2009 VW Tiguan: Journalists Test Drive VW's Compact SUV In Namibia

A couple of months prior to the Tiguan’s Frankfurt Show unveiling, the German car manufacture invited a group of journalists to test drive and photograph pre-production versions of its first-ever compact SUV in Namibia in southwest Africa. Judging from the lightly camouflaged car in the images provided by Mototrend, the Tiguan is yet another example of how deceiving concept cars can be. Damn, with that pseudo-logo up front, we nearly took the Tiuguan by mistake for a Hyundai Tuscon! And it gets even worse once you take a look inside were all you is a VW Golf Plus with different door handles…

VW provided four pre-production Tiguans at the journalists’ disposal all of which were European spec models wearing VW Group’s 1.4TSI Twincharger engine rated at 150Hp. According to Motortrend, the US version will be fitted with the GTI’s 200Hp 2.0TFSI. Additionally, the Tiguan will be available with a "Track & Field" off-road-system that adds a different front fascia to accommodate a 28-degree approach angle, and an Offroad Mode that handles the ABS, the differential locks, the throttle, and both hill descent and climb features. Read Motortrend’s full article about the Tiguan's first test drive here.

Source: Motortrend , Via: Motorpasion

Technorati: Volkswagen, VW+Tiguan, Carscoop, cars, autos, vehicles

Renault Laguna III Promo Video

Along with preliminary specs and photos Renault also released a two-and-a-half long video featuring static shots of its new D-Segment sedan/station model that’ll compete against the like of the VW Passat and Ford Mondeo. The new Laguna Sedan and Wagon will be unveiled to the public at September's Frankfurt Motor Show with sales scheduled to start in Europe from October 2007. Read more about the Laguna III here.

Technorati: Renault+Laguna, Renault, Carscoop, cars, autos, vehicles

Smart Fortwo - Shelby Mustang GT500 Eleanor Replica!

What will they think of next; Fiat 500's dressed as Porsche's and Smart Fortwo's like Nicolas Cage’s 1967 Shelby GT500 Eleanor in the movie “Gone in 60 seconds”! Ok, agreed; this is more like “Circumcised in 60 seconds” but this mini would definitely score triples AAA’s in a head turner contest. Entitled Smart Eleanor GT 50% the prototype was created in 2004 by Thalondesign, a tuning company based in Stockholm, Sweden. And no, Thalondesign didn’t proceed to any mechanical alterations leaving the stock, 60Hp 0.8-liter 3cylinder turbocharged engine safe and sound in the rear deck. -Click “Read More…” below for more images along with a video

Source: Thalondesign , Via: Caradisiac

Technorati: Shelby+GT500, Ford+Mustang, Smart+Fortwo, Replica, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Mercedes GLK or MLK To Be Presented To The Press In June

We just received off the record information that Mercedes is planning to surprise members of the press by unveiling the all-new GLK or as others call it, MLK, compact SUV during the late June press gathering for the presentation of… -well, thee who have received the invitation, know the exact date and reasons for the trip so let’s not say any more. Unfortunately, from what we learned, there’s going to be an embargo on info and pictures. But there’s no need to worry as Mercedes will probably hand out preliminary images and specs well before the confirmed Frankfurt Show premier of their BMW X3 adversary in September. (Picture featured above Mercedes M-Class)

Technorati: Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes+GLK, MLK, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Land Rover Defender Goes In Deep, Really Deep, Waters

While many of will have either heard or even know from personal experience, that the classic Land Rover Defender is one hell of a capable 4x4 vehicle, sometimes it’s the driver that impresses us and not the car. Watch the video till the end and admire this bloke’s persistence.

Technorati: Land+Rover+Defender, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

BMW: Bogus e-mails Bearing BMW Name Continue Dropping In

This is the second time that we’re bringing fraudulent BMW e-mails up to your attention, but better safe than sorry. The first bogus BMW e-mail came to our attention a couple of months ago and it was entitled ‘International Awareness Promotion Department of the BMW Automobile Company’. This one bears the name “BMW Group Prize Award, Public Relations Department BMW Group”. Once again, we won a million British Pounds –lucky us… and all we have to do to collect is hand over all of our personal information. As we noted last time, BMW has already issued a issued an official announcement warning people of the scam. Spread the word guys. –See the spam BMW e-mail we received after the jump

BMW GROUP PRIZE AWARD,
PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
BMW GROUP
22 Garden Close, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2YP, London
United Kingdom


CONGRATULATION
===============
This is to inform you of the results of the draws of our Grand Bonanza International
Program (GBIP) held on the 17th May, 2007 in the United Kingdom.
We are pleased to notify you that you emerge one of the winners in this Program and
you have been awarded with a cash prize of (One Million British Pounds).
The selection process was carried out through random computer balloting from an
online database of World Wide Web sites of over 250,000 email addresses drawn from
all the continents of the world.And your email address was selected among the five
Lucky Winners in this Program.

This Program is approved by the British Gaming Board and also Licensed by The
International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR). This Promotional Program is
the 3rd in its series which we intend to hold annually in comformity with our
corporate policy and sense of social responsibilities.
Your Draw Code Number is XXXXXXXX and your Reference Number is
BNS-NL/02CTG/3103/14UK.

To begin the processing of your winning, you are to contact our European booklet
representative on the E-mail or phone number below:

Name:
Susan Madwell
E-mail:
bmprizeaward2007@yahoo.co.uk

Phone:
+4478-5295-4215

You are to contact the Claims Officer immediatelty with your Draw Code and Reference Numbers.
To facilitate the smooth release of your Award, you are also advised to send to the
Claims Office the under listed informations as soon as possible:

Claims Requirements:
==================

==================
1.Name in full.....................................................
2.Address......................................................... .
3.Nationality....................................................... .
4.Age...................................................................
5.Occupation........................................................ .
6.Phone/Fax....................................................
7.Draw Code No................................................
8.Reference No..................................................
9.Amount won...................................................
10.Country of residence......................................

IMPORTANT NOTICE)
*Winners are advised to keep their winning details/information from the public, to
avoid fraudulent claims pending the final transfer by Winner.

*All Staff of the BMW Group are not to partake in this Promotional Program and please
dont reply this mail,contact the claims officer.
Accept our hearty congratulations !
Regards
Mrs Susan Madewell
Head of Public Relations Dept.

Technorati: BMW, e-mails, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Peugeot 207 SW: Leak, La Partie II...

What was it; a week ago (late March) that we showed you the first leaked official images of the 207 SW? Well, here we are it again with a bunch of new images. Just to spice things up we also obtained some preliminary info on the 207 SW that’s expected to be officially unveiled in the next 48 hours. First of all, let us say once again that we dig the SW’s appearance. Now to the specs. Measuring in at 4.160 mm, the SW is 130 mm longer than its hatchback sibling with whom it shares the same wheelbase (2.540mm) thus meaning that all the extra length has gone into the trunk which can fit 337-litres of luggage. Comparatively, the 207 hatch boasts a capacity of 270-litres while the outgoing, 4.028 mm long, 206 SW, 313-litres. -Continued below, click “Read More…”

Engine wise the production version of the 207 SW Outdoor will be initially offered with a choice of three petrol motors 1.4-litres 75Hp, 1.4-litres 95Hp and 1.6-litres 120Hp and two diesels, 1.6HDI with 90 and 100 Hp.

Technorati: Peugeot+207+SW, Carscoop, cars, autos, vehicles