2008 Subaru Impreza S-GT & 15S JDM Versions Scooped

We don’t know if this will make European and American Scooby fans feel a little bit better or not, but from the looks of it, the JDM (Japan Domestic Market) version of the 2008 Impreza WRX will loose the "WRX" nameplate in favour of the uninspiring and meaningless "S-GT". As you can see from the images that where posted on NASIOC, apart from the 7.500 rpm redline (US WRX: 6.500 rpm) and the 180km/h tachometer, there’s no other visible difference between the US spec WRX and the JDM S-GT. -Continued: "Click Read…" more below

S-GT aside, we also get a few images (below) of an Impreza wearing an “15S” name-tag. Again, there’s no official information but we’ll agree with the guys at NASIOC that what we’re seeing here is probably the base version of the 2008 Impreza fitted with Subaru’s new 1.5-liter boxer engine. In its Euro outfit, the later produces 105 Hp at 6.400 rpm and 14,5 kgm of torque at 3.200 rpm. Via: Nasioc

Technorati: Subaru+Impreza, WRX, S-GT, cars, Carscoop, blogs

Audi TT Roadster "FAG-XXX" License Plate!

Unlike the States and despite the various "Gay car of the Year" awards here and there, in Europe, the Audi TT isn’t widely considered as a metrosexual symbol on wheels. Or is it? Ok, we're not sure if the term "fag" has the same meaning in Sweden, but we nearly fell off our chair laughing with the pictured 2008 Audi TT Roadster and the obvious association we made. And no, it's no photoshop as the license plate checked out on the Swedish car registry (see pic after the jump). For obvious reasons we hid the numbers with an X-Rated logo. -Thanks for the tip Dusan! Image via: Imageshack

2008 Seat Altea Freetrack Crossover Breaks Cover

A couple of weekst before the official premier at the Barcelona Motor (7 to 17 June, 2007), Seat uncovered its first all-road vehicle, the Altea Freetrack. Loosely based on the homonymous 2007 Geneva Show prototype -forget about the door mounted spare tire, the humongous ground clearance and the pronounced wheel arches, the Freetrack will go on sale in Europe in September.

The Freetrack is equipped with VW Group’s four-wheel drive system (via a Haldex-type arrangement with a hydro-mechanical connection and electronic control) that under normal use, transfers power to the front wheels, while up to 50% can be distributed to the rear wheels when the need arises. The crossover version of the Altea XL will be available with a 200 hp 2.0 TFSI petrol and a 170 hp 2.0 TDI diesel engine. -Press Release & High-Res Image Gallery after the jump

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: Seat

NEW SEAT ALTEA FREETRACK: The family adventurer

• The Spanish car maker’s first all-road car
• Four-wheel drive, 200 hp petrol and 170 hp diesel engines
• Rear seat multimedia system fitted as standard

At the upcoming Barcelona Motor Show from 7 to 17 June, SEAT will be presenting its first all-road vehicle – the Altea freetrack. After unveiling the prototype version in Geneva, which hinted at the new model’s silhouette, the definitive version can be seen in Barcelona and goes on sale this summer.

With this model, SEAT is making its debut in the SUV segment, an area of the market which has grown considerably in recent years. The new Altea freetrack is one of the few compact monospace cars on the market featuring clear off-road styling, as well as engines that deliver up to 200 hp. This factor proves the dynamic character of SEAT’s new all-road model, whose slogan “auto emoción” works just as well on- as well as off-road.

Exclusive off-road looks

Based on the Altea XL, the visual enhancements on the new freetrack include protective moulding below the waistline, as well as the specific plastic front and rear bumpers. These elements lend a rugged and robust image to the new model while also protecting the body when driving off-road.

The exterior stands out with new, exclusive design 17-inch wheels and larger diameter tyres. The Altea freetrack also has 40 mm more ground clearance than the Altea XL, making it easier for the new model to tackle any kind of terrain.

Top level performance

The Altea freetrack is available with four-wheel drive via a Haldex-type arrangement with a hydro-mechanical connection and electronic control, to ensure that the tractive force is distributed permanently in a progressive and precise manner. Under normal use, power is fully transferred to the front wheels, with up to 50% being distributed to the rear wheels when the need arises.

One of the most outstanding features of the new Altea freetrack is its engine range, with performance levels that make the new SEAT model the market’s most dynamic family-sized SUV. A 200 hp 2.0 TFSI petrol and a 170 hp 2.0 TDI diesel engine are responsible for taking the Altea freetrack over all types of terrain.

The 2.0 TFSI engine enables the newcomer to reach a top speed of 214 km/h, with 0 to 100 km/h taking just 7.5 seconds – yet it can still average fuel consumption of 9.4 litres. On the other hand, the freetrack 2.0 TDI reaches a top speed of 204 km/h, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and consumes an average of 6.8 litres for every 100 km of driving.

Besides these performance figures, the new Altea freetrack matches the Altea XL in terms of impressive interior space and generous load capacity. With its 593 litre boot, the freetrack can carry everything needed for the entire family’s hobbies and leisure activities.

The rear seats are exceptionally roomy and flexible, as they can slide back by up to 16 centimetres for added legroom while still allowing more than enough boot space.

