BMW X5 4.8i M Sport

BMW’s ever-popular M Sport derivative is to be introduced to the new X5 range for the first time. On sale now, the new flagship offers customers a substantial level of sports-orientated standard equipment, a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph.

Power for the car comes from a 4,799cc engine fitted with Bi-VANOS and VALVETRONIC variable valve technologies to produce 355hp. The advanced engine is capable of propelling the car from zero to 62mph in 6.5 seconds before going on to a top speed of 150mph. The 4.8-litre powerplant still records 22.6mpg on the combined cycle and emissions of 299g/km – both figures that better rival products from Porsche and Audi.

The BMW X5 4.8i M Sport costs UKP53,440 OTR in the UK. M Sport will be offered on 3.0d and 3.0si models later in 2007.

Toyota to launch new Microcar

During this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Toyota may ad a new model to its lineup, a new 3000mm-long microcar. The car will slot in below the Aygo, the smallest vehicle in the automaker’s European lineup and will be known as the Endo.

The sales may begin in the summer of 2008, but the U.S. market may wait for the Endo long time.

2008 Peugeot 308

The 2008 Peugeot 308 will be officially presented only in September during the 2007 IAA motor show in Frankfurt, Germany.





It will replace the 307 hatchback, which has been an important car in the Peugeot range with worldwide sales exceeding 3,000,000.

It will be produced in France, at the production sites of Sochaux and Mulhouse and will be available in three and five door versions. The 308 will be a very environmentally friendly vehicle.

2007 JE Design SEAT Leon Cupra

Following modifications for the newly launched SEAT Leon FR, JE DESIGN has now moved on to the Spanish marques Cupra version.

The core of modification is the performance increase of the 2.0 T-FSI Motor . Instead of just 177 kW (240 HP), it now renders an attention getting value of 210 kW (285 HP). The torque increases from 85 to 385 Nm. The change in motor management creates a better driving performance: 261 km/h top speed (series-produced: 247 km/h) and 5.9 seconds from 0 to 100 (series-produced: 6,4) placing pressure on many other sports cars.

The New Volkswagen Touareg from JE Design

VW tuning specialist JE Dseign from Leingarten/ Germany presents a complete styling suite for new VW Touareg type 7L.

The engine upgrade increases Touareg's 2.5 I TDI oil-burner's maximum power output from 174 bhp to more impressive 206 bhp, boosting its peak torque to mighty 460 Nm. More powerful VW Touareg V10 5.0 TDI's maximum available power has also been increased from 313 bhp to 352 bhp, while its peak torque skyrocketed to from 750 Nm to 855 Nm. The mid-range 3.0 V6 TDI has also received its dose of JE Design's steroids, growing from 225 bhp to 285 bhp and from 500 Nm to 550 Nm.

New Renault Laguna

New Laguna's refined lines have been carefully crafted to create a dynamic, fluid design that effortlessly underpins the model's status as a true Grand Tourer.

To be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September the third-generation Laguna will be available in two versions, 5d hatch and the surprisingly better looking Sport Tourer (station-wagon). The engine range includes four diesel motors -1.5 dCi 110hp and 2.0 dCi in a choice of three versions (130hp, 150hp and 175hp) and two petrol motors, 2.0 16V 140Hp and 2.0 Turbo 175Hp. Other engines will be added to the catalogue shortly after the model's European launch in October.



The new Laguna Sedan and Wagon Video

Sportec Modifies the Audi S3

The Swiss tuner Sportec has taken the compact Audi S3 under its wing - which in its standard version already is a quite agile machine. The engine, exhaust and chassis components newly tuned by Sportec make the Audi a bit faster (165 mph top speed) while the gained performance excites the appetite to literally devour the tarmac during spontaneous bursts of speed.



The 2.0 L TFSI engine – already ex works a quite powerful one – produces in its standard version 265 bhp and a torque of 256 lb-ft. Thanks to its turbo technology, the powertrain offers the ideal possibilities to elicit a steady performance peak from the S3 by means of software modifications. Thus, after having been remodeled by Sportec, the Audi S3 comes up with such remarkable values as 300 bhp and 303 lb-ft, catapulting the S3 to 165 mph. With respect to the sprint from 0 to 60 mph, Sportec-modified S3 needs only 4.9 seconds – about a second faster than its series brother.

2007 AC Schnitzer S3 Cabrio

AC Schnitzer presented their modified version of the BMW 3 Series Cabrio, the AC Schnitzer S3 Cabrio. The convertible is powered by a 3.0 diesel engine that produces 195 kW / 265 HP and a maximum torque of 550 Nm. The body kit includes a more sporty front skirt, which also increases downforce, side skirts and a rear skirt, plus Type II and Type III alloys and racing rims in various sizes from 17″ to maximum 20″.



In order to provide performance upgrades for the 335d and 335i with the new Twin Turbo technology, totally new developments are required. These are currently in the 1st stage of the test phase. Despite the increase in power, the excellent driving behavior, moderate fuel consumption and superb stability remain unchanged with both performance upgrades.

