Automotive News

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Infiniti, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for photo gallery

So, when we posted on the updated Infiniti M earlier today, word was that we’d have to wait until Saturday for the pics and info. Well, apparently that was not the case, or we’ve stepped into a time warp. In any case, we can now give you the rundown on the highlights. In brief, they are:

• Revised front and rear fascias, grille, rear decklid, rear fenders, taillamps, and chrome accents
• New 18″ and 19″ wheel designs
• Better visual differentiation between Sport Package and standard models
• Sport Package gets unique bumpers, side sills, dark headlight housings and 19″ wheels
• Rain sensing wipers
• New paint colors
• All-wheel-drive V8 power with addition of M45x
• Introduction of camera-assisted Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system
• Updated wood and aluminum interior trim
• new center console
• Revised Hard Drive Nav System
• Updated Sport Package interior (seats, steering wheel & pedals)
• Updated gauges
• New and/or updated interior colors

You can read all the details in their entirety after the jump and check out the gallery of 20 photos below. Of course, if you’re lucky enough to be headed to Pebble Beach this weekend, you can have a gander at the freshened sedan in person.

[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2008 Infiniti M

 

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Filed under: Videos, BMW

BMW’s original E23 seven sedan recently turned 30 years old so we thought it’d be interesting to post this informative video on the background of the car and what it’d be like to own one today. Part of the history behind this car is that it was released at a time when emissions controls were being implemented and the idea of a large sports sedan was unfeasible.

Produced by Gunnar Heinrich of Automobiles De Luxe, the eight-minute video makes what could be an otherwise mundane clip about a ’70s sedan rather enjoyable to watch. The accompanying soundtrack is also good for a laugh.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: BMW’s 733i reviewed 30 years on

 

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Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, BMW

Reports are coming in that BMW will be launching an all-wheel-drive 335xi Coupe sometime in the first half of next year. It will be the first time all four wheels will be powered on a 3-Series coupe, and the car will stand as a direct competitor to Audi’s A5 Quattro coupe. Being coupled with BMW’s 300-hp twin-turbo inline-six means the 335xi Coupe can reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds for the manual version (0.1 second quicker than the RWD model) and 5.3 seconds for the automatic (0.2 seconds quicker than the RWD model). It turns out the additional traction more than compensates for the extra weight of BMW’s xDrive AWD system. We hear the base price will be $42,600, which we assume is in USD since it falls right above the $40,800 starting price of the 335i (shown) in the U.S.

[Source: edBMWBlog]

 

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Filed under: Sports/GTs, Etc.

Building a car from the ground up, even in kit form, ain’t easy. Forget about installing an engine and transmission. That’s easy compared to getting body panels and doors to align or electrical systems to work together. And all that tedious stuff is at least one reason most of us don’t have hot rods sitting in our garages. Never mind the cost.

One company that understands all that and more is So-Cal Speedshop. They should, they’ve been building rods since 1946. Now they’re offering time-strapped or inpatient hot-rodders a So-Cal Stage 4 Hiboy Roadster. For just less than $40,000, you get a steel ‘32 Ford Deuce-style body and chassis complete with all brake and fuel lines, suspension pieces, So-Cal windshield, steering wheel, guages and fuel tank. Drop in some Mexican blanketed seats and the drivetrain of your choice and you’re ready for the strip. Later you might even add some paint for a little show with your go.

No, $40k isn’t exactly cheap for what’s basically a hot rod shell, but think of all the time and headaches that money could save you.

Get all details from So-Cal after the jump.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading So. Cal Speed Shop ups the ante with Stage-4 Roadster

 

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ - August 16, 2007… BMW today announced the launch of the Hydrogen 7 Pioneer Program as it handed over the keys of a BMW Hydrogen 7 - the first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan - to Hollywood actor Will Ferrell.

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Filed under: China, Plants/Manufacturing, Lotus

Contrary to a report that surfaced Monday, Lotus has no intention of partnering with the Malaysian state-owned automaker, Proton, to build cars in China. This announcement debunks what Jinhua Neoplan has asserted throughout a number of articles in the Chinese press - including the state-supported China Daily.

