Friday, July 6, 2007

2008 BMW 3-Series Coupe By Lumma Design

Mostly known for its extreme conversions on BMW models like the M5 based CLR 500RS, Lumma Design surprised us with its overly subtle optic package for the E92 BMW 3-Series Coupe. Thus meaning forget about orange-clockwork paintwork schemes and 10-inch fenders.

Instead, Lumma equipped the 3-Coupe with a front spoiler on the lower part of the bumper, carbon fiber mirror caps and grille lining, headlight “eyelashes” and a discreet rear spoiler. Add the 19-inch rims in 235 rubber along with the Lumma-Design badges and there you have it: the complete exterior pack! Kitsch fans will probably also feel disappointed with Lumma’s offerings for the interior since options are limited to a set of floor mats and aluminum pedals/footrest. Headlight “eyelashes” aside -God knows now much we hate them..., not bad. -Click “Read More…” to see the image gallery






Subaru Tribeca Procrustean Limousine

I promised myself that I wouldn’t start with any sexual characterizations on the procrustean Tribeca but what the heck; take a look at that grille and tell me that this abomination doesn’t remind you of an extremely excited circumcised penis? And if you’re thinking that this is another creation from Billy Bob’s Texas Limos & Co, think again.

According to the guys at the NASIOC forums who broke the story, Ernie Boch of Subaru New England in Massachusetts had the idea for the Tribeca Limo which he then passed onto Subie execs in Japan. They liked it so much -bearing in mind the latest Impreza it’s not hard to see why…, that they gave permission for it to be built in Subaru’s plant in Indiana! -More images after the jump

Via: nasioc






2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Revealed - Sales Start October

General Motors introduced today Friday, July 6, the all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid at the Major League Baseball All-Star Fan Zone in San Francisco, California. The first-ever Malibu Hybrid is equipped with a 36-volt electric motor/generator mated to GM Powertrain’s 167Hp 2.4L four-cylinder engine and Hydra-Matic 4T45 four-speed transmission. GM’s Hybrid system reduces fuel consumption by:
  • Shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, to minimize idling
  • Restarting the engine swiftly when the brake pedal is released
  • Enabling early fuel shut-off during vehicle deceleration
  • Capturing vehicle kinetic energy during deceleration through regenerative braking to charge the advanced nickel metal hydride battery
  • Performing intelligent battery charging when it is most efficient

According to GM, the Malibu Hybrid delivers an EPA rating of 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway which accounts to a two-mpg increase over the non-hybrid four-cylinder model. The Malibu Hybrid’s production is scheduled to begin in October with the first vehicles arriving in dealerships shortly thereafter. -Press Release, specs and images after the jump


PRESS RELEASE: All-New 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Debuts at Major League Baseball's All-Star Game

Malibu Hybrid production begins in October, available at dealerships soon after

SAN FRANCISCO – The all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid will join baseball’s other stars as it makes its world debut in the All-Star Fan Zone today. The Malibu Hybrid’s appearance continues through the last out of one of MLB’s highlights of the year.

Thanks to an affordable hybrid powertrain option, the all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid not only will be the most refined new midsize sedan in the neighborhood, but one of the most fuel-efficient, as well. Powered by the GM Hybrid System, the first-ever Malibu Hybrid delivers an EPA rating of 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway – a two-mpg increase over the non-hybrid four-cylinder model – and will be Chevrolet value-priced, offering customers an affordable hybrid choice.

“The beauty of the Chevy Malibu Hybrid is that customers don’t have to choose between a stylish, expressive, fuel-saving sedan full of standard content and the gasoline that goes in the tank,” said Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper. “The Malibu Hybrid‘s winning package of uncompromising design and fuel economy will help us assert leadership in the midsize sedan segment and meet the needs of Chevy customers.”

Production of the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is scheduled to begin in October, with vehicles arriving in dealerships shortly thereafter. The system will be available as a powertrain option on the base LS model, which also features Electric Power Steering, Automatic Climate Control and the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system.

The GM Hybrid system featured on the Malibu Hybrid saves fuel by using sophisticated controls and software, as well as a unique, 36-volt electric motor/generator mated to GM Powertrain’s 2.4L Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine and Hydra-Matic 4T45 four-speed transmission. The GM Hybrid system maintains the vehicle’s sporty feel and seamlessly reduces fuel consumption by:

Shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, to minimize idling
Restarting the engine promptly when the brake pedal is released
Enabling early fuel shut-off during vehicle deceleration
Capturing vehicle kinetic energy during deceleration through regenerative braking to charge the advanced nickel metal hydride battery
Performing intelligent battery charging when it is most efficient

The GM Hybrid system provides additional power, when required, during launch from the electric motor/generator. At wide-open throttle, such as during a passing maneuver, the system enhances acceleration by using the motor/generator to bolster the gasoline engine and achieve maximum power.

The GM Hybrid system also is designed to automatically maintain full accessory functionality – including climate control – when the vehicle is stopped, so that hybrid operation is seamless to the driver and passengers. The Malibu Hybrid delivers an appropriate balance of fuel economy and cabin comfort with an air conditioning system with two selectable modes. The Hybrid A/C mode favors more fuel-efficient performance by limiting the draw on the hybrid powertrain, while the normal mode provides maximum passenger comfort in hot climates and enhances defogging performance.