Multimedia system as standard

The Altea freetrack will be sold with just one trim level featuring a complete set of standard equipment.

The most outstanding feature is a new multimedia system, which comprises a 7-inch TFT screen hinged on the ceiling and an RCA connection that allows connection to a DVD player, videogames, laptops and even MP3 players. This way the sound is transmitted over the car’s own sound system.

The Altea freetrack also features new rear window shades as standard, that are hidden inside the doors when not in use, leaving the view unobstructed for rear seat passengers.

Further standard-fit elements on the Altea freetrack include dual climatise control, rain sensor wipers, light sensor, parking sensors, cruise control, trip computer, plus CD MP3 radio and steering wheel mounted controls, among others. Safety highlights include standard ESP (Electronic Stability Control), six airbags, EPS electro-mechanical steering and tyre pressure warning.

Designed, developed and manufactured in Spain

The new Altea freetrack has been wholly designed and developed at the SEAT Technical Centre in Martorell, where over 1,000 highly qualified staff work daily to develop new models.

It will be exclusively made at the SEAT facilities in Martorell, one of Europe’s most modern and most flexible automotive factories, where the Ibiza, Córdoba, Altea, Altea XL, Toledo and León models are also produced.

Technorati: Seat+Altea+freetrack, cars, Carscoop, blogs, wallpaper

Audi A5 "Rhythm Of Lines" TV Ad

Not exactly the ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ themed ad we were expecting from Audi. Dubbed "Rhythm of lines", the artistic and rather pansy for our taste, commercial begins with a swiveling line moving along the screen forming various shapes before joining a bunch of bright coloured swirling lines, "dancing" to the rhythms of classical music. In the end, the lines form the shape of Audi’s new A5 Coupe.

The new ad is the brainchild of advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) who won a $9.8m - €7.3m contract from Audi. Apart from the TV commercial, BBH’s campaign will also include press, outdoor and online (via a microsite) activity, all of which are expected to be unveiled this June.

Man Gets Even With Cops By Paying Parking Fine With Dog Poo!

If you thought you had a bad day at the office, I’m sure you can sympathize with the poor employee at the Austin Police Department that opened an enveloped filled with dog poo and a check for a parking ticket. Apparently, the man that was outraged at the fine he received when he parked his car outside of his residence and decided it was time for revenge. The women that opened that envelope noticed a horrifying stench being emitted from the drop box. The envelope was, “dripping with brown fluid.” The next day she was hospitalized for vomiting and an undetermined illness. The man is being charged with “disorderly conduct” and is summoned to appear in court June 15th. Via: cbsnews

Posted by Dani

Watch Out: Popular Car-Jack Method In The UK Gets You Pawned

Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most effective as they’re the ones you least expect to happen. In this video we see how a high number of vehicles in the U.K. have been stolen via car-jacking. Before you say “what else is new”, note: the car-jackings occur without the use of any sort of weapon or threat. How? Two people, usually a man and a woman, go to see a private-sale car they found on the net or a newspaper. While they’re checking it out, one of them… See what happens in the video after the jump. –Continued: Click “Read More…” below

Via: Autoblog.nl

2008 Peugeot 308 Snapped Totally Uncovered

Let down. That’s how we feel after seeing the first totally unmasked pictures of the upcoming Peugeot 308. If we didn’t know better we’d say that the car we’re looking at is nothing more than a 207 after a couple of nights on the Procrustean bed and an intermediate “butt to butt” contact with a Nissan Tiida. Judging from the images, we bet that most people will either pass the 308 for the current (facelifted) 307 or even a 207. Pity, cause design-wise, Peugeot had got off to a really good start with the latest 207 and 407s. –Continued after the jump

There are no official specs out, but expect the 308 to be offered among others, with BMW-PSA Peugeot-Citroen’s jointly developed, 1.6 & 1.6 Turbo engines delivering 120 to 170 HP. The new 308 will be officially unveiled at the September Frankfurt Motor Show with the CC and Station Wagon/Break versions following in late 2008 - early 2009.

Pics Via: Worldscoop

2008 Saab 9-3 Aero "Scooped"

Logical. Since Saab was rather parsimonious with the official press kit including only a handful of front view pictures it was bound to happen again. Caught in a parking lot in Sweden by a reader of “forum.saabturboclub.com”, we get a better view of the sedan’s rear quarters with the crystal clear tail-lamps and the redesigned bumper. According to the Swedish car registry, the car we’re looking at is the Aero version fitted with the 250Hp 2.8-liter V6 motor and an automatic transmission. Via: forum.saabturboclub -Continued below

Nanjing Restarts MG Production In The U.K.

A couple of months after Nanjing presented the first Chinese built MG sport cars and sedans back in March and the British carmaker’s new owner announced that it’ll end the Longbridge plant's two-year production hiatus with the assembly of the first MG TFs on May 29. It should be noted that Nanjing Auto doesn’t specify whether they’ll fully build the TFs in Longbridge or just assemble the roadster with kits from China. We remind you that, in 2005, MG Rover was split in half, with Nanjing Auto taking control of MG and rival SAIC acquiring the rights to build (but not to name), Rover models. Sales of MG models are expected to start in Europe in the second half of the year. Via: Reuters