Old car forum posts (merged)

  • Andrew Dawes

Ah My topic!!!!

I read EVO. I get the select air freight from UK (I'm in Australia) for $20 per month. I'm hooked .... its my drug. I bought one once and have bought every edition since (current count is 40 ... and i'm days away from another hit).

Not as funny as Motor but just amazing for photos and well written articles. When i went to Europe i picked up an Italian version, a French Version and a Malaysian version. They sit in my display case as collectables.....I guess that makes 43.

Okay back under my rock...
 
F1 Safety cars deployed

Mercedes heads up F1 grid with its latest releases.

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Here are the latest additions to this year's F1 grid - the Mercedes AMG SL63 and C63.

Rather than taking part in the races, these two tuned motors from the German manufacturer will be on safety car duty, ready for any on-track emergencies. Thanks to a host of modifications, the grand prix newcomers will go as hard as they look.

The SL63 will be the official safety car, deployed to slow down the F1 runners after an incident. Like other SL models the newcomer gets the all-new nose that was unveiled at this week's Geneva Motor Show. Unlike the standard car there is a deeper front bumper and a larger rear diffuser.

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In an effort to keep up with some of the fastest cars on the planet AMG's engineers have given the roadster important tweaks. Thanks to an intensive weight saving regime that includes ditching the folding hard top mechanism and using carbon fibre for various body panels the SL now tips the scales at 1,750kg, an impressive reduction of 220kg.

Under the bonnet is the same 517bhp 6.3-litre motor found in the production version. However, a larger cooling system has been installed to cope with extreme temperatures and a new quad exhaust set-up allows the engine to breathe easier, and provide a thunderous soundtrack. Connected to a 7-speed semi-auto gearbox it accelerates the car from standstill to 60mph in 4.6 seconds.

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Other enhancements include powerful composite brakes, an active rear differential and a fully adjustable suspension system that can be tailored to individual tracks.

Climb aboard the SL and you'll find a stripped-out cabin that features deep bucket seats and plenty of weight-saving carbon-fibre. A special feature is the twin screen TV set-up that allows occupants to watch a live feed of the race and so respond quicker to emergencies.

The finishing touches include the light bar on the roof and a rear number plate that incorporates an incredible 672 LEDs. They are lit up during bad weather, making it virtually impossible for following F1 drivers not to spot the safety car.

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The C63 AMG estate that joins the SL on pit-lane standby will be used as a medical car. It gets the same braking and chassis modifications but features a slightly less powerful 450bhp version of the 6.3-litre V8 engine.

However, it will carry a host of life-saving kit including the official FIA Chief Medical Officer Dr Gary Hartstein. Even the driver Jacques Tropenat is a fully qualified doctor.

You'll be able to see the two newcomers in action at the opening round of the F1 season at Melbourne, Australia on 16 March. Although, if all goes well it should only be a brief debut!

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(AutoExpress)
 
Vauxhall's new badge



Check out Vauxhall's new badge. Due to be unveiled later this year, the sharp yet simple new logo will set a more upmarket tone for the company as it aims to pitch its forthcoming models against prestige rivals.

It now features a more subtle satin silver finish, although the trademark red background is retained. It’s much more dynamic and modern, and updates a design that has been left largely untouched since 1903.

The new badge will debut at July’s British Motor Show on the grille of the new Insignia, which replaces the current Vectra. The logo will then be rolled out across the rest of the firm’s range.
 
I like the red, very nice.

And here is a photo of the Nurburgring Edition Astra.
 

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Alfa Romeo MiTo

Baby Alfa ready to go head-to-head with MINI.

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Say ciao bella to Alfa Romeo’s new MINI rival. Thanks to inside information, we can exclusively reveal not only how the new car will look, but also what it will be called!

Alfa bosses considered the Junior and Furiosa badges for the forthcoming model, but sources tell us they’ve chosen MiTo. It is derived from two Italian cities: Milan, Alfa’s traditional home, and Turin (Torino), where owner Fiat is based. The MiTo uses Grande Punto underpinnings, but is inspired by the 8C Competizione, with slanted headlights and a shield-shaped grille.

However, its engine line-up promises to eclipse the Punto’s, thanks to a new 1.8-litre turbo motor delivering 180bhp. This will eventually be tuned to deliver as much as 230bhp. Other options include the Grande Punto’s 1.4 T-jet petrol and 1.9-litre diesel.

