Old car forum posts (merged)

[Christophe Berton]

Today Land Rover released more photos of the 60th Anniversary Defender SVX special edition. These photos are of the Defender 90 soft top and hard top but there will also be a seven seat 110 for the Australian market. We'll post them as soon as they're released.
Defender SVX exterior details include metallic black paint, satin-black decals, sidesteps, LED tail lamps, new grille, reinforced aluminum skid plate up front and special alloy wheels.
Interior features include custom Recaro seating, alloy gear shifter, new audio features that include a USB input and subwoofer, Garmin satellite navigation, iPod cradle and the spare tire carried behind the front seats. All photos below.

(landroverchronicles)

 

[MrMystic]

Looks very nice this new Ibiza

What do you want? It's drawn by a Belgian

 

[Christophe Berton]

Internet in Chrysler

Chrysler signs on to in-car Internet

NOW you can drive and surf at the same time. Chrysler is in the final stages of developing an advanced in-car Wi-Fi system that turns your vehicle into an Internet hot-spot. It will let passengers browse the Web, check E-mails and download movies and music – all from your car.

Chrysler’s cutting-edge mobile technology will use 4G connectivity for high-speed data transfer and wireless Web access. Owners will enjoy enhanced sat-nav features, such as real-time traffic updates, remote vehicle health checks performed automatically and even downloadable upgrades to the ECU and other systems.

However, it’s not all plain surfing. Drivers will have to pay a monthly subscription, and any Internet will only be allowed at speeds below 3mph!

...But Cruiser cabrio logs off

ONE car that certainly won’t feature the new Wi-Fi service is the PT Cruiser Convertible (above). Production of the slow-selling soft-top has ceased, and the model has been withdrawn.

The Convertible was launched in the spring of 2006, but less than 750 were sold in the UK. It has been dropped as part of a worldwide cull of four vehicles from the firm’s line-up, and follows on from Chrysler’s splitwith Mercedes last year. If you are one of the few fans of the Convertible, there are still a few examples available through Chrysler’s UK dealer network.

(autoexpress)

 

[Christophe Berton]

Leipzig Motor Show

1. Mercedes B-Class

2. Mercedes A-Class

3. VW Scirocco

4. Mercedes A-Class

5. Mercedes A-Class and B-Class

6. Mercedes A-Class

7. Audi A3 cabrio

8. Hyundai Tucson

9. Trabant

10. Lancia Delta

11. MINI Cooper D

12. Kia Stand

13. Citroen C5

14. BMW 1-Series tii

15. BMW 123d

16. BMW CS

17. BMW M5 Touring

18. BMW M3

19. Nissan GT-R

20. Nissan Qashqai

 

[Christophe Berton]

more stars

1. Mazda MX-5

2. Morgan stand

3. Mercedes C 63 AMG Touring

4. Dodge Nitro

5. Chrysler Sebring

6. Chrysler Sebring

7. Toyota iQ

8. Toyota iQ

9. Toyota Auris

10. Lexus IS-F

11. Lexus IS-F

12. Lexus LS and RX

13. Ford Focus CC

14. Ford Kuga

15. Ford Mondeo

16. Smart ForTwo

 

[Yves Maex]

cool Hyundai Tucson

 

[Christophe Berton]

Gemballa GT380 911 aero kit

For a lot of people, adding performance to a Porsche 911 is just unnecessary - it’s already blazingly quick. But to make it look unique, that’s something worth spending some time on. Cue Gemballa’s GT 380 appearance package.

Replacing the front skirt, the bonnet, the side and rear skirts, the rear spoiler and adding 20″ racing black-on-black wheels, the Gemballa GT 380 kit makes the 997 Carrera look as fast as it is.
Gemballa is known for producing some of the most mind-bendingly insane power-pumpers, but when they turn their hands to adding tasteful tweaks to an otherwise stock car, they are equally successful. For some of Gemballa’s more petrol-thirsty work, check out the 850hp 911 Turbo, the Gemballa Porsche GT (dubbed the Mirage GT) and the Gemballa Porsche Cayenne.