Malibu Hybrid models make a statement away from the gas pump, too, thanks to specific exterior appointments such as 16-inch low rolling resistance tires and unique hybrid badging. Inside, a special gauge cluster provides information and feedback about the hybrid powertrain’s operation.

The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is covered by GM’s five-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the most comprehensive in the industry. In addition, the Malibu Hybrid’s advanced nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack is covered by an eight-year / 100,000-mile warranty.

SPECIFICATIONS


ABT AS5: German Tuner Tweaks Audi's A5 Coupe

Thank you ABT, if you don’t mind I think I’ll just go now and deposit my mini wursts in the dunny… Nein, nein and nein again. What’s with the kitsch bi-colour body paint anyway? Phwee… Bypassing ABT’s AS5 Harlequin outfit, the German tuner’s proposition for the 2008 Audi A5 includes an exterior package consisting of a front skirt with a grid element which emphasizes the single-frame grill and the fog lights, rear spoiler, gill-shaped air-inlets, rear skirt inset in diffuser optics and the 4-pipe rear muffler. Finishing off with the exterior, ABT offers the AR wheel, which is available for the A5 in the sizes from 18 to 20 inch, of course together with appropriate sport tires. -Continued: Click the title above or “Read More...” below

For the moment, the only version of the A5 that’s available with an engine upgrade kit is the 3.0TDI, however, ABT promises to broaden its offerings shortly. Thanks to the improved motor management, the 3.0-liter turbodiesel’s output has increased by 32Hp to 272Hp. If your pocket allows it, you can add an extra ABT turbo charger that lifts power to 300Hp. ABT backs the engine mods with an adjustable sports suspension and a new brake with a disc diameter of 380 millimeters.


Video: Motorcycle Wheelie Accident... Oops!

Hey buddy! Watch out for that car! “Bang, Crash……wipe out!” Oops, guess this motor cycle wheelie was too busy basking in his own glory to notice the car he was about to crash into. Although it was a fairly graceful plunge, we hope he’s ok. Yikes! -Click “Read More…” below to see the video

Posted by Dani

Shuanghuan Sceo: Chinese BMW X5 Copy-Cat Coming To Europe!

They just won’t let it go, will they? What if every Chinese car tested by Germany’s ADAC has miserably failed at the crash tests; who cares! Just keep bringing them in and at some point we’ll accept them. Following the Landwind SUV and the Brilliance BS6 Sedan, next up from China is the Shuanghuan Sceo SUV that will be distributed by a new French car dealer named “AZ Motors”. The latter announced that it has been appointed as distributor of the Chinese 4x4 in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

However, with the Sceo, safety isn’t the only thing Europeans should be worried about as you don’t need the imagination of J.K. Rowling to see that Shuanghuan’s SUV is inspired from the previous generation BMW X5 with a touch of Toyota Land Cruiser up front. We might find it hilarious, but we’re sure as hell that BMW execs aren’t finding this at all funny… -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: Edmunds






Bentley Continental GT Turned... Hyundai!

A Bentley turned Hyundai? Oh the horror! The owner of this Continental GT has somehow professionally applied Hyundai badges on the trunk lid, center cap of each wheel and the hood. I’m sure Bentley isn’t finding any humor in this. But one thing’s for sure, the people over at Hyundai went home today with an enlarged ego. Tonight they will dream of Hyundai’s with Bentley-esque designs for their upcoming Elantra model. Let’s all cross our fingers and hope someone will pop up and admit this was just some sort of a photo-shop and they haven’t really defaced a six figure vehicle.


Posted by Dani

Via: Autoblog.com

Fiat 500 Abarth: Official Presentation At The October Tokyo Show


Surprised? So are we. While most of us were expecting Fiat to unveil the turbocharged version of its 500 minicar at next year’s Geneva Show, yesterday, during the worldwide media presentation in Torino, Italy, Fiat Automobile’s CEO (not Fiat Group) Luca De Meo, announced that the 500 Abarth will make its public appearance at the forthcoming Tokyo Show this October!

We talked to several journalists that attended the media presentation in Torino, but unfortunately no one managed to dig out any information concerning the Abarth’s powertrain. We suspect though that the rang-topping 500 will wear the Grande Punto’s 1.4-liter turbocharged unit that’s available in 120Hp and 150Hp guises. Check out a video featuring a prototype 500 Abarth at the Nurburgring race track here.

2008 BMW M3: Amateur Video From The Marbella Media Presentation


These days Marbella has become the epicentre of M3 fans as BMW has chosen the beautiful seaside city in Andalusia, Spain, to perform the presentation of the 420Hp coupe to journalists. Yes, some guys have all the luck; sunny days, Mediterranean beaches, free food and hotels, beautiful Spanish women, a dozen or so E92 M3s and the chance to take the most desirable bimmer of the year for a spin at the Ascari racetrack, located not far from Marbella in a secluded valley in Ronda.

Thankfully (?), we can get a wisp of what’s going on there as a member of the Spanish forum “BMW Faq” managed to snap a few shots of the M3 along with a 6,5 min long video. Even though the drivers seemed a bit restricted, you can just imagine what’s going to happen at Ascari… I’m depressed right now, I think I’ll just crawl into bed and stay there all day. -Pictures after the jump

Via: Motorpassion , Source: bmwfaq