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Development of the MiTo has been a painstaking process, as engineers bid to ensure it drives better than the MINI. As well as the three-door, there will be a five-door, while bosses are considering cabrio and estate versions.
The MiTo will debut officially at the Paris Motor Show in the autumn, and hit UK dealers early next year, with prices starting from £10,500.

At last week’s Geneva show, bosses also hinted a special model will be built to mark Alfa’s centenary in 2010. With replacements for the 147 and 166 already in the pipeline, that could see the new Duetto roadster get the green light.

(source: AutoExpress)
 
Aston Martin DB9 UPDATE

British coupe is kept fresh with quick nip and tuck.

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Even supermodels go under the knife – just ask Aston Martin. It has tweaked the DB9 to provide more power and luxury.

Updates to both the coupé and the soft-top Volante include a hefty 20bhp increase for the 6.0-litre V12, taking the output to 470bhp. As a result, the manual DB9 covers 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds – one-tenth-of-a-second faster than before. Cars with the improved Touchtronic semi-auto box complete the sprint in 4.4 seconds, while the top speed on all variants is 190mph.

Cosmetic changes have been kept to a minimum, although the DB9 gets new door mirrors, and now features 10-spoke 19-inch alloys as standard. The five-bar grille is also updated.

But the main modifications are reserved for the interior. It gets a redesigned centre console and the same Emotion Control Unit as found in Aston’s flagship DBS. The glass and stainless steel device replaces the outgoing car’s conventional key.

Finally, engineers have updated the suspension to improve the ride comfort, and the Volante is now even stiffer than before. Prices for the revamped range start from £113,950 for the Coupé and £122,950 for the soft-top model.

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(source: AutoExpress)
 
New Astra is go

Vauxhall is set to launch a fierce new attack on its bitter rival Ford with this: the next Astra.

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Boasting a fresh look and a wide range of engines, the striking hatchback will combine style and driver appeal like never before.

It goes on sale in 18 months’ time, and is the next step in Vaux­hall’s renaissance. The new Astra will follow in the footsteps of the Vectra-replacing Insignia – which debuts at July’s Brit­ish Motor Show in London – as well as the redesigned Meriva, due in deal­ers here early in 2009.

As with those models, the Astra has received a style overhaul, bringing in a shape which is sleeker than before. And with replacements for big-hitters such as the Volks­wagen Golf and Renault Mégane scheduled to arrive within 12 months, that’s just as well.

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We told you about the new Astra in Issue 947. But now, our spies have scooped one of the first prototypes undergoing testing – and our main pictures show what’s lurking under the disguise.

The nose is clearly inspired by the Insignia, and wears bold headlights and deep air intakes, while at the rear there is a squat Seat Leon-style tail, as well as distinctive C-pillars.

As well as the five-door shown here, there will be a three-door Sport Hatch model. And as is the case with the current generation, this car will be completely different from its more practical brother, with a rakish tailgate and lower roofline creating a coupé-like profile.

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Inside, the Astra will take the fight to the Golf and Ford Focus head-on, with a quality cabin that takes a leaf out of the Insignia’s book. Soft-touch plastics are fitted throughout, while standard equipment will include Blue-
tooth phone connectivity, plus integrated sat-nav and audio technology.

Parent firm General Motors has conceived the newcomer as a world car, and it will share its platform with Saab’s forthcoming 9-1 (see Page 14). Astra mechanicals will also underpin several Chevrolets, including the new Volt, plus the next Aveo and Lacetti.

The model will reach the US, too, wearing a Saturn badge. Diesel isn’t so popular there, but the car’s close relationship with the Volt means a hybrid petrol drivetrain will be available for the first time. A FlexFuel bio­ethanol model will be offered as well.

In Europe, though, small-capacity turbocharged petrol and diesel powerplants will account for the vast majority of sales. And sitting at the top of the new Astra range will be a 250bhp 2.0-litre turbo VXR version, complete with four-wheel drive.

The rest of the line-up is front-wheel drive, although engineers have developed a new multi-link independ­ent rear suspension set-up. That should ensure the Vauxhall delivers handling to match the class-leading Focus.
Expect to see the first concept car previewing the new Astra at a major motor show in 2009. UK sales will then start a few months later.

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(AutoExpress)
 
Jep that is the Astra for the US market :)

If you didn't knew, Opel is the European name, Vauxhall the English and Saturn the American name for the same brand :)

The Saturn Aura is the Opel Vectra in Europe, the Saturn Sky is probably the Opel GT and the Saturn Vue looks like the Opel Antara.
 

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