December 31st, 2008
under Nissan.
Branew, a company that usually focuses on luxury cars such as Mercedes Benz, Bentley and Lexus models, has recently turned its attention to Nissan’s sports cars following its aero kit for the Nissan GT-R. Rival Japanese tuning house Zele has also unveiled aerodynamic kits for the Nissan 370Z and GT-R, which will also be on display at next month’s show. The new kit seems to be anything but simple or functional consisting of a new underbody lip kit in either carbon fiber or fiberglass reinforced plastic. The Branew body kit also consists of a new front, side and rear parts. The tuner will also add a giant rear spoiler made of lightweight carbon fiber. As for the shoes, from the images it seems like Branew will throw on 22-inch wheels. Branew is currently working on engine upgrades including a new titanium and steel exhaust system, suspension upgrades, brake upgrades and ECU modifications.The complete Branew package for the 2009 Nissan 370Z will make its debut at next week’s Tokyo Auto show in Japan.
The aerodynamic kit will include a custom front spoiler, side steps, a rear spoiler and a rear wing, as well as custom
wheels. All the parts of the kit except for the wheels and the rear wing will be available in either carbon-fiber or
fiberglass. The custom wheels will be available in sizes ranging from 20 to 22in, however, an upgraded suspension kit should help to keep the ride comfortable and improve handling for the larger diameter. Additionally, a brake system upgrade kit is also available, along with tuning of the ECU, while an upgraded muffler will also be on offer to give the car a more engaging roar.
December 30th, 2008
under Cars.
Vauxhall Meriva
Vauxhall’s meriva which is all set to debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show is caught by spy photographers. From the pictures, it seem the new Meriva is likely to shake up the class with a stylish shape which has changed little from the 2008 Geneva Motor Show concept. Meriva equips flexible interior and plenty of cabin space. It’s quite a compact package which makes it easy to manoeuvre around town but while the tall shape means there’s good headroom, the boxy profile is quite ungainly and the meriva is particularly stylish.
Inspired by the seven-seat Zafira, Vauxhall’s Meriva takes flexible rear seating for five to a different sector. A ‘mini-MPV’, it offers FlexSpace; ordinarily a roomy, high-set bench for three, the middle seat can be collapsed which allows the two outer perches to squeeze inwards and rearwards, thus providing limo-levels of leg and shoulder room for two. A box can be fitted in the centre too, there’s ‘Twin Audio’ individual controls in the rear, while fantastic visibility makes this one of the most passenger-friendly small cars on today’s market. The doors are similar to those on the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Mazda RX-8, and are hinged at the rear to allow superb access to the back seats.
The Meriva borrows its engines from the Astra and Corsa and the petrol line-up consists of a 90bhp 1.4-litre, 100bhp 1.6-litre and a 125bhp 1.8-litre engine.The Meriva is good around town thanks to decent visibility and due to its small dimensions it is easy to Parallel Park too. The steering is overly assisted though and as a result it lacks feel, plus there’s a fair amount of body roll through bends.All cars come with a five-speed manual gearbox which is a little notch, while an automatic is available on 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol models. Meriva will rivals the likes of the Nissan Note.
December 30th, 2008
under Porsche.
Some intruder has snapped the interiors of Panamera interior at the production-level. The fact that it’s dressed up in brown leather probably will probably be lipstick on a warthog for those who revile it in pre-production form. The Panamera stands out clearly in its market segment: measuring 1931mm (76.0in) in width and 1418mm (55.8in) in height, the Panamera is both wider and lower than comparable four-door models.
The Panamera follows the design philosophy refined over decades on the 911 and successfully implemented also on the Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne. The luggage compartment easily takes every passenger’s baggage, the interior’s ‘variable space concept’ with its folding rear seat backrests enabling the driver and passengers to adjust the luggage space individually. The number of buttons has been a major item of discussion, but they buttons seems to be less compared to the 911 or Cayenne. Porsche Panamera gets at least one real cupholder (compared to the 911), the IP and controls to the left of the steering wheel have been more integrated into the flow of the dash, and the 911-type gauges seem to be topped by a trim panel like the one around the Cayenne cluster. Designed to meet the high quality standards, the five-door i20 offers a large interior cabin and stylish exteriors.