(motor Authority)

 

[Yves Maex]

Not bad, but i like the mirage gt just a little more :mech:

 

[William Yunck]

I like those Gamballa kits

Too bad they cost almost as much as the car itself. I think anything this cool should be free. :alla:

 

[Yves Maex]

[Video]81 years of Volvo History

Volvo is known today for its image as a manufacturer of safe and reliable cars, a focus it’s had from the outset of its inception back in 1927 when its first ever car, the ÖV 4 (pictured), rolled off the line. Since then the carmaker has been renowned for pioneering several new safety systems and its tenure in the care of Ford has seen it expand and succeed with a number of recent models such as the XC90 and C30. This latest video goes through over 80 years of Volvo’s history as a car manufacturer and how the company has evolved from its humble beginnings to become a major player in the automotive industry.(motoauthority)

 

[Yves Maex]

MANSORY F599 GTB Fiorano

The gorgeous Ferrari 599 is probably the last car in need of any modifications but German tuner Mansory has developed a range of carbon-fiber accessories and performance upgrades designed specifically for the stunning GT. The tuner has unveiled the latest package for the 599 at the Geneva Motor Show today alongside several other modified supercars including the Mercedes-McLaren SLR and Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe.

The performance kit includes high-performance compressors and custom made intercooling. The supercharging of the V12 power train is supported by a sport air filter with higher air-flow as well as modified control electronics. This increases the performance of the 6.0L engine from 620 to 720hp, with torque boosted by an additional 92Nm. The sprint to 100km/h now takes 3.7seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than stock, and top speed is now in excess of 340km/h. In addition to the engine upgrades, Mansory also installs forged turbine-wheel alloys measuring 20in at the front and 21in at the rear. At only 13kg for one of the front axle rims, the Mansory wheel is one of the absolute lightweights. By using weight-saving aluminium alloys and with the resulting reduction of the unsprung mass, the acceleration, breaking distance as well as the handling are improved considerably. Modifications to car’s body include a carbon-fiber aero kit with new side skirts, a front spoiler and an integrated rear diffuser.
(motoauthority)

​

 

[Yves Maex]

MANSORY SLR ‘Renovatio’

McLaren has been producing the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren since 2004, but only now has supercar-tuning specialist Mansory decided to modify gull wing racer and transform it into the new ‘Renovatio’. For the latest release, not only was the car fitted with a number of custom aero pieces, the engine too has been upgraded with a new supercharger while the interior also gets a revamp.

The first task for engineers was to reduce the weight of the SLR. To do this, components were replaced with lighter units. The stock wheels, for instance, were swapped with ultra-light forged units, while many of the car’s body parts were replaced with lighter carbon-fiber pieces. One component of the new bodykit is the front apron, which has been designed to channel air to a pair of uprated intercoolers mounted behind the front bumper. Completing the kit is a pair of new side skirts and rear wheel arch extensions. A new rear apron with an integrated diffuser takes care of additional downforce and gives the modded SLR more of a race car look.
The 5.5L V8 engine with its standard 626hp is upgraded to the tune of 700hp and 880Nm thanks to a new supercharger and intercooler kit. As a result the Renovatio is two tenths faster from zero to 100km/h than the production model, while top speed climbs to 340km/h.
Inside, the car gets plenty of leather and carbon-fiber trim, as well as new aluminum pedals and illuminated door tread plates.

(motoauthority)

​

 

[Yves Maex]

[Video] Interior of BMW’s M3 V8

This latest promotional video for the BMW M3 gives us an inside look at one of the engine’s cylinders as it’s fired up, all captured by high-speed camera magic. To film the process, photographers had to dissect manifolds, shave cylinders and drill-in special lighting holes. In total, three V8 engines were sacrificed for the clip, which you can watch in full after the jump.
(motoauthority)

 

[Christophe Berton]

Ferrari 2+2 spotted

Ferrari’s upcoming 2+2 GT has been spotted once again at the carmaker’s Fiorano test track and is now less than half a year away from being unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. Many have suggested the new 2+2 will be positioned below the F430 but new reports claim the car will be bigger and feature a more powerful 4.7L V8 engine.

