Automotive News

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Geneva Motor Show, BMW

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BMW’s foray into turbocharging, in the form of the 335i, has been met with tremendous enthusiasm from both journos and consumers alike. But as any pistonhead knows, when a vehicle gets a turbo bolted on at the factory, invariably, there’s more performance to be had. Vishnu has already upped the ante with their Procede ECU upgrade, which brings horsepower into the 360-380 realm, along with a substantial increase in torque. Coupled with their soon-to-be-released exhaust system, the sky is quickly becoming the limit.

For those that are looking for a thoroughly reworked system that can be bought outright, Alpina released its B3 Biturbo at the Geneva Motor Show that combines both performance and aesthetic enhancements in one complete package.

The result of Alpina’s diligence under the hood (boost pressure is up to 16 psi) and the replacement of the stock exhaust, is 360 HP between 5,500 and 6,000 RPM and 368 lb.-ft. of torque available from 3,800 to 5,000 RPM. The tweaked engine routes power to the ZF six-speed automatic gearbox — complete with SWITCH-TRONIC manumatic mode - that allows the B3 to breach the 62 MPH mark in just under five seconds.

[Source: Alpina]

Continue reading Geneva Motor Show: Alpina B3 brings the twist

 

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, SUVs, Recalls/TSBs, Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler, Dodge, Jeep

Reuters is reporting that the Chrysler Group has issued a large recall for over 489,000 vehicles. The one recall is actually three recalls across a variety of models for different issues. The largest affects 328,424 Dodge Durango SUVs produced between 2004 and 2006. There is an integrated circuit in the instrument cluster of these Durangos that could overheat. The second recall affects 149,605 Jeep Liberty SUVs produced between 2006 and 2007. The blower motor on these Liberties could fail, particularly in hot weather. Finally, the third recall affects the brand new 2008 Dodge Avenger sedan. About 10,994 Avengers are being recalled for problems with their door latches. This fairly major recall follows another recall Chrysler announced in late February that involved 51,000 vehicles requiring reprogrammed software for their anti-lock brakes. Unfortunately for Tom LaSorda and crew, these recent recalls are not exactly the best foot the Chrysler Group would like to put forward for potential bidders that are considering purchasing the automaker.

 

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Supercars

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Well, those of us who didn’t go to Geneva appear to have missed out on seeing some pretty interesting cars “in the metal.” The Giugiaro VAD.HO, which we’ve previously reported on, is one of the better ones. It’s one thing to see the car in press kit photos against a blank background. Seeing it alongside actual human beings is another thing entirely, and man, does this thing look good.

As we told you earlier, it’s powered by the 12-cylinder from BMW’s Hydrogen 7, which is mounted next to the two-person cockpit situated along the car’s left-hand side. The press materials describe its overall size as being similar to that of the Ferrari 430, and we think the photos of it on the show floor bear that out. It’s very sporty looking, with a nicely detailed front end (love those headlamp assemblies) and aggressive lines leading back to the equally pleasing tail. Follow the jump to read Giugiaro’s full press release on the car, where you’ll learn all about its aircraft-style controls, how it got its name, and interesting features such as the “umbrella” airbags that deploy in the event of an accident.

We’re all for “concepts” such as the M3 Concept that BMW brought to the show, which are little more than not-so-sneaky previews of upcoming products. The “true” concept cars like the VAD.HO really capture the imagination, however. They’re the ones that knocked our socks off as kids, and as evidenced by Giugiaro’s latest creation, they’re the ones that have that same effect on us as adults. Bravo.

[Source: Giugiaro]

Continue reading Geneva Motor Show: Giugiaro VAD.HO

 

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Coupes, Geneva Motor Show

Click the image for Noah Joseph’s gallery of pics.

It’s hard to choose our favorite unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show, but one of our top picks was the Paragon Artega GT, penned by Henrik Fisker of Aston Martin fame. The sleek coupe had a diminutive footprint, but was easily one of the design heavyweights of the show.

Paragon, a German automotive supplier, intended the Artega GT to be a rolling showcase of what the company was capable of. The coupe is powered by a VW-sourced, mid-mounted 3.5L V6, producing 300 HP and sending power through a six-speed DSG. Under the carbon fiber body panels resides an aluminum space frame that allows the Artega to tip the scales at just over 2,400 pounds. Coupled with the aforementioned V6, the GT can climb to 60 MPH in five seconds and on to a top speed of 168 MPH.

Approximately 500 Artegas will be produced, with orders being taken in November and deliveries beginning sometime next summer. Pricing wasn’t announced, but it’s expected to be below the $100k mark.

 

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Time Warp, Sports/GTs, Dodge

The boys at Jalopnik just arrived in Detroit for the Autorama show and happened upon the Dodge Challenger Super Stock concept car, the one we mentioned would be at Autorama a few days ago. We saw the same car in Las Vegas for SEMA, although with a different color scheme. To rehash, the Challenger Super Stock has a 392 HEMI crate motor pumping out 525 hp and 510 ft-lbs of tire-melting power. In place of the Ronnie Sox livery, now the S/S is sporting a sinister matte black finish with gloss black highlights. Click the Read link to visit Jalopnik for more pics.

Obviously intended as a dragster, the car’s rear suspension was completely redone by the DCX Skunkwerks team. An A999 automatic transmission channels that HEMI power through a classic DANA 60 solid rear axle supported by Mopar “Super Stock” leaf springs. Along with the 15″ Goodyear Eagle racing slicks, this setup should reduce wheel hop and significantly improve straight-line performance. If you liked it before, you’ll probably love the way it looks now. If you didn’t like it before, you probably don’t understand it, and we’re not sure the black paintjob will help.