About Porsche Panamera
The Porsche Panamera is a four-door, four-seat supersedan set to be launched in March 2009 at the Geneva Motor show. It will be front engined and rear wheel drive and powered by a modified version of the 4.5 L V8 found in the Cayenne, equipped with the FSI system invented by Volkswagen
Spy picture of Porsche Panamera – Interiors
December 30th, 2008
under Jaguar.
Jaguar has face lifted the XF and introduced a new diesel-engine model, the Jaguar XF S – which enables the saloon to deliver 42mpg. The Jaguar XF’s new engine is a development of the 2.7-litre AJ V6 that was jointly engineered with PSA and also powers the Land Rover Discovery. Capacityis increased to 3.0 litres, and power is up by 33 per cent, from 207bhp to 272bhp. Torque increases to 420lb ft from 320lb ft, a 66 per cent hike. That makes the new unit more torquey than any of its rivals apart from the BMW 535d.
The new engine means that the Jaguar XF S, as the new diesel model will be called when it arrives in dealerships in March, can hit 60mph in 5.9sec, 1.8sec faster than the old 2.7-litre diesel. The car’s CO2 emissions fall from 199g/km to 179g/km. Jaguar’s engineers have upgraded the engine’s forced induction system. Up to 2800rpm the larger of the two turbo does all the work, at which point the smaller unit kicks in. Jaguar claims that this system improves efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.
Along with the 272bhp engine, there will also be a 237bhp version with the same fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, although that model’s 0-60mph time is increased to 6.7sec. The new diesel Jaguar XF S gets 20-inch wheels and a boot lid lip spoiler to help distinguish it from other XFs.
Jaguar is also adding a Portfolio model to the XF range, which will get a similar treatment to the XK and XF Portfolios; expect bespoke interior trim and colours, including lots of leather, and exterior tweaks such as polished aluminium wing vents. Jaguar will also upgrade its petrol V8s in 2009, kicking off with a new 5.0-litre engine that’s due to be unveiled in the XFR super-saloon at next month’s Detroit motor show. Equipped with a supercharger, this engine produces 503bhp.
December 30th, 2008
under Mercedes.
New Mercedes E-class coupe which will replace the CLK is caught while testing
The new Mercedes E-class coupe, which will replace the CLK when it goes on sale next year, has been spied testing on UK roads.
The barely disguised Mercedes E-class coupe was seen in Llandudno in Wales and it shows that Mercedes is using a different grille to help to differentiate it from the E-class saloon; the large three-pointed star in the centre is not available on the saloon.The coupe’s front end is closely based on the Concept Fascination, the handsome concept car from this year’s Paris motor show. And the pillarless side windows have a much more dramatic, sleek outline.
Much of the rest of the E-class coupe’s styling is derived from the saloon; designers have used the shape of the rear wheel arch and the crease below the window line to create a link between the two cars. The rear lights are a variation of the E-class saloon’s, although they’re slimmer and the tailpipes are oval rather than rectangular.
Inside, there’s room for four, with decent rear head room. The E-class coupe is bigger than the CLK, as the E-class on which it is based has also grown, with a longer wheelbase.The E-class coupe will be available with a raft of new technology, including Mercedes’ latest active safety device, called Attention Assist.It monitors driver inputs and compares them with the car’s position on the road to detect if a driver is about to fall asleep.
Pictures of new Mercedes E-class coupe
December 29th, 2008
under Honda.
Pictures and Specifications of Honda’s prius rival Insight are leaked.
