Pipe Dreaming: Autobianchi A112 Abarth

Even though Fiat hasn’t considered reviving the Autobianchi brand and its legendary A112, it seems like the new Fiat 500 has awakened memories from the past in Italy. Our friends at Autoblog.it have posted a CGI (Computer Generated Image) featuring a modern interpretation of the A112 dressed in Abarth clothing.

Considered by many as the Italian “MINI”, the Autobianchi A112 was a sleek supermini based on the Fiat 127 that remained in production for a whopping 17 years from 1969 to 1986 selling around 1.3 million units. The A112 was subsequently replaced by the Autobianchi Y10 (predecessor of the Lancia Ypsilon). In 1989 the Autobianchi badge was dropped in favor of Lancia's except in Italy were the brand managed to survive until 1995. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

The original A112 Abarth was introduced in 1971 and it became an instant success among young drivers. At first the A112 Abarth came out with a 59Hp 965 cc engine which was replaced by a 70Hp 1,049 cc unit coupled to a five-speed gearbox in 1975. Weighing in at just 700 kg (1,540 lb) the A112 Abarth was a nimble little hatch that rightly found many admirers in Europe.

Via: Autoblog.it

Toyota Supra HV-R Becomes The First Hybrid Car To Win A Motor Race

Toyota made history last weekend by winning the Tokaichi 24-Hour endurance race with the Supra HV-R hybrid race car. According to the Japanese car maker, it’s the first time ever that a Hybrid race car has won a competition. Based on the Supra GT race car, the modified HR-V is powered by a 480 PS strong 4.5-liter V8 engine combined with three electric motors: two 10 kW in-wheel motors in the front wheels and one, 150 kW rear-axle mounted, electric motor.

The Supra HR-V’s victory at the endurance race follows an entry last year when Toyota was the first car manufacturer to enter a hybrid vehicle at the Tokaichi 24-Hour endurance race which took place at the International Speedway in Hokkaido. The race car, a Lexus 450h outperformed many of its traditional petrol rivals managing to finish 17th in a field of 33 at the conclusion of the two day international event.-More images after the jump

Wanna Drive The All-New 2008 BMW M3 In Nurburgring? Then Read On...

Oh yes, this in no hoax; earlier today we received this e-mail from the product manager of the German-based creative agency Dorten: “In September 2007, BMW will invite a selected group of international participants for an exclusive test-drive of the new BMW M3 Coupé at the Nürburgring race track in Germany. The two day event is called „Countdown to BMW M3" and will be the very first opportunity to experience the new BMW M3 Coupé, at the same time as the world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show is taking place”.

Don’t be ashamed if you’re getting the goose bumps, we did. Heck, it’s not like everyday someone invites you to drive an M3 on the “Ring” with all (?) expenses paid… According to the Bavarian car maker, the winning participants will be selected by BMW and will be notified until August 31st, 2007. The M3 Coupe driving event will take place on September 19-20th 2007, but you won’t actually drive the first day. That will happen on Day2. -Click “Read More…” below (teaser video included)

Any clauses? Well obviously, you can’t be working for BMW and you have to be at least 21-years-old and hold a valid license and passport. Closing date for applications is August 15th, 2007. Still have a few questions? We did and that’s why we sent an e-mail to the agency asking how many people would participate in the event and whether BMW would handle all travel expenses. We’ll inform you as soon as we get an answer.

Link: BMW

Rolls Royce Launches First Pre-Owned Car Scheme!

Wanna buy a certified pre-owned 2006 Rolls Royce Phantom with 58k miles for less than $200.000 that provides: 2.500-point inspection, roadside assistance, rental car and 6-star hotel coverage, a 10 year powertrain warranty and 0% finance deal? Well, better look somewhere else. What did you think? We’re talking about Rolls’ not Hyundais for Carscoop’s sake…

Nevertheless, Rolls Royce's first ever-approved program for pre-owned cars includes many of the amenities you get from mainstream-brand schemes like thorough inspection and preparation, mileage verification along with a protection plan that provides 24-hour roadside assistance, servicing and warranty up to the car’s sixth birthday. We hopped over to Rolls Royce’s London dealership to cure our curiosity. There we found a ’03 Phantom with 21k miles for £179,950 ($366,700 or €266.000). That’s compared to £219,975 ($447,800 or €324,800) for a spanking new ’07 Phantom. Not bad but it wouldn't hurt if you also took a look at private sales. -Press release after the jump

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Media Information

PRE-OWNED ROLLS-ROYCE SCHEME OFFERS NEW CAR PEACE OF MIND

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has launched its first The Rolls-Royce Provenance programme offers new car peace of mind and ensures that only the finest examples of the marque gain the Provenance seal of approval.

