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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Euro, Hatchbacks, Mercedes Benz
Ten years on from a rather inauspicious start, Mercedes-Benz has released an Edition 10 anniversary model for the A-Class. When the original Mercedes-Benz A-Class failed miserably in a double lane change test (rolling over at speeds that most cars handled with no problem) in the hands of some Swedish media, the company had to quickly recall the first few months production and retrofit a stability control system and some suspension and tire changes.
The A-Class is now an established part of the Mercedes lineup and the anniversary edition adds special 16″ alloy wheels, a new grille and a louvered panoramic sunroof. The Edition 10 is also available in an exclusive mountain grey metallic finish. Another option that will be available is a service contract that covers all maintenance and repair on the car for 10 Euros a month.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Edition 10 anniversary edition
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Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Auction Action, Etc.
If you’re working on a ‘66 Chevy pickup with the hopes of getting it featured on the drag-racing reality show, PINKS, it’s generally not a great idea to walk out on your significant other, leaving said project vehicle in the driveway. Chances are you’re not going to be popular, and any vestiges you left behind are in danger. We don’t know how far along the build was, but seriously: nothing says “FAST” like one of those foot-shaped accelerator pedals. Now it can all be yours, courtesy of eBay.
The listing’s full of fun, with lines like, “I don’t know much about the truck since to me it is a piece of junk… All I know is that the Jerk spent hours watching “Pinks” and said this was the truck that was going to win it all out… whatever that means,” and “I don’t know how many miles are on it… It has a 10 on the side of it… if that helps, cash only, pick up only, I suggest a trailer, but it does run and crank, it just gets hot or something… I don’t know the loser probably just couldn’t drive it.”
Ain’t love grand? Click either photo to go bid on it. Plan on going higher than 800 bucks.
Thanks for the tip, Jamie!”
[Source: eBay]
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Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Volkswagen
A series of recent bombings targeting natural gas pipelines in southern Mexico has now caused five carmakers to halt production in the country. The attacks have apparently been the work of the Popular Revolutionary Army, a rebel group in the state of Veracruz.
General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Volkswagen and, most recently, Honda, have all had to close plants in the past couple of days due to a lack of natural gas needed to power operations. A number of additional plants as well as supplier’s plants may be affected over the next few days as well.
GM is working to switch over to propane at some of its plants, but others will remain closed until the natural gas supplies are restored. The Mexican oil company Pemex expects to have the pipelines restored and running again sometime between Sunday and Monday.
[Source: Detroit Free Press and Automotive News]
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Filed under: Motorsports
The ongoing “Stepneygate” espionage scandal that has embroiled Formula 1 this summer has drawn to a conclusion (for the time being, at least), and the World Motor Sport Council has meted out some severe punishment. McLaren F1 has been stripped of all its constructors’ championship points for the 2007 season and fined $100,000,000 USD — a record amount. This puts Ferrari in the points lead and makes them the probable champions this year. The BBC also reports that McLaren must prove that none of its cars are making use of any improperly-obtained Ferrari intellectual property before the beginning of next year’s F1 campaign.
McLaren will finish out the current F1 season on the track, and both Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have retained their accumulated drivers’ championship points. The FIA’s findings and the council’s reasoning behind its verdict will be released tomorrow. McLaren boss Ron Dennis will apparently wait to see this information before making a final decision on whether he’s going to appeal the council’s decision, though based on his quotes in the BBC’s report, it sounds like his mind’s made up, and an appeal is all but inevitable.
Thanks to all who sent tips!
[Source: BBC]
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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, SUVs, Euro, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover
Ford is working hard to unload Jaguar and Land Rover, and unlike Aston Martin deal, the Oval wants to be completely out. While Ford kept a small stake in Aston just like Daimler did with Chrysler, whoever buys the other two British brands will have to take everything.
Ford’s European boss, Lewis Booth, spoke in Frankfurt this week and told reporters that the company wants final bids by the end of September and the deal closed by the end of the year. According to Booth, Ford needs the cash and wants to rid itself of distractions from its core businesses. Evidently, it feels that keeping a stake might be no better than keeping the whole thing, and it would still ultimately be responsible for what happens to the two companies.
