2008 BMW 1-Series Coupe: Another Set Of Spy Pics Surface

With the clock ticking closer to the confirmed early-July debut of the 1-Series Coupe, we’re seeing a bundle of spy images making their appearance across the web. A person who goes under the name “Advevo” at our friendly 1-Series lover site, 2addicts, took this set of pictures. Static details aside, “Advevo” managed to snap a shot of the interior that features a kinky set of red-leather “M” sport seats. From what we see, there doesn’t seem to be any difference compared to the interior of the recently facelifted 1-Series hatch, but who’d expect there to be? -Click “Read More…” below for more images





Pics via: 2addicts

Batpod: Batman's Two Wheel Obsession Breaks Cover

Remember that famous question “Joker”, Batman’s archrival asked: “Where does he get those wonderful toys?” In the upcoming Batman flick, “The Dark Night” that’s due out next summer, we’ll get to see one of cape crusader’s newest toys: the two-wheeler Batpod.

Batman’s version of any form of transportation means plenty of gadgets and the Batpod is no exclusion as its fitted among others with huge cannons mounted on the front of the motorcycle. Although it looks a big “home-made” chances are Batman can still kick some ass while driving it. Hell, Batman can kick ass driving a cardboard box, it’s just what he does. Posted by Dani

Via: Autoblog.com

Folia’s Faux Bling for Cars

Bling Bling has always been a favorite accessory term of mine. German company Folia Tec has come out with a Crystal design which allows people who enjoy the “bling” with out the total “cha-ching”. The self-adhesive jewels come in packs of 50 and may applied anywhere on the car and removed just as easily leaving paintwork intact with no residues. Folia Tec refers to the design as a design that applies rapper glamour to the car. Any rapper that has the money to glamour his car will use the shine of his new Mercedes to grab people’s attention. This reminds me of a tactic used by one of the people on “Pimp My Ride.” Imagine a 2,000 year old car dripping with rust stains and self adhesive crystals…super cool! -Press Release after the jump

Posted by Dani

Press Release

Hollywood glitz has been around for a long time and even the popular rap and hip-hop scene can’t get by without a dripping of sparkling stones. Now, in the shape of its CRYSTAL design, FOLIA TEC introduces the glam look to Germany so that here, too one’s “pride and joy” may be fittingly adorned. Don’t worry, the Nuremberg address hasn’t launched into intimate accessories: it is of course all about cars!

The self-adhesive jewels come in packs of 50 and may applied to the car anywhere – and removed just as easily leaving paintwork intact with no residues. Individual looks are only limited by one’s own creativity. The exceptionally effective sparkle of the eight millimetre synthetic jewels is achieved by the sophisticated nine facet cut. FOLIA TEC: creators of a new show’n’shine dimension!

Porsche 911 With A Chevy V8 Transplant

While some may say that, an engine-swap in a classic 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo is the definition of car-sacrilege, we know one or two people that would be quite fascinated with a project like this. For the record, we aren’t among them. If our Deutsch translation serves us correct, the owner of the 930 (type-number for the first-gen 911 Turbo) threw out the 3.0-liter turbo flat six for a 350 V8 Chevy crate engine which he then enlarged to 383 cubic inches (from 5.7 to 6.3-liters) adding a Kompressor just for kicks. There’s no mentioning of weight distribution, but we would definitely stay away from the car if we saw a cloud on the sky. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

Via: chromjuwelen

2008 Chevrolet Matiz Facelift

Oops! We don’t know what’s wrong with us -God forbid we haven’t lost our touch, but we “sort” of totally missed out on the updated Chevrolet Matiz that premiered at the Barcelona Motor Show (June 9-17). There’s no official release on Chevrolet Europe’s behalf but we did manage to discover several high-res images of the new Matiz. So, let’s begin with what’s new on the 2008 model-year mini: redesigned front and rear bumper –um, that’s about it! The re…bumpered Matiz will go on sale in Europe over the next few weeks, available with a 3cylinder 0,8-liter motor delivering a whopping 52Hp and a “luxury version” equipped with a 4cylinder 1,0-liter engine pumping out 66-alive-and-kicking Korean horses. -Follow the jump below for more high-res pictures

Via: Motorpasion

2009 BMW M3 Convertible Caught With Its Top Down

The sun was shining, the weather was sweet so what else better than drop the top and hear that almighty V8 sing like a beast! Carscoop poetry (…) aside, this grey-haired gentleman in the thinly camouflaged 2009 BMW M3 Convertible was caught in action by a reader of Topspeed circulating in Augsburg, Germany without a (spy)care in the world.

Like its coupe sibling, the hardtop convertible version of the 2008 M3 is fitted with the new Bavarian powerhouse, a 4.0-Liter V8 engine developing maximum output of 309 kW/420 hp plus peak torque of 400 Nm/295 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm (maximum engine speed 8,400 rpm). If you’ve got 5 min, take an... acoustic look at the Coupe here. Due to the slightly heavier body expect the M3 Convertible to race from 0-100 km/h (62mph) in a fraction over five seconds vs 4.8 sec of the M3 Coupe, with a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155mph). The Convertible will go on sale in the first half of 2008 along with the sedan version of the M3. -Continued: Click "Read More..." below

Pics via: TopSpeed

AB Volvo To Invest €180 million In Engine & Gearbox Production

Volvo -as in AB Volvo Trucks and not cars, has decided to invest more than SEK 1.7 billion (£ 122m - $241m - €180m) in Volvo Powertrain to increase its manufacturing capacity for heavy diesel engines by 20 per cent and heavy gearboxes by 50 per cent. The reason why the Swedes are proceeding to these investments is the increased demand for the Volvo Group’s products in emerging markets such as Eastern Europe and Asia. -Continued after the jump

A large part of the investment, slightly more than SEK 1.1 billion, will be in the foundry and production plant in Skövde, where production capacity for heavy diesel engines will be increased by 20 per cent. The investment there will comprise machinery, premises and environment-enhancing measures. In Köping, where gearboxes are produced, the investment will amount to SEK 400 million. In addition, minor investments will be made in a number of Volvo Powertrain’s plants in other parts of the world, to ensure that industrial systems are adjusted to the higher production capacity.

2008 Opel Vectra: New Spy Pictures Emerge

First of all let us give our props to Opel execs for allowing the next-generation Vectra designers to stay as close as possible to the Geneva Show GTC Concept. By doing this we have the impression that the new Vectra –and subsequently Saturn, will have one of the best looking mid-size sedans in the market. We just hope that its underpinnings prove an equal match to its spicy design in-and-out.

From what we’ve gathered, the Vectra will be based on GM’s all-new mid-size platform which will allow the use of a 4WD system for the very first time. The engine range will include a 1.6-Litre petrol motor (probably available in 150 and 180Hp guises), along with GM’s updated 280Hp 2.8-Liter V6 Turbo and 180Hp 1.9-Liter Turbo Diesel that were recently introduced in the revised Saab 9-3. There’s a slight chance that Opel will present the new Vectra in Frankfurt, but we’ll get back on you as soon as we confirm it with our insiders. -More pictures after the jump

Via: Jalopnik , Source: Autogespot