[Source: Jalopnik]

 

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Filed under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Nissan

click above image to view 42 additional high-res images of the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V

Today Nissan announced pricing for its all-new Sentra SE-R models. Remember, there are two models, the Sentra SE-R and the more powerful SE-R Spec V. The 2007 Sentra SE-R starts with an MSRP of $19,400. That model includes a 177-horsepower 2.5L four-cylinder engine and Nissan’s Xtronic CVTO transmission. The 2007 Sentra SE-R Spec V, meanwhile, begins at just $500 more. With a base MSRP of $19,900, the Spec V sports a 200-horsepower version of the same motor paired to a 6-speed manual transmission. It also features bigger brakes, meatier tires and a sportier suspension than the SE-R model.

Our question is why anyone would choose not to pony up the half grand for the more powerful and performance oriented SE-R Spec V model. We suppose the SE-R may appeal to those who can’t drive stick or want a less expensive insurance premium, but should those people really be shopping for a high-performance econocar in the first place? Regardless, a sub-$20k base price for 200 horsepower sounds like a decent deal, though we expect options like the Audio Package, Sunroof Package, satellite radio, and helical limited-slip differential will quickly raise this car’s cost of entry.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan prices Sentra SE-R Spec V below $20k

 

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Filed under: Motorsports

If the US Grand Prix remains at Indianapolis beyond 2007, which is by no means a foregone conclusion, it could switch to running counter-clockwise, the way IndyCars do. That’s because Indy is trying to get a MotoGP race and having the bikes run clockwise through the banked turn 1 (turn 13 when running the road course) could prove to be too dangerous when accelerating out of the turn onto the front straight.

The banked turn has always been controversial even for F1 cars because no other modern day F1 track has a similar type of corner, and the cars and their tires aren’t really designed for the stresses they face there. After six years of running at Indy you would think that teams and tire makers would have learned and compensated by now, but apparently they prefer to whine about it, then address the problem in their designs.

[Source: SpeedTV]

 

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Filed under: Euro, Aston Martin, Earnings/Financials

The Detroit News just reported that the winning bid for Aston Martin might be a little lower than we originally thought. The group of investors led by Prodrive’s David Richards is about to close the deal for about £450 million ($870 million). That’s a full 10 percent lower than we just reported yesterday. The £500 million guess would have been half of Ford’s initial asking price for the British luxury sports car maker. Whatever the final price, we still believe Ford will keep an interest in Aston Martin, as it is A-M’s number one parts supplier. Also, Ulrich Bez should stay on as chief, despite having submitted his own bid for the company.

As the company already running the racing team for Aston-Martin, Prodrive would consolidate management and ownership of the company’s headquarters, research and production facilities in Gaydon, England. Aston Martin is a small but valuable marque that has links to not only racing prowess, but to James Bond, as well. That image is priceless to some and apparently worth about $870 million to others.

[Source: The Detroit News]

 

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Filed under: Car Buying, Trucks/Pickups, Toyota

Toyota has apparently instituted a nationwide cash-back deal for the base model Toyota Tundra pickup that will send $1,500 back into the pockets of potential owners. According to the Wall Street Journal, the rebate will last the entire month of March. KickingTires is reporting that Southeast dealers in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina are offering the full $1,500 rebate, while other dealers around the country will offer from between $250 to $1,000 cash back.

Though many will use this news as ammo against Toyota and its effort to crack into the full-size truck market, it’s not that big of a deal considering the rebate is focused on what is likely the least popular model in the Tundra lineup, the base model. Also, Ford was forced to offer a rebate on its much hyped Edge CUV shortly after it was launched for the same reason. In the same breath, we have the urge to tell Toyota “told ya so!” Clearly, it’s proving more difficult than Toyota realized to nab new truck buyers. The automaker even revealed to the Journal that it was concerned it will not reach its goal of selling 200,000 units in the Tundra’s initial year of availability. We’ve got two words for Toyota if it wants to boost sales of the Tundra: “Tough Box“!

[Source: Wall Street Journal (sub. req’d) via KickingTires]

 

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Rolls Royce

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When the Rolls-Royce Phantom went on sale in 2003, it was a pretty big deal. After the whole VW/BMW battle over the R-R/Bentley empire, BMW emerged as the owner of Rolls. Soon after, the Phantom was shown, making a huge statement about the future of Rolls-Royce. A big car with even bigger shoes to fill, the Phantom used retro styling cues to update the brand and bring a whole new audience to the marque.

Flash forward four years and Rolls-Royce has managed to do pretty well with its “new” Rolls. With Bentley and Maybach as its only true competition, the big Roller has managed to hold its own. Still the car of choice among the ultra rich in many parts of America, Europe and Asia, in particular, R-R has managed to sell a whopping 3,000 Phantoms over the years.

Car number 3,000 was recently feted as a corporate milestone at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars of London. Mrs. Tchenguiz-Imerman, a London socialite, was the customer who commissioned lucky number 3,000 from Sales Manager Stephen Foulds, who happens to be the most successful Phantom seller in the world with more than 130 units sold. In a small ceremony, she accepted the keys to her Diamond Black Phantom from Rolls-Royce Chairman and Chief Executive, Ian Robertson. The Goodwood plant and the London dealership have been a big part of the legacy of Rolls-Royce, and so it was fitting that this milestone event involved those two institutions. A plaque inside the glovebox marks this particular car as lucky number 3,000.

[Source: Rolls Royce]

 

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