[Source: Detroit News]
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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Aston Martin, Lifestyle
Click image to view the high-res version, the DBS gallery
The Aston Martin DBS is one exclusive, expensive ride, with only 500 copies of the $250,000 car scheduled to be made each year. To up the exclusivity factor while also giving deep-pocketed DBS owners the ability to play James Bond, Swiss watchmaker Jaeger LeCoultre has designed a very exclusive chronograph strictly for DBS owners. The AMVOX2 chronograph has over 400 parts and costs an absolutely stunning $34,500. The timepiece, which is limited to 999 grade 5 titanium editions and 300 more exclusive Rose Gold wrist jewels, can actually open your DBS for you. Spending $35k on a good looking watch so you don’t have to carry a key fob seems drastic to us poor folk, but when you’ve got money to burn, it’s nice to pony up for items that are at least functional.
While the exclusive chronograph is an impressive piece of Swiss engineering, the best part of the equation is that the watch will likely never lose its value, and owners will undoubtedly be rewarded handsomely if they ever try to sell their prized bauble. Funny thing about a watch with 400 parts: when an autommaker over-engineers a part with too many components, it leads to more recalls and lower resale value. In a Swiss watch, a bunch of fancy parts makes it worth 1,000 Casios.
[Source: Auto News (subscription req’d)]
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The Audi R8 isn’t even on sale yet in most parts of the globe, but already we’ve heard of cars going up in flames in Germany and now we have a story about one that’s gone amok in downtown Moscow. From the images, it appears the driver lost of control of the car in the wet weather, skidded across onto the median strip and then crashed into a small tree before spinning to a stop. The car must have been traveling at some speed because the crash managed to rip out the car’s headlight out, projecting it several meters away onto a small patch of grass.
Every time we see a crashed exotic, we wonder when more car companies will start offering some kind of advanced driver training course as part of the car’s purchase. Then again, there’s no way to prevent the stupidity that makes someone want to speed in a built-up urban area in the wet. We hope the driver was at least smart enough to have insurance because it appears this R8 will have one very hefty repair bill.
There are plenty more photos at English Russia. Click the “Read link” or either pic shown here to head over. If you’re easily saddened by exoticar wreckage, keep a box of Kleenex handy.
[Source: English Russia]
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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, China, Euro, Safety
Following its utterly calamitous performance in crash tests conducted by Germany’s ADAC, Chinese automaker Brilliance said that it would work with the German body to improve the car’s safety. To be honest, we don’t know if any such changes have been designed or implemented yet, but apparently, Brilliance has done something.
According to a wire report carried by Forbes.com, the Brilliance BS6 has been tested by Spain’s Idiada Automotive Technologies SA. Unlike the test in Germany earlier this summer, the Brilliance garnered a 3-star rating as it passed the test performed in accordance with Euro NCAP guidelines. According to Brilliance, that’s the best rating ever for a Chinese car tested under the European standards. According to the report, Brilliance plans on using this test success to drum up business in Europe and the US. Unfortunately, we haven’t come across any photos or video of the Spanish test yet. If and when we do, we’ll post them so you can compare them to the ADAC test the car failed earlier in the summer.
[Source: AFX News via Forbes.com]
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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Tuners, Convertibles, Euro, Bentley
Over in Frankfurt, MANSORY has its latest creation on display. The Continental GTC-based LeMANSORY Convertible is one of Bentley’s delectable ragtops that’s been subsequently outfitted with the Le MANSORY body and tuning package. Sadly, the widebody kit obscures the GTC’s classy art-deco lines in the name of giving the car a racier look. Black wheels and grille inserts contrast to the bright white bodywork, and the interior is transformed by a retina-scorching white-and-red full leather/Alcantara package. That color scheme is carried into the engine compartment, where the modifications are more to our liking.
The MANSORY performance kit ups the twin-turbo W12’s output from 552 hp to a stout 641 horses @ 6100 RPM and a tire-destroying 575 lb-ft of torque at just 1600 rpm. As you might imagine, the performance numbers reflect the added punch. 0-60 happens in 4.4 seconds and the car’s claimed top speed is 205 mph. A Brembo brake upgrade adds the required stopping power, and a new exhaust system that exhales via quad ports lets the neighbors know about the evil underhood. Only 24 LeMANSORY kits will be sold, so if you don’t like it, don’t worry. Chances are you’ll never see one in the wild anyway.
MANSORY’s full press release is pasted after the jump.
[Source: MANSORY via Motor Authority]
Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: Le MANSORY Convertible
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