The e-mail, which was apparently sent to Lotus staff, makes it clear that no vehicles will be produced in China, nor are there any plans to do so within the next five years. The email goes on to say that such reports “could affect staff morale or performance” and that, “in the future please treat such press comments with the scepticism (sic) they deserve.”

Moving on…

[Source: Inside Line]

 

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Filed under: Tuners, Sports/GTs, Euro, Hatchbacks, Audi

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The latest Deutsch treat from Abt Sportsline is a tuned Audi S3. As you’re all well aware, there is no S3 here in the US, nor is there a plan to sell one. The US doesn’t even get the 3-door A3 that the S is based on, anyway. European drivers will be able to hand their cars over to Abt Sportsline, which will juice up the potent 2.0 TFSI to an impressive 310 horses and 309 lb-ft of torque. Abt also upgrades the suspension and fits a sport exhaust and handsome 19-inch wheels. Understated looks, legit power, and deft handling are what Abt stirs into the pot with this S3, and that combo’s usually a recipe for fun. Unfortunately, it’s one Americans can’t taste-test. Too bad, as the car’s 5.4 second 0-62 time and 160 mph top end sound delicious.

[Source: Abt Sportsline]

Continue reading Abt Sportsline’s 310-horsepower Audi S3

 

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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Supercars, Earnings/Financials

There are a number of hurdles to overcome when playing to people’s egos, adrenal glands and pocket books. When combing the three into a cohesive, four-wheeled package, the task is even more daunting. Although Koenigsegg has only been in the business for five years, it knows that troubles don’t end when a fresh set of keys is handed to a customer and backorders fill the coffer.

According to a report in Sweden’s Realtid, the exotic automaker owes over €240,000 to creditors and is seeking new investors to pay back the debt. Considering that Koenigsegg has already had to endure a production line move after fires consumed a facility back in 2003, we doubt that this particular problem will ail the automaker for very long. Also, the amount of debt converts to around $321,000 USD. If Koenigsegg is threatened by a debt that’s smaller than the price of just one of its cars, then it’s in worse shape than we thought.

[Source: Motor Authority]

 

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Filed under: Wagons/Estates, Auction Action, Etc., Euro, Porsche

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This is the best.wagon.evar. Perhaps it’s better described as a “shooting brake.” Whatevs, the lines of the Porsche 944 lend themselves shockingly well to wagonization. Our Dutch is nonexistent, but from what we can gather, this 1981 944 Turbo could be yours if you’ve got 25,000 Euros kicking around. Shipping it over to the US from Genk would assuredly feel longer and more agonizing than what a five-year old experiences watching the second hand march around the clock on December 24th. The condition is said to be showroom perfect, and indeed, even the seats look far less beaten than what we routinely see lurking inside 1980s Porsches offered on eBay. There’s about 175 horsepower on tap from the 2-liter four cylinder, so while it looks much faster, hot rodded Volvo 240 Turbos might be showing you their taillights.

This is the perfect Porsche for the folks with kids who don’t want to join the lemmings in the Cayenne. Roughly 30 grand doesn’t buy you a ton of exclusivity, either, but this Porsche Estate will definitely shut the mouths of those that feel the need to keep up with the Joneses. If you play around with the turbo boost settings, they’ll have a tough time keeping up with you, too.

Thanks for the tip, Paul

[Source: eBay]

Continue reading eBay Find Of The Day: Porsche Wagon

 

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Infiniti, Misc. Auto Shows

You’d think it’s the traditional show season and not August, based on the number of vehicle introductions going on at Pebble Beach. Infiniti has announced that an updated M sedan will join the EX35 crossover at the swanky weekend car porn festival in Monterey. The M is said to receive “extensive exterior and interior enhancements” and a V8 all-wheel-drive M45x will join the lineup for ‘08. Infiniti also states that the previous M Sport models will be replaced by an optional Sport Package (19″ wheels, Rear Active Steer, visual tweaks, etc). Check back Saturday, when we should have full details and photos from Infiniti.

[Source: Infiniti]

 

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