mm and wider by 6mm. With all seats in place, the X5 still has a comfortable boot space of 200 liters, but when you remove them this storage grows to 620 liters. This is up 155 liters compared to the first generation BMW X5.
Power and torque has also gone up across the model range. The BMW X5 3.0 receives 41hp power boost, bringing it up to 272hp from the previous 231hp figure. Torque goes up from 300Nm to 315Nm. The X5 3.0 goes from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds, and has a top speed of 225km/h The turbodiesel BMW X5 3.0d now makes 231hp and 520Nm torque, successing the previous model that only has 204hp and 480Nm torque. The top of the range BMW X5 4.8i has it’s power upped to 355hp and 475Nm of twisting action, up from 320hp and 440Nm. Top speed is 250km/h. Note that all three top speed figures are with the Dynamic Package offered by BMW, without it top speed for all three X5s are limited to 210km/h.