Leaked Specification of 2009 Honda insight JDM version
Features common to all Japanese Insights:
* Ecological Drive Assist System
* multi-information display
* full-auto air conditioner
* projector-style headlights
* remote-control body-colored external mirrors
* tinted rear windows
* security alarm
* immobilizer (ignition system verifies chip in key)
* 15-inch steel wheels
* solar-heat-reducing/noise-reducing glass
* active front head-rests
* tilt/telescoping steering wheel
* seat-height adjuster
* three rear-seat head rests
* flat-tire repair kit (the new Insight carries no spare tire)
The L model adds:
* high-intensity discharge headlights with auto light control
* turn signals in the external mirrors
* leather steering wheel
* rear speakers
* front/rear arm rests
* variable-speed windshield wiper
* map light and luggage-area light
* driver’s seat back pocket
The LS model adds:
* 16-inch aluminum wheels
* Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
* front fog lights
* 7-speed paddle shifters
* sun-shade tinted windshield
Optional accessories:
* navigation system with 7-inch screen and hard disk drive (this system may also display additional fuel economy information and in Japan it may include a TV tuner and ECT, an electronic highway toll payment system)
* Honda smart key system
* side-curtain air bags
* 15-inch aluminum wheel for L class
* High-intensity discharge headlights
* comfort view package plus rear window wiper
Body color options:
* Spectrum while pearl (also a Civic hybrid color)
* Milano red (also a Fit color)
* Premium deep violet pearl (also a Jazz color, but not a US Honda color)
* Crystal black pearl (also an Accord, Civic, and Fit color)
* Polished metal metallic (also an Accord and Civic color)
* Alabaster silver metallic (also an Accord and Civic color)
* Brilliant sky metallic (also a Jazz color, but not a US Honda color)
Interior color options:
* Blue
* Warm gray
Other data:
* Length 4390 mm (172.8 inches)
* Width 1695 mm (66.7 inches)
* Height 1425 mm (56.1 inches)
* Wheelbase 2550 mm (100.4 inches)
* Weight 1180 kilograms (2601.5 lbs)
* Minimum turning radius: 5 meters (16.4 feet)
* Engine type: inline 1339 cc SOHC 4-cylinder
* Engine generates 88 horsepower @5800rpm and 12.3 kgm torque @4500rpm
* IMA motor generates 14 horsepower @1500rpm and 9.4 kgm torque @500rpm
* Japanese 10.15 mode fuel consumption test: 30.0 kilometers per liter (which is greater than 70 mpg, but the EPA tests will return lower numbers; the Toyota Prius rates 35.5 km/l or greater than 83 mpg in this test.)
Here is scanned brochure of 2009 Honda Insight JDM version
December 27th, 2008
under Honda.
World’s 5th largest automobile manufacturer in the world as well as the largest engine-maker in the world. Honda, which officially launched the majority of its 2009 range, held back its new CB1100F – the most exciting bikes that will hit dealers next year. But newly published patents suggest that despite the fact CB1100F wasn’t revealed during the big bike shows of 2008, it’s still on-track to be available in 2009, and could make its first public appearance as a production model as early as March during the annual Tokyo Motorcycle Show.
More than a year on from the first showing of the prototype CB1100F at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2007, the new documents reveal that Honda has now patented the bike’s final styling, preventing rivals from copying the design and ensuring the company will be due royalties from any firms offering models or toys of the bike.
The CB1100F production bike will be virtually indistinguishable from the original concept, which comes as a relief after so many concepts that reach production, like Suzuki’s B-King and Yamaha’s MT-01, are watered-down for production. Just like the DN-01, which made its debut as a concept at the 2005 Tokyo show and was revealed in production form two years later.In motocross, Honda has claimed 6 million motocross world championships.
Picture of Honda CB1100F concept
December 26th, 2008
under Aprilia.
Aprilia, Italian based motorcycle company owned by Piaggio, ranked as the world’s fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer is speeding ahead with its new naked Tuono version of the RSV4. With this unique sporting heritage behind them, Aprilia is proud to present the RSV4, the bike with which Aprilia will return to the Superbike World Championship in 2009. This extraordinary machine has been conceived, designed and developed entirely by Aprilia Racing for competition use.
Designer Miguel Galuzzi and his team are already carving away at clay models to try and get the shape just right. As the RSV4 was designed as a naked bike from the outset, expect a really clean bike to emerge at the end of 2009. Designer GaluzziNoale said the RSV4 has been designed to be a naked bike from the outset so the design was kept as clean as possible. The Aprilia RSV4 has been designed and developed with competition in mind, and naturally offers all the adjustments normally found on racing machines. In particular, this most powerful Aprilia ever made stands out for its complete range of chassis adjustments. The variable geometry frame not only allows you to change parameters like headstock angle, but even lets you adjust swing arm and engine position. Aprilia is a legend in modern motorcycling. Aprilia motorcycles have dominated circuits all over the world. There is no more doubt that Aprilia’s new version will hit the auto market with flying colors.
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