Each car has to meet exacting criteria set by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Factory-trained technicians conduct a painstaking inspection procedure, including a full road test, to ensure that every Provenance car reaches the highest standards prior to delivery. Cars must have been maintained in strict adherence to Rolls-Royce servicing requirements to be considered and are only sold through the international network of authorised Rolls-Royce motor car dealers.

When buying a Rolls-Royce Provenance motor car, customers are protecting their investment. As well as successfully completing a rigorous pre-delivery inspection and preparation, each Provenance Rolls-Royce offers the reassurance of an independently obtained vehicle history and mileage verification, together with a protection plan that provides 24-hour roadside assistance, servicing and warranty up to the car’s sixth birthday.

Graeme Grieve, sales and marketing director said, “We are delighted to launch Rolls-Royce Provenance. Our customers expect the very best motor cars in the world and we are now able to offer the same support and peace of mind for approved pre-owned cars that we offer for new vehicles.”

Ford To Create A Car Made From Cannabis!

Sounds like an April fools day joke but it isn’t; a deal struck by UK’s Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Ford UK and Hemcore, a company that grows cannabis plants, will attempt to develop a recyclable vehicle with materials made from hemp (common name for plants of the genus Cannabis). British Ministers have already agreed to drop more than £500,000 ($1m or €740,000) to support the project.

To get an idea of what we’re talking about, the cannabis fibers will be blended with polypropylene and the resulting mixture will then be molded into body parts. Apart form the fact that hemp-based materials are fully recyclable, they have high strength and stiffness, low raw material and energy costs and probably even more important, they are lighter than other materials. Ballpark figures suggest that cannabis-based materials could replace up to 100kg – 220 lb of other plastics, metals and resins used within the average car. (Picture: Carscoop - May use but credit)

-Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see Ford’s first hemp car

This isn’t the first time that cannabis-based materials will be used on cars. Henry Ford did it more than half a century ago but the technology never found its way into production. Ford’s prototype Hemp car was introduced in 1941 (see the video below) and it “wore” an experimental plastic body that used fibres made from hemp. Even though the car weighed 33 percent less than a comparable steel-bodied model, the hemp-based plastic was reported to withstand a blow 10 times as great as steel without even denting.

Via: times

Turkish Delight: Car Stuck On... Balcony!

You’d really love it if was a woman wouldn’t you? Well, tough luck because the driver in the Citroen XM is a man. We have no clue to as how the Turkish driver managed to drop his car on the balcony but we’re sure as hell that he had a guardian angel on his side when he did it. If anyone out there speaks Turkish, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment explaining what the heck happened!

Via: Motorpasion

Honda Jazz / Fit Worldwide Sales Reach 2 Million Units

Just as Mazda announced that its Japanese production reached 40 million units, Honda came out with an official press release informing us that the worldwide cumulative sales of Fit /Jazz automobile reached 2 million units at the end of June 2007, exactly six years after it was introduced in the Japanese market. Called Fit in Japan, North America, South America and China and Jazz in Europe and Asia/Oceania, Honda’s sub-compact model is now available in 115 countries, manufactured at 6 facilities in 5 different countries and delivered to some 400,000 customers annually. -Breakdown of Jazz / Fit global sales after the jump

Mazda Celebrates 40th Million Unit Produced in Japan

Mazda’s celebrating today 40 million units of cumulative production in Japan as an all-new jade Mazda2 (Demio) rolled off the production line marking the production milestone. According to the Japanese carmaker, this record was achieved in the 75 years and nine months since Mazda began production of three-wheeled trucks in October 1931. -Continued after the jump

During the commemorative ceremony at Mazda’s Ujina Plant No.2 near the company’s headquarters in Hiroshima, President Imaki said, “Mazda was able to achieve 40 million units of cumulative production due to the great support of our customers. This milestone is also the result of the steadfast efforts of the many employees and people associated with Mazda who have been the cornerstone of our success throughout the company’s existence. Mazda’s appetite for embracing challenges and a spirited corporate culture drives us to develop new technologies and create new value. This is the reason why, of all the automakers around the world, Mazda is the only brand that produces rotary engine cars. Accomplishing 40 million units built is another breakthrough on our road to even further growth. To maintain this track record of success going forward, Mazda will continue to provide our customers with cars that ‘look inviting to drive, are fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again’.”