Porsche 997 Turbo

Porsche 997 Turbo
About the experience
Torque - the ability of an engine to accelerate a car. It's the force that you most readily experience when you drive and the Porsche 911 Turbo, all the way from 2700rpm to 4600rpm. Add to that 472bhp and you suddenly have a very quick car with easily accessible performance. The engine position and four wheel drive gives phenomenal grip and traction. You can feel the rear weight bias and initially it feels unusual, but then it will all click and you will realise why the Porsche 911 Turbo has a such a strong following. Before the 911 Turbo you'll drive the new Porsche Cayman - just to get you in the Porsche mood and to help learn the fast sweeping curves of Thruxton Circuit. After your time in the Porsche is the chance to drive a proper single seat racing car, feel what its like to be an F1 driver as you experience g-force and amazing acceleration and stopping power.

Lotus Exige T3

The closest thing to a racecar on the road - a Go Kart with a roof. They both apply to the Elise. It is a very pure direct driving experience but the thing you notice more than anything is just how responsive a light car is.

Lotus Exige
Track focused, lightweight, powerful and British. The Lotus Exige has on eof the best chassis eer made and is able to reel in more expensive machinery. Listed below are all the experiences which include the Lotus Exige.

Specifically designed with track driving in mind. This highly focused, lightweight sports car produces near race like responses. The Lotus Exige is a big step on from the Lotus Elise and still follows Colin Chapman’s design philosophy.
The all aluminium monocoque and light composite bodywork is propelled by Toyota's powerful and high revving 189 bhp engine. The rear wing and front splitter produce real down force which can be felt on the fast sweeping corners at Thruxton circuit.
The Lotus Exige is an intensive driving experience. Your instructor will help develop your driving skills as you enjoy your time behind the wheel. We Guarantee you willl notice a big difference between the way you drove on the first few laps and the last.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X at Detroit Auto Show

The Evo uses the new Mitsubishi Lancer chassis, itself based on a platform originally developed in partnership with DaimlerChrysler. The Lancer is actually 0.6 inch shorter than before, but the wheelbase has been stretched 1.5 inches to 103.7 inches. The car is 2.7 inches wider and 3.8 inches taller. The chassis is more rigid in bending and torsion has improved more than 50 percent, but it's unfortunately also about 200 pounds heavier.



Mitsubishi engineers hope that an all-new turbocharged inline-4 will provide enough power to cope with the extra weight. Designated the MB11, this all-aluminum, DOHC 2.0-liter design has symmetrical cylinder dimensions, which should deliver free-revving performance. Mitsubishi's MIVEC variable-valve-timing technology has been applied to both camshafts to broaden the power band. Mitsubishi has also done its best to engineer this aluminum-block, open-deck engine to withstand the stress of turbocharging as well as the former iron-block 4G63 design.

Mitsubishi is remaining tight-lipped about power and torque figures from the turbo MB11 for now, but we expect horsepower to increase to 320 hp from 286, while torque will climb to 325 pound-feet from 295. This power should enable the Evo to sprint to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds.

More big news comes from the availability of a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission like Volkswagen's DSG unit. Shift paddles are mounted on the steering wheel, while a switch on the console delivers three different shift modes. For purists, a six-speed manual gearbox option will also be offered.


[Via edmunds.com]

2008 Maserati GranTurismo

Throwback GT helps define future of Italian maker
By GREG KABLE


The 2+2 GranTurismo, with its 4.2-liter, 405-hp V8 and six-speed automatic, seems to hit the sweet spot that was envisioned for the Maserati brand.



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[Via AutoWeek]

2008 CADILLAC STS

AutoWeek's 2008 Cadillac STS Review



The thing we like most about the new STS is that it’s still very easy to drive at low and medium speeds, but now reacts much more quickly to a toe tip on the throttle. Whereas the older V-6 reacted somewhat violently to a full-throttle foot, pulling the wheel and letting out a sharp groan, the new engine gives the driver a significant punch much earlier in the throttle angle. It’s not nearly as loud, which is fine by us. This is an STS, after all, and not an STS-V.



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2006 Ford Mustang GT Premium

Ford's new-generation Mustang is an amazing blend of the best of two different worlds. It looks very much like the late-‘60s Mustangs that were so popular in their day, while it drives exactly like the fully contemporary performance coupe it is.

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[Via autoMedia.com]

More about that Camaro in 'The Transformers'

The New Chevy Camaro, super hot, as seen in the new movie Transformers as well.




When people outside North America think of American cars, they would think either of those giant fuel-guzzling ‘battleships’ that need two Malaysian parking lots or they would think of the legendary sportscars like the Corvette and Mustang. Included in the list of legendary sportscars is the Chevrolet Camaro which was born in the mid-1960s. The first-generation Camaro captured the optimism of an era: the ‘Baby Boomers’ were getting into their teens, Motown ruled the airwaves and Woodstock gave a new meaning to the word ‘freedom’.


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[Via AutoTrader]

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