Archive for September, 2009

Subaru STI Carbon Released in Tokyo

Japanese manufacturer Subaru has set out to impress the crowd which will attend the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show next month, with a exclusively tuned version of the Subaru WRX. Dubbed STI Carbon, this special version is based on the STI A-line model.

Unfortunately, what lies underneath the fancy WRX STI Carbon name is just that: carbon, featured from place to place on the body of the car. As Subaru says, this STI “features the use of carbon material in the roof.” And really, that’s about it. We’re not even going to take into account the “suede fabric used in the interior” which “enhances driving excitement and pride of ownership.”

This time however, the STI received a 5 speed automatic transmission to go with the engine, unlike the regular version which uses a manual 6-speed. Again, this will not mean much in terms of performance.

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Subaru Hybrid Wagon

Using the usual horizontally-opposed “Boxer” engine offering a max output of 10kW (Front) / 20kW (Rear) (Subaru’s trade mark) as well as the usual Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), our new Hybrid Tourer is fitted with a awesome design that unfortunately, like anything cool lately this gorgeous lines may stay forever a pure concept and we may never see such “coolness” giving to Subaru a really needed 2nd chance.

Subaru has condensed its DNA, developed over many years around the Subaru’s core technology of “Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)” and “Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine”, into the integration of a luxurious and high-quality cabin atmosphere and an eye-catching sculpted body. The concept car features Subaru’s latest evolutions in handling agility, riding comfort and superior safety performance. It proposes Subaru’s vision of a future grand touring car that excels in environmental friendliness thanks to Subaru’s unique hybrid system.

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Fiat Punto Evo launched on Helicopter

Unveiled in a world premiere at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Fiat Punto Evo is officially launched today. It aims to build on the success of its predecessor, the Grande Punto, and become a benchmark for innovation, safety and style thanks to several new features.
The name “Evo” highlights a level of evolution in car design that is capable of satisfying customers who are increasingly demanding in terms of technology, driveability and respect for the environment.

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Hyundai i20 Production start May 2010

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Turkey - Korean auto giant Hyundai is tapping its global manufacturing network to supply European customers with more versions of its compact i20, which was introduced earlier this year. While three- and four-door variants come from Hyundai Motor India, the company said a new i20 five-door will go into production next May at the Izmit plant in Turkey.

Hyundai said the plant will build up to 80,000 units of the car annually, most of which will be exported to other European markets. The company is investing $75 million to prepare the Izmit plant for i20 production.

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Sleep on Lamborghini?

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Now you can bring the Lamborghini brand to the bed room with the Lamborghini bed by Magniflex. A great product or dilution of the brand for Lambo? You be the judge. This bed comes in Queen sized for and has a price of RM7,500. Now if they put one in with the purchase then Lamborghini and Magniflex may be on to something (kidding). In the end something tells us this will be a bed for spoiled rich kids who can’t quite drive yet.

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Aston Martin Kuwaiti Boss in Financial Trouble

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The snooty Aston Martin sport-luxury carmaker, once quintessentially British but then pimped out to foreign owners, is in trouble after the Kuwaiti “sovereign wealth fund” that owns 51% of the luxury carmaker admitted it was struggling to refinance its debt.

According to the British Guardian newspaper, Kuwaiti owners Investment Dar is one of many free-spending banks and investment houses in that country to run into financial trouble during the recession. The losses in overseas investments incurred are too high to even be covered by rising oil prices.

The flailing Aston Martin outfit was sold by U.S. owners Ford in March 2007 just before the recession hit, to a consortium led by former racing driver Dave Richards, investment banker John Singers, Investment Dar and Adeem Investment for US$ 925 million. The deal was partly financed by several international banks which had agreed to a US$ 393 million “sharia-compliant” loan.

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Fernando Alonso is going to earn 150 million euros

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Fernando Alonso is about to secure his entire future later this week, when he’ll be confirmed at Ferrari alongside Felipe Massa. According to some media reports in Spain, the 2-time world champion will presumably earn as much as 150 million euros during the upcoming 6 years.

Diario Sport and As newspapers revealed earlier today that Alonso has already signed a 3-year deal with the Scuderia due to come into effect from as early as next season. The Spaniard was guaranteed his place at Maranello for the upcoming 3 years - 2012 included - after which a 2-year extension option will become automatic for Ferrari. Read the rest of this entry »

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Hyundai won’t attend

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South Korean carmaker Hyundai won’t attend the Tokyo Motor Show that will take place in October. Even though the company hasn’t mentioned a reason for this, the decision was most likely driven by economic reasons as more and more auto manufacturers are struggling to cut costs by pulling out of future shows.

The Tokyo Auto Show, which was often referred to as the largest car show in Asia, is getting less attractive for overseas carmakers and Hyundai is the latest company that cancels its presence at the event. The news was confirmed by Toyokazu Ishida, who administers the international exhibition for the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. He said in a statement for Autonews that Hyundai last week called and announced it won’t attend the show.

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Aston Martin LMP1/Challenger II comparison

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Two British iconic vehicles met on Salisbury Plain last week for charity purposes, with all the proceeds from the event going to ‘Help for Heroes’. The organization, formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain’s current conflicts, received an estimated £6k following this event.

But to get straight to the point, there was one racing car against a tank, namely the Le Mans Series-winning Aston Martin LMP1 versus the Challenger II Battle Tank. Just as expected, the race car had to admit defeat against the army’s most feared weapon.

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Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster, Spy [VIDEO Inside]

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