It’s hard to gauge what the new model will look like given the heavy camouflage, but expect to see a traditional long bonnet and generous GT proportions. Onlookers claim the car is closer in size to the 612 Scaglietti rather than the F430 as it will need to accommodate four adults.
The strange hump seen on the test-mule is rumored to be hiding a new folding hardtop roof. Pininfarina has recently revealed plans to expand its operations to include production of new roof mechanisms, and previous reports suggested the new Ferrari model would also be partially built by the Italian coachbuilder.

The 4.7L engine, meanwhile, is likely to be based on the same unit used by Maserati’s Granturismo S. However, it will likely feature its own unique components such as injection rails, intakes, cylinder heads and valvetrains to give the engine the Ferrari spark.

(motorauthority)

 

[Christophe Berton]

audi exec hints at lightweight R8 and TT sport models



BMW has enjoyed some success with its CSL range of stripped out ready-to-race M3s and Mercedes-Benz is on the verge of delivering its third lightweight Black Series model. That leaves the third major German carmaker, Audi, who will soon offer uprated sports versions of its regular production models. Speaking at a recent press event Audi’s quattro development chief Stefan Reil hinted that lightweight versions of the R8 supercar and TT were being considered.

Still in the works are high-performance RS versions of both the R8 and TT as well as a possible R8 V12 TDI but according to Reil Audi could also offer new ‘Sport’ derivatives of both cars with extra power and less weight. This wouldn’t be the first time Audi developed such a car. Back in 2005 it released a limited edition TT quattro Sport to mark the end of production of the previous generation TT. The car had a slight increase in power over the standard model as well as firmer suspension, a stripped our interior and Recaro bucket seats.
“This is the direction you can go and make business,” Reil explained. “It makes sense for the TT, and maybe in the future in an R8.”
The upcoming R8-RS is tipped to receive the 580hp twin-turbo V10 from the new RS6, and if given an extensive weight saving program the car could easily become the new benchmark for ultra-performance supercars.

(motorauthority)

 

[Christophe Berton]

Geneva V12 R8 Concept

[COLOR=#000032! important][FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Helve, Sans-serif][COLOR=#000032! important][FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Helve, Sans-serif]Audi[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR] has taken the wraps off its second R8 concept vehicle powered by its mighty V12 TDI engine at an event in Geneva today. The new concept sports the now familiar 6.0L V12 turbodiesel engine, developing a healthy 500hp and 1,000Nm (737lb-ft) of torque. Like the previous V12 diesel R8 shown in Detroit last month, the new model packs the latest in racing technology developed in Audi’s Le Mans efforts, and is differed thanks to its bright red paint scheme.

The V12 TDI is closely related to the engine in the Audi R10, the two-time Le Mans winner, and in the R8 it sees the [COLOR=#000032! important][FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Helve, Sans-serif][COLOR=#000032! important][FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Helve, Sans-serif]supercar[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] launch from 0-100km/h in just 4.2 seconds and enables a top speed of well over 300km/h. [/COLOR]
Some of the new features of the engine include a narrower 60 degree cylinder bank angle and a new chain drive layout that includes the two newly developed high-pressure pumps for the common rail injection system. Production of the road-going versions of this engine, which recently debuted in the new Q7, is handled at Audi’s Györ plant in Hungary.
The racing engine in the R10, meanwhile, makes do with just 5.5L of displacement but delivers more than 650hp and takes the racer to speeds in excess of 330km/h.

(motorauthority)

 

[Christophe Berton]

Metal roof for BMW’s new Z4

Our spies have lifted the lid on the next-generation BMW Z4 – and the big news is that it’s getting a folding metal roof for the first time!

Look closely at these prototypes, and you’ll see that instead of a fabric affair, the new Z4 is following in the footsteps of its 3-Series Convertible big brother, plus its Mercedes SLK rival, with a retractable steel top.

As our artist’s impression shows, the car will also get a more muscular look. And the convertible has another trick up its sleeve. BMW isn’t content with raining on the SLK’s parade, as it will seek to outgun the Porsche Boxster with a new range of powerful engines for the car. These are likely to include the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder unit.

There’s even the possibility that the Z4 will be available with diesel power for the first time, too. And a flagship M model could get the new 4.0-litre V8 from the M3 – although a broad line-up of four-cylinder and normally aspirated six-cylinder petrol powerplants will continue to be offered.

All cars will benefit from BMW’s Efficient Dynamics programme, which helps to cut CO2 emissions and boost fuel economy with features such as an engine stop/start facility. Under the skin, the platform is shared with the latest-generation 3-Series, so the rear-wheel-drive Z4 will continue to provide driver-pleasing handling.

Although these prototypes appear to be much bigger than the current model, this is down to the bulky disguise. Peel back all that plastic camouflage, and the newcomer measures only around an inch or so longer and wider than the existing Z4.

Our sources have also discovered that production is likely to shift from South Carolina in the US to BMW’s plant at Regensburg, Germany. Sales will start in the UK late in 2009.

(autoexpress)

 

[Yves Maex]

[Photo upd] Caterham Superlight R500 + update

British niche sports car company Caterham has released a teaser image for a new version of its iconic roadster dubbed the Superlight R500. Details are scarce but expect the car to feature a modified Ford four-cylinder engine and a kerb weight of less than 500kg.

Although we doubt the new Superlight R500 will be as potent as the 500hp 2.4L V8 model pictured in the gallery below, even with a modest 250hp the R500 should be able to sprint from 0-60mph in about 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 150mph.
Caterham hasn’t released any official details apart from this new teaser but the new Superlight R500 will go on sale in the second half of the year and will be priced from £40,000 ($80,000). According to the source, customers will be able to fit the car with carbon-fiber trim and more powerful engines including 2.0 and 2.3L four-cylinder units.

Caterham RS V8 piccas

 

[Christophe Berton]

Scion 400HP drift car competing in D1 Championships

Toyota’s youth-oriented company Scion has been featuring flagging sales of late, which has inspired the Japanese auto manufacturer to enter the famed Formula D1 ‘Drifting’ series with the Scion tC.

The sports coupe tC was originally built as a front-wheel drive car, a format that isn’t very conducive to drifting without the aid of a handbrake, so the Scion was converted to a RWD layout. The conversion was made simple as the tC is built on an AWD platform, although the transverse engine had to be rotated into a longitudinal one to get power to the rear wheels.
The drifting Scion tC, dubbed the RS*R Scion tC, has also undergone an extensive engine upgrade that takes the power from 161hp to over 400 horses to really get those tires smoking. The engine mods include a 3SGE Beams motor, HKS GT3037 turbo and intercooler, Blitz Dual SBC boost controller, and AEM EMS engine management system. The brakes, transmission, clutch and coilovers have all been upgraded as well, giving the car better handling and acceleration.
The RS*R tC drift car will be piloted by Ken Gushi, a driver famed for becoming the youngest driver to compete in D1 at the age of 16. Gushi, who is now 21, will hopefully hold some appeal for Scion’s youth market and increase sales for Toyota and Scion.

 

[Christophe Berton]

Honda releases Sport Pack for new Accord Euro

Only a month after the official reveal of the new Accord Euro (Acura TSX) Honda has unveiled a new Sport Pack designed for both the sedan and Tourer wagon models. The new kit includes custom bumpers front and rear, a set of sporty side sills, a blacked-out grille, a discrete bootlid spoiler, integrated fog lights and new 18in alloy wheels.

The interior also gets several new appointments including a titanium finish on some of the dash elements and leather trim on the seats, steering wheel and gearstick. Other features include an optional satnav system, USB port for iPod connectivity and a power operated tailgate in the Tourer model.
The car’s mechanicals have been left untouched, which means 2.0L and 2.4L petrol engines or a new i-DTEC 2.2L clean-diesel. All three engines get a six-speed manual transmission as standard while the two petrol units get an optional five-speed automatic with steering wheel shift paddles.